GB2336858A - A support system for panels or structural members - Google Patents

Abstract

A support system for supporting a panel in spaced relation from a structural member or to maintain two panels spaced-apart comprises a number of elongate support members (2) and a number of brackets (10). The support member (2) has a base and side webs with inturned lips (5). Each bracket (10) has a head part (11), a support leg (12) and a mounting foot (13). The bracket head (11) fits slidingly in the channel of the support member (2). Brackets (10) can connect at either end of a support member (10) and in this manner a chain of brackets and support members can be fitted together. Insulation may be interposed between the separated panels.

Description

1 2336858 1 "A support system" Introd lle invention relates to a support

system and in particular to a support system for supporting a panel in spaced-apart relaidon to anod= panel or a structural nmnber, for etample for use in providing a pitched roof over a flat roof, or for supporting panels in -apart relation to create a void between panels to receive insulation.

Vaiious support s of this type are known. One such known system "-A2 148 975) comprises an elongate support m on which a panel is mounted and a pl of plastics ts which are shaped to engage the elongate support member with a twist lock action. One of the problems with such "ems is that the brackets are difficult to use. The attachment of the hucket is t and requires considerable dexterity by the user. There is also a risk of the bra becoming dislodged in use.

Another support system is described in UK-A-2 240 558 which includes brackets that are mounted to a support using a twist and lock action. In this case the bracket is of sheet metal with tongues dc by slots to facilitate the mounting of the brackets to the support by a twist and lock action. One of the tongue portions of the bracket has an anti- rotating element to assist in avoiding the risk of rotation of die bracket when mounted in the elongate support.

There is however, still a problem with all such known support systems in that the brackets are difficult to handle and manipulate and require considerable user dexterity for inserting and fixing. The assembly and Fudng can be slow and, in particular fastening is difficult because the system requires holes to be drilled at an angle. In addition, although the brackets must be positioned accurately, measurement is the only way of registering a predetermined position.

2 This invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved support system which will overcome tim problem.

Statments of Inventdom.

is According to the invention there is pro a support system for supporting an outer panel m spaoed-apan relation to an M= panel or a structural niernber, the support "stem spacing the outer panel from the inner panel or the suuctural member and comprising an elongate support member fbr supporting the outer panel and at least a pair of brackets, each bracket having a head part and a leg part extending from the bead part fbr enMement with an inner panel or a structural rnember, at least one end of the eloDgate support mernber being non- rotatably shdably engagable with the head part of a bracket for Imear longitudinal aient on assembly of the elongate support member to the bracket.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the nwort in and the head port of the bracket bave complementary engagable profiles.

Prely the support member is of inverted channel profile having in-turned &&mg retaining lips for engat a complementary profile of the bracket head part.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the bracket head is of inverted channel profile having a base and pair of side webs, the side webs engagng, an assembly, with the retaining lips of the support member.

In one embodiment of the invention the support me and bracket are integrally fbrmed.

In another embodiment of the invention the support member and bracket are separately formed.

3 In one embodiment the support system is height adjustable. Typically, in this case, the bracket includes an elongate slot to facilitate height adjustment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support system includes fixing means Ibr fndng the bracket in a desired position relative to a support member. Preferably the bracket and support me have complementary locating holes or slots in which the fi=g mem is engaged to fix ffle support member to the bracket.

In a pardly preferred arrangement the bracket includes cut-away portions to facilitate movement of the bracket relative to the support member.

Usually the bracket includes a mounting foot fbr mounting directly or indirectly to a structural me or panel.

The bracket may be formed from the same material section as that of the support member.

In one embodiment the support system includes a thermal break mean fbr interposing between a bracket and a support member.

According to a particulu aspect of the invention there is provided a support system fbr supporting a panel in spaced-apart relation to a structural member or another pang the support system comprising a support member fbr mounting to a panel and spacer means comprising a bracket having a head part and a leg pan with mounting means for mounting to a structural member or another panel, the bracket being mountable to the support member for longitudinal adjustment in relation thereto and the bracket being non-rotatably engagable with the support member.

4 The invention also des a bradwt, a support member, and/or a thermal break means fbr use with dae support system.

The invention fia-ther provides a cladding system comprising an Outer Panel, an inner structural element and a support system for supporting the outer Panel in spaced-apart relation to the J swumnml clement, the support system compnsing an elongate support member for supporting the outer panel and at least a pair of brackets, each bradcet having a head part and a leg pan extending from the head part for engagement with the elte support member, at least one end of the elongate structural support member being non-rotatably ly engagable with the head part of a bracket for linear longiradinal, adUuswmt on assembly of the elongate support member to the bracket.

In one embodiment of the invention the inner structural element is an inner panel. In this cast typically the bracket provides a spa means defining a cavity between the inner and outer panels.

Alternatively the inner structural clement is an inner structural my such as a purlin.

A cladding system of the invention may be used fbr converting a flat roof to a pitchedroof.

Brief Deption of-thQ DrawingL.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the Mowing description thereof given by way of example only in which-.-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support system of the invention assembled; Fig. 2 is an end view of the assembled support system., Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the assembled support system; Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of part of the support system, as. scmbled; is Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line V-V in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line VI-V1 in Ft. 4; Fi& 7 is an exploded view of a bracket and elongate support element of the system; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of part of a panel support system for supporting one panel in spaced-apart relation to another panel; Fig. 9 is a cross seffional view of the panel support system of Fig 81 Fig. 9A is a view of a detail of the panel support system of Figs 8 and 9; Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a roof structure incorporating the support system of the invention; Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of another support system according to the invention; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the support system of Fig 11; Figs. 13 to 19 are perspective views of various constructions of support systems; 6 Figs. 20 and 21 are respectively perspective and plan views of a thermal barrier element fbr use with the support system; and Is Figs. 22 and 23 are respectively perspective and plan views of another thermal barrier element fbr use with the support system.

DetageA D &2niptio RefhTing to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 10 thereof there is illustrated a support system flar supporting a panel in spaced-apart relation to another panel or a structural member. For example, the support system may be uwd as illustrated in Fig 10 for converting a flat roof to a pitched roof. Altemay, the support system may be used as illustrated in Figs 8 and 9 for maintaining two panels 30, 31 in spaced- apart relation to create a void between the panels 30, 31 to receive insulation 32.

The support system comprises a number of elongate support members 2 and a number of spacer nw=s comg brackets 10 which in this case are separately formed from the support member 2. The support member 2 is of inverted channel profile having a base 3 and side webs 4 with intumed side lips 5. The lips 5 are in this case turned in at an angle of approximately 60' to the vertical.

The bracket 10 has a head part 11. a support leg 12 and an out-turned mounting fbot 13. The 'bracket head part 11 has a swaged inverted channel profile comprising a base 15 and side webs 16. The profile of the bracket head 11 is sized and shaped to be a sliding fit in the channel profile of the support er 2. In the engaged position the side webs 16 of the bracket 10 are engaged in the tracks defined by the inturned lips 5 of the support me side webs 4.

It will be noted that for ease of forming the support leg 10 of the bracket 3 is of the same profile as that of the head part 11. However, to allow the bracket 3 to slide 7 along the length of the support member 2 the profiles are cut-awaY to define cutaway portions 30 at the corner through which the side webs 4 of the support member 3 pass on sliding adjustrnent.

In use, a bundle of support me 2 of 7rmined length and brackets 3 form a Idt for on-site assembly of a support system. A number of support me 2 are arranged according to the span Iength required and the brackets 3 are nmied into the ends of the support members 2 to give M= at various desired supporting locations. Adjustment.of the brackets 3 may also be made to facilitate mounting of the support feet 13 of the brackets 3 to a pancJ or a structural member. Construction of the support s is continued in this way and an outer panel, such as a roof panel, is then attached to the support membeis 2. The system is extremely quick and easy to assemble and fix in position and bemuse of the non-rotatable engagement between the support members and the brackets there is no risk of a bracket becoming dislodged, in use.

Refenigg to Pigs 11 and 12 there is illustrated another support system 40 according to the invention which is simila to the support system of Figs 1 to 10 and Ue parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the bracket 10 and support member 2 are integrally ffirmed. To manufacture such a unit a flat strip is sheared to desired developed profile. The sheared strip will then pass through a rolling mill with tooling to form the lipped channel profile. The spigot section is then pressed/swaged so that its profile is ofFset by the material thickness in relation to the lipped channel profile. A rib may be fbrmed to take up excess material. The bracket section is then bent up. If a rib is used the shape of the rib will be preserved around the bend to negate width variation and to act as a stiflener in service. The operations may be carried out in-line automaticaUy, although the operations may be carried our at more than one station.

The bracket 10 is formed at one end of the support member 2. The other end of the support member 2 is a free end. The longitudinal adjustrnent is achieved by 8 engagement of the free end of the support member 2 with a bracket section 10 of an adjacent support system 40- The engagement is similar to that illustrated in Figs 1 to 10- Various different elements of support assemblies are filunrated in Figs. 13 to ig.

In each case the support m has been condensed in length.

The bracIcet 50 of Fig 13 may be used as a grid system. Such a system allows complex assemblies, such as trusses fbr over-roof systems, to be constructed.

Numbers of suwtuW members may be assembled linearly and in an intersecting orientation.

Ihe bracket 52 of the assembly of Fig 14 has bolt-receiving holes 53 in the support leg fbr mounting the assembly to fbrm part of a structural system.

In the case of the bracket 55 of Fig 15 the support leg includes an elongate slot 56 and serrated edges to fiwffitate height adjustment and loffing. It is designed to fit with a separate fbot component 57 (Fig 16) which includes complementary locking ons.

The assembly of Fig 17 includes pre-punched rivet/pin holes 59 for ftidmg location when used in a firewall. The spacer has an upstand 60 which is formed from the same material as the spacer channel to engage in the seams of a standing seam system.

The assembly 65 of Fig 18 is fbr use as a start end for a root or horizontal wall system. In this case the 'bracket and spacer are fbrmed from the same material section.

Fig 19 illustrates a vertical spacer assembly 75 in wljch a gusset 70 is spot welded, projection riveted or self piercing riveted to provide structural strength to resist the 9 downforce exerted by cladding. The asserably may be used to provide a start end piece of a start unit fbr a bottom or vertical wall.

ne system may include thermal breaks interposed between the bracket and structural member. The th breaks may be of a suitable plastics neaterial such as Polypropylene and may be shaped to swt a required function. lhe d break is used to isolate the metal parts of the spacer system from the in swfaces of the building, reducing the ram of conductive heat loss. Two alternative breaks 80, 81 are illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21, and 22 and 23 respectively. A thermal break 80 is illustrated in use in the panel spacing system of Figs 8 and 9.

It will be appreciated that the dinimisions of the various elements in the support system in the drawings are illustrative. In particular, it will be appreciated that the aspect ratio (i.e. the width to height) of the channel may vary, depen on the is application. The channel may also have uneven leg 1 to provide enhanced SU.

The invention is not limited to the embodirnents hereinbefore described which may be varied in cozistruffion and detail.

Claims (1)

1. Claims- is 1. A support system for supporting an outer panel in

   spaced-apart relation to an mner panel or a structural member, the support system spacmg the outer panel from the inner panel or the structural me and comprising an elongate 5UPPort m for supPorting the outer panel and at least a pair of brackets, each bracket having a head part and a leg part extending from the head part for gement with an inner panel or a structtual member, at least one end of the elongate support member be%p, nozirotarably slidably engagable with the head part of a bracket for longitudinal acustment on assembly of the elongate support member to the bracker- 2. A support system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member and the head part of the bracket have complementary engagable profile.

   3.

   A support system as ed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the support member 15 Of inverted channel profile having in-turned edges defining retaining lips fbr engagement with a complementary profile of the br head parL 4. A support system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bracket head is of inverted channel profile having a base and pair of side webs, the side webs engaging, an usnubly, with the retaining lips of the support member.

   5. A support system as claimed in 4 wherein the side webs of the bracket head are cut-away at a leading edge thereof to define lead in portions for locating and aligning the bracket head with a support me.

   6. A support system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support me and a bracket are integrally formed.

   I- 11 A support system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the support member and bracket are separately formed.

   8, A support system as ed in any Preceding claim wherein the support system is heigbt adjustable.

   9. A support system as dairned in claim 8 wherein the bracket includes an elongate slot to flecilitate t adjustment 10. A it system as daimed in any preceding daim, including fixing means for fixing a bracket in a desired Position relative to the support member.

   A support system as claimed in claim 10 ein a bracket and support member have complementary locating hok% or slots in which the fixing means is engaged to fix the support member to the bracket 12. A support system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket includes cut-away portions to facilitate movement of the bracket relative to the support member.

   13. A support system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bracket includes a mounting fbot fbr mounting directly or indirectly to an inner panel or a structural, member.

   14. A support system as claimed in any preceding dairn wherein the bracket is formed firom the same material section as that of the support member.

   15. A support system as claimed in any preceding claim including a thermal break means for interposing between a bracket and a support member.

   12 16. A support system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   17. A support me substantially as hereffibefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   18. A bracket sunally as herembdore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   19. A thermal break element substantially as hereinbefbre described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   20- A cladding system comprising an outer panel, an inner structural element and a support "m for supporting the outer panel in Spaced-apart relation to &c inner structural eletnent, the support system comprising an elongate support member for supporting the outer panel and at least a pair of brackets, each bracket having a head part and a leg part c from the head part for engagement with the elongate support means,.at leazt one end of the elongate structural support member being non-rotatably slidably engagable with the head part of a bracket fbr liner longitudinal adjustnent on asly of the elongate support inember to thebracket 21. A cladding system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the inner structural 25 element is an inner panel.

   22. A cladding system as claimed in claim 21 wherem the bracket pro a spacing means dcfining a cavity between the inner and outer panels.

   23. A claddtag system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the inner Structural element is an inner sm=ral member such as a purlin.

   13 24. A cladding system as chinwd in any of cl 20 to 23 for conveffing a flat roof to a pitched roof.

   25. A cladding s substan as hereinbeffire des with refere= to the a=mpanying dm,