Brick veneer holding plates

Abstract

There is a mounting plate for a tile veneer cladding system. The plate 1 is adapted for attachment across the wall panels or frame members of a structure by driving nails or screws through longituninal channels 3. The plate is formed with a plurality of resiliently deflectable locking tabs 4 which are disposed in vertically spaced rows among the length of the plate. The vertical spacing of these rows is chosen so that the upper edge 5A and lower edge 5B of each cladding tile 5 placed between adjacent rows are gripped and held prior to application of grout or adhesive.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to tile or brick veneer cladding systems. More particularly although not exclusively an improved mounting plate is disclosed for such installations.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] There are several types of cladding systems currently in use. Typically they employ sheet metal plates which are screwed or nailed to the existing wall panels or frame of a structure. The plates are formed with a variety of different mechanical means for supporting staggered courses of tiles (also called “brick biscuits” in the trade) in a manner resembling conventional brickwork. The subsequent application of a grout or adhesive having the appearance of mortar between the tiles then completes the brick-like facade. Because of substantial savings in weight and labour costs such cladding systems are commonly used for example on the exteriors of second story additions to conventional brick veneer dwellings, high rise timber and fibro houses

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mounting plate or rail which imposes a positive mechanical grip on cladding tiles prior to grouting. Accordingly a mounting plate for a tile veneer cladding system is disclosed, said plate being adapted for attachment across the wall panels or frame members of a structure, the plate being formed with a plurality of resiliently deflectable locking tabs which in a position of use of said plate are disposed in horizontally spaced rows extending along the length of said plate, the horizontal spacing of said rows being chosen so that upper and lower edges of a cladding tile placed between said rows are gripped and held by respective upper and lower ones of said locking tabs prior to application of grout or adhesive.

[0004] Preferably said locking tabs comprise an outwardly extending cantilevered portion which terminates at a downwardly directed gripping flange.

[0005] It is further preferred, at least with one embodiment of the invention, that the upper and/or lower edges of the cladding tile are planar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Currently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a segment of mounting plate and fitted cladding tile according to this concept.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting late and tile along the lines A-A of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a mounting plate according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a mounting plate according to a third embodiment of the invention, and

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a mounting plate and fitted tile according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring first to FIG. 1 there is a plate 1 which is adapted for attachment across the wall panels or frame of a structure (not shown) by means of screws or nails 2 driven through horizontal channels 3. Located between these channels 3 are vertically spaced rows of locking tabs 4. The tabs preferably comprise outwardly extending cantilevered portions 4A which terminate at downwardly directed flanges 4B. The tabs with this embodiment are formed by punching out segments from the plate at 4C which are then bent to the configuration shown. Indents 4D may also be formed at the base of the tabs during the punching process. These serve to stiffen the tabs and increase their resistance to deformation when under load.

[0013] With the particular embodiment shown the locking tabs may be spaced at 40 mm centre to centre in the horizontal direction and 85 mm in the vertical direction. Other dimensions however may be found suitable within the scope of this invention depending upon the tiles fitted.

[0014] In use a number of plates as described above are nailed or screwed horizontally across the panels or frame members of a wall so as to cover the side of the structure. Cladding tiles 5 having upper and lower preferably planar edge surfaces 5A and 5B are then fitted between the adjacent vertically spaced rows of tabs 4. These tiles may be for example 25 mm thick and about 80 mm in height. The spacing of the rows is chosen so that each tile forms an interference fit between vertically opposite tabs 4. In FIG. 2 the lower edge 5B rests on a cantilevered portion 4A and the upper edge 5A is gripped by flange 4B. Preferably as shown in FIG. 2 the flanges 4B are inclined inwardly toward the plate. This facilitates the push fitting of the tiles into place and also increases the gripping action of the flanges to resist subsequent dislodgement.

[0015] Second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 respectively, The main components of the plate here that correspond in function to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are identified by the same numbers which however are primed (′), (″) and (′″) to distinguish them.

[0016] With the second embodiment there are two differently shaped locking tabs 6 and 7 which alternate within each horizontal row and are offset between vertically spaced rows. The locking tabs 6 have squared off ends and extend out at an angle A of about 90 degrees from the plate 1′. Locking tabs 7 are V shaped and are disposed at a downward angle B of about 45 degrees. The lower edge of each tile (not shown) rests centrally on top of individual square ended tabs 6 while the upper tile edge is gripped by a pair of V shaped tabs 7 in the row above.

[0017] The third embodiment of FIG. 4 is basically similar to that of FIG. 3 except that both the square ended and V shaped locking tabs 8 and 9 in this case extend out from the plate 1″ at an upward angle C of about 80 degrees as shown. The tiles rest on the upwardly inclined tabs and are held in place by mortar.

[0018] With the fourth embodiment of FIG. 5 the locking tabs 10 are all identical with outwardly extending cantilevered portions 10A at 90 degrees to the plate 1′″ which terminate at downwardly directed flanges 10B. These flanges 10B however are turned out at their lower edges 10C. The bottom tile surface 11 rests on the cantilevered portions 10A of a lower row of tiles and is mechanically secured against the plate 1′″ by a groove 12 along the tile top 13 engaging the flanges 10B of an upper row. The turned out edges 10C of the flanges facilitate fitting of the tiles which are first slid upwardly into engagement with said flanges and then pushed inward at the bottom to rest on the lower row. Although the invention is not limited to any specific dimensions for the tiles used with this invention they may for example be 230 mm in length, 25 mm iii thickness and 76 mm in height. The groove running along the top edge may be 4 mm wide and 8 mm deep.

[0019] For a typical installation the tiles would be fitted onto the plates in spaced staggered courses so as to simulate conventional brickwork. Any suitable form of grout or adhesive which resembles mortar is then applied between the tiles. Upon hardening this serves to additionally lock the tiles in place and complete the appearance of brick construction.

[0020] It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in terms of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel and improved form of holding plate for veneer cladding. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape, configuration and position of the locking tabs as well as the spacing of the rows on the plate may all be changed according to the shape and size of the tiles used. Also, while it is currently preferred to fabricate the plate from galvanised steel the invention extends to the use of any other suitable material or mode of construction.

Claims

1. A mounting plate for a tile veneer cladding aystem, said mounting plate being adapted for attachment across the wall panels or frame members of a structure and being formed with a plurality of resiliently deflectable locking tabs which in a position of use of said plate are disposed in vertically spaced rows extending along a horizontal length of said plate, the vertical spacing of said rows being chosen so that upper and lower edges of a cladding tile placed between adjacent rows are gripped by respective upper and lower ones of said locking tabs prior to application of grout or adhesive.

2. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking tabs each include an outward extending cantilevered portion which terminates at a downwardly directed gripping flange.

3. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 2 wherein in use of said plate the downwardly directed gripping flange grips the upper edge of said cladding tile.

4. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tabs are formed by punching out segments of said plate.

5. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plate is adapted for attachment by means of screws or nails driven through said plate and into said structure.

6. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 5 wherein said gripping flange is inclined inwardly toward the plate to facilitate push fitting of said cladding tile into place and increase the gripping action of said flange on said upper edge.

7. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 6 wherein indents are formed at the base of the tabs to stiffen said tabs.

8. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 7 wherein said screws or nails are driven through horizontal channels in said plate, said channels being parallel to said rows of locking tabs.

9. The mounting plate as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plate is formed from sheet metal.

10. A mounting plate for a tile veneer cladding system, said plate being substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

11. A method of tile veneer cladding using the mounting plate as claimed in claim 1, said method including the steps of:—

attaching said mounting plate horizontally across panels or frame members of said structure,

fitting said cladding tile between said adjacent rows whereby the upper and lower edges of said cladding tiles are gripped by upper and lower ones of said locking tabs, and

applying a grout or adhesive between the edges of said cladding tile and other adjacent cladding tiles fitted to said mounting plate so as to simulate conventional brick construction