U.S. patent application number 14/629199 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for thermal break bracket for a support frame of covering elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to AV_NEW S.R.L.. The applicant listed for this patent is AV_NEW S.R.L.. Invention is credited to Andrea Tessadori.
Application Number | 20150308098 14/629199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50349794 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150308098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tessadori; Andrea |
October 29, 2015 |
Thermal break bracket for a support frame of covering elements
Abstract
Thermal break bracket to attach a support frame to an attachment
wall, made of polymer material and comprising two parts, first and
second, in which the first part performs the function of a
transverse adjustment element, while the second part performs the
function of a vertical adjustment element with respect to the
attachment wall.
Inventors: |
Tessadori; Andrea; (Milano,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AV_NEW S.R.L. |
Piacenza |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
AV_NEW S.R.L.
Piacenza
IT
|
Family ID: |
50349794 |
Appl. No.: |
14/629199 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/698 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/7411 20130101;
E04B 2001/405 20130101; E04B 1/40 20130101; E04B 2001/7679
20130101; E04F 13/0807 20130101; E04F 13/0808 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/41 20060101
E04B001/41 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2014 |
IT |
UD2014A000036 |
Claims
1. A thermal break bracket to attach a support frame to an
attachment wall of a building, the thermal break bracket
comprising: a first component, facing during use toward the
attachment wall, made of polymer material and with a thermal break
function between the inside and the outside of the building, and a
second component made of metal, that connects the first component
made of polymer material to the support frame, wherein at least the
first component made of polymer material has at least one
transverse adjustment element and at least one vertical adjustment
element to adjust the assembly position on the attachment wall.
2. The thermal break bracket as in claim 1, wherein the at least
one transverse adjustment element and the at least one vertical
adjustment element to adjust the assembly position are the eyelet
type, made separately on one or more surfaces of the first
component made of polymer material.
3. The thermal break bracket as in claim 1, wherein the transverse
adjustment element and the vertical adjustment element are made in
surfaces of the second metal component in a position mating with a
corresponding transverse adjustment element or a corresponding
vertical adjustment element present on walls of the first component
of polymer material.
4. The thermal break bracket as in claim 1, wherein the first
component of the bracket, made of polymer material, consists of two
parts, able to be selectively coupled with respect to each other in
the assembly and joining step to the second metal component of the
bracket.
5. The thermal break bracket as in claim 4, wherein each part of
the first component is substantially L-shaped, in which a first
wall of the L is configured to be disposed, during use,
substantially parallel to the attachment wall, while the second
wall of the L is configured to be disposed, during use,
substantially orthogonal to the attachment wall.
6. The thermal break bracket as in claim 4, wherein the two parts
are obtained in the form of a monoblock and are connected to each
other by a connection tongue.
7. The thermal break bracket as in claim 4, wherein each of the two
parts comprises a respective joint seating, wherein the joint
seatings are mating and complementary with each other for
reciprocal coupling and connection.
8. The thermal break bracket as in claim 4, wherein each of the two
parts comprises a first surface or wall, lying on a first plane,
and a second surface or wall, lying on a second plane, angled with
respect to the first plane.
9. The thermal break bracket as in claim 8, wherein during use, the
thermal break bracket has at least a T-shaped configuration in
which the respective first walls of the two parts are disposed
aligned with each other and resting on the attachment wall, and the
respective second walls of the two parts are disposed adjacent to
each other and orthogonal to the attachment wall, so as to define
an interspace between them suitable for the insertion and the
attachment of the second metal component element of the attachment
frame in a position distanced from the attachment wall.
10. The thermal break bracket as in claim 8, wherein during use,
the thermal break bracket has at least an S-shaped configuration in
which the first wall of one of the two parts is disposed resting on
the attachment wall, while the other of the two parts is positioned
so that its first wall is adjacent to the second wall of the part
and the second wall is resting on the support frame.
11. The thermal break bracket as in claim 8, further comprising at
least a fireproof element disposed positioned at least above one
wall of one of the two parts.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a thermal break bracket for a
support frame of covering elements of the modular type, such as
bricks, panels, plates, tiles or suchlike, substantially of any
size and material, used mainly in the building sector, both public
and private and street furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Support frames are known for external covering elements that
are versatile, simple and practical to use, and are designed to
create, quickly and at low cost, covering structures and facades of
buildings to be applied to the walls.
[0003] The covering elements normally have the shape of tiles or
slabs of a geometric shape, normally but not necessarily square,
and can be made of various materials, including ceramic, marble,
terracotta, wood, glass or other.
[0004] The support frames normally have a plurality of rapid
clamping elements, provided with fins which cooperate by
interference with corresponding grooves provided along the edges of
the covering elements, in order to dispose the covering elements in
a simple, rapid and guided way with respect to the wall to be
covered.
[0005] Normally the support frames are constrained to the wall in
advance by means of corresponding metal attachment apparatuses,
which are generally adjustable on three axes to adjust the
positioning of the support frame with respect to the wall in a
desired way.
[0006] An example of this solution is described in the patent
application ITUD2008A000172.
[0007] Another example of a bracket for covering structures is
shown in DE 101 49 664 that shows a substantially L-shaped metal
bracket equipped with adjustment eyelets on both sides of the
L.
[0008] However, to guarantee these adjustments, in the range of
positioning variability, it is necessary to use attachment
apparatuses of a complex shape, that also require a high number of
threaded elements to attach the whole structure.
[0009] Making attachment apparatuses entirely of metal has various
disadvantages, including: a high thermal bridge between the surface
of the building to be insulated and the metal structure of the
support frame, and therefore between the inside and the outside of
the building; low elasticity, so that it is difficult to absorb the
vibrations and adapt to the different working tolerances, as well
as high production costs.
[0010] In particular, the thermal bridge is normally created due to
the contact between the metal elements inserted and buried in the
wall, which constitute its bearing structure, and the metal
attachment elements inserted in the wall in order to anchor to it
the support frame of the covering elements.
[0011] This contact between metal elements constitutes a passage
way for the transmission of heat between the inside and the outside
of the building, with negative effects on the thermal conditioning
of the internal rooms of the building itself.
[0012] Other examples of metal brackets used to make covering
structures for buildings, for example ventilated facades, are shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,642, WO 2008/101319 and DE 10 2004
025760.
[0013] One purpose of the present invention is to make a thermal
break bracket for attachment apparatuses and support frames for
covering structures of the type described above that simplifies
production and assembly operations.
[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a
thermal break bracket for attachment apparatuses and support frames
that guarantees a low thermal bridge between the surface of the
building to be insulated and the metal structure of the support
frame without entailing complexities in the manufacturing and high
production costs. In particular, one purpose of the invention is to
reduce as much as possible, if not to eliminate, the possibility of
contact between metal elements of the metal structure of the
support frame and structural metal elements inserted and buried in
the wall of the building.
[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to make a
thermal break bracket for support frames that is extremely
versatile and can adapt to different configurations required during
the installation steps.
[0016] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present
invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and
to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the
independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other
characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive
idea.
[0018] In accordance with the above purposes, a thermal break
bracket to attach a support frame to an attachment wall, according
to the present invention, is at least partly made of polymer
material and substantially consists of two components, first and
second.
[0019] A first component, facing during use toward an attachment
wall of the covering structure, is made of a polymer material and
performs a thermal break function between the inside and outside of
a building to which the covering structure is applied.
[0020] A second component, or connection component, that can be
made of metal, connects the first component made of polymer
material of the bracket to the support frame.
[0021] According to one form of embodiment of the present
invention, the first component of the bracket, made of polymer
material, has both transverse adjustment elements of the assembly
position in a parallel direction with respect to the attachment
wall, and also vertical adjustment elements.
[0022] In one form of embodiment, the adjustment elements, both
transverse and vertical, are the eyelet type, made separately on
one or more surfaces of the first component made of polymer
material of the bracket and possibly in mating surfaces of the
second metal component.
[0023] In another form of embodiment, the first component of the
bracket, made of polymer material, consists in its turn of two
parts, which are able to be selectively coupled with respect to
each other in the assembly and joining step to the second metal
connection component of the bracket.
[0024] In this form of embodiment, each part of the first component
of the bracket is substantially L-shaped, wherein a first wall of
the L is disposed, during use, substantially parallel to the
attachment wall, while the second wall of the L is disposed during
use substantially orthogonal to the attachment wall.
[0025] In this form of embodiment, in at least one of the parts of
the first component made of polymer material of the bracket, at
least one first transverse adjustment eyelet is made in the first
wall of the L, disposed parallel to the attachment wall, while a
second vertical adjustment eyelet is made in the second wall of the
L.
[0026] According to a variant, in one of the parts of the first
component made of polymer material of the bracket, at least one
first transverse adjustment eyelet is made in the first wall of the
L while in the other part of the first component made of polymer
material of the bracket at least a second vertical transverse
adjustment eyelet is made.
[0027] In one form of embodiment, in the first component made of
polymer material of the bracket, which performs the thermal break
function, the two parts are obtained in the form of a monoblock and
are connected to each other by a connection tongue.
[0028] In an alternative form of embodiment, the two parts of the
component made of polymer material are obtained separately as
distinct elements and are assembled with respect to each other and
to the second metal component in the assembly step of the covering
structure.
[0029] In one form of embodiment, the first component made of
polymer material of the bracket, in the assembled condition, can
have, during use, at least a T-shaped configuration deriving from
the reciprocal connection of the two L-shaped parts. In the
assembled condition, the respective first walls of the two L-shaped
parts are disposed aligned with each other and resting on the
attachment wall, and the respective second walls of the two
L-shaped parts are disposed adjacent to each other and orthogonal
to the attachment wall, so as to define an interspace between them
suitable for the insertion and installation of the second metal
component of the attachment frame.
[0030] Thanks to the T-shaped configuration, the second walls of
the polymer component of the bracket define an assembly position of
the second metal component distanced from the wall of the building,
so as to eliminate any point of contact between the wall of the
building, in particular between structural metal elements inserted
in the wall, and metal parts of the frame that supports the
covering structure. In this way the heat transmission points that
can create thermal bridges between the inside and outside of the
building are eliminated.
[0031] The bracket according to the invention can have, during use,
at least an S-shaped configuration in which the first wall of one
of the two parts is disposed resting on the attachment wall, while
the other of the two parts is positioned so that its first wall is
adjacent to the second wall of the part and the second wall is
resting on the support frame.
[0032] In accordance with one form of embodiment, the thermal break
bracket comprises at least one fireproof element disposed
overlapping at least one wall of one of the two parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] These and other characteristics of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description of forms of
embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to
the attached drawings wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first component of the
thermal break bracket according to the invention in one form of
embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the thermal break bracket
comprising the component of FIG. 1 in a possible configuration of
use;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a variant form of embodiment of the bracket in
FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the thermal break bracket in
FIG. 1 in another possible configuration of use;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thermal break bracket in
FIG. 1 in another configuration of use;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of a form of embodiment of
the thermal break bracket;
[0040] FIG. 7 concerns another form of embodiment of a component of
the thermal break bracket.
[0041] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have
been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in
the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of
one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other
forms of embodiment without further clarifications.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME FORMS OF EMBODIMENT
[0042] We shall now refer in detail to the various forms of
embodiment of the present invention, of which one or more examples
are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way
of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a
limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or
described insomuch as they are part of one form of embodiment can
be adopted on, or in association with, other forms of embodiment to
produce another form of embodiment. It is understood that the
present invention shall include all such modifications and
variants.
[0043] FIGS. 1-7 are used to describe forms of embodiment of a
thermal break bracket 10 used to attach a support frame 11 to an
attachment wall 60, shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0044] The thermal break bracket 10 has a first component 25 (FIGS.
1, 7) made at least partly, advantageously wholly, of polymer
material, such as polyamide for example, obtainable by molding or
other suitable working process.
[0045] In accordance with the present description, with reference
to FIG. 1, the first component 25 in polymer material consists
substantially of two parts, respectively first 12 and second 13,
connected to each other by a connection tongue 14. In the form of
embodiment in FIG. 7 each part 12, 13 is made singly, for example
by molding, and is advantageously, even if not necessarily,
coupled, during the assembly step, to another of said parts 12, 13,
in order to define the coupling condition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3
for example.
[0046] The solution shown in FIG. 1 concerns the case, not binding,
in which the first component 25 in polymer material is obtained as
a monoblock in a single piece from molding.
[0047] In the solution of FIG. 1, the two parts 12 and 13 have a
mating geometric configuration for the functions they must perform
in their operative application, as will be discussed in detail
hereafter.
[0048] In particular, each of the two parts 12 and 13 comprises a
first surface or wall, lying on a first plane, in this case
horizontal, respectively 17 and 18, and a second surface, or wall,
lying on a second plane, angled in this case substantially at
90.degree., with respect to the first plane, in this case vertical,
respectively 26 and 29. The terms vertical and horizontal are
intended with reference to the positioning shown in FIG. 1 and must
not be considered restrictive in the context of the present
description.
[0049] As will be seen hereafter, and with regard to their
conformation, in the solution shown in FIG. 2, the first part 12
performs the function of transverse adjustment element, while the
second part 13 performs the function of vertical adjustment element
with respect to the attachment wall 60.
[0050] In the solution in FIGS. 3 and 7, as will be seen better
hereafter, each part 12, 13 can perform both the function of
vertical adjustment and also that of transverse adjustment.
[0051] In this case too, the terms transverse and vertical are
intended as a preferential function in condition of use, and refer
to the position that the two elements that constitute the bracket
10 will assume when installed with respect to the attachment wall
60. Any reference to position is not to be considered as
restrictive for the invention, but used only for greater
descriptive clarity.
[0052] In some forms of embodiment, the first component 25 of the
thermal break bracket 10 is made of composite material, such as for
example resins reinforced with a fibrous material, like glass
fibers for example. In this way, the first component 25 can have
the function of insulating material so as to have a thermal
transmission coefficient much lower than that of the metal
materials used in the state of the art.
[0053] In some forms of embodiment, each part 12 and 13 can have a
shape to allow interfacing and connection with the other part 13
and 12 and, at the same time, attachment to the wall as well as
connection with a second metal component 23 of the bracket 10,
described hereafter.
[0054] For example, a shape that respects these requirements can be
an L-shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-7 for example.
[0055] The L-shape of each part 12, 13 of the first component in
polymer material 25 allows, in the assembled condition, to keep the
second metal component 23 at a distance from the attachment wall
60, reducing to a minimum the possibility of any contact between
metal components inserted and buried in the attachment wall 60 and
metal elements of the support frame 11, thus preventing the
creation of thermal bridges between inside and outside the
building.
[0056] In some forms of embodiment, by breaking the connection
tongue 14, the two parts 12 and 13 can be separated completely from
each other, so they can be used autonomously and independently.
[0057] In other forms of embodiment, the two parts 12 and 13,
obtained separate, or subsequently separated, as shown in FIG. 7,
can then be coupled and connected in a different disposition from
that shown in FIG. 1.
[0058] In order to obtain a thermal break bracket 10 that can
interface both with the attachment wall 60 and with the support
frame 11, each of the parts 12 and 13 can have connection seatings
and possible joint coupling seatings.
[0059] In particular, in this case, a transverse joint seating 15
and a vertical joint seating 16 are respectively made,
substantially in the connection zone between vertical wall and
horizontal wall of each of the two parts 12 and 13 (FIGS. 1,
6).
[0060] The joint seatings 15 and 16 allow to couple and connect
again the two parts 12 and 13 with respect to each other, after the
separation through breaking of the connection tongue 14, in order
to obtain a thermal break bracket 10 in a single body (see FIG. 2
for example) but with a configuration suitable for the specific
operative function to be performed.
[0061] In particular, the connection between the two parts 12 and
13 can produce a T-shaped configuration (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 for
example), that can be used, for example, to support the load
associated with the support frame 11, or an S-shaped configuration
(see FIG. 5 for example), that can be used to increase the
resistance to wind stresses that act on the external covering wall
and consequently can cause the covering itself to vibrate
excessively.
[0062] In accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3, concerning a T-shaped
configuration, the parts 12 and 13, and in particular the
respective walls 17 and 18, connected to each other by means of the
respective joint seatings 15 and 16, define an attachment surface
19 which, during use, can be located in contact with any flat
surface, such as an attachment wall 60 for example.
[0063] In accordance with FIG. 2, the wall 17 of the first part 12
performs, during use, a transverse adjustment function while the
wall 18 of the second part 13 performs, during use, a vertical
adjustment function.
[0064] In particular, the transverse adjustment wall 17 and the
vertical adjustment wall 18 comprise, respectively, a transverse
adjustment eyelet 20 and a vertical adjustment eyelet 21 which
allow, respectively, the transverse and vertical adjustment of the
thermal break bracket 10, giving the first two degrees of
adjustment of the support frame 11. As seen in the drawings, in
particular FIG. 1, in the monoblock production conformation, the
eyelets 20 and 21 have a reciprocally substantially perpendicular
development.
[0065] In the solution shown in FIG. 3, instead, both walls 17 and
18, disposed in contact with the attachment wall 60, of the parts
12 and 13 perform a transverse adjustment function, having
respective transverse adjustment eyelets 20, while the walls 26, 29
orthogonal to them, described in greater detail hereafter, perform
a vertical adjustment function, having respective vertical
adjustment eyelets 21.
[0066] In some forms of embodiment, the T-shaped configuration of
the polymeric component 25 of the thermal break bracket 10 defines
an element 22 orthogonal to the attachment surface 19, therefore
orthogonal to the attachment wall 60, defined by the parallel and
adjacent positioning of the two walls 26, 29. The orthogonal
element 22 defines, in the space between the walls 26, 29, a
sliding fissure or interspace 24 that can house at least part of
said second metal component 23, used for the coupling and
connection of the first polymeric component 25 and the support
frame 11.
[0067] The second metal component 23 can translate orthogonally
with respect to the plane on which the wall lies, allowing both a
vertical adjustment and an adjustment of the amplitude of the space
between the attachment wall 60 of the building to be insulated and
the covering of the building.
[0068] In this way, in addition to the transverse and vertical
adjustments, a third degree of adjustment is obtained, defined by
the distance between support frame 11 and attachment wall 60.
[0069] In accordance with FIG. 1, the wall 26 can have, in
correspondence to one of its upper transverse ends 27, a transverse
aperture 28, such as a hole for example, through in the thickness
of the transverse assembly wall 26.
[0070] Moreover, still in accordance with FIG. 1, the wall 29 in
correspondence with an upper vertical end 30, has a vertical
aperture 31, such as a hole for example, through in the thickness
of the vertical assembly wall 29.
[0071] In some forms of embodiment, the two apertures 28 and 31 can
be provided on the axis of symmetry of the respective assembly
walls 26 and 29; according to a variant, they can be disposed in
different positions from those shown, provided that the two
apertures 28 and 31 are disposed aligned with respect to each other
when the two parts 12 and 13 are disposed in the T-shaped
configuration.
[0072] In the T-shaped configuration (FIGS. 2 and 3), in order to
clamp the metal component 23 in the interspace 24, attachment
elements can be used, such as for example threaded screws, passing
through the apertures 28 and 31 to determine a stable position of
the metal component 23. The diameter of the apertures 28 and 31 can
therefore be variable, as a function of the type of attachment
element used.
[0073] In some forms of embodiment, in order to facilitate the
insertion of the attachment elements, it is possible to provide a
lead-in in the apertures 28 and 31 as above.
[0074] According to the present description and with reference for
example to FIG. 1, the transverse adjustment eyelets 20 and the
vertical adjustment eyelets 21 are like through apertures in the
thickness of the respectively transverse and vertical adjustment
walls 17, 18, 26, 29. The eyelets 20 and 21 can both have an oblong
extension in the direction, respectively, transverse and vertical
with respect to the attachment wall 60, in order to allow to adjust
the position of the thermal break bracket 10. In particular, the
eyelets 20 and 21 are designed to house the attachment elements,
such as threaded screws, which can allow connection of the thermal
break bracket 10 to the attachment wall 60 (see for example FIGS.
2-4). In particular, the adjustment of the position of the thermal
break bracket 10 can be made by sliding the attachment elements
inside the eyelets 20 and 21 until the optimum position is
determined.
[0075] As can be seen from the solution in FIG. 3, the transverse
adjustment eyelets 20 allow to correctly position the polymer
component 25 with respect to the attachment wall 60. The vertical
adjustment eyelets 21 allow to correctly position, in a vertical
direction, the second metal component 23 with respect to the
polymer component 25.
[0076] The clamping of the first polymer component 25 and the
second metal component 23 is obtained also with the assistance of
anchoring screws 66, insertable through insertion holes 65 aligned
between parts 12, 13 of the first polymer component 25 and
corresponding holes present in the second metal component 23.
[0077] In some forms of embodiment, the wall 26, which during use
is disposed orthogonally to the attachment wall 60, can house a
fireproof element 32 (FIG. 2), which also has a bracket or L shape
and can be made of metal material. The main purpose of the
fireproof element 32 is to statically support the support frame 11
of the covering if the polymer component 25 starts to melt due to
fire. If the polymer material melts, the attachment plugs can rest
against the fireproof element 32, transmitting the loads and thus
allowing to at least temporarily support the structure.
[0078] This causes an increase in the fireproof properties of the
bracket 10 in terms of safety times.
[0079] Another function of the fireproof element 32 is to prevent
the fall of drops of melted composite material as a consequence of
overheating in correspondence with the polymer component 25 of the
thermal break bracket 10.
[0080] The fireproof element 32 comprises a transverse fireproof
wall 33 and an orthogonal fireproof wall 34.
[0081] The fireproof element 32 can be mounted overlapping with the
first part 12 of the polymer component 25. To do this, compatibly
with the shape of the first part 12, the fireproof element 32
comprises, at the end of the orthogonal fireproof wall 34, an
aperture 35, such as for example a hole which, in the T-shaped
configuration of the thermal break bracket 10, can be aligned and
interacting in size and position with the apertures 28 and 31 as
above.
[0082] With this configuration, a coupling element, such as a
threaded element, can pass through the apertures 28, 31 and 35,
attaching both the fireproof element 32 and the second metal
component 23.
[0083] The transverse fireproof wall 33 also comprises an eyelet 36
with a size at least equal to that of the transverse adjustment
eyelet 20 of the first part 12.
[0084] In some forms of embodiment, the transverse adjustment wall
17 can have a greater thickness around the transverse adjustment
eyelet 20, thus generating a raised area 37 that can have a
peripheral shape such as to generate interaction with the eyelet
36, in particular joint or similar forms of attachment and
insertion.
[0085] In other forms of embodiment, the raised area 37 can have a
thickness compatible with the thickness of the fireproof element
32, or different.
[0086] In other forms of embodiment, the raised area 37 can have a
surface area with a rectangular or oblong shape, or shapes
compatible with the transverse adjustment eyelet 20.
[0087] According to the present description, and purely for the
purpose of clarifying FIG. 2, the first part 12 and the second part
13 of the polymer component 25 of the thermal break bracket 10
comprise support elements, respectively transverse 38 and vertical
39.
[0088] In particular the support elements 38 and 39 can have a
shape such as to increase the robustness of the individual parts 12
and 13 and their capacity for supporting loads.
[0089] A shape compatible with these requirements can be a
triangle, such as an isosceles or right triangle, disposed so as to
make the other sides adhere to the surfaces of the walls affected
by said advantageous effect, and the hypotenuse exposed toward the
external environment.
[0090] The support elements 38 and 39 can have a variable
thickness, which can also be the same as that of the walls that
make up the elements 12 and 13 of the polymer component 25 of the
thermal break bracket 10.
[0091] In some forms of embodiment, and with reference for example
to FIG. 1, the support elements 38 and 39 can be in contact
respectively with the front surface of the orthogonal wall 26 and
the upper surface of the transverse adjustment wall 17, and with
the front surface of the orthogonal wall 29 and upper surface of
the transverse or vertical adjustment wall 18.
[0092] In some forms of embodiment, the transverse assembly wall
26, the transverse adjustment wall 17 and the support elements 38
can constitute a single body of the first part 12 and are connected
to each other by connections with a radius suitable to prevent the
formation of dead angles. In the same way, the vertical assembly
wall 29, the transverse or vertical adjustment wall 18 and the
support elements 39 can constitute a single body of the second part
13 and are connected to each other by connections with a radius
suitable to prevent the formation of dead angles.
[0093] In some forms of embodiment, the size in surface terms of
the vertical support elements 39 can be less than the size of the
transverse support elements 38: this is for reasons of industrial
requirements for the production of the vertical adjustment eyelet
21.
[0094] In some forms of embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1
for example, in the rear part of the transverse assembly wall 26,
the first part 12 has the transverse joint seating 15 described
above.
[0095] The transverse joint seating 15 has a transverse tongue 40,
parallel to the transverse adjustment wall 17, which extends with a
length that can correspond to that of the transverse assembly wall
26 in the vertical direction. In some forms of embodiment, the
thickness of the tongue can vary from a few millimeters to a few
centimeters and the amplitude can be a few millimeters, preferably
5-6 millimeters.
[0096] The transverse tongue 40 is connected to the transverse
assembly wall 26 in correspondence with a lower transverse end 41
and located at a distance from the transverse rear edge 42, in the
direction orthogonal to the attachment wall, equal to the thickness
of the mating vertical joint seating provided on the second part
13.
[0097] In some forms of embodiment, in correspondence with the
connection with the transverse assembly wall 26, the tongue 40 can
have at least a joint aperture 43, in this case two apertures 43.
In some forms of embodiment, the joint apertures 43 can be made
through or blind in the thickness of the tongue 40 and can have a
rectangular or oblong shape for example.
[0098] In some forms of embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1,
in the rear part of the vertical assembly wall 29 the second part
13 has the vertical joint seating 16, with a shape such that it can
mate with the transverse joint seating 15 (see FIG. 6 for
example).
[0099] The vertical joint seating 16, in this case, has a rear
tongue 44 and a joint tongue 45, parallel to the vertical
adjustment wall 18, which extend with a length that can correspond
to that of the transverse assembly wall 26 in the vertical
direction.
[0100] The rear tongue 44 is connected to the vertical assembly
wall 29 in correspondence with a vertical lower end 46 and is
located on the transverse rear edge 42, configured as an extension
in the transverse direction of the vertical adjustment wall 18.
[0101] The joint tongue 45 is connected to the transverse assembly
wall 26 in correspondence with a vertical lower end 46 and located
at a distance from the transverse rear edge 42, in a direction
orthogonal to the attachment wall, equal to the sum of the
thickness of the transverse tongue 40 and the rear tongue 44.
[0102] In some forms of embodiment, the joint tongue 45 can be
discontinuous, since it can have at least one joint element 48, in
this case two, compatible with the joint apertures 43.
[0103] In some forms of embodiment, the two tongues 44 and 45
define between them an interspace 47, such as for example a
fissure, that extends for the entire length of the tongues 44 and
45. The interspace 47 has a shape and size such as to house the
transverse tongue 40 inside it and the apertures 43 of the
transverse tongue 40 are such as to be able to house the joint
elements 48, so as to obtain a stable connection between the first
part 12 and the second part 13.
[0104] In some forms of embodiment, the interspace 24 has a
thickness corresponding to the amplitude of the tongues 40, 44 and
45 with respect to the respective transverse and vertical assembly
walls 26 and 29.
[0105] In some forms of embodiment, it may be convenient to use two
polymer components 25, operating on the same metal component 23
with the purpose of increasing the structure's resistance to
stresses.
[0106] In other forms of embodiment, it can be advantageous to use
the thermal break bracket 10 both to attach the vertical profile
(see FIGS. 1-4), and also the horizontal profile of the support
frame 11 (see FIG. 5 for example).
[0107] In some forms of embodiment, and in particular in the
S-shaped configuration, the second part 13 can be positioned in the
same way as in the T-shaped configuration, in particular so that
the vertical adjustment wall 18 rests against the attachment wall
60, giving the possibility of making the vertical adjustment of the
apparatus in this configuration.
[0108] The first part 12 is disposed instead so that the transverse
adjustment wall 17 is adjacent to the vertical assembly wall 29 of
the second part 13, and such that the transverse adjustment eyelet
20 is aligned with the vertical aperture 31, so as to allow
connection of the two parts 12 and 13 by coupling elements, such as
for example threaded elements (see FIG. 2 for example).
[0109] The transverse assembly wall 26 is instead put resting on
the support frame 11 and is connected to it by coupling elements
such as threaded screws.
[0110] According to the present description, and with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3 for example, the second metal component 23 comprises
a first flap 49 and a second flap 50.
[0111] The insertion in this case of one flap or the other 49, 50
inside the interspace 24 allows to produce another two
configurations (see FIGS. 2 and 4 for example). The first of them
is such that the first flap 49 is inserted into the interspace 24
(FIG. 2) while the second is such that the second flap 50 is
inserted into the interspace 24 (FIG. 3). The two configurations
differ by a distance D (FIG. 5), which can be created between the
attachment wall 60 of the building to be insulated and the metal
structure of the support frame 11 according to the asymmetrical
configuration of the metal component 23.
[0112] In particular, in the configuration in FIG. 2, like that in
FIG. 3, a greater distance D can be generated that is compatible
with big thicknesses of the insulating material; this solution can
be used to create external coverings associated with the insulation
of spaces that require a high quality insulation, such as bedrooms
for example.
[0113] In the configuration in FIG. 4, instead, a reduced distance
D can be generated, compatible with using smaller thicknesses of
the insulating material; this solution can be used for example to
create external coverings associated with the insulation of
stairwells.
[0114] The first flap 49 can have a quadrangular shape, for example
square or rectangular; it comprises at least one hole 51 to attach
it to the frame 11, in this case four holes, and an orthogonal
sliding eyelet 52, through in the thickness of the wall of the flap
49 and having an oblong shape in a direction orthogonal with
respect to the attachment wall.
[0115] The eyelet 52 can have a shape and size such that it can
interact with the interspace 24 and in particular with the
apertures 28 and 31, respectively, of the two parts 12 and 13 of
the first polymer component 25, to allow the insertion of coupling
elements, such as for example threaded elements, to couple the
metal component 23 to the polymer component 25 of the thermal break
bracket 10.
[0116] The second flap 50 comprises a quadrangular segment 53,
which is beveled on one side in FIG. 3, in this case on the left,
for example having a square or rectangular shape, and a rectangular
segment 55. The segment 53 comprises at least one hole 51, in this
case four holes, and a transverse sliding eyelet 54 through in the
thickness of the walls and having an oblong shape in a transverse
direction with respect to the attachment wall 60; on the contrary,
the rectangular segment 55 can have a surface without
apertures.
[0117] The second metal component 23 is made in a single body and
the presence of the two flaps 49 and 50 is obtained by a bending
and incision process. In particular, the rectangular segment 55 is
connected by the short side to the quadrangular segment 53, forming
a surface belonging to the same plane, whereas in the direction of
the long side the rectangular segment 55 is connected to the first
flap 49. The first flap 49 and the second flap 50 are orthogonal
with respect to each other so as to form a double L-shaped and
P-shaped configuration as described above.
[0118] A possible application of the present invention can provide
to reciprocally connect two thermal break brackets 10 so that the
transverse adjustment wall 17 and the vertical adjustment wall 18
of the first and second bracket both rest against the wall 60 and
that the transverse 15 and vertical 16 joint seatings of the first
bracket are respectively connected to the vertical 16 and
transverse 15 joint seatings of the second bracket. This solution
allows to support higher loads.
[0119] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may
be made to the thermal break bracket for a support frame for
covering elements as described heretofore, without departing from
the field and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *