FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a cladding assembly and a method for cladding the walls of a building in order to insulate it, at least thermally, from the external environment. The cladding assembly can be used in new buildings, or in redevelopment and/or renovations, both as an external cladding and also as an internal cladding. By way of a non-limiting example, the cladding assembly can be used in a residential or industrial building and/or in public facilities, such as hospitals or schools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cladding assemblies for cladding the walls of a building are known, which allow to insulate it, at least thermally, from the external environment. For example, cladding assemblies with skim coated insulation layer are known, which provide to dispose a cementitious adhesive on the wall to be cladded for the subsequent laying of insulating panels, which can be made of polystyrene, rock wool, or suchlike. The insulating panels are attached to the wall using screw anchors, and the subsequent finishing is done with mortar and fiberglass mesh, or other plastic materials.

Pre-finished cladding assemblies are also known, in which the insulating panels have smaller thicknesses than those used in insulation layer assemblies and, very often, are laid and attached only with cementitious adhesives without the use of screw anchors. In these cladding assemblies, both the laying as well as the finishing have to be carried out in a very short time, since the insulating panel cannot remain exposed to the elements or to the UV rays of the sun for long. Moreover, both the skim coat as well as the finishing have to be completed in a single operation in order to prevent rings, stains and unevenness on the external surface. These requirements lead to some disadvantages, for example that a scaffolding has to be built in order to completely cover the walls of the building and that the installation and finishing have to be carried out by highly specialized personnel.

In recent years, cladding assemblies have also been used to clad a wall which provide the use of panels, or slats, of composite material, for example made of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) or suchlike. These known cladding assemblies first require the construction of a support structure, usually metallic, which is attached to the masonry wall by means of uprights and which allows the panels of composite material to be correctly positioned. The insulating panels are positioned between the uprights of the support structure and are attached, by means of respective attachment elements, to the masonry wall. The support structure is provided with a plurality of seatings and/or guides for correctly positioning the panels of composite material, which are then attached thereto by means of respective attachment elements. The construction of a support structure, however, requires a certain degree of specialization of the personnel involved in the work and leads to the inconvenience of generating thermal bridges in the cladding assembly, thus not allowing optimal thermal insulation.

In addition, there is a considerable excess of attachment elements in these cladding assemblies, resulting in a significant use of man-hours, materials and equipment.

Another disadvantage is given by the fact that the disposition of the insulating panels and of the panels of composite material is linked to the embodiment of the support structure itself. From the prior art, document US 5.636.489 A is known, which describes a cladding assembly which can be positioned on a wall, and which comprises an external cladding element made of composite material directly associated with an insulating panel, and attachment means for holding together and attaching to the wall both the cladding element and also the insulating panel. Document US 2004/216414 Al is also known, which discloses a wall cladding element formed from an insulating material. The cladding element is attached to a support structure associated with the wall, and can be associated with a corresponding base block. The base block is in contact with the ground and can be attached to a plate of a support structure of the wall by means of an intermediate element. The intermediate element is L- or J-shaped and it is provided that it is attached laterally or on the upper part, only to the base block.

There is therefore the need to perfect a cladding assembly that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of creating a cladding assembly which does not require prolonged finishing operations, and which does not provide the construction of a support structure.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a cladding assembly and to perfect a method for cladding the walls of a building which allow to improve the efficiency and the installation operations compared to the state of the art.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cladding assembly for cladding the walls of a building which is easy to position and does not require particular specializations on the part of the personnel assigned to the work.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a cladding assembly for cladding the walls of a building which is economical and in line with current environmental policies and standards.

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

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a cladding assembly according to the present invention for cladding a wall of a building in order to insulate it, at least thermally, from the external environment, comprises at least one insulating panel configured to cooperate with the wall and at least a first cladding element configured to be disposed in contact with the at least one insulating panel.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cladding assembly also comprises one or more attachment elements, each configured to attach both the insulating panel and also the first cladding element to the wall, keeping the insulating panel interposed between the first cladding element and the wall.

Doing so achieves the advantage of being able to clad the wall in a simple and rapid manner, without creating special support structures and without an excess of atachment elements.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the one or more atachment elements are each configured to atach the first cladding element to the wall, directly or by means of the interposition of an intermediate element.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the one or more atachment elements comprise, or consist of, dowels, preferably of the screw anchor type, or screws, having an attachment end able to be inserted in a corresponding atachment hole of the wall, and an actuation end, opposite to the atachment end.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the one or more atachment elements are made through in corresponding passage holes of the insulating panel.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate element comprises, or consists of, a second cladding element interposed between the insulating panel and the first cladding element.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one or more anchoring teeth are provided on the first cladding element, or on the second cladding element, in order to improve the adhesion to the insulating panel.

In accordance with possible preferred embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate element comprises, or consists of, a connection element substantially perpendicular with respect to the wall and having a first end configured to cooperate with the first cladding element and a second end configured to cooperate with the actuation end.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, one or more atachment pegs are provided on the connection element and on the first cladding element, respectively. The one or more atachment pegs being configured to atach and anchor the connection element and the first cladding element, respectively, to the insulating panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the connection element comprises a central part perpendicular to the wall and configured to be disposed in contact with an upper part of the insulating panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the atachment pegs are shaped in such a way as to have one or more perimeter anchoring indentations to improve the attachment and anchoring of the connection element and of the first cladding element, respectively, to the insulating panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the central part is provided with the one or more attachment pegs.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the insulating panel is specially sized and shaped in such a way as to have a shape mating with the internal profile of the first cladding element and of the connection element.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the insulating panel, in correspondence with a lower part thereof, is provided with a protrusion which protrudes toward the wall, and which is configured to contact both the latter and also the second end. Moreover, the insulating panel contacts the wall only by means of the protrusion, thus creating a vacuum, that is, an air zone, able to improve the insulation effect and to compensate for the possible presence of bumps present on the surface of the wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first cladding element comprises a first coupling part in correspondence with a first end thereof and a second coupling part in correspondence with a second end thereof, opposite to the first end and with a shape mating with that of the first coupling part, whereby two adjacent first cladding elements can be coupled to each other in a removable manner by means of the first coupling part of one and the second coupling part of the other.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the first coupling part is provided with a first attachment zone configured to cooperate with the actuation end. In particular, when two adjacent first cladding elements are coupled to each other, a part adjacent to the second end of one of the two first cladding elements is disposed above the actuation end, whereby the latter is not visible from the outside of the first cladding elements.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the first and second coupling part are conformed to guarantee a stable coupling both between two first cladding elements, and also to a corresponding connection element, wherein the first coupling part is shaped in such a way as to have a protuberance which is configured to be coupled to a hook-shaped element of the second coupling part, which is also provided with a coupling tooth which, during use, is configured to contact a head portion of the first coupling part of the adjacent first cladding element.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first coupling part has an internal profile, facing toward the wall, which defines a first coupling seating having a shape mating with that of the first end and configured to cooperate with the latter.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in correspondence with the second end there is an attachment zone configured to cooperate with the actuation end which, when two adjacent first cladding elements are coupled together, is not visible from the outside of the latter.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for cladding a wall of a building in order to insulate it, at least thermally, from the external environment by means of a cladding assembly, comprises a first operating step in which at least one insulating panel is disposed in contact with the wall and a second operating step in which a first cladding element is disposed in contact with the at least one insulating panel, wherein the second operating step follows, or precedes, the first operating step. The method also comprises a third operating step in which one or more attachment elements attach both the insulating panel and also the first cladding element to the wall, keeping the insulating panel interposed between the first cladding element and the wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in the third operating step the one or more attachment elements attach the first cladding element to the wall, directly or by means of the interposition of an intermediate element which comprises, or consists of, a second cladding element or a connection element.

In accordance with possible embodiments of the present invention, the method comprises an operating step of initial coupling in which the connection element is coupled to the first cladding element and, subsequently, the insulating panel is coupled to both, so as to substantially define a compact assembly in which a first end of the connection element cooperates with the first cladding element and a second end of the connection element cooperates with the one or more attachment elements in order to contact the wall and be attached thereto.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in the operating step of initial coupling, the first cladding element is disposed in such a way that a first coupling seating thereof cooperates with the first end.

Moreover, the insulating panel is coupled substantially simultaneously to the first cladding element and to the connection element, which are already joined together, so that one or more attachment pegs of the connection element and of the first cladding element, respectively, are attached and anchored to the insulating panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a section lateral view of a cladding assembly for cladding the walls of a building, according to the present invention;

- figs, from 2 to 5 are section lateral views of variants of a cladding element of the cladding assembly of fig. 1 ; - fig. 6 is a section lateral view of a cladding assembly for cladding the walls of a building, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

- fig. 7 is a section lateral view of a cladding assembly for cladding the walls of a building, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

- figs, from 8 to 10 are section lateral views of a step of laying the cladding assembly of fig. 1 ;

- figs, from 11 to 13 are section lateral views of a step of laying the cladding assembly of fig. 6;

- figs, from 14 to 16 are section lateral views of a step of laying the cladding assembly of fig. 7. We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims. 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 embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to figs. 1, 6 and 7, a cladding assembly 10 according to the present invention is designed and able to be used to clad a wall 100 of a building as described above, in order to insulate it, at least thermally, from the external environment.

The wall 100 can be, for example, a masonry wall, and in order to guarantee a better grip and a stable attachment of the cladding assembly 10, a cementitious adhesive can possibly be disposed or distributed on it.

The cladding assembly 10 comprises at least one insulating panel 11, for example made of polystyrene, rock wool, or suchlike, which is configured to cooperate, or be disposed in contact, with the wall 100, and at least a first cladding element 12 configured to cooperate, or be disposed in contact, with the insulating panel 11. For example, the first cladding element 12 is made of composite material, preferably of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) or similar materials, for example PVP (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene) or aluminum extrusions.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cladding assembly 10 also comprises one or more attachment elements 15, each configured to attach both the insulating panel 11 and also the first cladding element 12 to the wall 100, keeping the insulating panel 11 interposed between the first cladding element 12 and the wall 100. Specifically, the attachment elements 15 allow to close-packed a respective first cladding element 12 and the insulating panel 11, attaching them to the wall 100 mechanically, and keeping them in traction against it.

This offers the advantage of being able to clad the wall 100 quickly and simply, without making special support structures.

In particular, as shown in fig. 1 , each attachment element 15 is configured to attach the first cladding element 12 directly to the wall 100. According to other embodiments, shown in figs. 6 and 7, each attachment element 15 is configured to attach the first cladding element 12 by means of the interposition of an intermediate element 13, as will be described in detail below.

The attachment elements 15 comprise, or consist of, dowels, preferably of the screw anchor type, or possibly for masonry, or screws, having an attachment end 16 and an actuation end 17, opposite to the attachment end 16. Specifically, the attachment end 16 is able to be inserted in a corresponding attachment hole 101 made in the wall 100. The actuation end 17 is provided with an actuation head which can be flat, countersunk, or have a shape suitable to allow it to be screwed.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, shown in figs. 1 and from 8 to 10, the cladding assembly 10 comprises two or more first cladding elements 12 configured to be attached to a common insulating panel 11 and which define, when joined together, a cladding wall 18.

The attachment elements 15 are made through corresponding passage holes 19 made, or present, in the insulating panel 11.

Each first cladding element 12 comprises a first coupling part 20 in correspondence with a first end 21 thereof and a second coupling part 22 in correspondence with a second end 23 thereof, opposite to the first end 21 and with a shape mating with that of the first coupling part 20. In this way, two adjacent first cladding elements 12 can be coupled to each other by means of the first coupling part 20 of one and the second coupling part 22 of the other.

As shown in fig. 1 , the first and second coupling part 20 and 22 are shaped, or conformed, in such a way as to define a hook-shaped fastening mechanism, so as to guarantee a stable coupling in all directions. Specifically, the first coupling part 20 is shaped in such a way as to have a protuberance 20a which is configured to couple to a hook-shaped element 22a present in the second coupling part 22.

The first coupling part 20 is provided with a first attachment zone ZF1 configured to cooperate with the actuation end 17 of a corresponding attachment element 15. As can be seen in fig. 1, during use, the actuation end 17 abuts on the first attachment zone ZF1. Moreover, when two adjacent first cladding elements 12 are coupled to each other, a part adjacent to the second end 23 of one of the two first cladding elements 12 is disposed on top of the first attachment zone ZF1 and, therefore, of the actuation end 17, whereby the latter is not visible from the outside of the first cladding elements 12, giving a very pleasant appearance to the cladding wall 18.

Each first cladding element 12, substantially in correspondence with the first and second coupling part 20 and 22, also comprises respective stabilizing elements of the male-female type, defined by a horizontal fastening tooth 25 and by a coupling seating 26, respectively, which have reciprocally mating shapes and are able to be coupled to each other in a removable manner in order to vertically stabilize the coupling between two adjacent first cladding elements 12. Advantageously, the horizontal fastening tooth 25 and the coupling seating 26 are conformed in such a way as to cooperate with each other in order to increase the coupling seal between two adjacent cladding elements 12, and in such a way as to limit the infiltration of water on the main insulating panel 11. This is particularly convenient when the cladding assembly 10 is used to clad the external walls 100 of a building.

Please note that the coupling between the first cladding elements 12 has a certain play, so as to compensate for any thermal expansion that may be generated.

As shown in detail in figs, from 2 to 5, each first cladding element 12 comprises a flat internal wall 27, configured to be disposed in contact with the insulating panel 11, and an external, or exposed, wall 29 opposite to the internal wall 27. In particular, the first cladding elements 12 have an internal structure provided with a plurality of cavities 30 parallel to each other and vertically aligned one above the other, which extend for the entire length of the first cladding element 12.

The cavities 30 have different shapes and sizes in relation to what their use requires, and they are separated from each other by transverse partitions 31. Please note that the shape and size of the cavities 30 define, or determine, the external profile of the exposed wall 29.

Specifically, in accordance with a first variant of the first cladding element 12, shown in detail in fig. 2, the exposed wall 29 has an external profile defined by two slats, or listels, 32 in relief, which are substantially rectangular in shape and parallel and distanced from each other, thus defining a hollow space that has a substantially square-shaped section.

According to a second variant of the first cladding element 12, shown in detail in fig. 3, the exposed wall 29 has an external profile defined by three listels 32 which are more in relief and distanced further apart than in the first variant of fig. 2, and which define between them a hollow space that has a substantially rectangular section.

According to a third variant of the first cladding element 12, shown in detail in fig. 4, the exposed wall 29 has an external profile defined by three listels 32 which are more in relief than in the second variant of fig. 3 and which define between them a hollow space that also has a substantially rectangular section. Thanks to this conformation, the first cladding elements 12, when joined together and disposed vertically, constitute a cladding wall 18 which has the function of a ventilated wall.

According to a fourth variant of the first cladding element 12, shown in detail in fig. 5, the exposed wall 29 has an external profile defined by two listels 32 which are more in relief and distanced further apart than in the first variant of fig. 2, and which define between them a hollow space which is substantially the same as that of the second variant of fig. 3. Flat finishing listels 34 are disposed and/or attached on the listels 32, which can be made of different materials or colors, in relation to the appearance to be given to the cladding wall 18.

The finishing listels 34 can have different heights or widths, so as to create different cladding effects according to manufacturing requirements. In particular, the first cladding element 12 can be made in such a way as to have listels 32 externally conformed in such a way as to allow the disposition of the finishing listels 34, regardless of the height or width of the latter.

It is clear that in other variants, or in other embodiments, the structure of the first cladding elements 12 and their external profile can be different from those described above and/or shown in the attached drawings.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in order to improve the adherence between the first cladding elements 12 and the insulating panel 11, one or more anchoring teeth 35a are provided on the internal wall 27, which are configured to penetrate and be anchored in the insulating panel 11 in order to prevent a possible horizontal and/or vertical translation of the corresponding first cladding element 12 (figs, from 1 to 5).

Moreover, in correspondence with a base plane 102 of the building there is disposed a base plate 36 having a first end 37 configured to cooperate with the second end 23 of the first cladding element 12, and a second end 38 configured to be disposed in contact with the wall 100 and attached to the latter by means of another attachment element 39, such as a masonry dowel or suchlike. Please note that in correspondence with the second end 38 of the base plate 36 the insulating panel 11 is shaped in such a way as to have a recess suitable to guarantee the correct disposition of the other attachment element 39.

With reference to figs. 6 and from 11 to 13 we will now describe, by way of example, a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the parts of the cladding assembly 10 in common with the first embodiment will not be described again, and in which, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers correspond to elements that are the same as those already described previously. In this case, the intermediate element 13 comprises, or consists of, a second cladding element 40 which is interposed between the insulating panel 11 and a corresponding first cladding element 12. By way of example, the second cladding element 40 is also made of composite material, preferably Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) or similar materials. The second cladding element 40 is configured to be disposed in contact with the insulating panel 11 and substantially has the function of an interface for the first cladding element 12, external thereto.

As shown in fig. 6, the first and second coupling part 20 and 22 of each first cladding element 12 are conformed to guarantee a stable coupling both between two first cladding elements 12 and also with corresponding second cladding elements 40. Specifically, the first coupling part 20 is shaped in such a way as to have a hook-shaped element 20b and a vertical fastening tooth 20c, while the second coupling part 22 is shaped in such a way as to have a first coupling seating 22b and a second coupling seating 22c. Please note that in this embodiment, the listels 32 of each first cladding element 12 are in relief and connected to each other, defining a groove that has a substantially triangular shaped section. Moreover, the internal wall 27 of each first cladding element 12 is without anchoring teeth 35a and is configured to cooperate with the corresponding second cladding element 40. The second cladding element 40 comprises a first coupling part 41 in correspondence with a first end 42 thereof and a second coupling part 43 in correspondence with a second end 45 thereof, opposite to the first end 42 and with a shape mating with that of the first coupling part 41. In this way, two adjacent second cladding elements 40 can be coupled to each other by means of the first coupling part 41 of one and the second coupling part 43 of the other. Specifically, the first coupling part 41 is provided with a horizontal fastening tooth 41a and a first hook-shaped element 41b, while the second coupling part 43 is provided with a coupling seating 43a and a second hook-shaped element 43b. Please note that in correspondence with the first hook-shaped element 41b there is a resting tooth 44 configured to cooperate with a protruding part of the hook-shaped element 20b.

As shown in fig. 6, the horizontal fastening tooth 41a and the coupling seating 43 a are of the male-female type, they have reciprocally mating shapes which can be coupled to each other in a removable manner, to allow the coupling between two adjacent second cladding elements 40. The first hook-shaped element 41b and the second hook-shaped element 43b have shapes reciprocally mating with the hook-shaped element 20b and with the first coupling seating 22b, respectively, so as to guarantee a removable coupling between the second cladding elements 40 and the corresponding external first cladding elements 12. Furthermore, the vertical fastening tooth 20c and the second coupling seating 22c have reciprocally mating shapes and can be coupled to each other in a detachable manner to allow the coupling between two adjacent first cladding elements 12.

In correspondence with the second coupling part 43 of each second cladding element 40 there is a second attachment zone ZF2 configured to cooperate with the actuation end 17 of a corresponding attachment element 15. As can be seen in fig. 6, during use, the actuation end 17 abuts on the second attachment zone ZF2. Also in this case, when two adjacent first cladding elements 12 are coupled together, the second attachment zone ZF2 and, therefore, the actuation end 17, are not visible from the outside of the first cladding elements 12, giving the cladding wall 18 a very pleasant appearance.

Moreover, each second cladding element 40 is also made in such a way as to have an internal structure provided with a plurality of cavities 46, which extend for the entire length of the second cladding element 40 and each have different sizes according to what their use requires.

In order to improve the adhesion between the second cladding elements 40 and the insulating panel 11, one or more anchoring teeth 35b, which have the same function and shape as the anchoring teeth 35a, are provided on an internal wall 47 of the second cladding elements 40. Please note that the coupling between the first cladding elements 12 and the second cladding elements 40 has a certain play, so as to compensate for any thermal expansion that may be generated.

The second embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of guaranteeing a better insulation and less thermal lag, also allowing to reduce the thickness of the insulating panel 11.

With reference to figs. 7 and from 14 to 16 we will now describe a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the parts of the cladding assembly 10 in common with the first or second embodiment will not be described again and in which, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers correspond to elements that are the same as those already described previously.

In this case, the intermediate element 13 comprises, or consists of, a connection element 50 substantially perpendicular to the wall 100 and having a first end 51 configured to cooperate with a corresponding first cladding element 12 and a second end 52 configured to cooperate with the actuation end 17 of the attachment element 15 and to contact the wall 100. Furthermore, the connection element 50 has a central part 53 perpendicular to the wall 100, which is configured to be disposed in contact with the upper part of the insulating panel 11. The connection element 50, in correspondence with the central part 53 and with the second end 52, is provided with respective attachment pegs 54 shaped in such a way as to have one or more perimeter anchoring indentations and configured to allow and, respectively, improve the attachment and the anchoring of the connection element 50 to the insulating panel 11. Please also note that the attachment element 15 cooperates only with the connection element 50 and with the wall 100, without passing through the insulating panel 11.

The insulating panel 11 is specially sized and shaped in such a way as to have a shape mating with the internal profile of the first cladding element 12 and of the connection element 50. Moreover, the insulating panel 11 , in correspondence with a lower part thereof, is provided with a protrusion 55 which protrudes toward the wall 100 and which is configured to contact both the latter and also the second end 52 of the connection element 50. As can be seen in fig. 7, the insulating panel 11 contacts the wall 100 only by means of the protrusion 55, thus creating a vacuum, that is, an air zone, which allows both to improve the insulation effect and also to compensate for the possible presence of bumps present on the surface of the wall 100, for example linked to the leakage of cementitious material from the latter.

Please note that in correspondence with the second end 52 there is a third attachment zone ZF3 configured to cooperate with the actuation end 17. Also in this case, the attachment zone ZF3 is not visible from the outside of the first cladding elements 12, giving the cladding wall 18 a very pleasant appearance.

In this embodiment, the first and second coupling part 20 and 22 of each first cladding element 12 are conformed so as to guarantee a stable coupling both between two first cladding elements 12 and also to a corresponding connection element 50. In particular, the first coupling part 20 is shaped in such a way as to have a protuberance 20d which is configured to couple to a hook-shaped element 22d present in the second coupling part 22. In correspondence with the second coupling part 22 there is also a coupling tooth 56 which, during use, is configured to contact a head portion of the first coupling part 20 of the adjacent first cladding element 12, and which can be provided with one or more perimeter anchoring indentations so that it can anchor to the lower part of the insulating panel 11.

Furthermore, each first cladding element 12 is shaped in such a way that the first coupling part 20 has an internal profile, facing toward the wall 100, which defines a first coupling seating 57 having a shape mating with that of the first end 51 and configured cooperate with the latter.

As can be observed in fig. 7, the internal wall 27 of each first cladding element 12 does not have anchoring teeth 35 a, and the exposed wall 29 is substantially the same as that shown in fig. 1 and described above.

In correspondence with the internal wall 27, each first cladding element 12 is provided with respective attachment pegs 58, each provided with one or more perimeter anchoring indentations and configured to allow and, respectively, improve the attachment and anchoring of the first cladding element 12 to the insulating panel 11 in several points. In this way, in the event that a first cladding element 12 has to be adapted and shaped on site, for example by removing an upper or lower portion thereof, the attachment pegs 58 constitute, for the same first cladding element 12, the points of attachment to the insulating panel 11. In particular, in the example given here, the attachment pegs 58 are disposed at about 1/4 and 3/4 of the height of the respective first cladding element 12.

Moreover, each first cladding element 12 is provided with an attachment protrusion 59 configured to cooperate with the insulating panel 11. In the example given here, the attachment protrusion 59 is created at about half the height of the respective first cladding element 12 and it is provided with one or more perimeter anchoring indentations.

As can be observed in fig. 7, the first cladding element 12 is made in such a way that inside it, in correspondence with the attachment protrusion 59, there is a cavity 60 having a substantially rectangular section. By way of example, the cavity 60 is configured to accommodate a connection element, not shown in the drawings, such as a metal bar or blade, which has the function of attaching and laterally aligning to each other adjacent first cladding elements 12. It is understood that the other cavities 30 present inside the first cladding element 12 can also perform the same function as the cavity 60.

Please note that the coupling between the first cladding elements 12 and the connection elements 50 has a certain play, so as to compensate for any thermal expansion that may be generated.

In this embodiment, in order to guarantee a correct positioning of the cladding assembly 10 in correspondence with the base plane 102, a water-repellent insulating element 61 is associated with the base plate 36, configured to be disposed in contact with the lower part of the insulating panel 11.

The third embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that masonry dowels or screws, for example the same as the other attachment element 39, can be used as attachment elements 15. Furthermore, another advantage is that by means of the connection element 50 it is possible to couple the insulating panel 11 and the first cladding element 12, substantially creating a single body, before beginning to clad the wall 100.

A method for cladding the wall 100 according to the present invention comprises the following steps.

In an initial preparation step, the base plate 36 is disposed in contact with the base plane 102 and with the wall 100, and it is attached by means of the other attachment element 39. Possibly, in an embodiment not shown in the drawings, a layer of cementitious adhesive can be disposed on the wall 100 for a better grip and a stable attachment of the cladding assembly 10.

In accordance with the first embodiment, the method comprises an operating step of initial laying and attachment, which is followed by a plurality of operating steps of coupling and attachment, which can be repeated iteratively until the cladding of the wall 100 is completed.

In particular, the operating step of initial laying and attachment (fig. 8) comprises a first sub-step of laying, or disposition, in which the insulating panel 11 is positioned on the base plate 36 and placed in contact with the wall 100. Then, in a second sub-step of laying, a first cladding element 12 is disposed in such a way that its internal wall 27 comes in contact with the insulating panel 11 , and that the hook-shaped element 22a engages with the first end 37 of the base plate 36. Then, in an operating sub-step of attachment, a hole is made in correspondence with the first attachment zone ZF1, which extends to the wall 100 and which defines the passage hole 19 and the attachment hole 101. The attachment element 15 is then progressively inserted in this hole, first passing in the passage hole 19 and then causing its attachment end 16 to cooperate with the attachment hole 101 until the actuation end 17 it taken in contact with the attachment zone ZF 1. In doing so, the first attachment element 15 directly attaches both the insulating panel 11 and also the first cladding element 12 to the wall 100.

Subsequently, a first operating step of coupling and attachment is performed (figs. 9 and 10), in which the second coupling part 22 of another first cladding element 12 to be attached is coupled to the first coupling part 20 of the already attached first cladding element 12. Specifically, the first operating step of coupling and attachment comprises a first sub-step of coupling, in which the hook-shaped element 22a of the first cladding element 12 to be attached is coupled to the protuberance 20a of the attached first cladding element 12. Then, in a second substep of coupling, a clockwise rotation of the first cladding element 12 to be attached is performed, so as to couple its horizontal fastening tooth 25 to the coupling seating 26 of the already attached first cladding element 12; in this way, the internal wall 27 of the first cladding element 12 to be attached is taken in contact with the insulating panel 11. Then, in an operating sub-step of attachment, the same as the aforementioned sub-step of attachment already described previously, the attachment element 15 directly attaches both the insulating element 11 and also the first cladding element 12 to the wall 100.

In accordance with the second embodiment, the method comprises an operating step of initial laying and attachment (fig. 11) in which, with operations similar to those previously described in the step of laying and attachment for the first embodiment, the insulating panel 11 and a second cladding element 40 are attached to the wall 100.

Subsequently, in an operating step of coupling and attachment (figs. 11 and 12), the second cladding element 40 to be attached is coupled to the already attached second cladding element 40, in such a way that the coupling seating 43a engages with the horizontal fastening tooth 41a. By doing so, the internal wall 47 of the second cladding element 40 to be attached is taken in contact with the insulating panel 11. Then, an operating sub-step of attachment is performed, in which a hole is made in correspondence with the second attachment zone ZF2 and, with operations similar to those described above for the aforementioned operating substep of attachment of the first embodiment, the attachment element 15 is inserted in the hole and attaches both the second cladding element 40 and also the insulating panel 11 to the wall 100.

In a subsequent first operating step of coupling (fig. 12), a first cladding element 12 to be coupled is coupled to the second cladding element 40 disposed and attached against the base plate 36. Specifically, the hook-shaped element 20b of the first cladding element 12 to be coupled is taken in contact with and coupled to the first hook-shaped element 41b of the second cladding element 40; then, the first cladding element 12 to be coupled is rotated in such a way as to dispose it vertically, and it is lowered so that the second hook-shaped element 43b of the second cladding element 40 and the first end 37 of the base plate 36 are inserted, coupling to each other, in the first and second coupling seating 22b and 22c, respectively. In this way, the protruding part of the hook-shaped element 20b also abuts on the resting tooth 44 of the second cladding element 40.

Subsequently, in a second operating step of coupling (fig. 13), with operations similar to those described previously, another first cladding element 12 is coupled both to the corresponding second cladding element 40 and also to the first cladding element 12 which is disposed in a position below and was coupled previously. Please note that in this case the second coupling seating 22c couples to the vertical fastening tooth 20c of the first cladding element 12 below.

Naturally, the operating steps relating to this embodiment can be repeated iteratively until the cladding of the wall 100 is completed.

In accordance with the third embodiment, the method comprises an operating step of initial coupling (fig. 14), in which the connection element 50 is coupled to the first cladding element 12 and, subsequently, the insulating panel 11 is coupled to both, so as to substantially define a compact and non-deformable assembly. Specifically, the first cladding element 12 is disposed in such a way that the first coupling seating 57 cooperates with the first end 51 of the connection element 50.

Then, the insulating panel 11 is coupled substantially simultaneously to the cladding element 12 and to the connection element 50, which are already joined together, in such a way that the attachment pegs 58, the attachment protrusion 59 and the attachment pegs 54, respectively, attach and anchor to the insulating panel 11.

Subsequently, in an operating step of laying and attachment, the assembly defined by the insulating panel 11, by the first cladding element 12 and by the connection element 50, is laid in a suitable manner on the insulating element 61 associated with the base plate 36, so that the second end 23 of the first cladding element 12 cooperates with the first end 37 of the base plate 36 and that the protrusion 55 of the insulating panel 11 is in contact with the wall 100. Then, in an operating sub-step of attachment, a hole is made in correspondence with the third attachment zone ZF3, defining the attachment hole 101. The attachment element 15 is inserted in the attachment hole 101 in order to secure the connection element 50 to the wall 100 and, consequently, to attach both the insulating panel 11 and also the first cladding element 12 to the wall 100.

Subsequently, another operating step of coupling is repeated, the same as the one described above, in order to define another assembly comprising the insulating panel 11, the first cladding element 12 and the connection element 50. In a subsequent operating step of coupling and attachment (fig. 15), the aforementioned assembly is disposed above the already attached connection element 50, by coupling the hook-shaped element 22d of the first cladding element 12 to be coupled to the protuberance 20d of the already attached first cladding element 12. Then, an operating sub-step of attachment is performed once again (fig. 16), identical to the previous one, in order to attach the connection element 50, and with it also the insulating panel 11 and the first cladding element 12, to the wall.

Naturally, the operating steps relating to this embodiment can be repeated iteratively until the cladding of the wall 100 is completed.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the cladding assembly 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of cladding assemblies, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.