BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cover system for covering an exterior wall of a building, such as a fagade or a roof and a method for placing such a system.

The invention in particular relates to a cover system that can still be installed after the construction of the building. A known example thereof is shown in European patent 1.618.264. The cover system disclosed therein consists of plastic shells filled with thermally insulating material. With their open sides facing downward the shells are mounted on a roof. The shells are provided with legs which can be adjusted in height and which by means of a thread are disposed in a dedicated bush in the plastic shells. Via the legs the shells support on the roof, yet are not fixedly connected to the roof. In the placed condition the thermally insulating material forms a ballast element keeping the shells down.

When used, the plastic shells of the known cover system are exposed to large temperature fluctuations as a result of which they shrink and expand. As the shells are placed loose onto the roof, the entire cover system - in particular at its edges - will shrink and expand relative to the roof. In case of large surfaces said shrinkage and expansion may be as much as several centimetres over the entire surface, which is undesirable.

Furthermore the shells according to the known cover system are heavy due to the presence of the ballast element and the mounting thereof on the roof by means of legs is time-consuming.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative cover system that at least partially overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect the invention provides a cover system for covering an exterior wall of a building, in particular a facade or a roof, wherein the cover system is provided with a cover element having a cover surface for covering at least a part of the exterior wall and a bearing support for bearing the cover element relative to the exterior wall, wherein one of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first connection lip and the other of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first retaining member for retaining the first connection lip, wherein the first connection lip is at least partially flexible and adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, in cooperation with the first retaining member forming a first connection between the cover element and the bearing support, wherein the first connection is substantially flexible in a first direction substantially parallel to the cover surface of the cover element.

Due to the flexibility of the first connection, movement of the cover element in the first direction relative to the exterior wall, for instance as a result of thermal expansion or shrinkage, can be set off. As the movement in the first connection can be set off, it can be prevented that due to the movement the entire cover system, including the bearing support, is moved. When using several cover elements adjacent to each other, the movement can be set off per cover element and it can be counteracted that the movement increases further and further as the number of cover elements used increases.

In one embodiment the flexible first connection allows a movement between the cover element and the bearing support substantially parallel to the cover surface within a range of one to four millimetres at the most, preferably within a range of two to three millimetres at the most. Such a range may be sufficient to set off movements resulting from thermal expansion or shrinkage.

In one embodiment the first connection lip has an elastic range, wherein the maximum range of the movement is limited to the maximum elastic range of the first connection lip. Because of this limitation it can be prevented that the first connection lip plastically deforms and therefore no longer returns to the original shape .

In one embodiment the first connection lip with an outer end thereof, extends up to the first retaining member, wherein the outer end of the first connection lip in its placed condition is confined in the first direction by the first retaining member, wherein the part of the connection lip beyond the confinement by the first retaining member is at least partially flexible for obtaining the flexible first connection .

In one embodiment the first connection lip is part of the cover element and the first retaining member is formed in the bearing support. In an alternative embodiment the first connection lip may be part of the bearing support and the first retaining member is formed as a part of the cover element. The first flexible connection can be obtained with both embodiments .

In one embodiment the first retaining member forms an accommodation space for accommodating at least a part of the first connection lip therein.

In one embodiment the one of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a second connection lip and the other of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a second retaining member for retaining the second connection lip, wherein the second connection lip is at least partially flexible and adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, in cooperation with the second retaining member forming a second connection between the cover element and the bearing support, wherein the second connection is substantially flexible in a second direction substantially parallel to the cover surface of the cover element, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Due to the flexibility of the second connection a movement of the cover element in the second direction relative to the exterior wall, for instance resulting from thermal expansion or shrinkage can be set off.

In one embodiment the first connection lip is slidable relative to the first retaining member in the second direction and the second connection lip is slidable relative to the second retaining member in the first direction. Due to the first connection lip's ability to slide in the second direction, the second connection lip can move flexibly in the second direction. Due to the second connection lip's ability to slide in the first direction, the first connection lip can move flexibly in the first direction.

In one embodiment the first connection lip is substantially rigid in the second direction and the second connection lip is substantially rigid in the first direction. In one embodiment the cover system further comprises a confining element having a confinement member adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, abutting the cover element on the side of the cover surface facing away from the exterior wall, wherein the confining element is provided with a first engagement member and the bearing base is provided with a second engagement member, wherein the first engagement member is adapted for, when the confining element abuts the cover element, engaging onto the second engagement member for confining the cover element between the confining element and the bearing base. The confining element can thus easily be brought into engagement with the bearing supports from the side of the cover surface facing away from the exterior wall, for instance after the cover element has already been disposed on the bearing support, in order to confine the cover element simultaneously with the engagement.

In one embodiment the first engagement member and the second engagement members comprise oppositely oriented barbs, wherein the barbs allow movement of the confining element in the direction of the bearing base, yet counteract such in opposite direction. Due to using barbs the engagement can be made irreversible, so that the confining element can only be removed by forcing it. Moreover the confining element can be brought into engagement with the bearing support in one motion, without additional tools.

In one embodiment, in the placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, the cover surface has a main surface facing away from the exterior wall, wherein the cover surface is provided with a sub-surface receded relative to the main surface for recessed accommodation of the confinement member, wherein, in placed condition on the sub-surface, the confinement member is substantially flush with the main surface of the cover surface. As a result accumulation of dirt can be counteracted and it can be prevented that irregularities are stumbled over when walking on the cover system.

In one embodiment the sub-surface in at least the first direction is larger than the space taken up on the sub-surface by the confinement member in placed condition, wherein the residual space allows a movement of the cover element relative to the confining element in at least the first direction which movement is allowed by the first flexible connection.

In one embodiment the cover system is provided with further cover elements and further bearing supports for relative to the exterior wall bearing the further cover elements, wherein the cover element and at least one of the further cover elements in placed condition on the bearing supports are substantially adjacent to each other, wherein the bearing support is adapted for bearing the cover element at the location of the adjacency and is integrally formed with at least one of the further bearing supports for simultaneously with bearing the cover element bearing the at least one, substantially adjacent further cover element. In that way several cover elements can be borne by one bearing support.

In one embodiment the cover system comprises further confining elements for confining the further cover elements, wherein the confining element is adapted for confining the cover element at the location of the adjacency and is integrally formed with at least one of the further confining elements for simultaneously with confining the cover element confining the at least one, substantially adjacent further cover element. In that way several cover elements can be confined with one confining element.

In one embodiment the cover element is provided with one or more parting lines, preferably one or more predetermined break connections, parting the cover element in the cover surface into two or more parts. The possibility of parting may come in useful in situations in which the original dimension of the cover surface does not fit on the exterior wall of the building, for instance at the edges of the cover system or in case of obstacles on the exterior wall of the building .

In one embodiment the cover element is provided with a plurality of bearing supports and a plurality of connection lips and retaining members for forming a plurality of flexible connections between the cover element and the plurality of bearing supports along the outer edges of the cover surface, wherein the cover element on both sides of each of the one or more parting lines is provided with further connection lips or retaining members of which, after a parting along the one or more parting lines, at least some are situated along an outer edge of the thus obtained, parted cover surface. Because of the presence of the further connection lips or retaining members the cover element, even after parting, can be supported by means of the bearing supports along the thus obtained outer edge .

In one embodiment the cover element comprises a circumferential wall upright from the cover surface and extending in the direction of the exterior wall, wherein the cover element on both sides of each of the one or more parting lines is provided with ribs of which, after parting along the one or more parting lines, at least some form a part of the circumferential wall at an outer edge of the thus obtained parted cover surface. In that way the circumferential wall, at least in adapted form, can remain intact along the outer circumference of the parted cover surface.

In one embodiment the cover surface and the circumferential wall together form a tray, wherein the cover element is provided with a closing wall that at the open side of the tray closes the tray off to form a substantially closed off first air volume within the cover element, wherein the ribs divide the closed off first air volume into air chambers that, both prior to and after a parting along the one or more parting lines, contain substantially closed off second air volumes. The second air volumes - even after parting - can remain closed off in order to keep the thus obtained thermal insulation intact.

In one embodiment the cover element comprises a circumferential wall upright from the cover surface and extending in the direction of the exterior wall, which circumferential wall together with the cover surface forms a tray, wherein the cover element is provided with a closing wall which at the open side of the tray closes off the tray to form a substantially closed off air volume within the cover element. The closed off air volume is stagnant or hardly circulates, resulting in the thermal transfer via the air volume being minimal. As a result the thermal insulation value of the cover element can be augmented.

In one embodiment the bearing support comprises a bearing surface that bears the cover element in its placed condition on the bearing support spaced apart from the exterior wall, to form an air space between the cover element and the exterior wall. The air space augments the thermal insulation value of the cover system.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a cover system for covering an exterior wall of a building, in particular a facade or a roof, wherein the cover system is provided with a cover element having a cover surface for covering at least a part of the exterior wall, a bearing support for bearing the cover element relative to the exterior wall and a confining element having a confinement member adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, abutting the cover element on the side of the cover surface facing away from the exterior wall, wherein the confining element is further provided with a first engagement member and the bearing base is provided with a second engagement member, wherein the first engagement member is adapted for, when the confining element abuts the cover element, engaging onto the second engagement member for confining the cover element between the confining element and the bearing base. In that way the confining element can easily be brought into engagement with the bearing supports from the side of the cover surface facing away from the exterior wall, for instance after the cover element has already been disposed on the bearing support, in order to confine the cover element simultaneously with the engagement.

In one embodiment the first engagement member and the second engagement members comprise oppositely oriented barbs, wherein the barbs allow a movement of the confining element in the direction of the bearing base, yet counteract such in opposite direction. Due to using barbs the engagement can be made irreversible, so that the confining element can only be removed by forcing it. Moreover the confining element can be brought into engagement with the bearing support in one motion, without additional tools.

In one embodiment, in the placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, the cover surface has a main surface facing away from the exterior wall, wherein the cover surface is provided with a sub-surface receded relative to the main surface for recessed accommodation of the confinement member, wherein, in placed condition on the sub-surface, the confinement member is substantially flush with the main surface of the cover surface. As a result accumulation of dirt can be counteracted and it can be prevented that irregularities are stumbled over when walking on the cover system.

In one embodiment one of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first connection lip and the other of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first retaining member for retaining the first connection lip, wherein the first connection lip is adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, in cooperation with the first retaining member forming a connection between the cover element and the bearing support. The connection can provide a pre-positioning of the cover element on the bearing support, prior to the confining element confining the cover element.

In one embodiment the cover system is provided with further cover elements and further bearing supports for relative to the exterior wall bearing the further cover elements, wherein the cover element and at least one of the further cover elements in placed condition on the bearing supports are substantially adjacent to each other, wherein the bearing support is adapted for bearing the cover element at the location of the adjacency and is integrally formed with at least one of the further bearing supports for simultaneously with bearing the cover element bearing the at least one, substantially adjacent further cover element. In that way several cover elements can be borne by one bearing support.

In one embodiment the cover system comprises further confining elements for confining the further cover elements, wherein the confining element is adapted for confining the cover element at the location of the adjacency and is integrally formed with at least one of the further confining elements for simultaneously with confining the cover element confining the at least one, substantially adjacent further cover element. In that way several cover elements can be confined with one confining element.

According to a third aspect the invention provides a building having an exterior wall, in particular a fagade or a roof, wherein the exterior wall is provided with a cover system according to any one of the preceding claims. Preferably the bearing support is fixed on the exterior wall of the building, preferably by means of a glued assembly. In that way the bearing supports cannot move relative to the exterior wall and the thermal expansion or shrinkage can be set off via the flexible first connection and/or the flexible second connection.

According to a fourth aspect the invention provides a method for placing a cover system on an exterior wall of a building, in particular a fagade or a roof, wherein the cover system is provided with a cover element having a cover surface for covering at least a part of the exterior wall, a bearing support for bearing the cover element relative to the exterior wall and a confining element having a confinement member and a first engagement member, wherein the bearing support comprises a second engagement member, wherein the method comprises the steps of disposing the bearing support on the exterior wall of the building, placing the cover element on the bearing support and bringing the confinement member of the confining element in abutment with the cover element from the side of the cover surface facing away from the exterior wall, wherein, when the confining element abuts the cover element, the first engagement member engages onto the second engagement member and thus confines the cover element between the confining element and the bearing base. In that way the confining element can easily be brought into engagement with the bearing supports in order to confine the cover element simultaneously with the engagement.

In one embodiment the first engagement member and the second engagement members comprise oppositely oriented barbs, wherein, when the first engagement member engages onto the second engagement member, the barbs of the first engagement member and the second engagement member engage into each other and thus allow a movement of the confining element in the direction of the bearing base, yet counteract such in opposite direction. Due to using barbs the engagement can be made irreversible, so that the confining element can only be removed by forcing it. Moreover the confining element can be brought into engagement with the bearing support in one motion, without additional tools.

In one embodiment the one of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first connection lip and the other of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first retaining member, wherein, after placing the cover element on the bearing support, the first retaining member retains the connection lip for forming a first connection between the cover element and the bearing support, wherein the first connection keeps the cover element substantially in position on the bearing support prior to the confining element confining the cover element. In that way prior to disposing the confining element a preliminary positioning of the cover element on the bearing support can be obtained, in order to simplify disposing the confining element.

In one embodiment the cover surface defines an outer edge of the cover element, wherein the cover system comprises further bearing supports and further confining elements for distributed along the outer edge of the cover element bearing and confining, respectively, the cover element according to the previous steps. Preferably all bearing supports for bearing the cover element are placed on the outer wall first before the cover element is placed on the bearing supports. Subseguently the cover element can easily and efficiently be placed on the bearing supports.

In one embodiment the cover system comprises further cover elements and related bearing supports, wherein all bearing supports for the cover element and at least one of the further cover elements are placed on the exterior wall first prior to the cover element and the at least one further cover element being placed on the bearing supports. After disposing the above- mentioned bearing supports the cover elements can easily and efficiently be placed one after the other on the bearing supports.

In one embodiment the cover system for each of the further cover elements comprises related confining elements, wherein all confining elements for the cover element and at least one of the further cover elements are not brought into abutment with the cover elements in question until all cover elements in question have been placed on the bearing supports. After placing the cover elements on the bearing supports all related confining elements can be disposed one after the other, as a result of which the cover system can be placed fast, easily and efficiently.

In one embodiment the bearing support when being placed is fixed on the exterior wall, preferably by means of a glued assembly. In that way the bearing supports cannot move relative to the exterior wall and the thermal expansion or shrinkage can be set off via the flexible first connection and/or the flexible second connection.

The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of the cover system including a cover element and bearing supports for bearing the cover element, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the cover system according to figure 1 in an exploded condition;

Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of the cover system according to figure 1 in an exploded condition, considered from the side of the bearing supports ;

Figures 4 and 5 show details of the cover element according to the circle IV and the circle V, respectively, in figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a view in perspective of one of the bearing supports according to figure 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a view in perspective of one of the bearing supports according to figure 1, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 shows a view in perspective of an alternative bearing support according to an alternative third embodiment of the invention;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 show views in cross- section of the cover system according to the line IX- IX, the line X-X and the line XI-XI, respectively, in figure 1;

Figure 12 shows a view in perspective of the cover element according to figure 1, parted into two equal parts along a parting line; and

Figure 13 shows a view in perspective of an embodiment of the cover system according to figure 1 on several exterior walls of a building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-12 show a cover system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 13 shows the cover system 1 in placed condition on exterior walls of a building 9, in particular a roof 90 or a fagade 91 of a building 9. The roof 90 is not necessarily horizontal, but may be at a slight angle of inclination, for instance at a slope for discharging precipitation. The cover system 1 according to the invention covers the exterior wall of the building 9 against weather influences and/or has a thermally insulating effect for the building 9 situated underneath it.

The cover system 1 comprises a cover element 2 and a plurality of bearing supports 4, 5, 8 for supporting or bearing the cover element 2 relative to the exterior wall. The cover system 1 is furthermore provided with a plurality of confining elements 6, 7 for attaching the cover element 2 to or confining the cover element 2 against the plurality of bearing supports 4, 5, 8.

As shown in figure 2 the cover element 2 comprises a tray 20 made of plastic. The tray 20 is provided with a cover surface 21 having a substantially square outer circumference or outer edge and a substantially straight main surface H. In the placed condition of the cover element 2 on the bearing supports 4, 5, 8, the main surface H faces away from the exterior wall and/or is situated on the sight side of the cover element 2. The tray 20 further comprises a substantially round-going circumferential wall 22 upright from the cover surface 21. In the placed condition of the cover element 2 on the bearing supports 4, 5, 8, the cover surface 21 extends substantially parallel to the exterior wall on which the bearing supports 4, 5, 8 have been disposed and with the sight side faces away or is oriented away from the exterior wall. The sight side of the cover surface 21 preferably is provided with a pale colour or another suitable finishing layer for reflecting sunlight. The cover surface 21 comprises a surface texture that enhances grip on the cover surface 21 when it is walked on. In the placed condition the circumferential wall 22 extends from the cover surface 21 in the direction of the exterior wall and at that location forms a circumferential edge around an open side of the tray 20.

The cover element 2 comprises a closing wall 23 made of plastic which can close off the, in figure 3, open side of the tray 20, as shown in figure 1. The closing wall 23 together with the tray 20 delimits a closed off volume within the cover element 2. The air volume can be kept substantially free for obtaining a substantially stagnant or ill-circulating air layer and thus augmenting the thermally insulating capacity of the cover element 2. Alternatively the volume can at least partially or entirely be filled with thermally insulating material, such as glass wool. The closing wall 23 is provided with coupling elements 24A, for instance locking cams, for coupling to opposing coupling elements 24B, for instance locking openings, at the circumferential wall 22 of the tray 20.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the cover surface 21 is in this example provided with a first parting line 25 parting the cover surface 21 into two equal parts 2A+2B and 2C+2D and a second parting line 26 extending perpendicular to the first parting line 25 and parting each of the two equal parts further into two equal parts 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. Along said parting lines 25, 26 the cover element 2 can be parted, for instance by sawing or cutting, or breaking - in case of a predetermined break connection or weakening in the cover surface 21 at the location of the parting lines 25, 26 -. The closing wall 23 is provided with corresponding parting lines 27, 28 for parting the closing wall 23 into the same parts. The result of a parting along the first parting line 25 is shown in figure 12. Parting the cover element 2 is not always required and the cover element 2 can therefore also be supplied without parting lines 25, 26. Figure 3 shows that the tray 20 is provided with a rib assembly 29 which in cross bond connects the various sides of the circumferential wall 22 to each other. The rib assembly 29 provides the required firmness to the cover surface 21 so that it can be walked on. The rib assembly 29 divides the air space within the cover element 2 into individual air chambers LI, L2, L3, L4, each having its own closed off second air volume. The ratios between the dimensions of the air chambers parallel to the cover surface 21 and the height of the air chambers between the cover surface 21 and the closing wall 23 have been chosen such that the circulation of air within the air chambers L1-L4 is counteracted. Preferably the dimensions of the air chambers L1-L4 parallel to the cover surface are at least three times as large as the height of the air chambers L1-L4. Due to the limited circulation or the lack of any circulation, only minimal heat transfer can take place via the air in the air chambers L1-L4.

In this example the rib assembly 29 comprises a first set of twin ribs and a second set of twin ribs, wherein the ribs 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D of each set extend parallel to and on either side of the first parting line 25 and the second parting line 26, respectively. Prior to an optional parting along one or both parting lines 25, 26, the ribs 29A-29D of each set of twin ribs are situated inside in the cover element 2. After parting along one or both parting lines 25, 26, at least a few of the ribs 29A-D of the sets of twin ribs are situated at the exterior of the parted cover element 2 and at that location form a part of the circumferential wall 22 of the cover element 2A-2D obtained through parting. Said ribs 29A-D ensure that, despite the cover element 2 being parted, the air chambers remain intact and closed off. The closing wall 23 comprises a corresponding rib assembly 30 of which the ribs extend parallel to and on either side of the parting lines 27, 28 in the closing wall 23. As shown in figure 3 at each corner of the cover surface 21 the cover element 2 is provided with a first connection lip 31 and a second connection lip 32 which, in the placed condition of the cover element 2 on the bearing supports 4, 5, 8 extend from the cover surface 21 towards the bearing supports 4, 5 disposed at the corners. The connection lips 31, 32 are made of a resilient, flexible plastic which within its elastic range allows repeatedly bending the connection lips 31, 32 over a few millimetres. In particular the free outer ends 33 of the connection lips 31, 32 can be moved within the elastic range of the plastic over a distance in a range of at least one to four millimetres at the most relative to the connection or attachment of the connection lips 31, 32 to the cover element 2.

In this example the connection lips 31, 32 are plate-shaped and as a result flexible transverse to the surface of the plate shape, where the material thickness is small. In or parallel to the surface of the plate shape the connection lips 31, 32 are relatively rigid however. The first connection lip 31 is flexible in a first direction Fl substantially parallel to the cover surface 21. The second connection lip 32 is flexible in a second direction F2 substantially parallel to the cover surface 21 and substantially perpendicular to the first direction Fl .

In this example at the location of the connection lips 31, 32, the circumferential wall 22 is provided with receded circumferential wall sections 34 which relative to the outer circumference of the cover surface 21 are receded and situated at a distance from the connection lips 31, 32. The receded circumferential wall sections 34 preferably are situated at a distance of at least four millimetres from the connection lips 31, 32, in order to allow the bending of the connection lips 31, 32 and in particular the movement of their outer ends 33 in the direction of the receded circumferential wall sections 34. Simultaneously the receded circumferential wall sections 34 counteract that the connection lips 31, 32 move beyond the circumferential wall section 34, so that it can be prevented that the connection lips 31, 32 plastically deform beyond their elastic range.

Figure 3 shows that at the location of the connection lips 31, 32, the closing wall 23 of the cover element 2 is provided with recesses 35 corresponding with the receded circumferential wall sections 34 in the circumferential wall 22 of the tray

20. The recesses 35 allow the connection lips 31, 32 to pass through from the cover surface 21 to the bearing supports 4, 5 situated on the other side of the closing wall 23.

Referring to figures 2, 3 and 12 it is noted that optionally, for the purpose of an optional parting along the parting lines 25, 26, the cover element 2 is provided with further connection lips 31, 32 and receded circumferential wall sections 34 at each of the internal vertices which, after parting along one or both parting lines 25, 26, can be situated at the outer circumference of the thus obtained parted cover surface

21. The closing wall 23 is optionally provided with further recesses 36, 37 for allowing the further connection lips 31, 32 through to the bearing bases 4, 5, 8.

Finally figures 1, 2 and 8 show that the cover surface 21 near the corners is provided with subsurfaces S which are situated receded relative to the main surface H in the direction of the exterior wall. Further sub-surfaces S are optionally disposed at the location of the internal vertices.

As shown in figures 2 and 3, the plurality of bearing supports comprises a first bearing support 4, a second bearing support 5 and a third bearing support 8. The plurality of confining elements 6, 7 comprises a first confining element 6 and a second confining element 7. The first bearing support 4 and the first confining element 6 are adapted for cooperating in confining the cover element 2 at a corner of the cover surface 2 which - when used on an exterior wall 90, 91 of a building 9 like in figure 13 - is situated on the exterior of the cover system 1, without being adjacent to the corner of a further confining element 2. The first bearing support 4 and the first confining element 6 will be further described below on the basis of the enlargement in figure 6 and the cross-section in figure 10. The second bearing support 5 and the second confining element 7 are adapted for cooperating in confining the cover element 2 at a corner of the cover surface 2 which - again when used on an exterior wall 90, 91 of a building 9 like in figure 13 - is adjacent to a corner of at least one further cover element 2. The second bearing support 5 and the second confining element 7 will be further described below on the basis of the enlargement in figure 7 and the cross-section in figure 10.

The third bearing support 8 only serves to support below the centre of the cover surface 21, in order to improve the firmness, bearing power and/or capability to be walked on of the cover element 2. In this example the third bearing support 8 does not cooperate with a confining element.

As shown in figures 6 and 9 the first bearing support 4 comprises a base, flange or attachment plate 40 for attaching the first bearing support 4 to the exterior wall. The first bearing support 4 comprises a bearing body 41 upright from the attachment plate 40 and having a bearing surface 42 oriented towards the cover element 2. In the placed condition of the first bearing support 4 on the exterior wall, the bearing surface 42 extends substantially parallel to the exterior wall. In the placed condition the closing wall 23 of the cover element 2 rests on the bearing surface 42 or abuts the bearing surface 42. The bearing surface 42 is adapted for setting or supporting the cover element 2 with the closing wall 23 at a distance from the exterior wall, for forming an air space or air cavity L5 in between the cover element 2 and the exterior wall. The air cavity L5 augments the insulation capacity of the cover system 1.

As shown in figures 6, 9 and 11, the first bearing support 4 is provided with a first retaining member 43 and a second retaining member 44 for accommodating, retaining and/or positioning the first connection lip 31 and the second connection lip 32, respectively, of the cover element 2. The first retaining member 43 and the second retaining member 44 in this example each form an accommodation space or slot for receiving or accommodating the outer ends 33 of the respective connection lips 31, 32. In this example the slots are defined by two parallel edges upright from the bearing surface 42 which edges in front of the first retaining member 43 extend parallel to the second direction F2 and in front of the second retaining member 44 extend parallel to the first direction Fl . The slots are longer than the dimensions of the first connection lip 31 and the second connection lip 32 in the second direction F2 and the first direction Fl, respectively. In the placed condition of the cover element 2 on the first bearing support 4, the first connection lip 31 extends up into the slot of the first retaining member 43, where the upright edges of the first retaining member 43 confine the outer end 33 of the first connection lip 31 in the first direction Fl and allow shifting thereof in the second direction F2. In a similar manner the second connection lip 32 extends up into the slot of the second retaining member 44, where the upright edges of the second retaining member 44 confine the outer end 33 of the second connection lip 32 in the second direction F2 and allow shifting thereof in the first direction Fl . The first confining element 6 comprises a confinement member 60 and a first engagement member 61 that is fixedly connected to the confinement member 60. As shown in figure 10 the confinement member 60 comprises a plate-shaped body extending substantially parallel to the main surface H of the cover surface 21. The plate-shaped body of the confinement member 60 is adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element 2 on the first bearing support 4, abutting the cover element 2 on the side of the cover surface 21 facing away from the exterior wall. In this example the plate- shaped body of the confinement member 60 is disposed at the location of the sub-surface S, so that the upper side of the plate-shaped body is substantially even with the main surface H of the cover surface 21 or does not extend above it. In this example the first engagement member 61 comprises a first engagement lip 62 and a second engagement lip 63, which in the placed condition extend from the confinement member 60 in the direction of the first bearing support 4, parallel to the first connection lip 31 and the second connection lip 32, respectively. The engagement lips 62, 63 have each been provided with internal fist teeth or first barbs 64.

The first bearing support 4 is provided with a second engagement member 46 in the form of a first engagement space or engagement slot 47 and a second engagement space or engagement slot 48 for receiving or accommodating the first engagement lip 62 and the second engagement lip 63, respectively, of the first engagement member 61. The engagement slots 47, 48 have each been provided with second barbs 49 that are oppositely oriented relative to the first barbs 64.

As shown in figures 7 and 10 the second bearing support 5 is in essence an integration of four of the first bearing supports 4, wherein each first bearing support 4 forms a guadrant 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D of the integral second bearing support 5. The second bearing support 5 as such is suitable for simultaneously bearing or supporting a maximum of four adjacent cover elements 2 in the crossing in between them. In the same manner the second confining element 7 is in essence an integration of four of the first confining elements 6, wherein each first confining element 6 forms a guadrant 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D of the integral second confining element 7. The second confining element 7 as such is suitable for simultaneously confining a maximum of four adjacent cover elements 2 in the crossing in between them.

As the parts of the second bearing support 5 and the second confining element 7 per quadrant 7A-7D substantially correspond with the parts of the first bearing support 4 and the first confining element 6, respectively, they will only be described in short below .

Just like first bearing support 4, the second bearing support 5 comprises an attachment plate 50, an upright bearing body 51, a bearing surface 52 and a plurality of first retaining members 53 and second retaining members 54, grouped per quadrant 5A-5D for accommodating, retaining and/or positioning the first connection lips 31 and the second connection lips 32, respectively, of the adjacent cover elements 2. The second bearing support 5 is furthermore provided with a second engagement member 56 comprising two first engagement spaces or engagement slots 57 and two second engagement spaces or engagement slots 58. The engagement slots 57, 58 are provided with internal first barbs 59. The second confining element 7, just like the first confining element 6, comprises a confinement member 70 and a first engagement member 71 that is fixedly connected to the confinement member 70. The first engagement member 71 comprises two first engagement lips 72 and two second engagement lips 73. The engagement lips 72, 73 are provided with second barbs 74 opposite to the first barbs 59. The retaining members 53, 54 of the second bearing support 5 are mutually positioned such relative to the bearing surface 52 that the cover elements 2 borne on the second bearing support 5 are retained and/or positioned at a distance from each other. The distance between the adjacent cover elements 2 is such that the thermal expansion of one of the cover elements 2 can be set off within the intermediate space, and preferably is in the range of one to four millimetres.

From the above it will be clear that - as further alternative of the first bearing support 4 and the second bearing support 5 - an alternative bearing support according to a third embodiment may contain two or three quadrants. In this example the second bearing support 5 for obtaining such a variety is provided with predetermined break connections or parting lines 55 for parting the second bearing support 5 into two up to a maximum of four individual quadrants 5A-5D. In figure 8 the second bearing support 5 is shown after two of the four quadrants have been removed. The parted second bearing support 5 can be used at the outer perimeter of the cover system 1 at the location of only two adjacent cover elements 2. In a similar manner the second confining element 7 can be parted into four quadrants 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, for instance by parting the second confining element 7 at the location of the confinement member 70 by sawing, cutting or breaking.

As shown in figures 2 and 3 the attachments plates 40, 50, 80 of the bearing supports 4, 5, 8 are provided with a series of screw holes for screwed attachment to the exterior wall or glue holes for allowing parts of a strip of glue through, which parts, after the glue has hardened, fixate the attachment plate 40 in a fixed position relative to the exterior wall. The bearing supports 4, 5, 8 are furthermore provided with draining channels which via the attachment plates 40, 50, 80 debouch on the exterior wall, in order to effectively drain water that ends up on or in the first bearing support 4 via the cover element 2. Finally the bearing supports 4, 5, 8 are provided with reinforcement ribs between the attachment plates 40, 50, 80 and the upright bodies 41, 51, 81.

The method for placing the cover system 1 described above onto an exterior wall of a building 9, in particular on a roof 90 or on a fagade 91, will be further elucidated below while referring to figures 1- 13. It is noted here that in figures 1-12 only one cover element 2 with the related bearing supports 4, 5, 8 and confining elements 6, 7 is shown, but that in reality a plurality of cover elements 2 and the related plurality of bearing supports 4, 5, 8 and confining elements 6, 7 is placed on the exterior wall of the building 9 for forming a cover system 1 according to figure 13 consisting of the plurality of cover elements 2. Preferably the cover system 1 obtained through several cover elements 2 covers a large part or substantially the entire surface of the exterior wall of the building 9. The following method for placing one cover element 2 is representative of placing the plurality of cover elements 2.

In figure 1 a single cover system 1 is shown in placed condition and in figure 2 in exploded condition. The mounting direction or placement direction is schematically indicated by arrow A. The opposite removal direction is schematically indicated by arrow B. In order to achieve the placed condition according to figure 1, first of all a plurality of bearing supports 4, 5, 8 is placed in placement direction A on the exterior wall and positioned below the intended position of the cover element 2, in particular along the outer edge of the cover element 2 below the corners of the cover surface 21. Depending on the positions of the corners of the cover surface 21 within the cover system 1, in particular depending on the adjacency of said corners to further cover elements 2, the mechanic selects the first bearing support 4 or the second bearing support 5 or a parted variety thereof, for instance according to figure 8. In figures 1 and 2 only one first bearing support 4 and one second bearing support 5 are shown. It will be clear that for a stable support of the cover element 2, a bearing support 4, 5 can be disposed below each corner of the cover surface 2. Optionally the third bearing support 8 is positioned below the centre of the cover element 2 for further supporting the centre of the cover element 2. Due to the presence of the third bearing support 8 the cover surface 2 can be walked on without the cover element 2 sagging considerably. The bearing supports 4, 5, 8 are fixated on the exterior wall for instance by means of a glued assembly.

After the bearing supports 4, 5 have been disposed relative to the intended position of the cover element 2 below its corners, the cover element 2, that was combined beforehand with the closing wall 23, is placed in the placement direction A onto the bearing supports 4, 5. In the placed condition of the cover element 2 on the bearing supports 4, 5 the first connection lips 31 and the second connection lips 32 extend from the cover surface 21 up to the first retaining members 43, 53 and the second retaining members 44, 54, respectively, of the bearing supports 4, 5. The retaining members 43, 44, 53, 54 confine the outer ends 33 of the connection lips 31, 32. At that point the cover element 2 is pre-positioned relative to the exterior wall of the building 9, but not yet confined or attached to the exterior wall of the building 9.

At least a part of the connection lips 31, 32 beyond the retaining members 43, 44, 53, 54 in particular the portion between the retaining members 43, 44, 53, 54 and the cover surface 21, can be bent freely within the elastic range of the connection lips 31, 32. Due to the flexibility of at least a part of the connection lips 31, 32, the connection lips 31, 32 and the retaining members 43, 44, 53, 54 in mutual cooperation form flexible connections between the cover element 2 and the bearing supports 4, 5. The flexible connections between the first connection lips 31 and the first retaining members 43, 53 are flexible in the first direction Fl . The flexible connections between the second connection lips 32 and the second retaining members 44, 54 are flexible in the second direction F2. Because the one of the connection lips 31, 32 can be shifted in the flexible direction Fl, F2 of the other connection lip 31, 32, the flexibility of the one flexible connection is allowed or at least is not counteracted by the other flexible connection.

Due to the flexibility obtained with the flexible connections, the cover element 2 is able to move within the elastic range of the connection lips 31, 32, parallel to the cover surface 2 relative to the bearing supports 4, 5 and the exterior wall of the building 9 in two directions Fl, F2 that are perpendicular to each other. This allows that at least a part of the thermal expansion and shrinkage of the cover element 2 in both directions Fl, F2 can be set off in the flexible connections between the cover element 2 and the bearing supports 4, 5. The adjacent cover elements 2 in the cover system 1 are borne by the bearing supports 4, 5 at a short intermediate distance of a few millimetres relative to each other, as a result of which the thermal expansion and shrinkage in the cover system 1 can be set off per cover element 2.

While the cover element 2 is kept in its position on the exterior wall of the building 9 by the bearing supports 4, 5, the confining elements 6, 7 are disposed on the cover element 2 in the placement direction A. As shown in figures 9 and 10, the confinement members 60, 70 are brought into abutment with the cover element 2 from the side of the cover surface 21 facing away from the exterior wall, in particular at the location of the sub-surfaces S. Simultaneously the first engagement members 61, 71 are moved in the placement direction A along the circumferential wall 22 of the cover element 2 towards the bearing supports 4, 5 and at that location brought into engagement with the second engagement members 46, 56 of the bearing supports 4, 5. In particular the engagement lips 62, 63, 72, 73, of the first engagement members 61, 71 are inserted in the placement direction A into the corresponding engagement slots 47, 48, 57, 58 of the second engagement members 46, 56, wherein the barbs 64, 74 on the engagement lips 62, 63, 72, 73 move along the oppositely oriented barbs 49, 59 of the engagement slots 47, 48, 57, 58. The barbs 49, 59, 64, 74 cooperate such that a movement in removal direction B opposite the placement direction A and away from the bearing support 4, 5 is blocked, is not allowed or is counteracted .

By disposing the confining elements 6, 7 the cover element 2 at the location of the bearing supports 4, 5 is confined between the confinement members 60, 70 of the confining elements 6, 7 and the bearing surfaces 40, 50 of the bearing supports 4, 5. The engagement between the confining elements 6, 7 and the bearing supports 4, 5 cannot be ended without additional tools or forcing. The cover system 1 thus is substantially fixedly attached to the exterior wall of the building 9.

In the first and second directions Fl, F2 , the sub-surfaces S are larger than the space taken up by the confinement members 60, 70 in the sub-surfaces S, so that a movement of the cover element 2 relative to the bearing supports 4, 5 within the residual space is allowed. This is in particular of importance when the connection lips 31, 32 are designed flexible for setting off the thermal expansion or shrinkage in the cover element 2.

The method described above for placing one cover element 2 can be repeated for a plurality of cover elements 2. The bearing supports 4, 5, 8 can be disposed per cover element 2. However, it is more efficient to dispose the bearing supports 4, 5, 8 for a plurality of cover elements 2 simultaneously, and not until after that placing the cover elements 2 one after the other on the bearing supports 4, 5, 8. The confining elements 6, 7 can also be disposed per cover element 2. Here as well it is more efficient however to dispose the confining elements 6, 7 one after the other after placement of the plurality of cover elements 2. The invention makes disposing the confining elements 6, 7 afterwards possible, because the plurality of the cover elements 2 is already retained in position on the bearing supports 4, 5 prior to this.

If so desired the cover elements 2 can be parted along the parting lines 25, 26 into two or more parts, wherein the connection lips 31, 32 along the internal rib assembly 29 and halfway the circumferential wall 22 offer the opportunity of also disposing bearing supports 4, 5 at the parts 2A-2D of the parted cover element 2.

The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.