Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cladding system for forming a facade of a building, to a building facade comprising the cladding system, to a method of manufacturing a building facade.

State of the art

At present, various types of cladding systems are known, which comprise a plurality of brick slips that are attached to a backing construction to obtain a building fagade having the appearance of a brick wall, without actually having a structurally bearing brick wall.

It is common to attach brick slips to a backing construction by means of an adhesive, which is convenient to apply. However, some adhesives have proven not to be reliable over time, possibly resulting in disengagement of the adhesive and eventually loosening of the brick slips. This results in a dangerous situation and has led to the result that some (local) authorities have even forbidden to mount brick slips in this way without further safety precautions. Furthermore, the adhesives prevent re-use of the brick slips, since they cannot be released without breaking the brick slips, which negatively influences the circularity of the known cladding system.

From US 4407104 A and US 4956949 A, a wall cladding system is known that comprises brick slips that are attached to a backing panel, wherein individual backing panels are mounted to a backing construction by means of brackets. This system has the drawback that the brick slips still need to be individually fastened to the backing panel, for example by means of an adhesive, and that only the backing panels are secured by means of brackets.

WO 09/408106 A1 and WO 21/005245 A1 both disclose a wall cladding system for attaching brick slips to a backing construction, comprising long rails that are attached to the wall, requiring accurate horizontal alignment, in which the brick slips are fastened individually. Furthermore, this system requires the rails to be fastened at correct heights with respect to each other, resulting in complex and time-consuming, and thus expensive installation. Furthermore, the rails extending over the entire wall require large amounts of material, e.g. plastic or metal.

GB 2372268 A discloses a cladding system comprising brick slips and brackets that are configured to be attached to a backing construction for mounting the brick slips. Each two adjacent brick slips in a single row share a common bracket, so that each brick slips is supported by two brackets. This system also has the drawback that all mounting brackets need to be attached to the backing construction and that all of them needs to be aligned as well, making installation complex and expensive.

US 7,406,804 B2 discloses a building facade system, comprising blocks that are stacked on top of each other and that rest directly on top of each other. This system comprises clips that fall into grooves of the blocks, which are configured to receive anchors for connecting the blocks to a backing construction. However, the clips have no function in supporting the blocks, which means that the block need to be thick, i.e. as conventional bricks, to support their own load and to provide for sufficient stability of the facade Furthermore, the clips do not couple the blocks vertically or horizontally in a way that adjacent blocks together form a stiff construction able to withstand wind suction forces. In particular, the blocks in this prior art document comprise dressed surfaces, so that an upper one of the blocks can be firmly supported by a lower one of the blocks.

WO 2018/224694 A1 discloses a wall cladding system, comprising a building component and a plurality of covering elements, e.g. brick slips. The brick slips in this known system are attached to the building component by means of a plurality of fasteners, which are all fixed to the building component. The position of the fasteners relative to the brick slips differs for each of the brick slips, since most of the fasteners are in contact with two neighbouring brick slips and only some of the fasteners are in contact with three brick slips, if by coincidence the chosen distance between the fasteners leads to a fixing location corresponding with a corner of a brick slip. The fasteners in this known system are mentioned to be preferably flexible and/or resilient, to avoid damaging of the brick slips.

In KR10-1902202, a wall structure is disclosed, comprising very thin wall system native finishing bricks, which also relies on large rails that extend over the entire width of the wall, for each horizontal row of finishing bricks. Seen in cross-section, the upper surface of the finishing bricks have a shape that is complementary to the shape of their lower surface. As a result, the gap between the brick slips has a constant height, which corresponds to the thickness of the rail.

Object of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cladding system with brick slips that is able to provide the aesthetic impression of a brick wall, preferably without essentially relying on adhesive for installation, furthermore being less complex and time-consuming to install, or at least to provide an alternative cladding system.

Detailed description

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cladding system for forming a facade of a building, comprising: a plurality of brick slips, each comprising: o a lower groove in a bottom plane of the brick slip extending upwardly into the brick slip over at least part of a length of the brick slip, o an upper groove in a top plane of the brick slip extending downwardly into the brick slip over at least part of the length of the brick slip, a plurality of mounting brackets, each configured to be inserted at least partially in the lower grooves and/or the upper grooves of two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips to horizontally interconnect the brick slips, wherein at least part of the mounting brackets is further configured to be secured to a backing construction of the building, i.e. an inside part of the facade of the building, characterized in that the mounting brackets are further configured to be inserted in: o an upper groove of at least one lower brick slip, i.e. in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, and/or o a lower groove of at least one upper brick slip, i.e. in a horizontal row above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, to vertically interconnect the two horizontally adjacent brick slips with the respective at least one lower brick slip and/or with the at least one upper brick slip in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips.

The brick slips of the cladding system are provided with grooves in the upper plane and the lower plane, i.e. in the respective planes facing vertically up and vertically down in an installed configuration of the brick slips. The grooves may extend horizontally over the entire length of the brick slip, but not necessarily need to. Hence, the grooves may for example be subdivided in two groove parts at the sides of the upper plane or the lower plane, or may be provided as narrow intermediate grooves, only provided in between the sides of the upper plane or the lower plane.

According to the present invention, a brick slip may be defined as a ceramic product, i.e. a clay brick, having a length in a first horizontal direction, a thickness in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and a height in vertical direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction. The thickness of the brick slip is thereby small relative to its length and its height, the thickness for example being less than 25% of its length and/or less than 80% of its height, in particular less than 20% of its length and/or less than 65% of its height.

The present invention encompasses both brick slips that are configured to be installed both horizontally, where the longest axis of the brick slip is aligned parallel to a horizontal direction and wherein the length is defined along this longest axis of the brick slip, and vertically, where the longest axis of the brick slip is aligned parallel to a vertical direction and wherein the length is defined along a perpendicular short axis of the brick slip. As a result of the brick slips being relatively thin compared to actual bricks, their own inplane stiffness and stability is relatively low in an installed configuration. The sole stacking of brick slips, opposed to the stacking of bricks, may not be sufficient to obtain a desired stiffness for the facade, which implies that connections to the backing construction are needed to secure the position of the brick slips and to provide a safe wall cladding.

The mounting brackets of the present cladding system contribute in obtaining this stiffness and stability and have a double functionality, because they are configured to both interconnect two brick slips that are located next to each other horizontally and because they are further configured to form a link between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and at least one brick slip in a row above and/or at least one brick slip in a row below.

The mounting brackets are thus both configured to horizontally and vertically interconnect brick slips. Furthermore, the brick slips do not need to contact each other, i.e. to lie on top of each other or having intermediate joints filled with mortar, to obtain sufficient strength. Even in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips, the resulting facade can obtain a sufficient strength and stiffness in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The present cladding system does therefore not rely on a significant contribution of the horizontal mortar joint for its structural function.

In particular, the present system may improve the in-plane stiffness, i.e. in the plane of the facade that is to be created by means of the cladding system, so that outward flexing of the brick slips, i.e. away from the backing construction, is prevented substantially. To this effect, connections between the mounting brackets and the brick slips preferably have a tight fit, in order to improve the transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads from brick slip to brick slip and in order to improve the securing of the position of each brick slip, in particular of the brick slips that are not secured to the backing construction.

The mounting brackets are preferably rigid mounting brackets, that are configured to retain their shape during use of the mounting brackets, i.e. in the installed configuration of the mounting brackets. The rigid mounting brackets may further improve the stiffness of the system, which may allow only part of the mounting brackets to be attached to the backing construction and which may allow the other mounting brackets to remain loose from the backing construction, to reduce the material that need to be used, i.e. to reduce the number of screws attached to the backing construction, and to reduce labour, i.e. to fasten the screws to the backing construction.

Preferably, the grooves and/or the mounting brackets comprise edges that are round or that comprise a chamfer, in order to improve the insertion of the mounting brackets into the grooves.

The present cladding system has the benefit that only part of the mounting brackets needs to be secured to a backing construction, whilst still offering sufficient strength and rigidity for the facade. Some of the mounting brackets may only need to be inserted in the grooves of the brick slips, without being secured to the backing construction, but only being coupled to the brick slips. These mounting brackets may be regarded as coupling mounting brackets, solely coupling the at least three adjoining brick slips, i.e. thereby transmitting forces and bending moments between the brick slips. The provision of coupling mounting brackets may result in a reduction of the number of connections to the backing construction, i.e. to a number of secured mounting brackets that can be significantly lower than the number of brick slips, whereas existing cladding systems require a number of secured mounting brackets that is approximately equal to the number of brick slips.

It is noted that the coupling mounting brackets, i.e. the non-secured coupling mounting brackets, may actually be structurally the same as the secured mounting brackets, but that the difference arises from their way of installing, namely either secured or not.

The mounting brackets are configured to vertically support the brick slips, i.e. against gravity acting on the brick slips. Hence, an upper brick slip rests on a mounting bracket, which in turn rests on a brick slip below it. This means that the brick slips do not each hang individually from the mounting brackets from the backing construction, as in the prior art, but that the brick slips rest on top of each other indirectly. This implies that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, but that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present cladding system may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged.

It was found by the inventor that the present cladding system is able to withstand typical loads to which facades are subjected during their normal service life, for example wind loads. These wind loads form a negative pressure in front of the facade, resulting in a suctional load attracting the brick slips. The facade formed by the present cladding system is able to withstand these suctional loads, even though only part of the mounting brackets is secured to the backing construction. Instead, the coupling between the brick slips and the mounting brackets enables transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads between the brick slips, so that the brick slips associated with the secured mounting brackets will hold the brick slips associated with the coupling mounting brackets in place.

In this way, the brick slips may together form their own continuous load bearing beam/plate construction between the mounting brackets that are secured to the backing construction, i.e. with spanning distances longer and higher than the length and height of the brick slips. This reduces the number of secured mounting brackets per square meter and at the same time makes a supporting substructure between brick slips and the backing construction, such as the wide rails known from the prior art, redundant. The present cladding system furthermore not relies on direct contact between brick slips, which means that the surfaces of the brick slips do not need to be dressed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs for the brick slips.

The cladding system according to the present invention enables faster installation of the facade, because it is less complex, requiring less alignment than in the prior art, therefore further reducing the associated costs. A further reduction in cost may be obtained by the reduction of the amount of material used, e.g. using relatively narrow brackets instead of continuous profiles and/or not requiring a specially adapted backing construction and fewer fastening elements for securing the mounting brackets to the backing construction.

Furthermore, the invention offers a solution for installing a cladding system with brick slips without the necessity of a connection between brick slips with an adhesive or by another third medium between the individual brick slips and a backing construction. The cladding system according to the present invention does not necessarily require an intermediate mounting and fixing construction between the brick slips and a backing construction and does not require the provision of a specially adjusted backing construction to ensure the fixed position of the individual brick slips.

According to the present invention, the mounting brackets may be inserted in the lower grooves of the two adjacent brick slips in the horizontal row of brick slips, so that the mounting bracket is effectively located directly below these two brick slips. Furthermore, the mounting brackets may further be inserted in the upper groove of at least one lower brick slip, i.e. in at least one brick slip in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly above at least one other brick slip.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may be inserted in the upper grooves of the two adjacent brick slips in the horizontal row of brick slips, so that the mounting bracket is effectively located directly above these two brick slips. Furthermore, the mounting brackets may further be inserted in the lower groove of at least one upper brick slip, i.e. in at least one brick slip in a horizontal row above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly below at least one other brick slip.

The mounting brackets of the cladding system may be made of a metallic material, for example being made of aluminium. Metallic materials may be suitable materials, since they are able to provide sufficient strength, stiffness and durability. The mounting brackets may for example be manufactured by means of an extrusion process. The mounting bracket may be provided with a coating to increase the durability of the mounting brackets, for example by improving their corrosion resistance. The coating may be a polymeric coating or a metallic coating, for example a magnesium-zinc coat. Especially such a magnesium-zinc coating is able to increase the corrosion resistance of the mounting brackets, as a result of sacrificial corrosion of the coating elements, preventing corrosion of the mounting brackets, i.e. the metallic, in particular aluminium, themselves.

The present cladding system may be installed in the absence of an adhesive in between the brick slips and the backing construction. However, an adhesive may be applied onto the brick slips to further contribute to the strength and stability of the installation of the brick slips. In such a case, the adhesive will function as a supplemental mounting for the brick slips, not forming the main and sole connection between the brick slips and the backing construction.

In an embodiment, the mounting brackets are configured to be inserted in the upper or lower groove at the corners of two neighbouring brick slips that are located next to each other in a horizontal row of brick slips. This may provide that the mounting brackets are arranged in a regular, repetitive pattern. All of the mounting brackets thereby hold multiple adjacent brick slips in the row in place, which reduces the overall number of mounting brackets needed per number of brick slips.

The mounting brackets according to this embodiment may also extend towards other rows of brick slips, either above or below the two adjacent brick slips, to contact one or two brick slips in the other row.

Optionally, the mounting brackets may engage with a single brick slip in the other row, for example in a stretcher bond pattern of brick slips. The mounting brackets may thereby contact a central part of the brick slip in the other row, either above or below the two adjacent brick slips. Each mounting bracket may thereby be located at a triple-point, where three brick slips adjoin each other. In this way the mounting brackets of each brick slip form a virtual triangle, with a top of the triangle either pointing up or down along a central part of the brick slip and with the two other corners of this triangle corresponding with the two corners of the brick slip.

Alternatively, the mounting brackets may engage with two brick slips in the other row, for example in a brick bond pattern of brick slips. The mounting brackets may thereby be located at a crossing, where four brick slips adjoin each other. In this way, four brick slips can be held together at least partially with only a single mounting bracket. In an embodiment, the mounting brackets have a thickness corresponding to a width of the upper groove and/or the lower groove in the brick slips. This may contribute to a tight fit between the mounting brackets and the brick slips, in order to improve the transmission of shear, torsional and bending loads between the adjacent brick slips, i.e. via the mounting brackets.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may comprise an elastic portion that is configured to be deformed upon insertion in the upper groove and/or the lower groove in the brick slip, so that a rigid clamping of the mounting brackets inside the grooves may be obtained to also improve the transmission of shear, torsional and bending loads between the adjacent brick slips, i.e. via the mounting brackets.

In an embodiment, the grooves of the brick slip may taper and/or may comprise an inclination to obtain a clamping of the mounting brackets inside the grooves upon insertion of the mounting brackets in the grooves. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may taper and/or may comprise an inclination to obtain a similar clamping effect.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the side planes of the brick slips are subdivided in multiple side plane sections, each being off-set relative to each other. In this way, an overlap between the side planes of horizontally adjacent brick slips may be obtained. A first side plane section may be set at an offset relative to a second side plane section. The side planes may comprise a step in between the respective plane sections, i.e. having an abrupt change in depth between them. Alternatively, the change in depth may be gradual, for example by means of a ramp transition between the plane sections.

In an embodiment, the cladding system further comprises a backing lip, attached to the mounting bracket and configured to extend in a vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. The backing lip is configured to cover the vertical joint in between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips that are interconnected by the respective mounting bracket.

The backing lip may be integrally connected to the mounting bracket, for example being made as a unitary component.

The backing lip may have a width corresponding to the width of the vertical joint that is to be obtained. Alternatively, the backing lip has a width larger than the width of the vertical joint, so that the backing lip can be inserted in a side groove of one or both of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The backing lip may be provided with a premade joint, a tape or a dry sealant, to prevent that it is required to fill the vertical joint with mortar, to prevent water and moisture from reaching the mounting brackets and the backing construction and/or to resemble the picture of traditional masonry. The use of a premade joint, a tape or a dry sealant further contributes to the circularity of the facade, since the bricks slips and mounting brackets can be simply detached, without requiring breakage of mortar joints.

Alternatively, the backing lip may lack a premade joint and may, instead, be configured to receive a mortar joint and to act as a backing surface for the mortar joint. This backing lip without a premade joint may also be left uncovered, i.e. without having the mortar joint applied, so that the backing lip itself is then configured to act as a barrier against infiltration of water and/or to act as an element that resembles the visual effect of a vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

In a further embodiment of the cladding system, the backing lip is further configured to be inserted in the lower groove of the at least one upper brick slip, when the mounting bracket is inserted in the upper groove of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, and/or in the upper groove of the at least one lower brick slip, when the mounting bracket is inserted in the lower groove of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The mounting bracket with the backing lip thereby extends across the entire vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, i.e. from the upper groove in the lower brick slip below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and to the lower groove in the upper brick slip above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The securing of the backing lip both above and below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips may provide that the backing lip is held in the vertical joint more reliably, for example being able to withstand compressive forces upon applying mortar or a filler like tape or a dry sealant in the vertical joint and against the backing lip.

According to the present embodiment, the mounting bracket may be configured to be inserted in the lower grooves of the two horizontally adjacent bricks slips and in the upper groove of the at least one lower brick slip, whereas the backing lip may be configured to be inserted in the lower groove of the at least one upper brick slip.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting bracket may be configured to be inserted in the upper grooves of the two horizontally adjacent bricks slips and in the lower groove of the at least one upper brick slip, whereas the backing lip may be configured to be inserted in the upper groove of the at least one lower brick slip.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, the brick slips comprise side grooves provided in the side planes. As such, the brick slips may comprise grooves extending across their entire perimeter, namely grooves in the top plane, bottom plane and side planes. The mounting bracket, for example the backing lip thereof, is further configured to be inserted in the side grooves of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The mounting bracket thereby also engages with the two horizontally adjacent brick slips at its sides, which may further contribute to holding the mounting bracket, e.g. the backing lip thereof, in the vertical joint more reliably, for example being able to withstand compressive forces upon applying mortar or a filler like tape or a dry sealant in the vertical joint and against the backing lip.

In an embodiment, the side faces of the brick slips may taper inwardly, seen from a front plane of the brick slips. As such, the vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips wides upon increasing distance from the front plane of the brick slips.

The premade joint of the backing lip may be provided with tapered sides, corresponding to the tapered side faces of the brick slips. As such, the premade joint may interlock with the side faces of the brick slips, so that the premade joint is held in the vertical joint by means of a resulting shape fit between the premade joint and the side faces of the brick slips. In this way the coming loose of the filling of the vertical joint in due time may be prevented.

In an embodiment, the cladding system further comprises a joint closure element, configured to be inserted in opposed upper grooves and lower grooves in between two adjacent mounting brackets to cover a horizontal joint between two rows of brick slips.

The joint closure element is configured to prevent the horizontal joint between vertically adjacent brick slips from being filled, for example with mortar, to further improve the circularity. To this effect, the joint closure element may be provided with a premade joint, a tape or a dry sealant, to prevent that it is required to fill the horizontal joint with mortar. The premade joint is configured to prevent water and moisture from reaching the mounting brackets and the backing construction and/or to resemble the picture of traditional masonry.

Alternatively, the joint closure element may lack a premade joint and may, instead, be configured to receive a mortar joint and to act as a backing surface for the mortar joint. This joint closure element without a premade joint may also be left uncovered, i.e. without having the mortar joint applied, so that the joint closure element itself is then configured to act as a barrier against infiltration of water and/or to act as an element that resembles the visual effect of a horizontal joint between the two or more vertically adjacent brick slips.

The joint closure element is configured to extend between the opposed grooves, i.e. opposed vertically between two adjacent rows of brick slips, which may provide that the joint closure element is held in the horizontal joint reliably, for example being able to withstand compressive forces upon applying mortar or a filler like tape or a dry sealant in the horizontal joint and against the joint closure element. The joint closure element may be made of a different material than the mounting brackets as a result of lower, or even no structural requirements, because the horizontal joint does not have a significant structural function according to the present invention. For example, the joint closure element may be made of a plastic material, i.e. having reduced cost compared to a metallic joint closure element.

In an embodiment, the joint closure element has a height that is smaller than the sum of the depth of the lower groove, the depth of the upper groove and a desired height for the horizontal joint. Hence, the joint closure element not needs to extends fully into the upper groove and the lower groove. Instead, sufficient backing force may be obtained during applying of mortar joint when the joint closure element only rests in the upper groove of a lower brick slip under the influence of gravity.

In a further embodiment, the top and bottom faces of the brick slips may taper inwardly, seen from a front plane of the brick slips. As such, the horizontal joint between two vertically adjacent brick slips wides upon increasing distance from the front plane of the brick slips.

The premade joint of the joint closure element may be provided with tapered sides, corresponding to the tapered top and bottom faces of the brick slips. As such, the premade joint may interlock with the top and bottom faces of the brick slips, so that the premade joint is held in the horizontal joint by means of a resulting shape fit between the premade joint and the top and bottom faces of the brick slips. In this way the coming loose of the filling of the horizontal joint in due time may be prevented.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets have a height that is larger than the sum of a depth of the lower groove and a depth of the upper groove. This enables that a horizontal joint must be present between two adjacent rows of brick slips, since part of the height of the mounting bracket cannot project further into the upper groove and in the lower groove.

This embodiment thus enables that the brick slips in the two adjacent rows of brick slips cannot contact each other directly and that all structural loads between the brick slips must be transmitted via the mounting brackets.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets have a width that is smaller than a length of the brick slips, for example being less than 50% of the length of the brick slips, preferably less than 25% of the length of the brick slips. As such, it is provided that the mounting brackets do not need to be provided over the entire width of the facade, but instead only at certain discrete points between the brick slips. Compared to the rails systems known from the prior art, the present embodiment thus requires significantly less material to be used for the mounting brackets.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets comprise an aperture, for example a central aperture configured to receive a fastening element. After installation of the cladding system, the aperture may project in the vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and/or in the horizontal joint between two vertically adjacent brick slips. As such, the securing of the mounting bracket can be carried out after the two horizontally adjacent, resp. two vertically adjacent brick slips are arranged on it, namely through the vertical, resp. horizontal joint.

The mounting brackets according to this embodiment may comprise more than a single aperture, for example two apertures that are symmetrical to each other with respect to a vertical symmetry plane. These two apertures may provide a benefit with other brackets, for example having a single aperture, that a left or right upper brick slip can first be placed before the bracket is pushed in, i.e. sideways, or when the bracket is locked. This can be done in the absence of a vertical joint, which would otherwise have to be sufficiently wide to receive a fastener. With the mounting bracket with more than a single aperture, one of the two or more mounting options, which depends on the mounting direction, remains accessible, even with a vertical joint that is substantially closed.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets may be embodied as plates, for example flat plates, having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the grooves in the brick slip, to obtain a tight shape fit between them. In this way, the transmission of shear, torsional and bending loads between the adjacent brick slips may be secured.

Furthermore, the mounting bracket may be somewhat disc-shaped, so that a part configured to be inserted in a lower groove may be aligned non-parallel to the part configured to be inserted in an upper groove. The upper and lower grooves of the brick slips will typically be aligned parallel to each other in an installed configuration of the brick slips, which implies that the mounting bracket will be deformed somewhat upon insertion in the grooves, which deformation may contribute in obtaining an improved fit of the mounting bracket, which may result in an improved transmission of forces and bending moments between the brick slips.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the brick slips have a thickness in the range between 15 mm and 40 mm, for example a thickness of 30 mm. The brick slips are thus relatively thin, compared to actual brick, because they may solely need to serve an aesthetical function for the facade and because they not need to be stacked to offer structural rigidity, as is done in the prior art.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the lower groove and/or the upper groove have a depth that is in the range between 10% and 50% of a height of the brick slip. A depth of the grooves in this range may provide that the mounting brackets can engage sufficiently with the brick slips, whilst still allowing the brick slips themselves to be sufficiently strong.

Preferably, the lower groove and the upper groove have the same depth, so that the brick slip may be vertically symmetrical, so that it can be installed in multiple different orientations and that the complexity of the installation can be reduced further.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets comprise at least one sideward notch, configured to abut a side plane of the brick slips. For example, the mounting brackets may comprise a first sideward notch, configured to abut a left one of the brick slips, and a second sideward notch, configured to abut a right one of the brick slips. The sideward notches are configured to prevent sideward shifting of the brick slips, as a result of the brick slips contacting the sideward notches.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, in which the brick slips are configured to be installed both vertically, the mounting bracket may be mounted on their side. In this way, the sideward notches will extend in the horizontal direction and will have the purpose of vertically supporting upper brick slips resting on it, where the mounting brackets are configured to rest on lower brick slips with the sideward notches as well.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting bracket may have a “C-shape”, comprising two horizontal bracket portions that are vertically spaced at a distance from each other and a vertical bracket portion in between the horizontal portions.

The vertical bracket portion is then configured to be clamped against the backing construction of the building and may for example comprise the aperture for receiving a fastening element. The horizontal bracket portions are configured to abut top planes and bottom planes of the brick slips. For example, an upper brick slip may be configured to rest on an upper horizontal bracket portion with its bottom plane and a lower horizontal bracket portion of the mounting bracket may be configured to rest on a top plane of a lower brick slip.

The mounting bracket may comprise an upward lip and a downward lip, which are attached respectively to the upper horizontal bracket portion and the lower horizontal bracket portion at a side opposite to the vertical bracket portion. The upward lip is configured to project into a lower groove of an upper brick slip and the downward lip is configured to project into an upper groove of a lower brick slip. According to this embodiment, the brick slips may rest on the horizontal bracket portions, which offers a larger supporting surface, as compared to when the brick slips would only rest on the mounting brackets with their grooves.

According to a further embodiment of the cladding system, the upper horizontal bracket portions may have a width that is larger than the width of a first bottom plane section of the upper brick slip, i.e. the width between the lower groove in the upper brick slip and the rear side thereof. Similarly, the lower horizontal bracket portions may have a width that is larger than the width of a first top plane section of the lower brick slip, i.e. the width between the upper groove in the lower brick slip and the rear side thereof.

This may provide for a spacing between the backing construction and the rear side of the brick slips, which spacing may offer improved insulation, improved ventilation, to reduce moisture contraption behind the brick slips, and to facilitate discharge of rain water that could otherwise accumulate behind the brick slips. This may reduce possible damage due to corrosion and/or rotting of wood. Furthermore, the discharge of water may prevent frost damage, that could otherwise occur upon freezing of water trapped behind the brick slips. Finally, the absence of water behind the brick slips may further allow any wood, for example used as backing construction, to dry out to become more durable.

As an alternative embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets may comprise a vertical bracket portion that is substantially in-line with the upward lip and the downward lip. This mounting bracket may lack substantial horizontal bracket portions, but may instead comprise relatively small support protrusions for resting on a lower brick slip and for allowing an upper brick slip to rest on.

Alternatively, the vertical bracket portion may be slightly offset horizontally relative to the upward lip and the downward lip, so that the offset part can rest on a lower brick slip and/or that an upper brick slip can rest on the offset part.

The mounting bracket according to this embodiment may be beneficial for locations where it is not required to secure the mounting bracket to the backing construction.

In an embodiment, the mounting bracket may have a C-shape, to space an upper and lower brick slip vertically apart. Additionally, these mounting brackets may have slightly off-set portions for insertion in the upper groove and/or the lower groove in the brick slips, wherein the off-set is defined relative to the direction of extension of the grooves.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may have portions that are flexible, for example elastic in directions perpendicular to the plane in which they extend, being relatively rigid in the in-plane direction to be able to support the brick slips. The off-set and the flexible portions may increase the mutual retaining forces between the mounting backets and the brick slips, to obtain rigid clamping and a constant pressure force against the backing structure also if a mounting bracket is not fixed to this backing structure, and may make the insertion of the brick slips more convenient.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, one or both of the brick slips comprises a groove, i.e. the upper brick slip comprising a lower groove in its bottom plane and/or the lower brick slip comprising an upper groove in its top plane. The other one of the brick slips then comprises the off set plane sections, preferably free of any grooves, i.e. respectively the lower brick slip having a first top plane section vertically above the second top plane section or the upper brick slip having a first bottom plane section vertically below the second bottom plane section.

According to this embodiment, a horizontal spacing may be present between the brick slips at the front, i.e. above the second top plane section or below the second bottom plane section, which does not extend towards the rear. Hence, the brick slips may be located close to each other, possibly having a mounting bracket in between them. As such, the joint is a blind aperture between the brick slips, so that any mortar has a backing in between the brick slips, not being able to be pushed through towards the backing construction.

The mounting bracket may comprise an upward lip and/or a downward lip. In case the upper brick slip comprises the lower groove, the upward lip may be configured to be inserted in the lower groove and the downward lip may project in front of the first top plane section of the lower brick slip. In case the lower brick slip comprises the upper groove, the downward lip may be configured to be inserted in the upper groove and the upward lip may project in front of the first bottom plane section of the upper brick slip.

Optionally, the brick slip comprising the groove may also comprise the off set plane sections, for example in a manner corresponding to the off-set plane section of the other brick slip, i.e. the brick slip lacking grooves. As such, no spacing may be present in between the brick slips, therefore not requiring any joints in between them and avoiding risk of water infiltration.

In a further embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting bracket may have a stopper element at the horizontal bracket part. The stopper element may be integral with the entire mounting bracket and is configured to prevent the brick slips from being pushed towards the backing construction, to maintain a minimum spacing between the brick slips and the backing construction.

The stopper element may project downwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part, to prevent inward pushing of a lower brick slip, i.e. a brick slip located below the mounting bracket. Alternatively or additionally, the stopper element may project upwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part, to prevent inward pushing of an upper brick slip, i.e. a brick slip located above the mounting bracket.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a cladding system for forming a facade of a building, comprising: a plurality of brick slips, each comprising: o a bottom plane comprising at least a first bottom plane section and a second bottom plane section extending over the length of the brick slip and extending parallel to each other, wherein the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section are off-set relative to each other in a direction parallel to the height of the brick slip, for example defining a step in between them, and o a top plane comprising at least a first top plane section and a second top plane section extending over the length of the brick slip and extending parallel to each other, wherein the first top plane section and the second top plane section are off-set relative to each other in conjunction with respectively the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section, and a plurality of mounting brackets, each having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of at least the first bottom plane section, for example corresponding to the shape of the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section, wherein each of the mounting brackets is configured to vertically support at least the first bottom plane sections of two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips to horizontally interconnect the brick slips, wherein at least part of the mounting brackets is further configured to be secured to a backing construction of the building, characterized in that the mounting brackets are further configured to interlock with the first top plane section of at least one lower brick slip, i.e. in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, to vertically interconnect the two horizontally adjacent brick slips with the at least one lower brick slip in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips.

According to the second aspect, the brick slips each comprise a bottom plane and a top plane that are respectively subdivided in multiple bottom plane sections and top plane sections, each being off-set relative to each other. The first bottom plane section may be located at a higher level than the second bottom plane section, i.e. in the installed configuration of the brick slips, and the first top plane section may be located at a higher level than the second top plane section as well. The respective first plane sections of the top plane and the bottom plane may be defined as the plane sections located next to the backing construction in the installed configuration of the brick slip, whereas the second plane sections of the top plane and the bottom plane may project away from the backing construction, e.g. in a direction towards the front and away from the facade.

The top plane and the bottom plane may comprise a step in between the respective plane sections, i.e. having an abrupt change in height between them. Alternatively, the change in height may be gradual, for example by means of a ramp transition between the plane sections.

To this effect, the cladding system provides a plurality of brick slips that are configured to interlock with each other in the vertical direction. In particular, an upper brick slip may project in front of a lower brick slip in an installed configuration of the brick slips and/or a lower brick slip may project in front of an upper brick slip.

In particular, the second bottom plane section of an upper brick slip may be located in front of the first top plane section of a lower brick slip. As such, outward tilting movements of the lower brick slip, i.e. away from the backing construction, can be prevented by the upper brick slip as a result of the interlocking of the lower brick slip behind the upper brick slip.

The mounting brackets are provided with a shape substantially corresponding to at least the first plane sections, but preferably with both the first plane sections and the second plane sections. The mounting bracket may comprise two integral bracket portions that are off-set relative to each other, corresponding to the off-set between the first plane sections and the second plane sections.

The mounting brackets are configured to vertically support the brick slips located above it, i.e. which rest on the mounting bracket, and is also configured to interlock with at least the first top plane sections of the at least one lower brick slip located below it, i.e. on which the mounting bracket rests. The mounting bracket may thereby be configured to contribute in preventing outward tilting of this lower brick slip.

The mounting brackets of this cladding system contribute in obtaining stiffness and stability of the cladding and have a double functionality as well because they are configured to both interconnect two brick slips that are located next to each other horizontally and because they are further configured to vertically support the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The mounting brackets are thus both configured to horizontally interconnect brick slips and the brick slips themselves are configured to interlock to vertically interconnect brick slips. Furthermore, the brick slips do not need to contact each other, i.e. to lie on top of each other or having intermediate joints filled with mortar, to obtain sufficient strength. Even in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips, the resulting facade can obtain a sufficient strength and stiffness in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.

In particular, the present system may improve the in-plane stiffness and stability, i.e. in the plane of the facade that is to be created by means of the cladding system, so that outward flexing of the brick slips, i.e. away from the backing construction, is prevented substantially. To this effect, connections between the mounting brackets and the brick slips preferably have a tight fit, in order to improve the transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads from brick slip to brick slip and in order to improve the securing of the position of each brick slip, in particular of the brick slips that are not secured to the backing construction, for example with an adhesive. This may also prevent coming loose and falling down of individual brick slips, including brick slips that are not connected to the backing construction, i.e. nor by means of an adhesive or the incorporation of a substructure, such as the rails known from prior art, that offers the in-plane stiffness.

The mounting brackets are preferably rigid mounting brackets, that are configured to retain their shape during use of the mounting brackets, i.e. in the installed configuration of the mounting brackets. The rigid mounting brackets may further improve the stiffness of the system, which may allow only part of the mounting brackets to be attached to the backing construction and which may allow the other mounting brackets to remain loose from the backing construction, to reduce the material that need to be used, i.e. to reduce the number of screws attached to the backing construction, and to reduce labour, i.e. to fasten the screws to the backing construction.

The present cladding system has the benefit that only part of the mounting brackets needs to be secured to a backing construction, whilst still offering sufficient stiffness, strength and rigidity for the facade and providing a safe facade. This also allows for the possibility to install the cladding system on a non-continuous backing construction, like a framework. A significant number of the mounting brackets may only need to be in contact with the first lower plane sections and the first upper plane section of the respective brick slips, without being secured to the backing construction, but only being coupled to the brick slips. These mounting brackets may be regarded as coupling mounting brackets, solely coupling the at least three adjoining brick slips, i.e. thereby transmitting forces and bending moments between the brick slips and so acting together like a load bearing construction. The provision of coupling mounting brackets may result in a reduction of the number of connections to the backing construction, i.e. to a number of secured mounting brackets that can be significantly lower than the number of brick slips, whereas existing cladding systems require a number of secured mounting brackets that is approximately equal to the number of brick slips. It is noted that the coupling mounting brackets, i.e. the non-secured coupling mounting brackets, may actually be structurally the same as the secured mounting brackets, but that the difference arises from their way of installing, namely either secured or not.

The mounting brackets are configured to vertically support the brick slips, i.e. against gravity acting on the brick slips. Hence, an upper brick slip rests on a mounting bracket, which in turn rests on a brick slip below it. This means that the brick slips do not each hang individually from the mounting brackets from the backing construction, as in the prior art, but that the brick slips rest on top of each other indirectly. This implies that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, but that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present cladding system may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged.

It was found by the inventor that the present cladding system is able to withstand typical loads to which facades are subjected during their normal service life, for example wind loads. These wind loads form a negative pressure in front of the facade, resulting in a suctional load attracting the brick slips. The facade formed by the present cladding system is able to withstand these suctional loads, even though only part of the mounting brackets is secured to the backing construction. Instead, the coupling between the brick slips and the mounting brackets enables transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads between the brick slips, so that the brick slips associated with the secured mounting brackets will hold the brick slips associated with the coupling mounting brackets in place.

In this way, the brick slips may together form their own continuous load bearing beam/plate construction between the mounting brackets that are secured to the backing construction, i.e. with spanning distances longer and higher than the length and height of the brick slips. This reduces the number of secured mounting brackets per square meter and at the same time makes a supporting substructure between brick slips and the backing construction, such as the wide rails known from the prior art, redundant.

The present cladding system furthermore not relies on direct contact between brick slips, which means that the surfaces of the brick slips do not need to be dressed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs for the brick slips.

The cladding system according to the present invention enables faster installation of the facade, because it is less complex, requiring less alignment than in the prior art, therefore further reducing the associated costs. A further reduction in cost may be obtained by the reduction of the amount of material used, e.g. using relatively narrow brackets instead of continuous profiles and/or not requiring a specially adapted backing construction and fewer fastening elements for securing the mounting brackets to the backing construction. Furthermore, the invention offers a solution for installing a cladding system with brick slips without the necessity of a connection between brick slips with an adhesive or by another third medium between the individual brick slips and a backing construction. The cladding system according to the second aspect of the present invention does not necessarily require an intermediate mounting and fixing construction between the brick slips and a backing construction and does not require the provision of a specially adjusted backing construction to ensure the fixed position of the individual brick slips.

The present invention encompasses both brick slips that are configured to be installed both horizontally, where the longest axis of the brick slip is aligned parallel to a horizontal direction and wherein the length is defined along this longest axis of the brick slip, and vertically, where the longest axis of the brick slip is aligned parallel to a vertical direction and wherein the length is defined along a perpendicular short axis of the brick slip.

The brick slips in the cladding system according to the second aspect may be free of upper grooves. This could be beneficial, since no water can accumulate therein. Otherwise, such water could crack the brick slip during frost, when the water expands upon freezing.

The cladding system according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise one or more of the features and benefits disclosed herein in relation to the cladding system according to the first aspect of the invention, in particular as recited in the claims. Similarly, the features and benefits of the second aspect of the invention may also apply for the first aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment, the mounting brackets have a thickness corresponding to a width of the upper groove and/or the lower groove in the brick slips. This may contribute to a tight fit between the mounting brackets and the brick slips, in order to improve the transmission of shear, torsional and bending loads between the adjacent brick slips, i.e. via the mounting brackets.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may comprise an elastic portion that is configured to be deformed upon insertion in the upper groove and/or the lower groove in the brick slip, so that a rigid clamping of the mounting brackets inside the grooves may be obtained to also improve the transmission of shear, torsional and bending loads between the adjacent brick slips, i.e. via the mounting brackets.

In an embodiment, the grooves of the brick slip may taper and/or may comprise an inclination to obtain a clamping of the mounting brackets inside the grooves upon insertion of the mounting brackets in the grooves. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may taper and/or may comprise an inclination to obtain a similar clamping effect. In an embodiment of the cladding system, the offset between the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section may differ from the offset between the first top plane section and the second bottom plane section.

For example, the offset between the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section may be larger than the offset between the first top plane section and the second bottom plane section. As such, it may be obtained that, in an installed configuration of the cladding system, the second bottom plane section and the second top plane section may contact each other, or may at least be arranged close to each other, i.e. in the absence of a substantial horizontal joint between them, and the first bottom plane section and the first top plane section are spaced at a vertical distance from each other. In this way, an aesthetically appealing cladding without horizontal joints may be obtained, which can still rely on mounting brackets for mutually interconnecting the brick slips.

In a further embodiment, the mounting brackets are configured to vertically bridge the vertical distance between the first bottom plane section and the first top plane section. Furthermore, an upper section of the mounting bracket may lie against a rear surface of the upper brick slip, e.g. for example projecting into the lower groove of an upper brick slip and being directed away from the front plane of the cladding, so that any undesired moisture in between the brick slips is prevented from flowing towards the backing construction. Instead, the moisture is guided towards the front, i.e. seen with respect to the front plane of the cladding, for example so that the moisture is allowed to dewater between the brick slips at the front plane.

The mounting bracket may be provided as a unitary part. Then, the mounting bracket may both have structural properties, i.e. in supporting the brick slips, and may have the dewatering properties. Alternatively, the mounting bracket may be subdivided in two parts that are associated each other, in particular in a structural part, configured to support the brick slips, and a dewatering part, configured to discharge moisture from between the brick slips. With associated, it is meant that the dewatering part may for example project in front of the structural part, so that any water reaching the mounting bracket may be deflected by the dewatering part, not being able to reach the structural part.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the top plane, e.g. the first top plane section, the second top plane section and optionally the third top plane section, is a mirror image of the bottom plane, e.g. the first bottom plane section, the second bottom plane section and optionally the third bottom plane section. This may provide that, in the installed configuration, the brick slips appear to (almost) contact each other at a front side, i.e. how it is visible after installation. At the rear side, however, the planes of the brick slips can be spaced from each other over a larger distance, for example being spaced apart by the mounting brackets.

This embodiment may lack a visible attachment of the mounting brackets to the backing construction, e.g. in the form of a screw or the like. According to the prior art systems, this attachment could be hidden from view by, for example, applying mortar in the intermediate joints. The present embodiment may cover the mounting brackets by frontal parts of the brick slips, so that no additional provisions, like mortar, are necessary. This may improve the costeffectiveness, since even less labour on the construction site may be needed, and may significantly increase the circularity of the finishing of brick slips, since the brick slips do not become solidly attached to each other by mortar and so polluted therewith.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the side planes of the brick slips are subdivided in multiple side plane sections, each being off-set relative to each other. In this way, an overlap between the side planes of horizontally adjacent brick slips may be obtained. A first side plane section may be set at an offset relative to a second side plane section. The side planes may comprise a step in between the respective plane sections, i.e. having an abrupt change in depth between them. Alternatively, the change in depth may be gradual, for example by means of a ramp transition between the plane sections.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, each of the mounting brackets comprises a downward notch, configured to project in front of the first top plane section of the at least one lower brick slip. This downward notch is configured to project downwards in the installed configuration of the brick slips, to that the notch projects in front of the first top plane section, to prevent outward tilting movements of the lower brick slip, i.e. away from the backing construction, by interlocking between the notch of the mounting bracket and the lower brick slip.

The notch may be embodied as a bent section of the mounting bracket, for example obtained by providing curvature to an initially flat plate. The mounting bracket may be bent downward, for example over an angle of 90°, so that part of it is configured to lie on the first top plane section of the lower brick slip and that the bent section is configured to downwardly project in front the first top plane section.

Alternative or additionally, each of the mounting brackets comprises an upward notch, configured to project in front of the first bottom plane section of the at least one upper brick slip. This projecting may be in a manner similar to the above-mentioned downward notch, but in opposite direction. Moreover, the mounting brackets with the upward notch may be the same as the mounting brackets with the downward notch, being installed upside-down. The mounting bracket may have a shape that substantially mimics an “L”, having a first portion extending vertically, i.e. in the installed configuration of the brick slips, which is configured to abut the backing construction. The mounting bracket may further comprise a second portion, attached to the first portion, for example integral with the first portion, extending horizontally and forming the vertical support for the brick slips. The downward notch may be provided at a front end of the second portion, for example being formed by downwardly bending the front end of the second portion.

In an additional or alternative embodiment of the cladding system, the brick slips each comprise a lower groove in the bottom plane in between the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section, extending upwardly into the brick slip over at least part of a length of the brick slip, and each of the mounting brackets comprises an upward lip, configured to be inserted at least partially in the lower grooves of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The lower groove may extend horizontally over the entire length of the brick slip, but not necessarily needs to. Hence, the groove may for example be subdivided in two groove parts at the sides of the lower plane, or may be provided as a narrow intermediate groove, only provided in between the sides of the lower plane.

The lower groove may form the transition between the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section, i.e. the transition in height between the plane section, for example being located at the step in between the plane sections.

The upward lip is, in the installed configuration of the brick slips, configured to be inserted in the lower groove, so that the mounting bracket can interlock with the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. The two horizontally adjacent brick slips can thus both rest on the mounting bracket, i.e. being supported thereby vertically, and are prevented from outwardly, i.e. away from the backing construction, by interlocking between the lip of the mounting bracket and the groove.

The upward lip may be embodied as an end section of the mounting bracket, for example obtained by upward bending of an initially flat plate. The mounting bracket may be bent upward, for example over an angle of 90°, so that part of it is configured to extend parallel to the first bottom plane section of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, i.e. to form a rigid support for them, and that the end section is configured to upwardly project into the lower groove.

The upward lip may be aligned parallel to the vertical direction, i.e. in an installed configuration of the brick slips, so that the upward lip may extend substantially parallel to the lower groove in the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. Alternatively, however, the upward lip may be aligned non-parallel to the vertical direction, so that the upward lip of the mounting bracket will be deformed somewhat upon insertion in the lower groove. This deformation may contribute in obtaining an improved fit of the mounting bracket, which may result in an improved transmission of forces and bending moments between the brick slips.

Alternative or additionally, the brick slips each comprise an upper groove in the top plane in between the first top plane section and the second top plane section, extending downwardly into the brick slip over at least part of a length of the brick slip. Each of the mounting brackets thereby comprises a downward lip, configured to project into the upper groove of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips located below it. This insertion may be in a manner similar to the above-mentioned upward lip, but in opposite direction. Moreover, the mounting brackets with the downward lip may be the same as the mounting brackets with the upward lip, being installed upside-down.

In a further embodiment, the mounting brackets are provided with both the downward notch and the upward lip and the brick slips at least comprise the lower groove in their bottom plane. Seen from a flat part of the mounting bracket, configured to support the first bottom plane sections of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, the mounting bracket is first bent downward, to lie in front of the first top plane section of the brick slip located below it, and then projects upward, configured to be inserted in the lower grooves of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

This embodiment may provide the benefit that the mounting bracket is configured to interlock with both the two horizontally adjacent brick slips resting on it and with the brick slip located below it. The mounting bracket is thus able to prevent outward movements, i.e. away from the backing construction, of both the brick slips above and below it, further improving the transmission of forces and bending moments between the brick slips.

Also this embodiment may be provided oppositely, i.e. with brick slips comprising an upper groove and with mounting brackets comprising both an upward notch and a downward lip, with similar benefits as the above embodiment.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the brick slips each comprise: a third bottom plane section, off-set relative to the second bottom plane section, for example in-plane with the first bottom plane section, and- a third top plane section, off-set relative to the second top plane section in conjunction with the third bottom plane section, for example in-plane with the first top plane section, wherein the mounting brackets each have a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of at least the first bottom plane section and the second bottom plane section, for example corresponding to the shape of the first bottom plane section, the second bottom plane section and the third bottom plane section, and wherein each of the mounting brackets is configured to project in front of the first bottom plane sections of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and to project in front of the second top plane section of the at least one lower brick slip.

The brick slips according to the present embodiment may comprise a respective further step in between their second plane sections and third plane sections. The respective third plane sections may thereby lie at the same horizontal level as the first plane sections, so that the second plane sections are elevated or depressed relative to the first and third plane sections.

In particular, in an installed configuration of the brick slips, the second top plane section of a lower brick slip may be elevated with respect to the first top plane section and the third top plane section of this brick slip, so that it projects in between the first bottom plane section and the third bottom plane section of an upper brick slip. As such, the upper brick slip and lower brick slip can mutually interlock with each other. Hence, outward movements of the upper brick slip, i.e. away from the backing construction, are prevented by the first bottom plane section of the upper brick slip interlocking with the second top plane section of the lower brick slip and outward movements of the lower brick slip are prevented by the second top plane section of the lower brick slip interlocking with the third bottom plane section of the upper brick slip.

According to this embodiment, the mounting bracket can engage both with the upper brick slip and the lower brick slip, in particular projecting in front of plane sections of both these brick slips, so that a single mounting bracket can prevent outward movements of both the lower brick slip and the upper brick slip.

Alternatively, the second top plane section of a lower brick slip may be depressed with respect to the first top plane section and the third top plane section of this brick slip, so that the second bottom plane section of an upper brick slip can project in between the first top plane section and the third top plane section of the lower brick slip to ensure mutual interlocking in an opposite manner.

The cladding system may further comprise a premade horizontal joint, for example embodied as a tape or a dry sealant, which is configured to be arranged on the second top plane section or, if present on a third top plane section of a lower brick slip, to fill the horizontal joint between the lower brick slip and an upper brick and to prevent water and moisture from reaching the mounting brackets and the backing construction and/or to resemble the picture of traditional masonry. In an embodiment of the cladding system, first bottom plane section is arranged vertically higher than the second bottom plane section, i.e. in an installed configuration of the brick slips.

This embodiment has been found beneficial, because, in accordance, the first top plane section can be arranged vertically higher than the second top plane section as well. As such, the second bottom plane section of an upper brick slip is located in front of the first top plane section of a lower brick slip. Only the upper brick may then need to be engaged with a mounting bracket, to vertically support the upper brick slip and to prevent outward movements of the upper brick slip, because the lower brick slip interlocks with eh upper brick slip, not being able to outwardly move, even in the absence of a direct connection with the mounting bracket.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets comprise at least one sideward notch, configured to abut a side plane of the brick slips. For example, the mounting brackets may comprise a first sideward notch, configured to abut a left one of the brick slips, and a second sideward notch, configured to abut a right one of the brick slips. The sideward notches are configured to prevent sideward shifting of the brick slips, as a result of the brick slips contacting the sideward notches.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting bracket may have a “C-shape”, comprising two horizontal bracket portions that are vertically spaced at a distance from each other and a vertical bracket portion in between the horizontal portions.

The vertical bracket portion is then configured to be clamped against the backing construction of the building and may for example comprise the aperture for receiving a fastening element. The horizontal bracket portions are configured to abut top planes and bottom planes of the brick slips. For example, an upper brick slip may be configured to rest on an upper horizontal bracket portion with its bottom plane and a lower horizontal bracket portion of the mounting bracket may be configured to rest on a top plane of a lower brick slip.

The mounting bracket may comprise an upward lip and a downward lip, which are attached respectively to the upper horizontal bracket portion and the lower horizontal bracket portion at a side opposite to the vertical bracket portion. The upward lip is configured to project into a lower groove of an upper brick slip and the downward lip is configured to project into an upper groove of a lower brick slip.

According to this embodiment, the brick slips may rest on the horizontal bracket portions, which offers a larger supporting surface, as compared to when the brick slips would only rest on the mounting brackets with their grooves. According to a further embodiment of the cladding system, the upper horizontal bracket portions may have a width that is larger than the width of a first bottom plane section of the upper brick slip, i.e. the width between the lower groove in the upper brick slip and the rear side thereof. Similarly, the lower horizontal bracket portions may have a width that is larger than the width of a first top plane section of the lower brick slip, i.e. the width between the upper groove in the lower brick slip and the rear side thereof.

This may provide for a spacing between the backing construction and the rear side of the brick slips, which spacing may offer improved insulation, improved ventilation, to reduce moisture contraption behind the brick slips, and to facilitate discharge of rain water that could otherwise accumulate behind the brick slips. This may reduce possible damage due to corrosion and/or rotting of wood. Furthermore, the discharge of water may prevent frost damage, that could otherwise occur upon freezing of water trapped behind the brick slips. Finally, the absence of water behind the brick slips may further allow any wood, for example used as backing construction, to dry out to become more durable.

As an alternative embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting brackets may comprise a vertical bracket portion that is substantially in-line with the upward lip and the downward lip. This mounting bracket may lack substantial horizontal bracket portions, but may instead comprise relatively small support protrusions for resting on a lower brick slip and for allowing an upper brick slip to rest on.

Alternatively, the vertical bracket portion may be slightly offset horizontally relative to the upward lip and the downward lip, so that the offset part can rest on a lower brick slip and/or that an upper brick slip can rest on the offset part.

The mounting bracket according to this embodiment may be beneficial for locations where it is not required to secure the mounting bracket to the backing construction.

In an embodiment of the cladding system, one or both of the brick slips comprises a groove, i.e. the upper brick slip comprising a lower groove in its bottom plane and/or the lower brick slip comprising an upper groove in its top plane. The other one of the brick slips then comprises the off set plane sections, preferably free of any grooves, i.e. respectively the lower brick slip having a first top plane section vertically above the second top plane section or the upper brick slip having a first bottom plane section vertically below the second bottom plane section.

According to this embodiment, a horizontal spacing may be present between the brick slips at the front, i.e. above the second top plane section or below the second bottom plane section, which does not extend towards the rear. Hence, the brick slips may be located close to each other, possibly having a mounting bracket in between them. As such, the joint is a blind aperture between the brick slips, so that any mortar has a backing in between the brick slips, not being able to be pushed through towards the backing construction.

The mounting bracket may comprise an upward lip and/or a downward lip. In case the upper brick slip comprises the lower groove, the upward lip may be configured to be inserted in the lower groove and the downward lip may project in front of the first top plane section of the lower brick slip. In case the lower brick slip comprises the upper groove, the downward lip may be configured to be inserted in the upper groove and the upward lip may project in front of the first bottom plane section of the upper brick slip.

Optionally, the brick slip comprising the groove may also comprise the off set plane sections, for example in a manner corresponding to the off-set plane section of the other brick slip, i.e. the brick slip lacking grooves. As such, no spacing may be present in between the brick slips, therefore not requiring any joints in between them and avoiding risk of water infiltration.

In a further embodiment of the cladding system, the mounting bracket may have a stopper element at the horizontal bracket part. The stopper element may be integral with the entire mounting bracket and is configured to prevent the brick slips from being pushed towards the backing construction, to maintain a minimum spacing between the brick slips and the backing construction.

The stopper element may project downwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part, to prevent inward pushing of a lower brick slip, i.e. a brick slip located below the mounting bracket. Alternatively or additionally, the stopper element may project upwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part, to prevent inward pushing of an upper brick slip, i.e. a brick slip located above the mounting bracket.

The present invention further provides a building facade, comprising: a backing construction, for example a wall of the building, and the cladding system as disclosed herein, for example as recited in any of the claims, wherein each of the mounting brackets vertically supports two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips to horizontally interconnect the brick slips and wherein each of the mounting brackets interlocks with at least one lower brick slip, i.e. in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, and/or wherein each of the mounting brackets interlocks with two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips to horizontally interconnect the brick slips and wherein each of the mounting brackets vertically supports at least one upper brick slip, i.e. in a horizontal row above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips, wherein at least part of the mounting brackets is secured to the backing construction.

According to the present invention, the building facade is formed by brick slips and mounting brackets that are arranged on each other in a vertical direction. The facade further comprises a backing construction, for example formed by a wall, such as a concrete wall, or a frame construction, such as a wooden frame, which backing construction forms the structure of the facade, i.e. bearing structural loads, so that the brick slips mainly serve an aesthetical purpose. The brick slips may have a further function in protecting the materials of the backing construction from outside weathering.

The brick slips are relatively thin compared to actual bricks, which implies that their own in-plane stiffness and stability is relatively low in the building facade, i.e. when they were to be stacked on top of each other. The sole stacking of brick slips, opposed to the stacking of bricks, may not be sufficient to obtain a desired safety, stiffness, strength and stability for the facade, which implies that connections to the backing construction are needed to secure the position of the brick slips and to provide a safe wall cladding, i.e. to prevent the brick slips from coming loos and falling down.

The mounting brackets of the present building facade contribute in obtaining this stiffness and stability and have a double functionality, because they are configured to both interconnect two brick slips that are located next to each other horizontally and because they are further configured to form a link between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and at least one brick slip in a row above and/or at least one brick slip in a row below.

The mounting brackets are thus both configured to horizontally and vertically interconnect brick slips. Furthermore, the brick slips do not need to contact each other, i.e. to lie on top of each other or having intermediate joints filled with mortar, to obtain sufficient strength. Even in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips, the resulting facade can obtain a sufficient strength, stability and stiffness in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The present building facade does therefore not rely on a significant contribution of the horizontal mortar joint for its structural function.

The present facade has an improved in-plane stiffness and stability, i.e. in the plane of the facade, so that outward flexing of the brick slips, i.e. away from the backing construction, is prevented substantially, with no need to incorporate separate backing elements or a specially designed backing construction to provide this in-plane stiffness. To this effect, connections between the mounting brackets and the brick slips preferably have a tight fit, in order to improve the transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads from brick slip to brick slip and in order to improve the securing of the position of each brick slip, in particular of the brick slips that are not secured to the backing construction. Preferably, the grooves and/or the mounting brackets comprise edges that are round or that comprise a chamfer, in order to improve the insertion of the mounting brackets into the grooves.

The present facade has the benefit that only part of the mounting brackets needs to be secured to the backing construction, whilst still offering sufficient strength and rigidity for the facade. Some of the mounting brackets, preferably a significant part of the mounting brackets, may only need to be coupled to the brick slips, for example being inserted in grooves of the brick slips, without being secured to the backing construction. These mounting brackets may be regarded as coupling mounting brackets, solely coupling at least three adjoining brick slips, i.e. thereby transmitting forces and bending moments between the brick slips. The provision of coupling mounting brackets may result in a reduction of the number of connections to the backing construction, i.e. to a number of secured mounting brackets that can be significantly lower than the number of brick slips, whereas existing facades require a number of secured mounting brackets that is approximately equal to the number of brick slips.

It is noted that the coupling mounting brackets, i.e. the non-secured coupling mounting brackets, may actually be structurally the same as the secured mounting brackets, but that the difference arises from their way of installing, namely either secured or not.

The mounting brackets are configured to vertically support the brick slips, i.e. against gravity acting on the brick slips. Hence, an upper brick slip rests on a mounting bracket, which in turn rests on a brick slip below it. This means that the brick slips do not each hang individually from the mounting brackets from the backing construction, as in the prior art, but that the brick slips rest on top of each other indirectly. This implies that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, but that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present facade may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged

It was found by the inventor that the present facade is able to withstand typical loads to which facades are subjected during their normal service life, for example wind loads. These wind loads form a negative pressure in front of the facade, resulting in a suctional load attracting the brick slips. The present facade is able to withstand these suctional loads, even though only part of the mounting brackets is secured to the backing construction. Instead, the coupling between the brick slips and the mounting brackets enables transmission of bending, torsional and shear loads between the brick slips, so that the brick slips associated with the secured mounting brackets will hold the brick slips associated with the coupling mounting brackets in place. In this way, the brick slips may together form their own continuous load bearing beam/plate construction between the mounting brackets that are secured to the backing construction, i.e. with spanning distances longer and higher than the length and height of the brick slips. This reduces the number of secured mounting brackets per square meter and at the same time makes a supporting substructure between brick slips and the backing construction, such as the wide rails known from the prior art, redundant.

The present cladding system furthermore not relies on direct contact between brick slips, which means that the surfaces of the brick slips do not need to be dressed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs for the brick slips.

The building facade according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the features and benefits disclosed herein in relation to the present cladding system, in particular as recited in the claims. Similarly, the features and benefits of the building facade may also apply for the cladding system.

According to the present invention, the building facade may comprise mounting brackets that each vertically support two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips, so that each of the mounting brackets is effectively located directly below these two brick slips. Furthermore, the mounting brackets may interact with at least one lower brick slip, i.e. with at least one brick slip in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly above at least one other brick slip.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may vertically support a single brick slip resting on it, so that each of the mounting brackets is effectively located directly below a single brick slip. These mounting brackets may interact with two lower brick slips, i.e. with two horizontally adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row below the single upper brick slip. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

In an embodiment of the building facade, the mounting brackets are inserted in the upper or lower groove at the corners of two neighbouring brick slips that are located next to each other in a horizontal row of brick slips. This may provide that the mounting brackets are arranged in a regular, repetitive pattern. All of the mounting brackets thereby hold multiple adjacent brick slips in the row in place, which reduces the overall number of mounting brackets needed per number of brick slips. The mounting brackets according to this embodiment may also extend towards other rows of brick slips, either above or below the two adjacent brick slips, to contact one or two brick slips in the other row.

Optionally, the mounting brackets may engage with a single brick slip in the other row, for example in a stretcher bond pattern of brick slips. The mounting brackets may thereby contact a central part of the brick slip in the other row, either above or below the two adjacent brick slips. Each mounting bracket may thereby be located at a triple-point, where three brick slips adjoin each other. In this way the mounting brackets of each brick slip form a virtual triangle, with a top of the triangle either pointing up or down along a central part of the brick slip and with the two other corners of this triangle corresponding with the two corners of the brick slip.

Alternatively, the mounting brackets may engage with two brick slips in the other row, for example in a brick bond pattern of brick slips. The mounting brackets may thereby be located at a crossing, where four brick slips adjoin each other. In this way, four brick slips can be held together at least partially with only a single mounting bracket.

In an embodiment of the building facade, the brick slips each comprise a lower groove in a bottom plane, extending upwardly into the brick slip over at least part of a length of the brick slip, and an upper groove in a top plane, extending downwardly into the brick slip over at least part of the length of the brick slip. The grooves may extend horizontally over the entire length of the brick slip, but not necessarily need to. Hence, the grooves may for example be subdivided in two groove parts at the sides of the upper plane or the lower plane, or may be provided as narrow intermediate grooves, only provided in between the sides of the upper plane or the lower plane.

According to this embodiment, each of the mounting brackets is at least partially inserted in the lower grooves of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and in the upper groove of the at least one lower brick slip, and/or in the upper grooves of the two horizontally adjacent brick slips and in the lower groove of the at least one upper brick slip. The interlocking between the mounting brackets and the brick slips is obtained as a result of the insertion, allowing the mounting brackets to hold the bricks slips in place against the backing construction.

According to the present embodiment, the mounting brackets may be inserted in the lower grooves of the two adjacent brick slips in the horizontal row of brick slips and in the upper groove of at least one lower brick slip, i.e. in at least one brick slip in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting brackets may be inserted in the upper grooves of the two adjacent brick slips in the horizontal row of brick slips and in the lower groove of at least one upper brick slip, i.e. in at least one brick slip in a horizontal row above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

In an embodiment, the building facade comprises one or more horizontal rows of mounting brackets comprising secured mounting brackets and coupling mounting brackets that are provided alternately.

Seen in a horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade, a single secured mounting bracket in a horizontal row of mounting brackets may be adjoined by a non-secured coupling mounting bracket on its opposite sides. Accordingly, a single non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a horizontal row of mounting brackets may be adjoined by a secured mounting bracket on its opposite sides. Alternatively, these rows of mounting brackets may, seen in a horizontal direction, comprise one secured mounting bracket followed by two, three or even more non-secured coupling mounting brackets.

Each of these alternate rows may comprise both secured mounting brackets and nonsecured coupling mounting brackets. The horizontal interconnection between brick slips, i.e. via the mounting brackets, provides that all brick slips are in contact with at least two mounting brackets from a single horizontal row of mounting brackets. For each of the brick slips, it is sufficient to only have a single mounting bracket secured to the backing construction, so that the other mounting bracket does not need to be secured, but only coupled to the brick slips.

This provides the benefit that only 50% of the mounting brackets, or even less, in a single row needs to be secured, thereby reducing the amount of material and complexity, and thus reducing cost and labour, for the installation of the facade.

Preferably, the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the upward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be adjoined by one or more nonsecured coupling mounting brackets, which are in turn adjoined by a secured mounting bracket.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the building facade comprises one or more horizontal rows of mounting brackets consisting of coupling mounting brackets. These rows solely consist of non-secured coupling mounting brackets and are free of secured mounting brackets.

These rows do not contain a single secured mounting bracket, but instead only comprise mounting brackets that are simply arranged on brick slips below, for example being inserted in upper grooves thereof. The absence of secured mounting brackets may provide for even less labour intensive, and thus less expensive installation of the facade. Furthermore, other rows may solely consist of secured mounting brackets. These rows would for example be provided as a bottom row of the facade or a top row of the facade, since the bottom row and top row of brick slips need to be secured, since they respectively lack a further row of brick slips below and above them.

In a further embodiment, the building facade comprises, seen in a vertical direction, a pattern of rows of mounting brackets, alternately formed by a horizontal row comprising secured mounting brackets and a horizontal row of coupling mounting brackets.

Seen in the vertical direction parallel to the plane of the facade, a horizontal row solely consisting of secured mounting brackets may be adjoined by a horizontal row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets above and below it.

Preferably, the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the downward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be arranged above by a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row comprising both secured mounting brackets and non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a secured mounting bracket.

It was found by the inventor that this spread of secured mounting brackets, i.e. not being present in all rows, may still transmit forces and bending moments sufficiently between the brick slips. However, the number of secured mounting brackets can be reduced to less than 25% of the originally required number of secured mounting brackets, i.e. as in the prior art, forming a further improvement in terms of labour intensity, installation time and costs for the installation of the facade.

In an alternative embodiment, the building facade comprises, seen in a vertical direction, a pattern of rows of mounting brackets, alternately formed by a single horizontal row comprising secured mounting brackets and three horizontal rows of coupling mounting brackets. This further reduces the number of mounting brackets that needs to be secured to the backing construction, since only one of every four rows of mounting brackets actually contains mounting brackets that are secured. Furthermore, even in the row of secured mounting brackets, only part of the mounting brackets actually needs to be secured, further contributing to an improvement in terms of labour intensity, installation time and costs for the installation of the facade.

In an embodiment of the building facade, the secured mounting brackets are secured to the backing construction by means of removable fastening elements, for example screws projecting through the vertical joints between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. The mounting bracket can be secured to the backing construction by the fastening element after the two horizontally adjacent brick slips are arranged on it, namely through the vertical joint in between them. This allows that the securing of the mounting brackets does not need to take place prior to placement of the brick slips, as in the prior art, which required time-consuming alignment of the mounting brackets, but instead that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present facade may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged.

Alternatively or additionally, the mounting bracket can be secured to the backing construction by the fastening element through horizontal joints between two vertically adjacent brick slips, i.e. after these respective brick slips have been stacked on each other.

This may provide that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, thereby further reducing cost and complexity of the installation of the facade.

Preferably, the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the downward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be arranged above a nonsecured coupling mounting bracket in a row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row comprising both secured mounting brackets and non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets, and which is in turn arranged above a secured mounting bracket.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a building facade, for example of manufacturing the building facade as disclosed herein, comprising the steps of: providing the cladding system as disclosed herein, securing a horizontal bottom row of the mounting brackets to the backing construction at a mutual distance from each other corresponding to the length of the brick slips, arranging a horizontal bottom row of the brick slips on the mounting brackets, for example arranging the lower grooves of the brick slips over the mounting brackets, arranging a subsequent horizontal row of the mounting brackets on the brick slips, optionally, arranging a subsequent horizontal row of the brick slips on the mounting brackets, securing a least part of the mounting brackets in the subsequent row to the backing construction, and optionally repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips, arranging the mounting brackets and securing the mounting brackets.

According to the present method, the mounting brackets are arranged directly on the brick slips and are only secured, i.e. at least part of them, after they contact the brick slips. Preferably, another row of brick slips is first arranged on the mounting brackets before the mounting brackets are secured to the backing construction.

The mounting brackets are configured to vertically support the brick slips, i.e. against gravity acting on the brick slips. Hence, an upper brick slip rests on a mounting bracket, which in turn rests on a brick slip below it. This means that the brick slips do not each hang individually from the mounting brackets from the backing construction, as in the prior art, but that the brick slips rest on top of each other indirectly. This implies that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, but that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present method may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged

The method according to the present invention may comprise one or more of the features and benefits disclosed herein in relation to the cladding system or the building facade according to the present invention, in particular as recited in the claims. Similarly, the features and benefits of the present method may also apply for the cladding system or the building facade.

Preferably, the step of securing the mounting brackets to the backing construction is carried out by means of removable fastening elements, for example screws projecting through the vertical joints between two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

The mounting bracket can be secured to the backing construction by the fastening element after the two horizontally adjacent brick slips are arranged on it, namely through the vertical joint in between them. This allows that the securing of the mounting brackets does not need to take place prior to placement of the brick slips, as in the prior art, which required time-consuming alignment of the mounting brackets, but instead that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips and mounting brackets on top of each other. The present method may only require horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets at the basis of the wall, i.e. for securing an initial row of mounting brackets, onto which a lowermost row of bricks slips is to be arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting bracket can be secured to the backing construction by the fastening element through horizontal joints between two vertically adjacent brick slips, i.e. after these respective brick slips have been stacked on each other.

This may provide that less vertical and horizontal alignment of the mounting brackets is needed prior to installation of the brick slips, thereby further reducing cost, time and complexity of the installation of the facade.

In an embodiment of the method, each two horizontally adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips rest on a single mounting bracket, and each of the mounting brackets in a subsequent horizontal row of mounting brackets rest on a single brick slip.

As such, the resulting building facade may comprise mounting brackets that each vertically support two adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row of brick slips, so that each of the mounting brackets is effectively located directly below these two brick slips. Furthermore, the mounting brackets may interact with at least one lower brick slip, i.e. with at least one brick slip in a horizontal row below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly above at least one other brick slip.

In an alternative embodiment of the method, each brick slip in a horizontal row of brick slips rests on a single mounting bracket, and each of the mounting brackets in a subsequent horizontal row of mounting brackets rests on two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

Here, the mounting brackets may vertically support a single brick slip resting on it, so that each of the mounting brackets is effectively located directly below a single brick slip. These mounting brackets may interact with two lower brick slips, i.e. with two horizontally adjacent brick slips in a horizontal row below the single upper brick slip. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips.

In an embodiment of the method, only a part of the mounting brackets is secured to the backing construction and wherein the other mounting brackets are coupling mounting brackets that are solely coupled to the brick slips.

According to the present embodiment, only part of the mounting brackets needs to be secured to a backing construction, whilst still offering sufficient strength, stability and rigidity for the facade. Some of the mounting brackets, preferably a significant part of the mounting brackets, may only need to be coupled to the brick slips, without being secured to the backing construction. These mounting brackets may be regarded as coupling mounting brackets, solely coupling the at least three adjoining brick slips, i.e. thereby transmitting forces and bending moments between the brick slips. The provision of coupling mounting brackets may result in a reduction of the number of connections to the backing construction, i.e. to a number of secured mounting brackets that can be significantly lower than the number of brick slips, whereas existing methods require a number of secured mounting brackets that is approximately equal to the number of brick slips.

It is noted that the coupling mounting brackets, i.e. the non-secured coupling mounting brackets, may actually be structurally the same as the secured mounting brackets, but that the difference arises from their way of installing, namely either secured or not.

The method according to the present embodiment enables faster installation of the facade, because it is less complex, requiring less alignment than in the prior art, therefore further reducing the associated costs.

A further reduction in cost may be obtained by the reduction of the amount of material used, e.g. using relatively narrow brackets instead of continuous profiles and/or not requiring a specially adapted backing construction and fewer fastening elements for securing the mounting brackets to the backing construction.

Furthermore, the invention offers a solution for installing a cladding system with brick slips without the necessity of a connection between brick slips with an adhesive or by another third medium between the individual brick slips and a backing construction. The method according to the present invention does not necessarily require an intermediate mounting and fixing construction to be installed between the brick slips and the backing construction and does not require the provision of a specially adjusted backing construction to ensure the fixed position of the individual brick slips.

In a further embodiment of the method, the securing of the mounting brackets in a subsequent row comprises the securing of alternate mounting brackets, so that secured mounting brackets and coupling mounting brackets are provided alternately.

Seen in a horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade, a non-secured coupling mounting bracket is arranged on opposite sides of a secured mounting bracket. Accordingly, a single non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a subsequent horizontal row of mounting brackets may be adjoined by a secured mounting bracket on its opposite sides. Alternatively, these rows of mounting brackets may, seen in a horizontal direction, comprise one secured mounting bracket followed by two, three or even more non-secured coupling mounting brackets

Each of these alternate rows comprises both secured mounting brackets and nonsecured coupling mounting brackets, which provides the benefit that only 50% of the mounting brackets, or even less, in a single row needs to be secured, thereby reducing the amount of material and complexity, and thus reducing cost and labour, for carrying out the present method. Preferably, the mounting brackets are secured such, that the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the upward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be adjoined by one or more non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which are in turn adjoined by a secured mounting bracket.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of verifying the alignment of the row of brick slips, comprising arranging a elongate spirit level on the brick slips and detecting whether the spirit level is aligned horizontally.

Optionally, the thickness of the spirit level substantially corresponds to a height of the horizontal joint that is to be obtained between rows of brick slips. The spirit level may be held in place while a subsequent row of mounting brackets and a subsequent row of brick slips is arranged on the lower row of brick slips, so that the spirit level may be used as a spacer between rows of brick slips.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips and arranging the mounting brackets to obtain one or more subsequent horizontal rows of mounting brackets consisting of coupling mounting brackets.

These rows do not contain a single secured mounting bracket, but instead only comprise mounting brackets that are simply arranged on brick slips below, for example being inserted in upper grooves thereof. The absence of secured mounting brackets may provide that the method can be carried out even less labour intensive and thus less expensive.

Furthermore, other rows may solely consist of secured mounting brackets. These rows would for example be provided as a bottom row of the facade or a top row of the facade, since the bottom row and top row of brick slips need to be secured, since they respectively lack a further row of brick slips below and above them.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises alternately the repeating of: the step of repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips, arranging the mounting brackets and securing the mounting brackets, and the step of repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips and arranging the mounting brackets, i.e. without securing the mounting brackets, to obtain, seen in a vertical direction, a pattern of rows of mounting brackets, alternately formed by a horizontal row comprising secured mounting brackets and a horizontal row of coupling mounting brackets. In the resulting building facade, seen in the vertical direction parallel to the plane of the facade, a horizontal row solely consisting of secured mounting brackets may be adjoined by a horizontal row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets above and below it.

Preferably, the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the downward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be arranged above by a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row comprising both secured mounting brackets and non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a secured mounting bracket.

It was found by the inventor that this spread of secured mounting brackets, i.e. not being present in all rows, may still transmit forces and bending moments sufficiently between the brick slips. However, the number of secured mounting brackets can be reduced to less than 25% of the originally required number of secured mounting brackets, i.e. as in the prior art, forming a further improvement in terms of labour intensity, installation time and costs for the installation of the facade.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises alternately the repeating of: the step of repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips, arranging the mounting brackets and securing the mounting brackets, and for three times, the step of repeating the steps of arranging the brick slips and arranging the mounting brackets, i.e. without securing the mounting brackets, to obtain, seen in a vertical direction, a pattern of rows of mounting brackets, alternately formed by a single horizontal row comprising secured mounting brackets and three horizontal rows of coupling mounting brackets.

This further reduces the number of mounting brackets that needs to be secured to the backing construction, since only one of every four rows of mounting brackets actually contains mounting brackets that are secured. Furthermore, even in the row of secured mounting brackets, not all mounting brackets actually need to be secured, further contributing to an improvement in terms of labour intensity, installation time and costs for the installation of the facade.

Preferably, the rows comprising secured mounting brackets are off set with respect to each other in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane of the facade. Seen in the downward vertical direction, a secured mounting bracket may thus be arranged above a nonsecured coupling mounting bracket in a row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row comprising both secured mounting brackets and non-secured coupling mounting brackets, which is in turn arranged above a non-secured coupling mounting bracket in a row solely consisting of non-secured coupling mounting brackets, and which is in turn arranged above a secured mounting bracket.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to the step of securing, the step of installing a grid on the backing construction. The grid comprises a pattern of horizontal lines and vertical lines, i.e. in the installed configuration of the grid. The lines in the grid may for example have a vertical spacing and a horizontal spacing in between them, for example spaced at 100 mm from each other.

The lines in the grid are configured to indicate starting positions for the brick slips, mounting brackets and optional support profiles and are also configured to indicate and monitor exact positioning of the mounting brackets, which may be configured to be placed at intersections of the lines of the grid. The grid and the spacings between the lines in this grid depend on the masonry bond, brick slip dimensions and the dimensions and type of horizontal and vertical joints between the brick slips. Accordingly, there can be several standard grids as a function of these variables. It is also possible to supply a project-specific grid, for instance if there are more complex brick slip patterns and/or fixing patterns to be established, for example where window or doors are to be integrated into the wall of brick slips.

The grid may contain indications at the line intersections, to indicate at which intersections in the grid the mounting brackets should or should not be attached to the backing construction. These mounting bracket may be spaced as a function of, for example, prevailing conditions at the site of the project or wind loads. The grid thereby not requires a user to set out lines and points on the backing construction, for example per row of mounting brackets by means of, for example, a tensioned wire or by means of a line grid drawn with a marker on the backing construction.

According to the method, this grid can be applied directly onto the backing construction, or indirectly onto a thin layer to be added separately, such as a foil. This foil can be vapour- permeable or vapour-resistant, possibly being UV-resistant or not and possibly being self- adhesive. This foil can be applied to the backing construction prior to the mounting of the mounting brackets, for example by means of adhesives, stapling or otherwise.

Brief description of drawings

Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B schematically depict a cross-sectional view on an embodiment of the cladding system according to the first aspect of the invention,

Figures 2A - 2C schematically depict front views on an embodiment of the building facade according to the invention,

Figures 3A and 3B schematically depict front views on parts of the facade of figures 2A - 2C,

Figures 4A and 4B schematically depict a cross-sectional views on two embodiments of the cladding system according to the second aspect of the invention,

Figures 5A - 5C depict front and cross-sectional views on various embodiments of mounting brackets for use in a cladding system,

Figure 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional views on an alternative embodiment of the cladding system according to the second aspect of the invention, of which the mounting bracket comprises a structural part and a dewatering part,

Figures 7A and 7B depict front and cross-sectional views on backing lips and joint closure elements for use in a cladding system,

Figures 8A - 8C show an alternative embodiment of the cladding system according to the present invention,

Figures 9A - 9D show further alternative embodiments of the cladding system according to the present invention, and

Figures 10A - 10D show other embodiments of the cladding system according to the present invention.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of Figures 1A and 1 B schematically depicts a cross-sectional view on an embodiment of the cladding system for forming a facade of a building according to the first aspect of the invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 1.2

The cladding system 1 comprises a plurality of ceramic brick slips 10, each comprising a lower groove 11 in a bottom plane and an upper groove 12 in a top plane. In between the top plane of the lower one of the brick slips 10 and the bottom plane of the upper one of the brick slips 10, a horizontal mortar joint 2 is provided, which is cured after being installed. Alternatively, the joint may be free of a mortar joint,

The horizontal mortar joint 2 does not offer a significant contribution to the structural function of the cladding system 1, i.e. for supporting the upper brick slip 10. Instead, the cladding system 1 comprises mounting brackets 20, which are configured to be inserted in the lower grooves 11 of the upper brick slips 10 and the upper grooves 12 of the lower brick slips 10. The mounting brackets 20 are embodied as flat plates, having a thickness in a horizontal direction T perpendicular to the face of the facade, substantially corresponding to the thickness of the grooves 11, 12 in the brick slips 10, to obtain a tight shape fit between them.

The mounting brackets 20 contribute in obtaining this stiffness and stability and have a double functionality, because they are configured to both interconnect two brick slips 10 that are located next to each other horizontally and because they are further configured to form a link between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10 and at least one brick slip 10 in a row below. The mounting brackets 20 are thus both configured to horizontally and vertically interconnect brick slips 10.

Furthermore, the brick slips 10 will not contact each other, i.e. to lie on top of each other to obtain sufficient strength. Even in the absence of direct contact between the brick slips 10, the resulting facade can obtain a sufficient strength and stiffness in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction V.

According to the present invention, part of the mounting brackets 20 needs to be secured to a backing construction 30, i.e. for anchoring the facade. The securing of the mounting brackets 20 to the backing construction 30 is, according to the present embodiment, carried out by means of removable screws 3, which project through vertical joints between two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10. Alternatively or additionally, the screws may project through horizontal joints between two vertically adjacent brick slips.

The mounting brackets 20 comprise a central aperture 21 configured to receive the fastening element, e.g. the screw 3. After installation of the cladding system 1, the aperture 21 projects in the vertical joint between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10. As such, the securing of the mounting bracket 20 with the screw 3 can be carried out after the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10 are arranged on it, namely through the vertical joint, or, alternatively or additionally, through the horizontal joint. This enables that a worker can simply alternately stack brick slips 10 and mounting brackets 20 on top of each other.

According to the present invention, only part of the mounting brackets 20 needs to be secured to a backing construction 30, i.e. for anchoring the facade. Figure 1A shows a secured mounting bracket 20 that is attached to the backing construction 30, whereas figure 1 B shows a non-secured coupling mounting bracket 20’ that is only inserted in the grooves 11, 12 of the brick slips 10, without being secured to the backing construction 30, thus only being coupled to the brick slips 10. These coupling mounting brackets 20’ are configured to solely couple the at least three adjoining brick slips 10, i.e. thereby transmitting forces and bending moments between the brick slips 10. It is noted that the non-secured coupling mounting brackets 20’ are actually structurally the same as the secured mounting brackets 20, but the difference arises from their way of installing, namely either secured or not.

The present cladding system 1 is configured to be installed in the absence of an adhesive in between the brick slips 10 and the backing construction 30. An adhesive may be applied onto the brick slips 10 to further contribute to the strength and stability, but does not form the main and sole connection between the brick slips 10 and the backing construction 30.

Figures 2A - 2C schematically depict front views on an embodiment of the building facade according to the invention, as it may be built with the cladding system 1 of figures 1A and 1B. The facade is formed by brick slips 10 which are arranged in in horizontal rows, parallel to each other in a horizontal direction H, which rows are stacked on top of each other in partly overlapping manner, namely in a stretcher bond pattern, although other patterns can be envisage. The present cladding system may be installed accordingly with the brick slips in a non-overlapping manner.

At corner points between the brick slips 10, the mounting brackets 20 are provided, which are represented schematically by means of circles. It is shown in figures 2A - 2C that the mounting brackets 20 are inserted in the lower grooves of two adjacent brick slips 10 in a certain row R of brick slips, so that the mounting bracket is effectively located directly below these two upper brick slips 10. Furthermore, the mounting brackets 20 are inserted in the upper groove of a lower brick slip 10’ in a horizontal lower row r below the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10 in the upper row R. As such, the mounting bracket 20 is also effectively located directly above the lower brick slip 10’.

Alternatively, not shown in the figures, the mounting brackets are inserted in the upper grooves of two adjacent brick slips in a certain row of brick slips, so that the mounting bracket is effectively located directly above these two brick slips. Furthermore, the mounting brackets are then inserted in the lower groove of an upper brick slip in a horizontal lower row above the two horizontally adjacent brick slips. As such, the mounting bracket is also effectively located directly below the upper brick slip.

It is shown in figures 2A - 2C that part of the mounting brackets 20 are secured mounting brackets 20 that are secured to the backing construction 30, which are represented by means of solid circles. An example of the backing construction 30 is shown in figure 2B, being formed of vertical and horizontal beams substantially only being present behind secured mounting brackets 20. Part of the mounting brackets are non-secured coupling mounting brackets 20’, which is not connected to the backing construction 30. These coupling mounting brackets 20’ are displayed by means of open circles in figures 2A - 2C.

The provision of coupling mounting brackets 20’ results in a reduction of the number of connections to the backing construction 30. The number of secured mounting brackets 20 is significantly lower than the number of brick slips 10, whereas existing cladding systems require a number of secured mounting brackets that is approximately equal to the number of brick slips.

The mounting brackets 20 are configured to vertically support the brick slips 10, against gravity acting on the brick slips 10. Hence, the upper brick slips 10 rest on a mounting bracket 20, i.e. both with a secured mounting bracket 20 and a non-secured coupling mounting bracket 20’, which in turn rests on a lower brick slip 10’ below it. This means that the brick slips 10 do not each hang individually from the mounting brackets 20 from the backing construction 30, as in the prior art, but that the brick slips 10 rest on top of each other indirectly.

In figure 2C, the bearing pattern for the brick slips 10 is shown by means of dashed lines, which together define a V-shape. A bottom valley of the V-shaped dashed lines is defined by a secured mounting bracket 20, which is located centrally below two upper brick slips 10. In turn, these upper brick slips 10 each support a non-secured coupling mounting bracket 20’ and those coupling mounting brackets 20’ support three brick slips in higher row and, correspondingly three further coupling mounting brackets. A single secured mounting bracket 20 thus supports multiple brick slips sideward above it, so that a non-secured mounting bracket 20’ can be disposed in between each two adjacent secured mounting brackets 20 in a row.

In the facade of figures 2A - 2C, some of the horizontal rows of mounting brackets comprise secured mounting brackets 20 and coupling mounting brackets 20’ that are provided alternately, i.e. provided below brick slip row R. Seen in the horizontal direction H parallel to the plane of the facade, a single secured mounting bracket in a horizontal row of mounting brackets 20 is adjoined by a non-secured coupling mounting bracket 20’ on its opposite sides.

The facade further comprises horizontal rows of mounting brackets consisting solely of non-secured coupling mounting brackets 20’ that are free of secured mounting brackets, i.e. provide below brick slip row r.

Seen in the vertical direction V, this embodiment of the building facade comprises a pattern of rows of mounting brackets 20, 20’, alternately formed by a single horizontal row comprising secured mounting brackets 20 and three horizontal rows of coupling mounting brackets 20’. This reduces the number of mounting brackets 20 that needs to be secured to the backing construction 30, since only one of every four rows of mounting brackets 20, 20’ actually contains mounting brackets 20 that are secured.

Figures 3A and 3B schematically depict front views on parts of the facade of figures 2A - 2C in more detail. In the figures, it is shown that the brick slips 10 are provided with lower grooves 11 and upper grooves 12, which are represented by means of horizontal dashed lines extending across the brick slips 10. Between two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10, vertical joints 13 are present between the spaced brick slips 10. Similarly, the facade comprises horizontal joints 14 in between two vertically adjacent brick slips 10.

The mounting brackets 20, 20’ are narrow relative to the brick slips 10 and comprise the aperture 21, wherein the screws 3 are located in the aperture 21 of the secured mounting bracket 20. The apertures 21, and thus the screws 3, project in the vertical joint 13 between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 10 and in the horizontal joint 14 between two vertically adjacent brick slips 10.

Figure 3A depicts a central part of the facade, with centrally a secured mounting bracket 20 that is surrounded by non-secured coupling mounting brackets 20’ on its side and in rows of mounting brackets 20, 20’ above and below the secured mounting bracket 20.

Figure 3B depicts a side part of the facade, which is shown to comprise a secured mounting bracket 20 in each horizontal row at the rightmost end of the facade, which is done to prevent that the side most brick slips 10 could come loose from the backing construction 30 at the side.

Figures 4A and 4B schematically depict a cross-sectional views on two embodiments of the cladding system according to the second aspect of the invention, to which is referred with reference numerals 100 and 200.

The brick slips 110 of the cladding system 100 in figure 4A comprise a bottom plane with a first bottom plane section 141 and a second bottom plane section 142 extending over the length of the brick slips 110 and extending parallel to each other. The first bottom plane section 141 and the second bottom plane section 142 are off-set relative to each other in the vertical direction V, i.e. parallel to the height of the brick slip 110. The brick slips 110 in particular define a step in between them.

The top plane of the brick slips 110 has a first top plane section 151 and a second top plane section 152 extending over the length of the brick slip 110 and extending parallel to each other. The first top plane section 151 and the second top plane section 152 are off-set relative to each other in the vertical direction V, i.e. parallel to the height of the brick slip 110. in conjunction with respectively the first bottom plane section 141 and the second bottom plane section 142. The brick slips 110 are thereby configured to interlock with each other in the vertical direction V, so that the upper brick slip 110 projects in front of the lower brick slip 110’ in the installed configuration of the brick slips in figure 4A. Hence, the second bottom plane section 142 of the upper brick slip 110 is located in front of the first top plane section 151 of the lower brick slip 110. As such, outward tilting movements of the lower brick slip 110’, i.e. away from the backing construction 30, is prevented by the upper brick slip 110 as a result of the interlocking.

In the embodiment of figure 4A, the first bottom plane section 151 is arranged vertically higher than the second bottom plane section 142 in the installed configuration of the brick slips 110. As such, the second bottom plane section 142 of the upper brick slip 110’ is located in front of the first top plane section 151 of the lower brick slip 110.

It is further shown in figure 4A that the offset between the first bottom plane section 141 and the second bottom plane section 142 is smaller than the offset between the first top plane section 151 and the second bottom plane section 152. As such, it is obtained that the first bottom plane section 141 and the first top plane section 151 may contact each other, or may at least be arranged close to each other, whereas the second bottom plane section 142 and the second top plane section 152 are spaced at a vertical distance from each other, to define the horizontal joint 114 between them. Alternatively, the second top plane section and the second bottom plane section may be close to each other, to lack a substantial horizontal joint in between them.

The cladding system 100 further comprises mounting brackets 120 that have a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the first bottom plane section 141. The mounting bracket 120 is configured to vertically support the first bottom plane section 141 of the upper brick slips 100’. In turn, the mounting bracket 120 rests on the first top plane section 151 of the lower brick slip 110. Part of the mounting brackets 120 is configured to be secured to a backing construction of the building (not shown in the figures),

The mounting brackets 120 are configured to interlock with the first top plane section 151 of the lower brick slip 110. To this effect, the mounting bracket 120 in figure 4A comprising a downward notch 122, which projects in front of the first top plane section 151 of the lower brick slip 110. This downward notch 122 is configured to prevent outward tilting movements of the lower brick slip 110, i.e. away from the backing construction.

It is also shown in figure 4A that the brick slips 110 comprise a lower groove 111 in the bottom plane in between the first bottom plane section 141 and the second bottom plane section 142, extending upwardly into the brick slip 110. The lower groove 111 forms the transition in height between the first bottom plane section 141 and the second bottom plane section 142, i.e. being located at the step in between the plane sections 141 , 142. The brick slip 110 in the embodiment of figure 4A is free of upper grooves, which could be beneficial, since no water can accumulate therein, whereas such water could otherwise crack the brick slip during frost, when the water expands upon freezing.

The mounting bracket 120 has a first portion 124 extending vertically, which is configured to abut the backing construction. The mounting bracket 120 further comprises a second portion 125, integral with the first portion 124, extending horizontally and forming the vertical support for the brick slips 110. The downward notch 122 is provided at a front end of the second portion 125.

The mounting bracket 120 comprises an upward lip 123 that is inserted in the lower groove 111 of the upper brick slip 110. The upward lip 123 is embodied as an end section of the mounting bracket 120 and is aligned parallel to the vertical direction V. The upward lip 123 of the mounting bracket 120 projects into the upper brick slip 110 and is thereby configured to prevent outward tilting of the upper brick slip 110.

The cladding system 200 in figure 4B comprises brick slips 210 that comprise, in addition to a bottom plane with a first bottom plane section 241 and a second bottom plane section 242 and a top plane with a first top plane section 251 and a second top plane section 252, a third bottom plane section 243 and a third top plane section 253. The third bottom plane section 243 is off-set relative to the second bottom plane section 242 and is in-plane with the first bottom plane section 241. Similarly, the third top plane section 253 is off-set relative to the second top plane section 252 in conjunction with the third bottom plane section 243, and in-plane with the first top plane section 251.

The brick slip 210 according to the embodiment in figure 4B comprises a respective further step in between its second plane sections 242, 252 and third plane sections 243, 253. According to the present embodiment shown in figure 4B, the respective third plane sections 243, 253 thereby lie at the same horizontal level as the first plane sections 241, 251, so that the second plane sections 242, 252 are elevated relative to the first plane sections 241, 251 and third plane sections 243, 253. As such, the second top plane section 252 projects in between the first bottom plane section 241 and the third bottom plane section 243 of the upper brick slip 110. Alternatively, the third plane sections 243, 253 do not lie at the same horizontal level as the first plane sections 241, 251, as long as the third plane sections 243, 253 are lower than the second plane sections 242, 252. As such, the upper brick slip 210 and lower brick slip 210’ can mutually interlock with each other.

Figures 5A - 5C depict front and cross-sectional views on various embodiments of mounting brackets for use in a cladding system.

The mounting bracket 320 in figure 5A is embodied as a plate, comprising a central aperture 321 provided in an elevated notch part 326 of the mounting bracket 320. The notch part 326 may be configured to act as a support for upper brick slips arranged on the mounting bracket 320. Similarly, the mounting bracket 320 may rest on a lower brick slip with the notch part 326.

In the cross-sectional views of figure 5A, a cross-section of the flat mounting bracket 320 is shown on the left. On the right, an alternative mounting bracket 320’ is displayed that is somewhat disc-shaped, so that an upper part 327’ configured to be inserted in a lower groove is aligned non-parallel to a lower part 328’ configured to be inserted in an upper groove. The curved mounting bracket 320’ will be deformed somewhat upon insertion in the grooves, which deformation may contribute in obtaining an improved fit of the mounting bracket 320’.

In figure 5B, an alternative mounting bracket 420 is displayed, which is substantially L- shaped. The mounting bracket 420 has a first portion 424 extending vertically, which is configured to abut the backing construction. The mounting bracket 420 further comprises a second portion 425, integral with the first portion 424, extending horizontally and configured to form a vertical support for the brick slips.

In figure 5C, a further alternative mounting bracket 520 is displayed, which comprises, in addition to the first portion 524 and the second portion 525, an upward lip 523 that is configured to be inserted in the lower groove of an upper brick slip. The upward lip 523 is embodied as an end section of the mounting bracket 520.

Figure 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional views on an alternative embodiment of the cladding system according to the second aspect of the invention, of which the mounting bracket comprises a structural part and a dewatering part. The cladding system in figure 6 comprises brick slips with a first bottom plane section 641, a second bottom plane section 642, a first top plane section 651 and a second top plane section 652. The offset between the first bottom plane section 641 and the second bottom plane section 642 is larger than the offset between the first top plane section 651 and the second bottom plane section 652. As such, it is obtained that the second bottom plane section 642 and the second top plane section 652 may contact each other, or may at least be arranged close to each other, in the absence of a substantial horizontal joint. However, the first bottom plane section 641 and the first top plane section 651 may be spaced at a relatively large distance from each other.

The mounting brackets 620 of this embodiment are configured to vertically bridge the vertical distance between the first bottom plane section 641 and the first top plane section 651 , as is bets shown in figure I).

The mounting bracket 620 is subdivided in two parts that are associated each other, in particular in a structural part 625, configured to support the brick slips 610, and a dewatering part 627, configured to discharge moisture from between the brick slips 610 and shown in isolation in figures 6(d) and 6(e). In particular, figure 6(d) shows a lower section of the dewatering part 627 and figure 6(e) shows the upper section 623 of the dewatering part 627.

An upper section 623 of the dewatering part 627 of the mounting bracket 620 lies against a rear surface of the step of the lower brick slip 610’. This upper section 623 of the mounting bracket 620 is thus directed away from the front plane of the cladding in the horizontal direction T, so that any undesired moisture in between the brick slips is prevented from flowing towards the backing construction 630. Instead, the moisture is guided towards the front, i.e. seen with respect to the front plane of the cladding, for example so that the moisture is allowed to dewater between the brick slips at the front plane, in particular at a lower row of brick slips.

In the present embodiment, the dewatering part 627 projects in front of the structural part 625, so that any water reaching the mounting bracket 620 can be deflected by the dewatering part 627, not being able to reach the structural part 625.

Figures 7A depicts a mounting bracket 820 and a backing lip 828. At the bottom, the mounting bracket 820 comprises an aperture 821 and a relatively wide part configured to be inserted in upper and lower grooves in the brick slips. The backing lip 828 is attached to the mounting bracket 820 and configured to extend in and to cover a vertical joint 813 between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 810. The backing lip 828 is integrally connected to the mounting bracket 820, being made as a unitary component.

The backing lip 828 is provided with a premade joint 829, to prevent that it is required to fill the vertical joint 813 with mortar, to prevent water and moisture from reaching the mounting brackets 820 and the backing construction and to resemble the picture of traditional masonry.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the backing lip may lack a premade joint and may, instead, be configured to receive a mortar joint or may be left uncovered.

The backing lip 828 is, with an upper end 828’ thereof, further configured to be inserted in the lower groove 811” of an upper brick slip 810”. The mounting bracket 820 with the backing lip 828 thereby extends across the entire vertical joint 813 between the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 810.

In figure 7B, the mounting bracket 820 with the backing lip 828 is shown inserted in between brick slips 810. The cladding system further comprises a joint closure element 840, that is inserted in opposed upper grooves 812 and lower grooves 811” in between two adjacent mounting brackets 820 to cover a horizontal joint 814 between two rows of brick slips 810. The joint closure element 840 is configured to prevent the horizontal joint 814 between vertically adjacent brick slips 810 from being filled with mortar, to further improve the circularity. To this effect, the joint closure element 840 is provided with a premade joint 84, which is configured to prevent water and moisture from reaching the mounting brackets 820 and the backing construction and to resemble the picture of traditional masonry.

The top and bottom faces of the brick slips 810 taper inwardly, seen from a front plane of the brick slips 810. As such, the horizontal joint 814 between two vertically adjacent brick slips wides upon increasing distance from the front plane of the brick slips 810, seen in horizontal direction T.

The premade joint 841 of the joint closure element 840 is provided with tapered sides, corresponding to the tapered top and bottom faces of the brick slips 810. As such, the premade joint 841 interlocks with the top and bottom faces of the brick slips 810, so that the premade joint 841 is held in the horizontal joint 814 by means of a resulting shape fit between the premade joint 841 and the top and bottom faces of the brick slips. In this way the coming loose of the filling of the horizontal joint 814 in due time may be prevented.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the joint closure element may lack a premade joint and may, instead, be configured to receive a mortar joint or may be left uncovered.

Figures 8A - 8C show an alternative embodiment of the cladding system according to the present invention. In figure 8A, a central part of the facade is displayed on the left, with centrally a secured mounting bracket 920 that is surrounded by non-secured coupling mounting brackets 920’ on its side and in rows of mounting brackets 920, 920’ above and below the secured mounting bracket 920. On the right in figure 8A, a side part of the facade is depicted, which is shown to comprise a secured mounting bracket 920 in each horizontal row at the rightmost end of the facade.

In figure 8B, an upper brick slip 910 and a lower brick slip 910’ are shown. The brick slips comprise a first bottom plane section 941 that is located higher than a second bottom plane section 942 and comprise a first top plane section 95T that is located lower than a second top plane section 952’. The top plane and the bottom plane of the brick slips 910 are therefore mirror images of each other. As such, the first bottom plane section 941 and the first top plane section 95T are spaced at a distance from each other and the second bottom plane section 942 and the second top plane section 952’ are located in close proximity to each other, in the absence of a substantial horizontal joint in between the brick slips.

In between the brick slips 910, 910’ in figure 8B, a mounting bracket 920 is placed that is attached to a backing construction by means of a screw 903. The mounting bracket 920 is accommodated in between the first bottom plane section 941 and the first top plane section 95T and is inserted in a lower groove of the upper brick slip 910 and in an upper groove of the lower brick slip 910’.

The mounting backet 920 comprises horizontal part 925 that is configured to be arranged in between the first bottom plane section 941 and the first top plane section 95T. The mounting bracket 920 thereby rests on the first top plane section 95T of the lower brick slip 910’ with the horizontal part 925, whereas the upper brick slip 910 rests on the horizontal part 925 of the mounting bracket 910 with its first bottom plane section 941. Accordingly, the mounting bracket 920 and the screw 903 are concealed from the front, i.e. in horizontal direction T, after installation as a result of sliding the two horizontally adjacent brick slips 910 towards each other, thereby closing the joints between both brick slips 910.

In figure 8C, a coupling mounting bracket 920’ is shown, which is embodied as a flat plate that is inserted in the lower groove 911 of the upper brick slip 910 and in the upper groove 912’ of the lower brick slip 910’, without being secured to the backing construction, but only being coupled to the brick slips 910, 910’. To this effect, the coupling mounting bracket 920’ according to this embodiment lacks any provision, like an aperture, to be secured to the backing construction 930.

The coupling mounting bracket 920’ has a height that is approximately equal to the sum of the depth of the lower groove 911 and the depth of the upper groove 912. This enables that, at most, a very thin horizontal gap is present between the two brick slips 910, 910’. It is thereby enabled that the brick slips 910, 910’ cannot contact each other directly and that all structural loads between the brick slips 910, 910’ are transmitted via the mounting brackets 920. In the present embodiment, the cladding system does not rely on direct contact between brick slips 910, 910’, which means that the surfaces of the brick slips 910, 910’do not need to be dressed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs for the brick slips 910, 910’.

Figures 9A - 9D show further alternative embodiments of the cladding system according to the present invention. The mounting brackets 1120, 1220 in figures 9A and 9B have a “C-shape”, comprising two horizontal bracket portions 1126, 1226, 1127, 1227 that are vertically spaced at a distance from each other and a vertical bracket portion 1125, 1225 in between the horizontal portions 1126, 1226, 1127, 1227. The vertical bracket portion 1125, 1225 is configured to be clamped against the backing construction 1130, 1230 of the building and comprises an aperture for receiving a fastening element 1103, 1203.

The horizontal bracket portions 1126, 1226, 1127, 1227 are configured to abut top planes and bottom planes of the brick slips 1110, 1210. For example, an upper brick slip 1110, 1210 is configured to rest on an upper horizontal bracket portion 1126, 1226 with its bottom plane 1141, 1241 and a lower horizontal bracket portion 1127, 1227 of the mounting bracket 1120, 1220 is configured to rest on a top plane 1151, 1251 of a lower brick slip 1110’, 1210’. A support width of the brick slips 1110, 1210, parallel to the plane of the wall, substantially corresponds to length of the brick slips 1110, 1210.

These mounting brackets 1120, 1220 comprise an upward lip 1123, 1223 and a downward lip 1124, 1224, which are attached respectively to the upper horizontal bracket portion 1126, 1226 and the lower horizontal bracket portion 1127, 1227 at a side opposite to the vertical bracket portion 1125, 1225. The upward lip 1123, 1223 is configured to project into a lower groove of an upper brick slip 1110, 1210 and the downward lip 1124, 1224 is configured to project into an upper groove 1112, 1212 of a lower brick slip 1110’, 1210’.

The upper horizontal bracket portions 1126, 1226 have a width that is larger than the width of the first bottom plane section 1141,1241 of the upper brick slip 1110, 1210, i.e. the width between the lower groove 1123, 1223 in the upper brick slip 1110, 1210 and the rear side thereof. Similarly, the lower horizontal bracket portions 1127, 1227 have a width that is larger than the width of a first top plane section 1151, 1251 of the lower brick slip 1110’, 1210’, i.e. the width between the upper groove 1124, 1224 in the lower brick slip 1110’, 1210’ and the rear side thereof.

The mounting brackets 1120, 1220 in figures 9A and 9B have a relatively thick part at a rear side of the upper brick slip 1110, 1210. The mounting brackets 1120, 1220 have a lower part, which is formed by the downward lip 1124, 1224, the lower horizontal bracket portion 1127, 1227 and the vertical bracket portion 1125, 1225. The mounting brackets 1120, 1220 further have an upper part, which is formed by the upward lip 1123, 1223, the upper horizontal bracket portion 1126, 1226 and part of the vertical bracket portion 1125, 1225.

The upper brick slip 1110 and the lower brick slip 1110’ in figure 9A have a respective second bottom plane section 1142 and a second top plane section 1152 having located close to each other, in the absence of a substantial horizontal joint between them. The upper brick slip 1210 and the lower brick slip 1210’ in figure 9B have a respective second bottom plane section 1242 and a second top plane section 1252 spaced at a distance from each other, defining a horizontal joint 1214 between them that is filled with a mortar joint 1202.

Figures 9C and 9D depict an alternative to the mounting bracket shown in figures 9A and 9D. The mounting bracket 1320 in figure 9C comprises a vertical bracket portion 1325 that is substantially in-line with the upward lip 1323 and the downward lip 1324. This mounting bracket 1320 lacks substantial horizontal bracket portions, but instead comprises relatively small support protrusions 1327, 1328 for resting on a lower brick slip 1310’ and for allowing an upper brick slip 1310 to rest on.

The mounting backet 1420 in figure 9D alternatively comprises a vertical bracket portion 1425 that is slightly offset horizontally relative to the upward lip 1423 and the downward lip 1424, so that the offset part can rest on a lower brick slip 1410’ and that an upper brick slip 1410 can rest on the offset part.

The upper brick slip 1310 and the lower brick slip 1310’ in figure 9C have a respective second bottom plane section 1342 and a second top plane section 1352 having located close to each other, in the absence of a substantial horizontal joint between them. The upper brick slip 1410 and the lower brick slip 1410’ in figure 9D have a respective second bottom plane section 1442 and a second top plane section 1452 spaced at a distance from each other, defining a horizontal joint 1414 between them that is filled with a mortar joint 1402.

Figures 10A - 10D show other embodiments of the cladding system according to the present invention. In the cladding system shown in figure 10A, the upper brick slip 1510 comprises a lower groove 1511 in its bottom plane. The lower brick slip 1510’ is free of grooves and has a first top plane section 1551 vertically above the second top plane section 1552. A horizontal spacing is present between the brick slips 1510, 1510’ at the front, above the second top plane section 1552, which does not extend towards the rear and towards the backing construction 1530.

The mounting bracket 1520 comprises an upward lip 1523 and a downward lip 1524. The upward lip 1523 is inserted in the lower groove 1511 and the downward lip 1524 projects in front of the first top plane section 1551 of the lower brick slip 1510’. The mounting bracket 1520 has a downward stopper element 1527 at the horizontal bracket part 1526, which is integral with the entire mounting bracket 1520. The stopper element 1527 projects downwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part 1526, to prevent inward pushing of the lower brick slip 1510’.

The brick slip 1510 in the embodiment of figure 10A is free of upper grooves as well, to prevent water accumulation and to prevent cracking of the brick slip during frost, when the water expands upon freezing.

In the cladding system shown in figure 10B, the lower brick slip 1610’ comprises an upper groove 1612 in its top plane. The upper brick slip 1610 is free of grooves and has a first bottom plane section 1641 vertically below the second bottom plane section 1642. A horizontal spacing is present between the brick slips 1610, 1610’ at the front, below the second bottom plane section 1642, which does not extend towards the rear and towards the backing construction 1630.

The mounting bracket 1620 comprises an upward lip 1623 and a downward lip 1624. The downward lip 1624 is inserted in the upper groove 1612 and the upward lip 1623 projects in front of the first bottom plane section 1641 of the upper brick slip 1610. The mounting bracket 1620 has an upward stopper element 1627 at the horizontal bracket part 1626, which is integral with the entire mounting bracket 1620. The stopper element 1627 projects upwardly, seen from the horizontal bracket part 1626, to prevent inward pushing of the upper brick slip 1610.

In the cladding system shown in figure 10C, the upper brick slip 1710 comprises a lower groove 1711 in its bottom plane and the lower brick slip 1710’ comprises an upper groove 1712 in its top plane. The lower brick slip 1710’ has a first top plane section 1751 vertically above the second top plane section 1752 and the upper brick slip 1710 has a first bottom plane section 1741 vertically below the second bottom plane section 1742.

A horizontal spacing is present between the brick slips 1710, 1710’ at the front, between the second top plane section 1752 and the second bottom plane section 1742, which does not extend towards the rear and towards the backing construction 1730.

The mounting bracket 1720 comprises an upward lip 1723 and a downward lip 1724. The upward lip 1723 is inserted in the lower groove 1711 and projects in front of the first bottom plane section 1741 of the upper brick slip 1710. The downward lip 1724 is inserted in the upper groove 1712 and projects in front of the first top plane section 1751 of the lower brick slip 1710’.

The upper brick slips 1510, 1610, 1710 and the lower brick slips 1510’, 1610’, 1710’ in figures 10A - 10C have respective second bottom plane sections 1542, 1642, 1742 and second top plane sections 1552, 1652, 1752 spaced at a distance from each other, defining respective horizontal joints 1514, 1614, 1714 between them that are filled with mortar joints 1502, 1602, 1702.

Finally, figure 10D depicts a further alternative embodiment of the cladding system, similar to the embodiment in figure 10A. The embodiment in figure 10D comprises slightly offset portions as an upward lip 1823, for insertion in the lower groove 1811 in the brick slip 1810, and as a stopper element 1827, for lying against a rear surface of the brick slip 1810’. The off-set upward lip 1823 and stopper element 1827 are flexible in directions perpendicular to the vertical direction V plane and relatively rigid in the vertical, in-plane direction V to be able to support the brick slips 1810. The off-set upward lip 1823 and stopper element 1827 increase the mutual retaining forces between the mounting backets 1820 and the brick slips 1810, to obtain rigid clamping and a constant pressure force against the backing structure 1830 also if a mounting bracket 1820 is not fixed to this backing structure 1830 and may, for the off-set upward lip 1823, make the insertion of the brick slips 1810 more convenient.