DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a covering system for covering the walls of a building . The installation method of such a covering system, on the wal ls of a building, is also the obj ect of the present invention .

[0002] Speci fically, the covering system that is the obj ect of the present invention is usable for the exterior walls or interior walls of a building .

[0003] The prior art contains well-known solutions for covering systems for covering the walls of a building ( also known as "cladding" ) by virtue of which buildings are insulated from the external environment . In particular, once the known covering systems have been installed on the walls of a building, they insulate the entire building thermally and acoustically with intuitive benefits for the wellbeing of the occupants . Typically, in the known solutions , a plurality of di f ferent layers is arranged on the wall ( or walls ) .

[0004] The known covering system solutions often provide an excellent system for upgrading existing buildings with regard to energy and aesthetics .

[0005] Although such covering system solutions are extremely ef fective in relation to the action of insulating, they do not entail any structural advantage to the building .

[0006] There are also solutions for covering systems which, in addition to an acoustic and thermal advantage , also result in an increase in the structural strength of the building, improving, for example , the anti-seismic performance thereof .

[0007] The known solutions for covering systems are however particularly complex as regards the assembly thereof , typically being composed of a large number of components of di f ferent types .

[0008] Moreover, such known systems often comprise cumbersome structures and, with some solutions , also considerable weight .

[0009] Said disadvantageous aspects complicate the handling on the part of the workforce during installation operations and also the transportation operations at the site of interest .

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a building wall covering system and a method for installing the covering system that solve the problems of the solutions of the prior art . In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a covering system that is easily transportable and easily moveable on the part of the installers , whilst still ensuring an increase in the structural strength and insulation of the building whereupon it is installed .

[0011] This obj ect is achieved by means of the covering system for covering the walls of a building claimed in claim 1 . Furthermore , this obj ect is achieved by means of the covering system for covering the walls of a building claimed in claim 19 . The claims that are dependent upon these claims describe preferred variant embodiments involving further advantageous aspects .

[0012] The subj ect matter of the present invention is described in detail hereinafter, with the help of the accompanying drawings , wherein :

- Figures la, lb, 1c, Id, le and I f show a wall of a building whereupon a covering system of the present invention is installed on the outside walls thereof according to a preferred embodiment , wherein each figure shows a di f ferent assembly stage ;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a section bar of a covering system according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a section bar body of the section bar in Figure 2 , according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connection unit of the covering system according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d show a portion of a wall of a building whereupon the covering system is installed, wherein each figure shows a di f ferent assembly stage ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an angular connection element of the covering system, according to a preferred embodiment ;

Figures 7a and 7b are two perspective views , in detail , of a covering system positioned on two corner walls ;

- Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of portion of an assembled wall covering system, according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of a wall of a building comprising reinforced concrete frame structures , whereupon the covering system is mounted, according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view of an angular fixing element of the covering system, according to a preferred embodiment ;

- Figures I la and 11b are perspective views , in detail , of a covering system that is fixed, by means of fixing units , respectively to a wall and to a reinforced concrete beam .

[0013] With reference to the above drawings , the covering system that is the subj ect of the present invention is denoted in the entirety thereof with the numeral 1 . Speci fically, the covering system 1 is suitable for being installed on the walls 500 of a building .

[0014] The covering system 1 extends along an imaginary plane P on which a hori zontal axis X-X and a vertical axis Y-Y lie , which are mutually transverse . Preferably, the imaginary plane P is parallel to an extension plane of the wall 500 whereupon the covering system 1 is to be mounted .

[0015] The covering system 1 comprises a reticular structure 2 comprising a plurality of vertical section bars 3 and a plurality of hori zontal section bars 5 .

[0016] The term " section bar" refers to an element that is elongated along one axis .

[0017] The vertical section bars 3 extend along a vertical section bar axis S-S substantially parallel to or coincident with the vertical axis Y-Y . The hori zontal section bars 5 extend, instead, along a hori zontal section bar axis T-T substantially parallel to or coincident with the hori zontal axis X-X .

[0018] Each section bar 3 , 5 comprises a section bar body 10 comprising a base element 12 and two side walls 14 extending in height , preferably perpendicularly, from said base element 12 . In other words , each section bar body 10 has a "U" -shaped cross section .

[0019] The base element 12 and the side walls 14 define a section bar housing 15 . In other words , the space within the "U" section comprises the section bar housing 15 .

[0020] Preferably, the section bar body 10 is made of structural steel .

[0021] Preferably, the base element 12 has a transverse dimension in relation to the section bar axis S-S , T-T of between 40 and 80 millimeters , preferably equal to about 60 millimeters .

[0022] Furthermore , each section bar 3 , 5 comprises an elongated insulating element 25 accommodated in the section bar housing 15 .

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment , the elongated insulating element 25 has a substantially complementary shape to the section bar housing 15 .

[0024] Preferably, the elongated insulating element 25 is fixed to the section bar body 10 by means of gluing and/or by means of specially shaped f ixings .

[0025] Preferably, the elongated insulating element 25 is made of EPS ( sintered expanded polystyrene ) .

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment , the section bar body 10 is a single piece , consisting of a sheet of metal that is cut , preferably by laser, and bent .

[0027] Preferably, the section bar body 10 has a thickness of between 2 and 5 millimeters , and preferably equal to 3 millimeters . [0028] According to a further embodiment , the section bar body 10 is produced by means of extrusion .

[0029] The reticular structure 2 furthermore comprises fixing means 7 for fixing each section bar 3 , 5 , preferably each vertical section bar 3 , to a wall 500 , and for the mutual fixing between each hori zontal section bar 5 and at least one vertical section bar 3 .

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment , the anchorage means 7 comprise threaded anchorage bars 70 and anchorage nuts 75 that are engageable , by screwing, to the threaded anchorage bars 70 .

[0031] Preferably, the threaded anchorage bars 70 anchor the base elements 12 of the vertical section bars 3 to a wall 500 , preferably the base elements 12 rest against the wall 500 . Preferably, the base element 12 of the hori zontal section bars 5 is engaged by at least one threaded anchorage bar 70 and one anchorage nut 75 .

[0032] In other words , the threaded anchorage bars 70 engage with and cross the base element 12 of a vertical section bar 3 and the base element 12 of a hori zontal section bar 5 , and each anchorage nut 75 is engaged with a corresponding threaded anchorage bar 70 and engages with the base element 12 of the hori zontal section bar 5 . This means that there is mutual mechanical engagement between a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 .

[0033] Preferably, the base elements 12 of the vertical section bars 3 are planar and lie on an imaginary plane parallel to the extension plane of the wal l 500 .

[0034] Preferably, the base elements 12 of the hori zontal section bars 5 are planar and lie in an imaginary plane parallel to the extension plane of the wall and the imaginary plane whereupon the base elements 12 of the vertical section bars 3 lie .

[0035] Preferably, the planarity of the base elements 12 of the vertical section bars 3 allows them to be able to be entirely supported on the wall 500 .

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment , the base elements 12 of the vertical section bars 3 are additionally mounted to the wall 500 by means of chemical fixings .

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment , the hori zontal section bars 5 are arranged in such a way that the side walls 14 are arranged towards the wall 500 , while the base element 12 is arranged towards the outside .

[0038] In particular, the vertical section bars 3 and the hori zontal section bars 5 are then arranged in opposite directions in relation to the wall 500 .

[0039] Furthermore , each section bar body 10 comprises a plurality of section bar seats 24 . [0040] According to the present invention, a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 are mutually engageable , accommodating the mutual section bar seats 24 . That is to say, the mutual engagement between vertical section bars 3 and hori zontal section bars 5 takes place by mutually accommodating a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 within the corresponding section bar seats 24 .

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment , each side wall 14 comprises a longitudinal shaped edge 16 , which is distal from the base element 12 , having an extension profile defining an alternation of high sections 24 ' and low sections 24" so as to define said section bar seats 24 at the low sections 24" .

[0042] That is to say that , at each section bar seat 24 , the side wall 14 extends from the base element 12 to the lower section 24" .

[0043] In particular, the high sections 24 ' lie along a first axis Wl-Wl substantially parallel to the section bar axis S-S , T-T . The high sections 24 ' define the maximum extension of the side walls 24 . The low sections 24" instead lie along a second axis W2-W2 substantially parallel to the section bar axis S-S , T-T .

[0044] Preferably, the extension profile of the shaped edge

16 has a square wave progression . [0045] Preferably, the side walls 14 , at the high sections 24 ' , have a height of between 60 and 100 millimeters , preferably equal to 80 millimeters .

[0046] Preferably, the side walls 14 , at the low sections 24" , have a height of between 30 and 50 millimeters , preferably equal to 40 millimeters .

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment , two section bars 3 , 5 are mutually engaged at corresponding section bar seats 24 , so that the section bar seat 24 of the vertical section bar 3 is complementary to the crosssection of the hori zontal section bar 5 at the section bar seat 24 thereof and the section bar seat 24 of the hori zontal section bar 5 is complementary to the crosssection of the vertical section bar 3 at the section bar seat 24 thereof .

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment , the elongated insulating element 25 of a section bar 3 , 5 comprises a main insulating element 250 and insulating completion inserts 255 . Preferably, the main insulating body 250 is shaped in such a way that the corresponding section bar seats 24 of the section bar 3 , 5 are empty . Each insulating completion insert 255 is complementary to a corresponding section bar seat 24 so that the insulating completion inserts 255 fill those section bar seats 24 that do not accommodate a section bar 3 , 5 . [0049] Preferably, the number of insulating completion inserts 255 is equal to the number of empty section bar seats 24.

[0050] The reticular structure 2 further comprises a plurality of panel housings 40, each perimetrically defined by two vertical section bars 3 and by two horizontal section bars 5. Preferably, the panel housings 40 have a substantially rectangular or square shape.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, each panel housing 40 comprises four corner regions 46, each located near the intersection of a vertical section bar 3 and a horizontal section bar 5.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the reticular structure 2 comprises a plurality of joining units 6 comprising joining elements 60 and joining means 65. Each joining element 60 is accommodated in a corresponding corner region 46, between a vertical section bar 3 and a horizontal section bar 5. Furthermore, each joining element 60 engages with the side walls 14 of the vertical section bar 3 and of the horizontal section bar 5 by means of said joining means 65.

[0053] Preferably, the joining element 60 comprises three plate-like elements 66, each perpendicular to the other two elements. In particular, a first plate-like element 66' externally engages with the side wall of a vertical section bar 3, a second plate-like element 66" externally engages with the side wall of a horizontal section bar 5 and a third plate-like element 66' ’ ’ engages with the wall 500.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, each side wall 14 comprises a plurality of eyelets 64 and the joining means 65 comprise joining bolts crossing said eyelets 64. Preferably, the eyelets 64 are produced by laser cutting. [0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the reticular structure 2 comprises diagonal elements 11, each engaged with two joining elements 60, preferably the third platelike element 66"' , arranged in opposite corner regions 46, preferably diagonally opposite, and contained in a single panel housing 40.

[0056] Preferably, within each panel housing 40 two diagonal elements 11 are accommodated which extend so as to mutually intersect.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, each diagonal element 11 comprises a plurality of diagonal elements 110 for fixing the diagonal element 11 to the joining element 60 by means of the joining means 65.

[0058] Preferably, the diagonal element 11 has a length of between 30 and 60 millimeters, preferably equal to 40 millimeters, and a thickness of between 2 and 5 millimeters, preferably equal to 3 millimeters. [0059] The covering system 1 also comprises a plurality of insulating panels 4 , each accommodated and complementary to a panel housing 40 , extending between two consecutive vertical section bars 3 and two consecutive hori zontal section bars 5 . Preferably, each panel housing 40 extends between the side walls 14 of two consecutive vertical section bars 3 , and between the side walls 14 of two consecutive hori zontal section bars 5 .

[0060] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 have a substantially rectangular or square shape .

[0061] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 are fixed to the reticular structure 2 by means of gluing and/or by means of specially shaped fixings .

[0062] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 are glued to the reticular structure 2 by means of speci fic bi-component adhesive .

[0063] Preferably, after the insulating panels 4 have been glued to the reticular structure 2 , they are subj ected to pressing in such a way that the bonding is optimi zed .

[0064] Preferably, each insulating panel 4 is made of EPS ( sintered expanded polystyrene ) .

[0065] Preferably, each insulating panel 4 has a thickness of between 50 and 100 millimeters , and preferably equal to 70 millimeters .

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment , the section bar body 10 of at least one section bar 3 , 5 comprises at least two section bar sections 100 mutually engaged .

[0067] Preferably, the section bar section 100 has a length of between 2 and 5 meters , and preferably equal to 3 or 4 meters .

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment ( shown in Figure 4 ) , the covering system 1 comprises connection units 9 suitable for mutually j oining two section bar sections 100 . Each connection unit 9 comprises a connection element 90 and connection means 95 . Each connection element 90 is accommodated within the section bar housings 15 of two consecutive section bar sections 100 and is connected to said section bar sections 100 by means of the connection means 95 .

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment , the connecting element 90 has a "U" -shaped cross section and is produced from a sheet of metal that is cut , preferably using a laser, and bent .

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment , the imaginary plane P is planar, i . e . , it contains all points which are on a continuous plane , and the section bars 3 , 5 extend parallel to said imaginary plane P .

[0071] According to a second embodiment , the imaginary plane P is a broken plane and comprises a first imaginary hal f-plane Pl and a second imaginary hal f-plane P2 , which are mutually incident, preferably orthogonal. Two section bar sections 100 mutually extend on two corner walls 501, 502, parallel to the first imaginary half-plane Pl and to the second imaginary half-plane P2, respectively.

[0072] Preferably, the corner walls 501, 502 may define an acute angle, preferably equal to 90°, or an obtuse angle, preferably equal to 270°.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment (shown in Figures 6, 7a and 7b) , the covering system 1 comprises angular connection units 8 suitable for joining two section bar sections 100 that mutually extend on the two corner walls 501, 502. Each angular connection unit 8 comprises an angular connection element 80 and angular connection means 85. Preferably, each angular connection element 80 is mountable straddling between two section bar sections 100 and comprises angular connection portions 88. Preferably, each angular connection portion 88 lies on an imaginary plane parallel to the first imaginary half-plane Pl and to the second imaginary halfplane P2, respectively, and is engageable with the base element 12, preferably of the vertical section bars 3, by the angular connection means 85.

[0074] Preferably, the angular connection elements 80 are made of metal, preferably structural steel.

[0075] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the covering system 1 comprises insulating panels that are suitable for occupying a panel housing 40 defined between two vertical section bars 5 arranged on the two corner walls 501 , 502 , respectively . In other words , the panel housing 40 is arranged at the angular portion located between the two corner walls 501 , 502 .

[0076] Preferably, the angular insulating panel has the same thickness as that of the insulating panels 4 .

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment , the covering system 1 further comprises a plurality of auxiliary section bars 400 , preferably vertical , engaged with the insulating panels 4 , auxiliary insulating panels 410 engaged with the auxiliary section bars 400 , and a reinforcement sheet 420 , preferably in reinforced concrete , a first cement-based layer 430 , a reinforcement mesh 440 , a second cement-based layer 450 and a finishing layer 460 , mutually positioned in order, the one on top of the other from said auxiliary insulating panel 410 .

[0078] In other words , the covering system 1 , in addition to a " first layer" consisting of the reticular structure 2 and the insulating panels 4 , provides for a multiplicity of layers mutually arranged the one on top of the other .

[0079] Preferably, the auxiliary section bars 400 are made by bending a sheet of sheet metal , preferably said sheet metal having a thickness of between 0 . 8 and 2 millimeters , preferably equal to 1 mi llimeter .

[0080] Preferably, the auxiliary section bars 400 are made of metal , preferably structural steel or aluminum .

[0081] Preferably, the reinforcement sheet 420 has a thickness of about 12 . 5 millimeters .

[0082] Preferably, the first cement-based layer 430 has a thickness of between 2 and 6 mi llimeters , preferably equal to 4 millimeters .

[0083] Preferably, the reinforcement mesh 440 is made of reinforced glass fiber .

[0084] Preferably, the second cement-based layer 450 has a thickness of between 2 and 6 millimeters , preferably 4 millimeters .

[0085] Preferably, the finishing layer 460 has a thickness of between 0 . 8 and 3 millimeters , preferably equal to 2 millimeters .

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment ( shown in Figure 9 ) , the walls 500 of the building comprise reinforced concrete frame structures 910 and masonry portions 920 . Each reinf orced-concrete frame structure 910 comprises beams 911 and pillars 912 . Preferably, the masonry portions 920 are therefore arranged between said beams

911 and said vertical pillars 912 .

[0087] Preferably, the base element 12 of the vertical section bars 3 engages directly with, and is anchored to, the masonry portions 920.

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment (shown in Figures 10, Ila and 11b) , the covering system 1 comprises fixing units 13, each comprising angular fixing elements 30 and fixing means 35.

[0089] According to a first embodiment, each angular fixing element 30 comprises a first fixing portion 31 engaged with the section bar body 10 of a section bar 3, 5, preferably with the base element 12 of a horizontal section bar 5, and a second fixing portion 33 engaged with a support wall 510, extending on an imaginary support plane Ps which is incident, preferably transversal, to the imaginary plane P.

[0090] According to a second embodiment, each angular fixing element 30 comprises a first fixing portion 31 engaged with the section bar body 10 of a section bar 3, 5, preferably to the side walls 14 of a horizontal section bar 5, and a second fixing portion 33 engaged with a beam 911.

[0091] According to a third embodiment, each angular fixing element 30 comprises a first fixing portion 31 engaged with the section bar body 10 of a section bar 3, 5, preferably to the side walls 14 of a vertical section bar 3, and a second fixing portion 33 engaged with a pillar 912.

[0092] Preferably, the angular connection elements 30 are made of metal, preferably structural steel.

[0093] As mentioned, the method of installing the covering system 1 on the walls 500 of a building is also an object of the present invention.

[0094] In particular, said installation method comprises the following steps: a) installing a plurality of vertical section bars 3 in a wall 500 and fixing them by anchorage means 7; b) installing a plurality of horizontal section bars 5 engaging them with the vertical section bars 3 and with the anchorage means 7; c) installing a plurality of panels 4 in the corresponding panel housings 40.

[0095] According to a preferred embodiment, between the step of installing a plurality of horizontal section bars 5 by engaging them with the vertical section bars 3 and with the anchorage means 7 (step b) , and the step of installing a plurality of panels 4 in the corresponding panel housings 40 (step c) , the method comprises the steps of: bl) installing the joining elements 6 in the corner regions 46 of a panel housing 40; b2) installing the diagonal elements 11. [0096] Innovatively, the covering system for covering the walls of a building that is the obj ect of the present invention completely ful fills the proposed obj ect . Similarly, the method for installing the covering system for covering the walls of a building, which is also the obj ect of the present invention, also completely achieves the proposed obj ect .

[0097] Advantageously, the operations for installing the system for covering the walls of a building are considerably facilitated compared to known systems .

[0098] Advantageously, the components of the covering system are easily transportable , in particular the section bars are easily ordered and compacted .

[0099] Advantageously, the insulating action inside the building proves to be extremely ef fective .

[00100] Advantageously, the covering system results in seismic reinforcement for the building, ensuring continuity of use for the building .

[00101] Advantageously, through the operation of installing the covering system, the building simultaneously benefits from the thermal and/or acoustic insulating action and improved seismic performance .

[00102] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the walls of the building increases the degree of connection between mutually orthogonal walls , favoring a box-like behavior of the building .

[00103] Advantageously, the degree of connection between walls and beams is greatly increased .

[00104] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building results in increased interconnection and confinement of the masonry wal ls of the entire building .

[00105] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building reduces the possibility of " in plane" breakage of the walls .

[00106] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building reduces the possibility of "out of plane" tilting of the walls .

[00107] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building absorbs horizontal thrusts that are not opposed by the walls .

[00108] Advantageously, a better distribution of seismic action between di f ferent partitions of the building is obtained .

[00109] Advantageously, by virtue of the covering system installed on the wal l of the building, the tensile , shear, and bending strength in the plane of the corresponding wall are increased . In particular, the tensile , shear, and bending strength are increased by virtue of the box-like shape of the section bars . [00110] Advantageously, the reinf orced-concrete frame structures on the walls of the building further reduce the possibility of "out of plane" tilting of the walls , in particularly of the masonry portions .

[00111] Advantageously, the section bars , in being connected to the reinforced concrete pillars and beams , provide support for the masonry portions , thereby increasing the action of the existing reinforced concrete frame structure .

[00112] Advantageously, the covering system allows for improved redistribution of the stresses within the reinforced concrete beams and pillars , greater structural strength and decreased displacements .

[00113] Advantageously, the section bar seats , in having a depth lower than the height of the side walls , ensure that the section bar body exhibits good resistance along the entire longitudinal dimension thereof .

[00114] Advantageously, the use of section bars in which the section bar bodies thereof are made of structural steel confers a very high reinforcing action to the covering system .

[00115] Advantageously, the elongated insulating elements accommodated within the section bar housings make it possible for the entire wall to be adequately and uni formly thermally insulated . [00116] Advantageously, the components of the covering system are modular and adaptable to di f ferent wall si zes , thereby rendering the covering system extremely standardi zed .

[00117] Advantageously, the covering system comprises an extremely small total number of components , which thus simpli fies the design, installation and adj ustment thereof .

[00118] Advantageously, insofar as the vertical section bars and the section bars are interchangeable , they make it possible to reduce the number of types of components to be assembled, facilitating the installation of the covering system .

[00119] To the embodiments of the covering system and installation method thereof , a person skilled in the art , in order to meet speci fic requirements , may make changes or replace elements with other functionally equivalent ones . These variants are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims . Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .