TECHNICAL FIELD

The fastening kit and the system for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding, in accordance with the invention, is applicable in the field of construction, for example during the building of insulated, ventilated facades or interior structures.

STATE OF THE ART

Considering the condition of the equipment, we are aware of a fixing method for outer insulation to a building during erection of ventilated facades, during which the insulation is fixed to the basic construction (the building wall) with the help of special dowels.

The process includes the following operations:

- pre-fastening of the insulation to the wall;

- final fastening of the insulation that includes:

• drilling holes in the insulation and the wall, which represents invasion of the wall;

• placing the dowel in the hole;

• fixing the dowel with a clamping nail.

The so-called insulation fixing is applied to other elements of building construction, aside from ventilated facades. All of them contain a number of disadvantages, which are: - wall invasion - compromising the basic construction, which is particularly undesirable when placing insulation on old buildings, because it creates a risk of compromising their strength;

- low productivity during insulation fixing due to the need for drilling dowel installation holes for fixing of insulation;

- different levels of productivity during the process of drilling holes, depending on the type of wall: concrete, brick, wood, etc.;

- a need for different technology and types of dowels for different wall materials;

- the dowel length has to be conformable to the insulation thickness;

- a need for use of specialized power tools - power drills or hammers drills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the invention is to create a means for fixing of insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding, which does not compromise the elements of the basic construction of the building, to which the insulation is attached; in other words, be non-invasive to the building structure and optimize the insulation fixing process.

This issue is solved through the creation of a fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding, including an insulation-supporting member, connected with two holders. The insulation-supporting member is a T-shaped strut profile that includes a supporting horizontal plate for support of an insulation element, placed perpendicularly on one side of a vertical fastening plate. Each of the holders is a fastening plate, connected at one end with a support part, made from a vertical base, to which at least two vertical supporting ribs perpendicular to the base, forming vertical slots among each other with equal width are attached. The vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile is partially inserted into a slot formed between two of the vertical supporting ribs of the support part of the holders, the slot being with a width, corresponding to the thickness of the vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile. The horizontal plate of the T-shaped strut profile sits on at least one of the vertical supporting ribs of the support part of the holders.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support part of the holders is adjustable and has at least three vertical ribs with formed slots between them. It is preferable for the vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile to have on its side, which is opposite to the side containing the horizontal plate, at least two restraining ribs, located under the plane of the horizontal plate. The slots of the support part of the holders are with a width, corresponding to the thickness of the vertical fastening plate, along with the height of protrusion of the restraining ribs.

It is preferable that the T-shaped strut profile includes at least two strengthening ribs, one of which is located on or above the plane of the horizontal plate and at least one above the plane of the horizontal plate on the side of the vertical fastening plate, onto which the restraining ribs are located, parallel to them.

In one embodiment of the invention, between at least the two strengthening ribs, a mechanically fixed element from fire-limiting material is located.

In one option of the invention, the lowest of the restraining ribs is wedge- shaped, sloped towards the lower end of the vertical fastening plate.

It is preferable that the base of the support part of the holders has a fixing element for mechanical fixing to a load-bearing profile subconstruction, located on the opposite side of the base relative to the side with the vertical supporting ribs. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixing element is comprised of a hook-shaped rib. An additional task of the invention is the creation of a system that includes the fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of insulation, relative to the invention.

This task is solved by creating a system for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding that includes at least one insulation element, at least one insulation-supporting member and a load-bearing profile subconstruction, in which the insulation element is located between the load-bearing profile subconstruction and a main structural element of a building, to which the insulation is mounted. The aforementioned at least one insulation support element is comprised of a fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of building insulation, in accordance with the invention, where the holders of the fastening kit are fixed at the same height through the use of at least one support element and/or fixing element to strut profiles of the load-bearing profile structure, and the slots of the holders are turned against one another and the vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile is partially inserted into a couple of corresponding opposite slots of the support parts of the holders. At least one of the insulation elements is located on the supporting horizontal plate of the T-shaped strut profile, wherein the width of the supporting horizontal plate is less than the thickness of the insulation element.

An additional task of the invention is the creation of a method for fixing of insulation through the fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of insulation, in accordance with the invention.

This task is solved through the creation of a method for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structure component of mechanically fixed cladding, including the steps of:

- Fixing of the fastening plate of the first holder to the insulation-supporting member to a strut profile of a load-bearing profile subconstruction by through a support and/or a fixing element for mechanical fixing strut profile; - Fixing of a fastening plate of the second holder to an insulationsupporting member to a strut profile of a load-bearing profile subconstruction by a support and/or fixing element for mechanical fixing strut profile, parallel with the first holder and at the same height, wherein the openings of the slots of the two holders are face each other;

- Placing of one side of an insulation element to a main structural element of a building;

- Placing of a horizontal plate of a T-shaped strut profile under the insulation element, wherein the width of the horizontal plate is lower than the thickness of the insulation element and part of a vertical fastening plate that is a part of the T-shaped strut profile, located above the plane of the horizontal plate is pressed against the outer side of the insulation element. That way, the vertical fastening plate can be placed in the appropriate slot between the supporting ribs of the holders so that the insulation element can remain pressed against the main structural element of the building;

- Fixing of the two opposite in a horizontal direction ends of the vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile in the respective opposing slots of the two holders, while the insulation element is held pressed against the main structural element of the building.

It is possible that the part of the vertical fastening plate, located under the plane of the horizontal plate, is pressed against an insulation element, located under the horizontal plate.

The advantages of the fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of insulation, in accordance with the invention, as well as the system that includes such a kit and the method for fixing of such a kit, are:

- The insulation is fixed to a subconstruction of the cladding and not to the main structure of the building, therefore it is achieved without invasion of the main structure of the building; - The fixing time for insulation is decreased, because the insulation is fixed without drilling holes in the main structure, which takes the most of labour time in the installation process of insulation, especially for concrete structures;

- The work performance is increased due to a smaller number of necessary operations for installation of insulation;

- Possibility for easy repair and easy replacement of the insulation, when necessary, only through mounting and dismounting of the used means for fixing of insulation;

- It is possible to use strong construction materials for fixing and supporting elements of the system, which improves the overall strength of the facade;

- It is possible to use the fastening kit and the system for insulation elements with different length;

- Possibility for better control of the insulation installation process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further into the description of the fastening kit for fixing of insulation, object of the invention, is clarified through preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting to the scope of the invention examples, with reference to the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the T-shaped strut profile in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of an embodiment of the fastening kit for fixing of insulation in accordance with the invention, where the T-shaped strut profile has not been inserted into a holder. Figure 3 is an axonometnc view of an embodiment of the fastening kit for fixing of insulation in accordance with the invention, where the T-shaped strut profile has been inserted into a holder.

Figure 4 is a transverse section of one embodiment of the system for fixing of insulation in accordance with the invention.

Figure 5 is a partial transverse section of the insulation fixing system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, where the fastening plate of the holders encompasses only a portion of the width of the load-bearing strut profile, to which it is fixed.

Figure 6 is a partial transverse section of the insulation fixing system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, where the fastening plate of the holders encompasses the entire width of the load-bearing strut profile, to which it is fixed.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The terms „lower“, „upper“, „under“, „over“, „above“, „below“, utilized in this application, concern the regular position of the respective structure elements during use.

The fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of building insulation, in accordance with the invention, is fixed to a structure component of mechanically fixed cladding 15.

The fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of building insulation includes insulation-supporting member and two holders, connected with one another 4, 5.

The insulation-supporting member is a T-shaped strut profile 1, including a supporting horizontal plate 2 for support of an insulation element 12, located perpendicularly on one side of the vertical fastening plate 3. That way the supporting member in transverse section is in the shape of a 90°-rotated letter „T“. In the figures, the supporting horizontal plate 2 is located in the middle of the vertical of the vertical fastening plate 3, but offset of the horizontal plate 2 is possible upwards or downwards, depending on the middle of the vertical fastening plate 3.

Preferably, the T-shaped strut profile 1 is manufactured from aluminum, but it is possible to use a different, suitable material, such as another metal or polymer, for example.

Preferably, the holders 4, 5 are also manufactured from aluminum, but it is possible to use a different, suitable material, such as another metal or polymer, for example.

Each of the holders 4, 5 is a fastening plate 6, connected in one end with a support part, comprised of a vertical base 7, to which at least two perpendicular to the base 7 vertical supporting ribs 8, for example three, four, five or six ribs, forming vertical slots among themselves with equal width. The vertical fastening plate of the T-shaped strut profile 1 is partially inserted into one of the vertical slots of the holders 4, 5. In the embodiments in which the vertical ribs 8 are three or more, the support part allows for adjustment of the position of the T-shaped strut profile in a horizontal direction through placement in a different slot. The width of the slots corresponds to the thickness of the vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1, so that a minimal gap can be formed between the walls of the slot and the vertical fastening plate 3, inserted between them that corresponds to the technologically permissible minimal distance that allows the insertion of the vertical fastening plate 3 in the slot. In an assembled position, the supporting horizontal plate 2 of the T-shaped strut profile 1 is placed on top of at least one of the vertical supporting ribs 8 of the support part of each of the holders 4, 5, wherein the number of ribs, onto which it is placed, depends on the number of vertical supporting ribs 8 of the holder and the respective slot, where the vertical fastening plate 3 is placed, so that it presses the insulation element 12. Accordingly, if the holder has six ribs and the vertical fastening plate 3 is placed into the slot closest to the fastening plate as shown in figure 3, then the supporting horizontal plate 2 is placed on five supporting fins 8.

The fastening plate 6 of the holders 4, 5 is designed to be fixed to a structural member and can have a hole for a fixing device, like a screw, for example. The fastening plate 6 can have a different shape, depending on the supporting element, to which it has to be fixed, it can also be simply a continuation of the base 7 of the support part or be positioned at an angle towards the base 7 of the support part.

It is possible for the vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1 to have on the side opposite to that where the horizontal plate 2 is located, restraining ribs 9, for example two restraining ribs 9, located next to each other under the plane of the horizontal plate 2, as shown in figure 1. In this embodiment, the slots of the support part of the holders 4, 5 have a width, corresponding to the thickness of the vertical fastening plate 3, along with the height of protrusion of the restraining ribs 9. The restraining ribs improve the strength of the construction of the T-shaped strut profile 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the lowest of the restraining ribs 9 has a wedge shape, as shown in figure 1, sloped towards the lower end of the vertical fastening plate 3. The sloping of the lower restraining rib is done for easier insertion of the T-shaped strut profile 1 in the slots of the holders.

It is possible, as shown in figure 1 , on top of the vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1, to have two strengthening ribs 10 on the side where the restraining ribs 9 are located and parallel with them. One of the strengthening ribs 10 can be positioned on or above the plane of the horizontal plate 2, while the other is positioned at a distance above it. In the embodiment with a strengthening rib 10, placed in the same plane with the horizontal plate, the strengthening rib 10 can be used for better strength of the construction, if it, too, is placed on at least one of the vertical supporting ribs 8 of the support part of each of the holders 4, 5.

It is possible for the restraining rib 9 and the strengthening rib 10, which are neighboring the plane of the horizontal plate 2 to be attached to one another or even to be formed as a single element while having different heights, as shown in figure 1. It allows the use of a simpler nozzle for production, through which to extrude the T-shaped strut profile, when it is manufactured from aluminum, for example.

Between the two strengthening ribs 10, a mechanically fixed element of fire-limiting material can be positioned (not shown in the figures). In a preferred embodiment, the element is a strip with the same thickness as the strengthening ribs (10), that hold it, or a little more than that thickness. In case of a fire, the material expands repeatedly and seals the air cavity between the insulation and the facade panels. That way, access to air is stopped.

For better fixing of the holders 4, 5, the base 7 of the support part can have a fixing element 11 for mechanical fixing to a load-bearing profile subconstruction, located on the opposite side of the base 7 in regards to the side with the vertical supporting ribs 8. The fixing element 11 can be a hook-shaped rib, as shown in figures 5 and 6, or alternatively, a spike, a bracket, a bracket with a screw, a clip, a plate with a screw or another suitable support element. The fixing element 11 can be attached in a groove, a hole or in another suitable way to the load-bearing profile subconstruction.

The fastening kit for non-invasive fixing of insulation can be part of a system for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding 15, which also includes an insulation element 12 and a load-bearing profile subconstruction, where the insulation element 12 is placed between the load-bearing profile subconstruction and a mam structural element of a building, like a wall, for example 14, to which the insulation is applied, as shown in figure 4. The holders 4, 5 of the fastening kit are fixed at the same height through support elements and/or fixing elements 11 to strut profiles 13 of the load-bearing profile subconstruction, and the slots of the holders 4, 5 are turned against each other and form a respective number of pairs of opposing slots, which are located in the same vertical plane. The vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1 is partially inserted into to a pair of corresponding opposing slots of the holders 4, 5. The insulation element 12 is located on the supporting horizontal plate 2 of the T-shaped strut profile 1, where the width of the supporting horizontal plate 2 is smaller than the thickness of the insulation element, so the supporting horizontal plate 2 does not touch and does not compromise the integrity of the main structural element of the building, onto which the insulation is applied.

The fixing elements of the holders 4, 5 for fixing to a strut profile 13 of the load-bearing profile subconstruction can be positioned in a different place on the fastening plate of the holders 4, 5, and can be a screw, a screw with a nut, a hook or another suitable fixing element. The variations of their position depend on the size of the fastening plate, for example, if the fastening plate has a length equal to the width of the strut profile 13, there are more embodiments for positioning of a fixing element, compared to when the length of the fastening plate is equal to only a portion of the width of the strut profile 13. In case of strut profiles 13 with skewed edges, it is possible for the fastening plate to be only as long as the respective skewed edge. Such a variation of a fastening plate (shown in figure 5) is especially suitable, when the distance between the subconstruction and the wall 14 is small or very thick insulation is used. In the case of the method for non-invasive fixing of building insulation to a structural component of mechanically fixed cladding 15, in accordance with the invention, the following steps of installation are performed:

Fixing of the fastening plate 6 to the first holder 4 for the insulationsupporting member to a strut profile 13 of a load-bearing profile subconstruction by a support and/or a fixing element 11 for mechanical fixing strut profile;

Fixing of fastening plate 6 to the second holder 5 to an insulation-supporting member to a strut profile 13 of a load-bearing profile subconstruction by support and/or a fixing element 11 for mechanical fixing strut profile, opposite to the first holder 4 and at the same height, wherein the slot’s openings of the two holders 4, 5 face each other and form a respective number of pairs of opposing slots;

Placing of one side of an insulation element 12 to a main structural element of a building;

Placing of a supporting horizontal plate 2 of a T-shaped strut profile 1 under the insulation element 12, wherein the width of the supporting horizontal plate 2 is less than the thickness of the insulation element 12, and a part of the vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1, located above the plane of the supporting horizontal plate 2 presses against the outer side of the insulation element 12;

- Fixing of the two opposite in a horizontal direction ends of the vertical fastening plate 3 of the T-shaped strut profile 1 in a pair of opposing slots of the two holders 4, 5, while the insulation element 12 is held pressed against the main structural element of the building.

In case several insulation elements are placed 12 one over the other, the part of the vertical fastening plate 3 located under the plane of the supporting horizontal plate 2 can be pressed against a second insulation element 12, located under the supporting horizontal plate 2.

The reference signs of the technical features are included in the claims only with the goal to increase the intelligibility of the claims and, therefore, these reference signs have no limiting effect regarding the interpretation of the features, marked with those reference signs.