Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to wall cladding systems and in particular to wall cladding systems that require no tools or special skills by the user to attach objects to the wall such as shelf brackets, picture frame support anchors or the like.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Wall cladding systems are common. Many exist to renovate existing walls or are used to clad walls during the construction phase of a new building or extension.

[0003] One of the problems associated with wall cladding systems is that they make no intrinsic allowance for the attachment of fixtures to the cladded wall, such as picture frame anchors, or shelving brackets etc. In most wall cladding systems, the surface finish of the cladded wall is permanently scarred by the attachment of these fixtures. Further, if subsequently, the user wants to move an attached fixture to a new location, this is difficult to do, as it requires tools and skills to fix the fixture to the new location, and the anchor point where the fixture used to be located maintains an ugly visible scar upon the wall surface which is highly undesirable.

[0004] Another problem is that many people may not own the requisite tools or have the skills to use them effectively, thereby requiring the use of a tradesperson to undertake the required task.

[0005] Finally, it is desirable to have a wall cladding system that does not reveal the fixture holding mechanism when the fixture has been removed for whatever reason.

[0006] Previous attempts have been made to address some of the aforementioned problems. For example JP S61268215 A (NIPPON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MFG) 04 August 1993 discloses an attempt where the joiners are horizontal in orientation. They disclose that the anchors include an undesirable visible and capped hardware entry point. [0007] Further the fixing locations are non-delineated along the horizontal line, thereby requiring measurement of determine the location of the new anchor point. Finally, in the disclosure, the joiner is a structural component of the cladding system.

[0008] Another attempt was made in DE 9317744 U1 (BRUNNER HEINZ) 13 February 1994. In this disclosure the surface locking system will scar the wall. Further, the ability for the anchor to hold its position upon the cladded wall is dependant upon how much the fixing means can be manually tightened. The system disclosed also has limited application to hooks. Also, like the Nippon system discussed earlier, the vertical fixing locations are non-delineated in the vertical direction, thereby requiring measurement. No joiner is disclosed, and therefore there is no means of ensuring that the space between adjacent planks is of uniform width. Finally the system, as disclosed, shows a visible gap between adjacent planks.

[0009] Another attempt was made in DE 29512989 U1 ( NUTZ KURT) 19 October 1995. The same issues and limitations exist in this disclosure as previously discussed in the Brunner disclosure.

[0010] Finally, in JP 2005040449 A (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS LTD; RAIZU KK) 17 February 2005, we are shown that the system disclosed uses a horizontal joiner. The joiner used shows visible edges of the joiner. Again, it has non-delineated fixing locations in the horizontal direction, thereby requiring measurement. Further, the weight holding device as disclosed in the specification makes contact with the wall behind the cladding and will thereby potentially scar or mar its appearance. Finally, like previously discussed prior art systems, the joiner is a structural component of the system.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wall cladding system that at least ameliorates the abovementioned problems.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is a wall cladding system including:

- at least two panels,

- at least one joiner,

- and at least one hook, wherein a first of the at least two panels is fastened, in a desired location upon an existing wall. Each panel is planar and has an elongated rectangular shape. Each longitudinal side of the panel includes a groove that extends along the entire length of each longitudinal side of the panel. At least one joiner has an elongate shape with longitudinal side walls that are adapted to be insertable into a corresponding groove in an adjacent panel so that the joiner sits in an intermediate location between a pair of adjacent panels and held in place by the interaction with the grooves in adjacent panels, the joiner being adapted to ensure a gap with set width is formed between the opposing longitudinal sides of adjacent panels. The joiner includes a plurality of hook receiving means that are adapted to receive the at least one hook. The at least one hook includes means for engaging with the hook receiving means, and the means are dimensioned so that they are able to pass through the gap and subsequently engage with the hook receiving means, and once so engaged, the hook is held in place within the gap via the hook receiving means.

[0013] Preferably, the hook is dimensioned so that after it has engaged with, and is held in place by the hook receiving means, the hook hangs under the force of gravity.

[0014] Preferably, nearly all of the body of the hook sits within the gap, with only a comparatively small portion protruding out from the front face of the cladding.

[0015] Preferably, the hook includes a comparatively narrow front face, and pair of parallel flat side walls and a narrow rear face.

[0016] Preferably, at least one hook shaped void is formed at the front of the hook.

[0017] Preferably, the uppermost end of the hook includes a T shaped protrusion that is dimensioned so that the T shaped protrusion is insertable into the gap while the hook is being held substantially orthogonally to the vertical direction of the gap, thereby causing the top of the T shaped protrusion to become vertically aligned with the direction of the gap, then once the T shaped protrusion is through the gap and within the hook receiving means, the hook can then be turned so that the body of the hook is in vertical alignment with the gap, thereby causing the top of the T shaped protrusion to become orthogonally aligned respect to the gap and thereby engage with, and become retained by, the hook receiving means. [0018] Preferably, the joiner includes a first and second tongue portion that is dimensioned to snugly insert into a respective groove in an adjacent panel, and a centre portion that extends down the centre line of the joiner.

[0019] Preferably, the centre portion is located so that it protrudes rearwardly from the first and second tongue portions so that when each tongue portion is slid into a respective groove, the rearmost portion of the respective side of each panel abuts against the centre portion when each tongue portion is fully inserted, thereby the width of the centre portion sets the width of the gap between two adjacent panels within the wall cladding that is equal to the width of the centre portion of the joiner.

[0020] Preferably, each of the first and second tongue portions are adapted to slidably engage with a respective groove in an adjacent panel.

[0021] Preferably, the joiner includes a plurality of hook receiving means that are evenly spaced apart along the centre-line of the joiner.

[0022] Preferably, each hook receiving means has a circular profile, however any other suitable shape is included in the scope of this patent, for example a substantially square shape with rounded comers.

[0023] Preferably, the diameter of the hook receiving means is such that when the first and second tongues are fully inserted into their respective grooves, the forwardmost portion of the edge of each respective panel, forward of the groove, partially overlays the hook receiving means, thereby leaving only a vertical opening that corresponds to the gap between adjacent panels in the cladding, and the opening is adapted to receive the T shaped portion of the hook.

[0024] In another form, the present invention is a method of cladding a wall including the steps of: a) positioning a first elongate rectangular shaped panel, having a full length groove located at each longitudinal side of the panel, at a desired location upon an existing wall, then b) fastening the panel to the wall, then c) inserting a first tongue portion of an elongate joiner having a plurality of hook receiving means, the joiner having a corresponding length to the length of the panel, the first tongue being adapted to slidably engage with and into the groove, wherein the joiner also includes a second tongue adjacent to the first tongue, and wherein the joiner also includes a centre portion adapted so that there is a central groove running the centre length of the centre-line of the front of the joiner, and wherein the centre portion projects rearwardly of the joiner, then d) placing a second elongate panel substantially adjacent to the first panel, and inserting it’s corresponding groove with the second tongue of the joiner so that the rearward most portion of each panel’s side abuts against the centre portion’s rearward projection, thereby creating a gap with a set width between the sides of adjacent panels, then e) repeating steps c) and d) until the wall is cladded.

[0025] In a preferred form, the present invention is a method of cladding a wall including the further steps of: a) turning a hook having at least one hook shaped void at its front and a T shaped portion at its top so that the direction of the uppermost portion of the T aligns with the vertical gap formed between adjacent panels in the cladding, then b) inserting the T shaped portion into the gap corresponding with the location of a hook receiving means, then c) turning the hook so that the T shaped portion is orientated orthogonally with respect to the vertical direction of the gap between adjacent panels so that the T shaped portion is retained within the hook receiving means, then d) releasing the hook so that it hangs solely under the influence of gravity wholly within the gap between adjacent panels so that only a relatively small portion of the hook projects out from the front face of the cladding.

Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0026] Figure 1 (a) through (e) shows a sequence of steps for a wall cladding system in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 (a) through (c) shows the main components of a wall cladding system in accordance with the present invention. [0028] Figure 3 (a) through (c) shows a variety of views of the hook component that is used in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 (a) and (b) shows the detail of the lowermost section and close up detail of the end profile of the joiner used in the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0030] Turning firstly to Figure 1 (a) through (e) where we are shown a series of images depicting the typical steps involved in the wall cladding system 1 of the present invention. In Figure 1(a) we can see that a first panel 3 of the cladding system. The first panel 3 is located in a desired location upon an existing wall 5 and fixed in place at that location. Each longitudinal side of the panel 3 includes a groove 13. A joiner 7 is used. The joiner has a first tongue 15 and a second tongue 17 and a centre portion 19. These features are best shown in Figure 4(b). The joiner 7 is the substantially the same length as the longitudinal side of the panel 3. The first tongue 15 is inserted into the groove 13. The centre portion 19 of the joiner has a set width, and is configured to extend rearwardly of the joiner 7, thereby leaving a gap at the front between the first and second tongues 15 and 17 respectively. In Figure 1(b) we can see that a second panel 3 is then placed into position and the joiner 7 second tongue 17 is slid into the second panel’s groove 13. As show in Figure 1(c), when the two panels 3, a gap 9 having a set width is formed by the interaction of the panels 3 and the centre portion 19 of the joiner 7. The joiner includes a plurality of hook receiving means 23 that are adapted to receive a hook 11. Each hook 11 includes a T shaped projection at its top, and at least one hook shaped void 27. Note that full details of the hook 11 are shown in Figure 3. To insert a hook 11, first a user turns the hook so that the main part of its body is orthogonally orientated with respect to the gap 9. This orientation allows the T shaped projection 25 to be inserted into the gap 9 as indicated by arrow (1). Once the T shaped projection 25 has penetrated a sufficient distance into the gap 9, the hook 11 is then turned as indicated by arrow (2). This causes the T shaped projection to become orthogonally oriented with respect to the gap 9 where it becomes retained by the hook receiving means 23. As shown in Figure 1(d), the hook 11 is then to hang solely under the force of gravity within the gap 9. Finally, as shown in Figure 1(e), when the hook 11 is hanging, the entire body of the hook 11 hangs within the gap 9 so that only a relatively small portion of the body of the hook 11 projects outwardly from the surface of the cladding. It should be noted that the foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hooks without any hook shaped voids also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of each of the main components of the cladding system. In Figure 2(a) we can see more detail of the groove 13. In this example, an 18mm thick board is used. When an 18mm thick board is used, the groove is off centred thereby creating a thicker forward sidewall 33 and a thinner rearward sidewall 35. In thicker boards, such as a 25mm thick board, The groove 13 is still off centred, and still spaced the same distance back from the front of the board as the 18mm thick variant, however in that case, the thickness of the sidewall rearward of the groove 13 will be thicker. In Figure 2(b) we can see a plurality of spaced apart hook receiving means 23 in the joiner 7. By way of example only, these each have a circular profile. It should be noted that any other suitable shaped profile, such as a substantially square shape with rounded comers may also be used withing the scope of the present invention. Also, it can be seen the configuration of the end profile of the joiner 7 including the first tongue 15, the second tongue 17 and the rearwardly projecting centre portion 19, and the front facing joiner gap 21. Finally, in Figure 2(c) we are shown further details of the hook 11. We can see the T shaped projection 25 and the hook shaped voids 27.

[0032] Turning to Figure 3 (a) through (c) we can see further detail of the hook 11. In Figure 3(a) we are shown the front face 29 of the hook 11. We can see that the hook has a narrow front face 29, and that each side is parallel to the other. In Figure 2(b) we can see the hooked shaped voids 27 more clearly. Further, in this preferred embodiment, we can see that there are a plurality of fastener holes 31 provided that enable heavier items that are to be supported by the hook 11 to be fastened to the hook. The invention also covers variations where there are only one fastener hole 31, or no fastener holes.

[0033] In Figure 4 (a) and (b) we are shown greater detail of the joiner 7 by highlighting a portion of the lowermost section. In these views, we can clearly see the profile of the joiner 7. We can see that the hook receiving means 23 is actually fully formed when each of the first and second tongues 15 and 17 respectively are fully engaged within a respective groove of a respective panel 3. The centre portion 19 projects rearwardly so that as each of the tongues is inserted into its respective groove 13, the rearward sidewall 33 abuts against the centre portion. This in turn causes the forward sidewall 33 to partially overlay the circular profile of the hook receiving means 23, thereby leaving a thin gap 21 that enables the T shaped projection 25 to be inserted into the thin gap 21 and turned so that it is retained within the hook receiving means 23.

[0034] In use the present invention is simple to manufacture, ship and install wall cladding system for cladding an existing wall. A plurality of hooks 11 may be used in the cladding, and hook shaped voids 27 are adapted to enable hardware such as shelf brackets, picture frame hanging anchors, coat hooks, split battens, or a myriad of other hardware to be attached securely to the cladded wall.

[0035] The panels 3 may be constructed from any readily available board or sheet product and cut into panel shape, and installed vertically with a panel joiner that is made in a way that provides the fastening mechanism. Once the wall is clad using the system, either as part of the initial build or as a renovation of an existing structure, the user of the wall then does not require any tools (apart from occasional use of a screw driver) or other skills to install items. Hooks 11 are simply installable as required by holding and sliding the end of the hook up or down the groove until you find the location that best suits your needs, then you rotate the hook 90 degrees and lower the hook into the groove. Once a hook is in location, or multiple hooks, as required by what item you are fitting are located, then you can then attach fixtures to these hooks. This attachment can be done without the use of any tools.

[0036] Further, an advantage of the present invention is that the plank is a structural component of the cladding system. Further, the fixing locations in the cladding system are delineated in both the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby requiring no measurement. Also the joiner used in this invention is concealed.

[0037] Finally the wall cladding system is also fitted with tapped holes enabling screwing multi point fixing plates or heavy-duty brackets for higher load bearing requirements. This is still all done without marking the wall and with just the use of a screwdriver.

[0038] While the above description includes the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. [0039] It will be also understood that where the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

[0040] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.