RAINSCREEN FACADE SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system of cladding of tiles in different sizes on exterior or interior of load bearing walls of buildings and other structures. More particularly, invention is directed to ventilated /external cladding wall system comprising selective extruded metal sections, runners, interlocks, clamps etc and the said tiles in an assembly for such cladding safely, securely attached to a backing /support wall. Advantageously, the ventilated /external cladding wall system of the present invention is adapted to providing rainscreen on exterior walls having on one hand desired strength to with stand wind load or resistance to water flow protecting the load bearing wall from heat, rain and exposure to open weather in a simple, safe and secured manner, free of any risk of fall upon breakage of said cladding tiles, and on the other hand would provide desired aesthetic and preferred decorative look and style on interior as well as exterior walls. The system according to the present invention is adapted for using in a wide range of cladding tile materials such as the porcelain / vitrified tiles / marble / granite or any other material which can be applied in exterior or interiors of building. The system is advantageously adapted for use as rainscreen panel or finished product such as vitrified, porcelain or clay tile, veneer, etc. adapted to be hung on horizontal runner/interlocking members of selective aluminium extruded sections adapted to support to securely retain the tiles on said support structures. The rainscreen/cladding system of the invention is adapted based on all technical parameters which are as per relevant standards and to take care of climatic conditions along with safety measures like preventing tile from falling down in case of accidental damage or tiles broken due to pelting by applying fiber net on back of tiles. All the visible sections of this system can be either powder coated/anodized or coated with any other material to protect it against adverse climatic conditions. The present invention is thus capable of providing a wall cladding system adapted for protective as well as decorative wall cover using vitrified or other tiles as ‘rainscreen façade system’ or ‘ventilated wall system’ and is thus capable of wide scale household/commercial or industrial application in walls of buildings and structures as well as for roof and sloping portions.

BACKGROUND ART
Rainscreen cladding is known in the related art over centuries in a number of ways, although its modern scientifically validated application was developed in Scandinavia during 1940s. During 1950s, UK’s Building Research station brought to light the advantages of drained and ventilated air spaces behind impervious outer envelopes. A 30 storey building built in 1952, viz Alcoa building in Pittsburgh, was clad in open jointed aluminium baffle panels – became one of the earliest and best known examples of rainscreen cladding. In 1962, The Norwegian Research Institute claimed in published literatures of systems that ensure pressure equalization of the air gap, meaning the air pressure in the gap separating the rain screen cladding from the building / inner leaf is the same as that of the outside conditions. Since then, the two systems – drained and ventilated merged to pressure equalized system – comprising a notionally impervious and a permeable outer layer respectively, have been widely specified. It is thus known in the art that Rainscreen cladding is a non-load bearing external cladding assembly fixed back to and providing weather protection to an inner leaf, the cavity being drained and ventilated or pressure equalized.
However, attempts were on to improvise such systems to broaden the scope of application with newer liner/tiles materials favoring improved protection and also longer operational life without re-conditioning/refurbishing. The existing problem of the prior art relating to complexities in installation and to eliminate fall free installation of individual elements/tiles or breakage thereof for either calamities or fire or deliberate pelting from out side and thus ensuring safety to not only the user/owner but also to the people passing or leaving in nearby places also needed to be properly addressed. Moreover, achieving the perfect rainscreen in the form of rainscreen façade system or ventilated wall system adapted for easy, safe and secured installation with longer operational life ensuring desired pressure equalized performance of cladding over vertical, horizontal or slope surface, have been attempted to solve the problems and disadvantages of the prior art by way of the ‘Euro-Tile-O- Bond’ system of the present invention to ensure wide scale application and use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the basic object of the present to provide for a ventilated /external wall cladding system for buildings / structures adapted for cladding for installation of a protective cover of vitrified tiles or other tiles by means of support structure in a simple, safe, secured and cost-effective manner on vertical walls or roof or slopping portions taking care of ensuring pressure equalization of the space between the rear load bearing wall and the screen surface such that reliable performance of the rainscreen/cladding is achieved in long term as protective cover to backing wall as well as decorative aesthetic to the building/structure.

A further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system for dry cladding wherein the protective lining is made from a variety of materials comprising wide range of cladding tile materials such as the porcelain / vitrified tiles / marble / granite or any other material which can be applied in exterior or interiors of building.

A further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system for dry cladding wherein the protective lining can comprise tiles of preferred sizes and thickness configured to favor ease of installation and secured fixing on support structures.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to ‘ventilated /external wall cladding system for cladding wherein the support structure for the cladding could be reliably obtained of a primary support structure and a secondary support structure for mounting/installation of the cladding tiles.

A further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system for dry cladding wherein said primary support structure would comprise of angle, ‘T’ or pipe sections preferably aluminium extruded sections, mounted on load bearing inner wall by suitable brackets and anchors, selectively spaced.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system for dry cladding wherein the secondary support structure would comprise horizontal runner attached to said vertical paired angles, ‘T’ or pipe of primary support structure, interlocking members and clamps attached to top portion of said horizontal runner, all made of selective extruded aluminium special sections so as to provide desired rigid support to said tiles for cladding.

According to a further object of the present invention, directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system adapted for dry cladding wherein the vitrified tiles or other tiles are having selective slots provided on thickness of tiles in preferred location and in selective numbers such as to favor easy and fast detachable installation of the tiles on the secondary support structure held with said clamps horizontally on horizontal runner and involving members vertically placed in between the tiles flexibly providing desired means for cavity between the cladding and the internal wall being drained and ventilated or pressure equalized.

A further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system wherein primary and secondary support structures could be obtained of non-corrosive weather proof durable extruded metal sections, preferably aluminium extruded horizontal/vertical sections and clamps for installation of cladding tiles.

A further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system wherein section dimensions/projections are so selected to obtain desired contact area of interlocking that means the contact area of interlock and horizontal runner on rear side can be more or less and sufficient to resist any over turning momemt on interlock to ensure safety of the assembled structure.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external wall cladding system wherein all the visible metallic sections of this system can be either powder coated/anodized or coated with any other material to protect it against worst climatic conditions.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external cladding wall system which is adapted such as to release the wind pressure in case of heavy wind and also the passage of water during monsoon through vertical section is checked thereby reducing the speed of inflow of water to such an extent that it will never reach up to the wall and even get drained off due to over lapping of sections on back of tile edges and thus ensuring desired purpose of rainscreen/pressure equalization by the cladding.

A still further object of the present invention is directed to ventilated /external cladding wall system wherein said tiles or cladding materials is further protected by providing EPDM rubber gasket or any material substance which is flexible enough to with stand horizontal loads/thrust due to wind, earthquake or any other means has been provided in housing (C) portion of the interlock members in the cladding system preventing direct contact of tiles with metal in case of horizontal loads acting normal to the cladding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a ventilated /external wall cladding system comprising:

a primary support comprising (i) plurality of spaced apart vertical support members secured with respect to a backing wall and adapted to support the load of the cladding screen and transfer the same to said backing wall and (ii) plurality of horizontal runners adapted to be supported on said vertical support members to define vertically spaced apart runners with the spacing there between the runners based on the vertical dimension of the tile/strip comprising said external cladding wall;

a secondary support comprising series of alternatively placed horizontal interlock and clamp means and supported with respect to said horizontal runner whereby the said tile/strip are hung on said clamp and said clamp load is transferred to horizontal runner with said alternatively placed interlock with respect to each clamp providing for blocking of the gap there between the top and bottom tiles in regions not occupied by the clamp such that the entire length of each tile is covered with said alternatively placed horizontal interlocks and clamps; and

a selective section adapted for wind pressure equilibrium in the gap between the cladding and backing wall to that of outside pressure and place between the vertical faces of two adjacent tiles to thereby provide for a well supported external cladding screen of said tiles/strips.

In the above ventilated /external wall cladding system, the said clamp comprise a top projection which fits into a corresponding slot/groove of the bottom of the top tile/strip and a bottom projection which correspondingly fits into a corresponding slot/groove on the top of the bottom tile/strip.

The said horizontal Runner is supported on vertical members either through nut-bolts or screws and comprise of extrusion ‘A’ specifically provided for giving additional support to interlock and to prevent the over- turning of interlock in case of overturning moments due to loads acting out wards and also transfer the horizontal thrust (load) acting on interlock to horizontal runner.

The interlock comprises of shapes (slits) ‘C’ adapted for housing any material substance preferably EPDM rubber gasket which is capable of taking horizontal loads / thrusts and prevents direct contact of tiles with metal in case of horizontal loads acting normal to the cladding, shape ‘D’ adapted to reduce water ingress in monsoon as it cover the gap between two tiles with slope towards outer face, it is also adapted to act as a horizontal groove between two tiles, the shape at ‘E’ is adapted to have proper interlocking with horizontal runner.

Also, in the above ventilated /external wall cladding system the projection height of ‘E’ of the interlock can vary.

The clamp is seating on horizontal runner through interlocking and comprises the vertical projection ‘F’ which is adapted to be inserted in to the bottom of top tile & vertical projection ‘G’ which is adapted to be inserted in to top of bottom tile with the bottom of top vertical projection ‘F’ having more thickness to take weight of top tile, the width of thick portion can be more or less but preferably the useful width is only up to inner edge of tile;

the size of the slot in ‘H’ is adapted such that it fits properly with full contact area on rear side, top and bottom support contact area in front, the contact areas on both sides give grip to clamp against overturning due to weight acting on outerface of clamp;

the length of the clamp can vary based on the tile type, size and thickness.

The ‘J’ section in the above system of the invention comprise of ‘J’ shaped extrusion adapted to be kept between top and bottom horizontal interlocks with the tiles on either sides adapted to hold the said section along with the interlock on back of ‘J’ which does not allow it to fall back and overlapping of flange of ‘J’ to rear of both adjacent tiles does not allow it to come out.

Importantly, the said section ‘J’ is deliberately kept loose in order to have some sort of wind pressure equilibrium between outside and inside in particular in gap between cladding and backing wall, the said section is also adapted such that water coming with wind will have ingress but the speed of water will reduce and due to overlap of this section with both tiles back and whatever water reaches to the back of tile will drain out with the projection ‘K’ provided in such a way that it creates gap (groove) between two tiles vertically so as to match the gap/groove between two tiles horizontally.

The tiles comprising the cladding in the above system comprise panels preferably rain screen panels as exterior and/or interior cladding, each said tile/strip having slots provided in the thickness thereof.

The spacing, number, size and depth of slotting of the tiles vary for different sizes, types and weights of rain screen panels. Preferably, the tiles comprise porcelain / vitrified tiles / marble / granite or any other material adapted fro application in exterior or interiors of building.

The said vertical supports comprises of either two angles back to back, a ‘T’ profile or any section which is adapted for holding entire system load on horizontal runners and transferring the load through brackets provided at regular intervals to the supporting wall.

The said horizontal runner (extruded section) is fixed with the vertical members by means of either nut-bolts or screws or any other fixture, the spacing of horizontal runner depending on vertical size of a tile or a strip of tile.

In accordance with an aspect in the system of the invention, the tile is hung on clamp and the clamp load is transferred to horizontal runner and as there has to be uniformity in groove, the gap between top and bottom tiles is filled up by horizontal interlock which are provided in between top and bottom tiles horizontally except where clamps cover the gap.

The entire length of each tile is covered with No. of horizontal interlocks and clamps. No. of clamps and length of each clamp and horizontal interlock varying as per tile size, supporting system and location of the site, the interlock is adapted such that not only it fits properly on horizontal runner but it also forms horizontal groove between two tiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1: is the schematic illustration of the general embodiments showing all principal elements in a conventional rainscreen on wall.

Figure 2: is the schematic illustration of the ‘Euro-Tile-O-Bond’ system according to the present invention that shows the isometric view of complete Rainscreen system along with tiles and groove between tiles and an enlarged view ‘A’ showing the connecting elements of the support structure.

Figure 3: is the schematic illustration of the isometric view of the interlocks and the clamps mounted in sequence on the horizontal runners for fixing tiles/cladding, said runners fixed on the verticals mounted with bracket on walls.

Figure 4: is the schematic illustration of the section shape of the aluminum extruded horizontal runner.

Figure 5: is the schematic illustration of the section shape of the aluminum extruded interlock member.

Figure 6: is the schematic illustration of the mounting of interlock on horizontal runner section.

Figure 7: is the schematic illustration of the section shape of the aluminum extruded clamp member in a sectional view mounted with tiles.

Figure 8: is the schematic illustration of the sectional view of clamp mounted on the horizontal runner and the contact area of clamp surfaces with the runner.

Figure 9: is the schematic illustration of the sectional view showing clamp insertion into the slots of the top and bottom tiles and the EPDM rubber gasket inserted in the ‘C’ portion of the interlock member resting at back face of tiles.

Figure 10: is the schematic illustration of the sectional view of the aluminum extruded ‘J’ section mounted vertically in the gap between the edges of two tiles.

Figure 11: is the schematic illustration of the section through cladding structure attached to back wall, showing the different elements and their relative positions and functional relations in the support structure for cladding.

Figure 12: is the schematic illustration of the isometric view of the tile with two numbers of slots at each of the top and the bottom thickness for insertions of portion of the clamp for tile fixing during cladding.

Figure 13: is the schematic illustration of the isometric view of the primary support structure comprising back to back paired angles or any equivalent section fixed on wall by means of anchor and fasteners.

Figure 14: is the schematic illustration of the isometric view of the support structure showing the horizontal runners connected to the vertical supports.

Figure 15: is the schematic illustration of the sectional plan showing the interlocks and clamps sequence on horizontal runner and tiles mounted on it.

Figure 16: is the illustration of the sectional plan of ‘J’ section placed in between the vertical edges of two consecutive tiles for retaining in position.

Figure 17: is the schematic illustration of the isometric view showing ‘J’ section placed between vertical faces of two tiles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Reference is first invited to the accompanying Figure 1 that schematically illustrates an embodiment showing all principal elements in a conventional rainscreen/cladding on wall.

Accompanying Figure 1 illustrates the principal features of a rainscreen wall. There are three parameters involved in it.
1) Primary support structure: The supporting element to which the rainscreen cladding system is attached.
2) Secondary support structure: That part of the rain screen cladding system attached to the primary support structure to which the rain screen panels are attached.
3) Backing wall: The inner leaf of the rainscreen wall which may form or support the air barrier.

Rainscreen cladding is a nonload-bearing external cladding assembly fixed back to and providing weather protection also to an inner leaf, the cavity being drained and ventilated or pressure equalized.

It is thus apparent that rainscreen cladding contributes significantly to the aesthetic of a building. The cavity in between the cladding and the back wall serve the purpose of heat insulation as well. Consequently it is an area where an architect/ builder will normally keep firm design control but not compromise good practice.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 2 that schematically illustrates the isometric view of the complete Rainscreen system according to the ‘Euro-Tile-O-Bond’ system of the present invention that shows the tiles and groove between tiles and an enlarged view ‘A’ of the connecting elements of the support structure. The individual members of such a system and the functional performance of each in relation to the performance of the overall system are described herein below.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 3 that shows the schematic illustration of the isometric view of the interlocks and the clamps mounted in sequence on the horizontal runners for fixing tiles/cladding, said runners fixed on the vertical angles of the primary structure mounted with bracket anchored on walls. This composite structure provide the skeleton for flexible and detachable connection of the tiles by means of clamps in slots of the tiles and vertical ‘J’ members at ends of each tile so that the entire cladding is obtained in a manner in order to maintain the requirements of the cavity between the cladding and back wall being drained and ventilated or effectively pressure equalized.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 4 that shows the schematic illustration of the special section shape of the aluminum extruded horizontal runner.
Horizontal Runner is supported on vertical members fixed by nuts and bolts or screws. The Extrusion section/surface shown marked ‘A’ is specifically provided for giving additional support to interlock and to prevent the over-turning of interlock in case of overturning moments generated due to loads acting out wards. This extrusion also transfers the horizontal thrust (load) acting on interlock to horizontal runner. The step provided as in ‘B’ in said Figure 4 is for accommodating the interlock member. The accompanying Figure 6 schematically illustrates the mounting of interlock on horizontal runner section and their respective contact surfaces.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 5 that shows the schematic illustration of the section shape of the aluminum extruded interlock member. The shapes (slits) shown in portion marked ‘C’ in the accompanying Figure 5 are provided for housing any material substance like EPDM rubber gasket which is capable of taking horizontal loads / thrusts due to wind, earthquake or any other means. The material substance provided in housing (C) prevents direct contact of tiles with metal in case of horizontal loads acting normal to the cladding. The shape shown in portion ‘D’ reduces water ingress in monsoon as it cover the gap between two tiles with slope towards outer face. It also acts as a horizontal groove between two tiles. The shape at ‘E’ is provided to have proper interlocking with horizontal runner. The projection height of ‘E’ may be varying. The height of ‘E’ can be more or less. That means the contact area of interlock and horizontal runner on rear side can be more or less depending on the requirements of the secondary structure and its rigidity as well as ease of assembly.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 7 that shows the schematic illustration of the section shape of the aluminum extruded ‘Clamp’ member in a sectional view mounted with tiles on horizontal runner.

It is clearly apparent from the accompanying Figure 7 that the clamp is seating on horizontal runner through interlocking in the same way as that of the interlock member shown previously. The vertical projection as shown in portion marked ‘F’ is inserted in to the bottom of top tile and vertical projection ‘G’ is inserted in to top of bottom tile. The bottom of top vertical projection (F) has more thickness to bear the weight of the top tile. The width of thick portion can be more or less by some measure but effective width is only up to inner edge of tile.

The size of the slot in the portion ‘H’ of said clamp member is designed in such a way that it fits properly with full contact area on rear side, top and bottom support contact area in front. The contact areas on both sides give grip to clamp against overturning due to weight acting on outer-face of clamp. The length of the clamp can be varying according to tile type, size and thickness or size of slots provided on tiles. The accompanying Figure 8 shows said fitment of clamp with horizontal runner schematically wherein the section view of clamp mounted on the horizontal runner and the contact area of clamp surfaces with the runner are illustrated.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 9 that schematically illustrates the section view showing clamp insertion into the slots of the top and bottom tiles and the said EPDM rubber gasket inserted in the ‘C’ portion of the interlock member on which the back face of tiles rest thus favoring avoiding direct contact with metal and withstand wind load or other load that may develop during service. Also the portions of clamp inserted in the top and the bottom tiles are shown in dotted lines. The row of tiles are arranged in between two horizontal runners of secondary structure selectively spaced and attached to the vertical angle members of the primary support structure, and the corresponding interlock members connected thereto. The interlock members and the clamp members are alternately mounted on any row of horizontal runner member so that the tiles are accommodated in a row between two such rows of the horizontal runner. The spacing of each member and supports will vary from site to site and also for different size of tiles.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 10 that schematically illustrates of the section view of the aluminum extruded ‘J’ section mounted vertically in the gap between the edges of the tiles. This section is kept between top & bottom horizontal interlocks in a row of tiles. The tiles on either sides of ‘ ’ does not allow the section to fall down; as well as interlock on back of ‘J’ does not allow it to fall back, as it is apparent from said accompanying Figure 10.

This section is deliberately kept loose in order to have some sort of wind pressure equilibrium between outside and inside i.e in the gap between cladding and the backing wall. This section is also designed in such a way that water coming with wind will have ingress but the speed of water will reduce and due to overlap of this section with backside of both tiles, whatever water has reached on back of tile will drain out. Referring to portion ‘K’ in the Figure 10, the projection is provided in such a way that it creates gap between two tiles vertically so as to match the gap between two tiles horizontally.

Referring also to the accompanying Figures 16 and 17, wherein the sectional plan view of said ‘J’ section has been illustrated and also said ‘J’ section placed vertically between the gap of two consecutive tiles in the cladding arrangement according to the invention has been illustrated. The entire system is designed in such a way that vertical ‘J’ will release the wind pressure in case of heavy wind. Along with the wind, there will be some passage of water also during the monsoon through vertical section but overlap of this section behind the tiles will reduce the water speed to such on extent that it will never reach up to the wall & get drained off due to over lapping of sections on back of tile edges.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 11 that schematically illustrate the section through cladding structure attached to back wall, showing the different elements and their relative positions and functional relationship in the support structure for cladding. It will be further explained in greater details as we discuss the construction of the primary and secondary structures.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 12 that the isometric view of the tile with two numbers of slots at each of the top and the bottom edge for insertions of portion of the clamp for tile fixing during cladding.

It has already been stated that the present “Euro Tile-O-Bond” system of the invention is designed based on principles of “Rainscreen facade system” or a ‘ventilated wall system’. The system is designed for using porcelain / vitrified tiles / marble / granite or any other material which can be applied in exterior or interiors of building. The system comprises rainscreen panel of finished product e.g. vitrified, porcelain or clay tile, veneer, etc. that are hung on aluminum extruded clamps which are supported on horizontal aluminum extruded runner section. The tiles are having slots in the thickness as previously shown to favor insertion of the corresponding portion of the clamp means. Number of slots in a tile depends on the size of the tile. Various finishes of tiles are available for external or internal use or for exterior and interior furnishing/cladding of walls. Referring back to the Figure 1, illustrate an embodiment of the cladding according to the invention wherein three rows and three columns of the tiles have been arranged between consecutively arranged respective four rows of horizontal runners and four vertical columns of paired angles mounted on load bearing back wall by means of bracket/anchors with fasteners.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 13 that schematically illustrates the isometric view of the Primary support structure comprising back to back paired angles fixed on wall by means of anchor and fasteners. The paired angles are selectively spaced apart to suit the tile load to be transferred on wall and their mounting on said structures through other connecting members. The vertical supports consists of either two angles back to back or a ‘T’ profile or any section which is capable of holding entire system load on horizontal runners and transferring the load through brackets provided at regular intervals to the supporting wall.

Horizontal runner (extruded section) is fixed with the vertical members by means of either nut-bolts or screws or any other fixture. The spacing of horizontal runner will depend on vertical dimension of a tile or a strip of tile. Detailed description of horizontal runner with importance of each and every shape/contact surface has been mentioned separately in previous sections. Even through this section is not visible, once entire system is erected, horizontal runner is main member of the system which carries entire load and transfers it to vertical supports. Vertical supports alongwith horizontal runners are also called as Primary support structure.
Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 14 that schematically illustrates the isometric view of the support structure showing the horizontal runners connected to the vertical supports.

Horizontal interlock detail and importance of each shape/contact surfaces provided in it is mentioned separately in previous sections. The tile is hung on aluminium clamp and the clamp load is transferred to horizontal runner. As there has to be uniformity in groove and it is necessary to fill up gap between top and bottom tiles, horizontal interlock are provided in between top and bottom tiles horizontally except where clamps cover the gap. As already described, the vertical gap between the edges of the tiles are flexibly covered by the projection in the bottom small arm of ‘J’ section vertically provided in said gap while the relatively longer top arm of the ‘J’ protects ingress of water during monsoon stretched over edges behind the tiles and favor draining out the entrapped water.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 15 that schematically illustrates the sectional plan showing the interlocks and clamps sequence on horizontal runner and tiles mounted on it. The assembly pattern of horizontal interlock and clamps is shown in this figure.

The figure shows the alternate location of interlocks and clamps for holding the tiles on a particular horizontal runner. There is also the provision for placing the ‘J’ section vertically in between the vertical edges of the tiles which is not visible in this sectional view.

The length of each tile is covered with a number of horizontal interlocks and clamps. The numbers of clamps and length of each clamp and horizontal interlock vary as per tile dimensions, supporting system and location of the site. The figure shows here a schematic embodiment only. The interlock is designed in such a way that not only it fits properly on horizontal runner but it also forms horizontal groove between two tiles. Detailed description of clamp along with importance of each shape is motioned separately in other section.

The number of clamps for each tile or tile strip will vary depending on requirements. Front part of clamp fits in both top and bottom tiles through slots provided in tile thickness. Thus, entire horizontal length of each tile is divided in clamp and interlock alternately and so on for the entire stretch of the horizontal runner.

Horizontal runner extruded section connected with interlock has provision for EPDM Rubber gasket or any other material with similar characteristics for providing cushion between top and bottom of each tile and horizontal interlock. Horizontal interlock and clamp assembly along with horizontal runner is also called Secondary support structure.

It is thus possible by way of the present invention to develop a non load-bearing rainscreen/cladding system and in particular, the ventilated /external cladding wall system for protective as well as decorative wall cover using vitrified or other tiles, that would provide desired protection from exposure to adverse climatic conditions as well as aesthetic to the exterior or interior walls or even roofs or sloped surfaces on buildings and other structures, adapted to ensure a flexible and detachable mounting of the cladding while ensuring the safety and secured longer life of such cladded walls of various structures. The system and the method of cladding according to the invention is simple, safe, reliable and adapted to ensure pressure equalization of the cavity between inner wall and cladding and at the same time a fall free mounting of tiles in said cladding arrangement, saving on weather resistive treatment or paints on exterior wall, thus favoring wide household, commercial and industrial applications.

WE CLAIM:
1. A ventilated /external wall cladding system comprising:
a primary support comprising (i) plurality of spaced apart vertical support members secured with respect to a backing wall and adapted to support the load of the cladding wall and transfer the same to said backing wall and (ii) plurality of horizontal runners adapted to be supported on said vertical support members to define vertically spaced apart runners with the spacing there between the runners based on the vertical dimension of the tile/strip comprising said external cladding wall;

a secondary support comprising series of alternatively placed horizontal interlock and clamp means and supported with respect to said horizontal runner whereby the said tile/strip are hung on said clamp means and said clamp load is transferred to horizontal runner with said alternatively placed interlock with respect to each clamp providing for blocking of the gap there between the top and bottom tiles in regions not occupied by the clamp such that the entire length of each tile is covered with said alternatively placed horizontal interlocks and clamps forming equal gap horizontally between top and bottom tiles; and

a selective section adapted for wind pressure equilibrium in the gap between the cladding and backing wall with that of outside and provided between the vertical faces of two adjacent tiles thereby providing adequate safely for the system against excessive wind pressure.

2. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said clamp means comprise a top projection which fits into a corresponding slot/groove of the bottom of the top tile/strip and a bottom projection which correspondingly fits into a corresponding slot/grove on the top of the bottom tile/strip. The height of the top and bottom projections can vary.

3. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said horizontal Runner is supported on vertical members either through nut-bolts or screws and comprise of extrusion ‘A’ specifically provided for giving additional support to interlock and to prevent the over- turning of interlock in case of overturning moments due to loads acting out wards and also transfer the horizontal thrust (load) acting on interlock to horizontal runner.

4. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the interlock comprises of shapes (slits) ‘C’ adapted for housing any material substance preferably EPDM rubber gasket which is capable of taking horizontal loads / thrusts and prevents direct contact of tiles with metal in case of horizontal loads acting normal to the cladding. The size of slits ‘C’ can vary but the purpose of providing it is to have flexible materials between metal & tiles. Shape ‘D’ adapted to reduce water ingress in monsoon as it cover the gap between two tiles with slope towards outer face, it also adapted to act as a horizontal groove between two tiles and the shape at ‘E’ is adapted to have proper interlocking with horizontal runner.

5. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the projection height of ‘E’ of the interlock and projection at ‘D’ which forms a groove between two tiles can vary.

6. A ventilated /external cladding wall system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein the clamp is seating on horizontal runner through interlocking and comprises the vertical projection ‘F’ which is adapted to be inserted in to the bottom of top tile & vertical projection ‘G’ which is adapted to be inserted in to top of bottom tile with the bottom of top vertical projection (F) having more thickness to take weight of top tile, the width of thick portion can be more or less but preferably the useful width is only up to inner edge of tile;

the size of the slot in ‘H’ is adapted such that it fits properly with full contact area on rear side, as well as top and bottom support contact area in front, the contact areas on both sides give grip to clamp against overturning due to weight acting on outerface of clamp ;

the length of the clamp can vary based on the tile type, size & thickness.

7. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein said selective section adapted vertically for wind pressure equilibrium in the gap between the cladding and backing wall comprise a ‘J’ section involving a ‘J’ shaped extrusion adapted to be kept between top and bottom horizontal interlocks with the tiles on either sides adapted to hold the said section alongwith the interlock on back of ‘J’ which does not allow it to fall back.

8. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said section ‘J’ is deliberately kept loose in order to have some sort of wind pressure equilibrium between outside and inside and in particular in gap between cladding and backing wall, the said section is also adapted such that water coming with wind will have ingress but the speed of water will reduce and due to overlap of this section with both tiles back, whatever water reaches to the back of tile will drain out. The projection ‘K’ is provided in such a way that it creates gap between two tiles vertically so as to match the gap between two tiles horizontally. The width of the projection ‘K’ can be more or less as it is only provided from aesthetic requirement & is not governed by system requirement.

9. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein said tiles comprise panels preferably rain screen panels as exterior and/or interior cladding, each said tile/strip having slots provided in the thickness thereof.

10. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the spacing, number, size and depth of slotting vary for different sizes, types and weights of rain screen panels.

11. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10 wherein said tiles comprise porcelain / vitrified tiles / marble / granite or any other material adapted fro application in exterior or interiors of building.

12. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11 wherein said vertical supports comprises of either two angles back to back, a ‘T’ profile or any section which is adapted for holding entire system load on horizontal runners and transferring the load through brackets provided at regular intervals to the supporting wall.

13. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12 wherein said horizontal runner (extruded section) is fixed with the vertical members by means of either nut-bolts or screws or any other fixture, the spacing of horizontal runner depending on vertical size of a tile or a strip of tile.

14. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13 wherein the tile is hung on clamp and the clamp load is transferred to horizontal runner and as there has to be uniformity in groove the gap between top and bottom tiles is filled up by a horizontal projection from interlock provided in between top and bottom tiles horizontally except where clamps cover the gap.

15. A ventilated /external wall cladding system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14 wherein the entire length of each tile is covered with No. of horizontal interlocks and clamps. No. of clamps and length of each clamp and horizontal interlock varying as per tile size, supporting system and location of the site, the interlock is adapted such that not only it fits properly on horizontal runner but it also forms horizontal groove between two tiles.

16. A ventilated /external wall cladding system substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.