System and method for the spaced-apart fastening of curtain walling panels

Abstract

A system for installing curtain walling panels is provided. The system has a sleeve and a fastening element. The sleeve has a top part and a bottom part, and the fastening element has a head and a shaft. The bottom part of the sleeve has at least two holding elements, which extend at least partially outwards, wherein the holding elements are connected to one another via lateral connections, as a result of which an opening is formed between the holding elements and the lateral connections, in which opening the shaft of the fastening element is disposed during installation. The shaft of the fastening element has a projection that forces the holding elements outwards when the fastening element is inserted in an underlying surface during installation. A method for installing curtain walling panels that can use the described system is also provided.

Description

[0001] System and method for spaced fastening of façade panels

[0002] The present invention relates to a system and a method for the spaced fastening of facade panels to a substrate.

[0003] Facade panels are attached to a substrate, usually a wall, using fasteners such as screws. To ensure that the facade panels can be installed precisely and without damage, while still allowing the facade panels to move to a certain extent relative to the fastening points—for example, due to thermal changes—centering devices have been developed, such as those described in WO 2017 / 125166 Ai.

[0004] However, there is still a need to simplify the installation of facade panels and improve the quality of installation. For example, the use of spacers, which are often used between the facade panel and the substrate, is cumbersome in some cases, making it desirable to dispense with these spacers. In other cases, relative movement between the facade panel and the fastening element fixed to the substrate is undesirable.

[0005] This objective of improving the installation of facade panels is achieved by the invention defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims and the following detailed description.

[0006] The problem is solved by a system for installing facade panels, comprising a sleeve and a fastening element. The sleeve has an upper part and a lower part. The upper and lower parts can be connected to each other and define a volume in which the fastening element is arranged during installation. The volume can, for example, be a substantially cylindrical volume, with the upper and lower parts forming sections of a hollow cylinder. The sections of the hollow cylinder can have one or more cutouts in their outer surface.

[0007] In the present invention, the lower part of the sleeve has at least two holding elements that extend at least partially outwards. The holding elements can extend outwards relative to the volume formed by the lower part and the upper part of the sleeve. The holding elements can be adapted to hold a facade panel relative to a substrate in the installed state. This can be achieved by the facade panel resting on the outwardly extending holding elements. Preferably, the at least two holding means are located at opposite positions of the lower part, wherein the positions lie opposite one another in a direction that is perpendicular to the installation direction. In the case of a cylindrical sleeve, this can be a radial direction. If the lower part has more than two holding elements, the holding elements are preferably arranged in a radially extending plane.Further preferably, the retaining elements are equidistant from their direct neighbors. In the case of three retaining elements, for example, the three retaining elements are preferably spaced apart in the radial plane by an angle of 120°, or in the case of four retaining elements, by 90°.

[0008] The retaining elements can have a height. If the retaining elements are arranged between the facade panel and the substrate during installation and are adjacent to both the substrate and the facade panel, the height of the retaining elements corresponds to the distance between the facade panel and the substrate. The height of the retaining elements can therefore influence the distance of the standoff installation.

[0009] The at least two holding elements are connected to one another via lateral connections. The lateral connections are connecting elements that connect two holding elements to one another, i.e. they can run essentially in one direction from one holding element to an opposite and / or adjacent holding element. The lateral connections, like the holding elements, can run in a direction that is perpendicular to the assembly direction. It can also be said that the lateral connections run essentially transversely to an axis that is defined by an extension direction of the fastening element. The lateral connections preferably form connections that also remain intact after assembly. The at least two holding elements and the lateral connections connecting them form an opening in which the shaft of the fastening element is arranged during assembly.

[0010] In the present invention, the fastener comprises a head and a shaft, and preferably a drill bit. The head and drill bit are typically located at opposite ends of the shaft. In some embodiments, the fastener may be of a self-tapping type. In this case, the fastener does not necessarily have to have a drill bit, but may be adapted to be inserted into a hole in the substrate previously created by a drill.

[0011] The shank of the fastener can define an axis. When inserting the fastener into a substrate, this axis can typically be substantially perpendicular to the substrate. This axis can run in the direction of installation. Furthermore, the shank of the fastener has a projection. The projection is adapted to urge the at least two retaining elements of the lower part of the sleeve outward. This can occur, for example, during assembly of the system when the fastener is inserted into a substrate.

[0012] The substrate can essentially consist of any common building material. One example is a substrate made of support profiles. L-profiles or T-profiles can be used for this. The support profiles are preferably made of a metal, such as aluminum or steel. However, the substrate can also consist of wood or a wood-based material. The drill bit and / or a thread of the fastener can be specifically designed depending on the material and nature of the substrate.

[0013] The advantage resulting from the present invention is that it enables a spaced-apart installation of a facade panel to a substrate. This means that the system is designed to hold the facade panel at a predetermined distance from the substrate without the need for an additional means, such as an intermediate layer. In other words, a free space is formed between the underside of the facade panel and the top side of the substrate during installation. The holding elements can at least partially penetrate into this free space when the projection of the fastening element pushes the holding elements outwards during installation. In the arrangements known from the prior art, a soft, compressible material is typically used as an intermediate layer between the facade panel and the substrate.A suitable material for this is cellular rubber, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber). This soft, compressible material can be designed as an elongated strip, for example, and arranged parallel to the substructure. Currently, it is common practice to use a strip with a width of 10 mm. However, those skilled in the art are also aware of other ways in which the intermediate layer can be suitably designed. For example, the material can have a ring-shaped geometry and be arranged around the hole in the facade panel. The compressibility of the intermediate layer compensates for the manufacturing-related thickness tolerance of the facade panels and the swelling and shrinkage behavior under weather influences.

[0014] As those skilled in the art will recognize, the present invention can also be used with the conventional form of an intermediate layer. In this case, the intermediate layer is applied to the substrate. In this case, the facade panel can be attached either directly to the intermediate layer or at a distance from the intermediate layer. If the facade panel is mounted adjacent to the intermediate layer, the intermediate layer can be fully or partially compressed by the installation of the facade panel. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to dispense with the intermediate layer. In this case, there is no intermediate layer between the facade panel and the substrate, and the space between the facade panel and the substrate remains free or filled with air.

[0015] A further advantage of the present invention is that the retaining elements of the sleeve according to the invention engage behind the facade panel when inserted into the holes in the facade panel—snap into place, so to speak—and can thus be permanently inserted into the holes in the facade panel. This even allows the sleeves to be inserted into appropriately pre-drilled facade panels at the factory that supplies the facade panels, so that facade panels are delivered prepared from the factory, equipped with sleeves for standoff installation, thus avoiding complex preparation on the construction site.

[0016] The sleeve can be designed either as a sliding-point sleeve or as a fixed-point sleeve. Both sleeve types allow for spaced mounting and solve the task at hand. Furthermore, each sleeve type offers specific advantages.

[0017] A sliding point sleeve is characterized by the fact that it allows relative movement between the façade panel and the fastener after installation. This can be achieved, for example, by holding the façade panel on opposite sides between the retaining elements of the sleeve and the head of the fastener, allowing it to be moved relative to the fastener between them.

[0018] In contrast, a so-called fixed point sleeve is characterized by the fact that relative movement between the facade panel and the fastening element is not permitted after installation. This can be achieved, for example, by the sleeve forming a positive connection with both the facade panel and the fastening element during installation - for example, by the sleeve filling a gap between the facade panel and the shaft of the fastening element in a radial plane during installation. This can be achieved, for example, by moving sections of the upper part of the sleeve into this free space and towards the shaft of the fastening element. This can be accompanied by deformation of the upper part of the sleeve around the fastening element.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the projection is annular and arranged on the shaft of the fastening element. This has the advantage of enabling the at least two retaining elements to be pushed outward regardless of the relative orientation of the fastening element to the retaining elements.

[0020] The head of the fastener preferably has a tool holder. The fastener preferably has a thread. The thread can preferably be located between the end of the shaft opposite the head of the fastener and the projection. If the fastener has a drill bit, the thread is thus preferably located between the drill bit and the projection. Furthermore, the fastener preferably has a thread-free area between the thread and the projection.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the upper part of the sleeve is connected to the lower part of the sleeve at one or more points via an axial connection. The axial connections are connections that run essentially parallel to the axis formed by the extension of the fastening element. Depending on the type of sleeve, the axial connections can be designed in different ways. In the case of the sliding point sleeve, it is preferred that the axial connections provide a permanent connection between the upper and lower parts of the sleeve, whereas in the case of the fixed point sleeve it may be preferred that the axial connections have one or more predetermined separation points. When force is applied, the one or more predetermined separation points can cause the lower part to be separated from the upper part at the respective point.In the case of a fixed point sleeve, such a separation can, for example, lead to the sleeve being compressed by the installation of the fastening element in the substrate, thus enabling the sleeve to be axially fixed between the head of the fastening element and the substrate. In certain embodiments of the sleeve, the sleeve can have a centering means. A centering means is preferably designed to improve the relative arrangement between the fastening element and the sleeve at the beginning of installation. The centering means is preferably designed to make it easier for the installer to arrange the fastening element in a predetermined position relative to the sleeve, particularly at the beginning of installation. A centering means is particularly advantageous in the case of a sliding point sleeve, since this is designed to enable relative movement of the facade panel and the sleeve arranged therein to the fastening element after installation.Therefore, the sliding point sleeve does not necessarily have a positive connection in the radial direction between the sleeve and the fastener, as may be the case with a fixed point sleeve, for example. In the case of a sliding point sleeve, a centering device can therefore make it easier for an installer to achieve a desired relative arrangement of the fastener within the sleeve at the beginning of assembly, as the centering device specifies the position at which the fastener should be placed. Although such a centering device may be particularly advantageous with a sliding point sleeve, a centering device can also be used with a fixed point sleeve to improve the initial alignment of the fastener relative to the sleeve.

[0022] The relative arrangement between the fastening element and the sleeve with the centering means can be achieved, for example, in that the centering means provides a way to align the fastening element relative to the sleeve. For example, the centering means can be designed to at least partially hold the drill bit of the fastening element at a predetermined position relative to the sleeve and / or the bore in the facade panel, at least initially during installation. For example, the centering means can initially hold a drill bit of a fastening element at the start of installation. In this case, the centering means can specify a position at which the fastening element penetrates the substrate during installation. In one embodiment, the centering means is designed as a ring.In this case, the fastening element can be inserted into the ring and, at least at the beginning of assembly, be located within this ring with a portion—for example, a drill bit. Those skilled in the art will understand that such a ring represents one of numerous examples, and it is not necessary for the centering means to define a closed surface, as is the case with a ring. The centering means can also be designed as an open ring portion—for example, U- or C-shaped.

[0023] The centering device can be attached to the upper part of the sleeve or to the lower part of the sleeve. This attachment can have a predetermined separation point so that the centering device can be released from the sleeve during assembly by the fastening element moving into the sleeve and the substrate. The centering device can, for example, fall off the sleeve or be squeezed between the fastening element, the sleeve and the substrate. The connection between the sleeve and the centering device can be released, for example, by a threaded section, a projection on the fastening element, or even by a head of the fastening element. However, the attachment can also be designed without a predetermined separation point. For example, the centering device itself can also be designed in such a way that it no longer restricts relative movement between the sleeve and the fastening element after assembly.

[0024] In one embodiment, the centering means can be attached to the upper part of the sleeve by one or more retaining means. The retaining means preferably extend into the interior of the sleeve. The retaining means can extend from any portion of the upper part of the sleeve into the interior of the sleeve, for example, from the collar of the sleeve, from a body of the upper part, or from an axial connection of the sleeve. The retaining means can run parallel to the collar or at an angle to the collar.

[0025] In another embodiment, the centering means can be arranged on the lower part of the sleeve, for example on one of the at least two holding elements. In this case, it is preferably located in the opening formed by the lateral connections. Furthermore, another of the at least two holding elements can have a recess. This recess can be adapted to accommodate the centering means. This can be necessary if the at least two holding elements have to be moved towards one another during assembly, for example in order to insert the sleeve into a bore. In this case, the centering means could oppose such a movement or be damaged during this movement, which is why it can be advantageous if one of the holding elements of the lower part of the sleeve is provided with a recess which can accommodate the centering means during a corresponding movement of the holding elements towards one another.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the upper part can have a collar. A collar is particularly preferred for a sliding point sleeve and can form a support for the head of the fastener. This can improve the relative movement between the facade panel and the fastener, as the head of the fastener rests on the collar and can slide over the collar during relative movement, thus preventing damage to the facade panel due to the relative movement.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the upper part has two or more slots that divide the upper part into sections. When force is applied, these sections allow the diameter of the upper part to be reduced. This makes it possible, for example, for the upper part to be pressed into a hole in the facade panel to enable a positive connection between the facade panel and the upper part of the sleeve. This reduction in the diameter of the upper part not only enables a positive connection between the facade panel and the sleeve, but also a positive connection between the sleeve and the fastening element to enable axial fixing of the sleeve relative to the fastening element, as is intended in the case of a fixed-point sleeve.

[0028] The object is also achieved by a method for mounting facade panels to a substrate. In this method, a sleeve and a fastening element are arranged in a bore of a facade panel. The sleeve and the fastening element can, for example, first be arranged one inside the other and then together in the bore of the facade panel. However, it is also possible, for example, to first arrange the sleeve in the bore of the facade panel and then the fastening element in the sleeve. The sleeve has an upper part and a lower part. The lower part of the sleeve has at least two holding elements that extend at least partially outwards, wherein the holding elements are connected to one another via lateral connections. An opening is formed between the holding elements and the lateral connections. The fastening element has a head and a shaft, wherein the shaft of the IO

[0029] fastener has a projection. The fastener is at least partially arranged in the opening during assembly.

[0030] During the installation of the system in the bore in the facade panel, the retaining elements of the lower part of the sleeve are at least partially moved toward each other, i.e., the distance between the retaining elements is reduced so that they can be pressed into the bore in the facade panel. This movement can be an elastic process, which results in the retaining elements moving apart again when the sleeve is inserted so far into the bore in the facade panel that the retaining elements protrude from the bore on the rear side.

[0031] During the process, the fastener is inserted into the substrate. This insertion can be done in a hole already created in the substrate, or alternatively, a hole can be created in the substrate using the fastener's drill bit. During insertion, the fastener is secured in the substrate. During insertion, the fastener's shank is positioned in the opening in the base of the sleeve.

[0032] The method further comprises displacing the retaining elements of the lower part of the sleeve into a free space formed between the facade panel and the substrate. This displacement is caused at least in part by the projection of the fastening element during insertion of the fastening element into the substrate.

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Further details, features, and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the described exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0034] Figure 1 shows perspective views of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention for (a) a sliding point sleeve and (b) a fixed point sleeve, Figure 2 shows perspective views of an embodiment of a sleeve for

[0035] (a) a sliding point sleeve according to Figure i (a) and (b) a fixed point sleeve according to Figure i (b),

[0036] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastening element as shown in Figure 1,

[0037] Figure 4 spaced mounting of a facade panel with a

[0038] Sliding point sleeve according to Figure i (a),

[0039] Figure 5 spaced mounting of a facade panel with a

[0040] Fixed point sleeve according to figure i (b),

[0041] Figure 6 perspective views of a first embodiment of a sliding point sleeve with a centering means, and

[0042] Figure 7 perspective views of a second embodiment of a sliding point sleeve with a centering means.

[0043] Figure 1 shows perspective views of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention for (a) a sliding point sleeve and (b) a fixed point sleeve

[0044] Figure 1 (a) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 comprises a sleeve 2 and a fastening element 3. The sleeve 2 is designed to be arranged in a bore, for example in a facade panel, in a predefined position and to enable arrangement of the fastening element 3 relative to the bore - preferably centrally in the bore. The sleeve 2 can be a sliding point sleeve. Similarly, Figure 1 (b) shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system 5 of the present invention. The system 5 comprises a sleeve 6 and a fastening element 3. The sleeve 6 can be a fixed point sleeve.

[0045] Systems 1 and 5, shown in Figures 1 (a) and (b), show the same fastener 3. However, one skilled in the art will understand that different fasteners may be used as long as they have the inventive features of a fastener within the meaning of the present application - ie a head, a shank, a drill bit and a projection.

[0046] Figure 2 shows perspective views of an embodiment of a sleeve for (a) a sliding point sleeve according to Figure 1 (a) and (b) a fixed point sleeve according to Figure 1 (b).

[0047] Figure 2 (a) shows a sleeve 2 designed as a sliding-point sleeve. The sleeve 2 has an upper part 21 and a lower part. The upper part 21 has a collar 26 and is connected to the lower part via two axial connections 24. The lower part has two holding elements 22, which are connected to one another via lateral connections 25. The holding elements extend outward and form a support 23 on which a facade panel can rest. An opening is formed between the holding elements 22 and the lateral connections 25, in which the fastening element 3 can be at least partially arranged during assembly.

[0048] Figure 2 (b) shows a sleeve 6 designed as a fixed point sleeve. The sleeve 6 has an upper part 61 and a lower part. The upper part 61 is connected to the lower part via two axial connections 64. Furthermore, the upper part 61 has slots 66 which allow the upper part 61 of the sleeve 6 to be compressed in order to ensure a tight fit in a bore in a facade panel. The slots 66 divide the upper part 61 into sections 67 which, when pressed into a bore in the facade panel, reduce their distance from one another and thus reduce the diameter of the upper part 61, which ultimately compresses the upper part 61. In the compressed state, the sections of the upper part 61 can engage around the shaft of the fastening element and fix it in place.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower part has two holding elements 62 which are connected to one another via lateral connections 65. The holding elements 62 extend outwards and form a support 63 on which a facade panel can rest. An opening is formed between the holding elements 62 and the lateral connections 65, in which opening the fastening element 3 can be at least partially arranged during assembly. Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the fastening element 3 already shown in Figure 1, as it can be used in the context of the present invention. The fastening element 3 has a shaft 31 and a head 32. The fastening element 3 preferably has a drill bit 33 which is designed to drill a hole in a substrate. A projection 34 is arranged on the shaft 31 of the fastening element 3.

[0050] The embodiment of the fastening element 3 shown in Figure 3 has a thread 35 on the shaft 31 after the drill tip 33 and a thread-free area 36 is located between the thread 35 and the projection 34.

[0051] The head 32 of the fastening element 3 is designed, in the case of a sliding-point sleeve, to rest on the collar 26 of the upper part 21 of the sleeve 2. For this purpose, the head 32, in the illustrated embodiment, has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the collar 26 of the upper part 21. The head 32 also has a tool holder 37. In the case of a fixed-point sleeve, the head is designed to rest directly on the facade panel.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the fastener shown in Figure 3 is an example that does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other embodiments not shown, the fastener may be designed to be self-tapping. In this case, the fastener does not necessarily have to have a drill bit, but may be adapted to be inserted into a hole in the substrate previously created by a drill.

[0053] Figure 4 shows the spaced mounting of a facade panel with a sliding point sleeve according to Figure 1 (a).

[0054] During assembly, a facade panel 10 is mounted at a distance from a substrate 11. The distance is measured based on the height of the retaining elements 22 of the sliding point sleeve. In a first step, shown in Figure 4 (a), the sliding point sleeve 2 is pressed into a bore in the facade panel 10. To do this, the lower part of the sleeve 2 is compressed by moving the retaining elements 22 of the lower part of the sleeve 2 towards each other. When the sleeve 2 is inserted deep enough into the bore, the retaining elements 22 snap outwards behind the facade panel 10 so that the facade panel 10 rests on the supports of the retaining elements 22, as shown in Figure 4 (b). This is achieved by the retaining elements 22 extending outwards into a free space 15 formed between the facade panel and the substrate 11.

[0055] In Figure 4 (c), the fastening element 3 is inserted into the sleeve 2. As the fastening element 3 penetrates further into the substrate 11 during installation, the projection 34 of the fastening element 3 strikes the retaining elements 22 and displaces them further outward, so that the retaining elements are fixed in the free space 15 between the facade panel and the substrate 11, as shown in Figure 4 (d). In this context, one also speaks of an activation of the retaining mechanism of the sleeve.

[0056] Figure 5 shows the spaced mounting of a facade panel with a fixed point sleeve according to Figure 1 (b).

[0057] During assembly, a facade panel to is mounted at a distance from a substrate 11. The distance is determined by the height of the retaining elements 62 of the fixed point sleeve.

[0058] In a first step, shown in Figure 5 (a), the fixed point sleeve 6 is pressed into a bore in the facade panel to. For this purpose, the diameter of the lower part of the sleeve 6 is temporarily reduced by moving the holding elements 62 of the lower part of the sleeve 6 towards each other. When the sleeve 6 is inserted deep enough into the bore, the holding elements 62 snap outwards behind the facade panel to, so that the holding elements 62 on the back of the facade panel loan grip the facade panel to. As a result, a support for the facade panel to can be formed by the holding elements 62 during assembly, as shown in Figure 5 (b). This is achieved by the holding elements 62 extending outwards into a free space 15 formed between the facade panel to and the substrate 11. In Figure 5 (c), the fastening element 3 is inserted into the sleeve 6.As the fastening element 3 penetrates further into the substrate 11 during installation, the projection 34 of the fastening element 3 strikes the retaining elements 62 and displaces them further outward, so that the retaining elements are fixed in the free space 15 between the facade panel and the substrate 11, as shown in Figure 5 (d). In this context, one also speaks of an activation of the retaining mechanism of the sleeve.

[0059] Furthermore, the advance of the fastening element 3 into the substrate 11 causes the upper part of the fixed point sleeve 6 to be pressed into the bore of the facade panel 10. This results in a reduction in the diameter of the upper part of the sleeve 6, since the sections of the upper part formed by the slots 66 are moved towards one another, thus reducing their relative distances. Since the holding elements 62 cannot move further into the substrate 11 and are fixed between the facade panel and the substrate 11, the upper part of the sleeve 6 is moved towards the holding elements 62. This compresses the axial connections 64, which connect the upper part of the sleeve 6 to the lower part. This preferably results in a firm pressing of the sleeve components of the fixed point sleeve between the substrate 11 and the head of the fastening element.

[0060] Figure 6 shows perspective views of a first embodiment of a sliding point sleeve with a centering device. This embodiment is based on the sliding point sleeve shown in Figure 2 (a), which is why identical features are provided with identical reference numerals. Modified or added features additionally bear the letter "a" in their reference numeral.

[0061] The sliding point sleeve 2a of Figure 6 has a centering means 27a arranged inside the sleeve 2a. The centering means 27a can be used to initially hold a fastening means (not shown here) during assembly. This can, for example, make it easier for an assembler to align the fastening element relative to the sleeve 2a. For this purpose, for example, a drill bit of the fastening element (for example the fastening element from Figure 3) is inserted into the centering means 27a. In the illustrated embodiment, the centering means 27a has the shape of a ring; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the geometric shape of a ring, and other configurations of the centering means can be used as long as they can be used to initially hold the fastening element during assembly.In the case of a ring, a portion of the fastening element (for example, the drill bit 33 of the fastening element in Figure 3) can be inserted into the ring at the beginning of assembly and held by it. In the illustrated embodiment, the centering means 27a with holding means 28a is arranged on the upper part 21 of the sleeve 2a. The holding means 28a protrude into the interior of the sleeve 2a.

[0062] Figure 7 shows perspective views of a second embodiment of a sliding point sleeve with a centering device. This embodiment is also based on the sliding point sleeve shown in Figure 2 (a), which is why identical features are provided with identical reference numerals. Modified or added features additionally bear the letter "b" in their reference numeral.

[0063] The sliding-point sleeve 2b of Figure 7 has a centering means 27b arranged inside the sleeve 2b. Again, the centering means 27b can be used to initially hold a fastener (not shown here) during assembly. This can, for example, make it easier for an installer to align the fastener relative to the sleeve 2b. For this purpose, a drill bit of the fastener (e.g., the fastener from Figure 3) is inserted into the centering means 27b.

[0064] The centering means 27b also has the shape of a ring in the embodiment of Figure 7, wherein the present disclosure is not limited to the geometric shape of a ring in this case either.

[0065] The centering means 27b is arranged with a connection 28b on one of the two holding elements 22 of the lower part of the sleeve 2b. A recess 29b is arranged on a second holding element 22b, which in the embodiment shown is opposite the holding element 22 on which the centering means 27b is arranged. If the holding elements 22, 22b are moved towards each other by pressing the lateral connection together, as shown, for example, in the illustration of the assembly method in Figure 4 (a), the recess 29b can accommodate the centering means 27b. As a result, the centering means does not prevent the holding elements from being pressed together and is also not damaged by the compression.

[0066] During assembly, the centering means 27a, 27b, shown in Figures 6 and 7, can be squeezed between the fastening element, the sleeve 2a, 2b, and the substrate, thereby separating from the sleeve 2a, 2b. If a fastening element such as the fastening element 3 shown in Figure 3 is used, this can be achieved, for example, by squeezing the centering means 27a, 27b between the sleeve 2a, 2b, the substrate 11, and the projection 34 and / or the head 32 of the fastening element.

[0067] Figures 6 and 7 show embodiments of the sliding-point sleeve with a centering means for simplified alignment of the fastener relative to the sleeve at the beginning of assembly. Although the illustrated figures show embodiments of the sliding-point sleeve, those skilled in the art will recognize that the centering means 27a and 27b can also be used with a fixed-point sleeve, as shown in Figure 2(b), to also initially hold a portion of the fastener during assembly, thereby simplifying the relative alignment between the fastener and the sleeve for an installer.

Claims

Claims 1. System for mounting facade panels (io), comprising: a sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) with a top part (21, 61) and a bottom part, and a fastening element (3) with a head (32) and a shaft (31), wherein the bottom part of the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) has at least two retaining elements (22, 62) extending at least partially outwards, and wherein the retaining elements (22, 62) are connected to each other via lateral connections (25, 65), thereby forming an opening between the retaining elements (22, 62) and the lateral connections (25, 65) in which the shaft (31) of the fastening element (3) is arranged during assembly, and wherein the shaft (31) of the fastening element (3) has a projection (34) which pushes the retaining elements (22, 62) outwards when the fastening element (3) is in the a substrate (11) is used.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the projection (34) of the fastening element (3) is designed in an annular form and is arranged on the shaft (31) of the fastening element (3).

3. The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper part (21, 61) is connected to the lower part at one or more points via an axial connection (24, 64).

4. The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) has a centering means (27a, 27b).

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the centering means (27a) is connected to the upper part (21) of the sleeve (2, 2a) by means of at least one retaining means (28a). The system according to claim 4, wherein the centering means (27b) is arranged on one of the at least two retaining elements (22) of the lower part of the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b), and wherein another of the at least two retaining elements (22b) has a recess (29b) adapted to receive the centering means (27b) when the at least two retaining elements (22, 22b) of the lower part of the sleeve (2, 2b) are moved towards each other. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper part (21, 61) has a collar (26). The system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more axial connections (24, 64) each have a predetermined separation point which, when force is applied, causes the lower part to separate from the upper part (21, 61) at the respective point.The system according to one of claims 1 to 6 or 8, wherein the upper part (21, 61) has two or more slots (66) that divide the upper part (21, 61) into sections (67) and allow a reduction in diameter of the upper part (21, 61) when force is applied. A method for mounting facade panels (10), comprising: Arranging a system (1, 5) in a bore of a facade panel (10), the system comprising: a sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) and a fastening element (3), the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) having a top part and a bottom part, the bottom part of the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6) having at least two retaining elements (22, 62) extending at least partially outwards, and the retaining elements (22, 62) being connected to each other via lateral connections (25, 65), thereby forming an opening between the retaining elements (22, 62) and the lateral connections (25, 65), the fastening element (3) having a head (32) and a shaft (31), the shaft (31) of the fastening element (3) having a projection (34), and the arrangement having at least a partial indentation of the bottom part, thereby creating a gap between the retaining elements (22, 62) is reduced so that they can be pressed into the hole in the facade panel (10); Inserting the fastening element (3) into a substrate (11), wherein the shaft (31) of the fastening element (3) is arranged in the opening in the lower part of the sleeve (2, 2a, 2b, 6); and Displacement of the retaining elements (22, 62) into a space (15) formed between the facade panel (10) and the substrate (11), the displacement being caused by the projection (34) of the fastening element (3) during the setting of the fastening element (3) into the substrate (11).

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