A covering system for the walls of a building

Abstract

The invention consists of a covering system (1) for the walls (500) of a building, comprising a reticular structure (2) and a plurality of insulating panels (4). The reticular structure (2) comprises a plurality of vertical section bars (3) comprising a vertical tubular body (30), a plurality of horizontal section bars (5) comprising a horizontal tubular body (50) and fixing means (7) for mutually fixing the section bars (3, 5) and fixing each section bar (3, 5) to the wall (500). Each vertical tubular body (30) comprises opposite side walls (34) wherein a plurality of section bar openings (35) is obtained, and wherein each horizontal tubular body (50) crosses each side wall (34) through a respective section bar opening (35).

Description

A COVERING SYSTEM FOR THE WALLS OF A BUILDING

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

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

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

[0004] The known covering system solutions often provide an excellent system for upgrading existing buildings with regard to energy and aesthetics with the result that they are extremely ef fective in relation to the action of insulating . They do not however result in any structural benefit to the building .

[0005] Furthermore , there are also solutions for covering systems wherein, in addition to an acoustic and thermal advantage , they also result in an increase in the structural strength of the building, improving, for example , the anti-seismic performance thereof . Such known solutions for covering systems are however particularly complex as regards the assembly thereof , typically being composed of a large number of components of di f ferent types . Moreover, such known systems often comprise cumbersome structures and, with some solutions , also considerable weight .

[0006] Said disadvantageous aspects complicate the handling on the part of the workforce during installation operations and also the transportation operations at the site of interest .

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a covering system for the walls of a system and a method for installing the covering system that solve the problems of the solutions of the prior art .

[0008] In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a covering system that is easily transportable and easily moveable on the part of the installers , whilst still ensuring an increase in the structural strength and insulation of the building whereupon it is installed .

[0009] This obj ect is achieved by the covering system forthe walls of a building claimed in claim 1 . Furthermore , this obj ect is achieved by the method of installing a covering system claimed in claim 22 . The claims that are dependent upon these claims describe preferred variant embodiments involving further advantageous aspects .

[0010] The subj ect matter of the present invention is described in detail hereinafter, with the help of the accompanying drawings , wherein :- Figures la, lb, 1c, Id, le and I f show a wall of a building whereupon a covering system of the present invention is installed on the outside walls thereof according to a preferred embodiment , wherein each figure shows a di f ferent assembly stage ;- Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e and 2 f are six perspective views of a vertical section bar of the covering system in five embodiments ;- Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are perspective views of a hori zontal section bar of the covering system with three embodiments ;Figures 4 and 5 are two perspective views of a connection assembly between two vertical section bars and between two hori zontal section bars respectively, according to a preferred embodiment ;- Figures 6a, 6b , 6c, 6d, 6e , 6f and 6g show a portion of a wall of a building whereupon the covering system isinstalled, wherein each figure shows a di f ferent assembly stage ;- Figure 7 is a perspective view, in detail , of a of threaded bar installed in the wall and of a respective nut in a preferred embodiment ;- Figure 8 is a perspective view of an angular connection element of the covering system, according to a preferred embodiment ;Figure 9 is a perspective views , in detail , of a covering system arranged on two angled wal ls ;Figures 10a and 10b are perspective views of an insulating panel according to three embodiments ;Figures I la and 11b are two perspective views of a covering system of the walls of a building comprising an insulating panel ;Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a fastener according to a preferred embodiment ;Figures 13a and 13b are two perspective views of a covering system of the walls of a building wherein an insulating panel has been installed using panel plugs referred to in Figure 11 , wherein each drawing depicts a di f ferent stage of assembly;- Figures 14a, 14b and 14c are three perspective views of a wall of a building comprising reinforced concrete frame structures , whereupon the covering system is mounted,according to three embodiments ;- Figure 15 shows a schematic sectional view of portion of an assembled wall covering system, according to a first embodiment ;- Figure 16 depicts a schematic sectional view of portion of an assembled wall covering system, according to a second embodiment .

[0011] With reference to the above drawings , the covering system that is the subj ect of the present invention is denoted in the entirety thereof with the numeral 1 . Speci fically, the covering system 1 is suitable for being installed on the walls 500 of a building .

[0012] The covering system 1 extends along an imaginary plane P on which a hori zontal axis X-X and a vertical axis Y-Y lie , which are mutually transverse . Preferably, the imaginary plane P is parallel to an extension plane of the wall 500 whereupon the covering system 1 is to be mounted .

[0013] The covering system 1 comprises a reticular structure 2 comprising a plurality of vertical section bars 3 and a plurality of hori zontal section bars 5 .

[0014] The term " section bar" refers to an element that is elongated along one axis .

[0015] The vertical section bars 3 extend along a vertical section bar axis S-S , substantially parallel to orcoincident with the vertical axis Y-Y and comprise a vertical tubular body 30 .

[0016] The hori zontal section bars 5 extend, instead, along a hori zontal section bar axis T-T substantially parallel to or coincident with the hori zontal axis X-X and comprise a hori zontal tubular body 50 .

[0017] Each vertical tubular body 30 comprises opposite side walls 34 wherein a plurality of section bar openings 35 is obtained .

[0018] The section bar openings 35 are preferably obtained by laser cutting or stamping .

[0019] According to the invention, each hori zontal tubular body 50 crosses each of said side walls 34 through a respective section bar opening 35 .

[0020] In other words , two opposite side walls 34 are crossed by a hori zontal tubular body 50 through two facing section bar openings 35 .

[0021] In further words , one vertical section bar 3 and one hori zontal section bar 5 are mutually engageable in inserting the hori zontal tubular body 50 into one section bar opening 35 of each side wall 34 of the vertical tubular body 30 .

[0022] In particular, the hori zontal tubular body 50 is inserted into one section bar opening 35 of each side wall 34 and runs through said section bar opening 35 in atransverse direction in relation to the vertical axis S-S .

[0023] Preferably, the vertical tubular body 30 comprises a plurality of section bar openings 35 , wherein in each thereof there extends a hori zontal section bar 50 .

[0024] Preferably, one hori zontal tubular body 50 is inserted into a plurality of section bar openings 35 of each of one vertical tubular body 30 , and one vertical tubular body 30 is crossed, by means of the section bar opening 35 by a plurality of hori zontal tubular bodies 50 , in such a way as to define a reticular structure 2 .

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment , the crosssection of the hori zontal tubular body 50 is complementary to a section bar openings 35 .

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment , the vertical tubular body 30 furthermore comprises two opposite base elements 32 .

[0027] Preferably, each vertical tubular body 30 has a substantially rectangular cross-section .

[0028] In particular, one of the two base elements 32 is suitable for being turned towards the wall 500 , preferably supported by the wall 500 .

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment , at least one base element 32 comprises longitudinal reinforcement ribs 320 extending along the vertical section bar axis S-S .

[0030] According to one preferred embodiment , both of the base elements 32 comprise the ribs 320 .

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment , the hori zontal tubular body 50 comprises two opposite base elements 52 and two opposite side walls 54 .

[0032] In particular, one of the two base elements 52 is suitable for being turned towards the wall 500 .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment , one base element 52 of the hori zontal section bars 5 , preferably the one facing the base element 500 , comprises longitudinal reinforcement ribs 520 extending along the hori zontal section bar axis T-T .

[0034] Preferably, the base elements 32 of the vertical section bars 3 are substantially planar and lie on an imaginary plane parallel to the extension plane of the wall 500 .

[0035] Preferably, the planarity of the base elements 32 of the vertical section bars 3 allows them to be supported on the wall 500 .

[0036] Preferably, the base elements 52 of the hori zontal section bars 5 are planar and lie in an imaginary plane parallel to the extension plane of the wall and the imaginary plane whereupon the base elements 32 of the vertical section bars 3 lie .

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment , the verticaltubular body 30 and the hori zontal tubular body 50 are hollow, defining a tubular housing 33 , 55 .

[0038] Preferably, the tubular body 30 , 50 is made of structural steel .

[0039] Preferably, the side walls 34 of a vertical section bar 3 have a height of between 30 and 100 millimeters , preferably equal to 45 millimeters .

[0040] Preferably, the side walls 54 of a hori zontal section bar 5 have a height of between 20 and 80 millimeters , preferably equal to 25 millimeters .

[0041] Preferably, the base element 32 , 52 have a transverse dimension in relation to the section bar axis S-S , T-T of between 40 and 100 millimeters , preferably equal to about 60 millimeters .

[0042] According to a first embodiment , the tubular body 30 , 50 is a single piece consisting of sheet metal that is cut , preferably by laser or shearing, and bent .

[0043] Preferably, the sheet metal is folded so that the longitudinal ends are side by side at a base element 32 , 52 .

[0044] Preferably, the tubular body 30 , 50 has a thickness of between 1 and 5 millimeters , and preferably equal to 2 millimeters .

[0045] According to a second embodiment , the tubular body 30 , 50 is a single piece obtained by a cold roll formingprocess .

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment , the vertical section bars 3 are fastened to the wall 500 by means of a plurality of wall plugs 300 for a preliminary f ixing .

[0047] The reticular structure 2 further comprises a plurality of reticle housings 20 , each perimetrically defined by two consecutive vertical section bars 3 and by two consecutive hori zontal section bars 5 . Preferably, the reticle housings 20 have a substantially rectangular or square shape .

[0048] In other words , each reticle housing 20 extends between the side walls 34 of two consecutive vertical section bars 3 , and between the side walls 54 of two consecutive hori zontal section bars 5 .

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment , each reticle housing 20 comprises four angled regions 25 , at the intersection of a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 .

[0050] The reticle structure 2 furthermore comprises , fixing means 7 for mutually fixing between a hori zontal section bar 5 and a vertical section bar 3 , and for fixing of some section bars 3 , 5 to the wall 500 . In particular, the fixing means 7 make it possible to fix the reticular structure 2 in a stable manner to the wall500 .

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing means 7 comprise joining elements 70. Each joining element 70 is housed within a respective angled region 25 of the reticle housing 20 between a vertical section bar 3 and a horizontal section bar 5, and engages a vertical tubular body 30 and a horizontal tubular body 50, preferably a side wall 34, 54 respectively of the vertical section bar 3 and of the horizontal section bar 5, and the wall 500.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the joining element 70 comprises three plate-like elements 77, each perpendicular to the other two elements. In particular, a first plate-like element 77' externally engages the side wall 34 of a vertical section bar 3, a second plate-like element 77" externally engages the side wall 54 of a horizontal section bar 5 and a third plate-like element 77"' engages with the wall 500.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the joining element 70 is obtained from a sheet metal that is cut, preferably by laser or shearing, and bent. The sheet metal preferably has a thickness equal to 3 millimeters.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing means 7 comprise a plurality of threaded fixing bars 75 that are suitable for being inserted and fixed in the wall 500. Each fixing bar 75 is engaged with the wall 500and fixes a fixing element 70 to such wall 500 .

[0055] Preferably, the fixing bar 75 is inserted into the wall 500 and fastened to the wall 500 using res in .

[0056] Preferably, the third plate-like element 77" ' of the fixing element 70 is supported by the wall 500 .

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment , within fixing element 70 , preferably within the third plate-like element 77" ' , a through hole 72 is obtained that is suitable for being crossed by a fixing bar 75.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment , the fixing means 7 comprise a plurality of fixing nuts 77 , each engageable by screwing with a fixing bar 75 .

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment , each anchoring nut 77 comprises a threaded nut hole 78 to be engaged by screwing with a fixing bar 75 , and a female nut screw portion 79 to be engaged by screwing with the fixing hole 72 of the fixing element 70 .

[0060] In other words , the fixing bars 75 engage and extend through the fixing element 70 , in particular through the fixing hole 72 , and an anchoring nut 77 is engaged with a respective fixing bar 75 through the nut hole 78 and with the fixing element 70 through the female nut screw portion 79 . This means that there is mutual mechanical engagement between the fixing element 70 , the fixing bar75 and the anchoring nut 77 .

[0061] In particular, the engagement between fixing elements 70 , fixing bars 75 and the anchoring nuts 77 makes it possible to fasten the section bars 3 , 5 in a stable manner to the wall 500 .

[0062] Preferably, the engagement between the anchoring nut 77 and the fixing element 70 , which occurs through the screwing engagement of the female nut screw portion 79 with the fixing hole 72 , allows the relative displacements between the anchoring nuts 77 and the fixing element 70 to be signi f icantly reduced, discharging all of the force onto the fixing bar 75 and increasing the structural strength of the entire covering system 1 .

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment , said fixing means 7 comprise a fixing assembly 17 . Preferably, the fixing assembly 17 is suitable for fixing the fixing element 70 to the side walls 34 , 54 of the vertical section bar 3 and of the hori zontal section bar 5 respectively .

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment , each side wall 34 , 54 comprises a plurality of slots 63 , 65 and the fixing assembly 17 comprises fixing bolts crossing said slots 63 , 65 .

[0065] Preferably, the slots 63 , 65 are obtained by laser cutting or shearing .

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment , the j oining element 70 , preferably the first plate-like element 77 ' and the second plate-like element 77" comprise slots 74 which are crossed by the j oining bolts of the fixing ass e mb 1 y 17 .

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment , within each reticle housing 20 two diagonal elements 11 are housed which extend such as to mutually intersect .

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment , each diagonal element 11 comprises a plurality of diagonal elements 110 for fixing the diagonal element 11 to the fixing element 70 . Preferably, the fastening occurs by means of the fixing assembly 17 .

[0069] Preferably, the diagonal element 11 has a length of between 30 and 80 millimeters , preferably equal to 55 millimeters , and a thickness of between 2 and 5 millimeters , preferably equal to 3 mi llimeters .

[0070] The covering system 1 also comprises a plurality of insulating panels 4 , wherein each thereof is at least partially inserted into a reticle housing 20 .

[0071] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 are suitable for covering the reticular structure 2 .

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment ( Figures 10a, 10b, I la, and 11b ) , an insulating panel 4 comprises a panel body 40 . Preferably, within the panel body 40 ,towards the wall 500 , at least one bar seat 45 is obtained, preferably extending in a direction that is transverse to the imaginary plane P, so as to define at least one panel portion 44 housed within a reticle housing 20 .

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment , a section bar 3 , 5 is at least partially housed within the at least one bar seat 45 .

[0074] In particular, the at least one panel portion 44 protrudes in relation to an inner surface 45a of the at least one bar seat 45 .

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment , the insulating panel 4 comprises at least one bar seat 45 per vertical section bar 3 which extends along an axis parallel to the vertical section bar axis S-S , and at least one bar seat 45 per hori zontal section bar 5 which extends along an axis parallel to the hori zontal section bar axi s T-T .

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment , every panel portion 44 is intersected by at least one bar seat 45 per vertical section bar 3 and at least one bar seat 45 per hori zontal section bar 5 .

[0077] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 are fastened to the reticular structure 2 by means of gluing and / or by means of specially shaped fixings .

[0078] Preferably, the insulating panels 4 are glued to thereticular structure 2 by means of speci fic bi-component adhesive .

[0079] Preferably, after the insulating panels 4 have been glued to the reticular structure 2 , they are subj ected to pressing in such a way that the bonding is optimi zed .

[0080] Preferably, each insulating panel 4 is made of EPS ( sintered expanded polystyrene ) .

[0081] Preferably, each insulating panel 4 has a thickness of between 40 and 200 mm, and preferably equal to 140 mm .

[0082] According to a preferred embodiment ( Figures 12 , 13a and 13b ) , the covering system 1 comprises a plurality of panel plugs 60 suitable for fixing each insulating panel 4 to the reticular structure 2 .

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment , each panel plug 60 comprises a plug body 601 engaged with the insulating panel 4 and a screw 602 engaging by crossing said plug body 601 and is fixed to a respective section bar 3 , 5 .

[0084] According to a preferred embodiment , the tubular body 30 , 50 of at least one section bar 3 , 5 comprises at least two mutually engaged section bar segments 100 .

[0085] Preferably, the section bar segment 100 has a length of between 2 and 5 meters , and preferably equal to 3 or 4 meters .

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment ( Figures 4 and 5 ) , the covering system 1 comprises connection assemblies9 suitable for connecting two section bar segments 100 .Each connection unit 9 comprises a connection element 90 and connection means 95 . Each connection element 90 defines a connection housing 97 wherein the ends of two consecutive section bar segments 100 are housed and fastened to the connection element 90 by said connection means 95 .

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection element 90 for the vertical section bars 5 is tubular, preferably having a substantially rectangular crosssection, and is obtained from a sheet metal that is cut , preferably by laser cutting or shearing, and bent , or else obtained by a cold roll forming process .

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment , the connection element 90 for the vertical section bars 3 has a "U" - shaped cross-section and is produced from a sheet metal that is cut , preferably using a laser , and bent .

[0089] According to a preferred embodiment , the imaginary plane P is planar, i . e . , it contains all points which are on a continuous plane , and the section bars 3 , 5 extend parallel to said imaginary plane P .

[0090] According to a second embodiment , the imaginary plane P is a broken plane and comprises a first imaginary hal f-plane Pl and a second imaginary hal f-plane P2 , which are mutually incident , preferably orthogonal . Two sectionbar segments 100 mutually extend on two angled walls 501, 502, parallel to the first imaginary half-plane Pl and to the second imaginary half-plane P2, respectively.

[0091] Preferably, the angled walls 501, 502 may define an acute angle, preferably equal to 90°, or an obtuse angle, preferably equal to 270°.

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment (Figures 8 and 9) , the covering system 1 comprises angular connection units 8 suitable for joining two section bar segments 100 that mutually extend on the two angled walls 501, 502. Each angular connection unit 8 comprises an angular connection element 80 and angular connection means 85. Preferably, each angular connection element 80 is mountable straddling between two section bar segments 100 and comprises angular connection portions 88. Preferably, each angular connection portion 88 lies on an imaginary plane parallel to the first imaginary half-plane Pl and to the second imaginary half-plane P2, respectively, and is engageable with the tubular body 30, 50, preferably of the base element 52 of the horizontal section bars 5, by means of the angular connection means 85.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, the angular connection element 80 is obtained from a sheet metal that is cut, preferably by laser or shearing, and bent. The sheet metal preferably has a thickness equal to 3millimeters .

[0094] Preferably, the angular connection elements 80 are made of metal , preferably structural steel .

[0095] According to a preferred embodiment , the covering system 1 comprises insulating panels that are suitable for at least partially occupying a reticle housing 20 defined between two vertical section bars 5 arranged on the two angled walls 501 , 502 , respectively . In other words , the reticle housing 20 is arranged at the angular portion located between the two angled wal ls 501 , 502 .

[0096] Preferably, the angular insulating panel has the same thickness as that of the insulating panels 4 .

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment , the covering system 1 furthermore comprises a plurality of the auxiliary section bars 400 and a plurality of auxiliary insulating panels 410 fixed to the insulating panels 4 by means of said auxiliary section bars 400 fixed to the section bars 3 , 5 .

[0098] According to a preferred embodiment , the covering system 1 comprises a reinforcement sheet 420 , preferably in reinforced concrete , a first cement-based layer 430 , a reinforcement mesh 440 , a second cement-based layer 450 and a finishing layer 460 , mutually positioned overlapping one another in order starting from the insulating panels 4 or from the auxiliary insulatingpanels 410 .

[0099] In other words , the covering system 1 , in addition to a " first layer" consisting of the reticular structure 2 and the insulating panels 4 , provides for a multiplicity of layers mutually arranged the one on top of the other .

[0100] The auxiliary section bars 400 are preferably made by bending a sheet metal .

[0101] Preferably such sheet metal has a thickness of between 0 . 8 and 2 millimeters , preferably equal to 1 millimeter .

[0102] Preferably, the auxiliary section bars 400 are made of metal , preferably structural steel or else aluminum .

[0103] Preferably, the reinforcement sheet 420 has a thickness of about 12 . 5 millimeters .

[0104] Preferably, the first cement-based layer 430 has a thickness of between 2 and 6 millimeters , preferably equal to 4 millimeters .

[0105] Preferably, the reinforcement mesh 440 is made of reinforced glass fiber .

[0106] Preferably, the second cement-based layer 450 has a thickness of between 2 and 6 millimeters , preferably 4 millimeters .

[0107] Preferably, the finishing layer 460 has athickness of between 0 . 8 and 3 millimeters , preferably equal to 2 millimeters .

[0108] According to a preferred embodiment ( Figures 14a, 14b and 14c ) , the walls 500 of the building comprise reinforced concrete frame structures 910 and masonry portions 920 . Each reinf orced-concrete frame structure 910 comprises beams and pillars . Preferably, the masonry portions 920 are therefore arranged between said beams and said vertical pillars .

[0109] Preferably, at least two j oining elements 70 which mutually fix a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 to each other and which fasten them to the wall 500 , directly engage and are anchored to the concrete frame structure 910 .

[0110] In other words , at least two j oining elements 70 , respectively arranged at two angled regions 25 where a vertical section bar 3 and a hori zontal section bar 5 cross each other, are directly anchored to the reinforced concrete frame structure 910 .

[0111] As mentioned, the method of installing the covering system 1 on the walls 500 of a building is also an obj ect of the present invention .

[0112] In particular, said installation method comprises the following steps : a ) installing a plurality of vertical section bars 3 in awall 500 , preferably fixing them to the wall 500 by means of a plurality of wall plugs 300 ; b ) installing a plurality of hori zontal section bars 5 inserting the hori zontal tubular body 50 of each hori zontal section bar 5 through a respective section bar opening 35 of each side wall 34 of the vertical tubular body 30 of a vertical section bar 3 ; c ) fixing the section bars 3 , 5 to each other and to the wall 500 by the fixing means 7 ; d) installing a plurality of insulating panels 4 .

[0113] According to a preferred embodiment , between the steps of fastening the section bars 3 , 5 to each other and to the wall 500 by the fixing means 7 ( step c ) , and the step of installing a plurality of insulating panels 4 ( step d) , the method includes the step of installing the diagonal elements 11 .

[0114] Innovatively, the covering system for the walls of a building that is the obj ect of the present invention completely ful fills the proposed obj ect . Similarly, the method for installing the covering system for the walls of a building, which is also the obj ect of the present invention, also completely achieves the proposed obj ect .

[0115] Advantageously, the operations for installing the covering system for the walls of a building are considerably facilitated compared to known systems .

[0116] Advantageously, the covering system of the present invention makes it pos sible to eliminate processing waste , thus resulting in economic savings and reduced environmental impact .

[0117] Advantageously, the components of the covering system are easily transportable , in particular the section bars are easily ordered and compacted .

[0118] Advantageously, the insulating action inside the building proves to be extremely e f fective .

[0119] Advantageously, the covering system results in seismic reinforcement for the building, ensuring continuity of use for the building .

[0120] Advantageously, through the operation of installing the covering system, the building simultaneously benefits from the thermal and / or acoustic insulating action and improved seismic performance .

[0121] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the walls of the building increases the degree of connection between mutually orthogonal walls , favoring a box-like behavior of the building .

[0122] Advantageously, the degree of connection between walls and beams is greatly increased .

[0123] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building results in increased interconnection and confinement of the masonry wal ls ofthe entire building .

[0124] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building reduces the possibility of " in plane" breakage of the walls .

[0125] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building reduces the possibility of "out of plane" tilting of the walls .

[0126] Advantageously, the covering system installed on the wall of the building absorbs horizontal thrusts that are not opposed by the walls .

[0127] Advantageously, a better distribution of seismic action between di f ferent partitions of the building is obtained .

[0128] Advantageously, by virtue of the covering system installed on the wal l of the building, the tensile , shear, and bending strength in the plane of the corresponding wall are increased . In particular, the tensile , shear, and bending strength are increased by virtue of the box-like shape of the section bars .

[0129] Advantageously, the reinforced concrete frame structures of the walls of the building further reduce the possibility of "out of plane" tilting of the walls , in particularly of the masonry portions .

[0130] Advantageously, the section bars , in being connected to the reinforced concrete pillars and / orbeams , provide support for the masonry portions , thereby increasing the action of the existing reinforced concrete frame structure .

[0131] Advantageously, the covering system allows for improved redistribution of the stresses within the reinforced concrete beams and pillars , greater structural strength and decreased displacements .

[0132] Advantageously, the use of section bars wherein the section bar bodies thereof are made of structural steel confers a very high reinforcing action to the covering system .

[0133] Advantageously, the insulating panels which are also suitable for covering the section bars make it possible for the entire wall to be adequately and uni formly thermally insulated .

[0134] Advantageously, the components of the covering system are modular and adaptable to di f ferent wall si zes , thereby rendering the covering system extremely standardi zed .

[0135] Advantageously, the covering system comprises an extremely reduced total number of components , which thus simpli fies the design, installation and adj ustment thereof .

[0136] Advantageously, the tubular section bars of the vertical section bars and of the hori zontal section barswhich are made from a cut and bent sheet metal may have desired dimensions . Tubular parts that are obtained by means of a cold roll forming process may instead have standard dimensions . The cold profiling of tubular parts with non-standard dimensions calls for extremely elevated production costs .

[0137] To the embodiments of the covering system and installation method thereof , a person skilled in the art , in order to meet speci fic requirements , may make changes or replace elements with other functionally equivalent ones . These variants are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims .Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A covering system (1) for the walls (500) of a building, wherein said covering system (1) extends along an imaginary plane (P) on which a horizontal axis (X-X) and a vertical axis (Y-Y) lie, comprising:- a reticular structure (2) comprising: i) a plurality of vertical section bars (3) extending along a vertical section bar axis (S-S) substantially parallel to or coincident with the vertical axis (Y-Y) and comprising a vertical tubular body (30) ; ii) a plurality of horizontal section bars (5) extending along a horizontal section bar axis (T-T) , substantially parallel to or coincident with the horizontal axis (X-X) and comprising a horizontal tubular body (50) ; iii) fixing means (7) for mutually fixing a horizontal section bar (5) and a vertical section bar (3) , and for fixing each section bar (3, 5) to the wall (500) ; iv) a plurality of reticle housings (20) , wherein each reticle housing (20) is peripherally defined by two consecutive vertical section bars (3) and two consecutive horizontal section bars (5) ;- a plurality of insulating panels (4) , each at least partially inserted into a reticle housing (20) ; wherein the covering system (1) is characterized in that each vertical tubular body (30) comprises opposite side walls (34) in which a plurality of section bar openings(35) is obtained, and wherein each horizontal tubular body (50) crosses and extends along one of said section bar openings (35) .

2. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the horizontal tubular body (50) is complementary to a section bar opening (35) .

3. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the vertical tubular body (30) is substantially rectangular.

4. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical tubular body (30) is made in a single piece, consisting of sheet metal, cut and bent .

5. Covering system (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein the vertical tubular body (30) is made in a single piece obtained by a cold roll forming process .

6. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means (7) comprise joining elements (70) , wherein each joining element (70) is housed in a respective angled region (25) of the reticle housing (20) where a vertical section bar (3) and a horizontal section bar (5) cross each other, and engages the vertical section bar body (30) , the horizontal section bar body (50) , and the wall (500) .

7. Covering system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the fixing means (7) comprise a plurality of threaded fixing bars (75) , wherein each fixing bar (75) fixes the fixing element (70) to the wall (500) , and wherein the fixing means (7) comprise a plurality of fixing nuts (77) , each engageable by screwing with a fixing bar (75) and engageable with a fixing element (70) .

8. Covering system (1) according to claim 7, wherein a through hole (72) is obtained in the through element (70) suitable for being crossed by a fixing bar (75) , wherein each nut comprises a threaded nut hole (78) to be engaged by screwing with a fixing bar (75) , and a female nut screw portion (79) to be engaged by screwing with the fixing hole (72) of the fixing element (70) .

9. Covering system (1) according to any one of the claims from 5 to 8, wherein the horizontal section bar body (50) comprises two opposite side walls (54) , and wherein each side wall (34, 54) comprises a plurality of slots (63, 65) and each fixing element (70) comprises a plurality of slots (74) , wherein the fixing means (7) comprise a fixing assembly (17) comprising fixing bolts crossing said slots (63, 65, 74) .

10. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical tubular body (30) further comprises two opposite base elements (32) , wherein at least one base element (32) compriseslongitudinal reinforcement ribs (320) extending along the vertical section bar axis (S-S) .

11. Covering system (1) according to any one of the claims from 5 to 10, wherein the reticular structure (2) comprises a plurality of diagonal elements (11) , each engaged with two joining elements (70) positioned in opposite angled regions (25) contained within a single reticle housing (20) .

12. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (30, 50) of at least one section bar (3, 5) comprises at least two section bar segments (100) mutually integrally engaged with each other.

13. Covering system (1) according to claim 12, comprising connection assemblies (9) for connecting two section bar segments (100) , wherein each connection assembly (9) comprises a connection element (90) and connection means (95) , wherein each connection element (90) defines a connection housing (97) wherein the ends of two consecutive section bar segments (100) are housed and fastened to the connection element (90) by said connection means (95) .

14. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the imaginary plane (P) is planar, i.e., it contains all the points lying on a continuous plane, and wherein the section bars (3, 5)extend parallel to said imaginary plane (P) .

15. Covering system (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 13, wherein the imaginary plane (P) is a broken plane and comprises a first imaginary half-plane (Pl) and a second imaginary half-plane (P2) being mutually incident, preferably orthogonal, wherein two section bar segments (100) mutually extend on two angled walls (501, 502) parallel to the first imaginary halfplane (Pl) and the second imaginary half-plane (P2) , respectively .

16. Covering system (1) according to claims 12 and 15, comprising angular connection assemblies (8) suitable for joining two section bar segments (100) , wherein each angular connection assembly (8) comprises an angular connection element (80) and angular connection means (85) , wherein each angular connection element (80) is assemblable straddling said two section bar segments (100) and comprises angular connection portions (88) , each lying on an imaginary plane parallel to the first imaginary half-plane (Pl) and the second imaginary halfplane (P2) , respectively, and engageable with the horizontal tubular body (50) by said angular connection means ( 85) .

17. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each insulating panel (4) comprises a panel body (40) wherein at least one sectionbar seat (45) is obtained, wherein a section bar (3, 5) is at least partially housed in order to define at least one panel portion (44) housed in a reticle housing (20) .

18. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of panel plugs (60) suitable for fixing each insulating panel (4) to the reticular structure (2) , wherein each panel plug (60) comprises a plug body (601) engaged with the insulating panel (4) and a screw (602) engaging by crossing said plug body (601) and is fixed to a respective section bar (3, 5) .

19. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of auxiliary section bars (400) and a plurality of auxiliary insulating panels (410) fixed to the insulating panels (4) by means of said auxiliary section bars (400) fixed to the section bars (3,5) .

20. Covering system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims or to claim 19, comprising a reinforcement sheet metal (420) , a first cement-based skim coat (430) , a reinforcement mesh (440) , a second cement-based skim coat (450) , and a finishing layer (460) , mutually positioned overlapping one another in order starting from said insulating panels (4) or from said auxiliary insulating panels (410) .

21. Covering system (1) according to any one of theclaims from 5 to 20, wherein the walls (500) comprise reinforced concrete frame structures (910) and masonry portions (920) , wherein each reinforced concrete frame structure (910) comprises beams and pillars, wherein said masonry portions (920) are placed between said beams and said pillars, wherein at least two joining elements (70) , which mutually fix a vertical section bar (3) and a horizontal section bar (5) to each other and fix them to the part (500) , are directly engaged with and anchored to said reinforced concrete frame structure (910) .

22. A method of installing a covering system (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 21, on the walls (500) of a building, wherein said installation method comprises the steps of: a) installing a plurality of vertical section bars (3) in a wall ( 500 ) ; b) installing a plurality of horizontal section bars (5) inserting the horizontal tubular body (50) of each horizontal section bar (5) into a tubular opening (35) of a vertical section bar (3) ; c) fixing the section bars (3, 5) to each other and to the wall (500) by the fixing means (7) ; d) installing a plurality of insulating panels (4) .

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