System for covering the facade of a building

Abstract

The system comprises battens (3, 3'); standard façade elements (4) provided with tenons (5) and through holes; a lower accessory façade element (7) comprising a main part (8), an extension part (9) extending from an upper edge of the main part (8), a tenon (11) provided on the rear face of the extension part (9) and adapted to bear on the front face of a batten (3'), and a through hole (12) provided on the extension part (9); and an upper accessory facade element (13) comprising a tenon (14) capable of bearing on the upper edge of the main part (8) of a lower accessory facade element (7) belonging to an immediately lower row, and a through hole (15) configured to be located opposite the batten (3') against which the at least one tenon (11) provided on the lower accessory facade element (7) belonging to the immediately lower row is capable of bearing. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: System for covering the facade of a building Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for covering a building facade with facade elements of the flat tile type or similar, commonly called cladding. State of the art

[0002] In the field of construction, it is well known to create cladding by fixing facade elements of the flat tile type or similar, in order to protect the facade from bad weather instead of a facade coating. The cladding is created by juxtaposing facade elements or small tiles arranged in successive rows and by screwing or nailing said facade elements onto horizontal wooden or metal battens previously fixed to said facade. The facade elements of two successive rows are generally, but not systematically, offset laterally by a distance corresponding substantially to half the width of a facade element, so as to avoid an alignment of vertical joints from one row to the other which would allow the penetration of precipitation towards the facade.

[0003] Each facade element comprises, on its rear face and close to its upper edge, at least one tenon, and more generally at least two tenons intended to rest on the upper edge of a batten. The dimensions of the different facade elements and the position of their tenons are defined in such a way that the lower edges of the facade elements belonging to the same row are substantially aligned horizontally.

[0004] Each facade element is held in place vertically by its tenons resting on the upper edge of a batten, and is also fixed in the batten which supports it by means of at least one nail, or a screw, which extends through one or more holes provided on the facade element and located in an upper part of the facade element. For each row located below the highest row, the head of each nail or screw is covered by the facade element which is immediately above. In the case of the highest row of facade elements, each nail or screw is left visible, which detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the cladding produced.

[0005] In order to overcome this drawback, cladding systems have already been devised consisting of particular cladding elements cooperating with metal profiles, with a particular profile, replacing wooden battens. This is particularly the case with document WO2020 / 177827.

[0006] Document WO2020 / 177827 describes a cladding system comprising a plurality of mounting rails and a plurality of facade elements. Each mounting rail comprises, in a cross-sectional view of the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail, an abutment portion, which is suitable for abutting the building facade, as well as a first support projection and a second support projection, each support projection further comprising an abutment surface. Each facade element comprises a first groove and a second groove arranged to retain the facade element relative to the mounting rail and the building facade.

[0007] This type of cladding system, apart from being expensive due to the metal profiles, the cost of which is significantly higher than the cost of wooden battens, has the disadvantage of being difficult to implement in areas under openings, under a window for example, and at the scaffolding attachment points.

[0008] To enable the fixing of cladding elements at, for example, an area under a window, it is also known to carry out the following steps:

[0009] - cut out the upper part of each of the cladding elements intended to be located immediately below the window, thus depriving the latter of their tenons and their fixing holes,

[0010] - fix a batten to the facade near the window,

[0011] - drill the cladding elements previously cut to the correct height, and

[0012] - fix the cut and re-drilled cladding elements to the batten using nails or screw.

[0013] In the case of cladding elements with a high overlap, the cladding elements located below the window and belonging to the two rows located immediately below the window must be cut and re-drilled. In fact, the cladding elements belonging to row N+1 must be cut and drilled to allow the passage of the screws or nails for fixing the cladding elements belonging to row N+2.

[0014] However, making holes in cladding elements, particularly when they are enamelled, proves to be complex, tedious and also expensive since it generally results in wear of a significant number of drilling bits and breakage of a significant number of façade elements.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixing of cladding elements, at the fixing points of a scaffold and during the progressive dismantling from the top of the scaffold, can prove to be complex, tedious and expensive, when carried out using a cladding system as described above. Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0017] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a system for covering a building facade which is of simple, economical and aesthetic structure, while allowing easy and reliable installation of the various facade elements belonging to said system.

[0018] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a system for cladding a building facade, said system comprising a plurality of battens which are configured to be fixed horizontally on the facade of the building and a plurality of standard facade elements which are substantially rectangular and flat, each standard facade element being provided with at least one tenon extending from the rear face of said standard facade element and located near an upper edge thereof, the at least one tenon of each standard facade element being able to bear on the upper face of a batten, each standard facade element further comprising at least one through-hole extending below the at least one respective tenon such that the at least one through-hole extends opposite the respective batten, said standard facade elements being configured to be secured to the battens by means of fixing members,such as screws or nails, passing through said through holes of standard facade elements, the system comprising: ,

[0019] - at least one lower accessory facade element which is substantially flat, the ... at least one lower accessory facade element having a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements, with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements, and comprising a main part which is substantially rectangular and at least one extension part projecting upwards and extending from an upper edge of the main part, the at least one lower accessory facade element further comprising at least one tenon which is provided on the rear face of the at least one extension part and which is capable of bearing on the front face of a batten and on an upper edge of a standard facade element belonging to an immediately lower row,and at least one through hole provided on the at least one extension portion and configured to be located opposite the batten against which the at least one tenon provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element is capable of bearing, the at least one tenon provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element being spaced from a lower edge of the at least one lower accessory facade element by a spacing distance which is defined such that the lower edge of the at least one lower accessory facade element is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements belonging to the , same row and located on either side of at least one lower accessory facade element, and

[0020] - at least one upper accessory facade element which is substantially rec tangular and flat, the at least one upper accessory facade element having a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements, with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements, and comprising, on its rear face and in a lower part of said upper accessory facade element, at least one tenon capable of bearing on the upper edge of the main part of a lower accessory facade element belonging to an immediately lower row, the at least one upper accessory facade element further comprising at least one through hole configured to be located opposite the batten against which the at least one tenon provided on the lower accessory facade element belonging to the immediately lower row is capable of bearing,the at least one tenon provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element being spaced from a lower edge of the at least one upper accessory facade element by a separation distance which is defined such that the lower edge of the at least one upper accessory facade element is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements belonging to the same row and located on either side of the at least one upper accessory facade element.

[0021] Such a configuration of the system, and in particular of the lower and upper accessory facade elements, makes it possible to adapt the length of the upper accessory facade element (by cutting the upper accessory facade element to the desired length) without risking depriving the upper accessory facade element of the at least one tenon and the at least one through hole provided on the latter, and therefore to ensure easy and secure fixing of the upper accessory facade element for example in an area under an opening, such as an area under a window or an area under a French window, an area under a balcony or even at a scaffolding fixing point, and this without requiring in particular re-drilling of the upper accessory facade element (and also without also requiring re-drilling of the lower accessory facade element for lower and upper accessory facade elements with a high overlap).

[0022] In addition, the upper accessory facade element is capable of covering the at least one through hole provided on a lower accessory facade element belonging to the immediately lower row, and the at least one through hole provided on the upper accessory facade element is capable of being covered, for example, by a finishing flap fitted to the window frame under which the upper accessory facade element is arranged. Thus, the system according to the present invention provides an appearance improved aesthetics to the cladding carried out.

[0023] The system may further have one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one lower accessory facade element is configured to be secured to the batten, against which the at least one tenon provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element is capable of bearing, by means of a fixing member, such as a screw or a nail, passing through the at least one through hole provided on the at least one respective extension part.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one upper accessory facade element is configured to be secured to the batten, against which the at least one tenon provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element belonging to the immediately lower row is capable of bearing, by means of a fixing member, such as a screw or a nail, passing through the at least one through hole provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one extension part has a width less than that of the at least one lower accessory facade element, and in particular less than that of the main part of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacing distance is substantially equal to the distance separating the lower edge and the upper edge of the main part of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one tenon provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element is configured to be located opposite a batten against which the at least one tenon provided on the lower accessory facade element belonging to the immediately lower row is capable of bearing.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one tenon provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one tenon provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one lower accessory facade element are secured to the facade of the building.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one through hole provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one lower accessory facade element are so- lidarized on the facade of the building.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one extension portion is located in a central portion of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one extension portion is centered relative to a median longitudinal plane of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one lower accessory facade element comprises two tenons which are provided on the rear face of the at least one extension part and which are capable of bearing on the front face of a batten and on the upper edges of two contiguous standard facade elements belonging to an immediately lower row.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one extension portion extends between the two respective tenons.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one extension portion is centered relative to the two respective tenons.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one extension portion is substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one upper accessory facade element comprises two tenons capable of bearing on the upper edges of the main parts of two contiguous lower accessory facade elements belonging to an immediately lower row and between the extension parts of said contiguous lower accessory facade elements.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element extends between the two respective tenons.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element is centered relative to the two respective tenons.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one through hole provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element is substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of the at least one upper accessory facade element.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation distance is less than the spacing distance.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the standard facade elements, the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one lower accessory facade element are configured to define a variable gauge that can vary between a minimum gauge and a maximum gauge.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the spacing distance is equal to the length of a standard facade element from which the minimum gauge is subtracted.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the main part of the at least one lower accessory facade element is equal to the length of a standard facade element from which the minimum gauge is subtracted.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the maximum length (on delivery) of the at least one upper accessory facade element is equal to the length of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the minimum length (after cutting) of the at least one upper accessory facade element is equal to the length of the at least one lower accessory facade element from which the maximum gauge is subtracted.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation distance is substantially equal to the length of the main part of the at least one lower accessory facade element from which the minimum gauge is subtracted.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one upper accessory facade element and the at least one lower accessory facade element belong respectively to two successive rows and are offset laterally by a distance corresponding substantially to half the width of a standard facade element.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one extension part has a length, measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the at least one lower accessory facade element, of between 30 and 60 mm.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a plurality of lower accessory facade elements.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one tenon provided on each of the lower accessory facade elements is spaced from the lower edge of the respective lower accessory facade element by a spacing distance which is substantially identical for all of the lower accessory facade elements.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a plurality of upper accessory facade elements.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one tenon provided on each of the upper accessory facade elements is spaced from the lower edge of the respective upper accessory facade element by a separation distance which is substantially identical for all of the upper accessory facade elements.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper accessory facade elements and the lower accessory facade elements respectively belong to two successive rows and are offset laterally by a distance corresponding approximately half the width of a standard facade element.

[0055] The present invention further relates to a lower accessory façade element for a system for cladding a building façade, said system comprising a plurality of battens which are configured to be fixed horizontally to the façade of the building and a plurality of standard façade elements which are substantially rectangular and flat, each standard façade element being provided with at least one tenon extending from the rear face of said standard façade element and located near the upper end thereof, the at least one tenon of each standard façade element being adapted to bear on the upper face of a batten, each standard façade element further comprising at least one through-hole extending below the at least one respective tenon such that the at least one through-hole extends opposite the respective batten,said standard facade elements being configured to be secured to the battens by means of fixing members, such as screws or nails, passing through said through holes of the standard facade elements, characterized in that the lower accessory facade element is substantially rectangular and flat, has a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements, with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements, and comprises at least one extension portion projecting upwards and extending from an upper edge of the at least one lower accessory facade element,the at least one lower accessory facade element further comprising at least one tenon which is provided on the rear face of the at least one extension part and which is able to bear on the front face of a batten and on an upper edge of a facade element belonging to an immediately lower row, and at least one through hole provided on the at least one extension part and configured to be located opposite the batten against which the at least one tenon provided on the lower accessory facade element is able to bear,the at least one tenon provided on the lower accessory facade element being spaced from a lower edge of the lower accessory facade element by a spacing distance which is defined such that the lower edge of the lower accessory facade element is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements belonging to the same row and located on either side of the at least one lower accessory facade element.

[0056] The present invention also relates to an upper accessory façade element for a system for cladding a building façade, said system comprising a plurality of battens which are configured to be fixed horizontally on the façade of the building and a plurality of standard façade elements which are substantially rectangular and flat, each standard façade element being provided with at least one tenon extending from the rear face of said standard façade element and located in proximity of the upper end of the latter, the at least one tenon of each standard facade element being able to bear on the upper face of a batten, each standard facade element further comprising at least one through hole extending below the at least one respective tenon such that the at least one through hole extends opposite the respective batten, said standard facade elements being configured to be secured to the battens by means of fixing members, such as screws or nails, passing through said through holes of the standard facade elements, characterized in that the upper accessory facade element is substantially rectangular and flat, has a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements, with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements, and comprises,on its rear face and in a lower part of said upper accessory facade element, at least one tenon, the at least one upper accessory facade element further comprising at least one through hole located near the at least one respective tenon, the at least one tenon provided on the upper accessory facade element being spaced from a lower edge of the upper accessory facade element by a separation distance which is defined such that the lower edge of the upper accessory facade element is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements belonging to the same row and located on either side of the upper accessory facade element. Brief description of the drawings

[0057] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0058] [Fig-1] is a partial perspective view from above of a system for covering a building facade,

[0059] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view from above of the system of [Fig.l],

[0060] [Fig.3] is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the system of [Fig.l],

[0061] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view from below of the system of [Fig.l],

[0062] [Fig.5] is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an element of lower accessory facade according to the present invention,

[0063] [Fig.6] is a rear view of the lower accessory facade element of [Fig.5],

[0064] [Fig.7] is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an element of upper accessory facade according to the present invention,

[0065] [Fig.8] is a rear view of the upper accessory facade element of [Fig.7]. Detailed description

[0066] Figures 1 to 4 represent a system for covering a building facade.

[0067] The system comprises a plurality of battens 3 which are horizontal and fixed to the facade of the building as well as a plurality of standard facade elements 4 which are substantially rectangular and flat.

[0068] Each standard facade element 4 is provided with a plurality of tenons 5 extending from the rear face of said standard facade element 4 and located near an upper edge of the latter. Advantageously, the tenons 5 of the standard facade elements 4 belonging to the same row of standard facade elements 4 are configured to be aligned in an alignment direction and to bear on the upper face of a respective batten 3, that is to say the batten associated with said row.

[0069] Each standard facade element 4 comprises, for example, two pairs of tenons 5 arranged on either side of a median longitudinal plane of said standard facade element 4. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each standard facade element 4 could comprise, for example, a single tenon 5 arranged substantially in the median longitudinal plane of said standard facade element 4, or only two tenons 5 arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of said standard facade element 4.

[0070] Each standard facade element 4 further comprises at least one through hole 6 extending below the respective tenons 5 such that the at least one through hole 6 extends opposite the respective batten 3, i.e. the batten 3 on which said tenons 5 rest. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each standard facade element 4 comprises three through holes 6 configured to extend opposite the respective batten 3, and more particularly a central through hole arranged substantially in the median longitudinal plane of said standard facade element 4, and two lateral through holes arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of said standard facade element 4, and for example located respectively near the lateral edges of the respective standard facade element 4.

[0071] Each standard facade element 4 is configured to be secured to the respective batten 3 by means of fixing members (not shown in the figures), such as screws or nails, passing through the respective through holes 6.

[0072] The system further comprises a plurality of lower accessory facade elements 7 which are identical and substantially flat.

[0073] Each lower accessory facade element 7 has a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements 4, with N greater than or equal to 1. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each lower accessory facade element 7 has a width substantially equal to the width of the standard facade elements 4. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each lower accessory facade element 7 could have a width greater than the width of the standard facade elements 4, and for example equal to 3, 4 or 5 or more times greater than the width of standard facade elements 4. Advantageously, each lower accessory facade element 7 has a width 1 or 2 mm less than the width of the standard facade elements 4, in order to facilitate its installation within an already existing row of standard facade elements 4.

[0074] Each lower accessory facade element 7 has a shorter length than the standard facade elements 4, and comprises a main portion 8 which is substantially rectangular and an upwardly projecting extension portion 9 extending from an upper edge of the respective main portion 8. Advantageously, the extension portion 9 of each lower accessory facade element 7 has a width less than the respective main portion 8, and is centered with respect to the median longitudinal plane of said lower accessory facade element 7.

[0075] The extension portion 9 of each lower accessory facade element 7 has a length less than the length of the respective main portion 8, and for example less than three times the length of the respective main portion 8. According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension portion 9 of each lower accessory facade element 7 has a length, measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of said lower accessory facade element 7, of between 30 and 60 mm.

[0076] Each lower accessory facade element 7 further comprises at least one tenon 11 which is provided on the rear face of the respective extension part 9 and which is capable of bearing on the front face of a batten 3 (see [Fig. 3]) and on an upper edge of a standard facade element 4 belonging to an immediately lower row. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each lower accessory facade element 7 comprises two tenons 11 arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of said lower accessory facade element 7 and capable of bearing on the upper edges of two adjacent standard facade elements 4 belonging to an immediately lower row, respectively.However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each lower accessory facade element 7 could comprise a single tenon 11, for example substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of said lower accessory facade element 7.

[0077] Each lower accessory facade element 7 also comprises a through hole 12 provided on the respective extension portion 9 and configured to be located opposite the batten 3 against which the tenons 11 provided on said lower accessory facade element 7 are able to bear. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the through hole 12 provided on a lower accessory facade element 7 extends between the two respective tenons 11, and is advantageously centered relative to the two respective tenons 11. Thus, the through hole 12 provided on a lower accessory facade element 7 is substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of said lower accessory facade element 7.

[0078] Each lower accessory facade element 7 is configured to be secured to the respective batten 3 (i.e. to the batten 3 against which the two respective tenons 11 bear) by means of a fixing member (not shown in the figures), such as a screw or a nail, passing through the respective through hole 12.

[0079] Each tenon 11 provided on a lower accessory facade element 7 is spaced from a lower edge of said lower accessory facade element 7 by a spacing distance DI which is defined such that the lower edge of said lower accessory facade element 7 is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements 4 and the lower accessory facade elements 7 belonging to the same row. Advantageously, the spacing distance DI is substantially identical for all the lower accessory facade elements 7, and is equal to the distance separating the lower edge and the upper edge of the main part 8 of a lower accessory facade element 7.

[0080] The system also comprises a plurality of upper accessory facade elements 13 which are identical, and substantially rectangular and flat. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper accessory facade elements 13 and the lower accessory facade elements 7 respectively belong to two successive rows, and are offset laterally by a distance corresponding substantially to half the width of a standard facade element 4.

[0081] Each upper accessory facade element 13 has a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements 4, with N greater than or equal to 1. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each upper accessory facade element 13 has a width substantially equal to the width of the standard facade elements 4. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each upper accessory facade element 13 could have a width greater than the width of the standard facade elements 4, and for example equal to 3, 4 or 5, or even more, times greater than the width of the standard facade elements 4.

[0082] Each upper accessory facade element 13 has a length less than that of said standard facade elements 4. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the maximum length (on delivery) of an upper accessory facade element 13 is equal to the length of a lower accessory facade element 7.

[0083] Each upper accessory facade element 13 comprises, on its rear face and in a lower part of said upper accessory facade element 13, at least one tenon 14 capable of bearing on the upper edge of the main part 8 of a lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to an immediately lower row. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each upper accessory facade element 13 comprises two tenons 14 arranged on either side of the median longitudinal plane of said upper accessory facade element 13, and capable of bearing on the upper edges of the main parts 8 of two contiguous lower accessory facade elements 7 belonging to the immediately lower row and between the extension parts 9 of said contiguous lower accessory facade elements 7. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, each upper accessory facade element 13 could comprise a single tenon 14, for example substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of said upper accessory facade element 13. Advantageously, each tenon 14 provided on an upper accessory facade element 13 is configured to be located opposite a batten 3 against which the tenons 11 provided on the lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to the immediately lower row are capable of bearing.

[0084] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the tenons 14 provided on an upper accessory facade element 13 and the tenons 11 provided on a lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to the immediately lower row are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when said upper accessory facade element 13 and said lower accessory facade element 7 are secured to the facade of the building.

[0085] Each upper accessory facade element 13 also comprises a through hole 15 configured to be located opposite the batten 3 against which the tenons 11 provided on the lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to the immediately lower row are able to bear. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the through hole 15 provided on an upper accessory facade element 13 extends between the two respective tenons 14, and is advantageously substantially located in the median longitudinal plane of said upper accessory facade element 13.

[0086] Each upper accessory facade element 13 is configured to be secured to the respective batten 3 (i.e. to the batten 3 against which the two tenons 11 provided on the lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to the immediately lower row bear) by means of a fixing member (not shown in the figures), such as a screw or a nail, passing through the respective through hole 15.

[0087] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the through hole 15 provided on an upper accessory facade element 13 and the through hole 12 provided on a lower accessory facade element 7 belonging to the immediately lower row are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when said upper accessory facade element 13 and said lower accessory facade element 7 are secured to the facade of the building.

[0088] Each tenon 14 provided on an upper accessory facade element 13 is spaced from a lower edge of said upper accessory facade element 13 by a distance distance D2 which is defined such that the lower edge of said upper accessory facade element 13 is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements 4 and the upper accessory facade elements 13 belonging to the same row. Advantageously, the distance D2 is substantially identical for all of the upper accessory facade elements 13, and is less than the spacing distance D1.

[0089] According to one embodiment of the invention, the standard facade elements 4, the upper accessory facade elements 13 and the lower accessory facade elements 7 are configured to define a variable gauge that can vary between a minimum gauge and a maximum gauge. Advantageously, the spacing distance D1 is equal to the length of a standard facade element 4 from which the minimum gauge is subtracted, and the length of the main part 8 of each lower accessory facade element 7 is equal to the length of a standard facade element 4 from which the minimum gauge is subtracted.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the invention, the minimum length (after cutting) of an upper accessory facade element 13 is equal to the length of a lower accessory facade element 7 from which the maximum gauge is subtracted, and the separation distance D2 is substantially equal to the length of the main part 8 of a lower accessory facade element 7 from which the minimum gauge is subtracted.

[0091] An example of a method for producing cladding using the system according to the present invention is described below. Such a method comprises the following steps:

[0092] - fixing a plurality of battens 3 on the facade of a building, such that the battens 3 extend substantially horizontally and in substantially regularly spaced rows,

[0093] - installation of several rows of standard facade elements 4 on the battens 3, in leaving free portions of batten located at the level of the scaffolding fixing points, for example by leaving free, at each scaffolding fixing point, two portions of batten belonging to two successive rows of battens and each of a width corresponding to three or four standard facade elements 4,

[0094] - fixing of the standard facade elements 4 on the battens 3 by means of members of fixings, such as screws or nails, passing through the through holes of standard facade elements 4,

[0095] - fixing of additional 3' battens on the facade of the building just above the upper edges of standard façade elements 4 located immediately below areas under openings or portions of batten left free at the scaffolding fixing points,

[0096] - progressive dismantling from the top of the scaffolding,

[0097] - fixing, at the level of the areas under opening or the portions of batten left free, of lower accessory facade elements 7 on the additional battens 3' by means of fixing members, such as screws or nails, passing through the through holes 12 of the lower accessory facade elements 7, so that the lower edges of lower accessory facade elements 7 belonging to the same row are substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements 4 belonging to the same row,

[0098] - installation of upper accessory facade elements 13 such that the tenons 14 said upper accessory facade elements 13 rest on the upper edges of the main parts 9 of the lower accessory facade elements 7, and

[0099] - fixing of the upper accessory facade elements 13 on the additional battens tionals 3' by means of fixing members, such as screws or nails, passing through the through holes 15 of the upper accessory facade elements 13.

[0100] Advantageously, when the standard facade elements 4 have been installed with the minimum gauge, the method comprises a step, prior to the step of fixing the lower accessory facade elements 7, which consists of installing the lower accessory facade elements 7 at the level of the areas under opening or the batten portions left free, such that the tenons 11 of said lower accessory facade elements 7 rest on the upper edges of the standard facade elements 4 located immediately below the areas under opening or the batten portions left free.

[0101] It should be noted that, when the standard facade elements 4 have been laid with a gauge different from the minimum gauge, the tenons 11 of the lower accessory facade elements 7 are located at a distance from the upper edges of the standard facade elements 4 belonging to the immediately lower row, and therefore do not rest on said upper edges, and similarly, the tenons 14 of the upper accessory facade elements 13 are located at a distance from the upper edges of the main parts 9 of the lower accessory facade elements 7 belonging to the immediately lower row, and therefore do not rest on said upper edges.

[0102] Depending on the free distance at the level of the areas under opening or the portions of batten left free, the method may also comprise a step, prior to the step of installing the upper accessory facade elements 13, comprising a cutting of an upper portion of the upper accessory facade elements 13.

[0103] Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a lower accessory facade element 7 which differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 essentially in that the lower accessory facade element 7 has two through holes 12 provided on the respective extension part 9 and located between the two respective tenons 11, and Figures 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of a upper accessory facade element 13 which differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 essentially in that the upper accessory facade element 13 has two through holes 15 located between the two respective tenons 14.

[0104] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A system for cladding a building facade, said system comprising a plurality of battens (3, 3') which are configured to be fixed horizontally to the building facade and a plurality of standard facade elements (4) which are substantially rectangular and flat, each standard facade element (4) being provided with at least one tenon (5) extending from the rear face of said standard facade element (4) and located near an upper edge thereof, the at least one tenon (5) of each standard facade element (4) being adapted to bear on the upper face of a batten (3), each standard facade element (4) further comprising at least one through-hole (6) extending below the respective at least one tenon (5) such that the at least one through-hole (6) extends opposite the respective batten (3),said standard facade elements (4) being configured to be secured to the battens (3) by means of fixing members passing through said through holes (6) of the standard facade elements (4), characterized in that it comprises:, - at least one lower accessory facade element (7) which is substantially flat, the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) having a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements (4), with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements (4), and comprising a main part (8) which is substantially rectangular and at least one extension part (9) projecting upwards and extending from an upper edge of the main part (8), the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) further comprising at least one tenon (11) which is provided on the rear face of the at least one extension part (9) and which is capable of bearing on the front face of a batten (3') and on an upper edge of a standard facade element (4) belonging to an immediately lower row,and at least one through hole (12) provided on the at least one extension part (9) and configured to be located opposite the batten (3') against which the at least one tenon (11) provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) is capable of bearing, the at least one tenon (11) provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) being spaced from a lower edge of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) by a spacing distance (Dl) which, is defined such that the lower edge of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements (4) belonging to the same row and located on either side of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7), and - at least one upper accessory facade element (13) which is substantially rectangular and flat, the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) having a width substantially equal to N times the width of the standard facade elements (4), with N greater than or equal to 1, and a length less than that of said standard facade elements (4), and comprising, on its rear face and in a lower part of said upper accessory facade element (13),at least one tenon (14) capable of bearing on the upper edge of the main part (8) of a lower accessory facade element (7) belonging to an immediately lower row, the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) further comprising at least one through hole (15) configured to be located opposite the batten (3') against which the at least one tenon (11) provided on the lower accessory facade element (7) belonging to the immediately lower row is capable of bearing,the at least one tenon (14) provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) being spaced from a lower edge of the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) by a separation distance (D2) which is defined such that the lower edge of the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) is substantially horizontally aligned with the lower edges of the standard facade elements (4) belonging to the same row and located on either side of the at least one upper accessory facade element (13).,

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacing distance (Dl) is substantially equal to the distance separating the lower edge and the upper edge of the main part (8) of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one tenon provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) is configured to be located opposite a batten (3') against which the at least one tenon (11) provided on the lower accessory facade element (7) belonging to the immediately lower row is able to bear.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one tenon (14) provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) and the at least one tenon (11) provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) and the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) are secured to the facade of the building.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one through hole (15) provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) and the at least one through hole (12) provided on the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) are configured to be substantially horizontally aligned when the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) and the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) are secured to the facade of the building.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one extension part (9) is located in a central part of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7).

7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) comprises two tenons (11) which are provided on the rear face of the at least one extension part (9) and which are capable of bearing on the front face of a batten (3') and on respectively the upper edges of two contiguous standard facade elements (4) belonging to an immediately lower row.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one through hole (12) provided on the at least one extension part (9) extends between the two respective tenons (11).

9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) comprises two tenons (14) capable of bearing on the upper edges of the main parts (8) of two contiguous lower accessory facade elements (7) belonging to an immediately lower row and between the extension parts (9) of said contiguous lower accessory facade elements (7).

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one through hole (15) provided on the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) extends between the two respective tenons (14).

11. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the separation distance (D2) is less than the spacing distance (D1).

12. System according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one upper accessory facade element (13) and the at least one lower accessory facade element (7) belong respectively to two successive rows and are offset laterally by a distance corresponding substantially to half the width of a standard facade element (4).

13. System according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one extension part (9) has a length, measured parallel to the median longitudinal plane of the at least one lower accessory facade element (7), of between 30 and 60 mm.

14. System according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of lower accessory facade elements (7).

15. System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the system comprises a plurality of upper accessory facade elements (13).

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