Clip, system comprising such a clip, and use of such a clip

Abstract

The method of mounting of boards makes use of clips, which comprise a plate (4), a first, second and a third hook extending from a front surface (10) of the plate (4), and a plurality of apertures (12) arranged in the plate (4). A first clip is mounted to the frame (3). A first and a second board (2) are arranged adjacent to each other and relative to a first clip such that the first hook thereof supports the first board, and that the second hook thereof supports the second board. A further clip (1) is arranged and mounted to the frame in a different orientation than the first clip at a second longitudinal side of the first and / or second board (2). A third board is then arranged, such that the third hook of said first or further clip supports the third board.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a methods and systems for mounting cementitious boards to a frame, such as in particular for mounting fiber cement boards to a support, typically a wooden support or metal frame.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cementitious boards are well known nowadays for providing a low maintenance facade for houses, offices, buildings etc., often to replace wooden or maintenance intensive alternatives.

[0003] Compared to wooden alternatives, such cementitious boards, like fiber cement sidings, are stiff and heavy. As such it requires special mounting systems to mount these and keep these boards fixed to walls. Typically, a frame, often a metal such as an aluminum or galvanized steel frame, or a wooden support structure or frame is fixed to the load bearing wall, to which frame the boards are fixed.

[0004] Mounting aids and clips are known to provide a more easily mounting, for instance from EP2947234B1. Such clips comprise a rectangular plate with an aperture to allow the plate to be fastened to a frame with a fastener, such as a screw. A plurality of hooks allow the clip to engage with an edge of a cementitious board, and thereby mount said cementitious board to the frame to which the clip itself is mounted.

[0005] There is an ongoing need to render installation of cementitious boards cost-effective. While clips are effective, any improvement in impact resistance and / or wind load of a façade made up of such cementitious boards without significant cost increase is desired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting method of boards, such as cementitious boards to a frame by means of clips, which method is improved relative to the prior art and wherein at least one of the above stated problems is obviated or alleviated.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cladding system comprising a plurality of boards and a frame, wherein the boards are mounted to the frame by means of clips.

[0008] The method and cladding system provided herein applies particularly to cementitious boards, such as fiber cement boards, but may additionally applied with advantage to ceramic boards, wooden boards or boards of other composite material.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, said object is achieved with a method of mounting a plurality of boards to a frame that has been fixed to a wall, by means of clips comprising a plate, a first, a second and a third hook and a plurality of apertures through said plate, a plate having a length and a width, said width extending between a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side of the plate, wherein an imaginary line halfway the width divides the plate into a first section and a second section. According to the invention, said method comprises the steps of:

[0010] a) mounting a first clip to the frame by arranging a fastener in an aperture in a first section of the plate of the clip;

[0011] b) arranging a first and a second board adjacent to each other and relative to a first clip such that the first hook thereof is in engagement with a first longitudinal side of the first board, and that the second hook thereof is in engagement with a first longitudinal side of the second board;

[0012] c) arranging a further clip at an opposite, second longitudinal side of the board, wherein the further clip is arranged in a different orientation than the first clip, and wherein the first and second hook are in engagement with a second longitudinal side of the second and the first board respectively;

[0013] d) mounting the further clip to the frame by arranging a fastener in an aperture in the second section of the plate, and

[0014] e) arranging a third board along either the first or the second longitudinal side of the first and second board, wherein the third hook of said first clip or said further clip is in engagement with a longitudinal side of the third board.

[0015] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a cladding system of a frame and a plurality of boards, which boards have been mounted on and are fastened to said frame via said clips in accordance with the method of the invention, wherein longitudinal sides of the boards are engaged with hooks of said clips.

[0016] More precisely, said plurality of boards of said system comprise a first and a second board (2) in a first row and a third board in a second row below or above said first row, wherein the plurality of said boards is arranged in a staggered configuration, such that a lateral end of the first board is not aligned with a lateral end of the third board.

[0017] The clips of said system comprise a plate having a length and a width, said width extending between a first and a second longitudinal side of the plate, wherein an imaginary line halfway the width divides the plate into a first section and a second section. The clips further comprise at least three hooks extending from a front surface of the plate, which hooks are configured to engage with an edge of the board and are distributed in the length direction of the plate. A first and second hook thereof comprises an opening that is directed towards the first longitudinal side of the plate. A third hook comprises an opening that is directed towards the second longitudinal side of the plate. The clips further comprise a plurality of apertures that are arranged in the plate for mounting the plate to the frame, wherein at least one aperture is arranged in the first section and at least one aperture is arranged in the second section of the plate, wherein the plate is mounted to the frame by means of at least one fastener.

[0018] The clips in the system comprise a first clip and a further clip that are mutually orientation in different directions. The first clip and the further clip are arranged so the first hook of the first clip and the second hook of the further clip are respectively in engagement with the first and second longitudinal side of the first board, and so that the second hook of the first clip and the first hook of the further clip are respectively in engagement with the first and second longitudinal side of the second board.

[0019] It has been observed in investigations leading to the present invention, that clips may be placed in a manner that a first and a second hook of a single clip may support lateral edges of two adjacent boards. In order to achieve sufficient impact resistance, a further clip is then arranged in a different orientation, such as an upside-down orientation, on the opposite longitudinal side of the board. This was found to to result in increased pull-through strength, which strength is indicative of impact resistance or wind load. Additionally or alternatively, the coverage of the lateral edges of two boards with a single clip may reduce the amount of clips per square meter.

[0020] The ability of using the same clip in different orientations, especially normal and upside-down, is enabled in the presence of a plurality of apertures, which are distributed over the first section and the second section. Herewith, increased versatility is achieved. According to a further implementation, at least three apertures are arranged in the plate and allow a user to selectively arrange a fastener through one or more than one aperture and mount the plate to the frame. Herein, said at least three apertures are distributed in a length direction of the plate. At least one aperture is arranged in one of the first section and the second section. The other of the first section and the second section is divided halfway the length thereof in a first subsection and a second subsection that each comprise at least one aperture. The presence of three or more apertures per clip is deemed advantageous, as the additional aperture and fastener in the second upside-down configuration also helps to increase pull-through strength. Moreover, the further apertures that are displaced relatively to the first aperture both in the width and in the length direction, provide the ability to apply a fastener at a different location, particularly in case that the first aperture would not be exposed. The apertures typically, but not necessarily, are of circular shape and may have a diameter in the range of about 2 to about 8 mm, typically in the range of about 3 to about 7 mm, such as about 3.5 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.2 mm, about 4.5 mm or about 5 mm.

[0021] In accordance with the invention, at least three hooks extend from a front surface of the plate and configured to engage with an edge of the board and distributed in the length direction of the plate. Herein a first and second hook comprises an opening that is directed towards the first longitudinal side of the plate, therewith defining a hook of a first type. A third hook comprises an opening that is directed towards the second longitudinal side of the plate, therewith defining a hook of a second type. In one specific embodiment, a fourth hook, being of the second type is present as well. This may be preferred for maximizing support, but may also chosen to obtain a design that is symmetrical in the length direction, i.e. having a left half that is a mirror image of a right half.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, additional clips are mounted to the frame, so that at least one hook of each clip is in engagement with the first longitudinal side of the first or the second board. The use of additional clips facilitates that the board is well stabilized. The required number of additional clips depends on the density of the board, the dimensions of the board, as well as the required strength for a specific application. As the first clip is arranged at a lateral edge of a board, it is generally preferable to apply an additional clip at an opposed lateral edge of the board. However, in case of an edge location, such additional clip may be replaced by a profile or other mounting means. An edge location may for instance be at an edge of the façade and / or adjacent to a window or a door frame. Where an additional clip is provided at the first longitudinal side of the first or second board, it is preferred that a further additional clip is provided at the second longitudinal side of the first or second board as well.

[0023] In a specific implementation, the first and second hook of the further clip are in engagement with the second longitudinal side of the second and the first board. Effectively, the first clip and the further clip are herein aligned, so that both the first clip and the second clip act on the adjacent lateral edges of the first and second board. This implementation is deemed highly beneficial to maximise wind load.

[0024] It is however not excluded that the further clip is displaced relative to the first clip. For instance, if the boards are arranged in a staggered configuration, with at least two boards per row, such further clip may be displaced towards a lateral edge of the third board in a second row arranged above or below the first row in which the first and second boards are arranged. In a further implementation further connecting means may be arranged at a spot in alignment the first clip. Such further connecting means could for instance be a simple clamp or U-shaped channel element. Such further connecting means may moreover be a double clamp or H-shaped double channel element, so as to engage around both a longitudinal side of the first and second boards and an opposed longitudinal side of the third board in the second row.

[0025] Typically, the first and the second hook are aligned and have equal position in the direction of the width of the clip, but different position in the direction of the length of the clip. The first and second hook comprises an opening that is directed towards the first longitudinal side of the plate. The third hook comprises an opening that is directed towards the second longitudinal side of the plate. In an advantageous implementation, the hooks are made by metal working, so that a portion of the plate is partially cut out, and bended twice. The portion of the plate extending away from the plate is hereinafter also referred to as the base.

[0026] Preferably, a distance between a base of the hook and an aperture, which is located at the side of the opening of the respective hook is equal for all such hooks. In this preferred implementation, a clip is to be installed at a predefined height relative to a longitudinal side of a board, regardless of the installation of the clip in a first orientation or a second, upside-down orientation. This is deemed to reduce risk of errors during installation.

[0027] In another preferred implementation, the third hook is arranged along the length direction between the first and the second hook. This facilitates that the first and the second hook are arranged adjacent to a clip's side edge, for instance at a minimum spacing of 2 mm, or 4 mm, and a maximum spacing of 10 mm, preferably 6 mm. The spacing is herein defined as a distance between a side edge of the clip and a side of the hook in the length direction. This implementation enables the design of a clip with a rather small length, while ensuring appropriate support for the first and second boards by means of the first and second hook. In again a further implementation, the first and the second hook, including their upstanding portions, are present in the second section of the clip. Preferably, a perpendicular distance between the base of the first and the second hook and an adjacent—second—longitudinal side of the clip is smaller than a perpendicular distance between said base and a lateral edge of a protrusion on the other side of the base. The distance between the base and the second longitudinal side may for instance be less than 40% of the width of the clip, preferably less than 35% or even less than 30%. For instance, in case of a clip with a width of 40 mm, said distance may be between 10 and 16 mm, such as 12-15 mm. More preferably, the same numeral preference applies to the distance between base of the third hook and said longitudinal side. This arrangement of the hooks has been found to be handy for fixing fasteners.

[0028] The boards are herein preferably planks, having a length, width and thickness, wherein the length is larger than the width. Preferably, the length is at least twice the width, more preferably at least threefold, at least fivefold, at least eightfold, or even at least tenfold. For instance, in one suitable implementation, the length may be in the range of 1.2 to 5.0 meter, preferably between 3.0 and 4.0 meter. The width may be in this implementation, in the range of 0.10 to 1.0 meter, preferably in the range of 0.15 to 0.25 meter. More preferably, the boards are provided with side edges including a thinned portion, such as a tongue. Alternatively, use may be made of boards comprising a groove on at least one side, and to be used with a mating side edge. Such groove is more particularly a cavity arranged in between of two adjacent portions of the board. The boards may herein be of one type, configured to cooperate with each other to create a surface. Alternatively, there may be boards of a first and second type having mutually different side edges, so that a surface can be created using said boards of the first and second type.

[0029] The installed system will further comprise fasteners, such as screws, rivets, nails or other fastener types. The fasteners fasten the clips to the frame. The term “frame” is herein used to refer to a support or supporting structure, which can be a metal (e.g. aluminum, steel or stainless steel) support, or a wooden frame, typically a soft wooden structure or frame. While other materials than metal or wood are uncommon in the area of construction, there is nothing that would prevent the use of a frame of another material.

[0030] In one specific implementation, the board is provided with a thinned portions at both a first and an opposed side edge, such that the thinned portions of different boards may overlap to hide the clips and / or fasteners used for attachment of the boards to the frame. The thickness of the board is herein for instance between 8 and 15 mm, such as 10-12 mm, whereas the thinned portion may each have a thickness from 3-12 mm, for instance 4-6 mm. According to a preferred implementation, the clips may then be mounted in a manner that these are invisible from the outside surface. The boards are typically mounted on frames such as wooden beams, while the use of alternative frames such from aluminium, steel or plastic is not excluded. In a most preferred embodiment, the boards are fiber cement boards. When mounting fiber cement boards, these are arranged so as to create a ventilation channel on a rear side of the boards.

[0031] In a further preferred implementation, said clips comprising one or more than one longitudinal protrusion extending outward relative to the front surface of the plate. Such protrusion provides a gap between the frame and the board. This is especially desired for fiber cement boards, which require presence of a ventilation channel at their rear side. fiber cement is a cementitious material in a plate-like shape that has a tendency to expand and shrink due to variations in weather conditions, particularly humidity, temperature variations and freezing-thawing. By coverage of a major surface of the board of fiber cement material, such dimensional changes may be obstructed, with a major risk of crack formation.

[0032] The protrusion may be defined by a bulge or a rise, e.g. being one or a fold, a ply or a rib. Such a fold or ply may be generated by bending of a metal sheet from which the clip is formed. Such a rib may be generated by attaching an element to the metal plate, for instance by welding or soldering a metal wire, such as a round or profiled metal wire. The rib may also include another material such as a polymer or a filled polymer or a ceramic and be applied by means of printing, moulding or the like and preferably by 3D-printing.

[0033] The protrusion for instance has a thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm. The thickness of the protrusion is to be understood as the maximum distance, in a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the plate, between the front surface of the plate adjacent the protrusion and the points along the surface of the protrusion. More preferred, the at least one protrusion may have a thickness of about 0.6 to about 2.5 mm, for instance in the range of about 0.7 to about 2.2 mm, such as between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm. The thickness of the protrusion is chosen to create a distance between a frame and a board. This distance serves to prevent damage to the boards due to fastener heads, and to ensure that the board be clamped between the protrusion and the hook.

[0034] In a specific embodiment, the one or more than one protrusion comprises a: shape enclosing an obtuse angle α, and / or wherein the one or more than one protrusion comprises a Y-shape, V-shape or truncated V-shape. In such design, a protrusion or a set of protrusions subdivides a surface area of the clip into different fields. An aperture is arranged in one of such fields extending between the legs of the protrusion. When applying a fastener into this aperture, especially by means of a nail gun or other gun-like equipment, the protrusion effectively acts as a protection for the user, i.e. so as to enable putting one hand at a location that is protected from the nail gun or such equipment. This specific embodiment preferably is combined with the presence of at least three apertures.

[0035] Further preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0036] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied in combination, or individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, and in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, may be an invention in its own right that is related to a different problem relative to the prior art.

[0037] Even though clips improve the versatility and ease of handling of said clips. However, such example, in view of specific requirements in some markets, that may require that a single hook of the clip may only engage with one board at the same time, the use of prior art clips may be limited to one specific orientation that does not always suffice the needs to securely mount a cementitious board. Preferably, one clip may be used in different orientations, also in markets where one hook may only engage with one board at the same time. Another ongoing desire is to increase the ease of use and safety. In practice, the space to use professional tools such as nail guns as to apply nails as an alternative to conventional screws may be limited. Consequently, if such nail guns are nevertheless used, sometimes accidents occur, that may even lead to the user being injured. There is an ongoing need to provide the option to use professional tools such as nail guns in a safe way.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to the invention; and

[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the use of clips as shown in FIG. 1 in two different mounting orientations.DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The clip 1 used in the invention is configured to mount boards 2, in particular cementitious boards, to a frame 3. It is remarked that FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the frame, and although the frame 3 is not shown, the position thereof is indicated with the schematic contours 3. The clips 1 are mounted to said frame 3 with a back surface 14 thereof. Said back surface 14 is preferably a substantially flat surface.

[0041] The clip comprises a plate 4 having a length L and a width W, wherein an imaginary line I halfway the width divides the plate 4 into a first section 5 and a second section 7. The first section 5 extends from the imaginary line I to a first longitudinal side 6 of the plate 4, and the second section 7 extends from the imaginary line I to a second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. The first longitudinal side 6 and the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4 are opposite longitudinal sides of the plate 4.

[0042] In the shown embodiment, the plate 4 is substantially rectangular, having a length in the range of about 30-100 mm and a width in the range of about 20-50 mm. The width is equal to or smaller than the length, and consequently the plate 4 may also be substantially square. The apertures may comprise a substantially circular shape having a diameter in the range of about 2-8 mm. Typically the thickness of said clip is in the range of about 0.4 to about 1 mm inclusive, such as in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.8 mm. The clip is preferably made out of metal, such as steel, more preferably preferably stainless steel, such as stainless steel of type A2 or A4, e.g. AISI 302 or AISI 304 type stainless steel, such as AISI 304 Werkstoff-nr 1.4310.

[0043] The clip 1 comprises one or more than one protrusion 17 extending outward relative to the front surface 10 of the plate 4. Said protrusion 17 may define a reinforcement of said plate 4, i.e. increasing the stiffness of said plate 4. The protrusion 17 is preferably a longitudinal protrusion, such as a protrusion comprising one or more portions of longitudinal shape, and may be defined by a bulge or a rise, e.g. being one or a fold, a ply or a rib. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more than one protrusion 17 comprises a Y-shape, and variations thereof such as a V-shape or truncated V-shape are also feasible. It is observed that the obtuse angle and the said Y-shape, V-shape and truncated V-shape are observed when viewing the front surface of the clip, typically from a distance thereof, such as in a perpendicular direction thereto.

[0044] A plurality of hooks 9 extend from a front surface 10 of the plate 4, wherein said hooks 9 are configured to engage with an edge 11 of a board 2 (FIG. 2). The plurality of hooks 9 comprises at least three hooks 9 that are distributed in the length direction 15 of the plate 4. One or more than one hook 9, 9a of the plurality of hooks 9 comprises an opening 16 that is directed towards the first longitudinal side 6 of the plate 4, wherein this hook 9, 9a defines a hook of a first type. One or more than one hook 9, 9b of the plurality of hooks 9 comprises an opening 16 that is directed towards the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4, wherein this hook 9, 9b defines a hook 9b of a second type. In the shown embodiment, the hooks 9a of the first type are arranged near the sides of the plate 4, whereas the hooks 9b of the second type are—seen in the length direction 15 of the plate 4—arranged in between the hooks 9a of the first type.

[0045] The hooks in the clip are preferably generated by making a U-shape slit in a metal sheet that will form the plate, and bending the lips being so provided, over an angle of about 90° upwards, i.e. front surface of the sheet, around the connection between the lip and the sheet, and plying said bended lip again round an axis substantially parallel to the connection between the lip and the sheet, over again a second angle of about 90° such that part of the outer part of the lip is substantially parallel in view of the front surface of the sheet. This parallel part is hereinafter also referred to as the upstanding portion of the hook. These bending actions may be done in one bending process step or in different steps. The cutting of the U- or V-shaped slits may be done by punching or cutting, such as laser cutting or cutting with appropriate cutting blades.

[0046] The hooks may have a distance in a direction perpendicular to the plate of the clip (between an upstanding portion and the plate) in the range of 2 mm to 15 mm, such as between 3 mm and 12 mm, for instance between 4 and 10 mm. This distance is typically chosen in view of the thickness of the board, or a thinned portion thereof. The height of the upstanding portion of the hooks may vary between 2 mm and 8 mm, such as between about 3 and about 5 mm. The width of the upstanding portion of the hooks may vary between 4 mm and 20 mm, and can be chosen in dependence of the number of hooks and the total length of the clip.

[0047] In the shown embodiment, the clip 1 comprises three apertures 12 that are arranged in the plate 4 and allow a user to selectively arrange a fastener 13 through one or more than one aperture 12 and mount the plate 4 to the frame 3. The plurality of apertures 12 is distributed in a length direction 15 of the plate 4. At least one aperture 12 is arranged in one of the first section 5 and the second section 7. In the clip 1 shown in the Figures, the at least one aperture 12 is arranged in the first section 5. The other of the first section 5 and the second section 7 is divided halfway the length L thereof in a first subsection 7-1 and a second subsection 7-2 that each comprise at least one aperture 12.

[0048] The at least one aperture 12 that is arranged in one of the first section 5 and the second section 7 is arranged substantially halfway the length L of said respective section. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, said at least one aperture 12 is a single aperture 12, also referred to as “the first aperture 12-1”, that is arranged in the first section 5. The other of the first section 5 and the second section 7, i.e. the second section 7 in the shown embodiment, is the section that is divided halfway the length L thereof in the first subsection 7-1 and the second subsection 7-2 that each comprise at least one aperture 12. Throughout this description, the apertures 12 that are arranged in the second section 7, more in particular in the subsections 7-1, 7-2 thereof, are also referred to as the “further apertures 12-2”.

[0049] One of the at least one aperture 12 that is arranged in the first subsection 7-1, i.e. the further aperture 12-2 shown on the left side in FIG. 1, is arranged substantially between one of the hooks of the first type 9a and the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. Similarly, one of the at least one aperture 12 that is arranged in the second subsection 7-2, i.e. the further aperture 12-2 shown on the right side in FIG. 1, is arranged substantially between one of the hooks of the first type 9a and the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. Preferably, the further aperture 12-2 in each subsection 7-1, 7-2 is arranged substantially between one of the hooks of the first type 9a and the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. More in particular, the further aperture 12-2 in each subsection 7-1, 7-2 is arranged directly between a corresponding hook of the first type 9a and the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. At least one aperture 12 that is arranged in the first section 5 is arranged substantially between at least one hook of the second type 9b and the first longitudinal side 6 of the plate 4. In FIG. 1, the first aperture 12-1 is arranged substantially between both hooks of the second type 9b and the first longitudinal side 6 of the plate 4.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more than one protrusion 17 comprises a shape enclosing an obtuse angle α. This facilitates safe use of a tool in particular a nail gun, to arrange a fastener 13 through the aperture 12-1 to mount the plate 4 to the frame 3. Particularly, the tool may be supported from multiple sides by means of said protrusion 17, thereby providing a very reliable support. In FIG. 1, a circle shown in dashed lines indicates an area A that may be a contact surface with a (not shown) head of a (not shown) nail gun that rests against opposing segments of the longitudinal protrusion 17.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, said protrusion 17 is absent in an area of the plate between the at least one aperture 12-1 in the first section 5 and a closest distance to the first longitudinal side 6 of the plate 4. FIG. 1 also shows that said one or more than one protrusion 17 is absent in an area of the plate 4 between the at least one aperture 12, 12-2 in the second section 7 and a closest distance to the second longitudinal side 8 of the plate 4. Instead, said one or more than one protrusion 17 is arranged in an area of the plate between the at least one aperture 12-1 in the first section 5 and the imaginary line (I) halfway the width W of the plate 4, wherein said one or more than one protrusion 17 defines a support configured to support a tool, in particular a nail gun, to arrange a fastener 13 through the aperture 12-1 to mount the plate 4 to the frame 3.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more than one protrusion 17 comprises a Y-shape, and variations thereof such as a V-shape or truncated V-shape are also feasible. The Y-shape provides support to a tool such as a nail gun, by means of the main legs 18-1, 18-2. The further leg 19 of the Y-shaped protrusion 17 provides strength and stiffness to the second section 7. The Y-shape may be considered to divide the plate 4 in a total of three segments, that roughly coincide with the previously described first section 5, the first subsection 7-1, and the second subsection 7-2. A first segment S1 is defined as the area enclosed in between the first and second legs 18-1, 18-2 of the Y-shape, i.e. where obtuse angle α is defined and where area A is situated. The obtuse angle α is preferably in the range of 90 to 170 degrees, more preferably between 100 and 150 degrees, more preferably in the range of 105 to 135 degrees, such as 120 degrees. A second segment S2 is defined as the area below the first leg 18-1 (left-hand side of the drawing) of the Y-shape as shown in FIG. 1, i.e. where the two left hooks 9, 9a, 9b and the left further aperture 12-2 are situated. Finally, a third segment S3 is defined as the area below the second leg 18-2 (right-hand side of the drawing) of the Y-shape as shown in FIG. 1, i.e. where the two right hooks 9, 9a, 9b and the right further aperture 12-2 are situated.

[0053] The first segment S1 is preferably free from protrusions 17 to provide an unobstructed area for placement of a tool, such as a nail gun, of which the contact area of a head thereof is indicated as area A in FIG. 1. The first and second legs 18-1, 18-2, besides providing an abutment for the tool, contribute to the stiffness of the clip 1.

[0054] Notwithstanding the beneficial properties obtained with the illustrated embodiment of an Y-shaped protrusion 17, alternative embodiments may also be used within the scope of the invention. For instance, separate protrusions may be used for stiffening along the length direction L and along the width direction W. An example thereof is an implementation with a first and a second protrusion extending along the width direction and a third protrusion extending along the length direction. In such implementation, the first and second protrusion are for instance located between the hooks 9a of the first type, with their opening facing towards the first longitudinal direction 6 and the one or more hooks 9b of the second type, with their opening facing towards the second longitudinal direction 8. The third protrusion is then preferably arranged in the first section 5, thus in the same section as the first aperture 12-1. In order to provide sufficient space for a nail gun, if so desired, the third protrusion may be subdivided in two separate protrusions which are preferably arranged along a single line. Evidently, alternative fasteners such as screw or rivets may also be used.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a system 20, comprising a frame 3 (of which the contours are indicated with dashed lines), and a plurality of boards 2, in particular cementitious boards, that are mounted to the frame 3 using a plurality of clips 1 as described above. It is noted that the system 20 in FIG. 2 is shown from behind, i.e. looking from the frame 2 outward. Therefore, the boards 2 are drawn behind the clips 1. The fasteners 13 are schematically drawn (and cut off) at he back surface 14 of the plate. In practice, the fastener 13 would extend out of the paper and into the frame 3.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the cementitious board 2 is a fiber cement board, which is a visually nice material with high requirements as to dimensional stability, water absorption and mechanical properties. Compositions and manufacturing methods of fiber cement boards are known, and include both cement, such as Portland cement and fibers, such as cellulose and / or synthetic fibers. The Hatschek and flow-on method are preferred industrial manufacturing methods. More preferably, the fiber cement board is a so-called medium density or high-density board, with a density of at least 1.0 kg / dm3 and at least 1.5 kg / dm3 respectively. Many of such fiber cement boards have a thickness in the range from 4 to 14 mm. The clips of the present invention are particularly configured for such medium- or high-density boards with such a thickness, more preferably a thickness in the range of 8-12 mm. Most preferably, the clips are used for plates with a plank-form, in which the plate is much larger in a length direction than in a width direction. In the shown embodiment, the board 2 is substantially rectangular, having a thickness in the range of about 5-15 mm, a length in the range of about 1000-5000 mm and a width in the range of about 50-300 mm.

[0057] The clip 1 is used for mounting boards 2, in particular cementitious boards, to a frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the boards have a plank-form, this type of boards 2 are also known as “siding”. In practice, a first board 2 may be arranged with a (not shown) dedicated profile, before one or more than one clip 1 according to the invention are arranged to the frame 3. For the board 2 being a siding, the longitudinal sides thereof may be provided with thinned portions, which are arranged so that such thinned portions of adjacent boards overlap each other after mounting. However, alternative designs are not excluded, for instance wherein one of the first and the second longitudinal side thereof is embodied as a tongue of the siding, and the other of the first and the second longitudinal side thereof is embodied as a groove of said siding.

[0058] According to the invention, clips 1 are arranged so as to support an adjacent first and second board within a single row. More particularly, a first clip supports both a first board and a second board at (i.e. in proximity to) their adjacent lateral edges. This is achieved in that respective hooks (of the first type) engage longitudinal sides of the said boards. As shown in this FIG. 2, there is a further clip, which is aligned to the first clip but has a reversed orientation, i.e. is placed upside-down. In this preferred implementation, the further clip also engages with the first and second board by means of the hooks of the first type. Additionally, as is apparent from the FIG. 2, the first and further clips additionally provide support to further boards in rows arranged above and / or below said first row. This further support is given by engagement of the hooks of the second type with a board in such further row. This is further enabled in that the boards in the first and the further row are arranged in a staggered manner, so that a lateral edge of the first board in the first row is not aligned to a lateral edge of a further board in a further row below or above said first row.

[0059] Specifically, using the clips 1 for mounting boards 2 to the frame 3 in either a horizontal or a vertical orientation of the boards 2 according to the invention comprises the steps of:

[0060] a) mounting a first clip 1 to the frame 3 by arranging a fastener 13 in an aperture 12 in the first section 5 of the plate;

[0061] b) arranging a first and a second board 2, in particular a cementitious board, adjacent to each other and relative to the first clip 1 such that the first hook thereof is in engagement with a first longitudinal side of the first board, and that the second hook is thereof in engagement a first longitudinal side of the second board;

[0062] c) arranging a further clip 1 at an opposite, second longitudinal side of the first and / or the second board 2, wherein the further clip 1 is arranged in a different orientation than the first clip;

[0063] d) mounting the further clip 1 to the frame 2 by arranging a fastener 13 in an aperture 12 in the second section 6 of the plate 4; and

[0064] e) arranging a third board 2 along either the first or the second longitudinal side of the first and second board 2, wherein the third hook 9b of said first clip or further clip 1 is in engagement with a longitudinal side of the third board.

[0065] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the boards 2 are mounted in a horizontal orientation, i.e. one above the other. Herein, a second clip is mounted in an upside down orientation to a first clip, and aligned to the first clip. Herewith, the arrangement of the plurality of apertures is exploited in most beneficial manner. However, it is added for sake of clarity, that it is not necessary and may not be desired that any second clip is mounted directly above a first clip. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second clip are arranged so as to cover the lateral ends of a first and a second adjacent board. When clips are arranged, relatively to the board at other locations, such as away from a lateral end, a first and a second clip that engage a single board from the bottom side and the top side, need not be above each other, but may be laterally displaced. It is thus feasible that merely a few of the clips will have the upside down orientation.

[0066] It is observed for sake of clarity that the third board may be positioned in a row below the—first—row of the first and the second board or in a row above said first row. This is deemed to depend on the location and presence of windows or other edges that limit the freedom to place boards from the upward direction. It is further observed that the method of the present invention is deemed most beneficial for mounting in a horizontal orientation such as shown in FIG. 2. However, mounting in a different orientation, typically a vertical orientation, is not excluded.

[0067] In both orientations, one or more than one aperture 12 is readily accessible to allow the user to arrange a fastener 13 therethrough and mount the clip 1 to the frame 3. More in particular, as also shown in FIG. 2, this allows the clip 1 to be arranged in any desired orientation, while guaranteeing that an aperture 12 in a section facing away from the previously mounted board 2, is freely accessible for mounting the clip to the frame 3. In FIG. 2, the lower clip 1 is arranged on the lowermost board 2 in the lower or further row 22 in an orientation wherein the aperture 12, 12-1 in the first section 5 of the clip 1 where arranged above the lowermost board 2. This allowed a user to arrange fastener 13 through the apertures 12, 12-1. In the successive step, two boards 2 were arranged in the middle or first row 23 of FIG. 2. It is noted that the orientation of the lower clip 1 allowed each of the two boards 2 in the middle layer 23 to be supported by a dedicated hook of the clip 1. Once the two boards 2 in the middle layer 23 are arranged, the upper clip 1 is brought into engagement with the two boards 2 of the middle row 23. The upper clip 1 is arranged upside down relative to the lower clip 1, and consequently it is again satisfied that one hook 9 of the clip 1 only engages one respective board 2 at the same time. For the upper clip 1, the aperture 1212-1 in the second section 7 is covered by the boards 2 of the middle layer 23, but the second apertures 12, 12-2 in the second section 7 of the clip 1 are now freely accessible. Fasteners 13 are arranged through these apertures 12, 12-2 to also mount the upper clip 1 to the frame 3. In a next step also the board 2 of the uppermost layer 24 of FIG. 2 may be arranged. The skilled person will understand that—what has been described with reference to FIG. 2 in a horizontal orientation—may be applied as well to a vertical orientation, i.e. a situation 90° rotated relative to FIG. 2.

[0068] The step of mounting said one or more than one clip 1 or said more than one further clip 1 comprises the step of choosing an orientation of said clip 1 that satisfies the condition that each of the plurality of hooks 9 of a respective clip 1 engages only one board 2.

[0069] Thus, in summary, the method of mounting of boards makes use of clips, which comprise a plate 4, a first, second and a third hook extending from a front surface 10 of the plate 4, and a plurality of apertures 12 arranged in the plate 4. The third hook especially has an opening to an opposed side relatively to the first and second hook. In the method, a first clip is mounted to the frame 3. A first and a second board 2 are arranged adjacent to each other and relative to a first clip such that the first hook thereof supports the first board, and that the second hook thereof supports the second board. This support is performed, in that a hook engages a longitudinal side of the respective board. A further clip 1 is arranged and mounted to the frame in a different orientation than the first clip at a second longitudinal side of the first and / or second board 2. A third board is then arranged, such that the third hook of said first or further clip supports the third board.

[0070] The above described embodiment is intended only to illustrate the invention and not to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference signs, such signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting on the scope of the claims. The scope of protection is defined solely by the following claims.EXAMPLEExamples

[0071] Comparative tests were performed on the pull-through strength of several clips arranged in either a normal orientation or a different orientation, i.e. essentially upside-down orientation. Use was made of three different clips.

[0072] A reference clip (clip 1) was according to FIG. 5 of EP2947234A1, except that the length of the upstanding portion of the third hook was reduced in length. The length thereof was effectively equal to the length of the upstanding portions of the first and the second hook. Additional apertures were applied, with a total of three apertures. In line with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, said first aperture 12-1 was in the first section, and said further apertures were in the second section, and in the first and second subsection thereof. Hence, they were arranged in proximity to corners, which are located at a maximum distance to the first aperture 12-1.

[0073] A second clip (clip 2) was designed, wherein a distance between the hooks and the second protrusion or bulge extending in the length direction of the clip was extended. Said distance (in the width direction as defined with reference to FIG. 1 of the present application) was approximately 3 mm between a side edge of the second bulge, and the opening created for generating the first hook in the reference clip 1, or approximately 13 mm between said side edge and the base of the first hook. In the second clip, said distance was increased to approximately 8 mm between said side edge and said opening, or approximately 18 mm between said side edge and the base of the first hook. Simultaneously, the distance between said base and the—bottom—longitudinal side of the clip was reduced concomitantly. The effective distance between the said longitudinal side of the clip and the opening created for generating the third hook was 2 mm only.

[0074] A third clip (clip 3) was designed, which was provided with a Y-shaped protrusion, as shown in FIG. 1. All three clips were rectangular with rounded-off corners and were provided with a single aperture 12-1. The reference clip 1 and the second clip 2 were provided with three hooks, two of which were of the first type (opening towards the first longitudinal side), and one was of the second type (opening towards the second longitudinal side). The hooks of the first type were arranged as the outer hooks. The third clip was provided with four hooks, two of the first type and two of the second type, wherein the hooks of the first type were arranged as outer hooks. The thickness and material of the clips, as well as the outer dimensions were the same, with roughly a length of 60 mm and a width of 37 mm. The material was stainless steel, and the thickness was 0.6 mm. The size of the circular first aperture 12-1 was the same in both tested clips, and the size of the hooks of the first type was the same in both tested clips, with a dimension in the length direction of the clip of approximately 10 mm. The third clip is provided with a fourth hook. The third and the fourth hook are both of the second type and identical in design, with a dimension in the length direction of the clip of approximately 8 mm. In the first and second clip, the corresponding dimension of the third hook is 16 mm. The upstanding portion of the hooks have a height of approximately 3 mm. The base of all hooks resides a single line in this embodiment.

[0075] The tests were performed with fiber cement sidings, such as commercially available from Eternit NV under the brand name Cedral® Click and having a density of about 1300 kg / m3. The tests were pull-through tests. Each test is performed at least three times. In each pull-through test, a fastener is inserted through the clip hole(s). The fastener was a screw of a type specified for use in combination with the clip suitable from the Cedral®-Click system. The tensile bench is used to pull on this fastener while the sidings are restrained by a metal ring with inner diameter 110 mm. The force required to pull the clip upwards from the sidings is measured. The maximum of this force is important for wind load calculation. In case of upside-down usage, the clip has two fixation points. A metal bracket and two fasteners are used to pull simultaneous at those two points.

[0076] Each clip was tested in two different configurations specified in Table 1 hereinbelow. In said table, the term ‘joint’ refers to the presence of lateral edges of a first and a second board below or above the clip. For the test in the upside-down configuration two additional apertures were drilled into the clips in the first and second subsections (as shown in FIG. 1). Two fasteners were applied in these apertures in the upside-down orientation, whereas a single fastener was used in the normal orientation.

[0077] The configuration was tested in a horizontal orientation. The clip was arranged between the first row and the second row of boards (i.e. sidings). In case of a single board in a row, its length (longitudinal side) was 30 cm. In case of a first and a second adjacent board in a row, their length (longitudinal side) was 15 cm (thus 30 cm in total). The clip was placed in a center position of the installation. Hence, in case of two boards in a row, its center line coincided with the lateral edges of the boards. The height of each of the boards was 20 cm. The second row was arranged below the first row.TABLE 1test configurationsNrNameConfigurationFirst rowSecond row1EdgeNo joints1 board1 board2Joint belowJoint below1 board2 boards

[0078] Table 2 shows test results. The FMOR is the maximum pull-through force given in Newtons. The STD is the standard deviation.TABLE 2test results of pull-through testsConfigura-FMOR% toSTDNrCliptionOrientation[N]1-1A[N]1-1AReferenceEdgeNormal606100%612-1ALarger spaceEdgeNormal546 90%893-1AY-shapedEdgeNormal601 99%31protrusion1-2AReferenceJoint belowNormal570 94%302-2ALarger spaceJoint belowNormal453 75%311-2BReferenceJoint belowUpside774128%72down2-2BLarger spaceJoint belowUpside733121%147down3-2BY-shapedJoint BelowUpside-814134%15protrusiondown

[0079] It is apparent from FIG. 2, that use of the clips in the normal orientation leads to a pull-through force of maximum 606N. Increasing the distance between the second bulge and the hooks in the second clip decreases the pull-through strength to 90% (sample 2-1A). In case that a joint is present below the clip, the pull-through strength is reduced to 75% of the value in the reference clip 1 (sample 1-1A).

[0080] However, when applying the clips in an upside-down orientation in the joint below configuration, the pull-through strength increases. The best result is obtained with the third clip (3-2B, 134% relative to sample 1-1A). An interesting result is obtained with the second clip (2-2B). In the normal orientation, the pull-through strength was significantly lower than that of the first clip in the situation (453 N vs 570 N for samples 1-2A and 2-2A, thus a relative performance of 80% for the second clip). In the upside-down orientation, the pull-through strength of the second clip is only slightly lower than that of the first clip (733 N vs 774 N for samples 1-2B and 2-2B, thus a relative performance of 95% for the second clip).

[0081] While these pull-through tests were done with a single clip only, the result demonstrate that a single clip may support both lateral edges of an mutually adjacently located first and second board in a single row. Therewith, it is no longer needed to apply a first and a second clip adjacent to each other are relatively small distances, so as to support lateral edges of a first and a second board arranged adjacent to each other. This may therewith decrease the density of clips per square meter of façade, wall or other surface. Alternatively or additionally, the increased strength given by the clips can be exploited to optimize the system in its entirety, without compromising wind load and / or impact resistance. In a first optimization, a distance between adjacent bars in a supporting frame for the boards may be increased. Whereas currently a distance of 60 cm is prescribed in the application guide, such distance may be increased, for instance to 70 cm, to 75 cm or even to 80 cm. This will reduce installation costs. In another optimization, a thickness of the boards may be decreased. Currently, siding boards of fiber cement material usually have a thickness of 12 mm. This may be reduced, in accordance with the invention, for instance to 10-11.5 mm, without need of modifying the manufacture of the boards of fiber cement material. In a third optimization, the height of the boards may be increased, therewith effectively increasing a distance between the first clip and the further clip.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a plurality of boards to a frame that has been fixed to a wall, wherein use is made of clips, which comprise a plate (4), a first, second and a third hook (9) extending from a front surface (10) of the plate, and a plurality of apertures (12) arranged in the plate (4), wherein said plate (4) has a length (L) and a width (W), said width extending between a first longitudinal side (6) and a second longitudinal side (8) of the plate, wherein an imaginary line (I) halfway the width divides the plate into a first section (5) and a second section (7);wherein said method comprises the steps of:a) mounting a first clip (1) to the frame (3) by arranging a fastener (13) in an aperture (12) in the first section (5) of the plate;b) arranging a first and a second board (2), in particular a cementitious board adjacent to each other and relative to a first clip such that the first hook thereof is in engagement with a first longitudinal side of the first board, and that the second hook thereof is in engagement with a first longitudinal side of the second board;c) arranging a further clip (1) at an opposite, second longitudinal side of the first and / or second board (2), wherein the further clip (1) is arranged in a different orientation than the first clip;d) mounting the further clip (1) to the frame (2) by arranging a fastener (13) in an aperture (12) in the second section of the plate (6), ande) arranging a third board (2) along either the first or the second longitudinal side of the first and second board (2), wherein the third hook (9b) of said first clip or further clip (1) is in engagement with a longitudinal side of the third board.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein additional clips (1) are mounted to the frame, so that at least one hook of each clip is in engagement with the first longitudinal side of the first or the second board.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hook (9a) of the further clip is in engagement with the second longitudinal side of the second board and the second hook (9a) of the further clip is in engagement with the second longitudinal side of the first board.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said additional clips (1) are mounted to the frame (3) by arranging a fastener (13) in an aperture (12) in the first section (5) of the plate.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hooks (9) of a clip are configured to engage with an edge (11) of the board and distributed in the length direction (15) of the plate (4), wherein a first and second hook (9, 9a) comprises an opening (16) that is directed towards the first longitudinal side (6) of the plate (4), and defining a hook of a first type (9a); and wherein a third hook (9, 9b) comprises an opening (16) that is directed towards the second longitudinal side (8) of the plate (4), and defining a hook of a second type (9b), wherein the third hook (9b) is arranged along the length direction (15) between the first and the second hook (9a).

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clips comprising one or more than one longitudinal protrusion (17) extending outward relative to the front surface (10) of the plate (4).

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the one or more than one protrusion (17) comprises a shape enclosing an obtuse angle α, and / or wherein the one or more than one protrusion (17) comprises a Y-shape, V-shape or truncated V-shape.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of apertures (12) comprises at least three apertures, wherein at least one aperture (12, 12-1) is arranged in one of the first section (5) and the second section (7); and wherein the other of the first section (5) and the second section (7) is divided halfway the length (L) thereof in a first subsection (7-1) and a second subsection (7-2) that each comprise at least one aperture (12, 12-2).

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the boards are cementitious sidings.

10. A system (20), comprising a frame (3), a plurality of boards (2), in particular cementitious boards, such as fiber cement sidings, and a plurality of clips, wherein said clips are mounted to the frame, and wherein longitudinal sides of the boards are engaged with hooks of said clips,wherein said plurality of boards comprise a first and a second board (2) in a first row and a third board in a second row below or above said first row, wherein the plurality of said boards is arranged in a staggered configuration, such that a lateral end of the first board is not aligned with a lateral end of the third board,wherein said clips comprise:a plate (4) having a length (L) and a width (W), said width extending between a first longitudinal side (6) and a second longitudinal side (8) of the plate, wherein an imaginary line (I) halfway the width divides the plate into a first section (5) and a second section (7);at least three hooks (9) extending from a front surface (10) of the plate and configured to engage with an edge (11) of the board and distributed in the length direction (15) of the plate (4), wherein a first and second hook (9, 9a) comprises an opening (16) that is directed towards the first longitudinal side (6) of the plate (4), and defining a hook of a first type (9a); and wherein a third hook (9, 9b) comprises an opening (16) that is directed towards the second longitudinal side (8) of the plate (4), and defining a hook of a second type (9b), anda plurality of apertures (12) that are arranged in the plate (4) for mounting the plate (4) to the frame (3), wherein at least one aperture is arranged in the first section (5) and at least one aperture is arranged in the second section (6) of the plate, wherein the plate (4) is mounted to the frame (3) by means of at least one fastener (13),wherein said clips comprise a first clip and a further clip that are mutually orientation in different directions,wherein the first clip and the further clip are arranged so the first hook of the first clip and the second hook of the further clip are respectively in engagement with the first and second longitudinal side of the first board, and so that the second hook of the first clip and the first hook of the further clip are respectively in engagement with the first and second longitudinal side of the second board.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein additional clips (1) are mounted to the frame, so that at least one hook of each is in engagement with the first longitudinal side of the first or the second board.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said clips comprising one or more than one longitudinal protrusion (17) extending outward relative to the front surface (10) of the plate (4).

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more than one protrusion (17) comprises a shape enclosing an obtuse angle α, and / or comprises a Y-shape, V-shape or truncated V-shape.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the third hook (9b) is arranged along the length direction (15) between the first and the second hook (9a)15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the boards are provided on one of the longitudinal sides with a thinned end portion and on the opposite longitudinal side with another end portion, and wherein the boards are arranged such that the said end portions overlap so that the clip is hidden.

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