Offset Cladding Bracket for Waterproof Membrane Clearance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cladding brackets interfere with waterproofing membranes, leading to compromised performance and the need for complex construction methods to accommodate weight loads and ensure waterproofing.

Innovation Solution

A cladding bracket design with an offset portion creating a gap for the waterproofing membrane, allowing it to extend without interference, and securing fixings above the membrane to prevent damage, thus ensuring improved waterproofing and simplified construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional cladding bracket is used with a flat rear plate screwed to the backing substrate, then the cladding element can be supported, but the waterproofing membrane is interfered with and its performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding bracket is segmented into distinct functional portions: an upper mount for securing to the backing substrate, an elongate member extending downwardly, and a cladding support arrangement. The offset portion creates a gap that segments the space between the bracket and substrate, allowing the waterproofing membrane to extend through without interference while maintaining structural support functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the waterproofing membrane extends under the backing substrate along the interior floor slab, then waterproofing can be achieved, but the membrane is damaged by weight loads and performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing integrityVSAvoidweight load damage to membrane
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design extracts the waterproofing membrane from the problematic path under the backing substrate and floor slab. By creating a gap between the elongate member and the backing substrate, the membrane is routed through this gap space, removing it from the load-bearing path and eliminating exposure to damaging weight loads while maintaining waterproofing continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixings are used to secure the cladding bracket to the backing substrate, then structural stability is achieved, but the fixings may pierce and damage the waterproofing membrane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecladding bracket stabilityVSAvoidwaterproofing membrane integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper mount is positioned in an upper location that places the fixing points in a different spatial dimension relative to the waterproofing membrane. This vertical positioning ensures that fixings connect the upper mount to the backing substrate above the membrane level, preventing piercing damage while maintaining structural stability through proper anchorage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If a gap is created between the cladding bracket and backing substrate to accommodate the waterproofing membrane, then waterproofing is improved, but the cavity thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidcavity thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The offset portion is designed with specific dimensional parameters, with the gap thickness selected from the range of at least 4mm to less than 20mm. This parameter optimization balances the need to accommodate waterproofing membrane thickness variations while minimizing the overall cavity thickness between the backing substrate and cladding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4685309A2Cladding bracket and installation method for a cladding system
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 TECTONIC FACADES LTD
  • EP4685309A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4685309A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4685309A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects relate to a cladding bracket, a cladding system, and a method of installing the cladding system. The cladding bracket comprises an upper mount securable to a backing substrate. The cladding bracket further comprises an elongate member extending downwardly from the upper mount. The cladding bracket further comprises a cladding support arrangement below the upper mount, extending forwardly from the elongate member, wherein the cladding support arrangement is configured to receive a cladding element.