Natural Stone Cladding Mounting System with Spring Holders

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of natural stone elements for facade construction is complex and costly, leading to inaccuracies and durability concerns, especially with traditional anchoring and adhesive methods.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system featuring support holders and counter-holders with securing elements, such as clasp-like springs, that allow for easy and secure attachment of natural stone elements to wall strips, enabling flexible and durable cladding without the need for individual hole drilling or extensive adhesive use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional anchoring methods are used with individual hole drilling for each anchor, then the natural stone elements can be securely mounted, but the assembly process becomes extremely complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple anchoring functions into a single mounting means that integrates both support and securing capabilities. The mounting means includes a support holder and a counter-holder that work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate anchors and individual hole drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting means is divided into modular components (support holder and counter-holder) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation while maintaining secure mounting functionality. The natural stone elements themselves are segmented into smaller belt-shaped pieces that can be more easily managed during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If smaller belt-shaped natural stone elements are used to achieve elegant facade design, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the assembly process becomes much more complex and prone to inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting means is designed as a universal system that can accommodate different sizes and shapes of natural stone elements, including the smaller belt-shaped pieces. The standardized mounting means interface allows various stone elements to be mounted using the same procedure, reducing assembly complexity despite the diversity of element sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If adhesive solutions are used for facade cladding, then the assembly process is simplified, but the durability and reliability are compromised due to weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoiddurability in weather conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical fastening system. The mounting means uses physical attachment through the support holder and counter-holder structure, providing reliable mechanical support that is not affected by weather conditions, while still maintaining ease of assembly through the simplified mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This system simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, and ensures stable and durable natural stone cladding while accommodating temperature fluctuations and aesthetic preferences.

Implementation Method 1

The securing element (51) is in the form of a clasp-like spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2268870B1Mounting means for mounting natural stone, and method of mounting natural stone
Publication Date: 2011.08.10 MULLER MARTIN
  • EP2268870B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2268870B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2268870B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Natural stone cladding (10) with a plurality of strips (18.1, 18.2) for surface-parallel mounting on a surface to be clad, with a number of natural stone elements (11.1, 11.2) and with a number of support holders (30.1, 30.2) and counterholders (20.1, 20.2). Each natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) has a visible front side and a rear side having a first, machine-made longitudinal recess and a second, machine-made longitudinal recess. Pairs of support holders (30.1, 30.2) are fastened to adjacent strips (18.1, 18.2) and a natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) is seated by the first longitudinal recess on these two support holders (30.1, 30.2). On each of the two support holders (30.1, 30.2) is seated a respective counterholder (20.1, 20.2), and each of the two counterholders (20.1, 20.2) engages in the second longitudinal recess (15) in order to secure the natural stone element (11.1, 11.2).