Cladding System for Roofs and Facades

Abstract

A system for cladding roofs and facades of buildings includes elongated tracks. Each track has opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track. Each of a plurality of elongated panels has opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel. Each panel is adapted to be interlocked between two spaced, parallel tracks. The system also includes fin components. Each fin component has two lengthwise edge portions defining a base of the fin component. A fin depends from the base of the fin component, which is adapted to be interlocked within a track with the fin extending away from the track with lengthwise edges of two proximate panels interlocked between the base of the fin component and the lengthwise edges of the track. Similar systems are provided for corners, overhangs, and jambs as may be encountered in a building.

1 . A system for cladding roofs and facades of buildings comprising:
 a) a plurality of elongated tracks, each track being configured and adapted to be affixed to a building and having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed sections of the track;   b) a plurality of elongated panels, each panel having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed sections of the panel, wherein each panel is adapted to be interlocked between two spaced, parallel tracks, with each lengthwise edge of each panel interlocked with a lengthwise edge of a track; and   c) a plurality of fin components, each fin component having two lengthwise edge portions defining a base of the fin component, and a fin depending from the base of the fin component, wherein each fin component is adapted to be interlocked within a track, the fin extending away from the track, with lengthwise edges of two proximate panels interlocked between the base of the fin component and the lengthwise edges of the track.   
     
     
         2 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tracks, panels, and fin components are configured and adapted to interlock together with each fin extending between and spaced apart from the panels interlocked with the respective fin component and track. 
     
     
         3 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tracks, panels, and fin components includes a material selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, terne, terne coated stainless steel, Freedom Grey, Monel®, nickel, lead, and lead coated copper. 
     
     
         4 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of end mounting components each configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure between two parallel, spaced tracks and to interlock with adjacent ends of a pair of panels adjacent lengthwise to one another and interlocked with said two parallel tracks, wherein each panel includes a first end curved under a portion of the panel and a second end opposite the first end and curved over a portion of the panel, and wherein the first end of each panel is configured and adapted to interlock with the second end of a lengthwise adjacent panel and with an end mounting component. 
     
     
         5 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the panels are configured and adapted to have the main sections thereof substantially coplanar with one another when the panels are interlocked with respective tracks and fin components. 
     
     
         6 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each fin component is dimensioned and adapted to interlock with a track and pair of proximate panels with the fin depending from the respective track beyond a plane defined by the substantially coplanar main sections of the panels. 
     
     
         7 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a main section of each elongated track defines a central longitudinal axis, and wherein each track is symmetrical across the central longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a main section of each elongated panel defines a central longitudinal axis, and wherein each panel is symmetrical across the central longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base of each fin component defines a central longitudinal axis, and wherein each fin component is symmetrical across the central longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A system for cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tracks, panels, and fin components are configured and adapted to interlock together with portions of the lengthwise edges of the tracks, panels, and fin components parallel to the main section of each respective track. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades, the kit comprising:
 a) a plurality of elongated tracks, each track being configured and adapted to be affixed to a building and having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track;   b) a plurality of elongated panels, each panel having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel, wherein each panel is configured and adapted to be interlocked between two spaced, parallel tracks with each lengthwise edge of each panel interlocked with a lengthwise edge of a track;   c) a plurality of fin components, each fin component having two lengthwise edge portions defining a base of the fin component, and a fin depending from the base of the fin component, wherein each fin component is configured and adapted to be interlocked within a track with the fin extending away from the track so that lengthwise edges of two proximate panels are interlocked between the base of the fin component and the lengthwise edges of the track; and   d) means to affix the tracks to a roof or building facade.   
     
     
         12 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the means to affix the tracks are configured and adapted to accommodate fasteners of a type selected from the group consisting of: nails, screws, bolts, staples, and rivets. 
     
     
         13 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the tracks, panels, and fin components are configured and adapted to interlock together with each fin extending between and spaced apart from the panels interlocked with the respective fin component and track. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of end mounting components each configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure between two parallel tracks and to interlock with adjacent ends of a pair of panels adjacent lengthwise to one another and interlocked with the two parallel tracks, wherein each panel includes a first end curved under a portion of the panel and a second end opposite the first end and curved over a portion of the panel, and wherein the first end of each panel is configured and adapted to interlock with the second end of a lengthwise adjacent panel and with the end mounting component. 
     
     
         15 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the panels are configured and adapted to have the main sections thereof be substantially coplanar with one another when the panels are interlocked with respective tracks and fin components, and wherein each fin component is dimensioned and adapted to interlock with a track and pair of proximate panels with the fin extending perpendicularly away from the respective track beyond a plane defined by the substantially coplanar main sections of the panels. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a fin component has a cross-sectional profile that is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for making a cladding system for roofs and facades as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a fin component has a cross-sectional profile that is generally semi-circular. 
     
     
         18 . A method of cladding roofs and facades of buildings comprising:
 a) providing a plurality of elongated tracks, each track having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track;   b) affixing the tracks to a building in a spaced, parallel relationship to each other;   c) providing a plurality of elongated panels, each panel having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel, wherein each panel is configured and adapted to be interlocked between two parallel tracks with each lengthwise edge of each panel interlocked with a lengthwise edge of a track;   d) interlocking the panels to the tracks;   e) providing a plurality of fin components, each fin component having two lengthwise edge portions together defining a base of the fin component, and a fin depending from the base of the fin component, wherein each fin component is configured and adapted to be interlocked within a track with the fin extending away from the track so that the lengthwise edges of two proximate panels are interlocked between the base of the fin component and the lengthwise edges of the track; and   f) interlocking the lengthwise edges of proximate panels between the base of a fin component and the lengthwise edges of each track to effect cladding of a portion of a building.   
     
     
         19 . A method of cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of fin components includes providing fin components configured and adapted so that when each fin component is interlocked with a track and panels, each fin is spaced apart from the lengthwise edges of panels interlocked with the respective fin component and track, and wherein the step of interlocking the lengthwise edges of proximate panels includes interlocking the fin component with the lengthwise edges of proximate panels with the fin spaced apart from the lengthwise edges of the panels. 
     
     
         20 . A method of cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a) providing a plurality of end mounting components each configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure between two parallel tracks and to interlock with adjacent ends of a pair of panels adjacent lengthwise to one another and both interlocked with the two parallel tracks, wherein each panel includes a first end curved over a portion of the panel and a second end opposite the first end and curved over the an opposed portion of the panel in a curve direction opposite that of the first end; and   b) interlocking the first end of each panel with the second end of a lengthwise adjacent panel and with the end mounting component.   
     
     
         21 . A method of cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the step of interlocking the first end of each panel with the second end of a lengthwise adjacent panel includes interlocking lengthwise adjacent panels with main sections thereof being substantially coplanar with one another. 
     
     
         22 . A method of cladding roofs and facades as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the step of providing a plurality of elongated fin components includes providing fin components wherein each fin component is dimensioned and adapted to interlock with a track and pair of proximate panels with the fin extending perpendicularly away from the respective track beyond a plane defined by the substantially coplanar main sections of the panels. 
     
     
         23 . A system for cladding roofs and facades at an inside corner of a building comprising:
 a) an elongated track having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track, wherein the opposed portions of the track are at a substantially right angle to one another with the lengthwise edges of the track inside the substantially right angle;   b) a pair of elongated panels, each panel having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel, wherein one of the lengthwise edges of each panel is adapted to be interlocked with one of the lengthwise edges of the track; and   c) a pair of elongated mounting components, each mounting component including first and second lengthwise portions, wherein the first lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure, and wherein the second lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to be interlocked between a lengthwise edge of the track and one of the panels.   
     
     
         24 . A system for cladding roofs and facades at an outside corner of a building comprising:
 a) an elongated track having opposed lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the track, wherein the opposed portions of the track are at a substantially right angle to one another with the lengthwise edges of the track outside the substantially right angle;   b) a pair of elongated panels, each panel having a pair of lengthwise edges curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel, wherein a lengthwise edge of each panel is adapted to be interlocked with one of the lengthwise edges of the track; and   c) a pair of elongated mounting components, each mounting component having first and second lengthwise portions, wherein the first lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure, and wherein the second lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to be interlocked between a lengthwise edge of the track and a lengthwise edge of one of the panels.   
     
     
         25 . A system for cladding roofs and facades at a jamb of a building comprising:
 a) an elongated end closure component having opposed lengthwise edges at a substantially right angle to one another;   b) an elongated panel having a lengthwise edge curved inwardly over opposed portions of the panel; and   c) an elongated mounting component having first and second lengthwise portions, wherein the first lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to be affixed to an underlying structure, and wherein the second lengthwise portion is configured and adapted to interlock the lengthwise edge of the panel between a lengthwise edge of the end closure component and the second lengthwise portion of the mounting component.