Attachment system for panel or façade

Abstract

Panels ( 20 A, 20 B) are attached to extrusions ( 66 A, 66 B) by fasteners 90 . Clips ( 70 ) are attached to a structure ( 50 ) by fasteners ( 35 ). The extrusions and the clips engage in a manner which allows the panels to move in any direction, as needed, without the panel detaching from the structure and falling. The extrusions also provide for the use of optional reveal strips ( 87 ). An extrusion has a restraining area ( 86 ), a reveal strip stop area ( 58 ), and a T-slot ( 65 ). A clip has a T-channel ( 74 ), a tensioning stop arm ( 69 ), and a secondary reinforcing arm ( 80 ). The panels can be installed in rows, in columns, or diagonally, as desired.

1 . An apparatus to secure a panel having an extrusion to a structure, the apparatus comprising:
 a clip base having a first area and a second area;   a generally “T”-shaped track extending from the first area and adapted to engage the extrusion, the base of the generally “T”-shaped track projecting directly from the first area;   a generally “L”-shaped stop adapted to engage the extrusion, and having a first base extending from the second area at approximately 90 degrees and an arm extending from the distal end of the first base at approximately 90 degrees, the arm generally extending parallel to the clip base and away from the first area; and   the clip base having a hole between the “T”-shaped track and the “L”-shaped stop and adapted to accommodate a fastener to secure the clip to a structure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the “L”-shaped stop has a knob on the distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first base of the generally “L”-shaped stop extends from the second area at approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the arm extends from the distal end of the first base at approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a first component, comprising:
 a first section having a generally “T”-shaped track, and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to one of the two objects, the base of the generally “T”-shaped track of the first section of the first component projecting directly from the second section of the first component; and 
   a second component, comprising:
 a first section having a generally “T”-shaped receptacle for receiving the generally “T”-shaped track of the first component; and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to the other one of the two objects, the base of the generally “T”-shaped receptacle of the first section of the second component projecting directly from the second section of the second component. 
   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein one of the two objects is a panel, and the other of the two objects is a structure. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a first component, comprising:
 a first section having a unitary, generally “T”-shaped track, and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to one of the two objects, the base of the unitary, generally “T”-shaped track of the first section of the first component projecting directly from the second section of the first component; and 
   a second component, comprising:
 a first section having a generally “T”-shaped receptacle for receiving the generally “T”-shaped track of the first component; and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to the other one of the two objects, the base of the unitary, generally “T”-shaped receptacle of the first section of the second component projecting directly from the second section of the second component. 
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein one of the two objects is a panel, and the other of the two objects is a structure. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a unitary first component, comprising:
 a first section having a generally “T”-shaped track, and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to one of the two objects; and 
   a unitary second component, comprising:
 a first section having a generally “T”-shaped receptacle for receiving the generally “T”-shaped track of the first component; and 
 a second section having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to the other one of the two objects. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the base of the generally “T”-shaped track of the first section of the unitary first component projects directly from the second section of the first component. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the base of the generally “T”-shaped receptacle of the first section of the unitary second component projects directly from the second section of the second component. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a first component having a base and a protruding track, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to a first one of the two objects, the protruding track having an elongate length dimension; and   a second component having a base and a receptacle, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to a second, different one of the two objects, the receptacle having an elongate length dimension and being adapted to engage the protruding track so that the protruding track and the receptacle can slide with respect to each other along their elongate length dimensions, and so that motion of the protruding track with respect to the receptacle other than along their elongate length dimensions is substantially limited.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a unitary first component having a base and a protruding track, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to a first one of the two objects, the protruding track having an elongate length dimension; and   a unitary second component having a base and a receptacle, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to a second, different one of the two objects, the receptacle having an elongate length dimension and being adapted to engage the protruding track so that the protruding track and the receptacle can slide with respect to each other along their elongate length dimensions, and so that motion of the protruding track with respect to the receptacle other than along their elongate length dimensions is substantially limited.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a first component having a base and a unitary protruding track, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to a first one of the two objects, the unitary protruding track having an elongate length dimension; and   a second component having a base and a unitary receptacle, the base having a hole therein to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to a second, different one of the two objects, the receptacle having an elongate length dimension and being adapted to engage the unitary protruding track so that the unitary protruding track and the receptacle can slide with respect to each other along their elongate length dimensions, and so that motion of the unitary protruding track with respect to the receptacle other than along their elongate length dimensions is substantially limited.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for slidably securing two objects to each other, the apparatus comprising:
 a first component having a T-shaped rail and a hole to accommodate a fastener to secure the first component to a first one of the two objects; and   a second component having a T-shaped slot and a hole to accommodate a fastener to secure the second component to a second, different one of the two objects, the T-shaped slot being adapted to engage the T-shaped rail so that the T-shaped slot and the T-shaped rail can slide with respect to each other in one direction, but movement of the T-shaped slot with respect to the T-shaped rail in other directions is substantially limited.