Batten fixing system

Abstract

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a batten fixing system includes a clip having an attachment to attach the clip to a surface so that a first side of the clip faces the surface, and having parallel spaced rails on a second, opposite side of the clip to the first side. The batten fixing system further includes an engagement profile provided on a batten, the engagement profile having spaced apart feet that are held in engagement under force by the parallel rails of the clip.

1 . A batten fixing system comprising:
 a clip having an attachment to attach the clip to a surface so that a first side of the clip faces the surface, and having parallel spaced rails on a second, opposite side of the clip to the first side; and   an engagement profile provided on a batten, the engagement profile having spaced apart feet that are held in engagement under force by the parallel rails of the clip.   
     
     
         2 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart feet locate between the parallel rails of the clip. 
     
     
         3 . The batten fixing system of  claim 2 , wherein the distance between outer extremities of the feet is larger than the distance between inner engagement surfaces on the rails. 
     
     
         4 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the feet or the rails exhibit resilience. 
     
     
         5 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the feet have underhooked ends that engage with overhooked ends on the rails. 
     
     
         6 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , the clip comprising a locking piece to restrict axial movement of the engagement profile relative to the clip. 
     
     
         7 . The batten fixing system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking piece includes a biasing member that bears against one of the feet to force the foot into compressed engagement between one of the rails and the clip. 
     
     
         8 . The batten fixing system of  claim 6 , wherein the locking piece has an upstanding barb that cuts into one of the feet to anchor the engagement profile relative to the clip. 
     
     
         9 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the clip has a protruding guide positioned near and biased towards one rail, the protruding guide defining a gap with the rail into which a foot can be guided and latched under bias from the guide. 
     
     
         10 . The batten fixing system of  claim 9 , wherein the protruding guide includes a curve that deflects to widen the gap and guide the foot into the gap. 
     
     
         11 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment on the clip attaches the clip to a track. 
     
     
         12 . The batten fixing system of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment is defined by flanges on the clip that are shaped to create a twist lock connection with the track. 
     
     
         13 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement profile is formed with the batten frame. 
     
     
         14 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement profile is provided with an insert comprising a tenon extending from the engagement profile, where the tenon is adapted to be inserted and secured in a mortise of a batten. 
     
     
         15 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple tracks in which multiple clips are each mounted, wherein the engagement profile on a batten engages with clips across multiple tracks. 
     
     
         16 . The batten fixing system of  claim 1 , wherein the batten comprises a stacked arrangement involving a base batten and one or more of a stackable section piece and a nose piece. 
     
     
         17 . A method of fixing a batten to a surface including:
 fixing a track to a surface;   attaching a clip to the track;   engaging a batten having an engagement profile on one side thereof to the clip by hooking a first foot of the engagement profile into engagement with a first rail of the clip, hinging the batten about the first foot and guiding a second foot of the engagement profile into engagement with a second rail of the clip so that the engagement profile is held in engagement under force by the clip.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including fixing multiple tracks at spaced apart intervals, and fixing a clip to each track, wherein the clips are in line between tracks.