Covering system for an expansion joint

Abstract

A covering system for an exterior expansion joint may be integrated as a panel in a larger system, such as a roofing or siding system. The system generally includes a flexible membrane having a panel connected along each longitudinal edge and extending away therefrom. The system further includes at least one attachment strip having a cleat configured to slideably connect with a linking region on each of the panels. When the at least one attachment strip is installed parallel with and adjacent to an expansion joint, engagement of the panels with the attachment strip positions the flexible membrane substantially over the expansion joint so that the system may expand and contract with the expansion and contraction of the expansion joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A covering system for an expansion joint, the system comprising:
 first and second attachment strips each having a top side comprising a cleat along one longitudinal edge, wherein each of the first and second attachment strips are connectable to a substrate via connectors positioned through an opposite longitudinal edge; and   a flexible membrane having a first panel connected along a first longitudinal edge and extending away from the first longitudinal edge and a second panel connected along a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge and extending away from the second longitudinal edge,   wherein each of the first and second panels comprise a linking region parallel with and proximate to the first and second longitudinal edges of the flexible membrane, respectively, wherein the linking regions provide slidable connection with the cleat of the first and second attachment strips such that when the first and second attachment strips are connected to the substrate adjacent to and parallel with the expansion joint, the flexible membrane is positionable over the expansion joint.   
     
     
         2 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane is connected to each of the first and second panels via a connection element, wherein the connection element comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form of a spiral and each of the first or second longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane is inserted within the connection element on the first or second panel, respectively, and wherein the connection element is closed over the flexible membrane, glued to the flexible membrane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleat of the at least one attachment strip comprises a U-shaped clip that projects upward and curves inward on the top side of the attachment strip, and wherein the linking region comprises an S-shaped curve configured to slidably engage the U-shaped clip of the at least one attachment strip. 
     
     
         4 . The covering system of  claim 3 , wherein the U-shaped clip of the first and second attachment strips and the S-shaped curve of the linking region are sized and configured to allow lateral movement of the first and second panels when connected to the first and second attachment strips. 
     
     
         5 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are staples, nails, screws, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment strip and the first and second panels are composed of sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . The covering system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clip connectable to the substrate and releasably attachable with distal longitudinal edges of the first and second panels, wherein the distal longitudinal edge of each of the first and second panels is opposite an edge that is connected to the flexible membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The covering system of  claim 7 , wherein the distal longitudinal edge of the first panel comprises either a hook configured to snap over a catch of the clip or a raised lip configured to fit within the catch of the clip, and the distal longitudinal edge of the second panel comprises the other of the hook configured to snap over the catch of the clip or the raised lip configured to fit within the catch of the clip. 
     
     
         9 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein each distal longitudinal edge of the first and second panel includes a connection element of a standing seam, wherein the distal longitudinal edge of each of the first and second panels is opposite an edge that is connected to the flexible membrane, and wherein the connection elements provide connection between the covering system and additional panels of a roofing or siding. 
     
     
         10 . The covering system of  claim 1 , wherein each distal longitudinal edge of the first and second panel includes a male or female element of a standing seam, wherein the distal longitudinal edge of each of the first and second panels is opposite an edge that is connected to the flexible membrane, and wherein the male or female elements provide connection between the covering system and complementary male or female elements of additional panels of a roofing or siding. 
     
     
         11 . The covering system of  claim 1 , further comprising a backer rod positionable beneath the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         12 . A covering system for an expansion joint, the system comprising:
 attachment strips each having a flat bottom and a top surface comprising a U-shaped cleat that curves inward along one longitudinal edge, each attachment strip connectable to a substrate via connectors positioned through an opposite longitudinal edge;   a flexible membrane having opposed first and second longitudinal edges;   a first panel connected along the first longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane and extending away therefrom; and   a second panel connected along the second longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane and extending away therefrom;   wherein each of the first and second panels comprise an S-shaped linking region configured to provide slidable connection with the U-shaped cleat of the attachment strips, wherein the linking region is parallel with and proximate to the first or second longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane, and   wherein each distal longitudinal edge of the first and second panel includes a male or female element of a standing seam, wherein the distal longitudinal edge of each of the first and second panels is opposite an edge that is connected to the flexible membrane, and wherein the male or female elements provide connection between the covering system and complementary male or female elements of additional panels of a roofing or siding.   
     
     
         13 . The covering system of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible membrane is connected to each of the first and second panels via a connection element, wherein the connection element comprises first and second 90-degree turns inward in the form of a spiral and each of the first or second longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane is inserted within the connection element on the first or second panel, respectively, and the connection element is closed over the flexible membrane, glued to the flexible membrane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The covering system of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a clip connectable to the substrate and releasably attachable to the distal longitudinal edges of the first and second panels.   
     
     
         15 . The covering system of  claim 14 , wherein the distal longitudinal edge of the first panel comprises a hook configured to snap over a catch of the clip and the distal edge of the second panel comprises a raised lip configured to fit within the catch of the clip. 
     
     
         16 . The covering system of  claim 11 , further comprising a backer rod positionable beneath the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         17 . A method for installing a covering system for an expansion joint, the method comprising:
 positioning a first attachment strip comprising a cleat on a substrate adjacent to and parallel with a first side of an expansion joint and attaching it thereto using connectors;   positioning a second attachment strip comprising a cleat on the substrate adjacent to and parallel with a second side of an expansion joint opposite from the first side, and attaching it thereto using connectors;   releasably attaching an expansion joint cover to the substrate by sliding a linking region of each of a first and second panel of the expansion joint cover over the cleat of each of the first and second attachment strips so that a flexible membrane attached therebetween is positionable over the expansion joint,   wherein the first panel of the expansion joint cover is attached to the flexible membrane along a first longitudinal edge and extends away therefrom, and the second panel of the expansion joint cover is attached to the flexible membrane along a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge and extends away therefrom.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the linking region of each of the first and second panels comprises an S-shaped region configured to provide slidable connection with the U-shaped cleat of the attachment strips, wherein the linking region is parallel with and proximate to the first or second longitudinal edge of the flexible membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 before releasably attaching the expansion joint cover to the substrate, positioning a backer rod at the expansion joint so that it lies beneath the flexible membrane.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 attaching distal longitudinal edges of the expansion joint cover to panels of a roofing or siding,   wherein each distal longitudinal edge of the first and second panels of the expansion joint include a male or female element of a standing seam, wherein the distal longitudinal edge of each of the first and second panels is opposite an edge that is connected to the flexible membrane, and wherein the male and female elements provide connection between the covering system and complementary male or female elements of the roofing or siding.