Claddings including panel assemblies.

摘要

Claddings using fastening brackets or clips holding panels to structures have been proposed. Many use relatively expensive clip arrangement and require accurate prelocation of the clips. They do not normally provide both high strength and relative movement of the cladding panels relative to the structure in the event of expansion and contraction of the panels. The invention therefore provides a cladding (10) in which brackets (20) connecting the panel assembly (12) to a structure are elongate elements each bent to form at least three rib-locating sections (24) fitting within ribs of the panels (14) and at least partly diverging from flank surfaces of the respective ribs (18) in which they are received. The brackets may be connected to the structure to allow for movement of the brackets with respect to the structure. The panels of the panel assembly may be connected substantially rigidly to one another and to the brackets by fasteners (36) passing through the panels and spaced from the structure or by interlocking formations.