GB2629387A - A cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement and a cavity reveal closure assembly comprising a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A cavity, for example created by an eave defining a soffit, reveal closure attachment arrangement 10 comprising a mounting portion 11 configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof 12. The closure attachment arrangement further comprises a receiving portion 13 configured for attachment to a soffit 14 and to receive at least a part of the mounting portion, and a retaining arrangement 15 configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion. The retaining arrangement may include a biased movable retaining portion which is arrangeable between an engaged and non-engaged with the receiving features.

Description

A CAVITY REVEAL CLOSURE ATTACHMENT ARRANGEMENT AND A CAVITY REVEAL

CLOSURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAVITY REVEAL CLOSURE ATTACHMENT

ARRANGEMENT

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement, and in particular to a cavity reveal closure assembly which may be conveniently and discretely attached to a building.

Background of the invention

Cavity reveal closure features such as soffits are widely utilised on most building structures to protect the underlying roof structure from the elements and to provide a visually appealing finish to the roof periphery from the ground. In smaller scale projects cavity reveal closure features are screwed, nailed, or the like to the surrounding supporting structure. In larger scale commercial type projects the cavity reveal closure may be screwed, bolted or the like to the supporting structure. Whilst such attachment of the cavity reveal closure is secure, it leaves visible fixings on the ground facing surface of the cavity reveal closure, reducing the attractiveness of the cavity reveal closure from ground level, in particular for larger installations where larger fixings are utilised. Moreover, tools are required to apply the aforementioned mechanical fixings, the process can be time consuming as fixings must be screwed or bolted one at a time, and the process and finish is highly dependent on the skill of the installer in regards to fixture placement and alignment of the cavity reveal closure. In addition, removal of the cavity reveal closure for any reason, such as maintenance or repair, generally requires removal of all fixtures, which can again be a time consuming process. Similar issues arise for masonry support type features including brick slip trays and the like.

It is desirable to provide a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement and cavity reveal closure assembly employing the same that is quick and easy to install and remove and provides a visually appealing finish.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement comprising: a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement is disposed above a cavity reveal closure to which the receiving portion is attached and not visable in use from below.

Advantageously, a cavity reveal closure may be removably attached to a building in a manner in which no fasteners or the like are visible from below, increasing the visual appearance of the cavity reveal closure.

Ideally, the cavity reveal closure is a soffit.

Preferably, the retaining arrangement is disposed on the mounting portion or the receiving portion. Most preferably, the retaining arrangement is attached to the mounting portion and is operable to removably secure the receiving portion to the mounting portion.

Advantageously, as the retaining arrangement is attached to the mounting portion and operable to secure the mounting portion and receiving portion together, these components may be secured together by operation of the retaining arrangement rather than by the application of fasteners of the like, removing the need for fasteners and the need for associated tools.

Preferably, the receiving portion is configured for attachment to a non-ground facing side of a cavity reveal closure.

Ideally, the mounting portion is received by the receiving portion and secured thereto by the retaining 20 arrangement such that said cavity reveal closure is attached to a building without the requirement of any fasteners or the like on any ground facing surface of said cavity reveal closure.

Preferably, the mounting portion comprises at least one engagement flange.

Ideally, the at least one engagement flange is sized and dimensioned to be receivable at least in part in at least one corresponding receiving slot formed in the receiving portion.

Preferably, each of the at least one engagement flange is at least partially receivable into a corresponding receiving slot formed in the receiving portion.

Ideally, each of the at least one engagement flange is at least partially receivable into a corresponding receiving slot formed in the receiving portion and skiable relative to said receiving slot once received therein.

Preferably, each of said at least one engagement flange comprises a locating and/or securing formation sized and dimensioned to engage with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is at least partially received into the receiving slot.

Ideally, each of said at least one engagement flange comprises a locating and/or securing formation 40 sized and dimensioned to engage with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is at least partially received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange.

Preferably, engagement of the locating and/or securing formation with the receiving slot is such that 5 movement of the engagement flange is restricted in a manner which at least partially prevents removal of said engagement flange from said receiving slot.

Ideally, the locating and/or securing formation is a notch formed in the at least one engagement flange, the notch formed for receiving the edge of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange such that a first portion of said engagement flange is locatable on a first side of said slot and a second portion of said engagement flange is locatable on a second side of said slot.

Preferably, the mounting portion comprises first and second engagement flanges and the receiving 15 portion comprises corresponding first and second receiving slots.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement is attachable to the mounting portion.

Preferably, the engagement arrangement comprises an engagement feature sized and dimensioned 20 to engage with at least a part of the receiving portion to secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement comprises a movable retaining portion movable between an engagement configuration wherein the mounting portion is secured to the receiving portion, and a 25 non-engaged configuration wherein the mounting portion and receiving portion are not secured together.

Preferably, the retaining arrangement comprises a movable retaining portion movable between an engagement configuration wherein the engagement feature of the retaining portion is receivable into a corresponding receiving feature of the receiving portion to secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion when at least a part of the mounting portion is received in the receiving portion, and a non-engaged configuration wherein the engagement feature is not located in said corresponding receiving feature.

Ideally, the movable retaining portion comprises a rotatable retaining portion attachable to the mounting portion at a hinged or pivotable connection.

Preferably, the rotatable retaining portion is rotatable in a first direction such that the engagement feature thereof moves towards a first end of the mounting portion and rotatable in a second direction 40 such that said engagement feature moves away from said first end of the mounting portion, the first end of the mounting portion being an end receivable into the receiving portion.

Ideally, the engagement feature of the retaining arrangement is an insertion flange sized and dimensioned to be received in a corresponding retaining slot formed in the receiving portion.

Preferably, the retaining arrangement and associated engagement feature thereof are laterally offset from the at least one engagement flange of the mounting bracket and rearwardly offset from the retaining slot when the at least one engagement flange is aligned with its respective at least one receiving slot.

Preferably, the insertion flange is locatable relative to the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion, the corresponding at least one receiving slot, and the retaining slot of the receiving portion such that when the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion is received into the corresponding at least one receiving slot of the receiving portion, the insertion flange abuts a mounting portion facing surface of the receiving portion and is configured to be rotated thereby to the non-engaged configuration.

Ideally, the mounting portion facing surface of the receiving portion is the face thereof which faces upwards in use when the receiving portion is secured to the mounting portion which is in turn attached to a building.

Preferably, the insertion flange is locatable relative to the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion, the corresponding at least one receiving slot, and the retaining slot of the receiving portion such that when the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion is received by the corresponding at least one receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange, the insertion flange slides along the mounting portion facing surface of the receiving portion and into the receiving slot.

Ideally, the insertion flange is laterally offset from the at least one engagement flange of the mounting bracket and rearwardly offset from the retaining slot when the at least one engagement 30 flange is aligned with its respective at least one receiving slot.

Ideally, the retaining slot is located to receive the insertion flange after or simultaneously as the locating and/or securing formation of the at least one engagement flange engages with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot to at least partially prevent removal of said engagement 35 flange from said receiving slot.

Preferably, the locating and/or securing formation is formed on a front end of the at least one engagement flange.

Ideally, the locating and/or securing formation receives a front edge of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange.

Preferably, the engagement feature of the retaining arrangement comprises an abutment feature.

Ideally the abutment feature is configured to abut a portion of the retaining slot to limit movement of the receiving portion when the engagement feature is received in the retaining slot.

Ideally the abutment feature is configured to abut an edge of the retaining slot to limit movement of the receiving portion when the engagement feature is received in the retaining slot.

Preferably, the abutment feature is configured to abut a rear edge of the retaining slot to limit forward movement of the receiving portion when the engagement feature is received in the retaining slot.

Ideally, the engagement feature of the retaining arrangement comprises a vertical locking feature.

Preferably, the vertical locking feature comprises a locking projection which extends through the retaining slot and below the receiving portion when the engagement feature is located in the 20 receiving slot.

Ideally, the locking projection is configured to engage with the lower surface of the receiving portion when the retaining arrangement is in the engaged configuration to prevent vertical movement of the receiving portion relative to the retaining arrangement and attached mounting portion.

Preferably, the lower surface of the receiving portion is the surface thereof which faces the cavity reveal closure in use, or faces the ground in use.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement is attachable to a side wall of the mounting portion.

Preferably, the retaining arrangement is laterally offset from the at least one engagement flange thereof.

Ideally, the retaining slot is laterally offset from the at least one receiving slot of the receiving portion 35 such that the insertion flange of the retaining arrangement and at least one engagement flange may be simultaneously laterally aligned with the retaining slot and at least one receiving slot respectively.

Preferably, the retaining arrangement comprises a biasing means.

Ideally, the biasing means is configured to bias the movable retaining portion towards the first end of the mounting portion.

Preferably, the biasing means is a resilient biasing means such as a spring.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement comprises a stop means.

Preferably, the stop means is configured to contact at least a portion of the movable retaining portion as it is moved away from the first end of the mounting portion to prevent further movement of the movable retaining portion away from the first end of the mounting portion.

Ideally, the retaining arrangement comprises a user engagement portion.

Preferably, the user engagement portion is configured to permit a user to engage and manipulate the movable retaining portion.

Ideally, the user engagement portion is configured to permit a user to manipulate the movable retaining portion from the engaged configuration to the non-engaged configuration.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cavity reveal closure assembly comprising an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising: a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement comprising the steps of: forming a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; forming a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and forming a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of attaching a cavity reveal closure comprising the steps of: securing a mounting portion to a building or component thereof, securing a receiving portion to a cavity reveal closure and locating said receiving portion onto the mounting portion such that at least a part of the mounting portion is received by the receiving portion; and operably engaging a retaining arrangement to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment arrangement for attaching 40 a first entity to a second entity, the attachment arrangement comprising: a mounting portion configured for attachment to the first entity; a receiving portion configured for attachment to the second entity and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement wherein a mounting portion and retaining arrangement are shown not in contact with a receiving portion; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail view of detail A of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figure 1 wherein a mounting portion and retaining arrangement are brought into initial contact with the receiving portion, the retaining arrangement being in a non-engaged configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detail view of detail A of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figure 1 wherein a mounting portion and retaining arrangement are brought into secured engagement with the receiving portion, the retaining arrangement being in an engaged configuration; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a detail view of detail A of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a receiving portion of the cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of Figures 1 to 9; Figure 11 is a side view of the receiving portion of Figure 10; and Figure 12 as a front view of the receiving portion of Figures 10 and 11.

Detailed Description of the drawings

The present teaching will now be described with reference to an exemplary cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement. It will be understood that the exemplary cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement is provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and are not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.

Referring now to the Figures there is illustrated a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement 10 comprising a mounting portion 11 configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof 12. In the embodiment of the drawings, the cavity reveal closure is a soffit and attachment of the arrangement is attachment to a lintel of a building. However, it should be understood that the herein described attachment arrangement can be utilised in conjunction with and/or used to attach components to a wide ranging number of cavity reveal closure features such as but not limited to masonry support elements, stone support elements, lintels, brick slip tray elements and the like. For Example, the herein described arrangement can be utilised with various products as offered by the present applicant, Metloc Systems Ltd, including but not limited to products marketed as MAXIMUS masonry support system, MAXIMUS ® stone support system, Metloc lintels, and/or products described in UK patent numbers GB2576750, GB2505980, or UK patent application number GB2100792.7. Thus the term "cavity reveal closure" should not be limited to a soffit type feature but should be construed as encompassing use for attachment on these aforementioned designs and products and the like.

The soffit attachment arrangement 10 of the drawings further comprises a receiving portion 13 configured for attachment to a soffit 14 and to receive at least a part of the mounting portion 11, and a retaining arrangement 15 configured to removably secure the mounting portion 11 to the receiving portion 13. In the embodiment of the drawings, the mounting portion 11 is a mounting bracket 11 which is fixedly attached to a masonry support feature 12 of a building, and the receiving portion 13 is a receiving channel 13 which is fixedly attached to a soffit such that it may carry said soffit 14 thereon. The receiving channel 13 is configured for attachment to a non-ground facing side of a soffit 14. In the embodiment of the drawings, the soffit is wraps around the ends 16, 17 of the receiving channel 13 such that the receiving channel 13 is retained in the soffit by the wrapped ends 18, 19, of said soffit. The soffit 14 may additionally be attached to the receiving channel 13 by screws and/or bolts or the like.

For avoidance of doubt, the directions "forward", "forwards", "front" "rearward", "rear", "backwards", "back", "upper", "upwards", "lower", and "downwards" or the like should be construed as relating to the in use assembly as a whole as depicted for example in Figure 7. These terms should take their generally understood meanings relative to Figure 7 where "forward" or the like refers to a direction or movement towards the forward end 44 of the in use assembly, "rearward" or the like refers to a direction or movement towards the rearward end 45 of the in use assembly, "upwards" refers to a direction or movement towards the upper end 46 of the in use assembly, and "downwards" or the like refers to a direction or movement towards the lower end 47 of the in use assembly. References to "lateral" movement, offset, or the like should be construed as a movement, offset, or the like of the receiving channel 13 in a direction generally perpendicular to the rearward direction as depicted by arrow 29 of Figure 7. References to "vertical" and "horizontal" should also be construed relative to the assembly in use as shown in Figure 7.

The retaining arrangement 15 is attachable to the mounting portion. However it should be understood that the skilled person would understand that the retaining arrangement may also be attachable to the retaining channel 13. The engagement arrangement 15 comprises an engagement feature 20, which in the embodiment of the drawings is an insertion flange 20, sized and dimensioned to engage with a corresponding retaining slot 21 formed in the retaining channel 13 to secure the mounting bracket 11 to the receiving portion 13. The retaining arrangement 15 has a movable retaining portion 22 movable between an engaged configuration wherein the mounting bracket 11 is secured to the receiving channel 13 (See for example Figures 7 to 9), and a non-engaged configuration wherein the mounting bracket 11 and receiving channel 13 are not secured together (See for example Figures 1 to 3). In said engaged configuration, the insertion flange 20 of the movable retaining portion 22 is receivable into the corresponding retaining slot 21 of the receiving channel 13 to secure the mounting bracket 11 to the receiving channel 13 when at least a part of the mounting bracket 11 is received in the receiving channel 13. In the non-engaged configuration the insertion flange 20 of is not located in said corresponding retaining slot 21. In the embodiment of the drawings, the movable retaining portion 22 comprises a rotatable retaining portion 22 attachable to the mounting bracket 11 at a hinged or pivotable connection 23 and is rotatable in a first direction such that the insertion flange 20 thereof moves towards a first end 24 of the mounting bracket 11 and rotatable in a second direction such that said insertion flange 20 moves away from said first end 24 of the mounting bracket 11. The first end of the mounting bracket 11 is the end 24 receivable into the receiving channel 13, as can be seen in in Figure 1. As can be seen from the Figures, the retaining arrangement 15 is disposed above the soffit 14 to which the receiving channel 13 is attached and is therefore not visable in use from below when the retaining arrangement 15 is in the engaged configuration such that it is acting to secure the retaining channel 13 and associated soffit 14 to the mounting bracket 11. In this context, below refers to beneath the soffit once the soffit is attached to eth mounting bracket 11 via the retaining arrangement 15 and receiving channel 13. Advantageously, the soffit may be removably attached without any visible fasteners or the like giving a more pleasing visual appearance.

The mounting bracket 11 is received by the receiving channel 13 and secured thereto by the retaining arrangement 15 such that said soffit 14 is attached to a building without the requirement of any fasteners or the like on any ground facing surface of said soffit 14. In the embodiment of the drawings, the mounting bracket 11 comprises two engagement flanges 25, 26, sized and dimensioned to be receivable at least in part in two corresponding receiving slots 27, 28 formed in the receiving channel 13. It should be understood that any reasonable number of engagement flanges 25, 26 and corresponding receiving slots 27, 28 may be utilised. In the embodiment of the drawings, the mounting bracket 11 comprises a forward engagement flange 25 and a rear engagement flange 26 and the receiving channel comprises corresponding forward and rear receiving slots 27, 28. Forward in this context refers to the end of the mounting bracket 11 attachable to the building or component thereof 12. The engagement flanges 25, 26 are at least partially receivable into a the corresponding receiving slots 27, 28 formed in the receiving channel 13 and skiable relative to said receiving slot 27, 28 once received therein. This sliding action can be seen best when viewing Figure 4 in comparison with Figure 7. In Figure 4, the receiving channel 13 is engaged with the mounting bracket 11 such that the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11 are inserted into the receiving slots 27, 28 of the channel 13. In figure 7, the receiving channel is slid rearwards (in the direction indicated by arrow 29 of Figure 7) such that the engagement flanges 25, 26 slide within the receiving slots 27, 28.

Each engagement flange 25, 26 comprises a locating and/or securing formation 30, 31 sized and dimensioned to engage with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot 27, 28 when said engagement flanges 25, 26 are received into the receiving slots 27, 28 and the receiving channel 13 is slid relative to said engagement flanges 25, 26. Engagement of the locating and/or securing formations 30, 31 with the receiving slots 27, 28 is such that movement of the engagement flanges 25, 26 are restricted in a manner which at least partially prevents removal of said engagement flanges 25, 26 from said receiving slots 27, 28. As can be seen in Figures 7 to 9, the securing and/or locating features 30, 31 restrict movement of the engagement flanges 25, 26 vertically, laterally, and in the forward direction. Put differently the locating and/or securing formations 30, 31, one engaged with the front edges of their respective receiving slots 27, 28, prevent the receiving channel 13 from being slid further backwards and prevent vertical and lateral movement of the receiving channel 13 relative to the engagement flanges 25, 26. In the embodiment of the drawings the locating and/or securing formations are notches 30, 31 formed in the front ends of the engagement flanges 25, 26, the notches 30, 31 being sized and dimensioned for receiving the front edge 32, 33 of a corresponding receiving slot 27, 28 when said engagement flanges 25, 26 are into the corresponding receiving slots 25, 26 and the receiving channel 13 is slid rearward relative to said engagement flanges 25, 26 and the overall mounting bracket 11. When the notches 30, 31 engage with the front edge of the corresponding receiving slots 27, 28, a first portion 34, 35 of the engagement flanges 25, 26 is locatable on an upper side of said receiving slots 27, 28 and engages with an upper surface 36 of the receiving channel 13 on said upper side, and a second portion 37, 38 of said engagement flanges 25, 26 is locatable on a lower side of said slots 27, 28 and engages with a lower surface 39 of the receiving channel on said lower side. In essence, the notches 30, 31 form forward facing notches 30, 31 that receive the front edges 32, 33 of corresponding receiving slots 27, 28 to limit movement of the engagement flanges 25, 26 within said receiving slots 27, 28 and to aid a user in locating the receiving channel 13 relative to the mounting bracket 11.

As can be best seen in Figures 4 to 6, the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 is disposed relative to the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11, the corresponding at receiving slots 27, 28, and the retaining slot 21 of the receiving channel 13 such that when the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11 are received into the corresponding receiving slots 27, 28, the insertion flange 20 abuts the upper surface 36 of the receiving channel and is rotated thereby to the non-engaged configuration. The upper surface 36 of the receiving channel 13 is the face thereof which faces upwards in use when the receiving channel 13 is secured to the mounting bracket 11 which is in turn attached to a building or component thereof 12.

The disposition/location of the insertion flange 20 relative to the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11, the corresponding at receiving slots 27, 28, and the retaining slot 21 of the receiving channel 13 is also such that when the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11 are received by the corresponding receiving slots 27, 28 and the receiving channel 13 is slid rearward relative to said engagement flanges 25, 26, the insertion flange 20 slides along the upper surface 36 of the receiving channel and into the receiving slot 21. When the insertion flange 20 reaches the retaining slot 21, the slot permits the rotatable retaining portion 22 to rotate downwardly such that the insertion flange 20 travels at least partially into the retaining slot 21. This can be seen in Figures 7 to 9. Essentially, the rotatable retaining portion 22 and corresponding retaining slot 21 act as a latch type arrangement between the mounting bracket 11 and the receiving channel 13. The retaining slot 21 is located to receive the insertion flange 20 after or simultaneously as the locating and/or securing formations 30, 31 of the engagement flanges 25, 26 engage with the front edges of their corresponding receiving slots 27, 28. As was previously noted, the engagement between the locating and/or securing formations 30, 31 of the engagement flanges 25, 26 prevents vertical, lateral and further backwards movement of the receiving channel relative to the mounting plate. However, alone the engagement flanges and their locating and/or securing formations 30, 31 do not prevent the receiving channel 13, which has been located on the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11 and slid backwards until the locating and/or securing formations 30, 31 engage with the front edges of their respective retaining slots 27, 28, from moving forwards again should a forwards force be applied thereto. Such forwards movement is prevented by the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 being located in the corresponding retaining slot 21 and being prevented by a rearward wall of said retaining slot 21 from moving in a forwards direction. In the embodiment of the drawings, the retaining slot 21 is formed integrally with the forward receiving slot 27, the forward receiving slot 27 being widened at a rearward end to form a section of slot into which the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement may travel. However, it should be understood that the forward engagement slot 27 and retaining slot 21 may be formed as separate slots.

The insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 comprises an abutment feature 40 configured to abut a rear edge 41 of the retaining slot 21 to limit movement of the receiving channel 13 when the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 is received in the retaining slot 27.

The insertion flange 20 further comprises a vertical locking feature 42 in the form of a locking projection 42 which extends through the retaining slot 21 and below the receiving channel 13 when the insertion flange 20 is located in the retaining slot 21. The locking projection 42 engages with the lower surface 39 of the receiving channel 13 when the insertion flange 20 is received in the retaining slot 21 to prevent vertical movement of the receiving channel 13 relative to the retaining arrangement 15 and attached mounting bracket 11. The locking projection 42 can be seen in Figure 4, in which said locking projection 42 is a projection which is formed integrally of the insertion flange 20 and projects rearwardly thereform such that rotation of the insertion flange 20 into the retaining slot 21 places the locking projection 42 below the lower surface 39 and able to engage with said lower surface 39 to prevent vertical movement of the receiving channel 13. As can also be seen in Figure 4, the locking projection 42 and abutment surface act to form a notch 43 into which the rear edge 41 of the retaining slot 21 may be received. Figures 7-9 show the insertion flange 20 rotated to its position within the retaining slot 21 with the locking projection 42 located below the lower surface 39 of the receiving channel 13.

The lower surface 39 of the receiving channel 13 is the surface thereof which faces the soffit 14 in use, or faces the ground in use. The retaining arrangement 15 is attachable to a side wall 48 of the mounting bracket 11 such that the engagement arrangement 15 is generally laterally offset from the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11, as can be seen in Figure 3 for example. The retaining slot 21 is also laterally offset from the receiving slots 27, 28 of the receiving channel 11 such that the insertion flange 20 of and engagement flanges 25, 26 may be simultaneously laterally aligned with the retaining slot 21 receiving slots 27, 28 respectively. When this lateral alignment of slots 22, 27, 28, with respective flanges 20, 25, 26 is made, and the engagement flanges 25 26, are aligned in a forward-backward sense for insertion into their respective receiving slots 27, 28, the forward-backward alignment of the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 is such that it is rearward of the retaining slot 21. This permits a user to align the engagement flanges 25, 26, raise the receiving channel 13 and attached soffit 14 to insert the engagement flanges into the receiving slots 27, 28, due to the relative forward-backwards positioning of the insertion flange 20 resulting in said insertion flange 20 being rearward of the retaining slot 21, the insertion flange 20 will contact the upper surface 36 of the receiving channel and said raising of the receiving channel 13 with rotate the insertion flange 20 upwards as the engagement flanges 25, 26 are received into the receiving slots 27, 28, see Figures 4 to 6. Once the raising operation is complete such that the notches 30, 31 of the engagement flanges 25, 26 are vertically aligned with the edge of their respective receiving slots 27, 28, the receiving channel 13 is slid rearward by a user such that the forward edges 32, 33 of the receiving slots 27, 28 are received into their respective corresponding notches 30, 31. This rearward sliding motion simultaneously causes sliding of the insertion flange 20 towards the forward end of the receiving channel 13 and as the insertion flange reaches the laterally aligned retaining slot 21, it travels into said retaining slot 21. Once in the retaining slot 21 the insertion flange prevents forwards sliding of the receiving channel 13 as it abuts the rearward edge 41 of the retaining slot 21 such that forward sliding which could result in the forward edges 32, 33 of the receiving slots 27, 28 becoming removed from their respective corresponding notches 30, 31. The retaining arrangement, and in particular the insertion flange 20, therefore essentially operate as a latch which engages to prevent removal of the receiving channel 13 from the mounting bracket 11 until a user has rotates the insertion flange 20 from within the retaining slot 21 as will be hereinafter described to permit forward sliding of the receiving channel 13. Therefore, the herein described arrangement 10 provides a soffit 14 and associated receiving channel 13 which may be attached to a mounting bracket 11 by offering up said receiving channel 13 to align the receiving slots 27, 28 therein with the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket 11, raising to insert said engagement flanges 25, 26 into said receiving slots 27, 28 until the notches 30, 31 of the engagement flanges align with the front edges 32, 33 of the respective receiving slots 27, 28, and sliding the receiving channel 13 and associated soffit 14 rearward until the front edges of the receiving slots 27, 28 become seated in said respective notches 30, 31, and the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 rotates downwards into the retaining slot 21, preventing reverse forward sliding to disengage the receiving channel 13 from the mounting bracket 11 until desired. In essence, the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement is laterally offset from the engagement flanges 25, 26 of the mounting bracket and rearwardly offset from the retaining slot 21 when the engagement flanges 25, 26 are aligned with their respective retaining slots 27, 28. This relative positioning permits the above described raising and sliding attachment of the receiving channel 13 and associated soffit 14 to the mounting bracket 11 via the retaining arrangement 15.

The retaining arrangement 15 comprises a biasing component (not shown) configured to bias the movable retaining portion 22 towards the first end 24 of the mounting bracket 11. The biasing component is a resilient biasing means such as a spring. The skilled person would be well aware of many biasing arrangements that could be implemented to bias a rotational or hinged coupling. The retaining arrangement 15 comprises a stop 49 which contacts the movable retaining portion 22 as it is moved away from the first end 24 of the mounting portion to prevent further movement of the movable retaining portion 22 away from the first end of the mounting portion 24. This ensures over rotation cannot occur which could cause the assembly to malfunction or the biasing means to be damaged. The retaining arrangement 15 also comprises a user engagement portion 50 to permit a user to engage and manipulate the movable retaining portion 22. A user may manipulate the movable retaining portion 22 from the engaged configuration to the non-engaged configuration so as to remove the insertion flange 20 of the retaining arrangement 15 out of the retaining slot, thus permitting the receiving channel 13 and associated soffit 14 to be slid forwards, the forward edges 32, 33 of the receiving slots 27, 28 to become removed from their respective corresponding notches 30, 31, and the receiving channel 13 and associated soffit 14 to be removed from the mounting bracket 11.

It should be noted that any number of mounting brackets 11 with attached retaining arrangements 15 may be provided with a corresponding number of receiving channels 13. The embodiment of the drawings shows two mounting brackets 11 with associated retaining arrangements 15 in cooperation with two receiving channels 13, however it should be understood that different spans of soffit could comprise further sets of mounting brackets 11 with associated retaining arrangements 15 and corresponding receiving channels 13 as desired.

Again, as noted above, it should also be understood that the attachment arrangement herein could be utilised for attachment in other contexts where the simple and tool free attachment nature would be of benefit. Examples of other contexts in which the arrangement may be utilised are discussed above. In particular such an attachment arrangement could be employed in many cases within the construction and engineering industry. Therefore, reference herein to soffit attachment should not be construed as precluding the protection of the herein described attachment arrangement for use to attach other components to each other, said protection being pursued in divisional or continuation applications as appropriate. Therefore, where "soffit" or "building or component thereof" are referred to herein, for the purposes of such divisional or continuation applications these terms are replaceable with more generic "first entity" and "second entity" such that the attachment arrangement herein may broadly describe an attachment arrangement for attaching a first entity to a second entity.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS1. A cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement comprising: a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.
2. 2. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is configured for attachment to a non-ground facing side of a cavity reveal closure such that when the mounting portion is received by the receiving portion and secured thereto by the retaining arrangement, said cavity reveal closure is attached to a building without the requirement of any fasteners or the like on any ground facing surface of said cavity reveal closure.
3. 3. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one engagement flange sized and dimensioned to be receivable at least in part in at least one corresponding receiving slot formed in the receiving portion.
4. 4. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 3, wherein each of the at least one engagement flange is at least partially receivable into a corresponding receiving slot and slidable relative to said receiving slot once received therein.
5. 5. The soffit attachment arrangement of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein each of said at least one engagement flange comprises a locating and/or securing formation sized and dimensioned to engage with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is at least partially received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange such that movement of the engagement flange is restricted in a manner which at least partially prevents removal of said engagement flange from said receiving slot.
6. 6. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 5, wherein the locating and/or securing formation is a notch formed in the at least one engagement flange, the notch formed for receiving the edge of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange such that a first portion of said engagement flange is locatable on a first side of said slot and a second portion of said engagement flange is locatable on a second side of said slot.
7. 7. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the mounting portion comprises first and second engagement flanges and the receiving portion comprises corresponding first and second receiving slots.
8. 8. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the retaining arrangement is attachable to the mounting portion and comprises an engagement feature sized and dimensioned to engage with at least a part of the receiving portion to secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.
9. 9. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 8, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a movable retaining portion movable between an engagement configuration wherein the engagement feature of the retaining portion is receivable into a corresponding receiving feature of the receiving portion to secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion when at least a part of the mounting portion is received in the receiving portion, and a non-engaged configuration wherein the engagement feature is not located in said corresponding receiving feature.
10. 10. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 9, wherein the movable retaining portion comprises a rotatable retaining portion attachable to the mounting portion at a hinged or pivotable connection and rotatable in a first direction such that the engagement feature thereof moves towards a first end of the mounting portion and rotatable in a second direction such that said engagement feature moves away from said first end of the mounting portion, the first end of the mounting portion being an end receivable into the receiving portion.
11. 11. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 8, wherein the engagement feature of the retaining arrangement is an insertion flange sized and dimensioned to be received in a corresponding retaining slot formed in the receiving portion, preferably the retaining arrangement and associated engagement feature thereof are laterally offset from the at least one engagement flange of the mounting bracket and rearwardly offset from the retaining slot when the at least one engagement flange is aligned with its respective at least one receiving slot.
12. 12. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 11 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the insertion flange is locatable relative to the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion, the corresponding at least one receiving slot, and the retaining slot of the receiving portion such that when the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion is received into the corresponding at least one receiving slot of the receiving portion, the insertion flange abuts a mounting portion facing surface of the receiving portion and is configured to be rotated thereby to the non-engaged configuration.
13. 13. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 12, wherein the insertion flange is locatable relative to the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion, the corresponding at least one receiving slot, and the retaining slot of the receiving portion such that when the at least one engagement flange of the mounting portion is received by the corresponding at least one receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange, the insertion flange slides along the mounting portion facing surface of the receiving portion and into the receiving slot.
14. 14. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 13, wherein the retaining slot is located to receive the insertion flange after the locating and/or securing formation of the at least one engagement flange engages with at least a portion of a corresponding receiving slot to at least partially prevent removal of said engagement flange from said receiving slot.
15. 15. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 6 to 14, wherein the locating and/or securing formation is formed on a front end of the at least one engagement flange and receives a front edge of a corresponding receiving slot when said engagement flange is received into the receiving slot and the receiving portion is slid relative to said engagement flange.
16. 16. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the engagement feature of the retaining arrangement comprises an abutment feature configured to abut an edge of the retaining slot to limit movement of the receiving portion when the engagement feature is received in the retaining slot.
17. 17. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claim 16, wherein the abutment feature is configured to abut a rear edge of the retaining slot to limit rearward movement of the receiving portion when the engagement feature is received in the retaining slot.
18. 18. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 11, wherein the retaining arrangement is attachable to a side wall of the mounting portion and is laterally offset from the at least one engagement flange thereof
19. 19. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of claim 15 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the retaining slot is laterally offset from the at least one receiving slot of the receiving portion such that the insertion flange of the retaining arrangement and at least one engagement flange may be simultaneously laterally aligned with the retaining slot and at least one receiving slot respectively.
20. 20. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a biasing means configured to bias the movable retaining portion towards the first end of the mounting portion.
21. 21. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a stop means configured to contact at least a portion of the movable retaining portion as it is moved away from the first end of the mounting portion to prevent further movement of the movable retaining portion away from the first end of the mounting portion.
22. 22. The cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement of any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a user engagement portion configured to permit a user to engage and manipulate the movable retaining portion, and in particular to manipulate the movable retaining portion from the engaged configuration to the non-engaged configuration.
23. 23. A cavity reveal closure assembly comprising an attachment arrangement, the attachment arrangement comprising: a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.
24. 24. A method of manufacturing a cavity reveal closure attachment arrangement comprising the steps of: forming a mounting portion configured for attachment to a building or a component thereof; forming a receiving portion configured for attachment to a cavity reveal closure and configured to receive at least a part of the mounting portion; and forming a retaining arrangement configured to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.
25. 25. A method of attaching a cavity reveal closure comprising the steps of: securing a mounting portion to a building or component thereof, securing a receiving portion to a cavity reveal closure and locating said receiving portion onto the mounting portion such that at least a part of the mounting portion is received by the receiving portion; and operably engaging a retaining arrangement to removably secure the mounting portion to the receiving portion.