Universal z-z channel for mounting wall panels to existing wall

Abstract

Disclosed is a system of cladding along an existing exterior wall of a building featuring a plurality of Z-shaped components deployed in a parallel spaced apart arrangement, with an insulation panel in between two of the Z-shaped components. The Z-shaped components having a J-wall to enforce a moisture gap between exterior wall paneling and insulation. The Z-shaped components may feature Edge-components when the line of insulation panels needs to be interrupted or when it reaches a corner or edge of a wall. The Z-shaped components and Edge components may contain a group having a plurality of air gaps. Other embodiments of Z-shaped components may contain a plurality of retaining slots that provide anchor points for holding pegs, clips and/or rods, which can then be used to secure insulation panels between adjacent Z-shaped components without unnecessarily breaching exterior sheeting. The use of clips or pegs further speeds the installation process and reduces the cost and efficiency of insulation, while improving the thermal insulation of the final assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall system for providing environmental resistance, comprising:
 a plurality of elongate mounting members fastened to an existing wall substrate, each mounting member comprising a front face, rear face, and a connecting portion extending therebetween, said mounting members being disposed in a spaced-apart, parallel arrangement;   at least one insulation panel disposed between adjacent mounting members, said insulation panel being retained in place by contact with said connecting portion; and   at least one cladding panel secured to the front face of at least one of said mounting members.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member comprises a generally U-shaped profile with a front wall and rear wall extending generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member includes a protective bracket or fastening element configured to conform to the U-shaped profile of the mounting member, the bracket having a corresponding U-shaped configuration that reinforces the wall portion. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulation panel is retained between an edge component, a Z-shaped mounting member, or another mounting member configured to engage and support an insulation panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member includes a protective bracket that may be configured to receive a fastening element. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member further comprises retention slots configured to receive clips, rods, or holding pegs for securing insulation panels. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one mounting member is configured to receive a removable insulation-retention clip having a first portion configured to engage the mounting member and a second portion configured to bear against a surface of an insulation panel so as to retain the insulation panel in place without penetrating it. 
     
     
         8 . The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member includes a retention portion that can be inserted into the connecting portion, the retention portion being a clip that is configured to engage an edge of an insulation panel without penetrating the insulation panel, and being positionable to accommodate insulation panels of varying thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member further comprises an upper lip extending laterally from an upper portion of said connecting portion, the upper lip being positioned to engage and retain an upper edge of said insulation panel and wherein the placement of said upper lip is adjustable along said connecting portion to accommodate variations in the termination height of said insulation panel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member includes elongated air slots along the bridging portion to facilitate airflow between insulation and cladding. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member comprises a Z-shaped profile having a wall that includes a plurality of elongated air openings or slots configured to provide ventilation and drainage between adjacent mounting members and to maintain a moisture-draining cavity behind exterior cladding or insulation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member further comprises a reinforcing bracket disposed along a wall of the mounting member, the reinforcing bracket having a shape generally conforming to the wall and secured thereto so as to strengthen the mounting member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member includes a lip, flange, retention structure, or flared section along one of its walls, the lip, flange, retention structure, or flared section being configured to engage, secure, or immobilize ends or edges of adjacent insulation panels at a point of contact. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each mounting member is configured to receive a fastener for securing at least one of its walls to exterior wall paneling. 
     
     
         15 . A wall system for providing environmental resistance, comprising:
 a plurality of elongate mounting members, each mounting member comprising a rear face configured to be fastened to a wall substrate, a front face configured to receive a cladding panel, and a connecting portion extending between the rear face and the front face;   at least one insulation panel disposed between adjacent mounting members and supported in part by at least one lip extending from the bridging portion or the front or rear face; and   at least one cladding panel attached to the front face or a return portion of at least one mounting member, wherein said connecting portion is dimensioned to accommodate insulation panels of varying thickness.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each mounting member comprises a lip extending laterally from a lower region of a wall of the mounting member, the lip being configured to underlie and support an edge of an insulation panel so as to retain the insulation panel between adjacent mounting members. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the wall of each mounting member includes a pitched or flared lip section on the front face oriented toward an adjacent insulation panel, the lip section being configured to retain the insulation panel in cooperation with fasteners securing the mounting member to a wall substrate. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each mounting member further comprises an upper lip extending obliquely from an upper region of a wall of the mounting member, the upper lip being generally parallel to a free end of an adjacent mounting member. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each mounting member further comprises a return portion extending from the connecting portion, the return portion being configured to support or engage a cladding panel. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the wall system defines at least one moisture gap between the insulation panel and one of a cladding panel or an existing wall substrate to promote thermal separation and drainage of moisture. 
     
     
         21 . A wall system for providing environmental resistance, comprising:
 a plurality of elongate mounting members, each mounting member comprising a rear face configured to be fastened to a wall substrate, a front face configured to receive a cladding panel, a connecting portion extending between the rear face and the front face, and a return portion extending from the connecting portion, the return portion being configured to support or engage the cladding panel;   a flared section formed along at least a portion of the front face and configured to engage adjacent edges of insulation panels;   a channel defined at least in part by the return portion and the front face;   a removable insert disposed within the channel, the insert configured to provide reinforcement and receive a fastener; and   a protective bracket disposed along the first wall, the bracket comprising a flange extending rearwardly to overlap an edge of an insulation panel;   a plurality of insulation panels disposed between adjacent mounting members and retained by the flared section and the flange; and   at least one cladding panel fastened to the support portion, wherein the flared section, insert, and protective bracket cooperate to enforce a uniform first air gap between the insulation and the cladding and a second air gap between the insulation and the existing wall.   
     
     
         22 . A method of providing environmental resistance to a building, comprising:
 fastening a plurality of elongate mounting members to a wall substrate, each mounting member comprising a front face, a rear face, and a connecting portion extending therebetween;   inserting at least one insulation panel between adjacent mounting members such that said insulation panel is retained in place by the connecting portion; and   attaching at least one cladding panel to the front face of at least one of said mounting members.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member comprises a generally U-shaped profile with a front wall and rear wall extending generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member includes a protective bracket configured to receive a fastening element. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member further comprises retention slots configured to receive clips, rods, or holding pegs for securing the insulation panels. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member further comprises an upper lip extending laterally from an upper portion of said connecting portion, the upper lip being positioned to engage and retain an upper edge of said insulation panel and wherein the placement of said upper lip is adjustable along said connecting portion to accommodate variations in the termination height of said insulation panel. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member is configured to receive a fastener for securing at least one of its walls to exterior wall paneling. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member includes elongated air slots along the connecting portion to facilitate airflow between the insulation and cladding. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member includes a lip, flange, or retention structure configured to secure or immobilize ends of adjacent insulation panels during said inserting step. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each mounting member includes a flared section along one of its walls configured to engage the insulation panel at a point of contact to improve retention and sealing.