FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of fastening panels to a substrate, and a fastener.

BACKGROUND

Structures such as, for example walls, vehicles are often insulated or protected with fire retardants, which may be in the form of panels. The use of panels allows the structure to be completed and the panels to be fitted as one of the last steps. Further panels may be readily refitted or retrofitted, should the panel be damaged or the panel material is no longer compliant with industry standards.

Panels are typically mechanically fastened to a structure using screws where the panel is screwed into the wall, or more expediently pins may directly welded to the substrate and project therefrom, such that the panel may at a later date be simply pushed onto the pins and capped off. The pin solution provides a facile means of connection, however the pins may project for example 10 to 20 cm from the surface, therefore this presents a snag or stab hazard to those working close by. The typical solution is to bend the pins over such that the pin is substantially parallel with the substrate.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fastening a panel to a substrate, comprising the steps of i. providing on the substrate a first projection, ii. attaching a fastener, to said first projection, wherein said fastener comprises an elongate projection, wherein the elongate projection is longer than said first projection, iii. attaching a panel onto said elongate projection. The prior art methods require the use of very long pins directly welded to the substrate or structure, and bending them over until such time that they are used, to mitigate against a snag or stab hazard. The bending and straightening action may result in the weakening of the pin, such that the pin snaps. Further there may be a significant number of pins per structure, each of which requires two separate process steps (bending over, and re-straightening), to yield a usable pin. The process of the current invention allows a very small first projection, which only needs to of a length which is sufficient to be gripped by the fastener, such as for example the length of the first projection may be less than 50mm, preferably in the range of 5 to 20 mm.

In a preferred arrangement the fastener comprises a self-locking pin washer, which engages with the first projection. The self-locking pin washer may be a resistance fit on the first projection. The self locking pin washers are typically metal washers which comprises a plurality of splines which extend radially inwards to a small aperture. In use the aperture is smaller than the diameter of the first projection, and the washer is forced onto the first projection, thereby deforming the splines which engage with the first projection, to provide a resistance fit.

Preferably the elongate projection may be longer than said first projection. The elongate projection may be attached to the fastener by welding, adhesive or resistance fit. There may be a plurality of elongate projections mounted on the fastener to provide further grip to the panel mounted thereon.

The elongate projection may be longer than the thickness of said panel, to ensure retention of the panel on the pin. Further the elongate projection may comprises a cap located thereon, after it has protruded through the panel.

The first projection may be blunt, such as rounded off, to mitigate against snagging risk should a user come into contact with the first projection. The elongate projection may comprise a sharpened point, a barb, or may be pronged, to engage more easily with the panel, further, the elongate projection may have a high friction surface along its shaft, to retain said panel when mounted thereon. The high friction surface may be ribs or ridges, alternatively an adhesive.

The panel may be manufactured from any commonly made panel material, such as, for example the material may be selected from fibres, foamed polymers, foamed monomers, gels, natural cellulose bundles, loose filled panels, and composite laminates.

The panel may be a thermal barrier panel, it may provide insulation and/or fire retardants.

The substrate may form part of a building, vessel or craft. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener suitable for attaching panels to a building, vessel or craft, wherein said fastener comprises a self-locking pin washer and mounted thereon at least one elongate projection, wherein said self locking pin washer is arranged to be a resistance fit to a first projection mounted on a substrate on said building, vessel or craft. According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a vessel or craft comprising a substrate, said substrate comprising a first projection mounted thereon, located thereon by a resistance fit a fastener as defined herein, and a panel located on said faster.

In a further arrangement the first projection may extend through the pin washer, to allow the first projection and elongate projection to fasten said panel. Preferably the elongate projection is adjacent to the first projection, to allow both first and elongate projections to fasten to the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a prior art method of fixing a panel to a substrate

Figure 2 shows a method of fixing a panel to a substrate Figure 3 shows a side view of a fastener

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning to figure 1 there is shown a schematic of a prior art process for fixing a panel 4 to a substrate 2 to provide a vessel, craft or building with a panelled surface 1 . Typically the substrate 2 comprises a plurality of pins 3a which may be welded substantially perpendicular to the surface. To avoid snagging or injury, a hammer 5 is usually used to bend the pin 3b to a positon which is more parallel to the substrate 2. A period of time may elapse before the pin 3c is re-straightened, the bending over and re-straightening process may weaken the pin 3c.

A panel 4 may then be pushed onto the pin 3c, and finally retained in place by a cap 6

Turning to figure 2 there is provided an improved method of fixing a panel 14 onto a substrate 12 to provide a vessel, craft of building with a panelled surface 1 1 .

The substrate 12 is provided with a first projection pin 13, which may be of nominal length, typically less than 20mm, such that it significantly reduces the risk of snagging or injury to people walking past. Further the first projection pin

13 may have a blunt end, as it does not need to readily penetrate into the panel 14.

At a time when the panel is to be fitted, a fastener 19, which comprises a self-locking pin washer 17 with an elongate projection pin 18 attached thereto, is tapped into place with a hammer 15 to locate the self-locking pin washer part onto the first projection 13. Once all of the fasteners 19 are in place, the panel

14 may be located over the elongate projection pin 18 and first projection pin to provide a panelled surface. Finally the panel 14 may be retained in place by a cap 16. The cap may further prevent injury or snagging, on the installed panel.