US20250327309A1

US20250327309A1 - Isolator pad for a bracket for a façade cladding system

Info

Publication number: US20250327309A1
Application number: US19/181,844
Authority: US
Inventors: Don Heft; David Archer Stutts
Original assignee: Eco Cladding
Current assignee: Eco Cladding
Priority date: 2024-04-17
Filing date: 2025-04-17
Publication date: 2025-10-23

Abstract

An isolator pad for a bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly. The isolator pad includes a planar portion corresponding to a planar base portion of the bracket; a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion configured to attach to the planar base portion of the bracket; and a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional app. 63/635,209 filed Apr. 17, 2024, which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a wall bracket and, in particular, to a façade cladding system that includes a bracket having an isolator pad for fastening a sub-frame assembly to a load-bearing wall.

BACKGROUND

Façade systems may be used to provide exterior surfacing for buildings or structures. The façade system may not only provide aesthetic style or character to a building or structure, but the façade system may also impact the durability and energy efficiency of the building or structure, as well as weather protection for the building or structure and UV protection for people inside the building or structure. Façade systems may include brackets for fastening a number of different elements, such as facades panels or sheets, including rainscreen panels, as the exterior surface of a building or structure.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to a wall bracket and, in particular, to a façade cladding system that includes a bracket having an isolator pad for fastening a sub-frame assembly to a load-bearing wall. The bracket and sub-frame assembly are designed to simplify the process of building façade walls, and, in particular, rainscreen walls of all types including CI sub-framing and panel sub-framing. In some embodiments, the bracket is designed to provide low thermal conductivity across the bracket, e.g., low thermal bridging effects, then assemblies that include high thermal conductivity brackets, e.g., aluminum brackets. In some embodiments, the low thermal conductivity may be provided using an isolator pad that may be a hard plastic or a soft plastic that provides material separation, e.g., bracket from the wall, and a thermal break, e.g., by being made of an enhanced thermal resistant material. As such, the isolator pad may reduce heat loss and significantly decrease thermal bridging effects, e.g., between the bracket and the wall. That is, while current bracket designs may have thermal inefficiencies, and fundamental installation efficiencies, the brackets including the isolator pads, as described herein, are configured to be more thermally efficient, and easier to install than current bracket designs. In some embodiment, the bracket that includes the isolator pad may meet the American Society of heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2019, e.g., 0.90 and/or a minimum value of 0.75.
In an embodiment, an isolator pad for a bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly is provided. The isolator pad includes a planar portion corresponding to a planar base portion of the bracket; a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion configured to attach to the planar base portion of the bracket; and a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.
In another embodiment, a bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly that includes an isolator pad is provided. The bracket includes a planar base portion; a planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable connected to the planar base portion at a connection joint; a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable; and at least one strengthening rib provided on the planar base portion, the connection joint, and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable. The planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable includes a thumb hold portion configured to engage the sub-frame assembly, and the planar base portion is configured to be connected to a load-bearing wall. The bracket further includes an isolator pad connected to the planar base portion of the bracket, the isolator pad including a planar portion corresponding to the planar base portion of the bracket; a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion that attach the planar portion to the planar base portion of the bracket; and a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to the plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this specification can be practiced.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a bracket having an isolator pad, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E illustrate an isolator pad, according to some embodiments.

Like reference numbers represent like parts throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to a wall bracket and, in particular, to a façade cladding system that includes a bracket having an isolator pad for fastening a sub-frame assembly to a load-bearing wall. The bracket and sub-frame assembly are designed to simplify the process of building façade walls, and, in particular, rainscreen walls of all types including CI sub-framing and panel sub-framing. In some embodiments, the bracket is designed to provide low thermal conductivity across the bracket, e.g., low thermal bridging effects, then assemblies that include high thermal conductivity brackets, e.g., aluminum brackets. In some embodiments, the low thermal conductivity may be provided using an isolator pad that may be a hard plastic or a soft plastic that provides material separation, e.g., bracket from the wall, and a thermal break, e.g., by being made of an enhanced thermal resistant material. As such, the isolator pad may reduce heat loss and significantly decrease thermal bridging effects, e.g., between the bracket and the wall. That is, while current bracket designs may have thermal inefficiencies, and fundamental installation efficiencies, the brackets including the isolator pads, as described herein, are configured to be more thermally efficient, and easier to install than current bracket designs. In some embodiment, the bracket that includes the isolator pad may meet the American Society of heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2019, e.g., 0.90 and/or a minimum value of 0.75.
In an embodiment, the façade cladding system may be a rainscreen cladding system that is configured to thermally insulate the building or structure and prevent moisture or water from entering the building or structure. The rainscreen cladding system may be a building façade that is designed to restrict water, e.g., rain and moisture, from entering the insulation and building and has an air cavity to allow for constant air circulation, e.g., ventilation, of the cavity between the rainscreen panels and the load-bearing wall. That is, the rainscreen cladding system may be a two-stage construction that includes an inner insulated wall that is protected by an outer skin or shell formed of panels. The rainscreen cladding system may include a plurality of brackets, a plurality of horizontal sub-frame assemblies for accommodating insulation, a plurality of secondary portions, rainscreen panels, and insulation. As such, the rainscreen cladding system may be configured to provide thermal insulation, prevent excessive air leakage, and carry the wind loading and dead loading to prevent bending or failure of the rainscreen cladding system.
In an embodiment, the bracket(s) may be used to immovably fix or secure the sub-frame assemblies to a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing wall may be formed from concrete or masonry and/or include metal studs for attachment and securement of the sub-frame assemblies. In an embodiment, the bracket(s) may be positioned horizontally such that the fixed point connection holes of the bracket provided along the centerline of the planar base portion may receive fasteners for immovably fixing or securing the bracket(s) to the metal studs of the load-bearing wall. In an embodiment, a continuous insulation sheet may be provided between the bracket(s) and the load-bearing wall, which may reduce air and water leakage into the building and/or reduce thermal bridging or driving affects from the environment and/or bracket(s) into the building.
After the bracket(s) are fixed or secured to the load-bearing wall, the sub-frame assemblies which may include the insulation may be temporarily positioned by the bracket(s) via the thumb hold portions of the bracket(s). Fasteners are then used to temporarily fix or hold the sub-frame assemblies via the oblong holes, such that the thumb hold portion and the oblong holes may be used to accommodate plumb conditions of the sub-frame assemblies. After the sub-frame assemblies have been plumbed, fasteners may be used to immovably fix or secure the sub-frame assemblies to the bracket(s) via the fixed connection holes on the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable of the bracket. The insulation may be a material that is installed in the walls of a building to reduce heat transfer and energy loss, such as, fiberglass, cellulose, polyurethane, or other insulative material.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a bracket 100 with an isolator pad 160, according to some embodiments. The bracket 100 may be a component of the façade cladding system, as discussed above. The bracket 100 may include one or more of a planar base portion 110, a planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120, a plurality of fixing holes 130, and strengthening rib 140. In an embodiment, the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 may be connected to the planar base portion 110 at a connection joint 125. The bracket 100 may further include an isolator pad 160 connected to the planar base portion 110, as discussed below.
The plurality of fixing holes 130 may be provided on the planar base portion 110 and/or the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120. The plurality of fixing holes 130 may include a plurality of fixed point connection holes 132 that each have the same or different shapes, including, but not limited to being, oblong, circular, rectangular, etc. and a plurality of oblong holes 134, which may be ovular or oblong. While not intending to limit the scope of the disclosure, it is understood that the shape of the holes of the plurality of fixing holes 130 may be determined based on the function of the hole. In an embodiment, the hole may be circular for receiving a fastener, e.g., screw, bolt, pin, rivet, or the like, for a fixed point connection, e.g., the bracket is not slidable; but may be fixed and immovable when the fastener is secured to the load-bearing wall or façade. In some embodiments, a washer, such as a neoprene washer, may be provided on perimeter anchors/fasteners to further prevent and/or mitigate water penetration.
In an embodiment, the hole may be oblong to allow movement, e.g., slidable, with respect to the load-bearing wall and/or the façade. For example, the bracket 100 may include an oblong hole on the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 such that the fastener is partially secured to a sub-frame assembly, before another fastener is fixed in a hole at a fixed point connection to the sub-frame assembly, e.g., for final securement of the fastener, and/or to compensate or accommodate for linear thermal expansion and/or contraction.
In an embodiment, the planar base portion 110 may include a planar surface having rectangular, semi-spherical, semi-hexagonal, or semi-octagonal shape, or the like. The planar base portion 110 may further include the plurality of fixing holes 130. In an embodiment, the plurality of fixing holes 130 includes the fixed point connection holes 132 for the planar base portion 110 in a specific arrangement to facilitate the transfer of load from the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 to the fastener(s) secured to a load-bearing wall. In an embodiment, fixed point connection holes 132 may be provided along a centerline and along an inner perimeter frame of the planar base portion 110, in which the inner perimeter frame is parallel to the connection joint 125, e.g., adjacent to the bending portion or connection joint 125. In an embodiment, the fixed point connection holes 132 provided along the inner perimeter frame may be between 0.5 and 1 inches, preferably 0.75 inches, from the connection joint 125 along the planar face of the planar base portion 110. The plurality of fixed point connection holes 132 may be spaced apart equally or unequally along the planar base portion 110. In an embodiment, a total number of fixed point connection holes 132 may be between one and eleven, and may be provided in a “T,” “E,” “U,” or “N” configuration, or the like. The total number of fixing holes 130 may be dependent on the length of the planar base portion 110. In an embodiment, the planar base portion 110 may have a length between about 3 and 6 inches, and preferably about 3 inches, a width between about 3 and 6 inches, and preferably about 4 inches, and a thickness between 10 gauge and 18 gauge, e.g., 0.134 to 0.05 inches. It is appreciated that the specific arrangement of the fixing holes 130 on the planar base portion 110 may allow the bracket 100 to be arranged in either a horizontal attachment arrangement or vertical attachment arrangement with respect to the load-bearing wall. As such, the bracket 100 may be a universal bracket for horizontal or vertical positioning, which may reduce the manufacturing needs for the façade or rainscreen, e.g., only a single bracket design is necessary for installation of the façade or rainscreen.
The planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 includes a planar surface having a rectangular, semi-spherical, semi-hexagonal, semi-octagonal, shape or the like, similar to a shape corresponding to the planar base portion 110. The planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 may further include fixing holes 130 that include both a plurality of fixed point connection holes 132 and a plurality of oblong holes 134 for slidable movement with respect to the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120. The arrangement of fixed point connection holes 132 and oblong holes 134 allows the temporary and/or immovable securement of a portion of the sub-frame assembly to the bracket 100 and/or allows for linear thermal expansion or contraction of the various parts.
In an embodiment, the plurality of oblong holes 134 and the plurality of fixed point connection holes 132 are provided along a perimeter frame or end edge of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120, in which the perimeter frame or end edge is parallel to the connection joint 125, but on an opposite side of the connection joint 125 thereof.
In an embodiment, the fixed point connection holes 132 may be provided between 0.30 and 0.60 inches, and preferably 0.44 inches, from the end edge of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 and between 0.25 and 0.50 inches, and preferably 0.375 inches, from the side edge of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120.
In an embodiment, the oblong holes 134 may be provided between 0.30 and 0.60 inches, and preferably 0.44 inches, from the end edge of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 and between 1.0 and 1.5 inches, and preferably 1.125 inches, from the side edge of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120.
In an embodiment, a total number of fixed point connection holes 132 and oblong holes 134 may be between four and eight, and may be provided in a linear arrangement, e.g., parallel to the perimeter frame or edge, or adjacent thereto, e.g., between two and four sets of fixed point connection holes 132 and oblong holes 134 parallel to each other. In an embodiment, the planar slidable or fixable portion 120 may have a length between about 2 inches and about 20 inches to accommodate for different cavity depths, and preferably about 3 to about 12 inches, a width between about 3 and about 6 inches, and a thickness between 10 gauge and 18 gauge, e.g., 0.134 to 0.05 inches. It is appreciated that the specific arrangement of the fixed point connection holes 132 and the oblong holes 134 on the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 may be provided to allow the sliding adjustment of the sub-frame assembly, e.g., a rail portion or frame assembly to accommodate insulation, before fasteners are used to fix or immovably fasten the sub-frame assembly to the bracket 100. As used herein, the term “about” includes +5%, e.g., 0.1875 inches to 0.5 inches.
In an embodiment, the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 further includes a thumb hold portion 150 along a centerline of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120, in which a portion of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 is separated such that a space 155 is created on the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 from the separated portion. The thumb hold portion 150 may have a length between about 1.25 and about 12 inches and may be dependent on the length of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120. In an embodiment, the thumb hold portion 150 may have a length of 1.75 inches. The space 155 may be provided between ⅓ and the entirety of the length of the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 having a width between 0.25 and 0.075 inches, and, in an embodiment, may have a width of 0.450 inches.
As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the isolator pad 160 may include a planar portion 162, a plurality of fastening tabs 164, and a plurality of fixing holes 166. In some embodiments, the isolator pad 160 may include hard plastic or soft plastic material that has excellent thermal properties to be a thermal isolator, e.g., low thermal conductivity to resist heat transfer and/or reduce and mitigate thermal exchange. In some embodiments, the hard plastic may be high density polyethylene. In some embodiments, the soft plastic may be a thermoplastic elastomer. As such, the isolator pad 160 may be configured to be connected to the bracket 100, e.g., pre-applied to the bracket 100 for installation in the field to reduce field labor time. In some embodiments, when the isolator pad 160 includes the thermoplastic elastomer, it is appreciated that the isolator pad 160 is further configured to deform, such that the isolator pad may be configured to: 1) correspond to an outer surface of the wall, e.g., conformable to address any minor wall imperfections which may mitigate moisture penetration into the wall; 2) compress which may replace the use of caulk for sealing the bracket 100 and the wall; and/or 3) attach to the threads of the fasteners/anchors to further create a scaling effect with respect to the fasteners/anchors.
The planar portion 162 may be configured to correspond to the planar surface of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the planar portion 162 may be rectangular in shape and include the plurality of fastening tabs 164 provided around a periphery or perimeter of the planar portion 162. As such, the planar portion 162, when connected or attached to the bracket 100, may be directly adjacent the planar base portion 110, e.g., directly in contact with the planar base portion 110, or may be provided such that a layer of air is provided between the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 and the planar portion 162, e.g., to provide thermal insulation.
The planar portion 162 may further include the plurality of fixing holes 166 that correspond to the plurality of fixing holes 130 provided on the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the fixing holes 166 may correspond to, e.g., have the same arrangement, as the plurality of fixed point connection holes 132 for the planar base portion 110 in the specific arrangement to facilitate the transfer of load from the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 to the fastener(s) secured to the load-bearing wall. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of fixing holes 166 may be provided along a centerline and along an upper portion of the planar portion 162. In an embodiment, the plurality of fixing holes 166 may be spaced apart equally or unequally along the planar portion 162. In an embodiment, a total number of fixing holes 166 may be between one and eleven, and may be provided in a “T,” “E,” “U,” or “N” configuration, or the like.
The plurality of fastening tabs 164 may be provided around a periphery or perimeter of the planar portion 162. The plurality of fastening tabs 164 may include hooking portions 165A and abutment surface(s) 165B. The hooking portions 165A may be provided along parallel sides of the planar portion 162 and configured to engage the sides of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the hooking portions 165A may be snap-fit connections, in which the hooking portions 165A deform (and return) when pressed against the planar base portion 110 to connect or attach the isolator pad 160 to the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the hooking portions 165A may include outer surfaces that are provided at specific angles for shedding water away from the bracket 100. For example, in some embodiments, the hooking portions 165A may extend at an angle away from a vertical plane at a center of the isolator pad 160 and a point provided on an inner surface of the planar portion 162. As such, the hooking portions 165A may be configured or designed to have a drainage angle to create a positive shed of water away from the wall.
The abutment surface(s) 165B may be provided along top and bottom portions or sides of the planar portion 162 such that the abutment surface(s) 165B engage an area at or adjacent the connection joint 125 of the bracket 100, e.g., a top portion of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100, and/or a bottom portion of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In an embodiment, the abutment surface 165B that engages the connection joint 125 may extend at least partially over the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 such that the isolator pad 160 does not move or is prevented from moving in an upward direction with respect to the bracket 100. Similarly, an abutment surface 165B may be provided at the bottom portion of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 that is at an opposite end of the connection joint 125 such that the isolator pad 160 does not move or is prevented from moving in a downward direction with respect to the bracket 100. The abutment surface 165B may further include a lip for further securing the isolator pad 160 to the bracket 100.
In some embodiments, the plurality of fastening tabs 164 may be configured such that the isolator pad 160 may be centered with respect to the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 so that the plurality of fixing holes 166 of the isolator pad 160 may be aligned with the plurality of fixing holes 132 provided on the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100.
In some embodiments, the isolator pad 160 can be configured to cover the grooves formed by the strengthening ribs 140, e.g., on the planar base portion and/or the planar flanged portion.
While the terms top, bottom, and sides are used herein, such terms are not intended to be limiting, but provided for relative orientation of the features described herein. For example, the top and bottom may also be called right/left the sides may also be called top and bottom depending on the orientation of the bracket 100 and/or the isolator pad 160.
FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an example isolator pad 260, according to an example embodiment.
The isolator pad 260 may include the same or similar features as the isolator pad 160, as discussed above. The isolator pad 260 may include a planar portion 262, a plurality of fastening tabs 264, and a plurality of fixing holes 266. In some embodiments, the isolator pad 260 may include hard plastic or soft plastic material that has excellent thermal properties to be a thermal isolator, e.g., low thermal conductivity to resist heat transfer and/or reduce and mitigate thermal exchange. In some embodiments, the hard plastic may be high density polyethylene. In some embodiments, the soft plastic may be a thermoplastic elastomer. As such, the isolator pad 260 may be configured to be connected to the bracket, e.g., 100, e.g., pre-applied to the bracket 100 for installation in the field to reduce field labor time. In some embodiments, when the isolator pad 260 includes the thermoplastic elastomer, it is appreciated that the isolator pad 260 is further configured to deform, such that the isolator pad may be configured to: 1) correspond to an outer surface of the wall, e.g., conformable to address any minor wall imperfections which may mitigate moisture penetration into the wall; 2) compress which may replace the use of caulk for sealing the bracket 100 and the wall; and/or 3) attach to the threads of the fasteners/anchors to further create a sealing effect with respect to the fasteners/anchors.
The planar portion 262 may be configured to correspond to the planar surface of the planar base portion, e.g., 110, of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the planar portion 262 may be rectangular in shape and include the plurality of fastening tabs 264 provided around a periphery or perimeter of the planar portion 262. As such, the planar portion 262, when connected or attached to a bracket 100, may be directly adjacent the planar base portion 110, e.g., directly in contact with the planar base portion 110, or may be provided such that a layer of air is provided between the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 and the planar portion 262, e.g., to provide thermal insulation.
As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the planar portion 262 may further include the plurality of fixing holes 266 that correspond to the plurality of fixing holes, e.g., 130, provided on the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the fixing holes 266 may correspond to, e.g., have the same arrangement as, the plurality of fixed point connection holes, e.g., 132, for the planar base portion 110. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of fixing holes 266 may be provided along a centerline and along an upper portion of the planar portion 262. In an embodiment, the plurality of fixing holes 266 may be spaced apart equally or unequally along the planar portion 262. In an embodiment, a total number of fixing holes 266 may be between one and eleven, and may be provided in a “T,” “E,” “U,” or “N” configuration, or the like.
The plurality of fastening tabs 264 may be provided around a periphery or perimeter of the planar portion 262. The plurality of fastening tabs 264 may include hooking portions 265A and abutment surface(s) 265B. The hooking portions 265A may be provided along parallel sides of the planar portion 262 and configured to engage the sides of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the hooking portions 265A may be snap-fit connections, in which the hooking portions 265A deform (and return) when pressed against the planar base portion 110 to connect the isolator pad 260 to the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the hooking portions 265A may include outer surfaces that are provided at specific angles for shedding water away from the bracket 100.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, the hooking portions 265A may extend at an angle away from a vertical plane at a center of the isolator pad 260 and a point provided on an inner surface of the planar portion 262. In an embodiment, the outer surface of the isolator pad 260 may have a length longer than a distance between the hooking portions 265A along an interior area of the isolator pad 260, e.g., an outer surface length of 4 inches, whereas, the distance between the hooking portions 265A is 3.89 inches. As such, the hooking portions 265A may be configured to have a specific drainage angle to create a positive shed of water away from the wall.
The abutment surface(s) 265B may be provided along top and/or bottom side of the planar portion 262 such that the abutment surface(s) 265B is configured to engage an area at or adjacent the connection joint, e.g., 125, of the bracket 100 and/or engage a bottom end or portion of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100. In an embodiment, the abutment surface 265B that is configured to engage the area at or adjacent the connection joint 125 may extend at least partially over the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable 120 such that the isolator pad 260 does not move or is prevented from moving in an upward direction with respect to the bracket 100. Similarly, an abutment surface 265B may be provided at the bottom end or side of planar portion 262 and configured to engage the bottom end of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 that is at an opposite end of the connection joint 125 such that the isolator pad 260 does not move or is prevented from moving in a downward direction with respect to the bracket 100. The abutment surface 265B may further include a lip for further securing the isolator pad 160 to the bracket 100. In some embodiments, the abutment surface 265B that engages the connection joint 125 may have a greater thickness than the abutment surface 265B at the bottom end or portion of the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100.
In some embodiments, the plurality of fastening tabs 264 may be configured such that the isolator pad 260 may be centered with respect to the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100 so that the plurality of fixing holes 266 of the isolator pad 260 may be aligned with the plurality of fixing holes 132 provided on the planar base portion 110 of the bracket 100.
While the terms top, bottom, and sides are used herein, such terms are not intended to be limiting, but provided for relative orientation of the features described herein. For example, the top and bottom may also be called right/left the sides may also be called top and bottom depending on the orientation of the bracket 100 and/or the isolator pad 260.
In view of the features described above, the isolator pad, as discussed herein, may be configured such that the isolator pad may:

- Be pre-applied to the bracket 100 to reduce field labor time, correspond to an outer surface of the wall, e.g., conformable to address any minor wall imperfections, compress which may replace the use of caulk for sealing the bracket and the wall, and/or attach to the threads of the fasteners/anchors to further create a sealing effect,
- Include fastening tabs that include outer surfaces having drainage angles to create a positive shed of water away from the wall, such that the isolator pad adheres to rainscreen principles, such as, water drainage away from the wall sheathing,
- Include fastening tabs that are configured to center and/or align the plurality of fixing holes on the isolator pad with the plurality of fixing holes on the bracket, and
- Excellent thermal properties, e.g., low thermal conductivity to resist heat transfer and/or mitigate thermal exchange between the bracket 100 and the wall, and/or by sealing bracket holes when the holes are not used for mounting the bracket.

Aspects

It is noted that any of the aspects can be combined with any other aspect.
Aspect 1. An isolator pad for a bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly, the isolator pad comprising: a planar portion corresponding to a planar base portion of the bracket; a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion configured to attach to the planar base portion of the bracket; and a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.
Aspect 2. The isolator pad of Aspect 1, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs include hooking portions provided along parallel sides of the planar portion.
Aspect 3. The isolator pad of Aspect 2, wherein the hooking portions include at least two hooking portions.
Aspect 4. The isolator pad of any of Aspects 1-3, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs includes an abutment surface along at least one side of the planar portion, the abutment surface configured to engage at least a top portion of the planar base portion of the bracket that is connected to a planar flanged portion of the bracket.
Aspect 5. The isolator pad of any of Aspects 1-4, wherein the isolator pad is formed from a hard plastic, wherein the hard plastic is high density polyethylene.
Aspect 6. The isolator pad of any of Aspects 1-5, wherein the isolator pad is formed from a soft plastic, wherein the soft plastic is a thermoplastic elastomer.
Aspect 7. The isolator pad of Aspect 2, wherein the hooking portions include an outer surface that is provided at an angle with respect to a vertical plane to shed water away from the bracket.
Aspect 8. The isolator pad of any of Aspects 1-7, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs is configured as a centering clement for aligning the plurality of fixing holes on the isolator pad with the plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.
Aspect 9. A bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly, comprising: a planar base portion; a planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable connected to the planar base portion at a connection joint; a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable; and at least one strengthening rib provided on the planar base portion, the connection joint, and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable, wherein the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable comprises a thumb hold portion configured to engage the sub-frame assembly, and wherein the planar base portion is configured to be connected to a load-bearing wall; and an isolator pad connected to the planar base portion of the bracket, the isolator pad comprising: a planar portion corresponding to the planar base portion of the bracket; a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion that attach the planar portion to the planar base portion of the bracket; and a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to the plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.
The terminology used in this specification is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components.
With regard to the preceding description, it is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This specification and the embodiments described are exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An isolator pad for a bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly, the isolator pad comprising:

a planar portion corresponding to a planar base portion of the bracket;

a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion configured to attach to the planar base portion of the bracket; and

a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.

2. The isolator pad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs include hooking portions provided along parallel sides of the planar portion.

3. The isolator pad of claim 2, wherein the hooking portions include at least two hooking portions.

4. The isolator pad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs includes an abutment surface along at least one side of the planar portion, the abutment surface configured to engage at least a top portion of the planar base portion of the bracket that is connected to a planar flanged portion of the bracket.

5. The isolator pad of claim 1, wherein the isolator pad is formed from a hard plastic, wherein the hard plastic is high density polyethylene.

6. The isolator pad of claim 1, wherein the isolator pad is formed from a soft plastic, wherein the soft plastic is a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The isolator pad of claim 2, wherein the hooking portions include an outer surface that is provided at an angle with respect to a vertical plane to shed water away from the bracket.

8. The isolator pad of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fastening tabs is configured as a centering element for aligning the plurality of fixing holes on the isolator pad with the plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.

9. A bracket for fastening a sub-frame assembly, comprising:

a planar base portion;

a planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable connected to the planar base portion at a connection joint;

a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable; and

at least one strengthening rib provided on the planar base portion, the connection joint, and the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable,

wherein the planar flanged portion that is fixable or slidable comprises a thumb hold portion configured to engage the sub-frame assembly, and

wherein the planar base portion is configured to be connected to a load-bearing wall; and

an isolator pad connected to the planar base portion of the bracket, the isolator pad comprising:

a planar portion corresponding to the planar base portion of the bracket;

a plurality of fastening tabs provided on a periphery of the planar portion that attach the planar portion to the planar base portion of the bracket; and

a plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar portion that correspond to the plurality of fixing holes provided on the planar base portion of the bracket.