Snap-together standoffs for restoring, repairing, reinforcing, protecting, insulating and/or cladding structures

A method for covering at least a portion of a surface of an existing structure with a repair structure, the method comprising:

• providing a standoff, the standoff elongated in a longitudinal direction and operable from an open configuration to a closed configuration;
• while the standoff is in the open configuration, mounting the standoff to the existing structure, such that the standoff projects outwardly away from the surface of the existing structure;
• closing the standoff to the closed configuration, the closing of the standoff forming a standoff connector;
• and
• coupling a cladding panel to the standoff by engaging the panel with the standoff connector at a location spaced outwardly apart from the surface of the existing structure by a void.

Apparatus for repairing at least a portion of a surface of an existing structure, comprising:

• a longitudinally extending standoff coupled to the existing structure to project outwardly away from the surface of the existing structure, the standoff operable from an open configuration to a closed configuration;
• and
• a cladding panel engageable with a standoff connector of the standoff, after the standoff is converted from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and when so engaged, the panel is spaced outwardly apart from the surface of the existing structure to provide a void between the cladding panel and the surface of the existing structure;
• wherein:
• the standoff comprises first and second arms connected at transversely spaced apart locations to a base, the first and second arms movable relative to the base such that at least a portion of the first arm is transversely spaced apart from at least a portion of the second arm when the standoff is in the open configuration and wherein the at least a portion of the first arm is transversely closer to the at least a portion of the second arm when the standoff is in the closed configuration;
• the first and second arms define an outwardly opening standoff opening therebetween when the standoff is in the open configuration;
• one or more mounting features of the base are accessible from an outward direction via the standoff opening when the standoff is in the open configuration;
• and
• the first arm comprises a first standoff connector component and the second arm comprises a second standoff connector component and the first and second standoff connector components together form the standoff connector when the standoff is in the closed configuration.

Apparatus for repairing at least a portion of a surface of an existing structure, comprising:

• a longitudinally extending standoff coupled to the existing structure to project outwardly away from the surface of the existing structure, the standoff operable from an open configuration to a closed configuration;
• and
• a first cladding panel and a second cladding panel, each forced in an inward direction toward the surface of the existing structure into engagement with a standoff connector of the standoff when the standoff is in the closed configuration, the first and second engaged panels spaced outwardly apart from the surface of the existing structure to provide a void between the cladding panel and the surface of the existing structure;
• wherein:
• the standoff comprises first and second arms connected at transversely spaced apart locations to a base, the first and second arms movable relative to the base such that at least a portion of the first arm is transversely spaced apart from at least a portion of the second arm when the standoff is in the open configuration and wherein the at least a portion of the first arm is transversely closer to the at least a portion of the second arm when the standoff is in the closed configuration;
• the first and second arms define an outwardly opening standoff opening therebetween when the standoff is in the open configuration;
• one or more mounting features of the base are accessible from an outward direction via the standoff opening when the standoff is in the open configuration;
• and
• the first arm comprises a first standoff connector component and the second arm comprises a second standoff connector component and the first and second standoff connector components together form the standoff connector when the standoff is in the closed configuration.