Standoff for mounting panel and method for mounting panels

A standoff for mounting a panel to a support structure;

• the panel defining a mounting opening;
• the standoff comprising:
• a bushing having a shank and a head;
• the bushing defining an opening that extends entirely through the shank and head;
• the shank adapted to pass through the mounting opening of the panel;
• a barrel defining an opening that extends entirely through the barrel;
• a portion of the shank of the bushing being disposed in the opening of the barrel;
• the opening of the bushing being aligned with the opening of the barrel such that an anchor fastener can pass through the bushing and the barrel into a support structure to which the panel is to be mounted;
• first and second exterior washers disposed around portions of the shank of the bushing;
• the first exterior washer adapted to be disposed between the panel and the barrel;
• and the second exterior washer adapted to be disposed between the panel and the head of the bushing;
• each of the exterior washers having a maximum width dimension;
• the barrel having first and second ends;
• the first end adapted to face the panel;
• the first end having a maximum width dimension;
• the maximum width dimension of the first exterior washer being no larger than the maximum width dimension of the first end of the barrel;
• the head of the bushing having first and second ends;
• the first end adapted to face the panel;
• the first end having a maximum width dimension;
• the maximum width dimension of the second exterior washer being larger than the maximum width dimension of the first end of the head of the bushing;
• and
• further comprising an end cap removably carried on the head of the bushing;
• the end cap having a maximum width dimension;
• and the maximum width dimension of the second exterior washer being no larger than the maximum width dimension of the end cap.

A standoff for mounting a panel to a support structure;

• the panel defining a mounting opening;
• the standoff comprising:
• a bushing having a shank and a head;
• the bushing defining an opening that extends entirely through the shank and head;
• the shank adapted to pass through the mounting opening of the panel;
• a barrel defining an opening that extends entirely through the barrel;
• a portion of the shank of the bushing being disposed in the opening of the barrel;
• the opening of the bushing being aligned with the opening of the barrel such that an anchor fastener can pass through the bushing and the barrel into a support structure to which the panel is to be mounted;
• an end cap carried on the head of the bushing;
• the end cap adapted to cover an anchor head of the anchor fastener;
• and
• wherein the end cap has a maximum width dimension;
• the barrel having a maximum width dimension;
• the maximum width dimension of the end cap being the same as the maximum width dimension of the barrel.

An assembly comprising:

• a panel defining a mounting opening and first and second exterior surfaces;
• a standoff adapted to mount the panel to a support structure;
• the standoff including a bushing having a shank and a head;
• the bushing defining an opening that extends entirely through the shank and head;
• the standoff also including a barrel defining an opening that extends entirely through the barrel;
• the barrel having an exterior shape and size;
• a portion of the shank of the bushing disposed in the barrel;
• the through hole of the bushing being aligned with the opening of the barrel;
• an anchor fastener extending out of the opening of the bushing into the support structure;
• a portion of the shank of the bushing being disposed in the mounting opening;
• portions of the first and second exterior surfaces of the panel disposed between the head of the bushing and the barrel;
• and
• an end cap carried by the head of the bushing to cover an anchor head of the anchor fastener;
• the end cap having an exterior shape and size that matches the exterior shape and size of the barrel.

A method of mounting a panel to a support structure with a standoff;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a panel with a mounting opening;
• inserting a shank of a bushing through the mounting opening of the panel;
• the bushing having a head connected to the shank;
• the bushing defining an opening that extends entirely though the bushing;
• connecting a barrel to the shank of the bushing to place a portion of the panel directly between the barrel and the head of the bushing;
• the barrel defining an opening that extends entirely through the barrel;
• the opening of the bushing being aligned with the opening of the barrel when the barrel is connected to the shank of the bushing;
• inserting an anchor fastener through the bushing and through the barrel;
• connecting the anchor fastener into the support structure;
• and
• further comprising the step of drilling a pilot hole in the support structure by drilling through the openings of the bushing and barrel while they are attached to the panel;
• the pilot hole being drilled before the step of inserting an anchor fastener through the bushing and through the barrel.