Prefabricated wall panel with tongue and groove construction
AssigneeWestlake Royal Stone LLC
InventorsDavid H. Wolf, James S. Belt, William Smith, Donn R. Vermilion, Wayne J. Buoni, Joy Stickel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A prefabricated wall panel has a precast body including at least one decorative design element. In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element having a first end embedded in the precast body and a second end projecting from the precast body. A groove is formed between the precast body and the second end of the mounting element along a first edge of the precast body. A tongue is formed along a second edge of the precast body opposite the first edge. The tongue and groove cooperate to allow prefabricated wall panels to be more easily installed on a support substrate.
Claims19
A wall panel comprising:
- a concrete body comprising a design element and a rear surface;
- and
- a mounting element projecting from the body, the mounting element comprising a first segment embedded in the body and extending in a first plane, a second segment projecting from the body and extending in a second plane different from, and parallel to, the first plane, and a transition section extending onto an upper surface of the body transverse the first plane and the second plane;
- wherein the first segment of the mounting element and the transition section form an angle;
- wherein the mounting element includes both a slot and a hole each proximate the second segment, wherein the slot is adjacent the rear surface in the transition section, the transition section being configured to receive a tab of an adjacent wall panel;
- and
- wherein the mounting element further comprises a tab that projects from the body in a direction opposite the second segment, the tab being configured for alignment with a slot of an adjacent wall panel.
A wall panel comprising:
- a concrete body comprising a design element and a rear surface, the design element configured to face outwardly relative to a supporting wall;
- and
- a mounting element projecting from the body;
- wherein the mounting element comprises a first segment extending away from the body and a second segment embedded substantially within an interior portion of the body, the first segment including a plurality of set back features each defining a central aperture therethrough to receive a fastener, each set back feature curving outward from a remainder of the first segment and configured to provide spacing between the rear surface of the concrete body and the supporting wall;
- and
- wherein the mounting element further comprises a hole or gap to allow water to drain into the spacing.
A wall panel comprising:
- a concrete body comprising a design element and a rear surface, the design element configured to face outwardly relative to a supporting wall;
- and
- a mounting element projecting from the body;
- wherein the mounting element comprises a first segment outside the body and a second segment embedded within the body, the first segment including a plurality of curved set back features each defining a central aperture therethrough to receive a fastener, each set back feature projecting away from the rear surface of the body and away from the second segment, the mounting element configured to provide spacing between the rear surface of the body and the supporting wall and including a hole or gap to allow water to drain into the spacing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.