Panel assembly with trim plates
OwnerGlenn Bostockinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A panel assembly is disclosed having finishing elements in the form of trim plates. Interchangeable panels of the assembly having tongue and groove edges are attached to a support structure. The trim plates are positioned along free edges of panels at the top and bottom of the assembly. The trim plates have mounting surfaces that engage respective contact surfaces on the panels. The mounting and contact surfaces are offset away from a center plane of the panels toward a back face that interfaces with the support structure to which the panel assembly is attached. The offset provides enhanced structural safety by reducing bending moments on fasteners effecting attachment of the panel assembly to the support structure.
Claims17
A panel assembly attachable to a support structure, said panel assembly comprising:
- a panel having a back face, said back face interfacing with said support structure upon attachment of said panel thereto;
- a contact surface located on said panel and oriented transversely thereto, said contact surface being offset from the center plane of said panel toward said back face;
- and
- a trim plate positioned along said contact surface of said panel, said trim plate having a mounting surface engaged with said contact surface at an interface therebetween when said trim plate and said panel are attached to said support structure.
A panel assembly attachable to a support structure, said panel assembly comprising:
- a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one intermediate panel positioned between said top and bottom panels, said panels being arranged substantially co-planar with one another;
- said top panel having a back face, said back face interfacing with said support structure upon attachment of said top panel thereto;
- a contact surface located on said top panel and oriented transversely thereto, said contact surface being offset from the center plane of said top panel toward said backface;
- and
- a crown plate positioned along said contact surface, said crown plate having a mounting surface engaged with said contact surface when said crown plate and said top panel are attached to said support structure.
An elevator cab comprising:
- a cab structure;
- a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one intermediate panel attached to said cab structure, said intermediate panel being positioned between said top and bottom panels, said panels being arranged substantially co-planar with one another and forming an interior wall of said cab;
- said top panel having a back face, said back face interfacing with said cab structure upon attachment of said top panel thereto;
- a contact surface located on said top panel and oriented transversely thereto, said contact surface being offset from the center plane of said top panel toward said backface;
- and
- a crown plate attached to said cab structure, said crown plate being positioned along said contact surface, said crown plate having a mounting surface engaged with said contact surface.
A method of installing a panel assembly onto a support structure, said method comprising:
- providing a top panel having a back face and a contact surface oriented transversely to said top panel, said contact surface being offset from the center plane of said top panel toward said back face;
- attaching said top panel to said support structure such that said back face interfaces with said support structure;
- and
- attaching a trim plate to said support structure along said contact surface, said trim plate having a mounting surface engaged with said contact surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.