# US 2014/0360128 A1 · Wall attachment clip, wall panel system, and system and method for supporting wall panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360128 A1 - Document ID: US20140360128A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/454,132 - Filed: 2014-08-07 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-19 - Assignees: Redglaze Group, LLC - Applicants: Redglaze Group, LLC - Inventors: JOSEPH J. FORAL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360128A1 ## CPC - E04B 2/828: {Connections between partitions and structural walls} - E04B 1/38: Connections for building structures in general - E04B 2/00: Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls (connections for building structures in general E04B1/38; insulation for buildings in general E04B1/62; building elements of relatively thin form for parts of buildings E04C2/00) - E04F 13/0835: {the fastening elements extending into the back side of the covering elements (E04F13/0851 takes precedence)} - E04F 13/0837: {extending completely through the covering elements} - E04F 13/0876: {the covering layer comprising mutual alignment or interlocking means} - E04F 13/12: of metal {or with an outer layer of metal or enameled metal (E04F13/0864 takes precedence)} - E04F 13/24: Hidden fastening means on the rear of the covering or lining elements (E04F13/30 takes precedence){(not used, see E04F13/0801)} - Y10T 24/44265: Gripping member face integral with or rigidly affixed to screw-driving portion - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A clip for attaching and supporting wall panels to a building (such as for an exterior building envelope), a wall panel system, and systems and methods for supporting wall panels is provided. The clip includes a main body portion, a first extension portion, a second extension portion, and a face portion. The clip is used with a system of interlocking vapor barrier wall panels to support the wall panels and affix them to a building frame without compromising the vapor barrier. Exterior façade panels can also be affixed to the clip and building frame without compromising the vapor barrier. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clip for attaching and supporting a wall panel to a building structure, said clip comprising: a main body portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; an extension portion having a first end located at said second end of said main body portion and extending away from the building structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a face portion located at a second end of said extension portion and extending in a direction such that said face portion and said main body portion are substantially parallel planes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body portion includes one or more pre-drilled hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said face portion includes one or more pre-drilled hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clip is a single-piece, unibody apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clip is made out of 14 gauge galvanized steel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein substantially perpendicular includes any angle between 80 and 100 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein substantially parallel planes includes any two planes wherein the angle between the two planes is 15 degrees or less. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein substantially perpendicular is an angle of about 85 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein substantially perpendicular is an angle of about 95 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smallest angle between said substantially parallel planes is about 10 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A system for attaching and supporting a wall panel to a building structure, said system comprising: a stud element of the building structure; a barrier comprised of a plurality of interlocking panels, wherein each panel includes at least one edge portion that overlaps with at least one edge portion of an adjacent panel; and a clip, as described in claim 1; wherein the interlocking panels form a vapor barrier seal along the overlapping edges; and wherein said clip is affixed to said stud element of the building structure through a hole in said at least one edge portion of a first panel such that said at least one edge portion of an adjacent panel overlaps said hole in said first panel, such that said hole in said first panel is covered so as to maintain the vapor barrier seal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: an exterior façade affixed to the face portion of the clip such that the vapor barrier is not penetrated and the vapor barrier seal remains intact. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said clip is affixed to said stud element of the building structure via an anchor that penetrates the main body portion of the clip, said edge portion of the first panel, and said stud element of the building structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a pressure equalizing void located between said vapor barrier and said exterior façade. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: a sealant connects the edge of said first panel to the edge of said adjacent panel to form said vapor barrier seal. ### Claim 16 A method of attaching and supporting a wall panel to a building structure, said method comprising: affixing a clip to a stud element of the building structure through a hole in an edge portion of a first panel, said clip comprising: a main body portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; an extension portion having a first end located at said second end of said main body portion and extending away from the building structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main body portion; and a face portion located at a second end of said extension portion and extending in a direction such that said face portion and said main body portion are substantially parallel planes; and interlocking said first panel with an adjacent panel such that said hole in the edge portion of the first panel is covered by an overlapping portion of said adjacent panel, the interlocking, overlapping first and adjacent panels forming a vapor barrier seal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: penetrating said main body portion of the clip, said hole in the edge portion of the first panel, and said stud element of the building structure with an anchor to secure said clip and said panel to the building structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: affixing an exterior façade to said face portion of said clip such that the vapor barrier seal remains intact. ### Claim 19 A method of attaching and supporting a wall panel to a building structure, said method comprising: affixing a first clip to a stud element of the building structure through a hole in an edge portion of a first panel; interlocking said first panel with an adjacent panel such that said hole in the edge portion of the first panel is covered by an overlapping portion of said adjacent panel, the interlocking, overlapping first and adjacent panels forming a vapor barrier seal between said first panel and said adjacent panel; affixing a second clip to a stud element of the building structure through a hole in an edge portion of said adjacent panel; and affixing a hat subgirt to said first and second clips. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising affixing an exterior façade to said hat subgirt such that the vapor barrier seal remains intact. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first and second clips each comprise: a main body portion having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; a second extension portion having a first end located at said second end of said main body portion and extending away from the building structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main body portion; and a face portion located at a second end of said second portion and extending in a direction such that said face portion and said main body portion are substantially parallel planes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said face portions and said second ends of said second extension portions of said first and second clips are positioned inside said hat subgirt. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising affixing an exterior façade to said hat subgirt such that the vapor barrier seal remains intact.