US 5,537,792 A · Decorative wall covering

Abstract

A wall covering comprising a plurality of plastic molded panels each having a relatively thin body portion formed with rows of simulated building elements. The panels are mounted on a support surface in a plurality of horizontal courses with a side marginal edge region of one panel overlapping and sealingly engaging an underlying side marginal edge region of the adjacent panel and a lower marginal region of a panel in one course overlying an upper marginal region of a panel in a lower course. Each panel is provided with frangible locating means for positively locating an interlock lip of the overlying panel in predetermined engaged relation with interlock flanges of an underlying panel. The interlock flanges of the panels are provided with reinforcement ribs to prevent breakage when the panels are exposed to weather extremes and undergo thermal expansion or contraction. Finally, each panel is provided with side interlock means which enhance the panel's resistance to buckling during installation and use.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A wall covering for mounting on a support surface comprising:

a plurality of panels each having a body portion formed with simulated building elements;
said panels each having upper and lower marginal edge regions;
said panels being mountable on said support surface in a plurality of horizontal courses with at least one of said panels in a first horizontal course having an upper marginal edge region underlying a lower marginal edge region of at least one of said panels in a second horizontal course positioned above the first horizontal course;
said upper marginal edge region including a plurality of interlock flanges and frangible locating means;
and,
said lower marginal edge region including an interlock lip for positively engaging said interlock flanges of an underlying panel to positively interlock said at least one panel in said first course with said at least one panel in said second course;
said interlock lip being engageable with said frangible locating means to positively locate said interlock lip at a point of intermediate engagement with said interlock flanges during installation to permit relative vertical movement between said overlying upper and lower marginal edge regions due to thermal expansion and contraction of said panels;
and said frangible locating means being breakable by said interlock lip upon relative movement caused by contraction of said panels.

5 more elements

A panel for building a decorative wall covering from a plurality of said panels mounted on a support surface in overlapping relation to form a plurality of substantially horizontal courses, said panel comprising:

a body portion formed with simulated building elements;
a first marginal edge region disposed above said body portion and including a plurality of interlock flanges, said first marginal edge region further including frangible locating means for locating vertically adjacent panels in said wall covering in precise relation;
a second marginal edge region disposed beneath the body portion and including an interlock lip dimensioned for positively engaging said interlock flanges;
a third marginal edge region disposed at a first side of said body portion, said third marginal edge region defining an aperture;
and,
a fourth marginal edge region disposed at a second side of said body portion opposite said first side, said fourth marginal edge region including a first projecting flange dimensioned to slidably engage said aperture.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Decorative wall covering

Life of this patent

Decorative wall covering

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20