Wall panel system
AssigneeMarlite, Inc.
InventorKevin Krieger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular wall system (10) includes a number of decorative panels that are received in an extruded panel frame (22). The panel frames (22) are positioned by connecting them to a wall rail (16) that is attached to the building. The wall rail (16) and the panel frame (22) each have a groove (52, 62) that accepts a fastener or clip (18) by interference or snap fit to attach the panel frame (22) to the wall rail (16). The grooves (52, 62) have a dove-tail shape that permits a snap fit to secure the panels (12) yet permit the panels to be easily removed or reconfigured.
Claims16
A modular wall system used to construct a wall surface, the system comprising:
- a) a decorative wall panel;
- b) a panel frame, wherein said decorative wall panel is mounted within said panel frame;
- c) a pair of spaced wall rails, with said panel frame extending between and connected to said pair of wall rails;
- d) a panel frame groove;
- e) a wall rail groove formed in each said wall rail;
- f) a plurality of clips, each having a first and a second end with said first end snappingly engaging said panel frame groove and said second end snappingly engaging said wall rail groove
- wherein said clips are each symmetrical with said first and second ends each having a pair of protrusions extending from a central body portion, said pair of protrusions being compressible toward each other upon snapping engagement into said panel frame groove on said wall rail groove
- wherein said wall rails are vertically disposed with each connected to a stud.
A modular wall system used to construct a wall surface, the system comprising:
- a decorative panel mounted in a panel frame, a wall rail, and a clipping means for joining said panel frame to said wall rail;
- said wall rail being mounted to a supporting subwall and having a uniform cross section;
- said clipping means snappingly engaging with a groove in said wall rail and a groove in said panel frame
- wherein said panel frame comprises a pair of primary flanges;
- said primary flanges being parallel and connected by a web;
- said web being fixed to said pair of primary flanges at a right angle and defining a channel adapted for receipt of a portion of said decorative panel therein;
- and
- a pair of groove-defining elements in one of said primary flanges;
- said groove defining elements forming said groove in said panel frame;
- said groove defining elements being orthogonal to said primary flanges.
A modular wall system used to construct a wall surface, the system comprising:
- a decorative panel mounted in a panel frame, a wall rail, and a clipping means for joining said panel frame to said wall rail;
- said wall rail being mounted to a supporting subwall and having a uniform cross section;
- said clipping means snappingly engaging with a groove in said wall rail and a groove in said panel frame
- wherein said panel frame comprises a pair of primary flanges;
- said primary flanges being parallel and connected by a web;
- said web being fixed to said pair of primary flanges at a right angle and defining a channel adapted for receipt of a portion of said decorative panel therein;
- and
- a pair of groove-defining elements in one of said primary flanges;
- said groove defining elements forming said groove in said panel frame;
- said groove defining elements being orthogonal to said primary flanges
- wherein said groove in said panel frame has a dove-tail shape that permits said clipping means to be received therein with a snap fit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.