Wall panel system
a wall panel and architectural technology, applied in the direction of building components, covering/linings, construction, etc., can solve the problems of high construction cost of commercial and industrial buildings, high system durability, and inability to substitute wood
Inactive Publication Date: 2009-11-05
FIRESTONE BUILDING PRODS
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Benefits of technology
The patent text discusses an architectural wall panel system that is designed to cover interior or exterior building surfaces. The system uses high-strength bonding adhesives to attach mounting clips to the wall panels, which helps to prevent the panels from warping and cracking due to changes in atmospheric conditions. The system also includes a sealant in both the horizontal and vertical joints between adjacent wall panels to prevent air and water infiltration. However, the current attachment systems used in the system have certain disadvantages, such as not allowing for movement of the wall panels and difficulty in repairing or replacing installed wall panels. The technical effect of this patent is to provide an improved attachment system that overcomes these challenges and disadvantages, allowing for more efficient and effective installation of the architectural wall panel system.
Problems solved by technology
One such factor is the high cost to construct commercial and industrial buildings, which tend to be relatively large, from stone or brick.
Wood is not a suitable substitute due to the large loads the buildings supporting structure must withstand.
Another factor affecting the increased use of metal and composite wall panel systems is the high durability of the systems.
Consequently, the metal and composite wall panel systems have a long life, and may require less maintenance than other alternative building materials and systems.
Architectural wall panel systems have many advantages, as discussed above, however, these systems may also present a number of challenges and disadvantages.
One such challenge is the thermal expansion and contraction of the wall panels.
The metal and composite materials used most commonly in architectural wall panel systems are subject to natural expansion and contraction due to changes in atmospheric conditions, including heat and humidity.
If a means of accommodating this inherent thermal cycling is not provided in the attachment system of the architectural wall panel system then the panels can become warped and cracked, requiring repairing or replacement.
Another challenge that may be associated with architectural wall panel systems is directly related to the first issue of thermal cycling, and relates to the effectiveness of sealants used in joints between adjacent wall panels in face-sealed architectural panel systems.
Because the joints increase and decrease in size during thermal cycling, sealants often become dislodged and / or cracked and are thereafter ineffective at preventing the infiltration of air and water.
As a result, sealants used in face-sealed architectural panel systems have proven disappointingly ineffective.
An additional disadvantage associated with many architectural wall panel systems is the complexity of the system, including the number of pieces and parts needed and the extensive time and labor required to install the complex system.
This means that if an extremely high number of fasteners are used, it results in a great deal of time and effort spent in installation of the systems just to secure the clips to the panels prior to attaching the panels to the structure.
A further disadvantage is that the weight of the wall panels can cause a shearing moment on the clips of the system.
Furthermore, silicone adhesives take a long time to cure, and are not conducive to additional finishing steps such as sanding and painting.
While this attachment system allows for more efficient installation of an architectural wall panel system, it suffers from the disadvantage mentioned above relating to thermal cycling of the wall panel system because it does not allow for movement of the wall panels.
In addition, the attachment system suffers from a number of new disadvantages, such as not providing adequate attachment strength to withstand some natural weather conditions, and making it extremely difficult to repair or replace installed wall panels as the locking members prevent the panel from being removed from the retaining members.
This system, however, uses a high number of parts, and the thermal cycling of the system is limited by the small amount of movement allowed by the elastomeric insert.
Furthermore, the elastomeric insert is subject to wear from the natural elements it will be exposed to, and subject to failure due to these elements and repeated expansion and contraction as a result of the thermal cycling of the wall panel system.
None of these attachment systems has proven noticeably advantageous over conventional attachment methods in providing a more efficient, reliable, and practical means of attaching architectural wall panels to the surface of a structure.
Method used
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[0018]In one or more embodiments of the present invention an architectural wall panel system (hereinafter referred to as wall panel system) is provided, and is generally indicated by the numeral 20 in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, an exemplary wall panel system 20 is shown as installed on a building surface 24. Wall panel system 20 includes a plurality of wall panels 22 positioned adjacent to one another on a surface, such as building surface 24. While reference will be made herein to building surface 24, it should be appreciated that wall panel system 20 may be used on any desired surface, whether interior or exterior, and reference to building surface 24 should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0019]Wall panels 22 may be made of any suitable material. These include those materials that have the strength and wear characteristics to withstand the natural forces and elements that act upon the wall panel system. These materials will be readily apparent to ...
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Abstract
A wall panel system includes a mounting bracket with a longitudinally extending first channel and a longitudinally extending second channel, and a wall panel with a perpendicular flange around its periphery. The wall panel is attached to the mounting bracket by a clip attached to the wall panel adjacent the flange, the clip having an engaging element with a first portion and a second portion. The clip is secured to the mounting bracket by either the first portion of the engaging element mating with the second channel, or the second portion mating with the first channel. The first portion of the engaging element and the second channel each include a protrusion, the interaction of the protrusions causing the first portion to snap into the second channel.
Description
[0001]This application gains the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 049,190 filed Apr. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]One or more embodiments of this invention relate to an architectural wall panel system designed to cover an interior or exterior building surface. More specifically, one or more embodiments relate to an architectural wall panel system employing high strength bonding adhesives to attach mounting clips to the wall panel.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Architectural wall panel systems, including both metal and composite wall panel systems, have been used extensively for some time, primarily in the commercial and industrial building markets. In recent years the popularity of composite wall panel systems, in particular, has been increasing steadily. There are a number of factors that may be credited for the wide-spread and increased use of such wall panel systems. One such factor is the high cost to construct c...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): E04C2/20E04C2/38
CPCE04F13/0889E04F13/081
InventorGRIFFITHS, ROBERT T.
OwnerFIRESTONE BUILDING PRODS