PANEL FIXING STRUCTURE

Abstract

A panel attachment structure includes a panel assembly having a channel member that includes a channel therein. The panel assembly further includes at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member, and an insert assembly including an insert portion. The insert portion is configured to slide into the channel member in an insertion direction, and the insert assembly is configured to engage an underlying support structure.

Description

PANEL FIXING STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a panel fixing structure and, more particularly, to a panel fixing structure that can be used to fix a panel to a support structure. BACKGROUND Panel anchoring structures are commonly used in the construction industry to secure a panel, such as a wall, to an underlying floor, foundation, or footing. However, many existing panel anchoring structures are difficult to install, may not provide a sufficiently secure connection, require multiple installation steps, and / or are not aesthetically pleasing once installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a panel fastening structure comprising a panel assembly having a channel member that includes a channel therein. The panel assembly further includes at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member, and an insertion assembly comprising an insertion portion. The insertion portion is configured to slide into the channel member in an insertion direction, and the insertion assembly is configured to engage an underlying support structure. > £ Ν C Ν α c C “ o <£ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the panel fixing structure of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the panel fixing structure of the Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the panel fixing structure of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the panel fixing structure of the Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates the panel fixing structure of Figure 1, with the exploded insert away from the panel assembly; Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the panel assembly of Figures 1-5, installed on a panel; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the panel assembly of Figure 6, shown together with an insert and fastener; Figure 8 shows the panel assembly and insert from Figure 7 coupled together and secured to the support structure; Figure 9 illustrates the panel assembly of the panel fixing structure of Figure 1, fixed to a mold that is prepared to place concrete into it to form a panel; Figure 10 illustrates the assembly of the panel and formwork of Figure 9, where the mold is filled with concrete formed in it to form a panel; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the panel fixing structure of the present invention; Figure 12 is a side view of the panel fixing structure of the > £ Ν C Ν oc C “ o <£ Figure 11; Figure 13 is an end view of the panel fixing structure of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a top view of the panel fixing structure of Figure 11; Figure 15 illustrates the panel fixing structure of Figure 11, with the exploded insert away from the panel assembly; Figure 16 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the panel fixing structure of the present invention; Figure 17 illustrates the panel fixing structure of Figure 16 with the exploded insert outside the panel assembly and with a cover over the tubular member; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating the panel fixing structure of Figure 16, in its installed position; Figure 19 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the panel fixing structure of the present invention, with the tubular member disassembled from the base; and Figure 20 is a top perspective view of the panel fixing structure of Figure 20, with the tubular member positioned on top of the base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10, the fixing structure of panel 10 may include a panel assembly 12 and an insert or insert assembly 14 that is configured to receive and / or engage with the panel assembly 12. The panel assembly 12 includes a base 16 that is generally prism-shaped > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ rectangular in the illustrated form, but may have any of a variety of shapes, figures, or sizes. The base 16 includes and / or has attached to it one or more reinforcing members 18 extending away from the base 16. In one instance, the reinforcing members 18 are attached and oriented perpendicular to a top surface of the base 16. Each reinforcing member 18 may take the form of a rod, post, or elongated structure, and in the illustrated form takes the form of a reinforcing rod / bar, such as a rebar made of carbon steel, stainless steel, metal, composite materials, or similar materials. The panel assembly 12 may further include a channel member or tubular member 20 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is placed on top of and / or attached to the underlying base 16, and is positioned between the reinforcing members 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel member 20 is a generally rectangular prism that is generally tubular / hollow and defines a generally rectangular prism channel 22 therein, which has an opening 24 at a distal end. However, the shape and configuration of the channel member 20 and the channel 22 may be varied as desired. The panel fastening structure 10 may further include the insert or insert assembly 14, which is configured to slide into the channel member 20 / channel 22 in an insertion direction. In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the insertable portion 13 of the insert 14 may have a rectangular prism shape (or other desired shape) that generally corresponds to the shape of the channel 22 and is configured to fit snugly into the channel member 20 / channel 22 in an insertion direction A (Figure 7). Thus, in one embodiment, the insert 14 and / or the insertable portion 13 has a smooth outer surface and is neither cylindrical nor a fastener, such as a threaded fastener or the like. The insert / insert assembly 14, in one instance, is separated from and not directly coupled to the reinforcing member(s) 18. > £ N C N oc Both channel 22 and insert 14 (or at least those portions of channel 22 configured to receive insert 14, and at least the insertable portion 13 of insert 14 configured to be received in channel 22) can have a generally constant cross-sectional area along their length. In one embodiment, the insertable portion of insert 14 has a cross-sectional surface area that is within approximately 5 percent in one case, and within approximately 3 percent in another case, or within 1 percent in yet another case, of the cross-sectional surface area of ​​the receiving portion of channel 22. With reference to Figure 7, the insert 14 may have an opening 26 formed therein, which is generally oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction A (or within about 20 degrees of the perpendicular in one case, or within about 45 degrees of the perpendicular in another) and / or is generally oriented parallel to the reinforcing member(s) 18 (or within about 20 degrees in one case, or within about 45 degrees in another). The opening 26 is configured to receive a fastener 28 through it for purposes that will be described in more detail below. The insert 14, even when received in a closely slidable manner in the channel member 20, can be configured such that at least a portion of the insert 14 (for example, a portion or portions other than the insertable portion 13) is positioned outside the channel 22. This positioning of the insert 14 may be desired to allow the insert 14 to engage with an underlying support structure 30, as will be described in more detail below. In one embodiment, the insert 14 includes a support bar 32 positioned on an outer surface thereof (the top surface in the illustrated embodiment) and configured to engage with the channel member 20 to limit the insertion of the insert 14 into the channel member 20. Furthermore, after installing the panel fixing structure 10, as shown in the > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ In Figure 8, the support bar 32 can also help secure panel 34 in place by providing a resistive force to the panel as it moves forward (to the right in Figure 8). It should be understood that the support bar 32 can be positioned on various other surfaces of insert 14 besides the top surface, including the bottom surface, or it can be omitted if desired. Each component of panel assembly 12, including channel member 20, base 16, and insert 14, can be made from a wide variety of materials, including metals, fiberglass, composites, plastics, polymers, or similar materials. In one particular embodiment, channel member 20 is made of a polymer, while base 16 and insert 14 are made of metal, since channel member 20 may ultimately be encased in concrete (as described in more detail below) and thus may require less structural strength. Furthermore, manufacturing channel member 20 from plastic can reduce weight and cost. However, channel member 20 can also be made of metal, and again, each of the various components can be made from different materials as desired. In the illustrated version, the lower end of each reinforcing member is attached to the base 16, and the panel assembly 12 includes two reinforcing members 18, each positioned on opposite sides of the channel member 20. In some cases, only a single reinforcing member 18 may be used, or more than two reinforcing members 18 may be used. Each reinforcing member 18 can generally be oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction A (i.e., each reinforcing member 18 generally extends vertically when the panel 34 is installed), but if desired, the reinforcing members 18 can extend at varying angles—in one case, up to 20 degrees with respect to the perpendicular direction (e.g., + / - 20 degrees with respect to the vertical), or + / - 45 degrees with respect to the vertical in another case. > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ In one embodiment, the panel assembly 12 includes a faceplate 36 attached to a front face of at least the base 16. The faceplate 36 can be made of a wide variety of materials, but in one embodiment it is made of a polymer or plastic, although it can be made of other materials described above for the other components of the panel fixing structure 10. The faceplate 36 can be made of a softer material than the base 16 to act as a sacrificial component. In one instance, the faceplate 36 is configured to protect any edge of the base 16, which can be made of metal, from scraping an underlying surface, such as a floor surface, when the poured panel is dragged into place and / or tilted upward. However, the faceplate 36 can be omitted if desired. The panel 10 attachment structure can be used to secure a generally vertically oriented structure, such as a panel, wall, wall segment, precast or upward-sloping concrete wall, or the like (collectively referred to as panel 34 herein), to an underlying floor, support, foundation, footing, or horizontal structure (collectively referred to as floor structure 30 or support structure 30 herein). In particular, to secure a panel 34 to the underlying floor structure 30, the panel 12 assembly can first be engaged / embedded into the panel 34. As shown in Figure 9, in one embodiment, a mold 50 for forming a panel 34 is placed on an underlying horizontal flat surface 52. The mold 50 includes or takes the form of an outer rectangular frame in the illustrated embodiment, where the frame can be made of wood or other materials suitable for containing poured concrete.A plurality of perpendicularly intersecting / oriented reinforcing structures 54, such as reinforcing bars, are placed in the frame so that the reinforcing bar 54 will be embedded in panel 34 after panel 34 is poured / formed. > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ The panel assembly 12, as shown in Figures 1-5, can be secured to the mold 50, with the mouth 24 of the channel member 20 facing downward in the illustrated embodiment. The panel assembly 12 may include a plurality of fixing holes (not shown in the embodiment of Figures 1-5, but shown in the embodiment of Figures 11-15 described below) extending through it in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction A and configured to allow the panel assembly 12 to be joined to the mold 50. If desired, a cover 56 (see Figure 17) can be placed over the mouth 24 of the channel member 20 at this stage of the assembly process to ensure that the channel member 20 is not filled with concrete during the subsequent concrete pouring step. In one embodiment, the cover 56 takes the form of a flat rectangular component that can be secured to the faceplate 36 and / or the channel member 20.Alternatively, cover 56 can take the form of a component that can be removably inserted into channel 22 to prevent channel 22 from being filled with concrete. After assembling the system of Figure 9, the mold 50 can be filled with concrete 51 and allowed to cure / harden, as shown in Figure 10. The mold 50, which extends around the perimeter of the poured concrete 51, is then removed, and the resulting panel 34 is loosened / separated from the underlying horizontal surface 52 and lifted or tilted into a vertical position, with the panel assembly 12 embedded in it, as shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7, the panel 34 can then be placed on top of a floor structure 30, and the insert 14 and fastener 28 can be provided. The panel 34 has the channel 22 formed in it and generally oriented perpendicular to an outer surface of the panel 34. It should be noted that, although Figure 7 shows the panel 34 in the form of a single concrete structure, the panel 34 can be made of any variety of materials and have several £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ constructions. For example, in some cases panel 34 may include exterior and / or interior layers / sublayers, such as insulated sandwich panels and / or insulated composite panels. In order to then secure panel 34 to the underlying floor structure 30, the cover 56 (if any) over the channel 22 is removed, and the insert 14 (without the through-fastener 28) is slidably inserted into the channel member 20 in the insertion (horizontal) direction A, as shown in Figure 7. Once the insert 14 is inserted to the desired depth, a hole or opening 60 is drilled or formed in the floor structure 30 in a vertical (or other desired) direction, and the fastener 28 is passed through the opening 26 of the insert 14 and into the opening 60 of the floor structure 30 to secure panel 34 to the floor structure, as shown in Figure 8. The fastener 28 in one case is a threaded fastener such as a galvanized threaded rod, an epoxy anchor, or a galvanized threaded screw. If desired, an epoxy can be inserted into opening 60 of floor structure 30 to secure fastener 28 in place.Unlike some other systems, the fastener 28 can be completely separate and not directly coupled to the reinforcing members 18. Any tensile forces (e.g., lifting forces that tend to move panel 34 in the vertical direction of Fig. 8) are transmitted as a bending moment applied to the insert 14 and, in turn, to a bending / lifting / tension force applied to the fastener(s) 28. The secure attachment of the fastener(s) 28 to the floor structure 30 then transmits the tensile forces to the floor structure 30, which can resist the tensile / lifting forces. Several panel fixing structures 10 can be spaced along the lower edge of panel 34 to secure panel 34 to the floor structure as shown > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ desired. For example, the embodiment in Figures 9 and 10 shows two panel assemblies 12 along panel 34, resulting in two panel fixing structures 10 once assembled, although more or fewer panel assemblies 12 / panel fixing structures 10 can be used as desired. In one instance, when panel 34 is an exterior wall, the insert 14 and fastener 28 are placed on the exterior surface of the wall. However, if desired, the insert 14 and fastener 28 can be placed on an interior surface of the wall. Figures 11 to 15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the panel fixing structure 10'. In this embodiment, the faceplate 36' extends around the mouth 24 of the channel 22 and also includes and / or is attached to a pair of outwardly projecting lugs 62, with each lug 62 positioned on an opposite side of the base 16. Each lug 62 includes a fixing hole 64 extending through it in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction A. Each fixing hole 64 is configured to receive a fastener (such as a nail, screw, or similar, not shown) through it to allow the panel assembly 12 to be fixed to the formwork 50 in the desired orientation during the pouring of concrete over the panel assembly 12, for example, when in the configuration shown in Figure 9.However, the fixing holes 64 can be located in a variety of different positions and have variable configurations beyond those shown in the modality of Figures 11-15. Figures 16 to 18 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the panel 10 fastening structure that can be used to more securely attach the panel 34 to the floor structure 30 in the desired location. In this case, the insert or insert assembly 14' includes or is attached to a support bracket 66 which, in one instance, includes two components, legs, or brackets 68, generally L-shaped, that act > £ Ν C Ν C* C c <£ as side walls of the support bracket, and a top plate 70. A distal end of the insert body 72 is coupled to the support bracket 66 by an insert fastener 74 in a case extending through the insert body 72 and the top plate 70. The L-shaped components 68 are, in turn, coupled to an underlying support plate 76 by welding or similar means. 76 includes a pair of support plate openings 78, each of which is configured to receive a fastener 28 through it, which is received in the floor structure 30, as shown in Figure 18. In addition, if desired, the insert fastener 74 may be longer than shown and extend through the underlying support plate 76 and into the floor structure 30 to provide additional clamping between the support bracket 66 and the floor structure 30.As shown in Figure 18, in one embodiment, when the panel fixing structure 10 is installed, it is placed flush against panel 34 to help hold panel 34 in place relative to a vertical plane and limit forward movement of panel 34. The arrangement shown in Figures 16 to 18 can provide a stronger connection between panel 34 and the floor structure 30, due to the presence of the support plate 76 and brackets 68, and the use of two fasteners 28 to better distribute loads and forces. In particular, the arrangement shown in Figures 16 to 18 can be used to secure panel 34 to the floor structure 30 when it is desired to better accommodate in-plane and out-of-plane shear forces applied to the panel's attachment structure; for example, when panel 34 experiences forces that cause it to attempt to move in a direction in or out of the plane of Figure 18. Such forces can be applied during seismic or similar events. In such movement, the shear forces are transmitted to the brackets 68, which in turn transmit the forces to the underlying support plate 76 and, ultimately, to the > £ N C N α c C o <£ floor structure 30 through the fasteners 28. The panel 10 fastening structure in Figures 16-18 can, in one case, be positioned along the center of panel 34 (for example, 25% of the half in one case, or 50% of the half in another), as opposed to the outer edges. In particular, the panel 10 fastening structure in Figures 16-18 provides a relatively rigid connection, and a more flexible connection (such as those in Figures 1-15) may be desirable at the outer edges of panel 34 where concrete shrinkage and thermal movement may be more pronounced. Figures 19 and 20 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the panel fixing structure 10'. In this embodiment, the channel member 20' includes a frame structure 80 configured to fit snugly onto the base 16. In particular, the frame structure 80 includes a front wall 82, a top wall 84, and a back wall 86. A pair of openings 88 are positioned in the top wall 84 and configured to receive the reinforcing members 18 through them, as shown in Figure 20, to aid in correctly positioning and securing the channel member 20' in place. In this embodiment, the front wall 82 can take the place of and / or be considered the faceplate 36 as described in the preceding embodiments. The channel member 20' can be secured to the base 16 if desired, for example, by fasteners, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or the like. In the embodiment of Figures 19 and 20, the channel member 20' may be made of a different material than the base 16, such as metals, fiberglass, composites, plastics, polymers, or similar materials. When the channel member 20' is made of a non-metallic material, such as plastics or polymers, various cost and weight savings can be achieved as described above. The methods and structures described here, to secure a panel 34 to a > £ Ν C Ν C* The C c <£ floor structure 30 provides an intuitive, easy-to-operate, and easily verifiable installation process. The system and method can be installed using the same basic skills and equipment required for installing temporary panel clamps. Furthermore, the system and method do not require any grouting or mixing to complete the connection. Instead, after pouring panel 34, insert 14 only needs to be inserted into channel member 20, and fastener(s) 28 simply need to be secured in place. The panel fixing structure 10, 10', 10, 10' can be positioned near or at the bottom of panel 34 and features a low-profile design. In particular, in one case, the panel fixing structure 10, 10', 10, 10' can extend no more than about 30.48 cm in one case, or no more than about 14.24 cm in another case, or no more than about 12.7 cm in other cases, above the floor structure 30, once it is installed. In this way, when panel 34 is injected with grout and filled, the panel fixing structure 10, 10', 10, 10' can be buried under the fill and not be visible. The 10' x 10' x 10' panel fixing structure also allows the above-ground construction slab to be placed across its entire width before panel installation, eliminating the need for a filler slab. The system also requires no welding, thus eliminating the need for additional skills. The system can also be used to secure up-slope panels molded on-site, or precast panels molded at a remote location and transported to the construction site. The various components of the panel fixing structure 10, 10', 10, The 10' panels can be coated with zinc-rich coatings, hot-dip galvanized finishes, or other protective coatings. The 10', 10', 10', 10' panel fastening structure can be provided in a single size that can be used with 34 panels of a variety of sizes and thicknesses. The 28 fasteners in the system can be installed vertically or near-vertical and therefore do not require installation at an angle (or a significant angle) that could compromise the strength of the 28 fastener.The system does not require any panel patching after installation and is not dependent on the elevation of the top of the support structure in relation to the slab. The sliding connection between the insert 14 and the panel assembly 12 facilitates assembly and also allows horizontal movement of panel 34 in the direction of insert A or perpendicular to it due, for example, to temperature variation and contraction, while at the same time providing a connection. Having described the invention in detail and with reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A panel fastening structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member; and an insert assembly including an insert portion that slides into the channel member in an insertion direction, characterized in that the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure, and wherein the insert assembly includes a support component positioned on an outer surface thereof to couple a portion of the channel member to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member in the insertion direction.

2. The fixing structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that the reinforcing member is generally oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the perpendicular to the insertion direction.

3. The fixing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the panel assembly further includes a base coupled to the channel member, and wherein at least one reinforcing member is directly coupled to the base.

4. The fixing structure according to claim 3, further characterized in that the base generally has the form of a rectangular prism, wherein the panel assembly includes a supplementary reinforcing member coupled to the base on an opposite side of the base relative to the channel member, and wherein the reinforcing member and the supplementary reinforcing member are reinforcing bars.

5. The fixing structure according to any of claims 3 or 4, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a front plate attached to an outer face of the base 6. The fixing structure according to claim 5, further characterized in that the faceplate includes a plurality of fixing holes extending through it in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to allow the panel assembly to be joined to a model during the pouring of concrete onto the panel assembly.

7. The fixing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a plurality of fixing holes extending through the panel assembly in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to allow the panel assembly to be fixed to a model during the pouring of concrete onto the panel assembly.

8. The fastening structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the insertion assembly includes an opening formed therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener therethrough for coupling the insertion assembly to the underlying support structure, and wherein the opening is oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion direction.

9. The fixing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the insertion assembly includes a support bracket comprising a pair of support bracket side walls and a support plate positioned below the support bracket side walls, wherein the support plate is configured to engage with the support structure.

10. The fastening structure according to claim 9, further characterized in that the support plate includes a pair of openings formed therethrough, each of which is configured to receive a fastener through it.

11. The fixing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the insertion portion is in the form of a rectangular prism configured to fit snugly into the channel.

12. The fixing structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the channel member is generally closed except for an open end, and wherein the fixing structure further includes a cover configured to detachably cover an open end of the channel member.

13. The fastening structure according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that at least part of the insert assembly is configured to be positioned outside the channel when the insert assembly is received in the channel member, to allow the insert assembly to be coupled to the support structure.

14. The fastening structure of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the support component is configured and positioned to engage with the channel member when the insert portion is sufficiently inserted into the channel to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member.

15. The fixing structure in accordance with any of the > £ N C N C* C c <£ above claims, further characterized in that the channel member is a tubular member having a generally constant hollow cross-section shape along at least part of its length.

16. The fastening structure of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the insertion portion is not a threaded fastener.

17. The fastening structure of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the portion of the insert assembly that engages with the portion of the channel member is positioned outside an outer perimeter of the channel when viewed along the insertion direction.

18. The fastening structure according to claim 17, further characterized in that the insert assembly has a greater length than the channel member so as to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member.

19. The fixing structure according to any of claims 17 or 18, further characterized in that the channel is closed on all sides except for an opening at one end configured to receive the insert portion therein.

20. A panel fixing structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a tubular channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member;and an insert assembly including an insert portion that is received in a receiving portion of the channel member, wherein the insert portion has a cross-sectional surface area that is within approximately 5 percent of the cross-sectional surface area of ​​the receiving portion of the channel, wherein the insert is generally oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure, and wherein the insert assembly includes an opening that receives a fastener through it for coupled to the underlying support structure.

21. The structure according to claim 7, further characterized in that the opening is oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion direction.

22. The fastening structure according to claim 20, further characterized in that the insert assembly includes a support component on an outer surface thereof and is positioned to engage with the channel member when the insert portion is sufficiently inserted into the channel to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member such that the opening is positioned outside the channel.

23. A panel system comprising: a panel including a tubular channel formed therein and generally extending perpendicular to an outer surface of the panel; a panel assembly embedded in the panel, the panel assembly including at least one reinforcing member embedded in the panel; an insert assembly having an insert portion closely received in the channel, wherein the insert assembly is not directly coupled to the at least one reinforcing member, and wherein at least part of the insert assembly is positioned outside the channel; and a fastener positioned entirely on the outside of the panel and extending through the portion of the insert assembly that is positioned outside the channel for coupling the insert assembly to an underlying support structure.

24. The system according to claim 23, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a channel member that defines the channel.

25. The system in accordance with any of claims 23 or 24, further characterized in that the fastener is vertically oriented.

26. The system in accordance with any of claims 23-25, further characterized in that the insert assembly includes an opening that receives the fastener inside, wherein the opening is located on the outside of the channel.

27. The system in accordance with any of claims 23-26, further characterized in that the insert portion is not a threaded fastener, and wherein the panel assembly at least partially defines the channel.

28. The system in accordance with any of claims 23-27, further characterized in that the insert portion has a cross-sectional surface area that is within approximately 5 percent of the cross-sectional surface area of ​​the receiving portion of the channel.

29. A method for connecting a panel to a supporting structure comprising: accessing a panel assembly having a channel member including a tubular channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member; placing the panel assembly on an uncured concrete panel; allowing the panel to cure; after the allowing step, inserting an insert portion of an insert assembly into the channel in an insertion direction generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the panel so that at least part of the insert assembly is positioned outside the channel; and securing the externally positioned portion of the insert assembly to the supporting structure by means of a fastener, thereby connecting the panel to the supporting structure.

30. The method according to claim 29, further characterized in that the panel is vertically oriented, the fastener is vertically oriented, and the support structure is horizontally oriented, and wherein the fastener is placed completely outside the channel.

31. A panel fastening structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member coupled directly or indirectly to the channel member; and an insert assembly including an insert portion configured to be slidably received in the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein the insert assembly is configured to engage an underlying support structure, and wherein a portion of the insert assembly includes a bearing component located on an outer surface thereof that is configured and positioned to engage a portion of the channel member to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member, wherein the reinforcing member is located entirely outside the channel.

32. A panel fixing structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, wherein the channel member is closed at its distal end, the panel assembly further includes at least one reinforcing member coupled to the channel member;and an insert assembly including an insert portion configured to slide into the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein at least part of the channel member configured to receive the insert portion therein has a closed-loop perimeter extending around a complete outer periphery of the channel in end view thereof, and wherein the insert assembly includes an opening formed therethrough, oriented in a direction perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the insertion direction, configured to receive a fastener therethrough when the insert portion is received into the channel member.

33. The fastening structure according to claim 32, further characterized in that the insert assembly includes a support component on an outer surface thereof which is positioned to engage a portion of the channel member when the insert portion is sufficiently inserted into the channel to block further insertion of the insert assembly into the channel.

34. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32 or 33, further characterized in that the reinforcing member is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the perpendicular to the insertion direction.

35. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32-34, further characterized in that the at least one reinforcing member is indirectly coupled to the channel member.

36. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32-35, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a base coupled to the channel member, and wherein at least one reinforcing member is directly coupled to the base.

37. The fastening structure according to claim 36, further characterized in that at least one reinforcing member is coupled to an upper surface of the base, and wherein the base is coupled to the channel member at the upper surface of the base and a lower surface of the channel member.

38. The fixing structure according to any of claims 36 or 37, further characterized in that the base is generally rectangular prism-shaped, wherein the panel assembly includes a supplementary reinforcing element attached to the base on an opposite side of the base relative to the channel member as compared to the reinforcing element, and wherein the base is a single continuous structure.

39. The fixing structure according to any of claims 36-38, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a faceplate attached to the base, wherein the faceplate includes a plurality of fixing holes extending through it in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to permit assembly of the panel to be attached to a form.

40. The fastening structure according to any of claims 32-39, further characterized in that the opening is configured to be positioned externally to the channel member when most of the length of the insert portion along the insertion direction is received in the channel member.

41. The fastening structure according to any of claims 32-40, further characterized in that the insert portion is rectangular prism-shaped and configured to fit snugly into the channel.

42. The fastening structure according to claim > £ N C N oc 24 ο <£ any of claims 32-41, further characterized in that the insert assembly is separate from and not positioned in the channel member.

43. The fixing structure according to any one of claims 32-42, further characterized in that the channel member has a generally constant hollow cross-section shape along at least part of its length.

44. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 32-43, further characterized in that the insert portion is not a threaded fastener.

45. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32-44, further characterized in that the reinforcing member is placed completely outside the channel and is not aligned with the channel in a direction parallel to the insertion direction.

46. ​​The fastening structure according to any of claims 32-45, further characterized in that the insert portion has a cross-sectional area that is within approximately 5 percent of the cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the channel receiving the insert portion.

47. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32-46, further characterized in that the reinforcing member is at least a reinforcing bar, rod, post or other elongated structure.

48. The fixing structure according to any of claims 32-47, further characterized in that the reinforcing member is fixedly coupled and cannot be moved with respect to a remnant of the panel assembly.

49. The fastening structure according to any of claims 32-48, further characterized in that the entire length, along the insertion direction, of the channel member configured to receive the insert portion therein has a closed-loop perimeter extending around the entire outer periphery of the channel in its final view. 5 50. A panel fastening structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, wherein the channel member is closed at its distal end, the panel assembly further includes at least one reinforcing member coupled to the channel member;and 10 an insert assembly including an insert portion that can be housed in the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein at least one reinforcing member is oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of 25 degrees with respect to the perpendicular to the insertion direction, and wherein at least part of the channel member configured to receive the insert portion 15 therein has a closed-loop perimeter extending around the entire outer periphery of the channel in an end view thereof, and wherein the insert assembly includes an opening formed through the insert, oriented in a direction perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the insertion direction, which is configured to receive a fastener through it when the insert portion 20 is received in the channel member.

51. The structure according to claim 50, further characterized in that the insert assembly includes an opening formed therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener therethrough for coupling the insert assembly to an underlying support structure, and wherein the opening is oriented 25 in a direction perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the insertion direction and > £ N C N C» C 26 or <£ the opening is to be positioned on the outside of the channel member when most of the length of the insert assembly along the insertion direction is received in the channel member.

52. The structure according to claim 51, further characterized in that the insert portion is configured to be slidably received in the channel member.

53. A panel fixing structure comprising: a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein and having an outer perimeter, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member coupled to the channel member;and an insert assembly including an insert portion configured to be slidably received in the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein at least one reinforcing member is positioned entirely outside the channel, wherein the insert assembly includes an opening formed therethrough that is configured to be positioned on the outside of the channel member when the insert portion is slidably received in the channel member and receives a fastener therethrough for coupling the insert assembly to an underlying support structure, wherein the opening is oriented in a direction perpendicular or generally perpendicular to the insertion direction, and wherein the opening is configured to align within the outer perimeter of the channel along the insertion direction when the insert assembly is received in the channel member.

54. The structure according to claim 53, further characterized in that the opening is configured to be located on the outside of the channel member when the greater part of the length of the insert assembly along the insertion direction is received in the channel member. > £ N C N C* cc <£ 55. The structure according to any of claims 53 or 54, further characterized in that at least part of the channel member configured to receive the insert portion therein has a closed-loop perimeter extending around the entire outer periphery of the channel in its end view.

56. A panel system comprising: a vertically oriented concrete panel including a tubular channel formed therein and extending perpendicularly to an outer surface of the panel, wherein the channel is closed at its distal end; a panel assembly embedded in the panel, the panel assembly including at least one reinforcing member embedded in the panel; an insert assembly having an insert portion tightly received in the channel such that the channel restricts movement of the insert portion in a vertical direction, wherein the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure generally oriented horizontally to connect the panel to the support structure, wherein at least part of the insert assembly is positioned outside the channel;and a fastener placed entirely on the outside of the panel and extending through the portion of the insert assembly that is positioned on the outside of the channel, in order to attach the insert assembly to the underlying support structure.

57. The system according to claim 56, further characterized in that the panel assembly includes a tubular channel member defining the channel, wherein at least one reinforcing member is coupled to the tubular channel member, wherein the fastener is vertically or generally vertically oriented, wherein the insert assembly includes an opening receiving the fastener therein, wherein the opening is located on the outside of the channel, and wherein the insert assembly is not directly coupled to the channel.

58. The structure according to any of claims 56 or 57, further characterized in that the insert portion is received tightly in the channel, such that the channel restricts the movement of the insert portion in a horizontal direction parallel to the outer surface of the panel, and wherein the insert portion has a cross-sectional area that is within approximately 5 percent of the cross-sectional area of ​​a portion of the channel receiving the insert portion, and wherein the insert portion is slidably received in the channel.

59. A panel system comprising: a vertically oriented concrete panel including a horizontally oriented channel formed therein and extending perpendicularly to an outer surface of the panel; a panel assembly embedded in the panel, the panel assembly including at least one reinforcing element embedded in the panel; an insert assembly having an insert portion tightly received in the channel such that the channel restricts the movement of the insert portion in a horizontal direction parallel to the outer surface, wherein the insert portion is not a threaded fastener, wherein the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure generally oriented horizontally to connect the panel to the support structure, and wherein at least part of the insert assembly is positioned outside the channel;and a fastener placed entirely on the outside of the panel and extending through the portion of the insert assembly that is positioned on the outside of the channel, in order to attach the insert assembly to the underlying support structure.

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