U.S. patent application number 13/089625 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for drained and back ventilated thin composite wall cladding system.
This patent application is currently assigned to CENTRIA. Invention is credited to Ralph A. Bertram, Keith D. Boyer, Dario Giandomenico.
Application Number | 20110252731 13/089625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44787052 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110252731 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyer; Keith D. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
Drained and Back Ventilated Thin Composite Wall Cladding System
Abstract
A wall panel includes a panel body, a first jamb clip, a second
jamb clip, a bottom member, and an attachment clip. The first jamb
clip is positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel body and
the second jamb clip is positioned adjacent to a left side of the
panel body. The first and second jamb clips are each configured to
receive a portion of a spline. The bottom member has an engagement
portion and is positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the panel
body. The attachment clip is positioned adjacent to an upper end of
the panel body and has an engagement receiving portion configured
to engage an engagement portion of an adjacent panel. The bottom
end of the panel body is configured to define a ventilation gap
when joined to an adjacent panel.
Inventors: |
Boyer; Keith D.; (Moon
Township, PA) ; Giandomenico; Dario; (Mt. Lebanon,
PA) ; Bertram; Ralph A.; (Avalon, PA) |
Assignee: |
CENTRIA
Moon Township
PA
|
Family ID: |
44787052 |
Appl. No.: |
13/089625 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61326061 |
Apr 20, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/302.1 ;
52/698 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/007 20130101;
E04F 13/0817 20130101; E04F 13/083 20130101; E04F 13/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/302.1 ;
52/698 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/70 20060101
E04B001/70; E04B 1/38 20060101 E04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A wall panel comprising: a panel body; a first jamb clip
positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel body; a second
jamb clip positioned adjacent to a left side of the panel body, the
first and second jamb clips each configured to receive a portion of
a spline; a bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of
the panel body, the bottom member having an engagement portion; and
an attachment clip positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel
body, the attachment clip having an engagement receiving portion
configured to engage an engagement portion of an adjacent panel,
the bottom end of the panel body configured to define a ventilation
gap when joined to an adjacent panel.
2. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion of the
bottom member extends upward, and wherein the engagement receiving
portion of the attachment clip comprises a downwardly opening
channel.
3. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion of the
bottom member extends downward, and wherein the engagement
receiving portion of the attachment clip comprises an upwardly
opening channel.
4. The wall panel of claim 1, further comprising a rail member
positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel body, the panel
body positioned between the attachment clip and the rail
member.
5. The wall panel of claim 4, wherein the rail member has an
extension that extends outward.
6. The wall panel of claim 4, wherein the rail member and the
attachment clip have cooperating engagement members.
7. The wall panel of claim 1, further comprising a stiffener
secured to the panel body, the stiffener secured to the bottom
member via a stiffener clip.
8. The wall panel of claim 7, wherein the stiffener clip has an
extension extending downward, the extension engaging a stiffener
receiving portion of the bottom member.
9. The wall panel of claim 7, wherein an upper portion of the
stiffener clip is secured to the stiffener via a fastener.
10. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the upper end of the panel
includes a return portion configured to define a horizontal drain
shelf.
11. The wall panel of claim 10, wherein the return portion of the
upper end of the panel is L-shaped in cross-section.
12. A wall panel system comprising: a first panel having a bottom
member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the first panel; a
second panel positioned adjacent to the first panel and defining a
horizontal joint, the second panel having an attachment clip
positioned adjacent to an upper end of the second panel, wherein
the attachment clip engages the bottom member, and wherein the
bottom end of the first panel and the upper end of the second panel
define a ventilation gap.
13. The wall panel system of claim 12, wherein the second panel has
a rail member positioned adjacent to the upper end of the second
panel, the rail member having an extension that extends outward,
the extension defining an upper end of the ventilation gap and
being configured to deflect fluid entering the horizontal
joint.
14. The wall panel system of claim 13, wherein the rail member and
the attachment clip each have an engagement member, the engagement
members of the rail member and the attachment clip being engaged
with each other.
15. The wall panel system of claim 12, wherein the bottom member
has an engagement portion and the attachment clip has an engagement
receiving portion, the engagement portion of the bottom member
engaging the engagement receiving member of the attachment
clip.
16. The wall panel system of claim 12, wherein the first panel has
a jamb clip positioned adjacent to a right side of the first panel,
the jamb clip configured to receive a portion of a spline.
17. The wall panel system of claim 12, further comprising a third
panel positioned adjacent to the first panel and defining a
vertical joint, the first panel and the third panel each having a
jamb clip positioned adjacent to the vertical joint, the respective
jamb clips of the first and third panels defining a receptor that
receives a spline.
18. The wall panel system of claim 12, wherein the upper end of the
second panel includes a return portion configured to define a
horizontal drain shelf.
19. A wall panel system comprising: a panel having a first jamb
clip positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel, a second
jamb clip positioned adjacent to a left side of the panel, a bottom
member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the panel and between
the first and second jamb clips, an attachment clip positioned
adjacent to an upper end of the panel, and a stiffener extending
along a longitudinal direction of the panel body; a support; and a
stiffener clip having a stiffener receiving portion, wherein the
stiffener clip is secured to the support and the stiffener
receiving portion engages the stiffener.
20. The wall panel system of claim 19, wherein the stiffener is
positioned at about a midpoint of a short dimension of the panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/326,061, filed Apr. 20, 2010, the entire content
of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed toward composite wall
panel systems and, more particularly, towards drained and back
ventilated composite wall panel systems.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Thin composite architectural wall panels are generally
manufactured by laminating metal skins to a plastic core. These
sheets are typically shipped to a fabricator where they are cut to
size and routed so as to return the edges around the perimeter.
Typically, extrusions are fabricated and applied to the panel
perimeter to create panel joinery. Also, stiffeners are typically
applied in the field of the panel, i.e., the major flattened
portion, to reduce the bowing of the thin panel under load. The
terms "thin composite panel" and "thin composite architectural
panel" generally relate to a genre of architectural panels,
configured substantially as described above, where a thickness
dimension as measured between opposing faces in the field of the
panel can generally be between about 4 mm and about 8 mm, though a
greater range of thicknesses, such as less than about 15 mm or less
than about 10 mm are also utilized.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, upper and lower panels 1, 2 each
include an extrusion 4 at the panel perimeter, as discussed above,
at a horizontal joint 5 defined between the panels 1, 2. The
extrusions 4 define a recess 6 to receive a spline 7. Typically,
the extrusions 4 are fabricated and applied to the perimeter of the
panels 1, 2, as noted above. The extrusions 4 are generally mitered
at the corners to create the panel joinery around the panel
perimeter. At the horizontal joint 5, the recess 6 may become a
water trap and channel water to an interior side 8 of the panels 1,
2.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A wall panel includes a panel body, a first jamb clip, a
second jamb clip, a bottom member, and an attachment clip. The
first jamb clip is positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel
body and the second jamb clip is positioned adjacent to a left side
of the panel body. The first and second jamb clips are configured
to receive a portion of a spline. The bottom member has an
engagement portion and is positioned adjacent to a bottom end of
the panel body. The attachment clip is positioned adjacent to an
upper end of the panel body and has an engagement receiving portion
configured to engage an engagement portion of an adjacent panel.
The bottom end of the panel body is configured to define a
ventilation gap when joined to an adjacent panel.
[0008] The engagement portion of the bottom member may extend
upward, and the engagement receiving portion of the attachment clip
may comprise a downwardly opening channel. The engagement portion
of the bottom member may also extend downward, and the engagement
receiving portion of the attachment clip may comprise an upwardly
opening channel. The wall panel may also include a rail member
positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel body with the
panel body positioned between the attachment clip and the rail
member. The rail member may have an extension that extends outward
and the rail member and the attachment clip may have cooperating
engagement member. The wall panel may include a stiffener secured
to the panel body and the stiffener may be secured to the bottom
member via a stiffener clip. The stiffener clip may have an
extension extending downward and the extension may engage a
stiffener receiving portion of the bottom member. An upper portion
of the stiffener clip may be secured to the stiffener via a
fastener. The stiffener may extend along a longitudinal direction
of the panel body. The upper end of the panel may include a return
portion configured to define a horizontal drain shelf. The return
portion of the upper end of the panel may be L-shaped in
cross-section.
[0009] In another embodiment, a wall panel system includes a first
panel having a bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of
the first panel, and a second panel positioned adjacent to the
first panel and defining a horizontal joint. The second panel has
an attachment clip positioned adjacent to an upper end of the
second panel. The attachment clip engages the bottom member, and
the bottom end of the first panel and the upper end of the second
panel define a ventilation gap.
[0010] The second panel may have a rail member positioned adjacent
to the upper end of the second panel with the rail member having an
extension that extends outward and the extension defining an upper
end of the ventilation gap and configured to deflect fluid entering
the horizontal joint. The rail member and the attachment clip may
each have an engagement member with the engagement members of the
rail member and the attachment clip being engaged with each other.
The bottom member may have an engagement portion and the attachment
clip may have an engagement receiving portion with the engagement
portion of the bottom member engaging the engagement receiving
member of the attachment clip. The first panel may have a jamb clip
positioned adjacent to a right side of the first panel with the
jamb clip configured to receive a portion of a spline. The wall
panel system may further include a third panel positioned adjacent
to the first panel and defining a vertical joint. The first panel
and the third panel may each have a jamb clip positioned adjacent
to the vertical joint with the respective jamb clips of the first
and third panels defining a receptor. The wall panel system may
also include a spline received by the receptor.
[0011] In a further embodiment, a wall panel system includes a
panel having a first jamb clip positioned adjacent to a right side
of the panel, a second jamb clip positioned adjacent to a left side
of the panel, a bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end
of the panel and between the first and second jamb clips, an
attachment clip positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel,
and a stiffener extending along a longitudinal direction of the
panel body. The wall panel system also includes a support and a
stiffener clip having a stiffener receiving portion. The stiffener
clip is secured to the support and the stiffener receiving portion
engages the stiffener. The stiffener may be positioned at about a
midpoint of a short dimension of the panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional thin composite
wall cladding system at a horizontal joint;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a
horizontal joint according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the wall panel system shown in
FIG. 2, showing the wall panel system between attachment clips;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a of a wall panel system at a
horizontal joint according to a further embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the wall panel system shown in
FIG. 4, showing the wall panel system between attachment clips;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a
vertical joint according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of wall panel system at a
vertical joint according to a further embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a
vertical joint according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a wall panel system
according to one embodiment, showing wall panels in an installed
position;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the wall panel systems shown
in FIGS. 2 and 4, showing a vertical spline at a horizontal
joint;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG.
10;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a schematic elevational view of a wall panel
system according to one embodiment, showing placement of stiffener
clips; and
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in
FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying figures. For purposes of the description
hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left",
"vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom" and derivatives thereof
shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing
figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except
where expressly specified to the contrary. It is to be understood
that the specific apparatus illustrated in the attached figures and
described in the following specification is simply an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. Hence, specific dimensions and
other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed
herein are not to be considered as limiting.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a wall panel system 10 according
to one embodiment includes upper and lower panels 12, 14 secured to
a support 16, such as a sub-frame, and defining a horizontal joint
18. The panels 12, 14 each have a generally rectangular (or square)
panel body formed by laminating metal skins to a plastic core,
although other panel configurations may be utilized. The sub-frame
is typically secured to a structural framing member, such as a
stud, with a thermal, vapor, and air and water barrier positioned
between the structural framing and the sub-frame. The supports 16
are typically spaced apart along a building structure (not shown).
The upper panel 12 includes a bottom member 20 that extends along a
bottom end 22 of the upper panel 12. The bottom member 20 is a
continuous extrusion that includes an engagement portion 24 and a
pair of stiffener receiving portions 26. The bottom member 20 is
secured to the upper panel 12 via a fastener 28, such as a screw or
rivet, that extends through the bottom member 20 and a return
portion 30 of the upper panel 12. The lower panel 14 includes a
rail 32 that extends along an upper end 34 of the lower panel 14.
The rail 32 is a continuous extrusion generally having a Z-shape
and defining an upper extension 36, an engagement portion 38, and a
lower leg portion 40. The lower panel 14 is secured to the support
16 via an attachment clip 42. In particular, a fastener 44 extends
through the attachment clip 42, through a return portion 46 of the
lower panel 14, through the rail 32 and into the support 16.
[0027] The attachment clip 42 is positioned between the bottom
member 20 and the rail 32 at the support 16. The return portion 46
of the panel 14 is positioned between the attachment clip 42 and
the rail 32. The attachment clip 42 includes an upper engagement
member 48 and an engagement receiving portion 50. The upper
engagement member 48 of the attachment clip 42 is received by the
engagement portion 38 of the rail 32 and the engagement portion 24
of the bottom member 20 is received by the engagement receiving
portion 50. In particular, the engagement portion 24 of the bottom
member 20 extends generally upward to be received and engaged by
the engagement receiving portion 50 of the attachment clip 42
thereby securing the upper panel 12 to the attachment clip 42. The
engagement receiving portion 50 is a channel that opens downward
and includes a ledge for engaging the engagement portion 24. The
engagement portion 24 and the engagement receiving portion 50 may
be secured to each other through cooperating structure, such as
through a friction fit arrangement, detent arrangement, or any
other suitable arrangement.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 2, the upper panel 12 may include a
stiffener 52 that is secured to the upper panel 12 via a stiffener
clip 54 having an upper portion 56 and a lower portion 58 with a
pair of extensions 60. The stiffener clip 54 is secured to the
stiffener 52 via a fastener 62, such as a screw, extending through
the upper portion 56 of the stiffener clip 54 and into the
stiffener 52. The pair of extensions 60 of the stiffener clip 54 is
received by the stiffener receiving portions 26 of the bottom
member 20. The pair of extensions 60 of the stiffener clip 54 and
the stiffener receiving portions 26 of the bottom member 20 engage
each other through cooperating structure, such as through a
friction fit arrangement, detent arrangement, or any other suitable
arrangement. The lower panel 14 may also include a stiffener 64
that is secured to the rail 32 of the lower panel 14 via a fastener
66, such as a screw, extending through the lower leg portion 40 of
the rail 32 and into the stiffener 64.
[0029] The return portion 46 of the upper end 34 of the lower panel
14 is generally L-shaped and defines a horizontal water shedding
drain shelf. Further, the upper end 34 of the panel 14 and the rail
32 generally define a Z-shape at the horizontal joint 18. Water
that may enter the horizontal joint 18 will contact the horizontal
drain shelf and will be directed back out of the horizontal joint
18. As discussed above, the lower panel 14 is positively fastened
to the support 16 and captures the lower panel 14 and the rail 32
such that wall panel system 10 does not have to solely rely upon
adhesives to hold the panel 14 onto the rail 32. Further, as shown
more clearly in FIG. 3, the upper extension 36 of the rail 32 and
the bottom member 20 define a ventilation gap 68 without allowing a
substantial amount of water penetration through the gap 68. In
particular, the upper extension 36 of the rail 32 is configured to
deflect fluid and keep wind blown water to the exterior and out of
the panel cavity, i.e., between the wall panel system and the air
and water barrier behind the panels. As shown in FIG. 2, a screen
70 may be positioned between the upper extension 36 of the rail 32
and the bottom member 20 to prevent bugs from passing through this
area. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower panels 12,
14 define a space 69 behind the rail 32 between attachments to the
support 16 for back ventilation.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a wall panel system 110
according to a further embodiment is disclosed. The wall panel
system 110 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is similar to the wall panel
system 10 described above. The wall panel system 110 includes upper
and lower panels 112, 114 secured to a support 116 and defining a
horizontal joint 118. The panels 112, 114 each have a generally
rectangular (or square) panel body formed by laminating metal skins
to a plastic core, although other panel configurations may be
utilized. The upper panel 112 includes a bottom member 120 that
extends along a bottom end 122 of the upper panel 112. The bottom
member 120 is a continuous extrusion that includes an engagement
portion 124 and a pair of stiffener receiving portions 126. The
bottom member 120 is secured to the upper panel 112 via a fastener
128, such as a screw, that extends through the bottom member 120
and a return portion 130 of the upper panel 112. The lower panel
114 includes a rail 132 that extends along an upper end 134 of the
lower panel 114. The rail 132 is a continuous extrusion generally
having a Z-shape and defining an upper extension 136, an engagement
portion 138, and a lower leg portion 140.
[0031] The lower panel 114 is secured to the support 116 via an
attachment clip 142. In particular, a fastener 144 extends through
the attachment clip 142, through a return portion 146 of the lower
panel 114, through the rail 132 and into the support 116. The
attachment clip 142 is positioned between the bottom member 120 and
the rail 132 at the support 116. The attachment clip 142 includes
an upper engagement portion 148 and an engagement receiving portion
150. The upper engagement portion 148 of the attachment clip 142 is
received by the engagement portion 138 of the rail 132 and the
engagement portion 124 of the bottom member 120 is received by the
engagement receiving portion 150. In particular, the engagement
portion 124 of the bottom member 120 extends generally downward to
be received and engaged by the engagement receiving portion 150 of
the attachment clip 142. The engagement receiving portion 150 is a
channel that opens upward and includes a ledge for engaging the
engagement portion 124. The engagement portion 124 and the
engagement receiving portion 150 may be secured to each other
through cooperating structure, such as through a friction fit
arrangement, detent arrangement, or any other suitable arrangement.
Accordingly, the upper panel 112 may be dropped into place with the
engagement portion 124 of the bottom member 120 being received and
engaged by the engagement receiving portion 150 of the attachment
clip 142 thereby securing the upper panel 112 to the attachment
clip 142.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 4, the upper panel 112 may include a
stiffener 152 that is secured to upper panel 112 via stiffener clip
154 having an upper portion 156 and a lower portion 158 having a
pair of extensions 160. The stiffener clip 154 is secured to the
stiffener 152 via fastener 162, such as a screw, extending through
the upper portion 156 of the stiffener clip 154 and into the
stiffener 152. The pair of extensions 160 of the stiffener clip 154
is received by the stiffener receiving portions 126 of the bottom
member 120. The pair of extensions 160 of the stiffener clip 154
and the stiffener receiving portions 126 of the bottom member 120
engage each other through cooperating structure, such as through a
friction fit arrangement, detent arrangement, or any other suitable
arrangement. The lower panel 114 may also include a stiffener 164
that is secured to the rail 132 of the lower panel 114 via a
fastener 166, such as a screw, extending through the lower leg
portion 140 of the rail 132 and into the stiffener 164. As shown in
FIG. 4, a screen 170 may be positioned between the upper extension
136 of the rail 132 and the bottom member 120 to prevent bugs from
passing through this area. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper
and lower panels 112, 114 define a space 169 behind the rail 132
between attachments to the support 116 for back ventilation.
[0033] The primary difference between the wall panel system 10
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the wall panel system 110 shown in FIGS.
4 and 5 is the engagement arrangement between the bottom members
20, 120 and the attachment clips 32, 132. The hook and grab style
arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may allow for a more aggressive
and high load capacity engagement. The remaining features and
benefits, as discussed above, are similar for the wall panel
systems 10, 110.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, a wall panel system 172 according to
one embodiment includes left and right panels 174, 176 secured to a
support 178 defining a vertical joint 180. The panels 174, 176 each
have a generally rectangular (or square) panel body formed by
laminating metal skins to a plastic core, although other panel
configurations may be utilized. The left and right panels 174, 176
each have a jamb clip 182 positioned at respective ends of the
panels 174, 176 adjacent the vertical joint 180. The jamb clips 182
of the left and right panels 174, 176 define a receptor 184 for
receiving a vertical spline 186. In particular, each of the jamb
clips 182 defines a channel extending the length of the jamb clips
182 that receives a portion of the spline 186. Each of the jamb
clips 182 also includes an attachment leg 188 and a bracket
receiving portion 190. The jamb clips 182 are secured to respective
panels 174, 176 via a fastener 192, such as a screw, extending
through the respective panels 174, 176 and jamb clips 182 at the
vertical joint 180. A vertical channel 194 is positioned between
the support 178 and the jamb clips 182 and allow the panels 174,
176 to be attached to a single stud via a fastener 196, such as a
screw. The support 178 may be a bare stud or a stud with sheathing.
Insulation, an air, water, vapor barrier, or an insulated composite
panel may be positioned between the support 178 and the vertical
channel 194. The vertical channel 194 is configured to channel any
water that may enter the vertical joint 180 to the base detail (not
shown) without contacting an air and water barrier (not shown)
behind the panels 174, 176. As shown in FIG. 7, the jamb clips 182
may be eliminated when gasketed vertical joints 198 are utilized.
The bracket receiving portion 190 of the jamb clips 182 may receive
a fastener bracket 201 to allow attachment of panels 174, 176 along
the vertical edge. The fastener bracket 201 may be a single bracket
having an extension 203 for engaging respective bracket receiving
portions 190 or may be provided as individual brackets on each
panel 174, 176.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 8, a fastener bracket 201 may be provided
as a single member with an extension 203 for engaging the bracket
receiving portion 190 of one jamb clip 182 and an engagement member
205 for engaging an engagement receiving portion 207 of the other
jamb clip 182. A fastener 209, such as a screw, extends through the
fastener bracket 201 for positive panel attachment directly to the
channel 194. Furthermore, the securing of the panels 174, 176 to
the support 178 through the fastener bracket 201 and channel 194
provides a direct method to take out the dead load of the panel
system 172. The attachment leg 188 of the respective jamb clips 182
allows attachment of horizontally oriented stiffeners 211 of the
left and right panels 174, 176 via a fastener 213, such as a screw.
A return portion 215 of the left and right panels 174, 176 is also
configured to act as a stiffener at the panel edge.
[0036] The wall panel systems 10, 110 show stiffeners 52, 64, 152,
164 extending in a vertical direction or parallel to the vertical
edge of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114. The wall panel system 172
shows stiffeners 211 extending in a horizontal direction or
parallel to a horizontal edge of the panels 174, 176. A wall panel
having the horizontal joint arrangements shown in FIGS. 2-5 and the
vertical joint arrangement shown in FIG. 6 would typically only
have stiffeners extending in either the vertical or horizontal
direction.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 9, a wall panel system 217 may be provided
that includes the drained horizontal joint arrangements shown in
FIGS. 2-5 along with the splined vertical joint arrangement shown
in FIG. 6 to provide the advantages of the spline design for the
vertical joint while using a positive drained joint on the
horizontal joint. In particular, a first panel 12, 112, 174 is
positioned above a second panel 14, 114, 174 with the bottom end of
the first panel 12, 112, 174 positioned adjacent to an upper end of
the second panel 14, 114, 174 and defining the horizontal joint 18,
118. A third panel 12, 112, 176 is positioned to the right of the
first panel 12, 112, 174 with the right side of the first panel 12,
112, 174 positioned adjacent to the left side of the third panel
12, 112, 176 and defining the vertical joint 180. A fourth panel
14, 114, 176 is also positioned below the third panel 12, 112, 176
and to the right of the second panel 14, 114, 174. As discussed
above in connection with FIGS. 2-5, each of the panels 12, 14, 112,
114, 174, 176 have bottom members 20, 120 positioned along the
bottom edge of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176. The bottom
members 20, 120 are spaced from the vertical edges or sides of the
panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 and are free from engagement with
the jamb clips 182. Thus, the bottom members 20, 120 do not fully
extend to the vertical joint 180 or jamb and does not require
mitered or notched extrusions.
[0038] Referring again to FIG. 9, the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174,
176 also include jamb clips 182 that receive the spline 186 along
the vertical edges of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 as
discussed above in connection with FIGS. 6 and 8. The jamb clips
182 are spaced apart along the vertical edges of the panels 12, 14,
112, 114, 174, 176, but a single jamb clip 182 that extends for
most of the panel edge could also be utilized. The jamb clips 182
may be spaced from each other approximately 12-18'' on center. The
panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176, however, may include a gasketed
vertical joint as shown in FIG. 7 rather than providing the jamb
clips 182. Although not shown, the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174,
176 would also include one or more spaced apart attachment clips
42, 142 as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 2-5. As shown
in FIGS. 3 and 5, for example, the wall panel system of the present
invention provides air/ventilation behind the system to promote
drying should the cavity become wetted while minimizing the amount
of water getting behind the panel. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11, an outer face 15 of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176
and an end 33 of the rail 32, 132 define a notch 65 for receiving
the vertical spline 186. In particular, the panels 12, 14, 112,
114, 174, 176 are notched back leaving the outer face 15.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of wall panels 220
are positioned adjacent to each other thereby forming a wall panel
system 222. The wall panels 220 may have the horizontal joint
arrangements and the vertical joint arrangements as described above
in connection with FIGS. 2-6. The wall panels 220 each have a
stiffener 224 extending a longitudinal direction of the panels 220.
The stiffeners 224 are generally I-shaped in cross section,
although other suitably shaped stiffeners may be utilized. The
stiffeners 224 are positioned at about a midpoint of the panels 220
relative to a short dimension of the panels 220. The panels 220 are
secured to a support 226 in any suitable manner such as that
described above in connection with wall panel systems 10, 110, 172
shown in FIGS. 2-6. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a stiffener clip
228 is secured to one or more of the supports 226. The stiffener
clip 228 has a stiffener receiving portion 230 for engaging and
receiving the stiffeners 224. The top of FIG. 12 schematically
shows the positioning of the stiffener clips 228 relative to the
panels 220 and the supports 226. The stiffener receiving portion
230 has a pair of extensions 232 defining a channel 234
therebetween. The longitudinal stiffener 224 is received by the
stiffener receiving portion 230, which is configured to take
positive and negative loads exerted on the panels 220. In
particular, the stiffener 224 engages the stiffener clip 228 such
that positive loads exerted on the panel 220 are almost immediately
supported by the stiffener clip 228. Further, the stiffener 224 is
spaced from one of the extensions 232 of the stiffener clip 228
such that negative loads exerted on the panel 220 will cause the
panel 220 to defect outward before the load is transferred to the
stiffener clip 228. The longitudinal stiffeners 224 and the
stiffener clips 228 substantially eliminate surface deformation of
the panels (also known as oil canning) while substantially
minimizing stiffener read through.
[0040] While several embodiments were described in the foregoing
detailed description, those skilled in the art may make
modifications and alterations to these embodiments without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather
than restrictive.
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