U.S. patent application number 14/701351 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for exterior wall panneling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is WALL PANEL SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Charbel Tannious Aboukhalil.
Application Number | 20160319552 14/701351 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57120410 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160319552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aboukhalil; Charbel
Tannious |
November 3, 2016 |
EXTERIOR WALL PANNELING SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for mounting a plurality of wall panels is disclosed
which incorporates a plurality of horizontal wall runners that have
a plurality of holes along the length thereof in order to urge
rainwater downward and onto the ground and also to dry out any
water or moisture that may remain therebetween. The holes are
formed at the lowest most portion of the trough in order to further
urge the rainwater downward.
Inventors: |
Aboukhalil; Charbel Tannious;
(Grand Terrace, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WALL PANEL SYSTEMS, INC. |
Redlands |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57120410 |
Appl. No.: |
14/701351 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0817 20130101;
E04F 13/0807 20130101; E04F 13/0816 20130101; E04B 1/40 20130101;
E04B 2001/405 20130101; E04F 13/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08; E04B 1/41 20060101 E04B001/41 |
Claims
1. An exterior wall panel system which mitigates pooling of water
and mold, the system comprising: upper and lower row of panels
having a thickness between about 1/8 inch to about 1 1/2 inches,
the upper and lower row of panels disposable adjacent to each other
in a single plane; a horizontal wall runner attachable to a wall
and the upper and lower row of panels, the horizontal wall runner
having a base, a first panel attachment member and a first spacer
that attaches the first panel attachment member to the base, the
first spacer having: a plurality of holes along at least a portion
of a length of the horizontal wall runner for directing water
introduced between the plurality of panels and the wall below the
horizontal wall runner; wherein the upper row of panels has second
panel attachment members that attachable to the first panel
attachment member for securing the upper row of panels to the wall;
wherein the first spacer further has a funnel shaped cross
sectional configuration along at least the portion of the length of
the horizontal wall runner and the plurality of holes are formed at
a lowest most portion of a trough of the funnel shaped cross
sectional configuration; wherein the horizontal wall runner has a
third panel attachment member attachable to fourth panel attachment
members of the lower row of panels for securing the lower row of
panels to the wall and a second spacer wherein the second spacer
has a funnel-shaped cross sectional configuration and a plurality
of holes.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first panel attachment member
is an upwardly directed prong which is removably attachable to the
second panel attachment member of the panel.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second panel attachment member
is a clip attached to a back side of the panel wherein the first
attachment member is held between the clip and the panel.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the panels fabricated from
phenolic.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal wall runner is
fabricated from aluminum.
8. A variable distance mounting device for mounting horizontal
runners to a wall, the device comprising: a base attachable to a
stud of the wall, the base having first and second plates spaced
apart from each other by a first distance, the first and second
plates being positioned parallel to each other, each of the first
and second plates having an elongated slot perpendicular to a back
surface of the base, the elongated slots of the first and second
plates being parallel to each other; a sliding component having a
thickness equal to about the first distance so that the sliding
component can be traversed between the first and second plates in a
direction of the parallel elongated slots of the first and second
plates, the sliding component having through holes aligned to the
elongated slots and capable of receiving fasteners in order to fix
a position of the sliding component between the first and second
plates, the sliding component has a mounting pad to mount the
horizontal or vertical wall runner.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein each of the first and second
plates having two elongated slots which are sized and configured to
receive a fastener.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein the base and the sliding
component are fabricated from aluminum and an aluminum extrusion
process.
11. The device of claim 8 wherein the mounting pad comprising two
outwardly extending wings.
12. An exterior wall panel system which mitigates pooling of water
and mold, the system comprising: upper and lower row of panels
having a thickness between about 1/8 inch to about 1 1/2 inches,
the upper and lower row of panels disposable adjacent to each other
so that a front face of the upper and lower row of panel are in a
single plane; a horizontal wall runner attachable to a wall and the
upper and lower row of panels, the horizontal wall miner having a
base, a first panel attachment member, a first spacer that attaches
the first panel attachment member to the base, a third panel
attachment member, a second spacer that attaches the third panel
attachment member to the base, the first and second spacers each
having: a plurality of holes along at least a portion of a length
of the horizontal wall runner for directing water introduced
between the plurality of panels and the all below the horizontal
wall runner; a funnel shaped cross sectional configuration along at
least the portion of the length of the horizontal wall runner and
the plurality of holes are formed at a lowest most portion of a
trough of the funnel shaped. cross sectional configuration; the
upper row of panels having second panel attachment members that are
attachable to the first panel attachment member for securing the
upper row of panels to the wall; the lower row of panels having
fourth panel attachment members. that are attachable to the third
panel attachment member for securing the lower row of panels to the
wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates to a system for mounting a
plurality of wall panels to an exterior surface of a wall.
[0004] Wall panels are currently mounted to interior surfaces of a
wall and have certain difficulties that must be overcome in order
to properly mount the wall panels to the interior surfaces of the
wall. The panels may provide a unique design in order to change the
ambience of the interior space of the building. Wall panels are
also being applied to exterior surfaces of a building but external
mounting of panels externally encounter other difficulties not
related to mounting wall panels to interior surfaces of the
wall.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved
system for mounting wall panels to exterior surfaces of a
building.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] A system for mounting a plurality of wall panels to an
exterior surface of a wall is disclosed herein. The system has a
plurality of horizontal wall runners that space the plurality of
wall panels away from the exterior surface of the wall. Optionally,
vertical wall runners may also be used to space the plurality of
wall panels away from the exterior surface of the wall. Rainwater
that may seep between the wall panels and the wall is drained out
therefrom through a series of holes that are formed in the
horizontal wall runners to urge the rainwater by gravity downward
and onto the ground. Moreover, the holes are located at the bottom
of a trough of the horizontal wall runner in order to further urge
the rainwater downward to the ground. The vertical wall runners, if
used, also have a plurality of holes which in conjunction with the
plurality of holes formed in the horizontal wall runners provide
both vertical and lateral airflow behind the panels in order to dry
out any water or moisture that may remain between the wall and the
wall panels in order to equalize the moisture from therebetween and
the ambient moisture. If no vertical wall runners are used, then
lateral air flow behind the panels is increased compared to when
vertical wall runners are used.
[0007] More particularly, an exterior wall panel system which
mitigates pooling of water and mold is disclosed. The system may
comprise a plurality of panels and horizontal wall runners. The
plurality of panels may have a thickness between about 1/8 inch to
about 1 1/2 inches. The plurality of panels may be disposed
adjacent to each other in a single plane. The plurality of
horizontal wall runners may be attached to a wall and the plurality
of panels. Each of the horizontal wall runners may have a base, a
first panel attachment member and a spacer that attaches the panel
attachment member to the base.
[0008] The spacer may have a funnel-shaped cross sectional
configuration along at least a portion of a length of the
horizontal wall runner and a plurality of holes along at least the
portion of the length of the horizontal wall runner at a trough of
the funnel-shaped cross sectional configuration for directing water
introduced between the plurality of panels and the wall below the
horizontal wall runner. The plurality of panels may have a second
panel attachment member that is attachable to the first panel
attachment member for securing the plurality of panels to the
wall.
[0009] Each of the horizontal wall runners may have an upper first
panel attachment member and an upper spacer and a lower first panel
attachment member and a lower spacer wherein each of the upper and
lower spacers have the funnel-shaped cross sectional configuration
and the plurality of holes. The first panel attachment member may
be an upwardly directed prong which may be removably attachable to
the second panel attachment member of the panel. The second panel
attachment member may be a clip attached to a back side of the
panel wherein the first attachment member may be held between the
clip and the panel.
[0010] The plurality of panels may be fabricated from phenolic. The
plurality of horizontal wall runners may be fabricated from
aluminum.
[0011] In another aspect, a variable distance mounting device for
mounting horizontal runners to a wall is disclosed. The variable
distance mounting device may also be used to mount vertical runners
to the wall as well. However, the vertical runners are optional,
and not required. The device may comprise a base and a sliding
component. The base may be attached to a stud of the wall. The base
may have first and second plates spaced apart from each other by a
first distance. The first and second plates may be positioned
parallel to each other. Each of the first and second plates may
have an elongated slot perpendicular to a back surface of the base.
The elongated slots of the first and second plates may be parallel
to each other. The sliding component may have a thickness equal to
about the first distance so that the sliding component can be
traversed between the first and second plates in a direction of the
parallel elongated slots of the first and second plates. The
sliding component may have through holes aligned to the elongated
slots and capable of receiving fasteners in order to fix a position
of the sliding component between the first and second plates. The
sliding component may have a mounting pad to mount the horizontal
or vertical wall runner.
[0012] Each of the first and second plates may have two elongated
slots which are sized and configured to receive a fastener. The
base and the sliding component may be fabricated from aluminum with
an aluminum extrusion process. The mounting pad may comprise two
outwardly extending wings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wall panel system
mounted to a wall;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a first cross-sectional view of a first embodiment
of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a second cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a third cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a fourth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a fifth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sixth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a seventh cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an eighth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a ninth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a tenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 12 is an eleventh cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a twelfth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a thirteenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a fourteenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 2A is a first cross-sectional view of a second
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3A is a second cross-sectional view of the second
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 4A is a third cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 5A is a fourth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 6A is a fifth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7A is a sixth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 8A is a seventh cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 9A is an eighth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 10A is a ninth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 11A is a tenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 12A is an eleventh cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 13A is a twelfth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 14A is a thirteenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 15A is a fourteenth cross-sectional view of the first
embodiment of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a variable
distance mounting device oriented to mount a horizontal wall
runner;
[0044] FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of the variable
distance mounting device oriented to mount a vertical wall runner;
and
[0045] FIG. 18 is an assembled view of the variable distance device
shown in FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Referring now to the drawings, a wall panel system 10 is
disclosed wherein the wall panel system 10 comprises a plurality of
panels 12 that are attachable to a wall 14. The plurality of panels
12 may be attached to an exterior wall 14 which is exposed to the
environmental elements such as wind, rain, sun, debris, as shown in
FIG. 1. However, the wall panel system 10 may be used to mount the
plurality of panels 12 to an interior wall 14. The wall panel
system 10 forms a gap 16 (see FIG. 2) between the wall panel 12 and
the wall 14. Rainwater may seep between the panel 12 and the wall
14 from the top 18 or through horizontal and vertical recess
reveals 20 between adjacent panels 12. The wall panel system 10
allows the water to flow downward in the direction of arrow 22 so
that the water flows out of the bottom 24. Additionally, the water
can flow horizontally if needed to eventually escape to the bottom
24. Additionally, the wall panel system 10 provides for a
sufficient degree of vertical airflow behind adjacent upper and
lower panels 12 as well as horizontal airflow behind adjacent left
and right panels 12. In this manner, water that seeps between the
wall 14 in the panel 12 is flushed out to the bottom 24 and any
water that remains is dried out over a period of time in order to
prevent or mitigate the formation of mold in the gap 16.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 1, a plurality of wall panels 12 may
be secured to an exterior wall 14 and circumscribed a door 26, and
a window 28. The wall panel system 10 also provides for mounting
the panels 12 to an outside corner 30 or an inside corner 32. The
wall panel system 10 may have a plurality of horizontal wall
runners 34 that are attached to the wall 14. Optionally, the wall
panel system 10 may also utilize vertical wall runners 36 which are
also attached to the wall 14. Referring now to FIG. 2, a horizontal
wall runner 34 is shown being attached to the wall 14 with screws
38. The horizontal wall runner 34 has a base 40 defining a back
surface 42. The back surface 42 contacts the wall 14, and more
specifically indirectly contacts the wall 14 since the vapor
barrier 44 is placed on the outer surface 46 of the wall 14. The
base 40 of the horizontal wall runner 34 may have one or more
grooves 48 that extend along the length of the horizontal wall
runner 34a. The grooves 48 aid in the location and screwing in of
screw 38 through the base 40 and into the wall 14. The horizontal
wall runner 34 shown in FIG. 2 has upper and lower prongs 52,
54.
[0048] The upper and lower prongs 52, 54 are oriented upwardly so
that clips 56 secured to the back surfaces 58 of the panels 12 can
be clipped over the upper and lower prongs 52, 54. The clips 56
receive the upper and lower prongs 52, 54 until the upper distal
ends of the upper and lower prongs 52, 54 rest on the inner
surfaces of the clips 56. The upper and lower prongs 52, 54 may
have front surfaces 60 that contact the back surfaces 58 of the
panels 12. The front surfaces 60 of the upper and lower prongs 52,
54 may be parallel with the back surface 42 of the base 40. As
such, when the panels 12 are mounted to the horizontal wall runner
34, the panels 12 are positioned parallel to the outer surface 46
of the wall 14. The back surface 42 of the base 40 and the front
surface 60 of the upper and lower prongs 52, 54 are generally flat
as well to provide more convenient mounting to the wall 14 and the
panels 12. The upper and lower prongs 52, 54 may also have
protruding nubs 62 that extends away from the front surfaces 60 of
the upper and lower prongs 52, 54. The protruding nub may extend
out about 0.018 inches. The protruding nubs 62 of the upper and
lower prongs 52, 54 mate with the clips 56 and the clips 56 extend
over the protruding nubs 62 in order to provide pullout resistance
to the panels 12. In order to pull out the panels 12, the user
needs to lift the panels 12 with sufficient force in order to
deflect the clips 56 over the protruding nubs 62.
[0049] The horizontal wall runner 34, as discussed above, has upper
and lower prongs 52, 54. These prongs 52, 54 are separated from
each other by distance 64. The distance 64 is sufficient in order
to hide the screw 38 that secures the base 40 of the wall runner 34
to the wall 14 behind the upper panel 12 and also to hide the clip
56 attached to the lower panel 12. The screw 38 attached to the
base 42 and the wall 14 is shown as being hidden behind the upper
panel 12. However, it is also contemplated that the screw 38 may be
inserted through the base 40 of the wall runner 34 at a lower
position in order to hide the screw 38 behind the lower panel 12.
In this regard, the screw 38 may be inserted into the other grooves
48 on the base 40 of the wall runner 34.
[0050] Each of the upper and lower prongs 52, 54 may be secured to
the base 40 with respective upper and lower spacers 64. Each of the
upper and lower spacers 64 may have a funnel shaped cross-sectional
configuration and a plurality of holes 66 extending along a length
of the horizontal runner 34. In particular, the funnel shaped
cross-sectional configuration includes a downwardly sloping surface
68 that terminates at a trough 70. Water that drips on the vapor
barrier 44 at the outer surface 46 of the wall 14 drips downward on
the downwardly sloping surface 68 and into the hole 66 in order to
flow the water downward and ultimately onto the ground 72 below.
Preferably, the downwardly sloping surface is at a 28.degree. angle
74 with respect to a horizontal plane. The angle 74 of the
downwardly sloping surface may be increased or decreased depending
on various factors up to 55.degree. or as low as 10.degree..
[0051] The clips 56 are secured to the back surfaces 58 of the
panels 12 by way of screws 38. The clips 56 have a foot 76 through
which one or more screws 38 attach the clip 56 to the panel 12. The
clips 56 may additionally have a downwardly extending prong 78
having an inner surface 80 that mates with the protruding nub 62 in
order to provide pull out resistance when the panels 12 are being
lifted upward for removal. This prevents inadvertent removal during
earthquakes and also by vandals that might want to remove panels 12
from the wall 14 without authorization. The clips 56 also have a
bent lip 82 that helps to insert the prongs 52, 54 between the
downwardly extending prong 78 of the clip 56 and the panel 12. A
distal end of the bent lip 82 may be about 3/16'' gapped away from
the bottom of the trough to allow for movement of the panel during
natural movement of the ground or building. The bent lip 82 has an
enlarged opening that the upwardly extending prongs 52, 54 can
catch for inserting the prongs 52, 54 between the clip 56 and the
panel 12. Additionally, the bent lip 82 also guides water that
drips on the clip 56 into the holes 66 to further urge water
downward to the ground 72.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 3, the horizontal wall runner 34 may
also be utilized as a vertical wall runner 84 by reorienting the
horizontal wall runner 34 is the vertical direction. The vertical
wall runner 84 is optional, and not required. In this regard, if
used, the vertical wall runner 84 is secured to the wall 14 by way
of screw 38. However, the vertical wall runner 84 is not secured to
the horizontally adjacent panels 12. Rather, the vertical wall
runner 84 may be used to provide stability to the panels 12 in the
event that the panels 12 are pushed closer to the wall 14. The
upper and lower prongs 52, 54 merely contact the back surfaces 58
of the panels 12. Additionally, the vertical wall runner 84
provides airway passage horizontally behind adjacent left and right
panels 12 through the plurality of holes 66 formed in the spacers
64 in order to dry out any water that may remain behind the panels
12.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the
horizontal wall runner 34a is shown. The horizontal wall runner 34a
has a single prong 52a that is spaced away from a base 40a by
spacer 64a. The horizontal wall runner 34a incorporates a spacer
64a having a funnel-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a
plurality of holes 66 that extend along a length of the spacer 64a
at the trough 70 thereof. The horizontal wall runner 34a may also
have a back surface 42a of the base 40a that is parallel to a front
surface 60a of the prong 52a. The horizontal wall runner 34a may be
identical to the horizontal wall runner 34 except that the
horizontal wall runner 34a does not incorporate the bottom half of
the horizontal wall runner 34. Moreover, the base 40a has a return
member 86. Unlike the horizontal wall runner 34a, the horizontal
wall runner 34a does not have a groove 48 that assists in locating
the screw 38. However, it is contemplated that the groove 48 shown
in reference to the horizontal wall runner 34 may be incorporated
to the base 40 of the horizontal wall runner 34a. The clip 56 may
be attached to the back surface 58 of the panel 12 with the screw
38. The clip 56 is positioned sufficiently high above the lower end
88 of the panel 12 in order to hide the horizontal wall runner 34a
behind the panel 12 when viewed elevationally.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 5, the horizontal wall runner 34a may
also be used as a vertical wall runner 90a by orienting the
horizontal wall runner 34a in the vertical direction. The vertical
wall runner 90a is optional, and not required. In this regard, if
used, the vertical wall runner 90a is secured to the wall 14 by way
of screw 38. However, the vertical wall runner 90 is not secured to
the panel 12. Rather, the vertical wall runner 90 merely provides
stability to the panel 12 in the event that the panel 12 is pushed
closer to the wall 14. The prong 52a merely contacts the back
surface 58 of the panel 12. Additionally, the vertical wall runner
90 provides airway passage horizontally through the plurality of
holes 66 formed in the spacers 64a in order to dry out any water
that may remain behind the panel 12.
[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates the horizontal wall runner 34a and lower
edge of the plurality of wall panels 12 mounted to the wall 14.
FIG. 5 illustrates the vertical wall runner 90 at a right side edge
of the panel 12. FIG. 6 illustrates the horizontal wall runner 34a
at an upper edge of the plurality of wall panels 12 mounted to the
wall 14. The horizontal wall 34a is sufficiently recessed down
behind the panel 12 so that the clip 56 and the horizontal wall
runner 34a is hidden behind the panel 12. FIG. 15 illustrates the
vertical wall runner 84 at a right side edge of a panel 12 of an
outside corner of the wall 14. FIG. 14 illustrates the vertical
wall runner 84 at a left side edge of the panel 12 of an inside
corner of the wall 14. The gap 92 between the exposed edge 94 and
the wall 14 may be adjusted by cutting the panel 12 short and
adjusting the position of the vertical wall runner 84 behind the
panel 12. The vertical wall runners 90, 84 shown in FIGS. 5, 14 and
15 are optional and not required.
[0056] The plurality of wall panels 12 may also be disposed
circumferentially about the door 26 and a window 96. FIGS. 12 and
13 illustrate the horizontal wall runner 34a holding the panel 12
directly above the door 26 and allowing for the exposed edge 88.
FIG. 13 illustrates a vertical wall runner 90 for providing
stability to the panel 12 positioned laterally about the door 26.
As indicated above, the vertical wall runner 90 shown in FIG. 13 is
optional and not required.
[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 show vertical wall runners 90 to support the
panel at different areas on the wall shown in FIG. 1. However,
these vertical wall runners 90 are also optional, and not required
to implement the wall panel system 10.
[0058] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate how the horizontal and vertical wall
runners 34a, 90 are used to provide stability to the laterally
adjacent panels 12 or vertically disposed panels 12 above and below
the window 96. As indicated above, the vertical wall runners 90
shown in FIG. 19 is not required and is optional.
[0059] The plurality of wall panels 12 mounted to the wall 14 may
have a flashing 98 (see FIG. 1) along the length of the upper
panels 12 to mitigate entry of rainwater between the panel 12 and
the wall 14. In this manner, the flashing 98 provides a consistent
look with the other panels 12 in that the flashing 98 may have a
gap 92 or reveal 20 consistent with the reveals 20 between
laterally adjacent panels 12 and vertically adjacent panels 12.
[0060] The wall panel system 10 may be mounted to an exterior wall
14. The wall panel system 10 may be exposed to rainwater that
enters between the panel 12 and the wall 14 through the reveals 20.
The wall panel system 10 must either remove the rainwater by
flowing the rainwater downward onto the ground 72 or allow
sufficient airflow laterally and vertically in order to dry out the
water and remove any moisture between the panel 12 and the wall 14
that may cause detrimental effects. In order to allow for
sufficient airflow vertically and laterally as well as sufficient
downward fall of water, the plurality of holes 66 may be a hole or
an elongate slot. The hole may have a diameter of about 3/16 inch.
If the hole 66 is an elongate slot, then the elongate slot may be
about 3/16 inch in width and about 3/4 inch in length. The holes 66
may be spaced apart about 3 inches from the adjacent hole 66 center
to center. Moreover, the plurality of holes 66 may be formed along
the entire length of spacers 64, 64a, as shown in FIGS. 16-18.
[0061] The clips 56, horizontal wall runners 34, 34a may be
fabricated from an extrusion process and the holes 66 made through
a subsequent drilling, stamping or machining process. The clips 56
and horizontal wall runners 34, 34a may be fabricated from a
metallic material including but not limited to aluminum, steel and
other materials that may be developed in the future or known in the
art.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-15A, the wall panel system 10a
having an exposed screw 38 is shown. In contrast, the wall panel
system 10 shown in FIGS. 2-15 illustrates attachment of the panel
12 via clips 56. In the wall panel system 10a shown in FIGS.
2A-15A, the panels 12 are directly secured to the prongs 52, 54
with screws 38. Preferably, only the prongs 52, 54 of the
horizontal wall runners 34, 34a are directly attached to the panels
12 with the screws 38. However, it is also contemplated that the
prongs 52, 54 of the vertical wall runners 84, 90 may be directly
attached to the panels 12 with the screws 38 but as shown in FIGS.
2A-15A, the prongs 52, 54 of the vertical wall runners 84, 90
merely provide stability to the panel 12 in the event that the
panels 12 are being pushed toward the wall 14. The vertical wall
runners shown in FIGS. 3A, 5A, 7A, 8A, 10A, 13A, 14A, 15A are
optional, and not required in the wall panel system 10a having
exposed screws.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, a variable distance mounting
device 100 is shown. The variable distance mounting device 100 may
be oriented to mount the horizontal wall runners 34, 34a. FIGS.
16-18 illustrate the horizontal wall runner 34a mounted to the stud
102. However, the vertical wall runner 90 may also be mounted to
the stud 102 with the variable distance mounting device 100. FIG.
17 illustrates the variable distance mounting device 100 reoriented
90.degree. to mount the vertical wall runner 90 to the stud 102.
Although FIG. 17 illustrates the vertical wall runner 90 mounted to
the stud 102, it is also contemplated that the variable distance
mounting device 100 may be used to mount the vertical wall runner
90 to the stud 102. The variable distance mounting device 100 is
shown as being mounted to the stud 102 directly. However, it is
also contemplated that other materials may be interposed between
the vertical distance mounting device 100 and the stud 102
including but not limited to a drywall or a vapor barrier 44.
[0064] The variable distance mounting device 100 may have a wall
mount 104 and a sliding component 106. The wall mount 104 may have
a base 108 with at least two holes 110 for mounting the horizontal
wall runners 34, 34a. In particular, the two holes 110 are
vertically aligned so that fasteners 112 can proceed through the
holes 110 and mount to the vertical stud 102. The base 108 may have
two additional holes 114 for mounting the vertical wall runners 84,
90 as shown in FIG. 17. In particular, the two holes 114 are
horizontally aligned, when the variable distance mounting device
100 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 16, 18. However, the two holes
114 are vertically aligned to allow the base 108 to be mounted to
the vertical stud 102 when the variable distance mounting device
100 is oriented in the direction shown in FIG. 17. With the base
108 securely mounted to the stud 102, a sliding component 106 may
be inserted between first and second plates 116, 118. Each of the
first and second plates 116, 118 may have elongate slots 120 for
receiving fasteners 112. The sliding component 106 has two
receiving holes 110 so that the threads of the screws 112 can be
secured to the sliding component 106 and the holes 110. The sliding
component 106 may also have a thickness 122 sufficiently large so
that the fasteners 112 do not bump into each other as they are
being tightened into the holes 114 from opposite ends. The sliding
component 106 may additionally have one or more wings 124. The
wings 124 preferably extend outward symmetrically to provide
symmetrical support and force to the wall mount 104. The screws 38
that secure the runners 34, 34a, 84, 90 to the wall 14 are now used
to secure the runners 34, 34a, 84, 90 to the wings 124.
[0065] The variable distance mounting device 100 allows the
installer to provide for an adjustable distance between the back
surface of the panel 12 to the outer surface of the wall 14 so that
the space therebetween may be filled with material including but
not limited to insulation. Preferably, the distance may be set to
between about 3 1/2 inches to about 5 inches. In this sense, the
slot 120 may be about 2 inches long.
[0066] The panel 12 discussed herein may have a thickness between
about 3/16'' to about 1'', and is preferably between about 5/16''
to about 1/2''. Along these lines, the thickness of the panels may
be 5/16'', 3/8'' or 1/2''. The horizontal and vertical wall runners
34, 34a, 84 and 90 may be fabricated from an aluminum material and
may be anodized. The holes 66 have an inner slotted dimension of
about 3/4''.times. 3/16'' and be spaced apart about 1 1/2 inches to
about 4 inches (more preferably about 3 inches center to center)
center to center from an immediately adjacent hole 66. The depth of
the hole 66 may be 3/16''. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-15
and 2A-15A, a distance between the back surface of the panel 12 and
the exterior surface of the wall or vapor barrier may be about 1''.
However, it is also contemplated that the distance therebetween may
be greater than or less than 1'' such as between about 1/2 inch to
about 3 inches. The distal end of the panel 12 may be gapped away
from a wall, a surface or another object about 1 inches. By way of
example and not limitation, the gap or distance 92 shown in FIGS.
14 may be about 1 inches. However, such distance may be increased
or decreased by elongating or cutting the panel 12 short. The
distance 92 may be zero with the wall or increased to any distance
but is preferably limited to about 2 inches and is more preferably
limited to 1''. The figures show other gaps between the distal end
of the panel to other surfaces and the gaps may be increased or
decreased as desired. In relation to the variable distance mounting
device 100, the base and the sliding component may be fabricated
from a steel material including but limited to exterior grade
stainless steel.
[0067] In the wall panel systems 10, 10a described herein, lateral
air flow may be encouraged by not using any vertical wall runners.
However, if vertical wall runners are utilized, then the vertical
wall runners are formed with the holes 66 described herein.
[0068] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of fabricating
the components. Further, the various features of the embodiments
disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with
each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific
combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not
to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
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