U.S. patent number 3,721,050 [Application Number 05/180,669] was granted by the patent office on 1973-03-20 for modular grid panel retention system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to American Velcro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Perina.
United States Patent |
3,721,050 |
Perina |
March 20, 1973 |
MODULAR GRID PANEL RETENTION SYSTEM
Abstract
An integral modular grid arrangement is disclosed for supporting
a series of modular panels, such as wall or ceiling panels or
tiles. The grid may be attached to wall or ceiling structure. Both
the grid and panels are equipped with quick connect and disconnect
hook and loop type fastener strips which permit the panels to be
quickly installed and removed to provide access to lighting which
may be installed behind the panels or grid.
Inventors: |
Perina; Joseph (Huntington,
NY) |
Assignee: |
American Velcro, Inc.
(Manchester, NH)
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Family
ID: |
22661298 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/180,669 |
Filed: |
September 15, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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853657 |
Aug 28, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/28; 52/DIG.13;
52/781; 428/100; 52/764; 428/47; 52/475.1; 52/506.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F
13/0862 (20130101); E04B 9/24 (20130101); Y10T
428/163 (20150115); Y10T 428/24017 (20150115); Y10S
52/13 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04F
13/08 (20060101); E04B 9/24 (20060101); E04B
9/22 (20060101); E04b 005/57 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/28,38,475,474,488,495 ;24/204,DIG.18,21R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Faw, Jr.; Price C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application
Ser. No. 853,657, filed Aug. 28, 1969, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. In one of a wall and ceiling assembly, a structure comprising in
combination:
a. a modular framework capable of being attached to supporting
structure in adjacent relation with similar framework, said
framework defining at least one panel receptacle having at least
one side defined by an extension having a first forward portion and
a side wall extending rearwardly from said first forward portion,
said side wall having a sloping relation with the framework such
that the rear portion of the side wall is spaced apart from a plane
passing through the center of said receptacle and perpendicular to
said framework less than the forward portion of the rearwardly
extending side wall;
b. a flange member positioned on the rear portion of the side wall
and extending toward the center line of said panel receptacle, said
flange member having a first forward surface;
c. at least one modular panel nestled within said receptacle and
held in position by at least one separable fastening device, one
member of said fastening device being attached to the first forward
surface of said flange member and a mating member attached to a
corresponding rear portion of said panel, said fastening members
being releasably attached to each other in face-to-face relation;
and
d. said panel being configured to have at least one portion of a
side wall spaced apart from an adjacent rearwardly extending side
wall of said receptacle by a distance which facilitates insertion
of a tool between the receptacle and panel side walls to initiate
separation of said separable fastener members by prying said panel
away from said framework to remove said panel.
2. The combination structure according to claim 1 wherein said
receptacle is comprised of an opening in said framework and said
extension is positioned along the periphery of said opening such
that the rearwardly extending sloping side walls of said extension
define said receptacle.
3. The combination structure according to claim 2 wherein said
fastening device comprises a member having a surface defined by
upstanding engaging elements and a mating member having a surface
defined by complementary engaging elements.
4. The combination structure according to claim 3 wherein said
engaging elements are hooks and loops.
5. The combination structure according to claim 4 wherein an
attachment device having hook and loop fastener means on its outer
surface is attached to the rear surface of said panel to provide a
cooperating hook and loop fastening member on the rear surface of
the panel.
6. The combination structure according to claim 3 wherein said
framework is opaque and said panel is translucent and lighting
means is positioned behind said structure to provide indirect
lighting through said panels with access to said lighting means
provided by the convenient detachability of said panel.
7. The combination structure according to claim 3 wherein said
framework is translucent and said panel is opaque and lighting
means is positioned behind said structure to provide indirect
lighting through said framework with access to said lighting means
provided by the convenient detachability of said panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of the Invention
This invention relates to interior panel arrangements which readily
lend themselves to quick and convenient installation due to their
unique prefabricated integral modular construction. It also relates
to lighting arrangements to be used with the panels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern-day construction techniques require a maximum of
prefabrication or structural packaging as opposed to conventional
piecemeal fitting by a mechanic. Skilled and unskilled labor costs
in the construction field have far out-stripped the cost of
materials. Perhaps the greatest disproportion of labor to material
expenses exists in modifying existing structures, as, for example,
in the case of finishing basements, offices or attic rooms and the
like. While earlier developments include modifying structures which
use removable panels for covering surfaces, these developments
lacked the modular aspects characterized by my structure whereby a
person having limited skills can install or remove them quickly and
conveniently.
Separable fasteners such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,717,437 and 3,009,235, which are marketed under the registered
trademark VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners by Velcro
Corporation, 681 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., have gained wide
acceptance because of the properties of the mating hooks and loops
which permit their attachment by merely placing a surface defined
by at least one of upstanding hook and loop type hooking elements
into a face-to-face relationship with a surface defined by
complementary hooking elements so that a large number of hooking
elements will engage and resist separation forces parallel to the
interfacial plane of engagement but are readily separable by
peeling forces applied substantially normal to this interfacial
plane. These fastening devices, which may be woven, knitted or
molded, for example, have had wide application in may fields of
art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,810 to Mates relates to a method of
separating rigid members which are joined together at an interface
by inserting a device between the mating surfaces. U.S. Pat. No.
3,453,696 to Mates utilizes the hook and loop fastener of the
VELCRO type to hold a necktie by securing a separable fastener
member to a clip device.
An application showing the use of said hook and loop type fasteners
for attaching a gas cleaning filter to a frame is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,127,259 to Boylan. However, this does not relate to a
modular framework having panels which provide quick and simple
installation and removal for covering surfaces such as walls and
ceiling. The Boylan patent relates to a filter member which is
tightly fitted within its frame whereby prying it out would
probably destroy it if it was constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid
material. Other prior art generally relating to the field of the
invention includes: U.S. Pat. No. 1,308,083 to Lachman relating to
a cumbersome and intricate metal frame and panel construction which
requires substantial skill to install it properly. U.S. Pat. No.
3,505,772 to DeClaire et al. teaches a fastening device for
automobile panels and trim. Other prior art includes U.S. Pat. No.
2,910,574 to Attwood, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,834 to Lipscomb.
While these disclosures relate generally to surface modifying
structures, panels, lighting and the like, they do not provide an
alternative to the complex structures which require a substantial
amount of time and skill in order to install them properly.
It is the purpose of the present invention to disclose a
prefabrication technique for the construction of extremely
attractive walls and ceilings in the interior of existing
structure.
It is furthermore an aspect of the present invention that the
average person may erect the disclosed modular structures in a
short period of time and with great ease. The structure of the
invention also includes ceiling or wall panels which are instantly
removable for replacement or to provide access to space behind the
panels.
Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon a
detailed examination of the drawing and the accompanying
description of preferred embodiments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises, in combination, a grid-like frame
which will be manufactured in appropriate standard dimensions as 4
.times. 8 foot sections, for example, or other appropriate
dimensions. The modular framework may be quickly and efficiently
fastened by screws, bolts, hook and loop-type fasteners, etc., to a
supporting structure even by persons of limited skill. Due to the
framework size, relatively large surface areas of the supporting
structure will be covered very quickly. Such structures may be
masonry walls, frame studs, ceiling beams, and the like. The
framework includes at least one panel receiving receptacle, which
is configured to accept a modular panel. At least one side of the
receptacle is defined by an extension having a first forward
portion and a side wall extending rearwardly from said first
forward portion, said side wall having a sloping relation with the
framework such that the rear portion of the side wall is spaced
apart from a plane passing through the center of the receptacle and
perpendicular to the framework less than the forward portion of the
side wall. A flange member is positioned at the rear portion of the
side wall and extends toward the center line of the panel
receptacle. The flange member has a first forward portion which
faces the rear portion of the modular plane which is nestled in
position within the receptacle. The complementary panel is held in
position by at least one separable fastening device, one member
being attached to the first forward portion of said flange, and a
mating member attached to a corresponding rear portion of the
panel. The members of the fastening device are releasably attached
to each other in face-to-face relation thereby holding the panel in
position within the receptacle.
In the preferred embodiment it is intended that separable hook
and/or loop type fastener means such as are described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,717,437 and 3,009,235, assigned to the same assignee as the
present application are used to secure the panel in position. They
have particular utility for retaining the panel members within the
receptacle; however, the invention is not intended to be limited to
this type of separable fastener. Any separable fastener members,
such as those having adhesive surfaces, for example, may be
used.
The panel is preferably configured with respect to the panel
receptacle such that a space is provided between at least one
rearwardly extending side wall of the receptacle and a portion of a
side wall of the panel. However, a uniform sloping space around the
panel between the panel side wall and the receptacle side wall is
preferred. This facilitates insertion of a tool between the
receptacle and the panel side walls to initiate separation of the
members of the separable fastening device by prying the panel away
from the framework to remove it very quickly and efficiently.
In one embodiment, the panels are translucent so that lighting
means behind them will illuminate the interior of the room
indirectly. Access to the lighting means is provided by the
convenient detachability of the panels. In another embodiment, the
framework is translucent to provide an indirect lighting effect,
and such lighting is also accessible by removing any panel adjacent
thereto. Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention,
wall or ceiling panels equipped with fastener strips may also be
attached to any structure such as studding and the like similarly
equipped with mating fastener strips.
It will be seen from the following description that the invention
will permit the use of various decorative panels which could be
used to change the decorative effects in a room. For example,
business establishments and offices will find it practical to
change the decorative effect of their walls and ceilings very
quickly and inexpensively. Panels could easily be removed and
replaced with replacement panels providing a different decorative
effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing the grid frame and
panel arrangement of the invention with the grid attached to
masonry and wood frame structures;
FIG. 2 is a view showing in cross-section the grid and panel
attachment wherein the panels and grid are translucent and lighting
is located behind the panels;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 wherein only the grid is
translucent and lighting is appropriately arranged behind the
grid;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a clip used to secure the hook and loop
fastener means to the grid;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the fastener clip of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section taken along the lines 7--7
of FIG. 6 .
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a framework and
panel combination constructed according to the invention. In the
illustrated application, the adjacent structure might be found, for
example, in a basement of industrial buildings, business
establishments and the like. Accordingly, in the example shown, a
masonry wall 10 forms the backing support for the modular framework
11 having a grid structure as shown. The framework is secured in a
known manner to the wall 10. A wall 12 of frame construction
adjoins the wall 10 and consists of conventional studs 13, a still
14, and plates 16. Framework 11 is secured to the studs 13 by any
suitable means of attachment such as by screws, bolts, or even hook
and loop-type fastener means. The framework 11, furthermore, is
arranged horizontally to form a ceiling by being attached to
overhead beams 17.
It will be understood that the framework 11 may be constructed in
any suitable standard dimensions. For example, each of the sections
of the frame 11 may comprise, as has been shown, grid areas for the
reception of 12 panels and, in this case, the grid may be 4 x 8
foot dimensionally or any other suitable dimensions. Alternatively,
as shown in the center of FIG. 1, the wall panels may be
considerably larger. The ceiling framework 11 may be of different
configuration wherein each of the ceiling tiles is one foot square,
for example.
As best seen in FIG. 2, each section of the framework 11 has at
least one panel receiving receptacle 17 which is preferably defined
by an extension 11 d having a first forward portion 11a and a side
wall 11 e which extends rearwardly and preferably has a sloping
relation with the first forward portion 11a of the frame work 11.
The rearwardly extending side wall 11e thus defines an acute angle
"A" with the framework such that the rear portion 11 f of the side
wall 11 e is spaced apart from a plane passing through the center
of the receptacle and perpendicular to the framework less than the
forward portion 11 g as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Flange members 11 b
are positioned at the rear portion 11 f of the side wall 11 e and
are disposed inwardly toward the receptacle center line. These
flanges have a first forward surface 11 h which may be viewed from
the frontal side of the frame. Strips of hook and/or loop-type
fastener members 18 are mounted on the forward surface 11h of the
flanges 11b with a complementary hook and/or loop-type fastener
member mounted on the rear surface of the panel 19. It is
preferable that the panel be configured to provide a space 11j
between the side surfaces 19a of the panels and the inner surfaces
11k of the rearwardly extending side walls 11e as is clearly shown
in the drawings. This space and the acute angle relation between
the receptacle side walls 11e and the panel side surfaces 19a as
shown facilitate a convenient means for quick and simple removal of
the panel. This is accomplished by inserting a tool into the space
and prying the panel outwardly. This configuration is advantageous
since the relative rigidity of the panel prohibits peeling of the
separable hook and loop members. Consequently, they must be
separated by actually separating the panels from the frame
structure by tensile forces which are transmitted to the hook and
loop members. Insertion of a tool in the convenient space 11e
provided facilitates a substantial mechanical advantage such that
separating the panel from the frame is made simple.
Also, the space 11j, as shown in the drawings, may be used to
permit cool or heated air to flow into the room without the need
for special heating or cooling grids. Particular attention should
be directed to the relative thickness of the space 11j with respect
to the acute angle "A" formed by the framework and the rearwardly
extending side walls 11e. The space as shown preferably has a width
which will not permit one to view the junction 11m between the
rearwardly extending sidewall 11e and the flange 11b from the
frontal side, as may be seen from the drawings. Otherwise, the
decorative effect will be spoiled.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a translucent panel 19 may be simply
installed and held firmly by the flanges 11b by having on its
reverse face corresponding hook or loop fastener material 20 as
shown. It will be understood that the hook and loop fastener
material for strip 20 will engage with the corresponding mating
strip 18. Directly behind the panel 19 are three lamps 21 which may
be used to create an indirect lighting effect. Servicing and
installation of lamps 21 are facilitated by ready installation and
removal of panel 19.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, lamps 22 are installed adjacently
behind the grid frames 11 while the panel 19' of opaque
construction; however, the panel 19' is secured to the frame
sections 11 by means of a spring clip 23 which is attached to the
flange 11b as shown. The clip 23 easily slides over the end of the
flange to provide a short strip of hook fastener 23a. The panel 19'
is correspondingly equipped with a loop-bearing staple 24 which has
upon its upper surface a multiplicity of loops 24a which are
interengageable with the hooks on the clip fastener 23. The staple
24 has a V-shaped prong 24b having a barb 24c which, when the
staple 24 is driven into the panel 19', will effectively prevent
disengagement of the staple. Staples for this purpose, however, may
be of various configurations in achieving the same purpose. It
should be understood, however, that the hook material and the loop
material are positioned, as shown, for the purpose of the
description. Their positions may be interchanged or their mating
surfaces may be comprised of a combination of hooks and loops.
It can be seen from the foregoing that the grid frame is very
quickly attached to conventional supporting structure, such as
masonry, studs, beams, etc. After such attachments have been made
for an entire room, various kinds of wall panels, ceiling tiles,
and the like, may quickly be pressed into positive adhering
engagement within the grid by means of the respective parts having
cooperatively engaging strips of hook and/or loop fastener.
Indirect lighting may be installed behind the grids to illuminate
the interior of the room either through the panels or the grid
frame. Not only is the initial installation of panels quickly
accomplished, but service of any area behind the panels is quickly
assured by virtue of their ready removal.
It will be understood that the foregoing description is of
preferred embodiments of the invention and is therefore merely
representative. In order to appreciate more fully the spirit and
scope of the invention, reference should be made to the appended
claims.
* * * * *