U.S. patent number 3,729,891 [Application Number 05/196,363] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-01 for decorative openwork panel structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Construction Specialties Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert W. Olsen.
United States Patent |
3,729,891 |
Olsen |
May 1, 1973 |
DECORATIVE OPENWORK PANEL STRUCTURE
Abstract
A panel structure has a framework of criss-crossing support
members, a primary panel fastened to the framework at each
intersection of the support members and a secondary panel fastened
to each pair of adjacent primary panels. Portions of each secondary
panel overlap a portion of the pair of adjacent primary panels to
which the secondary panel is fastened, so that the fasteners which
are used to secure the primary panels to the support members are
concealed by the secondary panels.
Inventors: |
Olsen; Robert W. (Chatham,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Construction Specialties Inc.
(Cranford, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
22725085 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/196,363 |
Filed: |
November 8, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/663; D5/1;
52/507; 52/311.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F
13/0871 (20130101); E04C 2/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04F
13/08 (20060101); E04C 2/32 (20060101); E04c
002/42 (); E04f 019/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/663,665,669,478,507,520,581,588,311 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sutherland; Henry C.
Assistant Examiner: Ridgill, Jr.; James L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A panel structure, comprising a framework having two groups of
spaced-apart support members, each group having at least two
members therein, with the members in each group crossing those in
the other group and connected to them substantially perpendicular
thereto to form a grid-like supporting framework, a group of at
least four primary panels, a group of at least four secondary
panels, said panels in each group being formed of a rigid material
and having a quadrangular pyramidal shape, the center of each of
the panels being the apex of the pyramid, and the diagonals of each
of the panels extending from the corners to the apex at a suitable
angle relative to the plane formed by the corners of that panel,
the major axes of each panel extending from midway along the edges
of the panel to the apex at an angle relative to said plane that is
greater than the angle of the diagonals so that the diagonals are
raised relative to the major axes, the apex of each of said primary
panels being centered on an intersection between two of the support
members, the major axes of said primary panels being centered along
the support members, a first fastening means located near the
margin of each primary panel and along one of the major axes for
fastening said primary panel to a support member, each of said
means having a lower block and an upper block, with said primary
panel being sandwiched between the blocks, said blocks, the primary
panel and the support member having a corresponding hole therein
for receiving a bolt means to secure said primary panel to the
support member, and the faces of said blocks that engage said
primary panel being shaped and disposed at an angle relative to
said support member to coincide with the shape and angle of the
portion of said primary panel said faces engage so that the panel
can be secured to the support member without being bent out of
shape, a diagonal of each of the secondary panels being centered
along a support member between each adjacent pair of primary
panels, and portions of said secondary panels near the corners of
the diagonal overlapping the portion of each of the adjacent
primary panels to which said secondary panel is fastened, said
overlapping portion covering the first fastening means, and said
overlapping portion having a tab projecting outwardly therefrom,
the tab having at least one opening therein corresponding with an
opening in the overlapped portion of said primary panel, the tab
being bent to a position between said secondary panel and said
primary panel so that the secondary panel can be attached to the
primary panel, and fastening means passing through the
corresponding hole in the tab and the overlapped portion of the
primary panel.
2. A panel structure, comprising a framework having two groups of
spaced-apart support members, each group having at least two
members therein, and the members of each group crossing the members
of the other group and connected to them to form a grid-like
supporting framework, a group of at least four primary panels,
first means located near the margin of each primary panel for
fastening said primary panel to the support members, each primary
panel being generally centered on an intersection between two of
the support members, a group of at least four secondary panels, and
second means for fastening each of said secondary panels to an
adjacent pair of primary panels, portions of each secondary panel
overlapping the portion of each of the adjacent primary panels to
which said secondary panel is fastened where said first means are
located, so that said first means are covered by said portions of
the secondary panels.
3. A panel structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first
means includes a lower block and an upper block, with said primary
panel being sandwiched between the blocks and the lower block being
disposed adjacent a support member, with said blocks, the primary
panel and the support member having a corresponding hole therein
for receiving a bolt means to secure said primary panel to the
support member, and the faces of said blocks that engage said
primary panel are shaped and disposed at an angle relative to said
support member to coincide with the shape and angle of the portion
of said primary panel said faces engage so that the primary panel
can be secured to the support member without being bent out of
shape.
4. A panel structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
overlapping portions of said secondary panels each has a tab
projecting outwardly therefrom, the tab having an opening therein
that corresponds with an opening in the overlapped portion of a
primary panel, so that the tab can be bent to a position between
the secondary panel and the primary panel for fastening the
secondary panel to the primary panel.
5. A panel structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein the panels
in each group are formed of a sheet of metal that is substantially
square in shape, and the secondary panels are smaller in size than
the primary panels.
6. A panel structure in accordance with claim 5, wherein the
support members in each group are generally perpendicular to those
in the other group, the center of each of said primary panels is
centered on an intersection between two of the support members, the
major axes of said primary panels are centered along the support
members, and each of said secondary panels is skewed relative to
said primary panels so that one diagonal is centered along a
support member.
7. A panel structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein the
primary and secondary panels are formed of a substantially rigid
material and have a generally quadrangular pyramidal shape, the
center of the panel being the apex of the pyramid, and the
diagonals of the panel extend from the corners to the apex at a
suitable angle relative to the plane formed by the corners, the
major axes of the panel extending from midway along the edges to
the apex at an angle relative to said plane that is greater than
the angle of the diagonals so that diagonals are raised relative to
the major axes.
8. A panel structure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
support members in each group are generally perpendicular to those
in the other group, the apex of each of said primary panels is
centered on an intersection between two of the support members, the
major axes of said primary panels are centered along the support
members, and each of said secondary panels is skewed relative to
said primary panels so that one diagonal is centered along a
support member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to panel structures and, more particularly,
to panel structures of the type used for building refacings, visual
screening for equipment, partitioning and the like.
There is a wide range of uses for panel structures for both indoors
and out. For example, these structures can be used for building
refacing, for equipment enclosures, partitions and numerous other
decorative and functional purposes. Ideally, these structures
should be sturdy and durable, light in weight, inexpensive to
produce and install, and attractive. For outdoor purposes, such
panel structures must be able to withstand wide variations in
weather conditions and high winds.
Panel structures of a wide variety of shapes and designs have been
developed for these purposes, but many of these structures have
features that are in some respects undesirable. Some structures are
heavy or have a large number of component parts, which adds to
production and installation costs. Others that are relatively light
in weight have been developed, but they have been found to be less
durable and unable to stand up under diverse weather conditions.
Moreover, many known panel structures are unattractive due to the
exposure to the viewer of the supporting frameworks or fasteners
which are used to secure the component parts of the structure to
the framework.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided, in accordance with the invention, a novel and
improved panel structure of the type referred to above that
overcomes many of the disadvantages of previously known panel
structures, that offers numerous advantages in its own right and
that is aesthetically pleasing to the viewer because the structural
elements and fasteners are concealed by a unique arrangement of
unusually shaped panels that make up the face of the panel
structure.
More particularly, the panel structure has a supporting structural
framework that is formed of two groups of support members, each
group being composed of two or more spaced-apart and preferably
parallel members, and the members of each group crossing those of
the other group, preferably at right angles to each other. A
primary facing panel is at each intersection of two support members
and fastened to those members by bolts or other suitable fasteners
located near the margin of the panel, and a secondary panel is
fastened to each pair of adjacent primary panels. Portions of each
secondary panel overlap portions of the adjacent primary panels to
which the secondary panel is fastened, so that the fasteners that
hold the primary panels to the support members are concealed from
view.
In one embodiment of the invention, each of the panels is formed of
a sheet of lightweight, durable material, such as aluminum or
plastic and is substantially square in shape. The secondary panels
have the same shape as the primary panels and are, preferably,
smaller in size. The square metal sheet is stamped or otherwise
formed into a three-dimensional, generally pyramidal geometric
shape in which the center of the square is the apex of the pyramid
and the diagonals extend from the corners of the apex at a suitable
angle relative to the plane formed by the corners. The major axes
of the square extend from midway along each side to the apex at an
angle relative to the above-identified plane, that is greater than
the angle of the diagonals, thereby resulting in the diagonals
being raised relative to the major axes so that an attractive
star-like appearance is presented when the panel is viewed from the
front and so that attachment of the secondary panels is
facilitated.
The primary panels are preferably oriented on the frame with the
apex of each panel centered on an intersection of the support
members and the major axes centered along the support members. The
secondary panels are preferably smaller in size than the primary
panels and of basically the same shape and are oriented on the
frame 45.degree. out of phase relative to the primary panels; i.e.,
the diagonals are centered along the support members.
The primary and secondary panels are positioned on the frame so
that a diagonal of each secondary panel coincides with the
coinciding major axis of each pair of adjacent primary panels, and
portions of the secondary panel near each corner along that
diagonal overlap a portion of each of the adjacent primary panels
midway along one side.
In this way, the edges of the secondary panel near those corners
engage the faces of the overlapped primary panel that are on either
side of the lowered major axis in a close-fitting relationship.
Because of the unusual pyramidal-type shape of the panels, they are
preferably formed with a height so that the angles of their
diagonals and major axes, relative to the plane formed by the
corners, are such that this close fit is possible. Therefore, the
secondary panels should be "flatter," i.e., the height of the
pyramid be less than that of the primary panels. However, as long
as the primary and secondary panels have corresponding dimensions
so that they fit together as described above, panels of different
heights may be used.
In order to fasten the primary panels securely to the frame without
bending them, it is preferable to use pairs of clamps that have
faces angled to coincide with the angled parts of the faces of the
panels which they engage. A lower clamp having an upper face formed
to match the lower face of the panel is positioned on the support
member and a primary panel is placed over it. An upper clamp having
a lower surface that matches the panel faces which it engages is
then placed over the panel, and a bolt is passed through the two
clamps, the panel and the support member, thereby to secure the
panel to the support member. Each of the fasteners that secure the
primary panels to the framework is preferably positioned near the
margin of the primary panel so that it can easily be concealed by
the overlapping portion of the secondary panel.
Each secondary panel is provided with tabs that are integral with
the panel and extend outwardly along each of the edges that engage
the primary panel. These tabs are bent inwardly and under the
secondary panel at an angle coinciding with the angle of the
overlapped faces of the primary panel and are attached to the
primary panel by rivets or similar fasteners that are passed
through the tab and the coinciding overlapped portion of the
primary panel.
Thus, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a panel
structure that has the advantages of being strong and durable, as
well as light in weight, inexpensive to produce and attractive. The
panels are positioned on the frame in such a way that the
supporting framework and the fasteners used to secure the primary
panels to the frame are concealed when the structure is viewed from
the front. Moreover, the panels can be shaped and interfitted so
that the fasteners are also concealed when the structure is viewed
from the side, all of which can be done without weakening the
structure or increasing its production costs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had
to the following description of an exemplary embodiment, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front pictorial view of a portion of the overall panel
structure, showing the preferred arrangement, orientation and shape
of the primary and secondary panels, with the concealed support
members being shown extending from the edges;
FIG. 2 is a top pictorial view of the portion of the panel
structure shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front pictorial view of one of the secondary panels,
showing in particular the tabs projecting outwardly from edges of
the panel that engage a portion of a primary panel;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the primary panels
showing its relationship with regard to intersecting support
members and overlapping secondary panels;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 as shown in FIG.
4, showing primarily the clamp and bolt that are used to fasten the
primary panels to the support members;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 as shown in FIG.
4, showing the clamp and bolt similar to the ones in FIG. 5, but
from another angle; and
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 as shown in FIG.
4, showing primarily the connection between the tabs of the
secondary panels and the overlapped portion of the primary
panels.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel structure is shown in its
assembled state and is designated generally by reference numeral
10. The main structural framework of the panel structure 10 is
formed of two groups of support members 12, with the support
members 12 in each group crossing those in the other group,
preferably at right angles to each other. The crisscrossing support
members 12 may, for example, be lengths of aluminum or steel of
L-shape cross-section and are secured to each other at their
intersections by spot welding, bolts or the like. As shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, the support members 12 that comprise each group are
parallel to each other, but other arrangements of crisscrossing
support members may also be used in conjunction with facing panels
of appropriate geometry.
A primary panel 14 is centered at each intersection between two of
the support members 12 and secured to them. The other basic
components of the panel structure 10 are the secondary panels 16,
and one is secured to each pair of adjacent primary panels 14, a
portion of the secondary panels 16 overlapping a portion of each
adjacent primary panel 14 to conceal the support members 12 and
fasteners that are used to secure the primary panels 14 to the
frame, which will be discussed in detail below.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the primary and secondary panels, 14 and
16, are preferably formed of square sheets of a lightweight metal
such as aluminum, or other durable rigid material. The secondary
panels 16 are formed in the same shape as the primary panels 14,
but the secondary panels 16 are preferably smaller in size. To form
the panels 14 and 16, the square metal sheet is stamped or
otherwise formed into a three-dimensional, generally pyramidal
geometric shape. The center 17 of each square is the apex of the
pyramid and the diagonals 18 extend from the corners 19 to the apex
17 at a suitable angle relative to the plane formed by the corners
19. The major axes 20 of each square extend from midway along each
side to the apex 17 at an angle relative to the plane formed by the
corners 19 that is greater than the angle of diagonals, thereby
resulting in the diagonals 18 being raised relative to the major
axes 20 so that an attractive star-like appearance is presented
when the panel is viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. 1.
The primary panels 14 are secured to the support members 12 by
suitable fasteners that are located near the margins of the panels
14 so that the fasteners can be concealed by the overlapping
portions of the secondary panels 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
which will be described in greater detail below. The fasteners that
are preferable for use with the panels 14, of the shape described
and shown in conjunction with this embodiment of the invention, are
those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and are generally designated by
reference numeral 21.
Each fastener 21 includes a pair of blocks 22 and 24 with
coinciding faces 26 and 28, respectively, that are disposed at
angles that coincide with the angles at which the faces of the
panels 14 are disposed. The lowermost block 22 is positioned on the
support member 12 and the panel 14 is placed on the block 22. The
uppermost block 24 is then placed over the panel 14 and the bolt 30
is passed through the corresponding opening in the blocks 22 and
24, the panel 14 and the support member 12, and a nut 32 is screwed
onto the bolt 30 so that the panel 14 is secured to the support
member 12. A washer 34 can be interposed between the nut 23 and the
support member 12.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the faces 26 and 28 of the blocks 22 and
24, respectively, coincide with the faces of the panels 14 so that
they engage each other in a snug, tight-fitting relationship. In
this way, the panels 14 are not bent out of shape and they are
securely attached to the support members 12.
As mentioned above, the fasteners 21 are positioned near the
margins of the panels 14 so that they can easily be concealed from
both the front and side by the overlapping portions of the
secondary panels 16. Moreover, the fasteners 21 secure the panels
14 to the support members 12 effectively enough so that along the
outer edges of the panel structure 10, where an overlapping
secondary panel is not provided, for example, as shown along the
top of the portion of the panel structure in FIG. 1, a fastener 21
is not needed. However, for securing the primary panels 14 to the
support members 12 along those outer edges, the panels 14 can be
sandwiched between a single block 35 and the support member 12, as
shown best in FIG. 2. Other suitable fasteners may also be
used.
The primary panels 14 and the secondary panels 16 are formed so
that their diagonals 18 and major axes 20 are disposed at suitable
angles to the plane formed by the corners 19 to allow the edges
along the overlapping portion of each secondary panel 16 to engage
the overlapped faces of the primary panels 14. This feature enables
the panels 14 and 16 to be joined together to form a strongly
constructed, composite panel structure that has no fasteners or
support members exposed to detract from its attractiveness.
In order to fasten the secondary panels 16 to the primary panels
14, the secondary panels 16 are preferably formed with tabs 36 (see
FIG. 3) extending from the portions of the edges that engage the
angled faces of the primary panels 14, the tabs 36 being bent back
or doubled under the secondary panels 16 at an angle coinciding
with the angle at which the face of the overlapped primary panel 14
is disposed, as shown in FIG. 7. Rivets 38 are passed through
corresponding holes in the tabs 36 and the primary panel 14.
Because the faces of the panels 14 and 16 are disposed at the angle
described above, a space is formed between the underside of the
overlapping portion of the secondary panels 16 and the primary
panels 14, thereby to allow the rivets 38 to be easily installed
from the rear of the panel structure 10. By having the rivets 38
installed in this manner, they are concealed from view, as are the
fasteners 21.
The primary panels 14 are preferably oriented on the support
members 12 such that the apex 17 of each primary panel 14 is
centered on an intersection, and the major axes 20 are centered
along the support members 12. As mentioned above, the secondary
panels 16 are preferably smaller in size than the primary panels
14, but any suitable size relationship between them may be
provided. The secondary panels 16 are oriented so that they are
45.degree. out of phase relative to the primary panels 14; i.e.,
the diagonals 18 of the portions of the secondary panels 16 that
overlap the primary panels 14 coincide with the coinciding major
axis 20 of the overlapped pair of adjacent primary panels 14. By
orienting the primary and secondary panels, 14 and 16, in this
manner, as shown in FIG. 1, when the panel structure 10 is viewed
from the front the support members 12 as well as the fasteners 21
and rivets 38 are concealed, which, along with the unusual shape of
the panels 14 and 16, provides for a panel structure 10 that is
unusual and attractive. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, with the
shapes of the panels 14 and 16 and their orientation and
overlapping relationship, all of the fasteners are concealed when
the structure 10 is viewed from the sides.
Thus, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a novel
and improved panel structure that is strong, light in weight,
inexpensive to produce, durable and attractive. The embodiment of
the invention described above is intended to be merely exemplary,
and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous
variations and modifications to it without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims, and any such variations and modifications are contemplated
as being within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *