PANELS, MOUNTING CLAMPS AND WALL OR CEILING COVERING FOR A 3-DIMENSIONAL PATTERN OF WALL- AND CEILING PANELS

Abstract

A rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel is provided, comprising a first profile a first profile on two opposing edges, whereby each such first profile consists of a panel groove, an inner leg on an installation side of a panel and an outer leg on an visible side of a panel, both inner leg and an outer leg confining said panel groove, wherein both said outer legs are longer than said inner legs. A further second profile may be provided on at least one of the other two opposing edges of the panel, said at least one second profile consisting of a recess on the installation side of the panel. The visible side may be a decorative side.

Claims

1. A rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel, comprising: a first profile on two opposing edges, wherein each such first profile consists of a panel groove, an inner leg on an installation side of a panel and an outer leg on a visible side of a panel, both the inner leg and the outer leg confining said panel groove, wherein both said outer legs are longer than said inner legs.

2. The panel of claim 1, wherein a further second profile is provided on at least one of the other two opposing edges, said at least one second profile consisting of a recess on the installation side of the panel.

3. The panel of claim 2, wherein said second profile is provided on both of the other two opposing edges.

4. The panel of claim 1, wherein the visible side is a decorative side.

5. The panel of claim 2, wherein the panel is beveled on at least one edge, preferably on both opposing edges where the first profile is provided and/or on both opposing edges where the second profile is provided.

6. A mounting clamp comprising a foot to accommodate mounting means and a mounting hook, said mounting hook extending from the foot and said mounting hook being shaped to form a first and a second clamp groove, wherein the first clamp groove is configured to receive the first leg of a first rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel in a first installation plane and the second clamp groove is configured to receive a first leg of a second rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel in a second installation plane, wherein the first rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel and the second rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel each comprises a first profile on two opposing edges, wherein each such first profile consists of a panel groove, an inner leg on an installation side of a panel and an outer leg on a visible side of a panel, both the inner leg and the outer leg confining said panel groove, wherein both said outer legs are longer than said inner legs.

7. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the first and a second clamp groove are aligned on opposite sides of the mounting hook.

8. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the mounting hook additionally comprises a fixation means to engage with the panel groove of the second rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel when the second rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel is installed in the second installation plane.

9. The mounting claim of claim 8, wherein the mounting hook comprises: a first leg which extends perpendicular or approximately perpendicular from the foot; a second leg which is aligned perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the first leg thereby forming the first clamp groove between the second leg and the foot; a third leg which is aligned perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the second leg and extending away from the foot; and a fourth leg which is aligned perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the third leg and extending in a direction so that the fourth leg is superposed with the second leg thereby forming the second clamp groove between the fourth leg and the second leg, said fourth leg comprising the fixation means.

10. The mounting claim of claim 9, wherein the fourth leg is longer than the second leg.

11. The mounting claim of claim 8, wherein the fixation means has a form of an edge nail.

12. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the foot comprises at least one mounting hole.

13. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the foot comprises at least two mounting holes, wherein at least one mounting hole is present at a front side and at least one mount hole is present at a long side of the foot.

14. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the foot is formed integrally with the mounting hook.

15. The mounting claim of claim 6, wherein the foot has a U-shaped profile and the mounting hook is formed by punching and cold forming.

16. A wall or ceiling covering, comprising: a plurality of rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panels, which are installed to the wall or the ceiling, respectively, by means of a plurality of mounting clamps, wherein each of the panels comprises a first profile on two opposing edges, wherein each such first profile consists of a panel groove, an inner leg on an installation side of a panel and an outer leg on a visible side of a panel, both the inner leg and the outer leg confining said panel groove, wherein both said outer legs are longer than said inner legs, wherein each of the mounting claims comprises a foot to accommodate mounting means and a mounting hook, said mounting hook extending from the foot and said mounting hook being shaped to form a first and a second clamp groove, wherein the first clamp groove is configured to receive the first leg of a first rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel in a first installation plane and the second clamp groove is configured to receive a first leg of a second rectangular or square wall- or ceiling panel in a second installation plane, wherein each of the panels is installed by means of at least two of the mounting clamps, wherein a first of the at least two of the mounting clamps is aligned on one side and a second of the at least two of the mounting clamps is aligned on the opposing side of each panel where the first profile is present, wherein a panel is installed in a first installation plane by receipt of the inner leg of a panel in the first clamp groove of the respective mounting clamps used for the installation of the respective panel, or in a second installation plane by receipt of the inner leg of a panel in the second clamp groove of the respective mounting clamps used for the installation of the respective panel, or in a third installation plane by receipt of both inner legs of a panel by the panel grooves of at least two further panels, said further panels being installed in the second installation plane.

17. The wall or ceiling covering of claim 16, wherein a fixation means of the mounting clamp engages with the panel groove of the panel, when the panel is installed in the second installation plane.

18. The wall or ceiling covering of claim 16, wherein the mounting clamps are installed directly to the wall or ceiling, respectively, or indirectly by means of mounting slates.

19. The wall or ceiling covering of claim 16, wherein the mounting clamps are installed to the wall or ceiling, respectively, by a clamp mounting means.

20. The wall or ceiling covering of claim 19 wherein the clamp mounting means comprises nails, screws, staples, bolts, or any combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

[0036] FIG. 1 Shows a front view on an (unfinished) wall- or ceiling covering with panels according to the invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 Shows the cross section of a panel according to the invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 Shows the end of a panel according to the invention with a profiled recess on its short side.

[0039] FIG. 4 Shows the employment of a recess on the short side of a panel according to the invention.

[0040] FIG. 5 Shows a cross section of an embodiment of a mounting clamp according to the invention.

[0041] FIG. 6 Shows a top view of an embodiment of a mounting clamp according to the invention.

[0042] FIG. 7 Shows a cross section of the mounting of a first and second panel according to the invention in a first and in a second plane.

[0043] FIG. 8 Shows a cross section of two panels according to the invention mounted in a first plane and of a third panel mounted in a second plane.

[0044] FIG. 9 Shows a cross section of the mounting of a first panel according to the invention in a first plane, a second panel in a second plane and a third panel in a third plane.

[0045] FIG. 10 Shows a cross section of a possible variation of mounting the panels according to the invention in first, second and third planes.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a front view on an (unfinished) wall- or ceiling covering with panels according to the invention. While the panels according to the invention may be mounted directly onto a wall or to a ceiling, mounting the panels onto previously installed slates 4such as two-by-fours known in the artis preferred as this allows for easier mounting, better insulation and better venting.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 1, a first row of panels is mounted completely in a first plane 1. While it would also be possible to begin mounting with variations of different planes in the first and/or also in the second row, it is preferable to mount the whole first row in the first plane 1 and the whole second row in the second plane 2 for reasons of stability since then the full length of the profile will contribute to the stability of the panels.

[0048] For reasons of economy, all panels delivered from the factory initially have the same size. In order to finish a row or in order to create an offset pattern in a next row however, the user or installer of a wall- or ceiling covering may cut specific panels into a necessary or desired length. He may also cut the panels to necessary or desired width in the first or the last row to be mounted if only a fraction of the width of a panel is necessary to fill the desired surface.

[0049] FIG. 1 further shows the general positions of mounting clamps (5) when they are not covered by other panels.

[0050] Most importantly however, FIG. 1 shows the effect in which panels mounted in a third plane 3 appear to be both wider and longer than panels mounted in the first 1 and second planes 2 due to their overlapping edges, even though all panels essentially are of the same size; except of course those end-panels which have been shortened by the user or installer.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a panel according to the invention with an inner side 6 (the installation side which will not be visible when the panel is installed) which is closest to the wall or ceiling where the panel is mounted. Reference numeral 7 refers to the outer side (i.e. the visible side when the panel is installed) of the panel, reference numeral 8 refers to the inner leg of the profile on the panel, reference numeral 9 refers to the outer leg of the profile on the panel, reference numeral 10 refers to a groove in the panel which is located between the inner leg 8 of the profile and the outer leg 9 of the profile; reference numeral 11 refers to an optional bevel in a preferred embodiment.

[0052] Most panels according to the invention have a generally rectangular shape with the mounting profile consisting of the inner leg 8, the groove 10 and the outer leg 9 being located at the long side of the panel. However, variants with square-shaped panels and with rectangular panels which have the mounting profile located on their short sides are also part of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, it is essential that the outer leg 9 of the panel is longer than the inner leg 8 in order to obtain the overlapping and the 3-D effect shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows the profile of a panel according to the invention at those two edges which are located on the sides of the panel which are perpendicular to the sides with the mounting profiles, which normally are the short sides of the panel. The recess 12 enables a panel mounted in the third plane 3 to overlap a panel mounted in a first plane 1, thus further enhancing the effect of seemingly enlarged panels in the third plane 3. As in FIG. 2, an optional bevel 11 can be added on these short sides in preferred embodiments.

[0055] FIG. 4 further illustrates the use of the recess 12 so a panel mounted in the third plane 3 overlaps a panel mounted in a first plane 1.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a mounting clamp 5 according to the invention. Such a mounting clamp 5 can be made of any material such as metal or plastic, but is preferably made of bent and punched sheet steel. Said mounting clamp 5 consists of a foot 18 which accommodates a variety of mounting holes 17 through which screws, staples, dowels, pegs, nails or other mounting means 13 may be inserted. The generally S-shaped hook of clamp 5 further comprises of a first groove (14) and a second groove 15, as well as a fixation means 16.

[0057] A panel according to the present invention can be mounted to the mounting clamp 5 by insertion of the inner leg 8 of a panel into the first groove 14 of the mounting clamp. If a panel is installed into groove 14 in this way, the panel will be installed into the first installation plane 1.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the panel can also be installed into the second clamp groove 15 by insertion of the inner leg 8 into groove 15, so that in this case the panel will be installed into the second installation plane 2.

[0059] If a panel is intended to be installed in the third installation plane 3, the inner leg 8 of a panel is inserted into the panel groove of a panel which has been installed in the third installation plane.

[0060] Each clamp simultaneously allows installation of two panels, due to the S-shaped profile of the hook of clamp 5.

[0061] The S-shaped profile is defined by separate legs of the mounting hook. As especially visible in FIG. 5, the first leg extends downwards from the foot 18 of the mounting clamp. The second leg of the hook leads to the left, beginning from the end of the first leg. The third leg moves downwardly from the end of the second leg whereas the fourth leg again leads to the right end finishes with the fixation means 16.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the clamp 5 further comprises one or more tips at one end of the S which can serve as clamp fixation means 16. These clamp fixation means 16 prevent the inner leg 8 of panels mounted in a second plane 2 from slipping out of the first clamp groove 14 when being mounted as shown by 5 in FIG. 7.

[0063] Clamps 5 made from bent and folded sheet steel have proven to be exceptionally useful, since when they are employed as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the S shape cannot be stretched since the inserted legs of the panel profiles prevent the steel from being bent back.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the same embodiment of a mounting clamp 5 according to the invention. As can be seen in FIG. 5, it is possible to access the mounting means 13 with a mounting tool such as a screw driver, a hammer or the like, even if a panel has been mounted in the first groove 14.

[0065] Correspondingly, as can also be seen in FIG. 5, it is also possible to insert mounting means 13 into the mounting holes 17 if a panel has been mounted in the second groove 15. This is necessary when a second clamp 5 is mounted to a panel already inserted into a first clamp 5 as shown below in FIGS. 7 to 10. In this way, only one type of clamp is needed to mount any panel. The clamps are designed in such a manner that it is sufficient to attach them by employing mounting means 13 or 13 only on one side of the S-shaped profile.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the mounting of a first panel in a first plane 1 and the provisional addition of a second panel in a second plane 2.

[0067] The first groove 14 of the clamp 5 is dimensioned in such a way that the inner leg 8 of a panel in a first plane 1 can be fitted into it when the clamp is mounted to either the wall or the ceiling or to mounting slates. The second groove 15 is dimensioned in such a way that the inner leg 8 of a panel in a second plane 2 can be fitted into it. The groove 10 of a panel is dimensioned in such a way that the clamp 5 surrounding the inner leg 8 of a panel may be fitted into it. The groove 10 of a panel is further dimensioned in such a way that both the clamp 5 and the outer leg 9 simultaneously fit into it. FIG. 7 also shows that a second clamp 5 can be mounted in a mirrored position to a first clamp 5. It is sufficient to mount the clamps 5 and 5 in FIG. 7 by mounting means 13 alone.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of two panels according to the invention mounted in a first plane 1 and of a third panel mounted in a second plane 2. Here the third clamp 5 may me mounted by mounting means 13 alone.

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a panel according to the invention mounted in a first plane 1, of a second panel mounted in a second plane 2 and of a third panel mounted in a third plane 3. Panels mounted in a third plane 3 are not directly attached by a clamp 5, 5 but rather are held into their position by the legs 8, 9 and the groves 10 of the profile.

[0070] FIG. 10 shows a cross section of a possible variation of mounting the panels according to the invention in a first plane 1, a second plane 2 and a third plane 3. FIG. 10 also demonstrates that when a panel in the third plane 3 is looked at e.g. from below, it appears to be broader than the panels in the second plane 2 or the in first plane 1, as both of its outer legs 9 are not overlapped by any other panels.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0071] 1 Panel mounted in first installation plane [0072] 2 Panel mounted in second installation plane [0073] 3 Panel mounted in third installation plane [0074] 4 Mounting slates [0075] 5, 5 Mounting clamp [0076] 6 Installation side of panel [0077] 7 Visible side of panel [0078] 8 Inner leg [0079] 9 Outer leg [0080] 10 Panel groove [0081] 11 Bevel [0082] 12 Recess [0083] 13, 13 Clamp mounting means [0084] 14 First clamp groove [0085] 15 Second clamp groove [0086] 16 Clamp fixation means [0087] 17, 17 Clamp mounting holes [0088] 18 Clamp foot