Frame for a wall panel, wall panel, and method of manufacture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10895077-B2
Application number	US-201916368161-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2019
Priority date	Mar 30, 2018
Publication date	Jan 19, 2021
Grant date	Jan 19, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to siding, for example, suitable for covering a wall surface. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a frame for a wall panel. The frame includes a support strip extending in a lateral direction across the width of the wall panel and has first and second ends. The frame also includes a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip. Each column includes a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end. The row of columns includes a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A frame for a wall panel, the frame comprising:
a support strip extending in a lateral direction, the support strip including a first end, a second end, and a contact surface that defines a first plane; and
a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip, each column including a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end, the row of columns including:
a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and
a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip,

wherein each column includes a column body extending away from the support strip and a positioning brace disposed at the distal end of the column,
wherein each column body lies in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and
wherein each positioning brace extends from a corresponding column body to the first plane.

2. The frame according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the frame is in a range of 6 to 55 inches.

3. The frame according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is formed of a cut and shaped metal sheet.

4. The frame according to claim 1 , wherein the frame consists of a plurality of identical segments in a line, each of the segments including one of the columns and a portion of the support strip.

5. The frame according to claim 4 , wherein each of the segments includes a single column.

6. The frame according to claim 1 , wherein the support strip includes a fastening band configured to attach the frame to a substrate.

7. A frame for a wall panel, the frame comprising:
a support strip extending in a lateral direction, the support strip including a first end, a second end, and a contact surface that defines a first plane; and
a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip, each column including a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end, the row of columns including:
a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and
a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip,

wherein each column includes a column body extending away from the support strip and at least one stand-off leg disposed between the proximal and distal end of the column,
wherein each column body lies in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and
wherein each stand-off leg extends from a corresponding column body to the first plane.

8. The frame according to claim 7 , wherein each column includes an aperture corresponding to each respective stand-off leg.

9. The frame according to claim 8 , wherein each stand-off leg extends from a lower or upper edge of the corresponding aperture.

10. The frame according to claim 9 , wherein each stand-off leg includes a flange extending from the aperture to the first plane, and a foot extending from the flange and lying in the first plane.

11. The frame according to claim 10 , wherein in each stand-off leg the foot extends from the flange in a direction toward the support strip.

12. The frame according to claim 7 , wherein a width of the frame is in a range of 6 to 55 inches.

13. The frame according to claim 7 , wherein the frame is formed of a cut and shaped metal sheet.

14. The frame according to claim 7 , wherein the frame consists of a plurality of identical segments in a line, each of the segments including one of the columns and a portion of the support strip.

15. A wall panel comprising:
a panel body; and
a frame partially embedded in the panel body, the frame comprising:
a support strip extending in a lateral direction, the support strip including a first end and a second end; and
a row of columns extending in a first direction from the support strip, each column including a proximal end attached to the support strip and a free distal end, the row of columns including:
a first column disposed at a first end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the first end of the support strip, and
a second column disposed at a second end of the row of columns and laterally offset from the second end of the support strip.

16. The wall panel according to claim 15 , wherein portions of the frame protrude from a rear face of the panel body, and
wherein a front face of the panel body has a textured surface.

17. The wall panel according to claim 15 , wherein each column includes an embedded portion disposed in the panel body.

18. The wall panel according to claim 15 , wherein each column includes a positioning brace disposed at a distal end thereof, and
wherein each positioning brace protrudes from the panel body.

19. The wall panel according to claim 15 , wherein each column includes at least one stand-off leg disposed between the proximal and distal end thereof, and
wherein each stand-off leg protrudes from the panel body.

20. The wall panel according to claim 15 , wherein the support strip is external to the panel body.

Assignees

• Certainteed Llc

Inventors

• Smith James M
• Colyn Christopher Michael
• Stucky David J

Classifications

• E04F13/0835 Primary

  the fastening elements extending into the back side of the covering elements (E04F13/0851 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04F13/0873

  the visible surface imitating natural stone, brick work, tiled surface or the like (E04F13/105, E04F13/123, E04F13/147, E04F13/165, E04F13/185 take precedence) · CPC title

• E04F13/0816 Primary

  the additional fastening elements extending into the back side of the covering elements (E04F13/083 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B21D35/002

  Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00 · CPC title