Panel system and method

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention include a panel system for mounting on a structure with a plurality of fasteners. In some embodiments, the panel system includes a first panel having an outwardly extending flange configured to receive a plurality of fasteners for coupling the first panel to the structure and a second panel couplable with the first panel and having a first end and a second end and a front face extending therebetween. The first end of the second panel can include a leg extending outwardly in direction substantially parallel to the front face. In some embodiments, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the leg extends across the flange and substantially covers the flange and at least one of the plurality of fasteners located in the flange.

1 . A panel system for mounting on a structure, the panel system comprising: 
 a first panel having an outwardly extending flange configured to receive a plurality of fasteners for coupling the first panel to the structure; and    a second panel couplable with the first panel and having a first end and a second end and a front face extending therebetween, the first end including a leg extending outwardly in direction substantially parallel to the front face;    wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the leg extends across the flange and substantially covers the flange and at least one of the plurality of fasteners located in the flange.    
   
   
       2 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel includes a front face, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the front face of the first panel and the front face of the second panel are substantially aligned along an imaginary plane.  
   
   
       3 . The panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second leg extending outwardly from the first end of the second panel in a direction substantially parallel to the first leg.  
   
   
       4 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the second leg engages the flange to orient the second panel with respect to the first panel.  
   
   
       5 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the first leg extends outwardly a first distance from the first end of the second panel and the second leg extends outwardly a second distance from the first end of the second panel, the first distance being greater than the second distance.  
   
   
       6 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein together the first and second legs define a recess therebetween, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the flange extends into the recess.  
   
   
       7 . The panel system of  claim 3 , wherein the first panel includes a front face, wherein the flange includes a shoulder extending along the flange in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face of the first panel, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the second leg is engageable with the shoulder to orient the second panel relative to the first panel.  
   
   
       8 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel includes a first face plate, a second face plate, and a mounting flange extending therebetween for receiving fasteners to secure the first panel to the structure.  
   
   
       9 . The panel system of  claim 8 , wherein together the first panel, the second panel, and the mounting flange define a channel for receiving a support.  
   
   
       10 . The panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the support is moveable along the channel between a plurality of positions relative to the mounting flange.  
   
   
       11 . The panel system of  claim 9 , wherein one of the first face plate and the second face plate includes an outwardly extending lip, the lip extending across the mounting flange for securing the support in the channel.  
   
   
       12 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first panel and the second panel includes an outwardly extending lip, wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the lip extends outwardly from the one of the first panel and the second panel across at least a portion of the leg, and wherein the lip and the leg define a channel for receiving a support.  
   
   
       13 . The panel system of  claim 12 , wherein the support is moveable along the channel between a plurality of positions relative to the mounting flange.  
   
   
       14 . The panel system of  claim 12 , wherein an other of the first panel and the second panel includes a second lip, wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the second lip extends outwardly from the other of the first panel and the second panel across at least a second portion of the leg to secure the support in the channel.  
   
   
       15 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the flange defines a groove configured to receive the plurality of fasteners and to orient the plurality of fasteners along the flange, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the leg extends across the groove substantially covering the groove.  
   
   
       16 . The panel system of  claim 15 , wherein, when at least one fastener is located in the groove, the at least one fastener is substantially recessed in the groove with respect to a forward surface of the flange.  
   
   
       17 . A panel system for mounting on a structure, the panel system comprising: 
 a first panel including a front face and an outwardly extending flange, the flange being configured to be secured to the structure with a plurality of fasteners and having a shoulder extending along the flange in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face; and    a second panel having a first end and a second end and a front face extending therebetween, the first end including a forward leg extending outwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the front face and a rearward leg extending outwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the forward leg, together the forward leg and the rearward leg defining a recess, the flange being engageable in the recess to couple the first and second panels, the rearward leg being engageable with the shoulder to orient the second panel with respect to the first panel.    
   
   
       18 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the rearward leg extends outwardly a first distance from the first end of the second panel and the forward leg extends outwardly a second distance from the first end of the second panel, the second distance being different than the first distance.  
   
   
       19 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the second panel defines a mounting flange extending across the front face, the mounting flange being configured to be secured to the structure with fasteners.  
   
   
       20 . The panel system of  claim 19 , wherein the mounting flange at least partially defines a channel for receiving a support, the support being moveable along the channel between a plurality of positions relative to the mounting flange.  
   
   
       21 . The panel system of  claim 20 , wherein the front face of the second panel includes an outwardly extending lip, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the lip extends across at least a portion of the forward leg to secure the support in the channel.  
   
   
       22 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein one of the first panel and the second panel includes an outwardly extending lip, and wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the lip extends across at least a portion of the forward leg.  
   
   
       23 . The panel system of  claim 22 , wherein the lip and the forward leg define a channel for receiving a support, and wherein the support is moveable along the channel between a plurality of positions relative to the forward leg.  
   
   
       24 . The panel system of  claim 23 , wherein an other of the first panel and the second panel includes a second lip, wherein, when the second panel is coupled to the first panel, the second lip extends outwardly from the other of the first panel and the second panel across at least a second portion of the forward leg to secure the support in the channel.  
   
   
       25 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the flange includes a groove for locating the plurality of fasteners along the recess.  
   
   
       26 . The panel system of  claim 25 , wherein, when at least one fastener is located in the groove, the at least one fastener is substantially recessed with respect to a forward surface of the flange.  
   
   
       27 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein, when the flange is engaged in the recess, the forward leg extends across the flange in a direction substantially parallel to the front face of the second panel substantially covering the flange and the plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       28 . The panel system of  claim 17 , wherein the second end of the second panel includes an outwardly extending flange configured to be secured to the structure with a second plurality of fasteners, and further comprising a third panel couplable with the second panel and having an outwardly extending leg, the leg of the third panel being engageable with the flange of the second panel to secure the third panel to the second panel.  
   
   
       29 . A method of assembling a panel system for a structure, the panel system including a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having a front face and an outwardly extending flange, the second panel having a first end, a second end, and a front face extending therebetween, the first end including a leg extending outwardly in direction substantially parallel to the front face, the method comprising: 
 inserting a fastener through the flange and into the structure to secure the first panel to the structure;    positioning the second panel adjacent to the first panel and aligning the front face of the first panel with the front face of the second panel; and    moving the leg across the flange and the fastener and substantially covering the flange and the fastener with the forward leg.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first panel includes a groove, and wherein the act of inserting a fastener through the flange and into the structure to secure the first panel to the structure includes the act of positioning the fastener along the groove.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the act of inserting a second fastener through the second panel and into the structure to secure the second panel to the structure.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first end of the second panel includes a second leg extending outwardly from the first end in a direction substantially parallel to the first leg, wherein the flange includes a shoulder extending along the flange in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front face of the first panel, and wherein the act of aligning the front face of the first panel with the front face of the second panel includes the act of engaging the shoulder with the second leg to orient the second panel with respect to the first panel.