Plastic utility shed wall system

Abstract

The present invention provides a system which includes injection molded wall panels, corner posts, and doors having integrated connectors which combine to form a family of variously sized wall assemblies and door assemblies for utility enclosures. The injection molding facilitates integrally formed connectors so that the panels, posts and door frames interlock with one another without the need for separate connectors. A window assembly is provided which optionally can be installed in one of the wall panels to provide light to the interior of the utility enclosure.

1 . An injection molded plastic wall system for enclosing a utility shed comprising: 
 at least two like configured injection molded wall panel members, wherein each of said wall panel members includes a first edge, a second edge opposite said first edge, said second edge including an integrally formed first means for connecting to juxtapositioned wall panel members, a corner post or a door frame member, said first means extends along and from said second edge, said first edge including a plurality of integrally formed sockets constructed and arranged to receive said first means extending along and from said second edge, a first longitudinal end substantially perpendicular to and extending between said first and said second edges, a second longitudinal end opposed to and substantially parallel to said first longitudinal end, a single wall extending between said first and second edges and said first and second longitudinal ends, said single wall being substantially solid and having an inner surface and an outer surface, said at least two like configured wall panel members may be assembled together having a predetermined width;    whereby said first means for connecting to juxtaposed wall panels constitutes the sole means for connecting said juxtaposed wall panels;    wherein injection molding of said wall panel members permits said wall panel members to be molded with a single wall construction having integrally formed connectors;    wherein said wall system may be shipped in a disassembled state and assembled on a desired site.    
   
   
       2 . The plastic wall system of  claim 1  wherein said first means for connecting to juxtaposed wall panel members, a corner post or a door frame includes a plurality of integrally formed bosses arranged in linear fashion adjacent to said second edge, said bosses are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said juxtaposed wall panel member, corner post or door frame in an interlocking coplanar relationship.  
   
   
       3 . The plastic wall system of  claim 2  wherein said first means for connecting to juxtaposed wall panel members, a corner post or a door frame includes a plurality of integrally formed elongated inwardly extending arranged along said first edge, each of said sockets includes two side surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, said two side surfaces are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said bosses arranged along said second edge to secure said wall panel in a coplanar relationship with respect to said juxtaposed wall member, corner post or door frame.  
   
   
       4 . The plastic wall system of  claim 3  wherein at least one of said bosses includes a hook lock on a bottom surface thereof for cooperative locking engagement with a hook lock aperture located in said bottom surface of said socket positioned on an adjacently positioned wall panel, corner post or door frame, wherein said bosses are slid into said sockets and then downwardly to secure said wall panel in a coplanar relationship with respect to said juxtaposed wall member, corner post or door frame.  
   
   
       5 . The plastic wall system of  claim 4  wherein the hook lock of said boss includes a ramp lock, said ramp lock is constructed and arranged to cooperate with an aperture formed in said side surface of said socket to oppose upward movement of said hook lock with respect to said hook lock aperture.  
   
   
       6 . The plastic wall system of  claim 2  wherein said first means for connecting wall panel members, a corner post or a door frame further includes a metal strip extending along said bosses and positioned between said bosses and said second edge, said metal strip is positioned within an integrally formed groove, wherein said groove is constructed and arranged to provide lateral support of said metal strip.  
   
   
       7 . The plastic wall system of  claim 1  wherein said first edge includes a groove extending from about said first longitudinal end to about said second longitudinal end, wherein the groove is brought into an interlocking relationship with a corresponding ridge formed on said second edge of an adjacently positioned wall panel, corner post or door frame resulting in a mechanically secure connection.  
   
   
       8 . The plastic wall system of  claim 7  wherein said ridge includes a taper.  
   
   
       9 . The plastic wall system of  claim 1  further including a door assembly, said door assembly including at least one door panel member, said door panel member including a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first edge being constructed and arranged to cooperate with an adjacently positioned door panel member in a coplanar relationship, a second edge being constructed and arranged to cooperate with a door frame in a pivotal relationship, wherein said door assembly is allowed to open and close in a pivotal fashion.  
   
   
       10 . The plastic wall system of  claim 9  wherein said door assembly includes hinge conduits integrally formed on said door frame, hinge pins integrally formed on said door panel members are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said hinge conduits to allow said door assembly to pivot.  
   
   
       11 . The plastic wall system of  claim 9  wherein said door assembly includes at least on latch, said latch is located in an upper portion, a lower portion or both areas of said door panel members and is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a floor member or a roof member to secure said door assembly in a closed position.  
   
   
       12 . The plastic wall system of  claim 9  wherein said door assembly includes door handles on said door panel members, said door handles are provided with means to lock said door panel members in a closed position.  
   
   
       13 . The plastic wall system of  claim 1  including a corner post, said corner post including at least two members, said first corner post member comprises a first group of sockets extending along the length of said first member and a second group of sockets extending along the length of said first member and substantially perpendicular to said first group of sockets, said second corner post member comprises a first group of bosses extending along the length of said second member and a second group of bosses extending along the length of said second member and substantially parallel to said first group of bosses, said second member is constructed and arranged to cooperate with said second group of sockets to form said corner post.  
   
   
       14 . The plastic wall system of  claim 1  further including a window assembly, said window assembly including at least two window frames and a window panel, said window frames are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a hole formed in a wall panel to form a window, a perimeter portion of said window frames cooperates with said inner and outer surfaces of said wall panel to form a weather resistant seal there between, said window panel is positioned between said window frames and in the hole formed in the wall panel.  
   
   
       15 . The plastic wall system of  claim 14  wherein said window frames and window panel are connected together with friction type fasteners integrally formed on said window frames.  
   
   
       16 . The plastic wall system of  claim 14  further including shutters attached to said outer surface of said wall panel on both sides of said window assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The plastic wall system of  claim 14  further including a flower box assembly, said flower box assembly including a flower box, a plurality of side brackets, and a support brace, said side brackets include a hook at one end thereof, said hooks are constructed and arranged to pass through a hole in said wall panel member and cooperate with said support brace positioned on said inner surface of said wall panel member, said side brackets are constructed and arranged to engage the end portions of said flower box for support thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The plastic wall system of  claim 2  including a shelf assembly, said shelf assembly including a shelf and shelf brackets, said shelf brackets are constructed and arranged to cooperate with apertures in said second edge of said wall panel members and said bosses to provide means to attach said shelf brackets to said wall panel members, said shelf being supported by said shelf brackets.