Panel attachment system

Abstract

A panel attachment system for mounting panels to construct a wall structure generally utilizes interconnecting panel assemblies comprising panels with frames attached thereto. Each frame includes a generally outwardly facing channel disposed proximate the perimeter of the panel for receiving a spline member used to interconnect adjacent panel assemblies. Preferably, the spline members secure adjacent panel assemblies together and seal abutting edges of the adjacent pieces of the resulting wall structure. Connection members, such as molding pieces, including at least one generally outwardly facing channel for receiving a spline member can be used to connect adjacent panel assemblies or to finish an edge of a panel assembly.

1 . A panel attachment system for constructing a wall structure, comprising:
 at least one panel assembly comprising
 a panel having a perimeter, a front face and a rear face; and 
 a frame attached to the rear face of the panel and including a generally outwardly facing channel disposed proximate the perimeter of the panel; and 
   at least one spline member that is insertable into the channel of the frame to interconnect the corresponding panel assembly to an adjacent portion of the wall structure.   
   
   
       2 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a perimeter shape generally corresponding to the perimeter of the panel, and further wherein the channel is disposed about the perimeter shape of the frame. 
   
   
       3 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 2 , wherein the panel of said panel assembly has a generally rectangular shape, said frame having a corresponding rectangular shape, and each side of said frame having a channel such that each said channel is disposed proximate a respective edge of the rectangular perimeter of the panel. 
   
   
       4 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises at least one track defining the channel, said at least one track being attached to the rear face of the panel proximate the perimeter of the panel. 
   
   
       5 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 4 , wherein the panel of said panel assembly has a generally rectangular shape, said frame having a corresponding rectangular shape defined by four tracks each having a channel such that each said channel is disposed proximate a respective edge of the rectangular perimeter of the panel. 
   
   
       6 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spline member is insertable into the channel of the frame to form a seal at the joint between the panel assembly and the adjacent portion of the wall structure to which it is interconnected. 
   
   
       7 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of fastening members for attaching the frame to the rear face of the panel. 
   
   
       8 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises at least one mounting member for mounting the panel assembly to a wall frame in a building structure. 
   
   
       9 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one mounting member comprises a hook. 
   
   
       10 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of panel assemblies that may be positioned adjacent one another to create the wall structure, each said panel assembly comprising a respective panel having a perimeter, a front face and a rear face, and a frame attached to the rear face of the corresponding panel and having a perimeter shape generally corresponding to the perimeter of the panel to which it is attached,
 each said frame having a generally outwardly facing channel disposed about the perimeter shape of the frame and positioned proximate the perimeter of the corresponding panel such that the channels along abutting edges of adjacent panel assemblies face one another;   and whereby the abutting edges of adjacent panel assemblies are interconnected via a spline member placed within respective facing channels of the adjacent panel assemblies.   
   
   
       11 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a connection member including at least one generally outwardly facing channel for receiving a spline member to interconnect said connection member with an adjacent panel assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 11 , wherein said connection member is positionable between adjacent panel assemblies, said connection member having a generally outwardly facing channel corresponding to each adjacent panel assembly such that each channel in the connection member faces the respective generally outwardly facing channel in the adjacent panel assembly, and whereby each panel assembly is interconnected to said at least one connection member via a spline member placed within respective facing channels of the panel assemblies and the connection member. 
   
   
       13 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 11 , wherein said connection member is a molding positionable at the edge of a panel assembly. 
   
   
       14 . A panel attachment system for creating a wall structure, comprising:
 a plurality of panel assemblies, each said panel assembly comprising
 a panel having a perimeter, a front face and a rear face; and 
 a frame attached to the rear face of the panel and including a generally outwardly facing channel disposed proximate the perimeter of the panel; 
 wherein the channels along abutting edges of adjacent panel assemblies face one another; and 
   whereby adjacent panel assemblies are interconnected via a spline member placed within respective facing channels of the adjacent panel assemblies.   
   
   
       15 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 14 , wherein the panel of each panel assembly has a respective perimeter shape, and the frame attached to said panel has a perimeter shape generally corresponding to the perimeter of said panel, and further wherein the channel of said frame is disposed about the perimeter shape of said frame. 
   
   
       16 . The panel attachment system according to  claim 14 , further comprising a connection member including at least one generally outwardly facing channel for receiving a spline member to interconnect said connection member with at least one adjacent panel assembly. 
   
   
       17 . A frame for mounting a panel attached thereto to a wall frame, comprising:
 at least one frame member defining a perimeter of said frame generally corresponding to the perimeter of the panel attached thereto;   a plurality of fastening members for mounting the panel to the frame; and   a generally outwardly facing channel disposed in the at least one frame member about the perimeter of the frame such that the channel is positioned proximate the perimeter of the panel.   
   
   
       18 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein frame has a generally rectangular shape defined by four frame members each having a channel. 
   
   
       19 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein the frame further comprises at least one mounting member for mounting the frame to the wall frame. 
   
   
       20 . The frame according to  claim 17 , wherein the channel is capable of receiving at least one spline member to interconnect the frame to an adjacent frame of like construction so that respective panels mounted thereto are positioned adjacent one another to define a wall.