Method and apparatus for mounting a wall system

Abstract

Disclosed is a wall system employing one or more stackable connectors that are capable of engaging one with another independent of fasteners and being mountable to a respective wall panel.

1 . A connector for use with a metal wall panel system, said connector comprising:
 a pair of rigid angular bodies each having at least one leg element and one receiving member;   said pair of bodies capable of being mated one with the other when a leg element of said first body interlocks a corresponding receiving member of said second body; and   said first body capable of overlaying a portion of a horizontal track member of a metal stud frame.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein said leg element further comprises a pleated edge. 
     
     
         3 . A wall panel system comprising:
 a first connector mountable to a head portion of a respective wall panel;   wherein said wall panel is mounted to a base;   said first connector comprising at least one receiving member to receive a leg of a second connector;   said second connector mounted to a sill portion of a respective wall panel; and   wherein a horizontal joint is formed when said receiving member of said first connector and said leg of said second connector are engaged one with another.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said base further comprises to a floor to accommodate one or more structural loads. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said base further comprises an overlying floor. 
     
     
         6 . A connection system for panelized wall cladding, said system comprising:
 a first connector mountable to a horizontal track member of a frame, said first connector capable of being fastened to a vertical stud of said frame;   said first connector further comprising at least one receiving member to receive a leg member of an adjacent connector;   said adjacent connector further comprising a receiving member to receive a leg member of said first connector; and   wherein a horizontal joint is formed contiguous with said horizontal track member when said first connector and said adjacent connector are engaged one with another.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said first or said adjacent connector comprises a metal plate bent to a desired profile. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said horizontal joint is capable of transferring one or more building loads. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said first or said adjacent connector is capable of being affixed to a portion of a respective wall panel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising one or more exterior finish products capable of being preinstalled off-site or applied in situ. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said one or more exterior finish products comprise metal, stucco, tile, and/or brick. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising one or more air seals. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising one or more weeped drainage systems. 
     
     
         14 . A method of constructing a metal wall panel system, said method comprising:
 providing a first connector capable of being mounted to a portion of a horizontal track of a building frame, said first connector fastenable to a vertical stud of said building frame, said first connector further being fastenable to a head portion of a wall panel;   positioning a receiving of a second connector to receive a leg member of said first connector, said second connector fastenable to a sill portion of a wall panel; and   mating said first and second connectors one to another independent of fasteners.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said mating step further comprises forming a horizontal joint along said portion of said horizontal track, said horizontal joint capable of transferring one or more building loads. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of mounting a series of first and second connectors along a length of said a horizontal track member, thereby facilitating the mounting of a series of respective wall panels. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of anchoring a first level wall panel to a first floor.