Interlocking panel system

Abstract

A system and method for interior construction of a wall having at least two panels that have an edge portion, and a joint insert for joining the panels. The panels are secured together by attaching a first insert portion of the joint insert to the edge portion of one panel and a second insert portion of the joint insert to the edge portion of the second panel. The joint insert may have a body that includes the first and second insert portions, and a cap attachable to the insert body. The system may obviate the need for wallboard installation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for construction of a wall or the like, comprising:
 at least one panel, having an edge portion;   a joint insert for joining said at least one panel with a second similar panel,   wherein said joint insert has a first insert portion for attachment to said edge portion of said one panel and a second insert portion for attachment to said edge portion of said second similar panel to secure said first and second panels to each other.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said joint insert comprises an insert body that includes said first and second insert portions, and a cap attachable to said insert body. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert body contains a cavity, and said cap has a stem portion and a cover portion, said stem portion being received in said cavity to secure said cap to said insert body. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said stem portion has one edge connected to said cover portion, and a second edge remote from said cover portion, said second edge having a resilient structure to lock said second edge into said cavity to secure said cap to said insert body. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said cavity is open at one side to receive said cap and comprises a wall at a second side opposite said first side, said wall being constructed to permit passage of a fastener through said wall and into a wall structure to which said panels are to be attached. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said edge portions of said first and said second panels each define a recess to receive said first and said second insert portions of said joint insert, respectively, to secure said panels to said joint insert. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and said second panels each comprise a front surface and a back surface, and wherein said recess is defined by a space between said front surface and said back surface at said edge portion. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said joint insert has at least one gasket to provide a seal with said edge portions of said panels. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one gasket includes at least one gasket on each insert portion. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one gasket is located on one of said insert body and said cap. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said insert portions each have a front surface and a back surface, and wherein said at least one gasket is provided on one of said front and back surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein said insert portions have said at least one gasket on said back surface of said insert portions, and have at least one additional gasket on said front surface of said insert portions. 
     
     
         13 . A wall or the like, comprising:
 at least first and second panels, each having an edge portion;   a joint insert joining said first and said second panels to each other,   wherein said joint insert has a first insert portion attached to said edge portion of said one panel and a second insert portion attached to said edge portion of said second similar panel to secure said first and second panels to each other.   
     
     
         14 . A joint insert for use in construction of a wall or the like, the wall comprising at least one panel, having an edge portion, and said joint insert comprising:
 a body, having a cavity formed therein, said cavity being defined at least partially by a wall at one side and by an opening at a second side opposite said one side;   a first insert portion secured to said body, for attachment to the edge portion of one panel; a second insert portion secured to said body, for attachment to the edge portion of the second panel; and   a cap having a portion received in said cavity and secured to said body.   
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a wall or the like, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least first and second panels, each having an edge portion;   providing a joint insert, wherein the joint insert has a first insert portion for attachment to the edge portion of one panel and a second insert portion for attachment to the edge portion of the second panel to secure the first and second panels to each other;   inserting the first insert portion into a recess in the edge portion of the first panel and the second insert portion into a recess in the edge portion of the second panel; and   securing the joint insert to a building structure to support the wall.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the joint insert has a body that comprises the first and second insert portions, and a cap, said method further comprising attaching the cap to the body of the insert joint. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein said securing step comprises placing a fastener through the joint insert body to secure the joint insert to the building structure, and wherein said step of attaching the cap results in covering and concealing the fastener. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the cap has a stem that is received in the joint insert body once the cap is attached to the insert joint body, and a cover portion connected to the stem, and wherein after said step of attaching the cap to the joint insert body, the cover portion overlies the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , further comprising applying adhesive between the cap and the panels.