Panel with connector

Abstract

A panel system includes a first panel having a recess and a connector received in the recess. The connector has a front wall that includes an external face and an internal face. The external face extends in a first plane and the internal face extends in a second plane that is angled relative to the first plane to form a draft angle. A slot extends through the external face and the internal face. The slot is configured to receive a head of an anchor fastener that is attached to an adjacent panel. Moving the first panel and the adjacent panel relative to one another moves the anchor fastener within the slot to cause the head to slidingly engage with the internal face to draw the first panel and the adjacent panel toward one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel system comprising:
 a first panel having a recess; and   a connector received in the recess, the connector comprising:
 a front wall that includes an external face and an internal face, the external face extending in a first plane and the internal face extending in a second plane that is angled relative to the first plane to form a draft angle, and 
 a slot extending through the external face and the internal face, the slot being configured to receive a head of an anchor fastener that is attached to an adjacent panel; 
   wherein moving the first panel and the adjacent panel relative to one another moves the anchor fastener within the slot to cause the head to slidingly engage with the internal face to draw the first panel and the adjacent panel toward one another.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of system of  claim 1  further comprising a cover, the cover including a compressible layer and an outer layer. 
     
     
         3 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein a front face of the connecter is set back from an outer periphery of the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes at least one minor side surface and at least one major side surface, the recess being provided on the at least one minor side surface, a front face of the connector being flush with the at least one minor side surface. 
     
     
         5 . The panel system of  claim 1  further comprising an accessory that includes an attachment portion and a cut out, the accessory being configured for attachment to the first panel and the adjacent panel by receiving the anchor fastener in the cut out and clamping the attachment portion between the first panel and the adjacent panel. 
     
     
         6 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a bow portion having a first width and a shaft portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, the bow portion being configured to receive the head of the anchor fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The panel system of  claim 6 , wherein the connected further comprises a recessed portion disposed about the bow portion, the recessed portion being configured for engagement with the head of the anchor fastener to facilitate alignment between the head and the bow portion. 
     
     
         8 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the draft angle is in the range of one to five degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The panel system of  claim 1  further comprising a locating member in the recess, the locating member having a raised portion that nests within part of the connector to position the connector in the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecter includes a rear wall having at least one mounting hole and at least one retaining hole, the at least one mounting hole being configured to receive a securing fastener that secures the connector in the recess, the at least one retaining hole being configured to receive the anchor fastener. 
     
     
         11 . A method of assembling a panel system comprising the steps of:
 providing a first panel with a first recess;   providing a second panel with a second recess;   securing a first connector and a second connector in the first recess and the second recess, respectively, each one of the first connector and the second connector comprising:
 a front wall that includes an external face and an internal face, the external face extending in a first plane and the internal face extending in a second plane that is angled relative to the first plane to form a draft angle, and 
 a slot extending through the external face and the internal face; 
   connecting an anchor faster to the first connector;   receiving the head of the anchor fastener in the second connector; and   moving the first panel and the second panel relative to one another to move the anchor fastener within the slot of the second connector to cause the head to slidingly engage with the internal face of the second connector to draw the first panel and the second panel toward one another.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing an accessory having an attachment portion and a cut out;   locating the anchor fastener in the cut out; and   clamping the attachment portion between the first panel and the second panel.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the slot of at least the second connector includes a bow portion having a first width and a shaft portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, the bow portion being configured to receive the head of the anchor fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least the second connector further comprises a recessed portion disposed about the bow portion, the recessed portion being configured for engagement with the head of the anchor fastener to facilitate alignment between the head and the bow portion during the step of receiving the head of the anchor fastener in the second connector. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the draft angle is in the range of one to five degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A connector for joining a first panel and a second panel, the connector comprising:
 a front wall that includes a keyhole portion having an external face and an internal face, the external face extending in a first plane and the internal face extending in a second plane that is angled relative to the first plane to form a draft angle;   a slot extending through the external face and the internal face, the slot including a bow portion having a first width and a shaft portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, the bow portion being configured to receive a head of an anchor fastener; and   wherein moving the first and second panels relative to one moves the anchor fastener within the slot to cause the head of the anchor fastener to slidingly engage with the internal face of the keyhole portion to draw the first and second panels toward one another.   
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the draft angle is in the range of one to five degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 16  further comprising a rear wall having at least one mounting hole and at least one retaining hole, the at least one mounting hole being configured to receive a securing fastener that attaches the connector to the panel, the at least one retaining hole being configured to receive the anchor fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 18  further comprising a plurality of clearance notches along an edge of the shaft portion, one of the plurality of clearance notches being aligned with the at least one mounting hole, one other of the plurality of clearance notches being aligned with the at least one retaining hole. 
     
     
         20 . The connector of  claim 16  further comprising a recessed portion disposed about the bow portion, the recessed portion being configured for engagement with the head of the anchor fastener to facilitate alignment between the head and the bow portion.