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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/490,268, filed Jan. 24, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/235,620, filed Jan. 22, 1999, now abandoned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a novel wall paneling system and to a method for its assembly.  
         [0003]     More particularly, this invention relates to wall panels which are configured to be joined to any number of like-configured panel pieces via a unique interlocking arrangement.  
         [0004]     This invention can be used to create panel assemblies of all types; however, it is especially suitable for use in elevators whose sides are framed. Also, it can be secured directly onto studs without the need for an underlying drywall.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     There are several known systems for creating wall panel assemblies in homes, offices and elevators.  
         [0006]     Systems which are most commonly used in elevators include, for example: 
        (1) panels secured to a support structure by the use of Z-clips;     (2) panels which are adhesively secured to a wall, including walls fabricated from extruded aluminum supports; and     (3) panels which employ an extruded spline-type fastening system.        
 
         [0010]     Walls constructed with permanence as, for example, walls in homes and buildings, usually employ a drywall secured to studs. Once the drywall has been put in place, paneling, plaster or other coverings such as paint may be used to enhance its appearance.  
         [0011]     The present invention is an improvement over known systems because it provides for panels which can be interlockingly joined to one another and to a support structure, including drywall, with relative ease. Moreover, this invention allows a user to remove individual panel and/or disassemble the entire system with a facility that is not possible with known systems.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of this invention to provide panel pieces which can be interlockingly joined to one another so as to create a paneling system which is convenient, secure and easily disassembled.  
         [0013]     A preferred object provides for the paneling of elevators where panel pieces are usually large and installation is labor intensive. The present invention overcomes these difficulties by providing panels whose interlocking abilities make it possible for an installer to assemble large panels with a facility and economy which was not heretofore possible.  
         [0014]     The panel pieces of this invention are joined to one another by the unique interlocking engagement of their respective end segments, and they can be secured to any type of support structure as, for example, an existing wall, a wall frame, wall studs or the like. Moreover, the panels may be joined to one another in a horizontal arrangement, a feature which makes them uniquely suitable for installing wall panels in an elevator.  
         [0015]     In its broadest aspects, the panels of this invention are equipped with opposing end segments which matingly engage the like-configured segments of an adjacent panel piece. Each panel piece is comprised of a front side, a rear side and opposing edge faces which interlockingly engage the edge faces of a like-configured panel. In this embodiment, an edge face is formed to include an elongate projection or tongue and an opposing edge face is formed to contain an elongate recess or groove.  
         [0016]     Moreover, it is a feature of this invention that the depth of the recess be of such dimension as to exceed the length of the projection.  
         [0017]     As a result, the panel pairs will combine in such manner that the projection end of the panel does not come into contact with the recessed base of the adjoining panel, and there is formed instead (between the projection end and recessed base) an elongate space which extends inwardly from the respective ends of each opposing side face. This elongate space is sometimes referred to hereinafter as an accent line.  
         [0018]     Accordingly, it will be seen that a point of novelty in this invention lies in the configuration of each panel&#39;s opposing edge face. These edge faces are configured to matchingly engage the edge faces of like-configured panels so that they can be joined to one another to create a panel system.  
         [0019]     Conversely, a paneled system can be disassemble by simply withdrawing the panel pieces one from the other.  
         [0020]     According to one embodiment of this invention, the opposing faces of each panel are a tongue and groove, and adjacent panels are joined to one another by bringing into engagement the tongue of one panel with the groove of an adjacent panel.  
         [0021]     In this tongue and groove arrangement, it is essential that the groove be greater in depth than the length of the tongue so that the joining of one panel to another will result in an elongate space or accent line where the panel pieces engage one another.  
         [0022]     In this assembly, the tongue and groove configuration may appear on a panel piece as one pair only, that is, on opposing sides of a panel or, alternatively, they may exist in tandem, that is, opposite one another, on all four sides of the panel piece. An illustration of this tandem arrangement is illustrated in the drawings in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0023]     Another embodiment provides for a panel assembly in which the panel piece is characterized by a single tongue on one edge and a single groove on the opposing edge. In this embodiment, the panel piece is also comprised of a front side, a rear side and a pair of opposing edge faces for interlockingly engaging the edge faces of a like-configured panel; one edge face being a tongue, and the second edge face being a groove which is defined by a rear leg, a front leg and a base member, with the proviso that the rear leg be greater in length than the front leg.  
         [0024]     The tongue and groove have predetermined lengths and depths such that the depth of the groove is greater than the length of the tongue, as a result of which, in their assembled mode, a space is formed in situ between the tongue end and the base of the groove.  
         [0025]     Still another embodiment provides for a panel piece in which the opposing edge faces are characterized by beveled recesses which are intended for matching engagement with the beveled faces of a second panel piece.  
         [0026]     In this arrangement, the panel is also comprised of a front side and a rear side; however, the two opposing edge faces are formed with beveled edges, one edge face being formed with beveled recess which extends from one side of the panel piece to the other; this recess being defined by a projecting first flange whose outer wall is coextensive with the rear side of the panel piece.  
         [0027]     A second opposing edge face also contains a beveled recess which matches the beveled recess of the first edge face; this recess is defined by a projecting flange, the length of which is greater than that of the first flange so that in joining together two panel pieces, there is formed between the adjoining panels an elongate space or accent line.  
         [0028]     The virtue of this invention resides in the elimination of that cantilever force effect, which is associated with known panel systems. This cantilever effect results when the tongue end of one panel comes into contact with the base of the groove in an adjoining panel. The present invention eliminates this cantilever effect by transferring the exerted force onto the rear leg and shoulder of the adjoining panel pieces. The result is a shear force which distributes itself evenly onto the abutting portions of the joined panels and, also, onto the fastening means employed. As a result, the integrity of the panels is enhanced, and they are less likely to fracture.  
         [0029]     Also, in this arrangement, the assembled panels are not rigidly held, and instead, they are flexible and have the ability to shift slightly and thus avoid splitting. Moreover, when the panel pieces of this invention are attached to a support structure by screw means, they are removable and can be easily replaced. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is perspective view showing the paneling assembly of this invention installed in an elevator (in phantom);  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is fragmentary isometric view of two unassembled panel pieces, one of which is secured to a support structure;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional assembled side view of the panel pieces shown in  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of a top panel piece shown with fastening devices in various stages of engagement;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the top panel piece of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of a bottom panel piece shown with fastening devices in various stages of engagement;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of the bottom panel of  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view of a panel piece equipped with a Z-clip fastening device;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the panel piece and Z-clip device of  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a partial isometric view of a panel piece being inserted into a panel assembly;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary isometric view of two unassembled panel pieces in which the opposing edge faces are beveled; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional assembled side view of  FIG. 11  taken along line  12 - 12 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary wall paneling assembly  10  in accordance with this invention. As shown, a plurality of panel pieces are provided, each having four edges, the top edge of which includes a groove and the bottom edge an accommodating tongue. This tongue and groove arrangement and the assembly of the individual panel pieces is discussed hereinbelow in detail, and it is further illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  FIGS. 10-13 .  
         [0043]     Included in the wall paneling system of  FIG. 1  are molding pieces which can be added to the assembled panels as a finishing touch to enhance the visual effect. A typical top molding piece  4  includes a tongue that is inserted into the groove of a topmost panel  2  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0044]     In the same manner, a bottom molding piece  6  having a flat surface and equipped with an accommodating groove can be used as a base member and fitted into the tongue of a bottom panel  8  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0045]     In this assembly  10 , the panel pieces of each wall terminate at their respective corners some small distance from one another, and they form that space which is shown as  12  in  FIG. 1 . The object of space  12  is to make allowance for any shifting or movement in the support structure. Moreover, it has been found in practice that installation is facilitated when adjoining walls are not so closely fitted as to abut against one another.  
         [0046]     In their assembled mode, the panels of this invention exhibit those accent lines which are shown as  14  in  FIG. 1 , and they are registry with the accent lines of adjacent panel pieces; however, this is an optional feature, and in practice, the accent lines  14  can be made virtually invisible by bringing the panel pieces into abutting contact.  
         [0047]     The panel pieces of this invention may be mounted onto any suitably secure structure, solid or framed. Typical of such structures are, for example, stationary walls, elevator walls or the like.  
         [0048]     In addition, the panel pieces may be attached to the framework of a stationary wall, an elevator wall or the like, or the panel pieces can be attached to wall studs. The panel pieces may also be used as a cover to hide gaps in a wall. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the paneling assembly of this invention is not limited to any particular form of wall structure.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate that embodiment in which assembly is achieved by inserting the elongate projection or tongue  20  of one panel  18  into the elongate recess or groove  22  of a like panel  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a typical panel piece consists essentially of a front side  24 , a rear side  26  and two accommodating edge faces which can be interlockingly joined to a like panel.  
         [0050]     One edge face is in the form of an elongated projection or tongue  20  which extends longitudinally from the rear side  26  of the panel piece  16  so that the rear wall of the tongue is coextensive with the rear wall of the panel  16 . the opposing panel edge is an elongated recess or groove  22  defined by a rear leg  28 , front leg  30  and the recessed base member shown as  32  in  FIG. 2 . The rear side of leg  28  is also coextensive with the rear wall of the panel piece  16 , and its dimensions are such that the length of the rear leg  28  is greater than that of leg  30 .  
         [0051]     In general, assembly is achieved by securing a first panel to a wall or similar support structure and mating it to a second panel piece, and this process is repeated with any desired number of panel pieces.  
         [0052]     The installation of a typical paneled assembly is described with particularity hereinbelow by making reference to a wall as the support structure. Also, screws are described as the fastening means; however, the reference to a “wall” and “screw means” is for illustration only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable support and any suitable fastening means may be substituted therefor without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.  
         [0053]     Typical of those fastening means which may be employed include, for example, nails, clips, rivets, staples or adhesives and the like.  
         [0054]     In practice, in a typical installation, the panel pieces are placed one atop the other and secured to a wall by screws which are inserted through preformed apertures. Once this has been done, a second panel piece  18  is laid against the first, and its tongue is snugly inserted into the mating recess or groove  22  of the first panel piece  16 .  
         [0055]     The tongue is neatly received by the groove, but it is significant to note that the only interface which occurs is a mating of flange  36  with shoulder  38  and the engagement of the two panels&#39; respective sidewalls, that is, the sidewall  56  of tongue  20  and the front sidewall of recess  22 .  
         [0056]     Equally significant is the fact that the depth of recess  22  is greater than the length of tongue  20  and no contact occurs between the terminal ends of their respective edge faces. Instead, the base of the tongue  42  and the base of the groove  32  are separated from one another by that area or space which is shown as  44  in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0057]     The space  44  is significant because it serves to separate the tongue end of one panel from the groove base of a matching panel and, thus, avoids that cantilever force which is associated with prior art paneling systems, that is, the force which results when the tongue end of one panel comes into abutting contact with the groove base of an adjoining panel. In the present invention, the assembled panels rely for their support on the contact between flange  36  of panel  16  and shoulder  38  of panels  18 . This contact and the shear force absorbed by the mounting screws  34  virtually eliminates the cantilever force effect associated with existing panel structures.  
         [0058]     In addition to improving on existing panel systems, the present invention also affords an improvement in aesthetics and design. This is seen when two panels are joined together in the manner described hereinabove, that is, one atop the other, in which event their adjoining front faces form an elongate space which, in the completed assembly, gives the appearance of an accent line  14 . This accent line can also be enhanced by using contrasting color schemes as, for example, by coloring the panel surfaces with light hues and using darker tones or the color black to highlight those elongate areas which form the accent line  14 .  
         [0059]     Although size is not important, it is critical to this invention that the rear leg  28  of each panel ( FIG. 2 ) be of such dimension as to exceed that of tongue  20  and that the distance which is defined by the underside of flange  36  and the terminal end  46  of tongue  42  ( FIG. 2 ). This parameter is shown as “d” in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0060]     The rear leg  28  also serves as the mounting means for securing the panel pieces to a wall or other support structure. According, the rear leg must provide sufficient surface area for forming apertures to accommodate mounting screws or nails or the like.  
         [0061]     If screws or nails are employed, their heads are conveniently covered by the tongue  20  of an adjoining panel piece as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0062]     Also shown in  FIG. 3 , is a top molding piece  48  fitted into tongue  50  of an accommodating panel as a finishing piece. This is an optional feature, but if omitted, the screws  34  would, under normal conditions, be hidden from view by the front leg of the top panel piece  18 .  
         [0063]     Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a flat edged bottom panel  52  which is installed as a finishing piece so as to bring the bottom panels into registry with the floor surface.  
         [0064]     The following two paragraphs describe a typical embodiment for installing the paneling assembly of this invention into a wall.  
         [0065]     A panel having a flat bottom edge  52  is placed on the floor of the room which is being paneled adjacent to the wall  54  ( FIG. 3 ), and a screw  34  is driven through a screw hole (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the rear leg of the panel piece. The panel pieces which are being attached to a wall are positioned in such manner that the screw holes are in registry with the frame or studs in the wall structure.  
         [0066]     A second panel piece, shown in  FIG. 3  as item  16 , is attached to the bottom panel piece  52  by fitting the tongue  26  of the latter into the groove  24  of the former, and this attachment means is repeated for all subsequent panel pieces until the room if fully paneled. Thereafter, a molding piece  48  is attached to the topmost panel  18  by inserting the tongue  50  of said molding into the groove of the panel.  
         [0067]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an alternative means for securing the panel pieces to a support structure. In this embodiment, the topmost panel piece  60  is secured to a wall  62  by the use of clips  64 .  
         [0068]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the top panel piece  60  is defined by a flat surface  66  into which has been formed slotted openings  68  for receiving the hook ends  70  of the clip which is to be inserted. Also included in the clip  64  is an elongated slot  72  through which a screw  74  can be driven for mounting the clip and panel to a wall  62 .  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear side of panel  60  also includes a recess  72  for receiving the clip  64 . This recess  72  allows the top panel piece  60  to lay flush against the wall  62 .  
         [0070]     Although two clips are shown in  FIG. 5 , the number used for each panel piece may vary depending on the size and weight of the panel.  
         [0071]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the use of clips  80  for attaching a bottom panel piece  82  to a wall  84 . In this embodiment, the clip  80  contains a plurality of screw holes  86  and  88 . The bottom surface  90  of the panel  82  is flat and includes slotted openings  92  and  94  for receiving the hook ends  96  of the clip  80 . In practice, the clip  80  is secured to the wall by means of screws  98  and  100  which are inserted through the screw holes  86  and  88 . Thereafter, the bottom panel piece  82  is inserted into the clip  80 , and the hook member  96  of the clip  80  is inserted into the slotted opening  94 .  
         [0072]     In this embodiment, the bottom panel piece  82  is in close proximity to the floor  102  as so to make allowance for clip  80 . Also, the rear side of the panel  82  includes a recess  104  into which the projection of the clip  80  may be fitted. The recess  104  allows the panel to lay flush against the wall  84  when placed over the clips  80 .  
         [0073]     Although two mirror clips  80  are shown in this embodiment, the number of clips may vary depending on the size and weight of the panel piece  82 .  
         [0074]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the use of a Z clip  110  for attaching a top panel piece  112  to a wall  114 . This Z clip  110  is attached to the panel piece  112  with the open end of the Z clip  110  facing downwards. A second z clip  116  is attached to the wall  114  with its open end facing upwards. These Z clips  110  and  116  are attached to the panel piece  112  and the wall  114  by screw means  118 .  
         [0075]     To achieve assembly, the open end of Z clip  110  is mated to the open end of Z clip  116 . Also, in this assembly, it is to be noted that a recess  120  is formed into the rear side of the panel piece  112  so that it may accommodate the Z clip, and at the same time, lay flush against the wall  114 . Again, the number of clips  116  employed will vary depending on the size and weight of the panel piece  90 .  
         [0076]     Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated in  FIG. 10 , which shows a panel piece  130  containing two tongues  132  and two grooves  134  located on the top and left edge of the panel piece. The grooves  134  each contain a rear leg  136  and a front leg  138 . The tongues  132  are located on adjacent edges of the same panel piece  130 , and the grooves  134  are located on the adjacent edges of the same panel piece  130  opposite the edges containing the tongues  132 . It is to be understood that such an arrangement is exemplary, and the number and placement of the tongue/groove combinations is discretionary.  
         [0077]     The panel pieces  130  in this embodiment provides for the tongue and groove attachment of panel pieces in a horizontal as well as vertical arrangement so that a wall which is much larger than the individual panel pieces may be covered. In its assembly, the tongues  132  are inserted into the grooves  134  of previously assembled panel pieces  130 , and screws  140  are threaded into accommodating screw holes  142  in the rear leg  136  of the panel piece  130 . Thereafter, the tongues  132  of additional panel pieces can be inserted into the screwed-in grooves  134  of the previously attached panel pieces.  
         [0078]     While the size of the panel pieces  130  is discretionary, a wall paneling assembly that utilizes both horizontal and vertical tongue and groove members will usually employ panels  130  whose length is greater than their height.  
         [0079]     Another embodiment of this invention provides for a panel piece whose opposing edge faces are beveled to accommodate the matching edge face of a like-configured panel.  
         [0080]     When such a panel is mated with the face of a second like-configured panel, their respective beveled recesses fit neatly one into the other and a mating of the panel pieces is achieved. This embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 .  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the panel piece  150  is defined by a front side  152 , a rear side  154  and an edge face having a beveled recess  156 . The beveled recess  156  of this edge face extends from one side of the panel piece to the other, and it is defined by a projecting flange  158  whose outer wall is coextensive with the front side  152  of the panel piece  150 .  
         [0082]     The mating of one panel piece to another is achieved by mating the beveled recess of panel piece  150  with the beveled recess of a second panel piece  160 . The edge face of this second panel matches the beveled recess formed in the edge face of the first panel piece  150 , and it is defined by a projecting flange  162  whose outer wall is coextensive with the rear side of the panel piece. This projecting flange  162  is greater in height than that of flange  158  so that when the respective recesses of both panel pieces are assembled ( FIG. 12 ), an elongate space is formed between the end member of flange  158  and the shoulder  166  of panel  160 .  
         [0083]     The interrelationship between beveled recesses of the joined panel pieces results in a firm fit. However, the feature which is most critical to this assembly lies in their respective flange members  158  and  162 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the bottom side of flange  158  does not engage the shoulder  166  of panel piece  160 , as a result of which, an elongate recess or space is needed between these two panel pieces.  
         [0084]     This elongate space is an accent line, and it also has the salutary effect of eliminating that cantilever force which is associated with known panel assemblies. Instead of a cantilever force, the adjoined panel pieces fit neatly at their beveled recess faces and this match converts the cantilever effect into a shear force which is distributed evenly over the full extent of the opposing edge faces.  
         [0085]     In another embodiment of this invention, the panel pieces of the wall paneling assembly contain a covering. This covering may be plastic laminate, glass, stone, sheet metal, stainless steel, brass, paint, marble, veneer or a solid surface material such as Corian®. Also, while the actual panel pieces can be derived from any source, the preferred materials are plywood, flakeboard and foam.  
         [0086]     In yet another embodiment of this invention, the rear of the panel pieces is laminated with a backer sheet.  
         [0087]     Any wall may be paneled by the wall paneling assembly and system of the current invention. The wall may be solid, such as plasterboard, or it may be a frame, studs or some combination thereof or the like.  
         [0088]     This invention has been described by reference to precise embodiments, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this invention is subject to various modifications, and to the extent that those modifications would be obvious to one of ordinary skill, they are considered as being within the scope of the appended claims.

Summary:
A wall panel assembly and panel pieces therefore are disclosed. The panel pieces have edges with tongues having interengageable angularly oriented surfaces arranged toward the rear side of the panels. When the edges of adjacent panels are engaged to form a wall panel assembly, a tongue on one panel is captured in overlying relation with a tongue on the adjacent panel. Arrangement of the tongues toward the rear side of the panels permits vertical loads on the panels to be carried by shear forces in the fasteners attaching the panel pieces to a structure, increasing the dynamic load that the panel pieces can withstand without failure. The panel pieces are advantageous for use in moving structures such as elevator cabs.