Patent Publication Number: US-2006000187-A1

Title: Wood skin construction for partitions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/578,608, entitled WOOD SKIN CONSTRUCTION FOR PARTITIONS, which was filed on Jun. 10, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention concerns skins for partitions, and more particularly relates to skins comprising wood panels.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In new building constructions, components of wall and partition systems are ordered so that, when interconnected and assembled, they divide the building space into a predetermined arrangement of offices, work areas, and other specialized areas. However, as businesses continue to evolve and the office area undergoes rearrangement, the components are often not as flexible as desired, such that the existing components limit the rearrangement unless new components are ordered. Such new components are expensive, delay the rearrangement, and often are not even available, such as when a particular upholstery for covering the component has been discontinued. Sometimes removable covers are used to cover partition frames. One advantage of removable covers is that, when a corner of one is damaged, it can be interchanged with a new cover, or another removable cover that is in a less visible location. However, unless all of the partition frames are the same size, the removable covers must be interchanged only with other removable covers that are the same size. In addition to the above, architects and office designers are constantly looking for novel constructions that provide novel and distinctive appearance, but that are flexible enough to accommodate both modernistic and more conservative appearance. Furthermore, removable covers allow interiors of the partitions to become accessible for routing utility, power or signal distribution systems through the partitions.  
      Accordingly, a variety of atheistically pleasing removable covers is desired to allow for variety in constructing and designing the wall and partition systems.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An aspect of the present invention is to provide a skin for a panel system comprising a wood panel, marginal frame members for the wood panel, with the marginal frame members including attachment members for connecting the skin to the panel system, and wedge members for rigidly connecting the marginal frame members to the wood panel.  
      Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a panel system comprising an open frame and a wood skin. The open frame comprises a pair of substantially horizontal frame members and a pair of substantially vertical frame members connected to the horizontal frame members, with the vertical frame members and the horizontal frame members including openings therein. The wood skin comprises a wood panel, marginal frame members for the wood panel and engaged therewith, with the marginal frame members including attachment members for insertion into the openings of the vertical frame member and the horizontal frame members to connect the skin to the panel system. The wood skin further includes wedge members for rigidly connecting the marginal frame members to the wood panel.  
      Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a skin for a panel system comprising a substantially rectangular natural wood panel including a plurality of slots. The skin also includes at least two marginal frame members for the wood panel and engaged therewith. The at least two marginal frame members surround a periphery of the natural wood panel. The at least two marginal frame members each include a flange inserted into one of the slots of the natural wood panel. The skin also includes engagement members engaged with the at least two marginal frame members to rigidly maintain the flanges in the slots and to thereby rigidly engage the at least two marginal frame members with the natural wood panel. The at least two marginal frame members include an attachment member for attaching the skin to the panel system.  
      These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a panel system employing a skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an open frame of the panel system employing the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of the section IIA of the open frame of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of the section IIB of the open frame of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded rear view of the skin without attachment members of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of a wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 8A-8I  illustrate other wood panels having different dimensions.  
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a horizontal frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9B  is a rear view of the horizontal frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a wedge of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10B  is a top view of the wedge of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a first connection member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11B  is a rear view of the first connection member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the first connection member of the skin of the present invention taken along the lines XIC-XIC of  FIG. 11B .  
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a second connection member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12B  is a rear view of the second connection member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12C  is a cross-sectional view of the second connection member of the skin of the present invention taken along the lines XIIC-XIIC of  FIG. 12B .  
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a first side vertical frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13B  is a rear view of the first side vertical frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13C  is a rear view of a second side vertical frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of an attachment member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 14B  is a side view of the attachment member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 14C  is a top view of the attachment member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 15A  is an exploded view of the attachment members, the second side vertical frame member and the wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 15B  is an exploded view of the attachment member and the second side vertical frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 15C  is a top view of the first side vertical frame member, the attachment member and the wood panel of the skin of the present invention in a first step of a connection of the vertical frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 15D  is a top view of the first side vertical frame member, the attachment member and the wood panel of the skin of the present invention in a second step of the connection of the vertical frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 15E  is a partial rear view of the wood panel and one of the vertical frame members of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16A  is an exploded view of the bottom horizontal frame member, the first connection members and the wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16B  is an exploded view of the first connection member and the bottom horizontal frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16C  is a side view of the bottom horizontal frame member, the first connection members and the wood panel of the first side of the skin of the present invention in a first step of a connection of the horizontal frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 16D  is a side view of the bottom horizontal frame member, the first connection members and the wood panel of the first side of the skin of the present invention in a second step of the connection of the horizontal frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 17A  is an exploded view of the top horizontal frame member, the second connection members and the wood panel of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 17B  is an exploded view of the second connection member and the top horizontal frame member of the skin of the present invention.  
       FIG. 17C  is a side view of the top horizontal frame member, the second connection members and the wood panel of the first side of the skin of the present invention in a first step of a connection of the horizontal frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 17D  is a side view of the top horizontal frame member, the second connection members and the wood panel of the first side of the skin of the present invention in a second step of the connection of the horizontal frame member to the wood panel.  
       FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of the open frame and the skin of the present invention illustrating a first step of a connection of the skin to the open frame.  
       FIG. 18B  is a side view of the open frame and the skin of the present invention illustrating the first step of a connection of the skin to the open frame.  
       FIG. 18C  is a side view of the open frame and the skin of the present invention illustrating a second step of a connection of the skin to the open frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.  
      The reference number  10  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) generally designates a skin embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the skin  10  comprising a natural wood panel  12 , and marginal frame members  14  for the natural wood panel  12 . The marginal frame members  14  include attachment members  16  for connecting the skin  10  to a panel system  18 .  
      The illustrated panel system  18  ( FIG. 1 ) includes an open frame  20  ( FIGS. 2-2B ) for accepting the skin  10  thereon. The open frame  20  includes a pair of vertical frame members  22  and a plurality of horizontal frame members  24 . The vertical frame members  22  include a plurality of first openings  26  on a front face  28  thereof. Likewise, the horizontal frame members  24  include a plurality of second openings  30  of a front face  32  thereof. The skin  10  interacts with the first openings  26  of the vertical frame members  22  and the second openings  30  of the horizontal frame members  24  to connect the skin  10  to the panel system  18 . The panel system  18  as described herein is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,929 entitled PANEL SYSTEM, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
      In the illustrated example, the natural wood panel  12  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) comprises a substantially rectangular piece of wood. The natural wood panel  12  includes a front veneer face  34 , a rear face  36 , a top edge  38 , a bottom edge  40 , a first side edge  42  and a second side edge  44 . Each of the top edge  38 , the bottom edge  40 , the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44  are preferably beveled from the rear face  36  to the front veneer face  34  such that the front veneer face  34  is slightly larger than the rear face  36 . The rear face  36  of the natural wood panel  12  includes an upper T-shaped slot  46  spaced from the top edge  38  and running between the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44  and a lower T-shaped slot  48  spaced from the bottom edge  40  and running between the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44 . The upper T-shaped slot  46  and the lower T-shaped slot  48  are preferably parallel. Furthermore, the rear face  36  of the natural wood panel  12  includes a first side T-shaped slot  50  spaced from the first side edge  42  and running between the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40  and a second side T-shaped slot  52  spaced from the second side edge  44  and running between the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40 . The first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52  are preferably parallel.  
      The illustrated rear face  36  of the natural wood panel  12  includes a first hook end receiving groove  54  parallel with the upper T-shaped slot  46  and the lower T-shaped slot  48  and located therebetween. The first hook end receiving groove  54  runs between the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the first side edge  42  on the first side of the natural wood panel  12  and between the second side T-shaped slot  52  and the second side edge  44  of the second side of the natural wood panel  12 . Likewise, the rear face  36  of the natural wood panel  12  includes a second hook end receiving groove  56  extending upward from the lower T-shaped slot  48 . The second hook end receiving groove  56  runs between the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the first side edge  42  on the first side of the natural wood panel  12  and between the second side T-shaped slot  52  and the second side edge  44  of the second side of the natural wood panel  12 . The upper T-shaped slot  46 , the lower T-shaped slot  48 , the first side T-shaped slot  50 , the second side T-shaped slot  52 , the first hook end receiving groove  54  and the second hook end receiving groove  56  are used to connect the marginal frame members  14  to the natural wood panel  12 . It is contemplated that the wood panel  12  could have different dimensions with additional parallel first hook end receiving grooves  54  and second hook end receiving grooves  56  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8I .  
      In the illustrated example, the marginal frame members  14  connect the wood panel  12  to the panel system  18 . The marginal frame members  14  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) comprise a pair of horizontal frame members  58  (substantially identical as discussed below, but used in opposite orientations) and a pair of vertical frame members  60  (identical, but used in opposite orientations). The horizontal frame members  58  cover the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40  of the wood panel  12 . Likewise, the vertical frame members  60  cover the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12 .  
      The illustrated vertical frame members  60  ( FIGS. 13A-13B  illustrate the vertical frame member for the first side of the wood panel and  FIG. 13C  illustrate the vertical frame member for the second side of the wood panel) connect the wood panel  12  to the panel system  18 . The vertical frame members  60  are preferably substantially similar and are orientated in opposite directions when they are placed on the wood panel  12 . Each vertical frame member  60  includes a base plate  62 , an L-shaped hook  64  extending from the base plate  62  and an upstanding covering flange  66  extending from a side edge of the base plate  62 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 15A-15D , the base plate  62  includes a substantially rectangular portion  68  and a thicker flared portion  70  along one side edge of the substantially rectangular portion  68 . Therefore, the thicker flared portion  70  defines a ledge  72  defining the boundary between the thicker flared portion  70  and the substantially rectangular portion  68 . The upstanding covering flange  66  includes a tab  74  extending along an edge thereof. The upstanding covering flange  66  is configured to cover one of the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12 .  
      In the illustrated example, the base plate  62  of the vertical frame member  60  includes a pair of hook connection sections  76 . Each hook connection section  76  includes a rectangular opening  78  through the base plate  62  and an adjacent hook receiving slot  80 . The hook receiving slot  80  includes a rectangular portion  82 , a smaller extending portion  84  extending from a short side of the rectangular portion  82  and aligned therewith and an enlarged head portion  86  at an end of the rectangular portion  82  opposite the smaller extending portion  84 . As described in more detail below, the hook connection section  76  is adapted to accept a hook  88  therein for connecting the vertical frame member  60 , and therefore the wood panel  12 , to the panel system  18 . For the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the first side edge  42  of the wood panel  12 , the rectangular opening  78  is adjacent the L-shaped hook  64  (see  FIGS. 13A-13B ). For the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12 , the rectangular opening  78  is adjacent the ledge  72  (see  FIG. 13C ).  
      The illustrated horizontal frame members  58  ( FIGS. 9A-9B ) also connect the wood panel  12  to the panel system  18 . The horizontal frame members  58  are preferably substantially similar and are orientated in opposite directions when they are placed on the wood panel  12 . Each horizontal frame member  58  includes a base plate  90 , an L-shaped hook  92  extending from the base plate  90  and an upstanding covering flange  94  extending from a side edge of the base plate  90 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 16C-16D , the base plate  90  includes a substantially rectangular portion  96  and a thicker, longer flared portion  98  along one side edge of the substantially rectangular portion  96 . Therefore, the thicker, longer flared portion  98  defines a ledge  100  defining the boundary between the thicker, longer flared portion  98  and the substantially rectangular portion  96 . The upstanding covering flange  94  includes a tab  102  extending along an edge thereof. The upstanding covering flange  94  is configured to cover one of the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40  of the wood panel  12 . The base plate  90  also includes a plurality of rectangular holes  99  adjacent the L-shaped hook  92 .  
      In the illustrated example, the base plate  90  of the horizontal frame member  58  includes a pair of upper clip connection sections  104  and a pair of lower clip connection sections  106 . Each upper clip connection section  104  is located in the substantially rectangular portion  96  of the base plate  90  and comprises an aperture  108  having a smaller rectangular portion  110  and a larger rectangular portion  112 . The larger rectangular portion  112  abuts against the ledge  100 . Each lower clip connection section  106  spans the substantially rectangular portion  96  and the thicker, longer flared portion  98 . Each lower clip connection section  106  comprises an aperture  97  including a smaller rectangular portion  114  and a larger rectangular portion  116 . The larger rectangular portion  116  extends through the ledge  100 . As described in more detail below, each upper clip connection section  104  is adapted to accept a first clip  120  therein for connecting the horizontal frame member  58 , and therefore the wood panel  12 , to the panel system  18 . Likewise, each lower clip connection section  106  is adapted to accept a second clip  122  therein for connecting the horizontal frame member  58 , and therefore the wood panel  12 , to the panel system  18 .  
      The illustrated vertical frame members  60  include attachment members  16  comprising hooks  88  for connecting the vertical frame members  60  to the panel system  18 . Each hook  88  ( FIGS. 14A-14C ) includes a first side section  124 , a second side section  126  and a hook section  128  connecting the first side section  124  and the second side section  126 . The first side section  124  comprises a first rectangular portion  130  connected to the hook section  128  and a second rectangular portion  132  extending perpendicularly from an edge of the first rectangular portion  130 , with the second rectangular portion  132  extending from an edge of the first rectangular portion  130  perpendicular to the edge of the first rectangular portion  130  having the hook section  128  connected thereto. The first side section  124  also includes a third rectangular portion  134  extending from a side edge of the second rectangular portion  132 , with the third rectangular portion  134  being perpendicular to both the first rectangular portion  130  and the second rectangular portion  132 .  
      In the illustrated example, the second side section  126  of the hook  88  is similar to the first side section  124  of the hook  88 . The second side section  126  comprises a first rectangular portion  136  connected to the hook section  128  and a second rectangular portion  138  extending perpendicularly from an edge of the first rectangular portion  136 , with the second rectangular portion  138  extending from an edge of the first rectangular portion  136  perpendicular to the edge of the first rectangular portion  136  having the hook section  128  connected thereto. The second side section  126  also includes a third rectangular portion  140  extending from a side edge of the second rectangular portion  138 , with the third rectangular portion  140  being perpendicular to both the first rectangular portion  136  and the second rectangular portion  138 . In the illustrated example, the first rectangular portion  130  of the first side section  124  and the first rectangular portion  136  of the second side section  126  are parallel and coplanar, the second rectangular portion  132  of the first side section  124  and the second rectangular portion  138  of the second side section  126  are parallel and coplanar, and the third rectangular portion  134  of the first side section  124  and the third rectangular portion  140  of the second side section  126  are parallel, but not coplanar. The second side section  126  also includes a resilient tab  142  extending in the same direction as the hook section  128 .  
      The illustrated hook section  128  of the hook  88  is connected to the first side section  124  and the second side section  126  of the hook  88 . The hook section  128  is V-shaped and includes a first leg  144  connected to the first rectangular portion  130  of the first side section  124  and a second leg  146  connected to the first rectangular portion  136  of the second side section  126 . Each leg  144  and  146  includes a groove  150  at a bottom thereof adjacent the first rectangular portion  130  of the first side section  124  and the first rectangular portion  136  of the second side section  126 . The second leg  146  also includes a hook portion  148  substantially parallel to the third rectangular portion  134  of the first side section  124  and the third rectangular portion  140  of the second side section  126 .  
      In the illustrated example, the hooks  88  are connected to the vertical frame members  60  (see  FIGS. 15A-15D ). The hooks  88  are connected to the vertical frame members  60  by inserting the hook section  128  of the hook  88  through the hook receiving slot  80  in the vertical frame member  60 , with the hook portion  148  of the second leg  146  of the hook section  128  of the hook  88  extending through the smaller extending portion  84  of the hook receiving slot  80 . As the hook section  128  of the hook  88  is inserted into the hook receiving slot  80 , the first leg  144  and the second leg  146  of the hook section  128  will bend towards each other until the hook section  128  is all of the way into the hook receiving slot  80  and the first rectangular portion  130  of the first side section  124  and the first rectangular portion  136  of the second side section  126  abut against the base plate  62  of the vertical frame member  60 . After the hook section  128  is fully inserted into the hook receiving slot  80 , the first leg  144  and the second leg  146  of the hook section  128  will snap outward and capture edges of the rectangular portion  82  of the hook receiving slot  80  in the grooves  150  at the bottom of the first leg  144  and the second leg  146 . Furthermore, the resilient tab  142  snap into the rectangular opening  78  of the hook connection section  76  of the vertical frame member  60 . In the illustrated example, the rectangular openings  78  are located to the left of the hook receiving slot  80  and the smaller extending section  84  of the hook receiving slot  80  extend from the bottom left side of the rectangular portion  82  of the hook receiving slot  80 . Accordingly, the vertical frame member  60  covering the first side edge  42  of the wood panel  12  and the vertical frame member  60  covering the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12  are substantially mirror images of each other, except for the location of the rectangular opening  78  is different on the mirror image (to the left of the hook receiving slots  80  on both vertical frame members  60 ) and the location of the smaller extending section  84  is different on the mirror image (extending from the bottom left of the rectangular portion  82  of the hook receiving slot  80  on both vertical frame members). However, it is contemplated that the rectangular opening  78  and the smaller extending section  84  could be located on the right side of the hook receiving slot  80  and the rectangular portion  82 , respectively. Furthermore, in this contemplated embodiment, the resilient tab  142  of the hooks  88  would have to be on the second rectangular portion  130 . Nevertheless, in the illustrated embodiment, one configuration of the hooks  88  can be used for both vertical frame members  60 .  
      The illustrated horizontal frame members  58  each include either a pair of the first clips  120  in the upper clip connection sections  104  or second clips  122  in the lower clip connection sections  106  for connecting the horizontal frame member  58 , and therefore the wood panel  12 , to the panel system  18 . The first clips  120  ( FIGS. 11A-11C ) include a U-shaped plate  152  and a clip section  154  extending from an edge of the U-shaped plate  152  between the two legs  156  of the U-shaped plate  152 . The clip section  154  has an inverted U-shape and extends upwardly and outwardly from the U-shaped plate  152 . The clip section  154  also includes a resilient tab  157  extending into an opening  158  defined by the U-shaped plate  152  and the clip section  154 . Each leg of the clip section  154  includes a notch  162  adjacent the U-shaped plate  152 . Finally, the U-shaped plate  152  includes a cone portion  160  extending out of the U-shaped plate  152  in the same direction as the clip section  154 .  
      In the illustrated example, one first clip  120  is inserted into each upper clip connection section  104  for the horizontal frame member  58  adjacent the top edge  38  of the wood panel  12  (see  FIGS. 17A-17D ). The first clip  120  is connected to the horizontal frame member  58  by inserting the clip section  154  of the first clip  120  into the larger rectangular portion  112  of the aperture  108  in the base plate  90  and sliding the first clip  120  downwardly such that the clip section  154  slides over the smaller rectangular portion  104  of the aperture  108 , thereby capturing the base plate  90  between the resilient tab  157  of the clip section  154  and the legs  156  of the U-shaped plate  152  of the first clip  120  (see  FIG. 17C ). Once the first clip  120  is in position, opposite edges of the smaller rectangular portion  110  of the aperture  108  will be located in the notches  162  of the clip section  154  and the U-shaped plate  152  of the first clip  120  will be located between the L-shaped hook  92  and the ledge  100  of the horizontal frame member  58 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first clips  120  preferably include nibs  121  that abut against the aperture wall to assist in maintaining the first clips  120  in position.  
      The illustrated second clips  122  ( FIGS. 12A-12C ) are similar to the first clips  120 . The second clips  122  include a U-shaped plate  164  and a clip section  166  extending from an edge of the U-shaped plate  164  between the two legs  168  of the U-shaped plate  164 . The clip section  166  has an inverted U-shape and extends upwardly and outwardly from the U-shaped plate  164 . The clip section  166  also includes a resilient tab  170  extending into an opening  172  defined by the U-shaped plate  164  and the clip section  166 . Each leg of the clip section  166  includes a notch  174  adjacent the U-shaped plate  164 .  
      In the illustrated example, one second clip  122  is inserted into each lower clip connection section  106  for the horizontal frame member  58  adjacent the bottom edge  40  of the wood panel  12  (see  FIGS. 16A-16D ). The second clip  122  is connected to the horizontal frame member  58  by inserting the clip section  166  of the second clip  122  into the larger rectangular portion  116  of the aperture  97  in the base plate  90  and sliding the second clip  122  upwardly such that the clip section  166  slides over the smaller rectangular portion  114  of the aperture  97  thereby capturing the base plate  90  between the resilient tab  170  of the clip section  166  and the legs  168  of the U-shaped plate  164  of the second clip  122  (see  FIG. 16C ). Once the second clip  122  is in position, opposite edges of the smaller rectangular portion  114  of the aperture  108  will be located in the notches  174  of the clip section  166  and the U-shaped plate  164  of the second clip  122  will be located between the L-shaped hook  92  and the ledge  100  of the horizontal frame member  58 .  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 15A-15D , the illustrated skin  10  is constructed by first placing the vertical frame members  60  on the rear face  36  of the wood panel  12  such that the hooks  88  in the vertical frame members  60  have the hook portion  148  of the second leg  146  of the hook section  128  of the hooks  88  facing downwardly ( FIGS. 15A-15B ). Furthermore, the vertical frame members  60  are positioned such that the L-shapes hook  64  of the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the first side edge  42  of the wood panel  12  is located in the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the L-shapes hook  64  of the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12  is located in the second side T-shaped slot  52  (see  FIG. 5 ). Moreover, the second rectangular portion  132  of the first side section  124  and the second rectangular portion  138  of the second side section  126  of the upper hooks  88  in each of the vertical frame members  60  abut against a top edge  151  of the first hook end receiving groove  54  (see  FIG. 15E ). Additionally, the third rectangular portion  134  of the first side section  124  and the third rectangular portion  140  of the second side section  126  of the upper hooks  88  in each of the vertical frame members  60  span the vertical length of the first hook end receiving grooves  54 . Likewise, the second rectangular portion  132  of the first side section  124  and the second rectangular portion  138  of the second side section  126  of the lower hooks  88  in each of the vertical frame members  60  abut against a top edge of the second hook end receiving grooves  56 . Therefore, the vertical frame members  60  can not slide vertically when in position on the wood panel  12  because of the hooks  88  being located within and abutting against portions of the first hook end receiving grooves  54  and the second hook end receiving grooves  56 .  
      In the illustrated example, after the L-shapes hook  64  of the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the first side edge  42  of the wood panel  12  is located in the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the L-shapes hook  64  of the vertical frame member  60  adjacent the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12  is located in the second side T-shaped slot  52 , the vertical frame members  60  are slid towards the center of the wood panel  12  (see  FIGS. 15C-15D ). Accordingly, the L-shaped hooks  64  of the vertical frame members  60  slide under the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 , thereby preventing the vertical frame members  60  from being lifted away from the rear face  36  of the wood panel  12 . Moreover, the upstanding covering flanges  66  of the vertical frame members  60  will cover the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44  of the wood panel  12 . Furthermore, the tabs  74  extending from the upstanding covering flanges  66  will cover a small portion of the front veneer face  34  of the wood panel  12  adjacent the first side edge  42  and the second side edge  44 .  
      After the illustrated vertical frame members  60  have been slid towards the center of the wood panel  12  and the L-shaped hooks  64  of the vertical frame members  60  have slid under the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 , a pair of triangular wedges  200  ( FIGS. 10A-10B ) are slid into the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52  from the bottom edge  40  of the vertical frame members  60  into a space  171  (see  FIG. 15D ) behind the L-shaped hooks  64  of the vertical frame members  60  in a position between the L-shaped hook  64  and the first side edge  42  and between the L-shaped hook  64  and the second side edge  44 . The wedges  200  are inserted into the slots  50  and  52  by first placing one wedge  200  with a point  207  of the wedge  200  going in last in the slot  50  and  52  with ridges  202  of the wedge  200  facing sideways (with a protrusion  204  of the wedge  200  extending out of the slot) until the protrusion  204  sticking up from a top of the wedge  200  hits an end of a slot  205  in the vertical frame member  60  (see  FIG. 15E ). Thereafter, the second wedge  200  is inserted into the slot  50  and  52  in an opposite orientation as the first wedge  200  (i.e., with the point  207  of the wedge  200  inserted first), thereby locking the two wedges together in a ratchet manner as the ridges  202  of the facing wedges  200  move past each other. Therefore, the wedges  200  will prevent the vertical frame members  60  from sliding outwardly and thereby locking the vertical frame members  60  to the wood panel  12 . It is further contemplated that the wedges  200  could be slid into either the bottom of the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 , the top of the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 , or both the bottom and the top of the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 .  
      In the illustrated example, after the vertical frame members  60  have been connected to the wood panel  12 , the horizontal frame members  58  are connected to the wood panel  12 . The horizontal frame members  58  are secured to the wood panel  12  in a manner similar to the connection of the vertical frame members  60  to the wood panel  12 . First, the horizontal frame members  58  are placed on the rear face  36  of the wood panel  12  such that the L-shaped hook  92  of the horizontal frame member  58  adjacent the top edge  38  of the wood panel  12  is located in the upper T-shaped slot  46  and the L-shaped hook  92  of the horizontal frame member  58  adjacent the bottom edge  40  of the wood panel  12  is located in the lower T-shaped slot  48 . Thereafter, the horizontal frame members  58  are slid towards the center of the wood panel  12  to thereby slide the L-shaped hooks  92  under the upper T-shaped slot  46  and the lower T-shaped slot  48 , thereby preventing the horizontal frame members  58  from being lifted away from the rear face  36  of the wood panel  12 . Moreover, the upstanding covering flanges  94  of the horizontal frame members  58  will cover the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40  of the wood panel  12 . Furthermore, the tabs  102  extending from the upstanding covering flanges  94  will cover a small portion of the front veneer face  34  of the wood panel  12  adjacent the top edge  38  and the bottom edge  40 .  
      After the illustrated horizontal frame members  58  have been slid towards the center of the wood panel  12  and the L-shaped hooks  92  of the horizontal frame members  58  have slid under the upper T-shaped slot  46  and the lower side T-shaped slot  48 , a pair of wedges  200  are slid into the rectangular holes  99  in the base plate  90  of the horizontal frame members  58  behind the L-shaped hooks  92  of the horizontal frame members  58  in a position between the L-shaped hook  92  and the top edge  38  and between the L-shaped hook  92  and the bottom edge  40  (see  FIG. 45 ). Therefore, the wedges  200  will prevent the horizontal frame members  58  from sliding outwardly, thereby locking the horizontal frame members  58  to the wood panel  12 . The wedges  200  are positioned in the holes  99  by placing the wedges  200  in opposite orientations as discussed above and moving the wedges  200  towards each other such that the ridges  202  of the wedges  200  ratchet past each other. Furthermore, the upstanding covering flanges  94  of the horizontal frame members  58  will prevent the wedges  200  in the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52  from sliding out of the first side T-shaped slot  50  and the second side T-shaped slot  52 . It is contemplated that the horizontal frame members  58  could be connected to the wood panel  12  before the vertical frame members  58 , with the wedges  200  being inserted into the slot  205  to affix the vertical frame members  58  to the wood panel  12 .  
      In the illustrated embodiment, the second clips  122  are larger than the first clips  120 . Therefore, the second clips  122  can only fit into the aperture  97 . Furthermore, the first clips  120  include a first orientation tab  700  and the second clips  122  include a second orientation tab  702  to ensure that the first clips  120  and the second clips  122  are properly connected to the horizontal frame members  58  and that the horizontal frame members  58  are properly connected to the wood panel  12 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the first orientation tab  700  of the first clip  120  extends from the U-shaped plate  152  in a direction opposite to the clip section  154 . Therefore, when the clip section  154  is inserted into the opening  108  on the horizontal frame member  58 , the first orientation tab  700  extends away from the horizontal frame member  58 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 17 A, the wood panel  12  includes a pair of upper orientation slots  704 . As the upper horizontal frame member  58  is connected to the wood panel  12 , the first orientation tabs  700  of the first clips  120  rest in the upper orientation slots  704 . Moreover, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 16 A, the wood panel  12  also includes a pair of lower orientation slots  706 . However, since both the upper orientation slots  704  and the lower orientation slots  706  are off center, the first orientation tabs  700  cannot fit into the lower orientation slots  706 , thereby preventing the horizontal frame member  58  with the first clips  120  from be connected to the lower end of the wood panel  12 . Likewise, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the second orientation tab  702  of the second clip  122  extends from the U-shaped plate  164  in a direction opposite to the clip section  166 . Therefore, when the clip section  166  is inserted into the opening  97  on the horizontal frame member  58 , the second orientation tab  702  extends away from the horizontal frame member  58 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 16 A, the wood panel  12  includes a pair of lower orientation slots  706 . As the lower horizontal frame member  58  is connected to the wood panel  12 , the second orientation tabs  702  of the second clips  122  rest in the lower orientation slots  706 . However, since both the upper orientation slots  704  and the lower orientation slots  706  are off center, the second orientation tabs  702  cannot fit into the upper orientation slots  704 , thereby preventing the horizontal frame member  58  with the second clips  122  from be connected to the upper end of the wood panel  12 .  
      In the illustrated example, the wedges  200  have a triangular cross section and include ridges  202  along two opposing faces thereof. The wedges  200  are configured to be inserted with the ridges  202  of two wedges  200  facing each other, thereby preventing the wedges  200  from sliding away from each other longitudinally in any of the first side T-shaped slot  50 , the second side T-shaped slot  52 , the upper T-shaped slot  46  or the lower T-shaped slot  48 .  
      The illustrated skin  10  is connected to the panel frame  18  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18A-18C . First, the second clips  122  are inserted into the second openings  30  of the horizontal frame member  24  behind a lower end of the skin  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 18A and 18B , with the clip section  166  of the second clips  122  resting on a bottom edge of the second openings  30 . Thereafter, the top of the skin  10  is rotated towards the open frame  20 . As the hooks  88  are rotated to abut against the front faces  28  of the vertical frame members  22 , an outer slanted edge  600  of the hook portion  148  will abut against the front faces  28  to move the skin  10  slightly upward to allow the hook portion  148  to enter the plurality of first openings  26  on the front face  28  of the vertical frame members  22  and the first clips  120  will be located in the opening  30  on the upper horizontal frame member  24 . Thereafter, the skin  10  will drop into place, with a portion of the vertical frame members  22  of the open frame  20  of the panel system  18  being located behind the hook portion  148  of the second leg  146  of the hook section  128  of the hooks  88 . Furthermore, the resilient tabs  142  of the hooks  88  will abut against the front faces  28  of the vertical frame members  22  of the open frame  20  of the panel system  18 , thereby preventing the skin  10  from rattling against the open frame  20 . Moreover, after the skin  10  is moved into position on the panel frame  18 , the area of the front face  32  below the second openings  30  of the horizontal frame members  24  is captured between the horizontal frame member  58  and the resilient tabs  157  of the first clips  120  in the upper horizontal frame member  24  and between the horizontal frame member  58  and the resilient tabs  170  of the second clips  122  in the lower horizontal frame member  24 . Furthermore, an inner slanted edge  602  of the hook portion  148  will abut against a rear surface of the vertical frame members  22  behind the front faces  28  to pull the skin  10  back against the front faces  28  if the skin  10  is moved away from the front face  28 , thereby maintaining the skin  10  against the open frame  20 . Finally, it is noted that the cone  160  of the clips  120  will be positioned within the opening  30  and abut against the top edge of the opening  30  as the skin  10  is moved into position. As a final note, the skin  10  can be removed from the open frame  20  by lifting the skin  10  upward and rotating the top of the skin  10  outward (i.e., the skin  10  can be removed in the opposite manner in which it is installed). Furthermore, the skin  10  can be taken apart by removing the wedges  200  and the marginal frame members  14  in an manner opposite to which it is constructed.  
      It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention. For example, it is contemplated that the marginal frame members  14  can be engaged with the wood panel  12  by many means (e.g., fasteners, adhesive, fast drying adhesive positioned into the T-shaped slots instead of the wedge members, etc.). Furthermore, it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.