Patent ID: 8584424

Claim:
A panel system, comprising: a first panel and an adjacent second panel, each said panel including an integral upstanding leg joined at a seam, each said panel having an outer face and an inner surface defining a width of each said panel with each said upstanding leg extending upward relative to said inner surface a distance of less than said width to define a recess between each said first panel and said second panel when each said upstanding leg is joined; a clip assembly attached to each said upstanding leg between and across said seam to secure each said panel, wherein said clip assembly includes a base clip including a base flange and a vertical web extending from said base flange, said vertical web adapted to be disposed between said first panel and said second panel at said seam, and wherein a top flange extends from said vertical web directed to one side of said base clip; wherein said clip assembly includes a retainer clip, said retainer clip further comprising a hemmed leg and an un-hemmed leg extending obliquely opposite said hemmed leg to form said retainer clip generally of an inverted U-shape, said un-hemmed leg adapted to abut and constrain said second panel, said hemmed leg curved and sufficiently open such that said hemmed leg can engage said top flange while concurrently abutting and constraining said first panel; and, a batten adapted to snap onto each said upstanding leg within said recess to fill said recess and cover said clip assembly, said batten having an outer batten face, said outer batten face approximating a level of said outer face of each said panel so as to be substantially aligned with said outer face of each said panel when snapped onto each said upstanding leg such that a transition from said outer face to said outer batten face is substantially level.