Patent ID: 8468767

Claim:
A wall panel system, comprising: (a) a first wall panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first groove extending along a first end portion between the inner and outer surfaces, and a second groove extending along a second end portion between the inner and outer surfaces of the first wall panel, wherein the inner surface of the first wall panel is positioned against a wall; (b) a second wall panel having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a third groove extending along a third end portion between the inner and outer surfaces of the second wall panel, wherein the inner surface of the second wall panel is positioned against the wall; and (c) a spline, comprising: (i) a central polygonal portion having an inner surface, an outer surface in a spaced relationship with the inner surface, a first lateral surface extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface, and a second lateral surface extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface; (ii) a first spline tongue extending outwardly from the first lateral surface, the first spline tongue defining an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the first spline tongue is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the central polygonal portion, a second spline tongues tongue extending outwardly from the second lateral surface, the second spline tongue defining an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the second spline tongue is substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the central polygonal portion and the outer surface of the first spline tongue, wherein the first spline tongue is mateable mated with the first groove of the first wall panel and wherein the second spline tongue is mateable mated with the third groove of the second wall panel, and wherein the inner surface of the central polygonal portion is positioned against the wall; and (iii) a spline recess defined within the outer surface of the central polygonal portion between the first and second spline tongues such that the spline recess extends from the outer surface toward the inner surface of the central polygonal portion, wherein at least one fastener is received within at least one opening defined in the spline recess such that a portion of the at least one fastener is housed in the recess.