Patent ID: 8584425

Claim:
A mounting bracket and wall panel assembly dimensioned for securement along an associated wall structure, said assembly comprising: a wall panel formed from thin-walled material having a first panel side, a second panel side opposite said first panel side and a substantially uniform wall thickness between said first and second sides, said wall panel extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end spaced from said first end such that a wall panel length is defined between said first and second ends, said wall panel including: a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge spaced apart from said first edge such that a wall panel height is defined between said first and second edges; a first joint element extending lengthwise along said first edge, and a second joint element extending lengthwise along said second edge, said first and second joint elements dimensioned to cooperatively interengage a corresponding one of associated first and second joint elements on an associated second wall panel; a mounting wall portion extending lengthwise along said first edge and disposed outwardly of said first joint element in a heightwise direction; and, a mounting bracket operatively engaging said mounting wall portion of said wall panel, said mounting bracket including: a fastening portion extending in a heightwise direction outwardly beyond said mounting wall portion of said wall panel; and, a panel engaging portion disposed along said mounting wall portion of said wall panel, said panel engaging portion including first and second wall segments; said first wall segment disposed along said first panel side of said wall panel and abuttingly engaging said mounting wall portion along said first panel side; and, said second wall segment disposed along said second panel side of said wall panel and abuttingly engaging said mounting wall portion along said second panel side.