Apparatus for mounting elongate architectural panels to a structure

Abstract

Apparatus for mounting elongate architectural panels to a structure and a method of forming the apparatus. The panels are of the type having longitudinal flanges extending from the panel, along opposite sides. The apparatus includes a clip which has a generally planar base with a leg extending from the base. Two downwardly opening slots at the leg terminus are each adapted to engage a flange of a different architectural panel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for mounting elongate architectural panels to a structure, the panels being of the type having longitudinal flanges along opposite sides, the apparatus including an elongate clip which comprises; 
 a generally planar base with a leg extending from said base; and    two downwardly opening slots formed on said leg, each slot being adapted to engage a flange of a different architectural panel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal dimension of said elongate clip is substantially as long as the length of said architectural panels.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal dimension of said elongate clip is substantially as long as the length of the structure to which it is desired to mount said architectural panels.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said slots are formed at the terminus of said leg.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said leg further comprises means for maintaining a flange within one of said slots.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel flanges have means for maintaining said flanges within said slots.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said leg and said panel flanges have cooperating means for maintaining said flanges within said slots.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said clip is constructed from a single piece of material.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel has flanges on at least two edges.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein one upstanding flange is shorter than at least one other flange.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said clip is adapted to be mounted to a structure by means of fasteners and said clip further comprises means for maintaining said panel in a position spaced from said fasteners.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said base has a predetermined fastener location, said base having at least one raised ridge on said base adjacent said fastener location.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said base has two raised ridges with said predetermined fastener location lying between said ridges.  
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a clip apparatus from an longitudinal planar sheet of material, the steps comprising; 
 bending said sheet to form a base and a leg extending from said base;    bending said leg to form a first downwardly opening slot; and    bending said leg to form a second downwardly opening slot.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said further comprising the step of bending said leg to form a connection structure therein.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said connection structure is a hook.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said connection structure has a ridge configuration.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said connection structure has an elongated nose configuration.