Panel system for building studs

Abstract

A panel system is provided for constructing building walls. The panel system includes panels with first and second tabs adapted for installation on building studs, including metal building studs. The panels may be made from a plastic material that is recyclable, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of building construction. The panels also include overlapping edges to provide a smooth joint between adjacent panels.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A panel adapted for installation on building studs, comprising: a first side comprising a first tab and a first side edge, said first tab being adapted for fastening to a first building stud, said first side edge being adapted to be adjacent a side edge of a first adjacent panel; and a second side comprising a second tab and a second side edge, said second tab being adapted for fastening to a second building stud, said second side edge being adapted to be adjacent a side edge of a second adjacent panel.  
     
     
         2 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel is made from a plastic material.  
     
     
         3 . The panel according to  claim 2 , wherein said panel is extruded.  
     
     
         4 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second building studs are made from metal.  
     
     
         5 . The panel according to  claim 4 , wherein said first tab is shaped complementary to an open side of said first metal building stud.  
     
     
         6 . The panel according to  claim 5 , wherein said open side of said first metal building stud comprises an opposing end comprising an outer face and an end, and wherein said first tab comprises a first section extending along said outer face and a second section extending along said end.  
     
     
         7 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said second tab is flexible and is angled towards a closed face of said second building stud thereby being adapted to grip said closed face.  
     
     
         8 . The panel according to  claim 7 , wherein said second tab is angled about 3° to 12° and comprises teeth adapted to grip said closed face of said second building stud.  
     
     
         9 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said first side edge is overlapped by said side edge of said first adjacent panel.  
     
     
         10 . The panel according to  claim 9 , wherein said first side edge extends along an outer mounting face of said first building stud and is angled inward forming a terminus adjacent said outer mounting face.  
     
     
         11 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said second side edge overlaps said side edge of said second adjacent panel.  
     
     
         12 . The panel according to  claim 11 , wherein said second side edge extends along an outer mounting face of said second building stud and is angled outward forming a terminus abutting an outer surface of said side edge of said second adjacent panel.  
     
     
         13 . The panel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a light integrally formed on said panel.  
     
     
         14 . The panel according to  claim 13 , wherein said light is formed with sections of said panel stretched away from an outside surface of said panel.  
     
     
         15 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said panel is made from a plastic material; wherein said first and second building studs are made from metal; wherein said first tab is shaped complementary to an open side of said first metal building stud; and wherein said second tab is flexible and is angled towards a closed face of said second metal building stud thereby being adapted to grip said closed face.  
     
     
         16 . The panel according to  claim 15 , wherein said panel is extruded; wherein said open side of said first metal building stud comprises an opposing end comprising an outer face and an end, and wherein said first tab comprises a first section extending along said outer face and a second section extending along said end; and wherein said second tab is angled about 3° to 12° and comprises teeth adapted to grip said closed face of said second metal building stud.  
     
     
         17 . The panel according to  claim 16 , wherein said second side edge overlaps said side edge of said second adjacent panel; and wherein said second side edge extends along an outer mounting face of said second metal building stud and is angled outward forming a terminus abutting an outer surface of said side edge of said second adjacent panel.  
     
     
         18 . A panel system adapted for installation on building studs, comprising: a panel and an end panel; said panel comprising a first side comprising a first tab and a first side edge, said first tab being adapted for fastening to a first building stud, said first side edge being adapted to be adjacent a side edge of a first adjacent panel, and a second side comprising a second tab and a second side edge, said second tab being adapted for fastening to a second building stud, said second side edge being adapted to be adjacent a side edge of said end panel; said end panel comprising a first section extending along a side of an end building stud and a second section extending along an outer mounting face of said end building stud, said second section comprising said side edge of said end panel.  
     
     
         19 . The panel system according to  claim 18 , wherein said end panel is fastened to said end building stud with adhesive.  
     
     
         20 . The panel system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a base panel.  
     
     
         21 . The panel system according to  claim 20 , further comprising a ceiling trim.  
     
     
         22 . A panel adapted for installation on metal building studs, comprising: a first side comprising a first tab and a first side edge, said first tab being shaped complementary to an open side of a first metal building stud; and a second side comprising a second tab and a second side edge, said second tab being flexible and angled towards a closed face of a second metal building stud thereby being adapted to grip said closed face.