Modular components for building structures

Abstract

A method of constructing a first interior building structure includes providing a first panel, the first panel including a first plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures and providing a second panel, the second panel including a second plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures. A first mounting structure is mounted on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the first panel. A second mounting structure is mounted on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the second panel. The first panel is coupled to the second panel by interlocking the first mounting structure with the second mounting structure, wherein, when the first panel is mounted to the second panel, the first and the second mounting structures are hidden from an exterior of the first and the second panels.

1 . A method of constructing a first interior building structure comprising: 
 providing a first panel, the first panel including a first plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures;    providing a second panel, the second panel including a second plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures;    providing a first mounting structure on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the first panel;    providing a second mounting structure on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the second panel;    coupling the first panel to the second panel by interlocking the first mounting structure with the second mounting structure, wherein, when the first panel is mounted to the second panel, the first and the second mounting structures are hidden from an exterior of the first and the second panels.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first mounting structure includes a bolt and the second mounting structure includes a bracket with a longitudinal slot for slidably receiving the bolt.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is mounted on a recess formed at an end of the panel so as to not protrude out from the end of the panel to hide the bracket from view when the first panel is mounted to the second panel.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first panel is between a range of 9 inches and 48 inches in width and between a range of 6 inches and 96 inches in length, and the panel includes a thickness, wherein the width and the length of the panel are provided in increments within the ranges for the length and the width, wherein the increments are determined by the thickness of the panel, wherein the increments are generally equal to a factor of the thickness of the panel.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the increments are generally equal to the thickness of the panel.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the second panel are coupled in a perpendicular configuration.  
   
   
       7 . A modular building structure comprising: 
 a first panel including a first plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures;    a second panel including a second plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures;    a first mounting structure mounted on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the first panel; and    a second mounting structure mounted on at least one of the reinforcement structures of the second panel;    wherein the first mounting structure is interlocked with the second mounting structure to couple the first panel to the second panel such that the first and the second mounting structures are hidden from an exterior of the first and the second panels when coupled.    
   
   
       8 . A modular building structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first mounting structure includes a bolt and the second mounting structure includes a bracket with a longitudinal slot for slidably receiving the bolt.  
   
   
       9 . A modular building structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the bracket is mounted on a recess formed at an end of the second panel so as to not protrude out from the end of the second panel to hide the bracket from view when the first panel is mounted to the second panel.  
   
   
       10 . A modular building structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first panel is between a range of 9 inches and 48 inches in width and between a range of 6 inches and 96 inches in length, and the panel includes a thickness, wherein the width and the length of the panel are provided in increments within the ranges for the length and the width, wherein the increments are determined by the thickness of the panel, wherein the increments are generally equal to a factor of the thickness of the panel.  
   
   
       11 . A modular building structure according to  claim 10 , wherein the increments are generally equal to the thickness of the panel.  
   
   
       12 . A modular building structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the first panel and the second panel are coupled in a perpendicular configuration.  
   
   
       13 . A method hanging a first panel to a preexisting wall, comprising: 
 providing a first panel, the first panel including a first plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement structures;    providing a horizontal rail;    fastening the rail to the wall with fasteners;    fastening a bracket to one of the reinforcement structures, wherein a portion of the bracket extends into the first panel and is hidden from view when the first panel is mounted to the wall; and    capturing the horizontal rail by at least a portion of the bracket to frictionally hold the panel against the wall.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first panel is hung horizontally with respect to the wall.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first panel is hung vertically with respect to the wall.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising inserting a screw through a major face of the panel, through the bracket, and into the rail.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the bracket includes a C-shape.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the bracket includes a Z-shape.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising cutting a cut-out at a rear face of the panel and hanging the panel so as to receive the rail within the cut-out.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first panel can be hung against the wall at an infinite number of different points along the horizontal rail.