Architectural panel hanger

Abstract

The device to hang an architectural panel on a wall preferably comprises a support structure having first and second surfaces and a circumferential surface therebetween, a hole between the first and second surfaces, and a screw having a head, shaft and plurality of threads about the shaft. The screw is located in the hole and connected to the support structure such that the head is at or below the first surface of the support structure and the shaft is perpendicular thereto. The device can be driven into a wall and will support an architectural panel locatable thereon. Specifically, a panel clip, attached to the back of the architectural panel, can be placed on the support structure and the device will support the panel placed thereon. The circumferential surface of the support structure preferably includes a bevel to facilitate the placement of the panel clip onto the support structure.

1 . A device to hang an architectural panel on a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface and the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, wherein the first surface of the Z-type panel clip is capable of being operatively connected to the back surface of the architectural panel, said device comprising:
 a support structure having a first and a second surface, and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, and wherein the support structure is intended to allow the Z-type panel clip, while operatively connected to an architectural panel, to be placed thereover such that the first surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip;   a hole, located between the first and second surfaces of the support structure, capable of receiving a screw having a head, a shaft and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft such that the head of the screw is locatable in the hole at or below the first surface of the support structure and the shaft is locatable perpendicular thereto; and   a screw having a head, a shaft and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the screw is located in the hole and operatively connected to the support structure such that the head of the screw is at or below the first surface of the support structure and the shaft is perpendicular thereto;   wherein at least a portion of the threads of the screw is capable of being driven into a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure can be aligned with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location, and the device is capable of supporting the architectural panel operatively locatable thereon.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hole is countersunk to receive the head of the screw. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of one of the surfaces of the support structure is concave. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential surface of the support structure includes a bevel. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the support structure are substantially flat and substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is round. 
   
   
       7 . A device to hang an architectural panel on a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface and the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, wherein the first surface of the Z-type panel clip is capable of being operatively connected to the back surface of the architectural panel, said device comprising:
 a support structure having a first and a second surface, and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, and wherein the support structure is intended to allow the Z-type panel clip, while operatively connected to an architectural panel, to be placed thereover such that the first surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip;   a shaft integral with the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft is perpendicular to the first surface of the support structure; and   an indentation in the first surface of the support structure, wherein the indentation enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby allowing   at least a portion of the threads of the shaft to be driven into a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure can be aligned with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location, the device being capable of supporting the architectural panel operatively locatable thereon.   
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of one of the surfaces of the support structure is concave. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the circumferential surface of the support structure includes a bevel. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the support structure are substantially flat and substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the support structure is round. 
   
   
       12 . A method of hanging an architectural panel onto a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall and a device, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, the device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a hole located between the first and second surfaces of the support structure, and a screw located in the hole and operatively connected to the support structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the screw of the device such that at least a portion of the screw of the device is operatively connected to a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in vertical alignment with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location;   connecting the Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the an architectural panel; and   placing the Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the screw of the device, whereby at least a portion of the screw is driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises the step of aligning the screw of the device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the screw of the device. 
   
   
       15 . A method of hanging at least two architectural panels onto a wall using at least two Z-type panel clips without the need to shim the wall and at least two devices, each architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, each Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, and each device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a hole located between the first and second surfaces of the support structure, and a screw located in the hole and operatively connected to the support structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the screw of the first device such that at least a portion of the screw of the first device is operatively connected to a first location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device corresponds to a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the first location;   rotating the screw of the second device such that at least a portion of the screw of the second device is operatively connected to a second location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device corresponds to the predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the second location;   connecting the first Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the first architectural panel;   connecting the second Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the second architectural panel;   placing the first Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the first architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the first device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the first architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the first Z-type panel clip; and   placing the second Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the second architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the second device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the second architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the second Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the screw of the first device, whereby at least a portion of the screw of the first device is driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 aligning the screw of the first device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the screw of the first device; and   aligning the screw of the second device to the predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the screw of the second device.   
   
   
       18 . A method of hanging an architectural panel onto a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall and a device, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, and the device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a shaft integral with the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, and an indentation in the first surface of the support structure that enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the indentation of the device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft is operatively connected to a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in vertical alignment with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location;   connecting the Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the architectural panel; and   placing the Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the device, whereby at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft are driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises the step of aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the device. 
   
   
       21 . A method of hanging at least two architectural panels onto a wall using at least two Z-type panel clips without the need to shim the wall and at least two devices, each architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, each Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, and each device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a shaft integral with the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, and an indentation in the first surface of the support structure that enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the indentation of the first device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the first device is operatively connected to a first location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device corresponds to a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the first location;   rotating the indentation of the second device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the second device is operatively connected to a second location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device corresponds to the predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the second location;   connecting the first Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the first architectural panel;   connecting the second Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the second architectural panel;   placing the first Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the first architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the first device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the first architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the first Z-type panel clip; and   placing the second Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the second architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the second device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the second architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the second Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the first device, whereby at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the first device is driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the first device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the first device; and   aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the second device to the predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the second device.   
   
   
       24 . A device to hang an architectural panel on a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface and the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, wherein the first surface of the Z-type panel clip is capable of being operatively connected to the back surface of the architectural panel, said device comprising:
 a support structure having a first and a second surface, and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, and wherein the support structure is intended to allow the Z-type panel clip, while operatively connected to an architectural panel, to be placed thereover such that the first surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure would be in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip;   a shaft operatively connected to the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft is perpendicular to the first surface of the support structure; and   an indentation operatively connected to the first surface of the support structure, wherein the indentation enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby allowing at least a portion of the threads of the shaft to be driven into a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure can be aligned with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location, the device being capable of supporting the architectural panel operatively locatable thereon.   
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the support structure are substantially flat and substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of one of the surfaces of the support structure is concave. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the circumferential surface of the support structure includes a bevel. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the shaft is integral with the support structure. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the support structure further comprises a hole, located between the first and second surfaces of the support structure, capable of receiving a screw having a head such that the head of the screw is locatable in the hole at or below the first surface of the support structure; and
 wherein the device further comprises a screw, the screw having the shaft, the tip, the longitudinal axis, the plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft and a head, the head having the indentation, wherein the screw is located in the hole and operatively connected to the support structure such that the head of the screw is at or below the first surface of the support structure and the shaft is perpendicular thereto.   
   
   
       30 . A method of hanging an architectural panel onto a wall using a Z-type panel clip without the need to shim the wall and a device, the architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, the Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, and the device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a shaft operatively connected to the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, and an indentation operatively connected to the first surface of the support structure that enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the indentation of the device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft is operatively connected to a location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in vertical alignment with a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at that location;   connecting the Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the architectural panel; and   placing the Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with back surface of the architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the device, whereby at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft are driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method further comprises the step of aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the device. 
   
   
       33 . A method of hanging at least two architectural panels onto a wall using at least two Z-type panel clips without the need to shim the wall and at least two devices, each architectural panel having a front surface and a back surface, each Z-type panel clip having a first surface and second surface offset a predetermined distance from each other and a third surface therebetween, the distance between the first surface and the second surface of the Z-type panel clip being defined as the engagement width, and each device comprising a support structure having a first and a second surface and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the distance between the first and second surfaces of the support structure is less than or equal to the engagement width of the Z-type panel clip, a shaft operatively connected to the support structure, the shaft having a tip, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of threads located about at least a portion of the shaft, and an indentation operatively connected to the first surface of the support structure that enables the threads located about the shaft to circumrotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating the indentation of the first device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the first device is operatively connected to a first location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device corresponds to a predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the first location;   rotating the indentation of the second device such that at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the second device is operatively connected to a second location of the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device corresponds to the predetermined vertical reference, thus obviating the need to shim the wall at the second location;   connecting the first Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the first architectural panel;   connecting the second Z-type panel clip to the back surface of the second architectural panel;   placing the first Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the first architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the first device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the first architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the first device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the first Z-type panel clip; and   placing the second Z-type panel clip connected to the back surface of the second architectural panel over a portion of the support structure of the second device operatively connected to the wall such that the first surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with back surface of the second architectural panel and at least a portion of the second surface of the support structure of the second device is in juxtaposition with at least a portion of the second surface of the second Z-type panel clip.   
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the method further comprises the step of attaching blocking to the wall prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the first device, whereby at least a portion of the threads located about the shaft of the first device is driven into the blocking before being operatively connected to the wall. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the first device to a predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the first device; and   aligning the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the second device to the predetermined horizontal reference prior to the step of rotating the indentation of the second device.