Surface coverings including decorative strips

Abstract

Panels include decorative strips and are suitable for wall or ceiling coverings, or for use as screens, shades or the like. The panels may be modular panels, for installation with a number of like panels to form a covering. The panels may be configured to disguise the joins between panels so as to approximate, or create the illusion of, a continuous covering. Each panel may include a number of decorative strips and a number of transverse supports supporting the decorative strips.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A panel including one or more supports and a plurality of decorative strips, each support comprising an elongate member having a plurality of transverse notches arranged along its length for receiving and retaining the strips, each notch having one or more profiled edges. 
     
     
         20 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  being an interior or exterior wall or ceiling covering panel; or an interior or exterior screen panel. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the profiled edges are shaped for retention of the decorative strips. 
     
     
         23 . A panel as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the profile of each notch is a toothed profile. 
     
     
         24 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  being a modular panel, configured to be installed with one or more like panels. 
     
     
         25 . A panel as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the edges of each panel are shaped to receive a support structure. 
     
     
         26 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the decorative strips are formed from timber, metal or plastics material. 
     
     
         27 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the supports are generally U-shaped supports. 
     
     
         28 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the supports are formed from a metal. 
     
     
         29 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the supports are extrusions. 
     
     
         30 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the decorative strips are arranged in parallel spaced apart relationship. 
     
     
         31 . A panel as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the decorative stripes are arranged with respect to the supports such that their width is substantially perpendicular to the supports and each of the decorative strips is substantially wider than it is thick. 
     
     
         32 . A panel including one or more supports and a plurality of decorative strips, each support comprising an elongate member having a plurality of transverse notches arranged along its length for receiving and retaining the strips, wherein each support is substantially U-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         33 . A panel including one or more elongate supports and a plurality of decorative strips each having a back surface with a plurality of notches formed therein, wherein each elongate support is received within notches in two or more of the decorative strips and has a cross-sectional shape matching the shape of the notches. 
     
     
         34 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  being an interior or exterior wall or ceiling covering panel; or an interior or exterior screen panel. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein each notch has a shape which impedes movement of the elongate support perpendicular to the back surface and out of the notch. 
     
     
         37 . A panel as claimed in  claim 36  wherein each notch has a shape which is narrower at the back surface than at a widest point of the notch. 
     
     
         38 . A panel as claimed in  claim 37  wherein each notch is a dovetail shape. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the elongate supports are formed as extrusions. 
     
     
         41 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein each decorative strip is secured to the appropriate elongate supports using a fastener or adhesive. 
     
     
         42 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the elongate supports are configured to engage with one or more joining members for joining the elongate supports and/or mounting the covering to an interior or exterior wall or ceiling. 
     
     
         43 . A panel as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the elongate supports engage with the joining members using a push-fit. 
     
     
         44 . A panel as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the joining members are formed as extrusions. 
     
     
         45 . A panel as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the joining members are substantially T-shaped extrusions. 
     
     
         46 . A panel as claimed in  claim 42  wherein the joining members are arranged to support a backing material. 
     
     
         47 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the panel is modular, and is configured to be installed with one or more like panels. 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the elongate supports are arranged to protrude from one edge of a panel and to provide a recess at the opposite edge of the panel, so that when installed with like panels the elongate supports overlap the join between panels. 
     
     
         50 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein joining members engage with the elongate supports for joining the elongate supports and/or mounting the covering to a wall or ceiling, and these joining members span two or more panels. 
     
     
         51 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the decorative strips are formed from timber, engineered wood, metal or plastics material. 
     
     
         52 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the decorative strips are arranged in parallel spaced apart relationship. 
     
     
         53 . A panel as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the decorative strips are arranged with respect to the supports such that their width is substantially perpendicular to the supports and each of the decorative strips is substantially wider than it is thick. 
     
     
         54 . (canceled)