Panel interlocking system

Abstract

A panel interlocking system ( 100 ) for locking a panel ( 102 ) to an opposite panel structure ( 202 ) via substantially vertical ( 104 ) and horizontal ( 106 ) rods positioned generally parallel to a plane defined by the panel ( 102 ) and to be embedded therewith in a filler material poured adjacent the panel ( 102 ) in a direction toward the panel structure ( 202 ). The system ( 100 ) includes at least one panel securing bracket ( 112 ) having a body ( 114 ) with a first end ( 116 ) for connecting to the panel ( 102 ) and a generally opposite second end ( 118 ) for connecting to the rods ( 104,106 ). The second end ( 118 ) has a rod opening ( 120 ) extending there through for receiving the vertical rod ( 104 ) therein and defines a rod abutting region ( 122 ) adjacent the rod opening ( 120 ) toward the first end ( 116 ) for abutment with the horizontal rod ( 106 ), such that the horizontal rod ( 106 ) abuts to and between the vertical rod ( 104 ) and a structure rod ( 204 ) to be interlocked there between for locking the panel ( 102 ) to the panel structure ( 202 ).

1 . A panel interlocking system ( 100 ) for locking a panel ( 102 ) to an opposite panel structure ( 202 ), said system ( 100 ) being adapted to connect to substantially orthogonal first ( 104 ) and second ( 106 ) rods positioned generally parallel to a plane defined by the panel ( 102 ), and to be embedded therewith in a filler material poured adjacent the panel ( 102 ) in a direction toward the panel structure ( 202 ), said system ( 100 ) comprising:
 at least one panel securing bracket ( 112 ) having a body ( 114 ) with a first end ( 116 ) for connecting to the panel ( 102 ) and a generally opposite second end ( 118 ) for connecting to the orthogonal rods ( 104 , 106 ), the second end ( 118 ) having at least one first rod opening ( 120 ) extending therethrough for slidably receiving the first rod ( 104 ) therein, the second end ( 118 ) defining a second rod abutting region ( 122 ) adjacent the at least one first rod opening ( 120 ) in a direction toward the first end ( 116 ) for being in abutment contact with the second rod ( 106 ), whereby said second rod ( 106 ) being adapted to be in abutment contact to and between the first rod ( 104 ) and a structure rod ( 204 ) so as to be interlocked therebetween for locking the panel ( 102 ) to the panel structure ( 202 ).   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first end ( 716 ) includes a first end surface ( 750 ) facing substantially away from said second end ( 718 ) for being in abutment contact with a surface ( 703 ) of the panel ( 702 ). 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said first end ( 716 ) includes a through opening ( 752 ) extending through said first end surface ( 750 ) for receiving a fastener ( 754 ) therethrough for connection to the panel ( 702 ). 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further including a generally cylindrical fastener ( 754 ) extending through a through bore ( 756 ) of the panel ( 702 ) and having a protrusion ( 758 ) extending out of said panel surface ( 703 ), said protrusion ( 758 ) defining a circumferential groove ( 760 ) adjacent the panel surface ( 703 ), wherein said first end ( 716 ) includes a through opening ( 752 ) slidably engaging said circumferential groove ( 760 ) via an opening mouth ( 752 ′) for securing the bracket ( 712 ) to the panel ( 702 ). 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said cylindrical fastener ( 754 ) includes a head ( 762 ) adapted to be in abutment contact with a panel second surface ( 705 ) facing generally away from the bracket ( 712 ). 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said cylindrical fastener ( 754 ) includes a head ( 762 ) adapted to engage a counter bore ( 756 ′) of the panel through bore ( 756 ) on a panel second surface ( 705 ) facing generally away from the bracket ( 712 ) so as to allow the fastener head ( 762 ) to rest below the panel second surface ( 705 ). 
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said body ( 114 ) has a generally V-shape defining an open end and an opposite closed end forming said first end ( 116 ) and said second end ( 118 ) respectively, said open end ( 116 ) being securable to the panel ( 102 ), said closed end ( 118 ) being rounded so as to form said first rod opening ( 120 ). 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said body ( 114 ) is made out of a plate folded to form the V-shape. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said folded plate ( 114 ) defines a plurality of said bracket ( 112 ) being positioned in an end-to-end configuration with all said first rod openings ( 120 ) being in register with each other for slidably receiving the first rod ( 104 ) therein, said closed end ( 118 ) including a plurality of cutouts ( 124 ) extending from the second end ( 118 ) toward the first end ( 116 ), each said cutout ( 124 ) defining a respective said second rod abutting region ( 122 ) for being in abutment contact with a respective said second rod ( 106 ). 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said body ( 514 ) is made out of a rigid wire folded to form a plurality of said V-shape of said brackets ( 512 ) positioned in a side-by-side configuration with two adjacent said V-shapes ( 512 ) being spaced apart from one another by a respective wire spacing segment ( 534 ), the wire forming a plurality of said second rod abutting region ( 522 ) for being in abutment contact with the second rod ( 506 ), each said first rod opening ( 520 ) being for slidably receiving a respective said first rod ( 504 ) therein, said spacing segments ( 534 ) of the wire ( 514 ) being securable to the panel ( 502 ). 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said spacing segments ( 534 ) of the wire are embedded within the panel ( 502 ), whereby said V-shapes ( 512 ) protrude out of said panel ( 502 ) for connecting to the first ( 504 ) and second ( 506 ) rods. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , including a plurality of said folded rigid wire ( 514 ) positioned in a side-by-side configuration with each said V-shape ( 512 ) being in register with a corresponding said V-shape of each said rigid wire ( 514 ), whereby all registered second end openings ( 520 ) being adapted for slidably receiving a respective said first rod ( 504 ) therein, said plurality of rigid wires ( 514 ) being secured to each other via a plurality of cross bars ( 536 ) spaced apart from one another, whereby said rigid wires ( 514 ) and said cross bars ( 536 ) forming a folded wire mesh ( 538 ). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one said cross bar ( 536 ) is located adjacent each said bracket closed second end ( 518 ) of registered V-shapes ( 512 ) for being in abutment contact with corresponding said second rods ( 506 ) when corresponding said second rods ( 506 ) are in abutment contact with said first rods ( 504 ) positioned through corresponding said first rod openings ( 520 ). 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said body ( 214 ) is made out of a plate having said first end ( 216 ) being folded substantially orthogonally relative to the plate ( 214 ) for securing to the panel ( 202 ), said plate ( 214 ) having said second end ( 218 ) being arcuately folded to form a saddle facing toward the first end ( 216 ) and defining said first rod opening ( 220 ) for slidably receiving the first rod ( 204 ) therein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said saddle ( 220 ) extends over at least an angle of about 270 degrees for defining said first rod opening. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said plate ( 214 ) defines a plurality of said bracket ( 212 ) being positioned in an end-to-end configuration with all said first rod openings ( 220 ) being in register with each other for slidably receiving the first rod ( 204 ) therein, said plate ( 214 ) including a plurality of cutouts ( 224 ) extending from the second end ( 218 ) toward the first end ( 216 ) defining adjacent said first rod openings ( 220 ), each said cutout ( 224 ) defining a respective said second rod abutting region ( 222 ) for being in abutment contact with a respective said second rod ( 106 ). 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said first ends ( 216 ) of said plate ( 214 ) are folded orthogonally relative to the plate ( 214 ) in an alternating configuration in opposite directions. 
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said bracket ( 712 ) being positioned in an end-to-end configuration with all said first rod openings ( 720 ) being in register with each other to slidably receive the first rod ( 704 ) therein. 
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A panel interlocking system ( 100 ) for attachment to an opposite panel structure ( 202 ), said system comprising:
 a panel ( 102 ) for locking to the panel structure ( 202 );   at least one first rod ( 104 ) and at least one second rod ( 106 ), substantially orthogonal to each other, positioned generally parallel to a plane defined by the panel ( 102 ); and   at least one bracket ( 112 ) having a body ( 114 ) with a first end ( 116 ) connecting to the panel ( 102 ) and a generally opposite second end ( 118 ) connecting to the orthogonal rods ( 104 , 106 ), the second end ( 118 ) having at least one first rod opening ( 120 ) extending therethrough for slidably receiving the first rod ( 104 ) therein, the second end ( 118 ) defining a second rod abutting region ( 122 ) adjacent the at least one first rod opening ( 120 ) in a direction toward the first end ( 116 ) for being in abutment contact with the second rod ( 106 ), said second rod ( 106 ) being adapted to be in abutment contact to and between the first rod ( 104 ) and a structure rod ( 204 ) so as to be interlocked therebetween for locking the panel ( 102 ) to the panel structure ( 202 ), whereby said at least one bracket ( 112 ), said first ( 104 ) and second ( 106 ) rods and the structure rod ( 204 ) being adapted to be embedded within a filler material poured adjacent the panel ( 102 ) in a direction toward the panel structure ( 202 ).   
     
     
         31 . A method for interlocking a panel ( 102 ) to an opposite panel structure ( 202 ), said panel ( 102 ) connecting to a first end ( 116 ) of a body ( 114 ) of at least one bracket ( 112 ), the bracket ( 112 ) having a generally opposite free second end ( 118 ), said method comprising the steps of:
 positioning the panel ( 102 ) in a face-to-face configuration with the structure panel ( 202 ), with the at least one bracket ( 112 ) extending toward the panel structure ( 202 );   slidably engaging, in a first direction generally parallel to a plane defined by the panel ( 102 ), a first rod ( 104 ) into at least one first rod opening ( 120 ) extending through the second end ( 118 );   engaging, in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and generally parallel to the panel plane, a second rod ( 106 ) in abutment contact with a second rod abutting region ( 122 ) adjacent the at least one first rod opening ( 120 ), said second rod ( 106 ) being located adjacent said first rod ( 104 ) between said first rod ( 104 ) and said panel ( 102 ); and   slidably engaging, in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction, a structure rod ( 204 ) into at least one rod receiving structure bracket ( 212 ), said second rod ( 106 ) being adapted to be in abutment contact to and between the first rod ( 104 ) and the structure rod ( 204 ) so as to be interlocked therebetween for locking the panel ( 102 ) to the panel structure ( 202 ).