Panel system

Abstract

A panel system incorporating a plurality of side by side panels which are joined to one another with tongue and slot connectors. The connectors are configured to permit each panel to be attached to an underlying surface through the connector before a subsequent panel is attached to it.

1 . A panel system comprising:
 (a) a plurality of panels each having a first edge and a second edge which is parallel with and separated from said first edge;   (b) said panels including a base sheet having an outer surface and an inner surface;   (c) a tongue member which is attached to said inner surface of said base sheet along a margin of said first edge, said tongue member having a defined thickness and projecting a first distance from said first edge;   (d) a receptacle member which is attached to said inner surface of said base sheet along a margin of said second edge, said receptacle member having a support element and an attachment element; wherein   (e) said support element is attached to said inner surface of said base sheet and is separated from said second edge by a second distance which is at least as large as said first distance and has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said tongue member; and   (f) said attachment element projects from said second edge of said panel.   
     
     
         2 . The panel system of  claim 1  including a decorative cover attached to said outer surface of said base sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The panel system of  claim 2  wherein said decorative cover is wood veneer. 
     
     
         4 . The panel system of  claim 2  wherein said decorative cover is vinyl. 
     
     
         5 . The panel system of  claim 2  wherein said decorative cover is a plastic laminate. 
     
     
         6 . The panel system of  claim 2  wherein said decorative cover is tile. 
     
     
         7 . The panel system of  claim 1  wherein said tongue member and said receptacle member extend along the entire extent of said first and second edges respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The panel system of  claim 1  wherein said attachment element has an attachment surface on the side thereof which is opposite the side which is attached to said support element, said attachment surface configured to be adhered to an underlying surface by an adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The panel system of  claim 8  wherein said underlying surface is an existing wall surface. 
     
     
         10 . The panel system of  claim 1  wherein said attachment element comprises one or more openings which allow said panel to be attached to an underlying wall surface with fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The panel system of  claim 10  wherein said fasteners are screws. 
     
     
         12 . The panel system of  claim 1  wherein said panel is bent intermediate said first and second edges to provide a corner. 
     
     
         13 . The panel system of  claim 1  including an edge piece which is attachable to said panel adjacent said second edge of said base sheet after said attachment element has been shortened to be coterminous with said second edge, said edge piece comprising:
 (a) a molding piece; and 
 (b) a tongue which projects from said molding piece by an amount approximately equal to said first distance. 
 
     
     
         14 . The panel system of  claim 13  wherein said molding piece is flush with said outer surface of said panel. 
     
     
         15 . The panel system of  claim 13  wherein said molding piece partially overlies said outer surface of said panel. 
     
     
         16 . The panel system of  claim 1  including a hanger system, comprising:
 (a) a hanger element which is attached to said inner surface of said base sheet and extends across said base sheet perpendicular to said first and second edges; 
 (b) said hanger element having a body portion which contacts said base sheet, and a hook portion which projects downwardly from said body portion; 
 (c) a mounted element which is attached to a wall; 
 (d) said mounted element having a body portion which contacts to said wall; and 
 (e) said mounted element having a body which contacts said wall, and a receptacle which is configured to releasably engage said hook portion of said hanger element. 
 
     
     
         17 . The panel system of  claim 16  wherein there are multiple hanger elements and multiple mounted elements. 
     
     
         18 . A method for constructing a wall with the panels of  claim 1 , comprising:
 (a) placing a first one of said panels vertically against an underlying surface;   (b) attaching the support element of said first one of said panels to said underlying surface;   (c) inserting the tongue of a second one of said panels into the slot formed between the base sheet and receptacle member of said first one of said panels;   (d) urging said second one of said panels towards said first one of said panels until the first edge of said second one of said panels abuts the second edge of said first one of said panels;   (e) attaching a support element of said second one of said panels to said underlying surface; and   (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) until the wall is constructed.