Nonplanar panel systems, devices, and methods

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention provide systems, methods, and apparatus for decorating and/or protecting a surface with one or more nonplanar panels. Particularly, the nonplanar panels can form a panel system that can conceal a support surface, structural components or elements, and can provide a decorative façade, and/or protect the underlying structure or components or elements thereof from elements.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A panel system for providing concealment, protection, aesthetic enhancement, and combinations thereof for a support surface, the panel system comprising:
 a plurality of brackets securable to the support surface, each of the plurality of brackets including:
 a support portion; 
 a channel defined by a lower portion of a projection connected to or integrated with the support portion; and 
 a locking hook extending from a distal end of the lower portion and at least partially enclosing the channel; and 
   a panel having a first edge positionable within the channel and securable therein by the locking hook.   
     
     
         2 . The panel system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel has a nonplanar configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The panel system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a panel-side lock extending in an outward facing direction. 
     
     
         4 . The panel system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the panel-side lock forms an acute angle with an outward facing side of the panel. 
     
     
         5 . The panel system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the panel-side lock is operably engageable with the locking hook of the bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The panel system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the panel-side lock and the locking hook of the bracket have approximately parallel orientation relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A panel system for providing concealment, protection, aesthetic enhancement, and combinations thereof for a support surface, the panel system comprising:
 a frame including a first bracket and a second, opposing bracket;   wherein:
 the first bracket includes a first support portion and a first projection defining a first channel therebetween, the first projection including a first locking hook at least partially enclosing the first channel; 
 the second bracket includes a second support portion and a second projection defining a second channel therebetween, the second projection including a second locking hook at least partially enclosing the second channel; and 
   a nonplanar panel having a first side thereof secured within the first channel and a second, opposing side thereof secured with the second channel, the first side including a first panel-side lock restrained within the first channel by the first locking hook, and the second side including a second panel-side lock restrained within the second channel by the second locking hook.   
     
     
         8 . The panel system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the first panel-side lock extends outward from and forms an acute angle with an outward facing side of the nonplanar panel. 
     
     
         9 . The panel system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein first bracket further comprises a third projection defining a third, the third channel facing away from the first channel. 
     
     
         10 . The panel system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a second nonplanar panel at least partially secured within the third channel of the first bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The panel system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the second panel extends away from the first panel. 
     
     
         12 . The panel system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the nonplanar panel includes one or more curved perimeter portions. 
     
     
         13 . The panel system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more curved perimeter portions extend between the first and second sides of the nonplanar panel. 
     
     
         14 . The panel system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the one or more curved perimeter portions substantially seal against an outward facing side of the second nonplanar panel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of covering or concealing a support surface with nonplanar panels, the method comprising:
 securing a first bracket to the support surface, the first bracket including a first channel and a first locking hook at least partially blocking the first channel;   securing a second bracket to the support surface, the second bracket including a second channel and a second locking hook at least partially blocking the second channel, and a third channel and a third locking hook at least partially blocking the third channel;   securing a third bracket to the support surface, the third bracket including a fourth channel and a fourth locking hook at least partially blocking the fourth channel;   securing a first side of a first panel within the first channel of the first bracket and a second side of the first panel within the second channel of the second bracket; and   securing a first side of a second panel within the third channel of the second bracket and a second side of the second panel within the fourth channel of the third bracket.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein securing a first side of the first panel within the first channel of the first bracket and a second side of the first panel within the second channel of the second bracket comprises positioning at least a portion of the first side of the first panel behind the first panel-side lock and positioning at least a portion of the second side of the first panel behind the second panel-side lock. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein securing the first side of the second panel within the third channel of the second bracket and the second side of the second panel within the fourth channel of the third bracket comprises positioning at least a portion of the first side of the second panel behind the third panel-side lock and positioning at least a portion of the second side of the second panel behind the fourth panel-side lock.