Panel veneer systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of mortarless, brick- and stone-like veneer systems for walls. More particularly, the present invention relates to suspension rails for providing mortarless or mortar-optional installations of brick- and stone-like panels for covering walls. Embodiments of the invention provide a cage-type suspension rail configured to be partially embedded in the panel and a universal hanging bracket that provides pullout resistance for the panels. An exemplary suspension rail comprises: a first four-sided frame with horizontally and vertically disposed sides; a plurality of posts disposed on and perpendicular to the first frame or the cross bars; a second four-sided frame in communication with the plurality of posts; an upper tab in communication with the first frame for connecting the rail to a surface; wherein the upper tab is disposed outside a perimeter of the first frame and a perimeter of a second frame.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A panel veneer system for covering a wall, the system comprising:
 a plurality of panels each having a top face with a selected panel perimeter length;   wherein each panel has a plurality of stepped surfaces around its perimeter, such that, when the plurality of panels is installed on a surface and upon application of a pullout force applied to one or more panels of the plurality of panels:
 (i) at least one of the plurality of stepped surfaces of the first panel is disposed in a manner capable of resisting removal of the first panel from the surface on which it is installed; and 
 (ii) at least one of the plurality of stepped surfaces of the first panel is disposed in a manner capable of providing pullout resistance to a second panel of the plurality of panels from the surface on which it is installed. 
   
     
     
         18 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the panels of the plurality of panels comprises an embedded bracket for hanging the panel on the surface. 
     
     
         19 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein the surface is a wall. 
     
     
         20 . The panel veneer system of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the plurality of stepped surfaces of the first panel is disposed in a manner capable of resisting removal of the first panel from the wall by engagement with a stepped surface of an adjacent panel in the system upon application of the pullout force applied to the first panel. 
     
     
         21 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the plurality of stepped surfaces of the first panel is disposed in a manner capable of providing pullout resistance to an adjacent panel in the system by engagement with a stepped surface of the adjacent panel upon application of the pullout force applied to the adjacent panel. 
     
     
         22 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein one or more panels of the plurality of panels comprises at least four stepped surfaces. 
     
     
         23 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein two of the four stepped surfaces are capable of resisting removal of the first panel and two of the four stepped surfaces provide pullout resistance for one or more panel adjacent to the first panel. 
     
     
         24 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein each panel of the plurality of panels has a rectilinear polygonal outline. 
     
     
         25 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels has a T-shaped outline. 
     
     
         26 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels has an inverted T-shaped outline. 
     
     
         27 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the plurality of panels has a Z-shaped outline. 
     
     
         28 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein none of the panels has an L-shaped outline. 
     
     
         29 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein at least two of the plurality of panels have shapes that are different from one another. 
     
     
         30 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein each panel of the plurality of panels has a face which is divided into a plurality of stacked stones. 
     
     
         31 . The panel veneer system of  claim 24 , wherein each panel of the plurality of panels has a face which is divided into a plurality of bricks. 
     
     
         32 . The panel veneer system of  claim 17 , wherein the stepped surfaces provide a combined engaging surface length of between 50% and 150% of the panel perimeter length. 
     
     
         33 . A panel veneer system for covering a four-sided structure, the system comprising:
 a first, second, third, and fourth panel;   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth panels has a face capable of contacting one facade of a four-sided structure;   wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth panels is incapable of contacting more than one facade of the four-sided structure;   wherein, when the first, second, third, and fourth panels are assembled to cover the four-sided structure, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth panels contacts an adjacent panel on at least two different panel surfaces.