Wall covering panels and system and method for installation thereof

Abstract

An elongated panel for producing a wall covering, a kit for producing a wall covering, and a method of installing a wall covering are described. The elongated panel includes generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge. A lateral cross-section of the first longitudinal edge can include a generally horizontal support portion proximate the back surface and a first beveled portion proximate the front surface, and a lateral cross-section of the second longitudinal edge can include a generally horizontal resting portion proximate the back surface and a second beveled portion proximate the front surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elongated panel for producing a wall-covering, comprising:
 an elongated panel comprising generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge,   wherein a lateral cross-section of the first longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal support portion proximate the back surface and a first beveled portion proximate the front surface,   wherein a lateral cross-section of the second longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal resting portion proximate the back surface and a second beveled portion proximate the front surface.   
     
     
         2 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the support portion and a length of the resting portion are approximately equal. 
     
     
         3 . The elongated panel of  claim 2 , wherein the first beveled portion extends from an end of the support portion to the front surface, and wherein the second longitudinal edge comprises an intermediate portion between the resting portion and the second beveled portion, wherein an angle of the intermediate portion is adapted to match an angle of the first beveled portion. 
     
     
         4 . The elongated panel of  claim 3 , wherein a lateral cross-section of the intermediate portion and the second beveled portion is a convex triangle. 
     
     
         5 . The elongated panel of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate portion is adapted to overlap with the first beveled portion. 
     
     
         6 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein the generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces, first longitudinal edge, and second longitudinal edge forms a front portion, and
 the elongated panel further comprises a generally rectangular backing attached to the back surface of the front portion and forming a longitudinal lip extending past one of the longitudinal edges of the front portion.   
     
     
         7 . The elongated panel of  claim 6 , wherein the backing forms a longitudinal receiving portion, opposite the longitudinal lip, adapted to overlap with the longitudinal lip of another panel. 
     
     
         8 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the panel ranges from 2 to 25 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the panel ranges from 2 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for producing a wall-covering, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated panels, each comprising generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge,
 wherein a lateral cross-section of the first longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal support portion proximate the back surface and a first beveled portion proximate the front surface, 
 wherein a lateral cross-section of the second longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal resting portion proximate the back surface and a second beveled portion proximate the front surface; 
   wherein the plurality of elongated panels comprise an upper panel and a lower panel, and   wherein a lower longitudinal edge of the upper panel is adapted to abut with an upper longitudinal edge of the lower panel such that the lower longitudinal edge of the upper panel and the upper longitudinal edge of the lower panel produce a flute along a front surface of the upper and lower panel.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, a length of the support portion and a length of the resting portion are approximately equal. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, the first beveled portion extends from an end of the support portion to the front surface, and wherein the second longitudinal edge comprises an intermediate portion between the resting portion and the second beveled portion, wherein an angle of the intermediate portion is adapted to match an angle of the first beveled portion. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, a lateral cross-section of the intermediate portion and the second beveled portion is a convex triangle. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, the intermediate portion is adapted to overlap with the first beveled portion. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, the first beveled portion extends from an end of the support portion to the front surface and the second beveled portion extends from an end of the resting portion to the front surface. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein, for each of the plurality of elongated panels, the generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces and the first and second longitudinal edges forms a front portion, and
 each elongated panel further comprises a generally rectangular backing attached to the back surface of the front portion and forming a longitudinal lip extending past one of the longitudinal edges of the front portion.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising adhesive for adhering the plurality of elongated panels to a wall. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a wall covering comprising:
 providing a plurality of elongated panels, each comprising generally rectangular front surface and back surfaces, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge;
 wherein a lateral cross-section of the first longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal support portion proximate the back surface and a first beveled portion proximate the front surface, 
 wherein a lateral cross-section of the second longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal resting portion proximate the back surface and a second beveled portion proximate the front surface; 
   attaching the back of a first elongated panel to a wall; and   attaching the back of a second elongated panel to the wall above or below the first elongated panel, wherein a resting portion of the second panel is positioned adjacent to the support portion of the first panel without adhesive.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment of the elongated panels to the wall is by adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the resting portion of the second panel abuts the support portion of the first panel.