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 and a receiving portion,   wherein a lateral cross-section of the second longitudinal edge comprises a generally horizontal resting portion and a lip, wherein the receiving portion is adapted to receive a lip of another elongated panel with a wall being covered serving as an opposing surface to a first surface of the receiving portion.   
     
     
         2 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that, when the lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, a gap is formed between the front surfaces of the two elongated panels. 
     
     
         3 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that, when the lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, the front surfaces of the two elongated panels contact one another or form only a crack. 
     
     
         4 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the receiving portion is less than a length of the lip by at least 1 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the elongated panel is from 2 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The elongate panel of  claim 1 , wherein a back surface of the elongated panel includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion comprises the first surface and a second surface, wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that the first surface is generally parallel to a wall to which the elongated panel is attached and the second surface is generally perpendicular to the first surface. 
     
     
         8 . The elongated panel of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal cross-section of a first lateral edge comprises a lateral receiving portion,
 wherein a longitudinal cross-section of a second longitudinal edge, opposite the first longitudinal edge, comprises a lateral lip, wherein the lateral receiving portion is adapted to receive a lateral lip of another elongated panel with a wall being covered serving as an opposing surface to a first surface of the lateral receiving portion.   
     
     
         9 . The elongated panel of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that, when the lateral lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the lateral receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, a gap is formed between the front surfaces of the two elongated panels. 
     
     
         10 . The elongated panel of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that, when the lateral lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the lateral receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, the front surfaces of the two elongated panels contact one another or form only a crack. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for producing a wall-covering, comprising a plurality of elongated panels according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein a back surface of the elongated panel includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated panels is adapted so that, when the lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, a gap is formed between the front surfaces of the two elongated panels. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated panels is adapted so that, when the lip of one elongated panel is fully inserted into the receiving portion of an identical elongated panel, the front surfaces of the two elongated panels contact one another or form only a crack. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein a depth of the receiving portion is less than a length of the lip by at least 1 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein, when a lip of a first elongated panel is fully inserted into the receiving portion of a second elongate panel, a gap of at least 1 mm is formed between front faces of the first and second elongated panels. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of elongated panel is from 2 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving portion comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the elongated panel is adapted so that the first surface is generally parallel to a wall to which the elongated panel is attached and the second surface is generally perpendicular to the first surface. 
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a wall covering comprising:
 providing a plurality of elongated panels according to  claim 1 ;   attaching a back of a first elongated panel to a wall; and   attaching a back of a second elongated panel to the wall above or below the first elongated panel, wherein a tab of the second panel is received within a receiving portion of the first panel with a wall being covered serving as an opposing surface to a first surface of the receiving portion.   
     
     
         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 a depth of the receiving portion is less than a length of the lip.