Wall panel clip

Abstract

A kit for assembling prefabricated wall panels includes prefabricated wall panels and clips. Each side of the prefabricated wall panels is configured to form a side-lap joint and at least a tongue and groove joint upon assembly. Each clip includes a flange having a plurality of holes and a web that is connected to an edge of the flange and is at least 4 inches long. The clips may allow for greater panel spans and/or provide improved wind resistance. For assembling the prefabricated wall panels to a building structure, a clip is placed on a cheek surface of the side-lap joint of one of the prefabricated wall panels. Fasteners are threaded through the prefabricated wall panel to clamp an edge of the prefabricated wall panel between the clip and the building structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clip for assembling prefabricated wall panels, comprising:
 a flange having a plurality of holes;   a web that is perpendicular to the flange, wherein the web is connected to a first edge of the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a bevel, wherein the bevel is connected to a second edge of the flange, the second edge being opposite to the first edge. 
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 2 , wherein the web is located on a first side of the flange, wherein the bevel is located on a second side of the flange, the second side being opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 2 , wherein the angle between the flange and the bevel is obtuse. 
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises at least 3 holes. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for assembling prefabricated wall panels, comprising:
 a plurality of clips, each of the plurality of clips including:
 a flange having a plurality of holes; 
 a web that is perpendicular to the flange, wherein the web is connected to a first edge of the flange; and 
   a plurality of prefabricated wall panels,   wherein each side of the plurality of the prefabricated wall panels is configured to form a side-lap joint and at least a tongue and groove joint upon assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of clips is configured so that the web is adjacent to an edge surface of the side-lap joint when the flange is in place on a cheek surface of the side-lap joint. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of clips further comprises a bevel, wherein the bevel is connected to a second edge of the flange, the second edge being opposite to the first edge. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of clips is configured so that the bevel does not interfere with a shoulder surface of the side-lap joint or a tongue of the tongue and groove upon assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the web is located on a first side of the flange, wherein the bevel is located on a second side of the flange, the second side being opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the angle between the flange and the bevel is obtuse. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises at least 3 holes. 
     
     
         13 . A method for assembling prefabricated wall panels to a building structure, comprising:
 placing a clip on a cheek surface of a side-lap joint of a prefabricated wall panel, wherein the clip includes:
 a flange having a plurality of holes; 
 a web that is perpendicular to the flange, wherein the web is connected to a first edge of the flange; 
   threading a plurality of fasteners through the prefabricated wall panel to clamp an edge of the prefabricated wall panel between the clip and the building structure; and   vertically sliding another prefabricated wall panel to abut against the cheek surface of the side-lap joint; and   forming at least one tongue and groove joint between a side of the prefabricated wall panel and an adjacent side of the other prefabricated wall panel.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of clips is configured so that the web is adjacent to an edge surface of the side-lap joint when the flange is in place on a cheek surface of the side-lap joint. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of clips further comprises a bevel, wherein the bevel is connected to a second edge of the flange, the second edge being opposite to the first edge. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bevel does not interfere with a shoulder surface of the side-lap joint or a tongue of the tongue and groove upon assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the web is located on a first side of the flange, wherein the bevel is located on a second side of the flange, the second side being opposite to the first side, wherein the web extends inwardly toward the building structure upon assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the angle between the flange and the bevel is obtuse. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises at least 3 holes.