Plank installation system and method

Abstract

There is disclosed an improved plank installation system and method. In an embodiment, the system comprises a mounting structure having extending mounting hooks; and a plank having extending flanges with latches or clasping members corresponding to the positions of the plurality of extending mounting hooks on the mounting structure, The latches or clasping members of the extending flanges are adapted to interconnect with one or more of the plurality of extending mounting hooks on the mounting structure; whereby the plank is securely mountable to the mounting structure by an interconnection between the latches or clasping members, and the plurality of extending mounting hooks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plank installation system, comprising:
 a mounting structure having a plurality of extending mounting hooks; and   a plank having extending flanges with latches corresponding to the positions of the plurality of extending mounting hooks on the mounting structure, the latches adapted to interconnect with one or more of the plurality of extending mounting hooks;   whereby the plank is securely mountable to the mounting structure by the interconnection between the latches and the plurality of extending mounting hooks.   
     
     
         2 . The plank installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure is an elongate, generally U-shaped structure having a plurality of extending mounting hooks which along each extending wall of the U-shaped structure, the plurality of extending mounting hooks being aligned. 
     
     
         3 . The plank installation system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of extending mounting hooks are evenly spaced, and positioned such that latches provided on a plank to be mounted may interconnect at multiple redundant attachment points to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         4 . The plank installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plank having extending flanges with latches corresponding to the positions of the plurality of extending mounting hooks all share a common mounting structure. 
     
     
         5 . The plank installation system of  claim 4 , wherein the plank has a receiving slot provided on the bottom of each plank, and a corresponding extending flange provided along the top of each plank, whereby, a plank interconnects with an adjacent plank above or below the plank by these receiving slots and extending flanges. 
     
     
         6 . The plank installation system of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving slot provided on the bottom of each plank includes a channel for receiving the corresponding extending flange provided along the top of an adjacent plank. 
     
     
         7 . The plank installation system of  claim 5 , wherein the extending flange provided on the bottom of each plank is adapted to be received in a corresponding receiving slot provide on the bottom of an adjacent plank. 
     
     
         8 . The plank installation system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment base for slideably receiving the mounting structure, whereby the mounting structure may be slideably adjusted even after the adjustment base is securely mounted to a surface being cladded. 
     
     
         9 . The plank installation system of  claim 8 , wherein the adjustment base includes channels for receiving corresponding edges of the mounting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The plank installation system of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting structure includes apertures along its length to allow the adjustment base to be mounted with the mounting structure slideably received in the adjustment base. 
     
     
         11 . The plank installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure includes a thermal break between an inner portion and an outer portion, such that the mounting structure minimizes thermal energy transfer therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . A plank installation method, comprising:
 providing a mounting structure having a plurality of extending mounting hooks;   providing a plank having extending flanges with latches corresponding to the positions of the plurality of extending mounting hooks on the mounting structure, the latches adapted to interconnect with one or more of the plurality of extending mounting hooks; and   mounting the plank securely to the mounting structure by the interconnection between the latches and the plurality of extending mounting hooks.   
     
     
         13 . The plank installation method of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting structure is an elongate, generally U-shaped structure having a plurality of extending mounting hooks which along each extending wall of the U-shaped structure, the plurality of extending mounting hooks being aligned. 
     
     
         14 . The plank installation method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of extending mounting hooks are evenly spaced, and positioned, and wherein the method further comprises interconnecting the latches provided on a plank to be mounted at multiple redundant attachment points to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         15 . The plank installation method of  claim 12 , wherein the plank having extending flanges with latches corresponding to the positions of the plurality of extending mounting hooks all share a common mounting structure. 
     
     
         16 . The plank installation method of  claim 15 , wherein the plank has a receiving slot provided on the bottom of each plank, and a corresponding extending flange provided along the top of each plank, whereby, a plank interconnects with an adjacent plank above or below the plank by these receiving slots and extending flanges. 
     
     
         17 . The plank installation method of  claim 16 , wherein the receiving slot provided on the bottom of each plank includes a channel for receiving the corresponding extending flange provided along the top of an adjacent plank. 
     
     
         18 . The plank installation method of  claim 16 , wherein the extending flange provided on the bottom of each plank is adapted to be received in a corresponding receiving slot provide on the bottom of an adjacent plank. 
     
     
         19 . The plank installation method of  claim 16 , further comprising slideably adjusting the mounting structure even after the adjustment base is securely mounted to a surface being cladded. 
     
     
         20 . The plank installation method of  claim 19 , wherein the adjustment base includes channels for receiving corresponding edges of the mounting structure. 
     
     
         21 . The plank installation method of  claim 20 , wherein the mounting structure includes apertures along its length to allow the adjustment base to be mounted with the mounting structure slideably received in the adjustment base. 
     
     
         22 . The plank installation method of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting structure includes a thermal break between an inner portion and an outer portion, such that the mounting structure minimizes thermal energy transfer therebetween.