Panel mounting system

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for mounting a panel ( 40 ) such as an acoustic panel, baffle or fin. The system for mounting the panel ( 40 ) can comprise an elongate member ( 12 ) formed from a metal, composite or plastic. A base ( 14 ) of the member ( 12 ) can be configured to enable it to be mounted with respect to a structure. Opposing sidewalls ( 13 ) of the member ( 12 ) can extend from the base ( 14 ) such that, in profile, the sidewalls define a neck portion (N) that extends to an enlarged head portion (H) of the member ( 12 ). The panel ( 40 ) can be formed from a deformable material and can have a recess ( 42 ) formed in an edge thereof. The recess ( 42 ) can be configured to generally correspond to an external profile of the member ( 12 ). An inner recess portion ( 43 ) of the panel ( 40 ) can be enlarged to receive the member head portion (H), with an outer recess portion ( 45 ) being configured to receive the member neck portion (N). The outer recess portion ( 45 ) can open out of the panel edge. When the member ( 12 ) is push-fit or press-fit into the panel recess ( 42 ) the member causes the panel to deform relative to the member such that the member is able to be located in the panel recess whereby the panel ( 40 ) is retained to the member ( 12 ).

1 . A system for mounting a panel such as an acoustic panel, baffle or fin, the system comprising:
 an elongate member formed from a metal, composite or plastic, a base of the member being configured to enable it to be mounted with respect to a structure, with opposing sidewalls of the member extending from the base such that, in profile, the sidewalls define a neck portion that extends to an enlarged head portion of the member;   a panel formed from a deformable material having a recess formed in an edge thereof, the recess being configured to generally correspond to an external profile of the member whereby an inner recess portion is enlarged to receive the member head portion, with an outer recess portion being configured to receive the member neck portion, the outer recess portion opening out of the panel edge, wherein when the member is push-fit or press-fit into the panel recess, the member causes the panel to deform relative to the member such that the member is able to be located in the panel recess whereby the panel is retained to the member.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the system is further configured such that the elongate member can be slid laterally through the recess. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is in the form of an elongate channel, such that a base of the channel is configured to be mounted with respect to the structure, and such that opposing spaced sidewalls of the channel extend from the base to define the channel. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein, in profile, each channel sidewall comprises an outwardly projecting step-formation at the juncture of the neck portion with the head portion, with sides of the panel recess being configured to define corresponding inwardly projecting step-formations at the juncture of the inner recess portion with the outer recess portion whereby, when the channel is located in the recess, the corresponding channel and panel step-formations face each other to thereby enable retention of the panel to the channel. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein the channel is configured such that the base extends between and joins the channel sidewalls, with each sidewall extending to a distal end edge such that the sidewalls are spaced to define an opening to the channel. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5  wherein each sidewall distal end edge comprises an inwardly projecting lip that runs for a length of the sidewall, with the lips being configured to retain an elongate optionally strip-like cover at an opening to the channel, such as by a snap- or slide-fit. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein an external side of the base comprises an inwardly formed elongate recess that opens out from the base, the opening to the base recess being defined by opposing and inwardly projecting lips that extend for a length of the base recess. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 7 , the system further comprising a mounting fixture, the mounting fixture being configured for mounting to a structure, with a portion of the mounting fixture being configured to locate within the base recess and be retained therein by the lips, and with another portion of the mounting fixture able to locate outside of the base recess to project away from the base in use. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein a wall of the base recess is countersunk on an opposite side of the wall to the base recess, the countersunk side extending for a length of the wall of the base recess, such that an LED strip light is able to be located therein. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein each sidewall further comprises an elongate flange that projects inwardly from an intermediate location of a respective sidewall, each flange extending for a length of a main channel recess, with the flanges generally projecting towards each other. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein each flange comprises a lip that extends at an acute angle from a distal end edge of the flange and away from the base. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a number of discrete recesses spaced out along the edge thereof, each for locating a respective member therein. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein opposing inwardly-facing faces of the panel outer recess portion taper outwardly at the panel edge such that these inward faces are able to engage with corresponding external faces of the member sidewalls to thereby guide the member when it is push-fit or press-fit into a respective panel recess via the open outer recess portion. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 1 , the system further comprising an elongate cover which, when the member takes the form of a channel, is configured to be retained at an opening to the channel, the elongate cover comprising an elongate strip that has a pair of elongate, spaced parallel flanges projecting from and extending along a face thereof, with a distal end edge of each such flange being configured to interact with, such as by snap- or slide-fitting, a respective formation defined at a corresponding distal end edge of each sidewall, such that the elongate cover can be retained at and thereby cover the opening to the channel. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1 , the system further comprising at least one end cap, each end cap being configured for secure location at a respective end of the member, such that when the member is hollow, each end cap comprises a boss that protrudes from a plate, the boss having an external profile that generally corresponds to an internal profile of the hollow member, such that the end cap may be push-fit into the respective end of the member. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 12  wherein, when the member is hollow, each end cap takes the form of a connector that has bosses that protrude from respective, opposite sides of a plate, each boss having an external profile that generally corresponds to an internal profile of the hollow member, whereby each boss may be push-fit into an end of a respective hollow member such that the connector can extend between and connect hollow members end-to-end. 
     
     
         17 . An elongate member for use with the system as set forth in  claim 1 , the member being configured in the form of an elongate channel, such that a base of the channel is configured to be mounted with respect to the structure, and such that opposing spaced sidewalls of the channel extend from the base to define the channel, wherein the channel is configured to locate and house a light source therewithin, and wherein the channel is further configured to retain an elongate cover formed of a light-transmissive material at an opening to the channel located between the channel sidewalls. 
     
     
         18 . A panel for use with the system as set forth in  claim 1 , the panel comprising at least one recess and being configured as set forth in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for mounting a panel with respect to a structure, the method comprising:
 i. mounting a base of an elongate member with respect to the structure, the member being configured as set forth in  claim 1 ;   ii. mounting to the member a panel that is configured as set forth in  claim 1 , the mounting of the panel to the member being by way of a push-fitting or press-fitting of the member into the recess via the open outer recess portion.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein the panel comprises a number of discrete recesses spaced out along the edge thereof, wherein a number of members that correspond to the number of discrete panel recesses are mounted in a spaced manner with respect to the structure, and wherein a number of panels are mounted to the members, such as in a spaced manner.