Interlocking systems and methods for tile panel mounting

Abstract

Interlocking systems that mechanically secure tile panels to a supporting structure are enabled. For example, a panel mounting apparatus can comprise a panel assembly. The panel assembly can comprise a panel material comprising a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, a substrate material attached to the second side of the panel material, and a fastening track attached to the second side of the panel material, adjacent to the substrate material and parallel to a first wall. The panel mounting apparatus can further comprise a corner bracket mountable to the fastening track. The corner bracket can comprise a first end for attachment to the fastening track and a second end for attachment to a second wall, adjacent to a first wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel mounting apparatus, comprising:
 a panel assembly, comprising:
 a panel material comprising a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, 
 a substrate material attached to the second side of the panel material, and 
 a fastening track attached to the second side of the panel material, adjacent to the substrate material and parallel to a first wall; and 
   a corner bracket mountable to the fastening track, wherein the corner bracket comprises a first end for attachment to the fastening track and a second end for attachment to a second wall, adjacent to a first wall.   
     
     
         2 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the corner bracket comprises first mounting holes for attachment to the fastening track, and wherein the second end of the corner bracket comprises second mounting holes for attachment to the second wall. 
     
     
         3 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a t-nut received in the fastening track, wherein the corner bracket is attached to the fastening track via attachment of a bolt, through a first mounting hole of the first mounting holes, to the t-nut.   
     
     
         4 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket comprises one or more threaded holes configured to receive an adjustment bolt that adjusts an angle of the corner bracket relative to the first wall or to the second wall. 
     
     
         5 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket is directly mounted to a stud of the second wall or to a blocking of the second wall. 
     
     
         6 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket is mounted to a stud of the second wall or to a blocking of the second wall, and wherein a wall is between the stud of the second wall and the corner bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the corner bracket comprises a metal material. 
     
     
         8 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel assembly comprises a first panel assembly, and wherein the fastening track comprises a first fastening track, the panel mounting apparatus further comprising:
 a wall bracket comprising a flat surface and a sloped surface formed along a side of the wall bracket, wherein the sloped surface is configured to receive a second fastening track of a second panel assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wall bracket comprises mounting holes for attachment to the first wall or to the second wall. 
     
     
         10 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wall bracket comprises one or more threaded holes configured to receive an adjustment bolt that adjusts an angle of the wall bracket relative to the first wall or to the second wall. 
     
     
         11 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wall bracket is directly mounted to a stud of the second wall. 
     
     
         12 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wall bracket is mounted to a stud of the second wall, and wherein a wall is between the stud of the second wall and the wall bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the wall bracket comprises a metal material. 
     
     
         14 . A panel mounting apparatus, comprising:
 a panel assembly, comprising:
 a panel material comprising a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, 
 a substrate material attached to the second side of the panel material, and 
 a fastening track attached to the second side of the panel material; and 
   a wall bracket comprising a flat surface and a sloped surface formed along a side of the wall bracket, wherein the sloped surface is configured to receive the fastening track.   
     
     
         15 . The panel mounting apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the wall bracket comprises one or more threaded holes configured to receive an adjustment bolt that adjusts an angle of the wall bracket relative to a wall. 
     
     
         16 . A method for installing a panel mounting apparatus, comprising:
 attaching a first end of a corner bracket to a fastening track of a panel assembly, wherein the panel assembly comprises:
 a panel material comprising a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, 
 a substrate material attached to the second side of the panel material, and 
 the fastening track attached to the second side of the panel material, adjacent to the substrate material and parallel to a first wall; and 
   mounting a second end of the corner bracket to a second wall, adjacent to the first wall.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first end of the corner bracket is attached to the fastening track using a t-nut received in the fastening track via attachment of a bolt, through a mounting hole, to the t-nut. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the panel assembly comprises a first panel assembly, wherein the fastening track comprises a first fastening track, and wherein the method further comprises:
 attaching a wall bracket to the second wall, wherein the wall bracket comprises a flat surface and a sloped surface formed along a side of the wall bracket, wherein the sloped surface is configured to receive a second fastening track of a second panel assembly; and   attaching the second panel assembly to the wall bracket.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the wall bracket is mounted to a stud of the second wall, and wherein a wall is between the stud of the second wall and the wall bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the wall bracket is directly mounted to a stud of the second wall.