Interlocking installation panel and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides an interlocking installation panel for stone, thin brick, and other similar masonry items and method of use that can be used in conjunction with others of the same without the use of external fasteners to help make the installation of masonry items on a vertical surface more efficient. The interlocking installation panel has a first interlocking edge and a second interlocking edge. The first interlocking edge and the second interlocking edge have a plurality of offsetting flares that extend at an angle from the interlocking installation panel. The offsetting flares have a distal end that is connected to an interlocking tab that can be engaged with the first interlocking edge or the second interlocking edge of another interlocking installation panel.

1 . An interlocking installation panel for masonry objects comprising:
 a mounting plate, said mounting plate having a wall side and an installation side, said mounting plate further comprising a first interlocking edge and a second interlocking edge;   at least one offsetting flare extending away from the first interlocking edge of the mounting plate, said offsetting flare comprising a first end and a second end;   whereby the first end of the offsetting flare is integrally attached to the first interlocking edge of the mounting plate; the second end of the offsetting flare being integrally attached to an interlocking tab, said interlocking tab extending from the second end of the offsetting flare;   further providing that the second interlocking edge comprises at least one offsetting flare that extends away from the second interlocking edge of the mounting plate, said second interlocking edge comprising a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the offsetting flare is integrally attached to the second interlocking edge of the mounting plate and the second end of the offsetting flare is integrally attached to the second interlocking edge of the mounting plate;   further providing that the second end of the offsetting flare is integrally attached to an interlocking tab, said interlocking tab extending from the second end of the offsetting flare;   said interlocking stone installation panel being free of external fasteners.   
     
     
         2 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1 , further providing that the installation side of the mount plate comprises a plurality of stems integrally formed with the mounting plate and extending from the mounting plate. 
     
     
         3 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 2  whereby the stems extend nearly perpendicular to the mounting plate. 
     
     
         4 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 2  whereby the stems are comprised of a far end that is integrally attached to a retention flange. 
     
     
         5 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 4  whereby the retention flange is nearly perpendicular to the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 5  whereby the retention flange can extend towards the first interlocking edge or the second interlocking edge. 
     
     
         7 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of apertures that extend from the installation side of the mounting panel to the wall side of the mounting panel. 
     
     
         8 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 7  whereby the apertures have a similar width as the stem and are positioned to line up with the retention flange. 
     
     
         9 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  whereby the offsetting flare extends away from the first interlocking edge of the mounting plate at a less than a 180 degree angle, said offsetting flare comprising a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         10 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  whereby the interlocking tab extends nearly parallel from the second end of the offsetting flare. 
     
     
         11 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  whereby the at least one offsetting flare extends from the second interlocking edge of the mounting plate a less then a 180 degree angle, said offsetting flare comprising a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         12 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 11  whereby the interlocking tab extending from the second end of the offsetting flare is oriented to be nearly parallel with the mounting plate. 
     
     
         13 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  whereby the panel comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, rubber, polymer, resin, composite, plastic, fiber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  that is at least partially coated with a coating selected from the group consisting of paint, powder coating, sealant, and resin. 
     
     
         15 . The interlocking installation panel of  claim 1  that is at least partially texturized on the installation side or on the wall side. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing the interlocking installation panel of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of mounting masonry objects comprising securing masonry objects on the interlocking installation panel of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  whereby the masonry objects are comprised of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of brick, marble, granite, limestone, cast stone, concrete blocks, glass blocks and adobe.