Wall panel mount system including frames snap-fit connectable to a wall via a clip

Abstract

There is provided a wall panel mount system including first and second frames connectable to first and second wall panels, respectively. The wall panel mount system includes a clip connectable to a wall or wall substrate. The clip snap-fit connects to the first frame and slidably connects to the second frame. The clip includes a clip snap interface or first male portion which snap-fit connects to the first frame and a clip slide function interface or second male portion which slidably couples to and/or extends within a female portion of the second frame according to one aspect. The clip is configured to snap-fit connect to the first frame via a folded portion thereof according to another aspect. Each frame includes an inner channel with one or more angled surfaces shaped to facilitate insertion of the clip therein according to a further aspect.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall panel mount system comprising:
 first and second frames connectable to first and second wall panels, respectively; and   a clip connectable to a wall or wall substrate, the clip including a first male portion which snap-fit connects to the first frame and a second male portion which slidably couples to the second frame.   
     
     
         2 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 1 , wherein each said frame includes a female portion configured to receive a respective said male portion of the clip. 
     
     
         3 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first male portion of the clip is resilient and/or inwardly deformable. 
     
     
         4 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first male portion of the clip is V-shaped is lateral profile. 
     
     
         5 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 1 , wherein the male portions of the clip are formed by moving the clip from an at least partially planar or unfolded position to a folded position. 
     
     
         6 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is made of metal sheet. 
     
     
         7 . A method of coupling a pair of wall panels to a wall or wall substrate, the method comprising:
 coupling first and second frames to respective ones of the wall panels;   fastening the clip of  claim 1  to the wall or wall substrate; and   inserting the male portions of the clip into female portions of the frames so as to snap-fit connect to the first frame and slidably couple to the second frame.   
     
     
         8 . A wall panel mount system comprising:
 a pair of frames connectable to a pair of wall panels; and   a clip connectable to a wall or wall substrate, the clip being configured to snap-fit connect to a first said frame via a folded portion thereof and the clip being configured to slidably connecting to a second said frame.   
     
     
         9 . A wall panel mount system comprising:
 a pair of frames connectable to a pair of wall panels; and   a clip connectable to a wall or wall substrate, the clip snap-fit connecting to a first said frame and slidably connecting to a second said frame, with each said frame including an inner channel with one or more angled surfaces shaped to facilitate insertion of the clip therein.   
     
     
         10 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein for each said frame the one or more angled surfaces thereof are angled relative to the wall panels and/or the wall or wall substrate. 
     
     
         11 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein the first channel has a first said angled surface along which a first side of the clip is slid towards the first channel and wherein the first channel has a second said surface opposite the first angled surface, the second said surface of the first channel abutting a second surface of the clip opposite the first surface of the clip and functioning to straight the clip out as the clip further enters the first channel. 
     
     
         12 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner channels of the frames are V-shaped in lateral profile. 
     
     
         13 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein each said inner channel includes a catch via which the clip snap-fit connects with one of said frames. 
     
     
         14 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein each said inner channel includes a distal end portion which is enlarged. 
     
     
         15 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein each said inner channel includes a distal end portion and wherein one or more of: the distal end portion of the inner channel has one or more angled surfaces; and the distal end portion of the inner channel is shaped to facilitate insertion of the clip therein and inhibit dislodgement thereof thereafter. 
     
     
         16 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein each said inner channel includes a distal end portion which is one or more of tapered, wedge shaped and a triangular prism at least in part. 
     
     
         17 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein the clip couples to and/or extends within the inner channels via a pair of spaced-apart folded portions thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 9 , wherein the clip is made of metal and a protective membrane extending thereabout, with the protective membrane functioning to isolate the metal of the clip from the frames. 
     
     
         19 . A kit comprising a plurality of frames and a plurality of clips via which the frames couple wall panels to a wall or wall substrate, the frames and the clips being according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         20 . A wall panel assembly comprising the first and second wall panels together with the wall panel mount system as claimed in  claim 9 .