Wall panel mount system configured to couple to either fastener-exposed or fastener-hidden wall panels

Abstract

There is provided a wall panel mount system with a frame configured to couple either (i) a side-fastened wall panel to a wall via at least a fastener coupling together the frame and a side portion of the side-fastened said wall panel or (ii) a rear-fastened wall panel to the wall via at least a fastener coupling together the frame and a rear portion of the rear-fastened wall panel. There is further provided a wall panel assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending frames. A first wall panel couples to the wall via a first said frame and at least a first fastener coupling together the first said frame and a side portion of the first wall panel. A second wall panel couples to the wall via a second said frame and a second fastener coupling together the second said frame and a rear portion of the second wall panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame for coupling either a fastener-exposed or fastener-hidden wall panel to a wall, the frame comprising:
 a first channel, wherein when the frame couples to the fastener-exposed wall panel, the first channel is shaped to abut and receive one or more first fasteners extending through a side portion of the fastener-exposed wall panel; and   a second channel coupled to the first channel, wherein when the frame couples to the fastener-hidden wall panel, the second channel is shaped to receive a rear portion of the fastener-hidden wall panel and couple thereto via one or more second fasteners.   
     
     
         2 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel has an open end configured to be adjacent the side portion of the wall panel. 
     
     
         3 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel includes a threaded recessed portion shaped to threadably couple with the one or more first fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel comprises a fastener chase. 
     
     
         5 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the second channel has a longitudinal axis and wherein the second channel has one or more apertures extending therethrough at an angle relative to said longitudinal axis and through which the one or more second fasteners are extendable. 
     
     
         6 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the first channel is substantially a rectangular prism in outer shape. 
     
     
         7 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the periphery of the fastener-hidden wall panel is C-shaped and configured to receive the first channel snugly therewithin. 
     
     
         8 . A frame assembly comprising a frame according to  claim 1  and one or more said fasteners via which the frame is selectively connectable to a wall panel. 
     
     
         9 . A frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate via a clip, the frame being configured to connect to either a fastener-exposed said wall panel or a fastener-concealed said wall panel. 
     
     
         10 . A method of installing a wall panel assembly on a wall or wall substrate, the method comprising:
 coupling a first plurality of frames each according to claim  9 , to rear portions of a first set of wall panels having peripheries that are C-shaped in lateral section;   coupling a second plurality of frames each according to claim  9 , to side portions of a second set of wall panels having peripheries that are L-shaped in lateral section; and   mounting the wall panels to the wall via a plurality of clips which selectively couple to the frames so coupled thereto.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , including within the mounting step:
 mounting the first set of wall panels on a lower portion of the wall; and   mounting the second set of wall panels on an upper portion of the wall.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , including within the step of coupling the first plurality of frames to the first set of wall panels:
 providing the frames with longitudinally-extending first portions shaped to snugly fit within respective C-shaped peripheries of the first set of wall panels.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , including within the step of coupling the first plurality of frames to the first set of wall panels:
 providing the frames with longitudinally-extending channels shaped to snugly receive therewithin at least in part respective said rear portions of the first set of wall panels.   
     
     
         14 . A kit comprising:
 a plurality of frames each according to  claim 9 ; and   a plurality of clips via which the frames couple wall panels to a wall or wall substrate.   
     
     
         15 . A wall panel assembly comprising:
 a plurality of frames each according to  claim 9 ;   a plurality of wall panels; and   a plurality of clips via which the frames couple the wall panels to a wall or wall substrate.   
     
     
         16 . A wall panel assembly comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally-extending frames each according to  claim 9 ;   a first wall panel configured to couple to a wall or wall substrate via a respective first said frame and one or more first fasteners coupling together the first said frame and a side or side portion of the first wall panel thereof; and   a second wall panel configured to couple to the wall or wall substrate via a respective second said frame and one or more second fasteners coupling together the frame and a rear or rear portion of the second wall panel thereof.   
     
     
         17 . A wall panel assembly comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally-extending frames each according to  claim 9 ; and   a wall panel configured to couple to a wall or wall substrate via i) at least a first said frame and one or more first fasteners coupling together the first said frame and a side or side portion of the wall panel and ii) at least a second said frame and one or more second fasteners coupling together the second said frame and a rear or rear portion of the wall panel.   
     
     
         18 . A wall panel assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the first said frame extends along a top of the wall panel. 
     
     
         19 . A wall panel assembly comprising:
 a first set of wall panels configured to couple to a wall or wall substrate via a first plurality of frames and exposed fasteners; and   a second set of wall panels configured to couple to the wall or wall substrate via hidden fasteners and a second plurality of said frames.   
     
     
         20 . A wall panel assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the frames which couple to the first set of wall panels have the same shape as the frames which couple to the second set of wall panels.