Wall panel mount system including a clip thereof and therefor

Abstract

There is provided a wall panel mount system and clip therefor. The clip comprises a metal sheet that is folded over on itself according to one aspect. The system includes first and second frames connectable to first and second wall panels. Each frame includes an inner portion configured to be adjacent or near a wall. The clip is connectable to the wall, slidably couples to the first frame and encloses the inner portion of the second frame according to another aspect. There is further provided a method of coupling a pair of wall panels to the wall. The method includes: coupling a pair of frames to respective ones of the wall panels; folding a metal sheet at least in part; fastening the metal sheet so folded to the wall or wall substrate; and coupling the frames to the wall or wall substrate via the metal sheet so folded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clip for a wall panel mount system, the clip comprising a metal sheet that is folded over on itself. 
     
     
         2 . A clip according to  claim 1 , including a first folded end portion shaped to be received within an inner channel of a first frame and a second folded end portion shaped to be received within an inner channel of a second frame. 
     
     
         3 . A clip according to  claim 2 , including an inverse U-shaped portion between the folded end portions thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is shaped to receive a frame of the wall panel mount system between folded portions thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip substantially extends along and covers outer surfaces of an inner channel of a first frame. 
     
     
         6 . A clip according to  claim 1 , wherein the clip is configured to extend within an inner channel of a frame of the wall panel mount system and snap-fit couple thereto. 
     
     
         7 . A clip according to  claim 1 , including a V-shaped bracket portion shaped to snap-fit couple to a frame. 
     
     
         8 . A clip according to  claim 1 , including an L-shaped bracket portion shaped to abut a wall or wall substrate. 
     
     
         9 . A clip according to  claim 1 , including a first subassembly with a ridge and including a second subassembly with a trough, with the ridge of the first subassembly being shaped to selectively nest with the trough of the second subassembly. 
     
     
         10 . A clip according to  claim 9 , wherein the first subassembly includes a resilient portion shaped to snap-fit connect with a frame of the wall panel mount system. 
     
     
         11 . A clip according to  claim 9 , wherein the ridge and trough so nested together are shaped to abut a wall and wherein one of the subassemblies includes an L-shaped bracket spaced-apart from the ridge and trough, with the L-shaped bracket being shaped to further abut the wall. 
     
     
         12 . A clip according to  claim 1 , including a protective membrane extending about and covering the metal sheet. 
     
     
         13 . A clip according to  claim 12 , wherein the protective membrane is made of one or more of a non-metal material, an insulating material and a plastic. 
     
     
         14 . A wall panel mount system comprising:
 first and second frames connectable to first and second wall panels, respectively, each said frame including an inner portion configured to be adjacent or near a wall or wall substrate; and   a clip connectable to the wall or wall substrate, the clip slidably coupling to the first frame and enclosing the inner portion of the second frame.   
     
     
         15 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 14 , wherein the clip couples to the second frame at least in part by extending about an interior and exterior of an inner channel of the second frame. 
     
     
         16 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 14 , wherein the clip slidably couples to the inner portion of the first frame. 
     
     
         17 . A wall panel mount system according to  claim 14 , wherein the clip snap-fit connects to the second frame. 
     
     
         18 . A method of coupling a pair of wall panels to a wall or wall substrate, the method comprising:
 coupling a pair of frames to respective ones of the wall panels;   folding a metal sheet at least in part;   fastening the metal sheet so folded to the wall or wall substrate; and   coupling the frames to the wall or wall substrate via the metal sheet so folded.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , including within the folding step, folding the metal sheet so as to form a clip. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , including within the coupling the frames to the wall or wall substrate step, shaping the metal sheet so folded to snap-fit couple to a first said frame and slidably couple to a second said frame.