Wall panel mount system including a frame shaped to inhibit pooling of fluid on an inner side thereof

Abstract

There is provided a frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate. The frame has inner and outer sides, with the inner side of the frame being shaped to inhibit pooling of fluid thereon according to one aspect. The frame includes a series of longitudinally-extending channels with outer surfaces thereof shaped to angle fluid away and/or outwards therefrom according to another aspect. According to an additional aspect: surfaces of the frame along an inner side of the frame between an inner end and a central portion of the frame are shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the inner end of the frame; and surfaces of the frame along the inner side of the frame between an outer end of the frame and the central portion of the frame are shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the outer end thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate, wherein the frame has an inner side configured to be in fluid communication with a central portion of the wall panel, wherein the frame has an outer side spaced-apart from the inner side thereof, and wherein the inner side of the frame is shaped to inhibit pooling of fluid thereon. 
     
     
         2 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has exterior surfaces along the inner side thereof, with the exterior surfaces being shaped to angle fluid away therefrom and outwards from the frame. 
     
     
         3 . A frame according to  claim 2 , wherein the frame has an inner end configured to face the wall or wall substrate and an outer end spaced-apart from the inner end thereof, with the inner and outer sides of the frame extending between the inner and outer ends of the frame, and wherein the exterior surfaces along the inner side of the frame extend from the inner end to the outer end of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . A frame according to  claim 2 , wherein the exterior surfaces along the inner side of the frame comprise a plurality of L-shapes in lateral profile. 
     
     
         5 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has an inner end configured to face the wall or wall substrate wherein the frame has an outer end spaced-apart from the inner end thereof, with the inner and outer sides of the frame extending between the inner and outer ends of the frame, and wherein the frame along the inner side thereof comprises a first or inner L-shaped bracket portion facing the inner end thereof and a second or outer L-shaped bracket portion facing the outer end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A frame according to  claim 5 , wherein the frame includes a third or intermediate L-shaped bracket portion facing one of the inner and outer ends thereof, the third or intermediate L-shaped bracket portion extending between and coupling together the first or inner L-shaped bracket portion and the second or outer L-shaped bracket portion. 
     
     
         7 . A frame according to  claim 6 , wherein the third or intermediate L-shaped bracket portion is laterally outwardly positioned relative to the first or inner L-shaped bracket portion and the second or outer L-shaped bracket portion. 
     
     
         8 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has an inner end configured to face the wall or wall substrate, where the frame has an outer end spaced-apart from the inner end thereof, with the inner and outer sides of the frame extending between the inner and outer ends of the frame, and wherein the frame along the inner side thereof, comprises a first one or more steps which direct fluid thereon to the inner end thereof and a second one or more steps which direct fluid thereon to the outer end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has two or more angled outer surfaces shaped for promoting removal of fluid therefrom and/or promoting rainscreen control thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising:
 a plurality of frames each according to  claim 1 ; and   a plurality of clips via which the frames couple wall panels to a wall or wall substrate.   
     
     
         11 . A wall panel assembly comprising:
 one or more wall panels; and   a plurality of frames each according to  claim 1  and via which the one or more wall panels couple to a wall or wall substrate.   
     
     
         12 . A frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate, the frame comprising a series of longitudinally-extending channels with outer surfaces thereof shaped to angle fluid away therefrom and/or outwards from the frame. 
     
     
         13 . A frame according to  claim 12 , wherein the frame comprises three said channels. 
     
     
         14 . A frame according to  claim 12 , wherein the frame has an inner side configured to be in fluid communication with a central portion of the wall panel, wherein the frame has an outer side spaced-apart from the inner side thereof, and wherein each said channel faces said outer side of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A frame according to  claim 12 , wherein the channels form a plurality of C-shapes in lateral section each facing the same direction. 
     
     
         16 . A frame according to  claim 12 , including an inner said channel, an outer said channel and a middle said channel extending between and laterally outwardly positioned from the inner said channel and the outer said channel. 
     
     
         17 . A frame according to  claim 12 , including an inner said channel, an outer said channel and a middle said channel extending between and inhibiting fluid communication between the inner said channel and the outer said channel. 
     
     
         18 . A frame for coupling a wall panel to a wall or wall substrate, with surfaces along an inner side thereof between an inner end and a central portion thereof being shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the inner end thereof, and with surfaces along the inner side thereof between an outer end and the central portion thereof being shaped to promote movement of fluid towards the outer end thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A frame according to  claim 18 , wherein the central portion thereof comprises a laterally-extending flange positioned between the inner end and the outer end of the frame. 
     
     
         20 . A frame according to  claim 18 , wherein the frame has sloped surfaces configured to divert water and/or inhibit pooling of water.