WO2022033984A1

WO2022033984A1 - Wall panel mounting system, device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2022033984A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/072044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Snorre NORMANN BACHE; Synne DRAGSUND LITLERE; Per Helge INDREEIDE KNUTSEN; Kaja Sofie LARNVIK; Geir LERVÅG
Original assignee: As Spilka Industri
Priority date: 2020-08-14
Filing date: 2021-08-06
Publication date: 2022-02-17
Also published as: EP4196646A1; NO346069B1; NO20200902A1

Abstract

The invention herein is a system and method for mounting a wall panel. The mounting system comprising: a wall panel mounting device (100), said wall panel mounting device comprising a slit fastening portion (101), adapted to be fastened to a slit (210), and at least one wall panel restraining portion (120), adapted to restrict movement of a wall panel in at least one direction parallel to said surface and said at least one wall panel restraining portion is elastic in at least said one direction parallel to said surface, a wall panel mounting rail (200) installed abutting a surface, said wall panel mounting rail comprising a slit (210) adapted to receive said slit fastening portion (101) of said wall panel mounting device.

Description

WALL PANEL MOUNTING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a wall panel mounting device, system and method for using said system and device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To facilitate the cladding of exterior as well as interior walls of buildings there exists different arrangements and solutions for mounting wall panels on flat surfaces. The wall panels are often in the shape of flat rectangular pieces adapted to be mounted side by side to completely cover a given surface of a building. As an aggregate, mounted wall panels may be designed to provide important fagade functions such as thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, or improved weather resistance. Additionally, the wall panels may merely be designed to create a visually pleasing impression.

In some prior solutions for fastening wall panels to exterior or interior surfaces the wall panels are provided with apertures for fastening with a screw or nail directly against a wall. In other cases, the wall panels are made of a porous material, such as wood, which can be penetrated by a screw or nail. Some wall panel systems comprise specially adapted mounting rails which are first fastened to the wall before the wall panels. The wall panels are then provided with special grooves or hangers adapted to engage the mounting rails. By providing grooves or hangers on the wall panels specially adapted to engage with mounting rails fastening methods for wall panels which does not require any special tools has been demonstrated.

However, using e.g. screws to penetrate porous material wall panels could cause the wall panels to crack or break while also the making it difficult to align the wall panels with a high degree of accuracy. Moisture and rain water may also creep around a screw or similar causing e.g. a wooden wall panel to rot and in some cases come lose from the fastening screw. Further, drilling holes in the wall panels prior to fastening the panels with e.g. a screw is inexact and time consuming, especially when performed during the wall panel installation process. Another shortcoming with prior solutions is that the wall panel structures are not easily and efficiently reused or repurposed, wall panels with a proprietary geometry makes transportation and handling complex while inhibiting reuse of the panels, as they the proprietary designs are often incompatible with each other. Prior wall panel solutions thus perform poorly in a circular-economy aspect while at the same time the installation procedure can be time consuming and cumbersome.

US 2016/0145875 A1 describes a method, system and device for cladding of materials and in particular to an undercut clip anchor system. The system comprises a horizontal rail which mounts an upper undercut clip and a lower undercut clip for attaching an upper and lower cladding panel.

US 5802789 A relates to a partition panel including a partition frame with a planar face having clip receiving apertures for supporting cover panels and bracket receiving apertures for supporting furniture. The clips each include an anti-dislodgement tooth for interlockingly engaging a back surface of theface when the clips are engaged with the clip-receiving apertures.

US 3753325 A discloses a series of channel member studs disposed vertically between the floor and ceiling or other upper support in planar alignment and the studs are spaced apart to support wall or partition facing. The backside of each wall or partition facing, such as a sheet of gypsum board, hasaffixed to it a series of spring-type projections spaced from each other to register with the orifices in the channel-member studs.

US 3405493 A relates to a wall construction which comprises a plurality of parallel supporting elements for a wooden lining in non-yielding engagement therewith, wherein the spaces between the wooden lining and the supporting wall has a moisture resisting cohesive compression resisting material.

US 4223505 A relates to an apparatus for fastening building construction insulating panels to a supporting wall structure comprising a slotted channel member and an anchoring clip. The anchoring clip has opposed flanges on one end for engaging the edges of adjacent insulating wall panels and an anchor on the opposite end for engaging the slot in the channel. EP 1749950 B1 describes a fixing device for a panel wherein the fixing device comprises a set of fixing means each provided with at least one connecting portion that can be inserted in a section bar through the respective longitudinal opening and, with at least a support portion fit to be engaged to an edge of the panel, to block it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the shortcomings of the existing solutions there is a need for an improved wall panel mounting system and method. Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wall panel mounting system, and method of using said system, which provides a less cumbersome installation process, provides more precise positioning of the wall panels, does not risk damaging the wall panels and performs better from a circular economy aspect.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, these and other objects are achieved by a wall panel mounting system comprising a wall panel mounting device. The wall panel mounting device comprising a slit fastening portion, adapted to be fastened to a slit, and at least one wall panel restraining portion, adapted to restrict movement of a wall panel in at least one direction parallel to the surface. The at least one wall panel restraining portion is elastic in at least the one direction parallel to the surface. The system further comprises a wall panel mounting rail installed abutting a surface, the wall panel mounting rail comprising a slit adapted to receive the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device.

A wall panel mounting system comprising a wall panel mounting rail installed against a surface and a wall panel mounting device is modular and adaptable to suit any surface or type of wall panel. The invention is based on the realization that by having an elastic wall panel restraining portion and a slit fastening portion the benefits are threefold. Firstly, the wall panel restraining portion may bend or flex during installation, making the installation process easier. Secondly, the wall panel restraining portion will, due to its elastic properties, be adapted to reliantly engage a wall panel even as the wall panel undergoes thermal expansion or contraction. Additionally, the flexible wall panel restraining portion allows for larger manufacturing tolerances of the wall panels and will reliantly engage wall panels being slightly larger or smaller than desired due to manufacturing errors. A rigid wall panel restraining portion would cause damage to a wall panel expanding or contracting due to changes in temperature. Thirdly, as the wall panel mounting device is adapted to be fastened to a slit provided in a wall panel mounting rail the wall panel mounting device can be removed and reused without causing any tear on the system. Meaning that the clips, and the wall panels can easily be installed, removed and reinstalled.

Additionally, the wall panel restraining portion of the wall panel mounting device may be adapted to clip on to or clasp an exterior corner of a wall panel. Thereby the system does not necessitate wall panels provided with any holes, indents, grooves or other means of fastening. Allowing use of simple, e.g. square or rectangularly shaped, wall panels which may be reused and are easier to manufacture. The wall panel mounting rail may be a vertical rail or a horizontal rail or a combination of both. The wall panel mounting rail may be screwed, bolted, glued, nailed or fastened by any other means to the surface while exposing the slit(s) facing away from the surface. Further, the wall panel mounting rails may be adapted to engage and be connected with each other. In some embodiments of the invention, a horizontal rail is fastened to the surface. For instance, if the surface is a wall with underlying stands, the horizontal rail is securely fastened to the underlying stands of the wall. Then, the vertical rails are connected to the horizontal rail and optionally fastened to the surface. Thus, the vertical rails may be positioned more arbitrarily, for instance without regarding the presence of underlying stands, as it is supported by the horizontal rail. A second horizontal rail may then be added which connects to the other end of the vertical rails and is fastened to the surface. Accordingly, the installation procedure is efficient as only the horizontal rails need to be fastened to the surface, while alignment of subsequent vertical rails and horizontal rails is ensured and separation between subsequent horizontal rails is ensured.

In some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a wall panel mounting system, wherein the slit of the mounting rails comprises two slit portions, a first slit portion and a second slit portion, the second slit portion being narrower than the first slit portion.

The first and second slit portions form parts of the same slit opening. Meaning that first and second slit portions each has a part of a same outer contour defining the slit opening. With a slit comprising a first and second slit portion, the second slit portion being narrower than the first slit portion the slit may be adapted to engage the slit fastening portion of a wall panel mounting device by being adapted to receive the slit fastening portion in the first slit portion, allow the slit fastening portion to be slid to the second slit portion, and reliantly retain the slit fastening portion in the second slit portion. Reliantly retaining the slit fastening portion in the second slit potion may comprise reliantly retaining the slit fastening portion in any direction but a direction pointing towards the first slit portion. In other words, the slit is adapted to allow a slit fastening portion to hang from the slit.

A slit comprising a first and second slit portion, the second slit portion being narrower than the first slit portion the slit may allow for facilitated installation of the wall panel system as the first slit may be large enough to receive the slit fastening portion of a wall panel mounting device from a wide range of angles and positions. While simultaneously being able to reliantly retain the slit fastening portion in the second slit portion. The slit, and its engagement with the slit fastening portion, may thus e.g. be similar in form and function to a hanging slot of a picture frame, used for hanging the picture frame onto a nail or screw head.

The invention further relates to a wall mounting device for use in a wall panel mounting system.

The wall panel mounting device may alternatively be referred to as a wall panel mounting clip. The mounting clip, with its slit fastening portion, may be adapted to elastically click into a slit provided in the mounting rail. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting clip may be adapted to be hanged into the slot. In the installed state, i.e. when the mounting clip is inserted into the slit and held in place either elastically or by a hanging engagement with the slit, the portion(s) still on the outside of the slit comprises the wall panel retaining portion(s).

There is also provided a wall panel mounting device wherein the wall panel mounting device comprises at least two wall panel restraining portions. A first wall panel restraining portion is adapted to restrain movement of a first panel in at least one direction parallel to the surface and a second wall panel restraining portion is adapted to restrain movement of a second wall panel in at least one direction parallel to the surface.

With at least two wall panel restraining portions the same wall panel mounting device can reliantly hold two wall panels. With at least two wall panel restraining portions the wall panel mounting device can ensure the correct separation between the two wall panels. The wall panel restraining portions, being elastic, allows thermal expansion and contraction of each wall panel without the wall panels coming into contact, which could cause wear or even break the wall panels. A system with two wall panels being separated in the vertical direction and fastened with a wall panel fastening device with two wall panel restraining portions enjoys the further benefit of allowing the bottom panel to lift the upper panel via the wall panel fastening device. For instance, if the bottom panel expands, the force exerted on the upper panel may lift the upper panel. Alternatively, in a system with any integer number of panels wherein each is vertically separated from the next panel any expansion or upwards force exerted by a panel on an above panel will be counteracted by the flexible wall panel restraining portions but may propagate to the uppermost panel, which is lifted. Further, the wall panels will be more precisely aligned relative to each other as the separation between the panels is mainly determined by the distance between the wall panel restraining portions of the wall panel fastening device. In some embodiments the wall panel restraining portions are arranged opposite of each other, being arranged to restrain a first wall panel from one side and a second wall panel from the opposite side. A wall panel mounting device with two wall panel restraining portions is thus suited to separate and restrain e.g. a right panel and a left panel or an above panel and a below panel.

The slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device may comprise an elastic portion making the slit fastening portion compressible in at least one direction, such that the slit fastening portion may be compressed and inserted into the slit. In a compressed state the projection of the slit fastening portion onto a plane parallel to the surface may be smaller than when the slit fastening portion is in a non-compressed state. By compressing the slit fastening portion, it may be inserted into the slit. By releasing the compressed slit fastening portion, it may expand inside the slit such that the slit fastening portion is reliantly retained in the slit. An elastic slit fastening portion has the added benefit that the mounting procedure may be easier and faster. For instance, the installation may not require any tools as the wall panel mounting device may be entered by hand into the slit. As the wall panel mounting device is entered into the slit the flexible slit fastening portion may be compressed by the slit and the manual insertion force. Alternatively or additionally, the slit fastening portion comprises an elastic element which is compressed while being inserted into the slit, to spring back while inside the slit. The slit fastening portion being elastic and compressible may be due to the same properties as the wall panel restraining portion being elastic. For instance, a single linear elastic element, such as a spring or a bent piece of metal, fixated to a wall panel restraining portion and a first slit portion at one end and a second slit portion at the other end, the two slit portions constituting the slit fastening portion provides for both an elastic wall panel retaining portion and an elastic slit fastening portion. The two slit portions may be compressed together, forming a compressible slit fastening portion. While inserted in the slit, a force exerted on the wall panel retaining portion will also be resiliently counteracted by the same elastic element.

In some embodiments of the invention there is provided a wall panel mounting device wherein the slit fastening portion of the mounting device comprises a bending element adapted to in a bent state, protrude from the slit fastening portion for locking the slit fastening portion to the slit.

A bending element offers a convenient and efficient way of securely mounting the wall panel mounting device into a slit provided in a mounting rail. The bending element may, in an unbent state, be integrated into the slit fastening portion, such that the slit fastening portion may be inserted into a slit. The bending element may then be bent to a bent state, such that the bending element protrudes from the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device. Being inside the slit the bending element in the bent state may securely lock the wall panel mounting device to the slit.

The aforementioned slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device may further comprise a head portion and a throat portion. The slit fastening portion of a wall panel mounting device may comprise two portions, a throat portion being smaller in at least one dimension than a head portion. Such a slit fastening portion may be adapted to engage a slit or hang from a slit at the throat portion. For example, a slit of a mounting rail may be oblong in its shape. The slit fastening portion may comprise a head portion adapted to be inserted to the slit and a throat portion being smaller in a dimension parallel to the extension of the slit opening. After the head portion has been inserted the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device may be slid in a direction parallel to the slit such that the throat portion engages the slit and the head portion obstructs the wall panel mounting device from being removed at least by a force normal to the slit opening. In cases when a slit comprises at least two portions, one portion being narrower than the other, a preferable engagement between the wall panel mounting device and the slit is achieved if the throat portion is adapted to be inserted into the narrow portion of the slit while the head portion of the slit fastening portion is adapted to be inserted through the wider slit portion but not through the more narrow slit portion. An easy to install hanging engagement between the slit fastening portion and the slit may thus be achieved.

In some embodiments of the invention there the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device is U-shaped and at least one of the two ends of the U-shaped slit fastening portion is attached to the at least one wall panel restraining portion.

Equivalently, the at least one wall panel restraining portion may be directly or indirectly attached to any an inner, outer, upper or lower side of the U-shaped slit fastening portion. A benefit of the U-shaped slit fastening portion is that the shape may in itself constitute an elastic element. With such a shape, the slit fastening portion may be elastic such that the slit fastening portion is compressible in at least one direction allowing it to be compressed and inserted into a slit. Additionally or alternatively, a U-shaped slit fastening portion may provide the elastic properties of the wall panel restraining portion of the wall panel mounting device. The wall panel restraining portion may thus be elastic in its engagement with a wall panel as any forces may be transferred to compression or expansion of the U-shaped slit fastening portion. It is understood that a V-shape or any similarly shaped slit fastening portion achieves the same effects.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for mounting a wall panel comprising the steps of providing a mounting rail installed against a surface, the mounting rail comprising a slit. Providing a wall panel mounting device, the wall panel mounting device comprising a slit fastening portion, adapted to be fastened to a slit, and at least one wall panel restraining portion, adapted to restrict movement of a wall panel in at least one direction parallel to the surface, the at least one wall panel restraining portion is elastic in at least the direction parallel to the surface. Providing a wall panel. Inserting the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device into the slit. Bringing the wall panel into contact with the at least one wall panel restraining portion.

The invention according to the second aspect features the same or equivalent embodiments and benefits as the invention according to the first aspect. The step of providing mounting rails installed against a surface may comprise providing a mounting rail and installing it against a surface. According to the second aspect of the invention, a wall panel may effectively and easily be installed against the surface. It is appreciated that inserting the slit fastening portion into a slit and bringing the wall panel into contact with the at least one wall panel restraining portion may occur in any order or simultaneously. A wall panel mounting device may be inserted into a slit prior to placing the wall panel into, or bringing the wall panel into contact with, the wall panel restraining portion of the device. The positioning of the wall panel is thus guided by the already inserted wall panel mounting device. Alternatively, the wall panel may be manually positioned at a desired position first, and the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device is inserted into the slit as a second step, merely restraining the panel in the desired position.

According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for mounting a wall panel further comprising the steps of providing a second mounting rail fastened against the surface, the second mounting rail comprising a slit. Inserting the slit fastening portion of the second wall panel mounting device into the slit of the second mounting rail such that the at least one wall panel restraining portion of the second wall panel mounting device is in contact with the wall panel.

Alternatively, the two slits may be provided in the same mounting rail. By providing and mounting two wall panel mounting devices, by inserting each into an individual slit, the wall panel may be more reliantly mounted against the surface. Additionally, the invention may comprise a step of providing a second wall panel wherein the second wall panel mounting device comprises at least two wall panel restraining portions. The first wall panel may then be fastened by the first and second wall panel mounting device, while the second wall panel mounting device also fastens the second wall panel. A third wall panel mounting device may be provided to further fasten the second wall panel. The third wall panel mounting device may comprise at least two wall panel restraining portions, and a third wall panel may be provided, allowing the third wall panel mounting device to fasten the third wall panel. In this fashion the wall panels and wall panel mounting devices may be provided and used until a desired surface coverage has been achieved. Analogously, mounting rails installed against the surface, comprising at least one slit, may be provided to allow fastening of the slit fastening portions of each wall panel mounting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

Fig. 1 a is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with one wall panel restraining portion, adapted to be used in a top portion of a wall panel, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 b is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with one wall panel restraining portion , adapted to be used in a bottom portion of a wall panel, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with two wall panel restraining portions according embodiments of the invention, adapted to be used at an outer corner of a surface. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with two wall panel restraining portions according embodiments of the invention, adapted for use at an inner corner of a surface.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with one wall panel restraining portion and a rail locking portion.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting device with two wall panel restraining portions according embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a wall panel mounting rail, adapted to be placed horizontally on a surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting rail, adapted to be placed in an inner corner of a surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a wall panel mounting rail, adapted to be placed in an outer corner of a surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a wall panel mounting rail, adapted to be placed vertically on a surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a side view of a wall panel mounting rail, adapted to be placed vertically on a surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 1 a is a perspective view of a bottom support device, especially adapted to be used at the bottom of an outer corner, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 1 1 b is a perspective view of a bottom support device, especially adapted to be used at the bottom of an inner corner, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a flow chart describing a method according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. Even though in the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the present invention.

Figure 1 a depicts an exemplary wall panel mounting device 100. The wall panel mounting device 100 in Figure 1 a may be referred to as a top clip. The wall panel mounting device 100 comprises a wall panel restraining portion 120. The wall panel restraining portion 120 is adapted restrain a wall panel in a direction parallel to a surface by contacting the wall panel with a wall panel contacting surface 125. The wall panel contacting surface 125 being adapted to contact a side of a wall panel, such as the top of a wall panel. The wall panel restraining portion 120 may further comprise a clasping element 124. The clasping element 124 may be elastic and adapted to clasp onto the outside of a wall panel, the outside of a wall panel being opposite to the inside facing the surface and the mounting rail. A side of the wall panel is thus an edge surface or surface of the wall panel, oriented at a right angle to the outside or inside of the wall panel. The clasping element 124 may be attached to the wall panel side contacting surface 125 and be adapted to reach around the side of the wall panel and contact the outside of the wall panel. The clasping element 124 may be flexible so as to allow thermal expansion or contraction of the wall panels which affects their thickness. Additionally, the flexible clasping element 124 accepts and reliantly holds wall panels of various thickness, brought e.g. by manufacturing errors. The inside of the wall panel may contact a mounting rail. The wall panel may thus be reliantly held by one or more of the wall panel contacting surface 125, the clasping element 124 and the mounting rail.

The wall panel mounting device 100 further comprises a slit fastening portion 1 10. The slit fastening portion 110 is adapted to be inserted into a slit. The slit may be provided in a mounting rail and be arranged in a plane parallel or angular to, but displaced from, the surface. The slit fastening portion 1 10 of the wall panel mounting device 100 is adapted to be inserted into a slit in an insertion direction 101 . Upon inserting the slit into a slit in the insertion direction 101 , the slit may be moved in a locking direction, being other than the insertion direction 101 , to securely lock or hang the slit fastening portion 1 10 from a slit. The slit fastening portion 1 10 may be U-shaped such that the slit fastening portion 110 may be compressed or expanded elastically.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 a the slit fastening portion 1 10 comprises a throat portion 1 11 , being smaller in at least one dimension, compared to a head portion 1 12. For instance, the wall panel mounting device 100 may be adapted to be inserted to a horizontal mounting rail. Such that the wall panel contacting surface 125 is adapted to contact a top side of a wall panel. With further reference to the exemplary mounting rail depicted in Figure 6, the head portion 1 12 of the slit fastening portion 1 10 is adapted to be inserted into the first slit portion 21 1 of a slit 210 with two slit portions, the second slit portion 212 being narrower than the first slit portion 21 1. The throat portion 1 1 1 of the slit fastening portion 1 10 is adapted to be hanged in the narrow slit portion by sliding the slit fastening portion 1 10 towards the narrow slit portion (with the head portion 1 12 having gone through the wider slit portion first).

Figure 1 b depicts a wall panel mounting device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The wall pane mounting device 100 in Figure 1 b may be referred to as a bottom clip adapted to support a wall panel from below. The wall panel fastening device 100 comprises a hanger slit fastening portion 110’ in the shape of a hanger slit fastening portion 110’. The hanger slit fastening portion 110’ is adapted to hang from a slit and support a wall panel which is inserted into the wall panel restraining portion 120 against the wall panel contacting surface 125. The hanger slit fastening portion 110’ is inserted into a slit in the insertion direction 101 and may optionally and subsequently be displaced so as to hang from the slit. The clasping element 124 flexibly clasps e.g. the bottom of a wall panel

Figure 2 illustrates a wall panel mounting device 100 with two wall panel restraining portions 120a, 120b. Each wall panel restraining portion 120a, 120b comprises its own clasping element. The wall panel contacting surfaces 125a, 125b are arranged in different directions. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 2 the faces of the wall panel contacting surfaces 125a, 125b are oriented with a difference of 90°. This makes the wall panel mounting device 100 suitable for use at an outer corner of a surface as it restrains wall panels oriented at a 90° angle from each other. With further reference to Figure 8 there is illustrated a corresponding wall panel mounting rail 200 adapted to be installed at an outer corner of two surfaces meeting at a 90° angle. The insertion direction 101 of the wall panel mounting device 100 adapted to retain wall panels meeting at an outer corner lies a plane parallel to one of the surfaces meeting at an outer corner. Also depicted in Figure 2 is a bending element 1 14 or elastic element of the slit fastening portion 1 10. Well inside a slit, the bending element 114 may be bent outwards so as to lock the slit fastening portion 1 10 inside a slit. Alternatively, the element 1 14 may be an elastic element which may be extending outside of the slit fastening portion 1 10. The elastic element may be compressed against the slit fastening portion 1 10 such that the slit fastening portion 1 10 may be inserted into a slit. After passing through a slit, the elastic element of the slit fastening portion 1 10 may spring back to its original position, extending outside of the slit fastening portion 1 10, to securely lock the slit fastening portion 1 10 of a wall panel mounting device 100 to a slit. The elastic element may be in the shape of a flap projecting outwards at an angle from the slit fastening portion 110. The elastic element may be adapted to be compressed by the slit during insertion of the slit fastening portion 110 into the slit and to spring back into its extended state once the slit fastening portion 1 10 has been inserted into the slit.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated a wall panel mounting device 100 with two wall panel restraining portions. The two wall panel contacting surfaces 125a, 125b of each wall panel restraining portion 120a, 120b are each adapted to contact a wall panel at a 45° angle. Each wall panel restraining portion further comprises a wall panel clasping element 124a, 124b. The wall panel mounting device 100 exemplified in Figure 3 is especially adapted for use with a wall panel in an inner corner. With further reference to Figure 7, the wall panel mounting device 100 may be adapted for mounting and/or restraining wall two wall panels which meet at an inner corner. The wall panel mounting rail 200 in Figure 7 is adapted to be mounted at an inner corner of two surfaces meeting at a 90° angle. The slit(s) 210 of the wall panel mounting rail 200, installed at inner corner of two meeting surfaces, faces a direction 45° offset from each of the two meeting surfaces forming the inner corner. In Figure 4 there is depicted a wall panel mounting device 100 comprising one wall panel retaining portion 120 with a wall panel contacting surface 125. The wall panel mounting device 100 further comprises an auxiliary slit locking portion 121. The wall panel mounting device 100 is adapted to reliantly retain or mount a wall panel against a mounting rail provided with a slit. To ensure proper insertion of the slit fastening portion 1 10 in the insertion direction 101 the wall panel mounting device may comprise an auxiliary slit locking portion 121 which ensures that the wall panel mounting device 100 cannot be inserted entirely through a slit. The wall panel retaining portion 120 may itself ensure that wall panel mounting device 100 cannot be inserted entirely through a slit. The exemplary wall panel mounting device 100 in Figure 4 is preferably used for edge wall panels, i.e. wall panels without a neighboring wall panel on at least one side. As a compliment to wall panel mounting devices 100 comprising two wall panel restraining portions adapted to restrain neighboring wall panels, the wall panel restraining portions and the wall panels cooperating to aid proper insertion of the slit fastening portion 1 10 of the wall panel mounting device 100, a wall panel restraining portion may be replaced with an auxiliary slit locking portion 121 adapted to ensure proper installation.

Figure 5 illustrates a wall panel mounting device 100 with two wall panel restraining portions 120a, 120b. The U-shaped slit fastening portion 1 10 is adapted to at least partially be inserted into a slit. At least one of the two ending portions of the U-shaped slit fastening portion 110 may be connected to a respective wall panel restraining portion 120a, 120b. The wall panel restraining portion 120a, 120b being adapted to extend on the outside of the slit when the wall panel mounting device 100 is in the installed state, with the slit fastening portion 110 having been inserted into the slit.

A U-shaped slit fastening portion 110 may comprise three portions, two extending portions arranged in parallel or at an angle to each other. Each extending portion comprises an outer portion and the extending portions are arranged such that there is an empty space between the two ending portions. The third portion of a U-shaped slit fastening portion 1 10 is a connecting portion which connects two inner portions of the extending portions together. In doing so, the connecting portion may be suitably curved or bent and/or elastic. The two outer portions are each adapted to be attached to a wall panel restraining portion or a slit locking portion and/or protrude out of the slit when the slit fastening portion 1 10 has been inserted into the slit. Using e.g. a sheet-metal for the U-shaped slit fastening portion 110 will result in a slit fastening portion 1 10 wherein the two extending portions are compressible and elastic (especially at the outer portions).

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the slit fastening portion 1 10 comprises a head portion 1 12 and a throat portion 1 1 1. In the installed state the head portion 1 12 is inside the slit while the throat portion 1 1 1 engages the edge of the slit, leaving the wall panel restraining portions 120a, 120b, comprising wall panel contacting surfaces 125a, 125b and clasping elements, outside of the slit. A throat portion 11 1 engaging a slit means that the wall panel mounting device 100 cannot be easily removed from the slit, as the head portion 1 12 obstructs the wall panel mounting device 100 from being pulled out of the installed state.

Figure 6 illustrates a wall panel mounting rail 200 provided with a plurality of slits 210. Each slit 210 of the wall panel mounting rail 200 comprises two slit portions 21 1 , 212, one slit portion being a wider slit portion and one slit portion being a narrower slit portion. The wall panel mounting rail 200 is adapted to receive a slit fastening portion of a wall panel mounting device in the wider slit portion, allow a throat portion of the slit fastening portion to be slid into the narrower slit portion and allow the wall panel mounting device to hang from the narrower slit portion. The wall panel mounting rail 200 in Figure 6 is especially suited for horizontal installation against a surface, with the wider slit portion positioned above the narrower slit portion, allowing the wall panel mounting device to naturally hang from the narrower slit portion due to gravity. The wall panel mounting rail 200 provides an empty space between the slit 210 opening and the surface on which it is installed.

In Figure 7 there is depicted a wall panel mounting rail 200 with a slit(s) 210. A wall panel mounting rail 200 is not necessarily installed against a same surface. The wall panel mounting rail 200 in Figure 7 has surface installation means 220 adapted to be installed against two surfaces, meeting each other at a 90° inner corner. The slit(s) 210 may be simple rectangular slits. The slit(s) 210 are oriented against the center angle of the inner corner, i.e. at 45°. The wall panel mounting rails 200, of any type, are provided with an empty space behind the slit(s) 210, to allow the slit fastening portion of a wall panel mounting device and the to be positioned in the empty space. The wall panel mounting rail 200 is especially suited for being installed in vertical alignment.

In Figure 8 the wall panel mounting rail 200 is adapted to be installed at an outer corner formed by two surfaces meeting at a 90° angle. The slit 210 of the wall panel mounting rail 200 in Figure 8 is comprised of two slit opening half portions. The half portions are connected such that the slit forms a single opening. However, the first slit half portion is in parallel to the first surface of the two surfaces meeting at an outer corner while the second slit half portion is in parallel to the second surface of the two surfaces meeting at an outer corner. The wall panel mounting rail 200 may comprise surface installation means 220 with which the wall panel mounting rail 200 may be installed against a surface. The wall panel mounting rail 200 may preferably comprise two surface installation means 220, each adapted to be installed to one of the two surfaces meeting at an outer corner. The wall panel mounting rail 200 is especially suited for installation in a vertical arrangement. The surface installation means 220 may comprise screw holes, adapted to receive a screw to fasten the surface installation means against a surface.

The wall panel mounting rails 200 adapted for use with inner or outer corners may e.g. be used around windows or any other corner present on a wall or building.

Figure 9 and Figure 10 show wall panel mounting rails 200 comprising a slit 210. The wall panel mounting rails 200 may be installed in a vertical orientation against a surface. The wall panel mounting rails 200 may comprise surface installation means 220, e.g. screw holes, such that the wall panel mounting rails 200 may be installed against a surface. Additionally, the wall panel mounting rails 200 may be adapted to interlock with each other. For instance, a plurality of wall panel mounting rails 200 of the same type may be provided wherein each wall panel mounting rail 200 is adapted to interlock with two other wall panel mounting rails 200. The wall panel mounting rails 200 in Figure 9 and Figure 10 are especially suited for being installed in a vertical orientation.

The wall panel mounting rails 200 depicted in Figure 6-10 may additionally be telescopic. A rail may comprise to two portions being in sliding engagement with each other, each portion comprising a slit 210, such that the separation between the slits 210 and the extension of the wall panel mounting rail 200 may be altered. Altering the distance between the slits 210 may comprise sliding one of the two rail portions in relation to the other rail portion. Altering the distance between the slits 210 may facilitate mounting of the wall panels with the wall panel mounting devices as the separation between the slits, and thereby the positioning of the wall panel mounting devices adapted to engage each slit 210, can be set to fit the wall panel.

Additionally, the wall panel mounting rails 200 in Figure 6-10 can all be used in combination to cover an arbitrary surface and provide suitably arranged slits 210. Any number or combination of the wall panel mounting devices 100 depicted in Figure 1 -5 may then be utilized to fasten wall panel against the wall panel mounting rails 200 installed against the surface. The mounting rail depicted in Figure 6 may for example be used in horizontal installation together with the wall panel mounting device in Figure 1 b to fasten a bottom wall panel or the wall panel mounting device in Figure 1 a to fasten a top wall panel. Alternatively, the wall panel mounting rail 200 may be used in combination with the wall panel mounting device from Figure 5 to secure two adjacent wall panels, one being located above the other or with the wall panel mounting device from Figure 4 to secure a wall panel without an above or below neighboring wall panel.

In a similar fashion the preferably vertical wall panel mounting rails 200 in Figure 9 and Figure 10 may be used with any of the wall panel mounting devices in Figure 1 a, 1 b, 4 and 5 to fasten neighboring, top, bottom or edge wall panels in an aggregate installation of wall panels. The corner wall panel mounting rails 200 in Figure 7 and Figure 8 may preferably be used in combination with wall fastening devices provided from Figure 3 and Figure 2 respectively, to fasten neighboring wall panels which meet at an inner or outer corner. Figure 1 1 a illustrates an optional bottom support device 300 comprising a bottom protection plate 310 and/or a horizontal rail alignment pin 320. The bottom support device 300 may be a part of a vertical rail such as a vertical rail adapted to be placed at an outer corner. The bottom support device 300 may be made in a single piece together with a vertical rail. Alternatively, the bottom support device 300 may be an independent component which is completely separated from a vertical rail or merely adapted to abut a vertical rail. The horizontal rail alignment pin 320 is adapted to connect to corresponding pin slot in a horizontal bottom rail. The horizontal rail alignment pin 320 is attached to the bottom protection plate 310 and the bottom protection plate 310 sets the distance from a reference point (for example an outer or inner corner) to the horizontal rail alignment pin 320 such that a horizontal rail is properly positioned in relation to the reference point. The bottom support device 300 may comprise two arms, each comprising a bottom protection plate 310 and a horizontal rail alignment pin 320 which extends on either side of an outer or inner corner. With the bottom support device 300 the proper alignment or the horizontal rails on one or both sides of an outer or inner corner is established, as the horizontal rail alignment pin 320 engages a corresponding slot in each horizontal rail. Setting the correct distance from the reference point. The support plate is provided with holes so as to provide ventilation of the backside of the wall panels while also prohibiting rodents or other vermin from entering the backside of the wall panels from the bottom.

Figure 1 1 b illustrates an equivalent bottom support device 300 comprising a bottom protection plate 310 and/or a horizontal rail alignment pin 320 adapted for use at an inner corner.

Any of wall panel fastening devices described in connection to Figure 1 a, 1 b and 2-5, the wall panel mounting rails described in connection to Figure 6-10 or the bottom support devices described in connection to Figure 1 1 a, 1 1 b may feature an installation guidance marking. An installation guidance marking may be a hole, grove, etching, sticker or any similar marking which can be perceived visually. The marking, fixated or a part of the component, may indicate how that component should be oriented during installation and/or while it is installed. For instance, the marking may be a hole in the slit fastening portion of a wall panel fastening device, the hole being indicative of which side of the wall panel fastening device that should face up during installation. In another example, the marking is a symbol, such as R or U, indicating which side should face right (R) or up (U) during installation of that component.

The flow chart in Figure 12 describes a method of installing a wall panel according to embodiments of the present invention. At S1 a wall panel mounting rail is provided installed against a surface. Alternatively, the wall panel mounting rail is provided and then installed against a surface. The wall panel mounting rail comprises at least one slit. At S2 a wall panel mounting device according to embodiments of the invention is provided. At S3 a wall panel is provided. It is understood that steps S1 , S2 and S3 may occur in an arbitrary order or simultaneously. At S4 the slit fastening portion of the wall panel mounting device is inserted into the slit of the wall panel mounting device and at S5 the wall panel is brought into contact with wall panel restraining portion of the wall panel mounting device. Bringing the wall into contact with the wall panel restraining portion of the wall panel mounting device may comprising bringing the wall panel into contact with the wall panel contacting surface of the wall panel restraining portion. It is conceivable that steps S4 and S5 may occur simultaneously, i.e. inserting the slit fastening portion into the slit may occur at the same time as when the wall panel comes into contact with the wall panel mounting device.

Additionally, step S1 may further comprise providing a wall panel mounting rail with at least two slits or a second wall panel mounting rail with at least one slit. Step S2 may comprise providing at least two wall panel mounting devices. Step S3 may further comprise providing at least two wall panels. Analogously, step S3 and S4 may comprise first inserting one wall panel mounting device into a slit and bringing the wall panel restraining portion into contact with the wall panel restraining portion and subsequently performing the same procedure again, with a second wall panel and a second wall panel mounting device. The second wall panel mounting device may comprise at least two wall panel restraining portions such that the second is adapted to be brought into contact with both the first and the second wall panel. The method may further comprise the steps of mounting several wall panel mounting rails to provide a wall panel mounting system comprising several wall panel mounting rails, several wall panels and several wall panel mounting devices. The wall panel mounting device may comprise one or several horizontal wall panel rails such as the ones illustrated in e.g. figure 6 and may also comprise several vertical wall panel rails such as the ones illustrated in figures 9 and 10. Two or more horizontal or vertical wall panel rails may be arranged to abut each other’s end portions so as together form a longer horizontal/vertical wall rail. The horizontal and vertical rails may together form a grid of rails on the wall. Further, if the wall comprises any outer or inner corners, corner rails as illustrated in figures 7 and 8 may be used in the system. Thus, the method for mounting the wall system may comprise steps of mounting the corner rails in the outer/inner corner(s).

In one embodiment, the grid of rails may be mounted by starting with mounting several horizontal wall panel rails at a bottom portion of the wall, and thereafter mount several vertical panel rails distributed along the length of the bottom horizontal wall panel rails. Thus, the vertical rails connected at bottom end to the horizontal rail may be adapted to set the distance to the next horizontal rail, to be connected to the top end of the wall panel mounting rails and fastened to the surface. Meaning that no new alignment of the horizontal rail is necessary. Subsequently, a next layer of horizontal wall panel rails may be mounted in the upper portion of the vertical wall panel rails. Hereby, the vertical wall panel rails will connect their first ends to one of the bottom horizontal wall panel rails, and will connect their second opposite ends to one of the secondly provided horizontal wall panel rails. These steps may be repeated until the entire wall is covered with a grid of wall panel rails.

When the grid of wall panels is in place, the wall panel mounting devices may be mounted to the bottom horizontal wall panel rail. Subsequently a first row a wall panels may be arranged by means of the wall panel mounting devices along the bottom horizontal wall panel rail. Preferably, the vertical wall panel rails have a length corresponding to the height of the wall panels, such that the first rows of panels are aligned in the upper portion with the second row of horizontal wall panel rails. Subsequently, the wall panel mounting devices are mounted to the second horizontal wall panel rails, and/or to the vertical wall panel rails. Thereafter, the next row of wall panels may be mounted in the same way as the first row but arranged above the first row of panels. This step may be repeated until the entire surface of the wall to be covered is covered by wall panels.

Different sizes of the wall panels may be used, both in height and width, as long as the dimensions corresponds to the grid of wall panel rails provided on the wall. The size of the wall panels may e.g. range from 195mm*195mm to 2995mm*2995mm. The panels may also be wider than the height and vice versa, e.g. 1 195mm*2495mm or 595mm*2495mm. Wherein preferred wall panel sizes range from 595mm*595mm to 1195mm*2995mm. The panels may also have different sized in a single wall panel system, so as to e.g. facilitate for arranging the wall panels on a wall comprising doors or windows on portions of the wall.

Further, the method may also comprise the step of demounting one or several of the panels, so as to be able to substitute one or several wall panels. Moreover, any wall panel that is removed, may be used in another wall panel system, since the wall panels are merely mechanically held to the rails by means of the wall panel mounting devices and consequently is not damages from e.g. screws or adhesives.

The skilled person in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. The features of the described embodiments may be combined in different ways, and many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting to the claim. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in the claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims

23 CLAIMS

1 . A wall panel mounting system comprising: a wall panel mounting device (100), said wall panel mounting device (100) comprising a slit fastening portion (110), adapted to be fastened to a slit (210), and at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b), adapted to restrict movement of a wall panel, and a wall panel mounting rail (200) installed abutting a surface, said wall panel mounting rail (200) comprising a slit (210) adapted to receive said slit fastening portion (110) of said wall panel mounting device (100), characterized in that said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b) is further adapted to restrict movement of the wall panel in at least one direction parallel to said surface and said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b) is elastic in at least said one direction parallel to said surface.

2. A wall panel mounting system as in claim 1 , wherein said slit (210) of said wall panel mounting rail (200) comprises two slit portions (211 , 212), a first slit portion (211 ) and a second slit portion (212), the second slit portion (212) being narrower than the first slit portion (211 ).

3. A wall panel mounting device (100) for use in a wall panel mounting system according to any of the preceding claims.

4. A wall panel mounting device (100) as in claim 3, wherein said wall mounting device (100) comprises at least two wall panel restraining portions (120, 120a, 120b) wherein a first wall panel restraining portion (120a) is adapted to restrain movement of a first wall panel in at least one direction parallel to said surface and a second wall panel restraining portion (120b) is adapted to restrain movement of a second wall panel in at least one direction parallel to said surface.

5. A wall panel mounting device (100) as in any of claims 3-4, wherein said slit fastening portion (110) of said wall panel mounting device (100) comprises an elastic portion (114) making the slit fastening portion (110) compressible in at least one direction, such that the slit fastening portion (110) may be compressed and inserted into the slit (210).

6. A wall panel mounting device (100) as in any of claims 3-5, wherein said slit fastening portion (110) of said wall panel mounting device (100) comprises a bending element (114) adapted to in a bent state, protrude from said slit fastening portion (110) for locking the slit fastening portion (110) to the slit (210).

7. A wall mounting device (100) as in any of claims 3-6, wherein said slit fastening portion (110) of said wall panel mounting device (100) comprises a head portion (112) and a throat portion (111 ).

8. A wall panel mounting device (100) for use in a wall panel mounting system as in any of claims 3-7, wherein said slit fastening portion (110) is U- shaped and at least one of the two ends of the U-shaped slit fastening portion (110) is attached to said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b).

9. A method for mounting a wall panel comprising the steps of: providing a wall panel mounting rail (200) installed against a surface, said wall panel mounting rail (200) comprising a slit (210), providing a wall panel mounting device (100), said wall panel mounting device (100) comprising a slit fastening portion (110), adapted to be fastened to a slit (210), and at least one wall panel restraining portion (110), adapted to restrict movement of a wall panel,, providing a wall panel, inserting said slit fastening portion (110) of said wall panel mounting device (100) into said slit (210), bringing said wall panel into contact with said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b), characterized in that said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b) is further adapted to restrict movement of the wall panel in at least one direction parallel to said surface and said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b) is elastic in at least said direction parallel to said surface.

10. A method for mounting a wall panel according to claim 9, said method further comprising the steps of: providing a second wall panel mounting rail (200) fastened against said surface, said second wall panel mounting rail (200) comprising a slit (210), providing a second wall panel mounting device (100), inserting said slit fastening portion (110) of said second wall panel mounting device (100) into said slit (210) of said second wall panel mounting rail (200) such that said at least one wall panel restraining portion (120, 120a, 120b) of said second wall panel mounting device (100) is in contact with said wall panel.