Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facer held by stiffener-type frame
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2002-11-26
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facer held by stiffener-type frame
C052S478000, C052S235000, C052S506060, C052S506100, C052S521000, C052S529000, C052S531000, C052S539000, C052S544000, C052S395000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06484465
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to open joint wall panel systems. In particular, this invention relates to an open joint rain screen wall panel system that does not require wet sealant and that uses an anchoring guttering system with standardized metal panels.
2. Description of Related Art
Some conventional rain screen wall panel systems require frequent maintenance. These rain screen systems use wet sealants that have been applied either at the manufacturing facility or in the field. The sealants prevent the ingress of water between the panels of the wall system. However, these wet sealants degrade over time due to exposure to the elements. Degradation of these sealants mars the appearance of the building. Therefore, conventional wall systems require frequent maintenance of the sealants to avoid excessive degradation by replacing old sealant with fresh sealant.
Wet sealants also restrict the ability of associated metal panels to move in response to temperature and pressure differentials between the exterior and interior surfaces of the panels. If the panels are restricted and exposed to thermal fluctuations, the panels may warp, “oil-can”or develop kinks in the surface.
A conventional rain screen system
10
that does not use a wet sealant is shown in FIG.
1
. This system
10
has brackets
12
attached to an exterior wall
14
of a building. The brackets
12
support a vertical track
16
. The vertical track includes pins
18
. Panels
20
of the system
10
include hooks
22
that each receive an isolator
24
and which engage a corresponding pin
18
. The system
10
is difficult to install because each pin
18
must be precisely vertically positioned to align with a corresponding hook
22
. The pins
18
are also difficult to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an open joint, back-ventilated rain screen panel system that uses dead load anchors, anchor clips and a track system. The panel system of the present invention does not require wet sealants and, therefore, avoids the necessity for regular maintenance. An exemplary embodiment of the panel system of the present invention uses standardized metal panels that are anchored by a guttering system. The system of the present invention permits movement of the panels in response to temperature changes. An exemplary embodiment of the panel system of the present invention uses nylon anchor blocks which minimize the friction between the individual wall panels and the track and enable the use of differing panel materials.
The panel system of the present invention does not use the difficult and restrictive hook and pin design of some conventional panel systems. The panel system of the present invention allows for much quicker installation and also reduces the number of penetrations of the wall of the building in comparison to conventional panel systems.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3898780 (1975-08-01), Beer
patent: 4840004 (1989-06-01), Ting
patent: 4924647 (1990-05-01), Drucker
patent: 5154029 (1992-10-01), Sturgeon
patent: 5452552 (1995-09-01), Ting
patent: 5598671 (1997-02-01), Ting
Architectural Facades, Inc.
Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP
Friedman Carl D.
Green Christy M.
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