Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
REVEAL DEVICE FOR A PANEL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to a novel and useful
replacement reveal system for a wall panel system.
Building facades are typically covered by a
multiplicity of panels, cells, or other cladding. Generally,
architectural panel systems or photovoltaic cells are used in
this regard. To allow for thermal contraction and expansion,
panels are separated from one another and placed on a facade. A
reveal is used in present systems to fill the gap between panels
for the purposes of aesthetics or protection of the facade below
the panels. Reveals of prior systems have provided minimal
protection of the facade below the panels and in certain cases
are difficult or impossible to employ during normal installation
of the panels.
A reveal device that may be used as an original or
replacement reveal system that is simple to install and provides
protection to the facade below the panels would be a notable
advance for coverings for edifices.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a novel and
useful reveal device used with paneling systems of the prior art
is herein provided.
The device of the present invention utilizes first and
second strips that are positioned adjacent one another. Each
strip includes an indentation which forms a slot permitting
access to the fastening mechanism below the panels employed to
attach the panels to the facade. In addition, each of the first
and second strips possesses a ridge that forms channels that lie
along the strips. The first and second strips are positioned
adjacent one another with a gap between the same.
A third strip is employed and includes first and
second appendages which snugly fit within the first and second
channels of the first and second strips. Thus, the third strip
serves as a linking strip which holds the first, second, and
third strips together as a unit. Each of the first and second
strips may also provide additional channels next to the ridges
that extend along the same. Adhesives may be used to occupy
such adjacent channels as well as the gap between the first and
second strips which may take the form of a crevice. In
addition, a cavity is formed between the third strip and the
second strip once the third strip links the first and second
strips together to form a unit. Again, adhesive or other filler
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material may be transported into the cavity between the third
strip and the first and second stripes. Also, the cavity may
serve as a conduit tunnel or passageway, which is particularly
useful when the panels employed with the reveal device of the
present invention are solar panels requiring electrical or
plumbing elements. In addition, any of the first, second, and
third strips may be translucent or possess a finished surface.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful reveal
device has been hereinabove described.
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It is therefore an object of the present application
to provide a reveal device that may be used as a replacement
reveal system for panels that have already been installed on a
facade.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that may be used with panel systems that are
architectural, photovoltaic, and the like types.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that may be used to replace standard reveals when
a panel is removed or replaced such as panels found in a dry
rain screen system.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that may be used to replace standard reveals that
are difficult or impossible to install during the installation
of the panel fastening systems.
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Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that is easily removed and serviced, as the case
may be.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that utilizes an adhesive or like material that is
used to fill channels, crevices, or cavities found and formed by
the parts of the reveal system of the present application.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that is easily installed or replaced in
combination with like reveal devices used in adjacent panels.
Another object of the present application to provide a
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reveal device that is easy to assemble and install and is
compatible with like reveal devices used in a multiplicity of
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panels attached to a facade.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that is completely compatible with prior art
reveals and, also, are independent from prior art reveals.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that uses components that are transparent or clear 1
so that light may be transmitted through them in multiple
directions.
Another object of the present application to provide a 1
reveal device that provides a passage for electrical conductors,
pipes, insulators, and insulation, which is consequently
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particularly useful in solar panel applications used to provide
electrical energy or heat to building components.
Another object of the present application is to
provide a reveal device that is manufactured as multiple pieces
that are assembled and will not allow air or other atmospheric
elements to enter the space behind such reveal device.
Another object of the present application to provide a
reveal device that is capable of keeping moisture and other
atmospheric elements from moving past gaskets that are installed
in the panel systems.
A further object of the present application to provide
a replacement reveal device that assists in guttering of water
away from the building facade below installed panels.
The application possesses other objects and advantages
especially as concerns particular characteristics and features
thereof which will become apparent as the specification
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continues.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pair of panels
typically installed on a facade using prior art installation
components and illustrates the position of the reveal device of
the present application as a replacement for prior art reveals. r
FIG. 2 is a top, left perspective view of the reveal
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device of the present application with a strip component
depicted in exploded position from the pair of nested strips.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the prior art
installation components shown in FIG. 1 with the reveal device
of the present application being substituted tor a prior art
reveal.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an assembled reveal
device with an indication of items that may be placed within the
openings formed within such reveal device.
FIG. 5 is an assembled reveal device mounted on a
platform provided by a prior art installation component showing
the openings occupied by adhesive or conduits formed in the
reveal device.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference
is made to the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with
the prior described drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Various aspects of the present application will evolve
from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior
described drawings.
With reference to FIG. 1, it may be seen that a prior
art panel fixation system 12 is shown to connect panels 14 and
16 to a facade 18. Such system of connection is detailed in
United States Patent 9,777,486.
In essence,
a pair of extrusions 20 and 22 provide support arms 24 and 26
with support surfaces 28 and 30. A prior art reveal 32 lies
atop support surfaces 28 and 30 below gap 34 between panels 14
and 16. A fastener 35 is employed to hold extrusions 20 and 22
in place. It is intended that the reveal device 10 of the
present application be substituted for reveal 32 of fixation
mechanism 12, or any other similar mechanism found in the prior
art. Thus, device 10 may be considered to be a replacement as
well as an original reveal device. Reveal device 10 is depicted
in the drawings, FIGS. 2-5, which will be discussed in detail as
the specification continues.
Turning to FIG.2, it may be seen that reveal device 10
is formed with a first strip 36 which lies side by side with a
second strip 38. It should be noted that there is a crevice or
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separation 40 between first strip 36 and second strip 38.
Looking now at first strip 36, it may be observed that spines or
ridges 42 and 44 extend along strip 36 forming a channel 46.
Likewise, second strip 38 possesses spines or ridges 48 and 50
that form channel 52. In addition, ridges 42 and 44 of strip 36
form channels 54 and 56, while ridges 48 and 50 form channels 58
and 60 at strip 38. Indentations 62 and 64 of strip 36 and 38,
respectively, lie opposite one another to form a slot 66.
A third strip 68 also fashioned as part of reveal
device 10. Third strip 68 is constructed with first appendage
70 and second appendage 72. First appendage 70 and second
appendage 72 fit snugly within channels 46 and 52, respectively.
Such interaction between appendages 70 and 72 and channels 46
and 52 create a reveal device unit 74, depicted in FIGS. 4 and
5.
Looking again at FIG. 2, it may also be seen that
notches 76 and 78 are formed in indentations 62 and 64 of first
strip 36 and second strip 38, respectively. Notches 76 and 78
permit access by fasteners through slot 66. For example,
fastener 35 of FIG. 1 passes through notches 76 and 78 of slot
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66 and twists into place into the position shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 represents the movement of fastener 35 through slot 66
and into place against extrusions 20 and 22. Of course, other
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fasteners such as screws, nails, and the like may pass through
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slot 66.
Returning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be observed
that a cavity 80 is also created between third strip 68 and
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first and second strips 36 and 38, having channels 54 and 58 as
floors. Cavity 80 and crevice 40 may be employed to contain
filler material such as an adhesive 82 or to hold a conduit 84.
FIG. 4 represents the potential addition of such items to cavity
80 and crevice 40, while FIG. 5 shows the installation of
adhesive or filler 82 and conduit 84 in cavity 80 and crevice
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40. The adhesive 82, shown in FIG. 5, within crevice 40
represents excessive adhesive flowing from cavity 80 due to
thermal expansion. Also, such adhesive flow avoids a hydro lock
within reveal device 10. In either case, flow of adhesive 82 to
top surface 86 of device 10 is avoided by permitting adhesive 82
to move into crevice 40. Female wall adhesive stops may be
formed in channels 54 and 58 to control the flow of such
adhesive.
In operation, the user installs unit 74 within gap 34
between panels 14 and 16 to rest upon support arms 24 and 26 or
a similar base formed by prior art fixation mechanisms such as
mechanism 12, FIG. 1. Prior to such installation, strips 36 and
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38 are connected to strip 68 by the snapping in of appendages 70
and 72 of strip 68 to channels 46 and 52, respectively. It has
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been found that reveal device 10 may be used in original
installations or retrofitted to replace existing reveals such as
reveal 32 shown on FIG. 1.
While in the foregoing embodiments of the invention
have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of
making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be
apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may
be made in such details without departing from the spirit and
principles of the invention.
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