1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to exterior wall systems, and particularly to exterior wall barriers constructed from non-wood products including laminated panels having cementitious-type outer layers and a treated paper product core.
2. Prior Art
People seek a “green,” durable, visual, audio, personal privacy, safety and fire barrier at the perimeter of their real property, due to high density population in a restricted area, movement or noise from outside the perimeter and threat from fire, crime or trespass upon their real property. Current exterior barriers, such as fencing, do not simultaneously provide solutions for acoustical, visual, audio, privacy and safety concerns, provide a fire barrier, or provide a ‘green’ solution to diminishing forest resources. Additionally, conventional fencing is prone to pest damage and deterioration due to exposure to exterior such as moisture, thus requiring continual maintenance to maintain functional and aesthetic value. Moreover, there is no exterior wall product in the prior art which facilitates adding accessories to the basic product. The instant invention addresses all these concerns in one system, utilizing ecologically sustainable, durable, nonflammable, sound-deflecting and absorbing, pest and exposure resistant, recycled and/or recyclable materials.
A modular inter-locking exterior wall system according to the invention, indicated generally at 10 in
The sandwiched composite panel core 16 is slightly and uniformly smaller in length and width than the length and width of the cementitious skins 18, thereby creating a groove 20 of uniform depth around the perimeters of each of the panels 12, 14 as shown in
The vertical support posts 22 are composed of a shaped, extruded, drawn, welded or molded material having perpendicularly extending flanges 24, as seen in
A base rail support 32 comprises a shaped, extruded, welded or molded material designed to horizontally support the bottom horizontal side 34 of the panels 12, 14 at or below ground level. As shown in
The top rail support 38 comprises a shaped, extruded, welded or molded material designed to horizontally cap and support the top horizontal side 40 of either of panels 12, 14. Like the base rail support 32, the top rail support 38 has a downwardly opening groove 42, slightly wider than the panel width, allowing the top horizontal long side 40 of panels 12, 14 to slide into and mate with the top rail support 38. A top channel 44 runs the length of the top rail support on the top surface, and is intended to enable accessories to be attached to the wall system 10. See
The mid rail support 46 may be configured to have an “X” shaped cross-section like vertical support posts 22 or may be a flat bar, but is designed to horizontally support and connect two adjacent panels 12, 14 as a means of increasing the vertical height of the wall assembly. The mid rail support 46 rests on and mates horizontally atop panel 14 and, like the lower base rail support 32, has notches 48 on both ends to accept flanges 24 of posts 22.
Finally,
The invention, without the accessories, comprises at least three interlocking components: (1) the vertically-mounted, vertical support posts 22, (2) one of the panels 12, 14, and (3) the top rail support 1. In alternate embodiments the wall system may include both panels 12, 14, base rail support 32, and mid rail support 46. No mechanical fasteners are necessary. All components can be permanently affixed to one another utilizing exterior grade sealant adhesive (e.g., silicone adhesive). Two vertical support posts 22 are necessary to support one panel 12, 14, one top rail support 1. All exposed surfaces are coated in a base finished coat layer of exterior grade stucco or similar. Collectively the components create an exterior wall system or assembly. Optional additional elements that enhance the invention include drip irrigation, low voltage lighting, mounted flower box, bird feeder, table, seating, water fall, solar panel, and the like.
One advantage of the invention is in its simplicity and the inter-changeability of its component parts. The vertical support post 22 allows the honeycomb composite panels 12, 14 to be mounted at four different points (the four tangs 24 of the X). The notch 20 around the panel's edge allows it to mate in any direction on all four sides. The mid rail support 46 is the same extrusion configuration as the vertical support post 22, and the top and base rail supports 38, 32 are similar with the difference that the top rail support 38 may have a top channel 44 for top-mounted accessories.
This device may be utilized anywhere that there is open space which can be partitioned or where it may be desirable to create a private area. It can be mounted on or into flat ground, a hillside, around a pool, or the front or backside of a building. Where there are height restrictions, the panels 12, 14 have different heights, allowing the device to be erected to several heights as desired by selectively using panel 12 alone, panel 14 alone, or both panels 12, 14. The device has the general appearance of a sturdy concrete stucco wall, yet has the space saving horizontal footprint of a conventional fence, is easy to assemble, and is constructed of environmentally friendly components.
A modular inter-locking exterior wall system provides an exterior panelized wall system providing privacy to real property, with materials that have green-certified content and/or are recyclable. The invention is modular, designed to erect in a similar (but simpler) fashion to conventional fencing with the aesthetic perceptibility of a concrete stucco wall.
It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/383,614 filed Sep. 16, 2010.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61383614 | Sep 2010 | US |