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A connection system for securing a wall panel shell to a frame member. The frame member includes a groove and the shell includes a mounting member received within the groove. The shell includes a skin member secured to one or more structural members. Each mounting member is carried by a structural m

A connection system for securing a wall panel shell to a frame member. The frame member includes a groove and the shell includes a mounting member received within the groove. The shell includes a skin member secured to one or more structural members. Each mounting member is carried by a structural member, and is part of a connector that is separate from and engaged with the structural member. The connector includes a base having spaced apart engagement areas, which are received within spaced apart recesses in the structural member. The structural member defines a flat surface which facilitates application of pressure to bond the structural member and the skin member together using an adhesive. Thereafter, the connector is engaged with the structural member via a snap-on engagement arrangement, to enable the wall panel shell to be mounted to the frame member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A wall system, comprising:a frame arrangement comprising a series of frame members defining one or more open areas;a shell configured to enclose at least one of the open areas, wherein the shell includes an outer skin and at least one structural member to which the skin is secured; andwherein the

1. A wall system, comprising:a frame arrangement comprising a series of frame members defining one or more open areas;a shell configured to enclose at least one of the open areas, wherein the shell includes an outer skin and at least one structural member to which the skin is secured; andwherein the frame arrangement includes a groove and wherein the structural member of the shell includes a connector member formed separately from the structural member and engaged with the structural member, wherein the connector member is carried by the structural member, and wherein the connector member includes a resilient arcuate projection configured to engage the groove by application of a push-on force to the structural member that advances the projection of the connector member toward the frame arrangement and into the groove, wherein the groove includes an arcuate wall that matches the arcuate projection, wherein the groove is shaped such that the resilient arcuate projection deforms upon entry into the groove to engage the resilient arcuate projection within the groove and to mount the shell to the frame arrangement.2. The wall system of claim 1, wherein the connector member includes a base, wherein the base includes engagement structure for engaging the connector member with the structural member, and wherein the projection is engaged with and extends from the base.3. The wall system of claim 2, wherein the structural member defines a pair of recesses, wherein the connector member base includes a first engagement member engaged within a first one of the recesses and a second engagement member engaged within a second one of the recesses.4. The wall system of claim 1, wherein the connector member includes a base, wherein the base includes engagement structure for engaging the connector member with the structural member, and wherein the projection is engaged with and extends from the base.5. The wall system of claim 4, wherein the structural member defines a pair of recesses, wherein the connector member base includes a first engagement member engaged within a first one of the recesses and a second engagement member engaged within a second one of the recesses.6. A wall system, comprising:a frame arrangement comprising a series of frame members defining one or more open areas;a shell configured to enclose at least one of the open areas, wherein the shell includes an outer skin and at least one structural member to which the skin is secured;wherein the frame arrangement includes a groove and wherein the structural member of the shell includes a connector member formed separately from the structural member and engaged with the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a projection adapted for engagement within the groove; andwherein the connector member includes a base, wherein the base includes engagement structure for engaging the connector member with the structural member, and wherein the projection is engaged with and extends from the base; andwherein the projection comprises an arcuate member and wherein the groove defines an arcuate cross section, wherein the arcuate member is configured to be received within the arcuate groove; andwherein the arcuate member is formed of a resilient material, wherein the arcuate member is deflectable upon insertion into the groove so as to provide releasable engagement of the arcuate member within the groove.7. The wall system of claim 6, wherein the projection further includes a stem that extends from the base of the connector member, wherein the arcuate member is carried by the stem.8. The wall system of claim 7, wherein the stem, the base and the arcuate member are formed together.9. A wall system, comprising:a frame arrangement comprising a series of frame members defining one or more open areas;a shell configured to enclose at least one of the open areas, wherein the shell includes an outer skin and at least one structural member to which the skin is secured; andwherein the frame arrangement includes a groove and wherein the structural member of the shell includes a connector member formed separately from the structural member and engaged with the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a projection adapted for engagement within the groove; andwherein the connector member includes a base, wherein the base includes engagement structure for engaging the connector member with the structural member, and wherein the projection is engaged with and extends from the base; andwherein the structural member defines a pair of recesses, wherein the connector member base includes a first engagement member engaged within a first one of the recesses and a second engagement member engaged within a second one of the recesses; andwherein the projection extends outwardly from the base at a location between the first and second engagement members.10. The wall system of claim 8, wherein the first recess in the structural member includes an overlying lip, and wherein the first engagement member of the base includes a tab configured to underlie the lip.11. The wall system of claim 10, wherein the second engagement member is configured for engagement with the second recess subsequent to placement of the tab under the lip of the first recess, wherein the second engagement member is engageable within the second recess by means of a snap-on connection arrangement.12. The wall system of claim 11, wherein the snap-on connection arrangement comprises a ridge overlying at least a portion of the second recess, and a rib associated with the second engagement member which engages the ridge in a snap-on manner upon movement of the second engagement member into the second recess.13. The wall system of claim 12, wherein the base includes an end configured to engage the ridge and wherein the rib is spaced from the end of the base, wherein the ridge is received within a space between the rib and the end of the base.14. The wall system of claim 13, further comprising an engagement edge associated with the second engagement member, wherein the engagement edge is configured for engagement within the second recess to provide initial engagement of the second engagement member within the second recess.15. The wall system of claim 14, wherein the second engagement member comprises a wall that extends from the base member and is adapted to be received within the second recess, wherein the rib extends from the wall toward an inner area defined by the wall, and wherein the engagement edge extends from the wall at a location outwardly of the inner area of the wall.16. A method of connecting a shell to a frame of a wall system, wherein the frame defines a shell mounting groove, and wherein the shell includes a skin member and a structural member to which the skin member is connected, comprising the steps of:providing a connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a resilient arcuate mounting member;first engaging the connector member with the structural member, wherein the structural member and the connector member are engaged such that the connector member is carried by the structural member, and wherein the connector member is configured such that the mounting member extends from the structural member; andsubsequently mounting the shell to the frame of the wall system by engaging the resilient arcuate mounting member within the shell mounting groove defined by the frame, wherein the shell mounting groove defined by the frame has an arcuate cross section that matches the arcuate mounting member, wherein the groove is shaped such that the resilient arcuate mounting member deforms upon entry into the groove to engage the arcuate mounting member with the groove and to mount the shell to the frame.17. A method of connecting a shell to a frame of a wall system, wherein the frame defines a shell mounting groove, and wherein the shell includes a skin member and a structural member to which the skin member is connected, comprising the steps of:providing a connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a mounting member;engaging the connector member with the structural member, wherein the connector member is configured such that the mounting member extends from the structural member, wherein the step of engaging the connector member with the structural member is carried out by first engaging a first edge defined by a base associated with the connector member within a first recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the first edge relative to the structural member and, after engagement of the first edge within the first recess, engaging a second edge defined by the base within a second recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the second edge relative to the structural member, wherein the connector member is carried by the structural member; andmounting the shell to the frame of the wall system after engagement of the connector member with the structural member, by engaging the mounting member within the shell mounting groove defined by the frame.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the first edge within the first recess is carried out by placing a tab portion defined by the first edge into an area of the first recess over which a lip is located, wherein engagement of the tab with the lip prevents outward movement of the first edge of the base.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the second edge of the base within the second recess is carried out by placing an inwardly extending engagement wall into the second recess, and engaging a rib extending from the engagement wall with a ridge defined by the structural member.20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of mounting the shell to the frame of the wall system after engagement of the connector member with the structural member is carried out by application of a push-on force to the structural member that advances the mounting member of the connector member toward the frame and into the groove.21. A method of connecting a shell to a frame of a wall system, wherein the frame defines a shell mounting groove, and wherein the shell includes a skin member and a structural member to which the skin member is connected, comprising the steps of:providing a connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a mounting member;engaging the connector member with the structural member, wherein the connector member is configured such that the mounting member extends from the structural member, wherein the step of engaging the connector member with the structural member is carried out by engaging a first edge defined by a base associated with the connector member within a first recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the first edge relative to the structural member, and subsequently engaging a second edge defined by the base within a second recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the second edge relative to the structural member; andmounting the shell to the frame of the wall system by engaging the mounting member within the shell mounting groove defined by the frame;wherein the structural member is formed with a pair of first recesses and a pair of second recesses, and wherein the step of engaging the connector member with the structural member is carried out by engaging the connector member with one of the first recesses and with one of the second recesses, wherein one of the first and second recesses is configured to provide engagement of the connector member with the groove when the structural member is located in a first position on the shell, and wherein another of the first and second recesses is configured so as to provide engagement of the connector member with the groove when the structural member is positioned in a second location relative to the shell.22. A connection arrangement for a wall system, for securing a structural member associated with a shell to a frame member, wherein the frame member includes a recess, comprising:first and second recesses associated with the structural member; anda connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes first and second engagement areas configured for engagement with the first and second recesses, respectively, to mount the connector member to the structural member, wherein the connector member is carried by the structural member, and wherein the connector member includes an outwardly extending mounting member configured for engagement within the recess in the frame member to secure the structural member to the frame member, wherein the frame member includes a groove and wherein the mounting member includes a resilient arcuate projection configured to engage the groove, by application of a push-on force to the structural member that advances the projection of the connector member toward the frame member and into the groove, wherein the groove includes an arcuate wall that matches the arcuate projection, wherein the groove is shaped such that the resilient arcuate projection deforms upon entry into the groove to engage the resilient arcuate projection within the groove and to mount the shell to the frame member.23. A connection arrangement for a wall system, for securing a structural member associated with a shell to a frame member, wherein the frame member includes a recess, comprising:first and second recesses associated with the structural member; anda connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes first and second engagement areas configured for engagement with the first and second recesses, respectively, to mount the connector member to the structural member, and wherein the connector member includes an outwardly extending mounting member configured for engagement within the recess in the frame member to secure the structural member to the frame member, wherein the outwardly extending mounting member is located between the first and second engagement areas of the connector member.24. The connection arrangement of claim 23, wherein the first recess includes a lip and wherein the first engagement area of the connector member defines a tab configured to underlie the lip so as to prevent outward movement of the first engagement area relative to the structural member.25. The connection arrangement of claim 24, wherein the connector member is configured such that the second engagement area is engaged within the second recess after the tab is engaged within the first recess under the lip, and wherein the second engagement area includes snap-on connector structure for engaging a ridge associated with the second recess.26. A method of connecting a shell to a frame of a wall system, wherein the frame defines a shell mounting groove, and wherein the shell includes a skin member and a structural member to which the skin member is connected, comprising the steps of:providing a connector member separate from the structural member, wherein the connector member includes a mounting member;first engaging the connector member with the structural member, wherein the structural member and the connector member are engaged such that the connector member is carried by the structural member, and wherein the connector member is configured such that the mounting member extends from the structural member; andsubsequently mounting the shell to the frame of the wall system by engaging the mounting member within the shell mounting groove defined by the frame;wherein the step of engaging the connector member with the structural member is carried out by engaging a first edge defined by a base associated with the connector member within a first recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the first edge relative to the structural member, and subsequently engaging a second edge defined by the base within a second recess defined by the structural member in a manner that prevents outward movement of the second edge relative to the structural member.27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of engaging the first edge within the first recess is carried out by placing a tab portion defined by the first edge into an area of the first recess over which a lip is located, wherein engagement of the tab with the lip prevents outward movement of the first edge of the base.28. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of engaging the second edge of the base within the second recess is carried out by placing an inwardly extending engagement wall into the second recess, and engaging a rib extending from the engagement wall with a ridge defined by the structural member.29. The method of claim 26, wherein the structural member is formed with a pair of first recesses and a pair of second recesses, and wherein the step of engaging the connector member with the structural member is carried out by engaging the connector member with one of the first recesses and with one of the second recesses, wherein one of the first and second recesses is configured to provide engagement of the connector member with the groove when the structural member is located in a first position on the shell, and wherein another set of the first and second recesses is configured so as to provide engagement of the connector member with the groove when the structural member is positioned in a second location relative to the shell.