Wall panel structure

Claim 2

A decorative wall panel suitable for use in connection with an interior or exterior wall in a home or the like, said wall panel comprising first and second rectangular panel members disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship and defining a four sided peripheral edge with first and second sides extending parallel to each other in a vertical direction and third and fourth sides extending parallel to each other in a horizontal direction, at least one of said first and second panel members comprising a light transmitting material, means for sealably interconnecting said first and second panel members about said peripheral edge to define an enclosed open chamber therebetween, means for introducing a fluid into said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said first side of said peripheral edge, means for withdrawing the fluid from said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said second side of said peripheral edge, and means for circulAting a fluid through said introducing means and said withdrawing means and across said enclosed chamber, whereby the fluid may be caused to flow across said enclosed chamber and with the flowing fluid being visible through said light transmitting panel member.

Claim 3

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for sealably interconnecting said first and second panel members comprises a first tubular member extending along said first side of said peripheral edge and a second tubular member extending along said second side of said peripheral edge.

Claim 4

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second tubular members are rectangular in cross-section to provide a flat face on each side thereof, said flat faces of each tubular member adheringly contacting the associated panel members.

Claim 5

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for introducing a fluid into said enclosed chamber comprises a first series of spaced apertures in said first tubular member and communicating with said enclosed chamber, and said means for withdrawing the fluid from said enclosed chamber comprises a second series of spaced apertures in said second tubular member and communicating with said enclosed chamber.

Claim 6

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 4 wherein each aperture of said first series is horizontally aligned with a corresponding aperture of said second series whereby the fluid is adapted to flow across said enclosed chamber in the form of a plurality of adjacent horizontal streams.

Claim 7

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 5 further including joining means extending transversely through said enclosed chamber for fixedly supporting said panel members in a predetermined spaced relationship.

Claim 8

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 6 wherein said joining means includes a plurality of rotatable vanes disposed in said enclosed chamber for controlling the flow pattern of the fluid flowing thereacross.

Claim 9

The decorative wall panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid is colored such that the color of the fluid is visible through said light transmitting panel member.

Claim 10

A wall structure suitable for use in a home or the like and having provision for controlling the temperature in the interior of the home, said wall structure comprising first and second rectangular panel members disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship and defining a four sided peripheral edge with first and second sides extending parallel to each other in a vertical direction and third and fourth sides extending parallel to each other in a horizontal direction, at least one of said first and second panels comprising a light transmitting material, means for sealably interconnecting said first and second panel members about said peripheral edge to define an enclosed open chamber therebetween means for introducing a fluid into said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said first side of said peripheral edge, means for withdrawing the fluid from said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said second side of said peripheral edge, and means for circulating a colored fluid through said introducing means and said withdrawing means and across said enclosed chamber, said circulating means including heat exchange means for controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid whereby the flowing fluid is visible through said light transmitting panel and the temperature of the wall panels and thus the temperature of the interior of the home may be controlled.

Claim 11

A wall structure suitable for use in a home or the like and having provision for controlling the temperature in the interior of the home, said wall structure comprising first and second rectangular panel members disposed in spaced apart, parallel relationship and defining a four sided peripheral edge with first and second sides extending parallel to each other in a vertical direction and third and fourth sides extending parallel to each other in a horizontal direction, at least one of said first and second panels comprising a light transmitting material, means for sealably interconnecting said first and second panel members about said peripheral edge to define an enclosed open chamber therebetween means for introducing a fluid into said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said first side of said peripheral edge, means for withdrawing the fluid from said enclosed chamber at a plurality of locations extending along substantially the full length of said second side of said peripheral edge, and means for circulating a colored fluid through said introducing means and said withdrawing means and across said enclosed chamber, said circulating means including heat exchange means for controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid whereby the flowing fluid is visible through said light transmitting panel and the temperature of the wall panels and thus the temperature of the interior of the home may be controlled.

Claim 12

The wall structure as defined in claim 9 further including means positioned along said third and fourth sides for mounting said panel members between a supporting floor and overlying ceiling such that said panel members are adapted to form an interior wall.

Claim 13

The wall structure as defined in claim 9 further Including a weatherproof exterior support wall positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship to said panel members, and an insulating material substantially filling the area between said support wall and adjacent panel members whereby said wall structure is adapted to form an exterior wall of a home or the like.

Claim 14

The wall structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for sealably interconnecting said first and second panel members comprises a first tubular member extending along said first side and a second tubular member extending along said second side, and said means for introducing a fluid into said enclosed chamber comprising a first series of spaced apertures in said first tubular member and communicating with said enclosed chamber, and said means for withdrawing the fluid from said enclosed chamber comprises a second series of spaced apertures in said second tubular member and communicating with said enclosed chamber.

Claim 15

The decorative wall structure as defined in claim 9 wherein a portion of said light transmitting material of said one of said wall panels is frosted, and wherein said wall structure further comprises means for directing a beam of light onto each of said frosted portions to cause the light to be emitted therefrom.