HK1238694B - Front adjustable wall panel mounting device - Google Patents

Description

Front adjustable wall panel mounting device

This application is a divisional application of application number 201380045483.0 filed on August 28, 2013, with the invention name “Front-adjustable wall panel mounting device”.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/694,713, filed August 29, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/805,470, filed March 26, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wall mounting system and more particularly to an apparatus for mounting wall panels.

Background Art

Decorative exterior walls are commonly used to enhance the appearance of a building. Many different materials can be used for exterior walls, such as marble, slate, metal, wood, or leather. Decorative exterior walls are typically made from multiple wall elements or panels. These panels typically have dimensions smaller than the entire wall. This smaller size makes transporting, storing, handling, and installing the panels easier. Furthermore, if a panel is damaged, only that panel needs to be replaced, not the entire wall.

One method for creating a decorative exterior wall is to first create an undecorated wall and then attach the decorative panels with adhesive. This method is often used for very small (less than about 1 inch) and light wall panels, such as when making mosaics. However, this method is not well suited for larger (about 6 inches or larger) panels of heavier materials, such as metal or stone. Panels held in place with adhesive may not be completely secure, and a dropped panel can be a safety hazard. Furthermore, the surface topography of large panels is unlikely to completely match that of the underlying undecorated wall, resulting in an uneven surface from one panel to the next. This becomes even more pronounced with larger panels.

A more common method of constructing decorative exterior walls with heavier panels is to construct a frame wall and then hang the panels on the frame wall. The frame wall is typically made of metal, but it can also be other suitable materials. For aesthetic purposes, it is often highly desirable that the means for attaching the panels to the frame is not easily visible from the front of the wall. Therefore, each panel typically has a panel mounting attachment attached to the back of the panel, which allows the panel to be mounted on the frame. Metal panels typically have panel mounting attachments welded or bolted to the back of the panel. Stone panels typically have holes drilled partially through the back of the panel and the panel mounting attachments attached via expansion bolts set in these holes.

The panel mounting accessories and/or the frame typically include some means for adjusting the position and/or orientation of each panel. For example, the panel mounting accessories may be bolts set into the panel that engage nuts in the frame. Selective adjustment of these nuts can be used to adjust the position and/or orientation of the panels. However, in this case, the technician performing the adjustments must be behind the exterior wall. This means that the rear side of the exterior wall must be accessible for the technician to work. In many cases, providing such access is an inefficient use of space. Furthermore, it is difficult for the technician performing the adjustments to determine the effectiveness of the adjustments without being able to see how the front side of the panel matches the front side of adjacent panels. Either the technician must run back and forth, or a second person is needed to inform the technician of the effectiveness of the adjustments. What is needed is a device that mounts wall panels to a frame and allows adjustment of their position and/or orientation from the front side of the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example and not limitation with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the wall panel mounting system and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a wall panel mounting device adjustable from the front of a wall;

FIG2 is an unexploded view of a first embodiment of the front-adjustable wall panel mounting device;

FIG3 is a detailed view showing how the first embodiment of the front adjustable wall panel mounting device is coupled to a wall panel mounting accessory;

FIG4 is a view of a first embodiment of a front-adjustable wall panel mounting device coupled to a wall panel mounting accessory, illustrating how the inclination, depth, and vertical height of the wall panel mounting accessory can be adjusted;

FIG5 is a front view of a wall illustrating how the first embodiment of the wall panel mounting device can be adjusted from the front of the wall;

FIG6 is a rear view of a wall illustrating how the first embodiment of the wall panel mounting device can be adjusted from the front of the wall;

7 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a wall panel mounting device adjustable from the front of the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning to describe the subject invention in detail, the following is mentioned in order. Where appropriate, the same reference materials and symbols are used to indicate the same, corresponding or similar parts in different drawings. The drawings associated with this disclosure are generally not drawn to scale or to exact dimensions, that is, such drawings are drawn for clarity of viewing and understanding rather than for dimensional accuracy.

For the sake of clarity, not all common features of the implementations described herein are shown and depicted. Of course, it will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting application and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but are nevertheless common engineering design undertakings for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The use of directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below," "front," "rear," etc., is intended to describe the position and/or orientation of various components of the present invention relative to each other as shown in the various figures, and is not intended to limit any position and/or orientation of any embodiment of the present invention relative to any reference point other than the reference object.

First embodiment

FIG1 through FIG6 illustrate the construction and use of a first embodiment of a front-adjustable wall panel mounting device 10. FIG1 is an exploded view of the front-adjustable wall panel mounting device 10. FIG2 is an unexploded view of the front-adjustable wall panel mounting device 10 of FIG1. The front-adjustable wall panel mounting device 10 includes a fixed channel 12, a movable channel 14, and a mounting plate 42. The fixed channel 12 is configured to be coupled to a wall frame (not shown) or similar structure, and the mounting plate 42 is configured to be coupled to a wall panel 88 (see FIG5 and FIG6).

The fixed channel 12 has two fixed channel sides 16, a fixed channel back 18, and a fixed channel end plate 20 at its upper end. The fixed channel 12 has an upper fixed channel slot 22 and a lower fixed channel slot 24 in each of the two fixed channel sides 16. The upper fixed channel slot 22 and the lower fixed channel slot 24 are parallel to the fixed channel back 18. There is a fixed channel hole 26 generally in the center of each fixed channel side 16. In this first embodiment, these channel middle holes 26 are round, but in other embodiments they can be other shapes. In some embodiments, these fixed channel middle holes 26 are slots perpendicular to the fixed channel back 18.

The moving channel 14 has two moving channel sides 30, a moving channel back 32 and a moving channel end cap 34 at its upper end. Each of the two moving channel sides 30 has a moving channel upper slot 36, a moving channel middle slot 40 and a moving channel lower slot 38. These moving channel upper slots 36 are at an angle between zero and ninety degrees relative to the moving channel back 32. These moving channel lower slots 38 are at an angle between zero and ninety degrees relative to the moving channel back 32. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 2, the angle of the moving channel upper slot 36 and the angle of the moving channel lower slot 38 have the same amplitude (45 °) and orientation, but in other embodiments they can have different amplitudes and/or orientations. The moving channel middle slot 40 is perpendicular to the moving channel back 32.

The movable channel 14 and the fixed channel 12 are configured to be nested together. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 2, the fixed channel 12 is configured to be nested in the movable channel 14. In other embodiments, the movable channel 14 is configured to be nested in the fixed channel 12.

An upper rod 52 is positioned through the fixed channel upper slots 22 and through the movable channel upper slots 36. In the embodiment of Figures 1-2, the upper rod 52 includes an upper rod stop 54 and two upper rod bolts 56. The upper rod stop 54 is nested within the fixed channel 12, and the upper rod bolts 56 pass through the fixed channel upper slots 22 and through the movable channel upper slots 36 to couple with the upper rod stop 54. In other embodiments, the upper rod 52 is a single piece. The upper rod 52 has an upper rod threaded hole 58 and an upper rod unthreaded hole 60. A first adjustment bolt 66 passes through a first unthreaded hole 62 in the fixed channel end plate 20 and engages with the upper rod threaded hole 58.

At least one intermediate rod 70 is placed through at least one of the fixed channel intermediate holes 26 and through at least one of the moving channel intermediate slots 40. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2, there are two intermediate rods 70 in the form of bolts or rivets.

A lower rod 72 is positioned through the fixed channel lower slots 24 and through the movable channel lower slots 38. In the embodiment of Figures 1-2, the lower rod 72 includes a lower rod stop 74 and two lower rod bolts 76. The lower rod stop 74 is nested within the fixed channel 12, and the lower rod bolts 76 extend through the fixed channel lower slots 24 and through the movable channel lower slots 38 to couple with the lower rod stop 74. In other embodiments, the lower rod 72 is a single piece. The lower rod 72 has a lower rod threaded hole 78 and a lower rod unthreaded hole 80. A second adjustment bolt 68 extends through a second unthreaded hole 64 in the fixed channel end plate 20, through the upper rod unthreaded hole 60, and engages with the lower rod threaded hole 78. The first adjusting bolt 66 may pass through the lower rod unthreaded hole 80 , but in other embodiments, the first adjusting bolt 66 is shorter and does not extend all the way to the lower rod 72 , which may not have a lower rod unthreaded hole 80 .

The first and second adjusting bolts 66 and 68 each have an adjusting bolt collar 94 that is each placed on the corresponding adjusting bolt below the fixed channel end plate 20 to prevent vertical movement of the first and second adjusting bolts 66 and 68 relative to the fixed channel end plate 20 .

The mounting plate 42 has a mounting plate end piece 44 at its upper end. The mounting plate 42 has an upper mounting plate slot 46 and a lower mounting plate slot 48. The mounting plate end piece 44 is configured to be inserted into an upper moving channel opening 100 of the moving channel 14. The mounting plate 42 is coupled to the moving channel 14 by two mounting plate bolts 96, one mounting plate bolt passing through the upper mounting plate slot 46 and the other mounting plate bolt passing through the lower mounting plate slot 48. The moving channel 14 has one or more moving channel back threaded holes 98. The mounting plate bolts 96 engage with the moving channel back threaded holes 98, thereby holding the mounting plate 42 against the moving channel 14 but allowing the mounting plate 42 to slide vertically relative to the moving channel 14.

The mounting plate 42 has one or more mounting plate brackets 50 that are configured to connect to any wall panel mounting attachment 84 on the back side of the wall panel 88. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-2, the one or more mounting plate brackets 50 are hook-shaped for coupling with the mounting attachment pegs 86. In other embodiments, the one or more mounting plate brackets 50 can have different shapes and different coupling modes with the wall panel mounting attachment 84.

The travel channel end cap 34 has an unthreaded travel channel end cap hole 90, and the mounting plate end piece 44 has a threaded mounting plate end piece hole 92. A third adjusting bolt 82 passes through the unthreaded travel channel end cap hole 90 and engages with a threaded hole in the mounting plate end piece 44. The third adjusting bolt 82 has an adjusting bolt collar 94 positioned on the adjusting bolt below the travel channel end cap 34 to prevent vertical movement of the third adjusting bolt 82 relative to the travel channel end cap 34.

FIG4 is a view of the front-adjustable wall panel mounting assembly 10 coupled to the wall panel mounting attachment 84, illustrating how the inclination, depth, and vertical height of the wall panel mounting attachment can be adjusted. The inclination, depth, and vertical height of a wall panel 88 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) coupled to the wall panel mounting attachment 84 and held by the front-adjustable wall panel mounting assembly 10 can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment bolts (66, 68, 82). The inclination of the wall panel 88 is adjusted by rotating the first or second adjustment bolts (66, 68). Rotating the first adjustment bolt 66 causes the upper rod 52 to move upward or downward, depending on the thread direction and rotation direction of the first adjustment bolt 66. Rotating the first adjustment bolt 66 in one direction causes the upper rod 52 to move upward within the fixed channel upper slot 22 and the movable channel upper slot 36. The intermediate rod 70 in the movable channel intermediate slot 40 prevents the movable channel 14 from moving vertically. This causes the moving channel 14 to pivot about the lower rod 72, forcing the upper end of the moving channel 14 to tilt away from the fixed channel 12. Turning the first adjustment bolt 66 in the other direction causes the upper rod 52 to move downward and causes the upper end of the moving channel 14 to tilt more toward the fixed channel 12.

Turning the second adjusting bolt 68 causes the lower rod 72 to move upward or downward, depending on the thread direction and direction of rotation of the second adjusting bolt 68. Turning the second adjusting bolt 68 in one direction causes the lower rod 72 to move upward within the fixed channel lower slot 24 and the movable channel lower slot 38. The intermediate rod 70 in the movable channel intermediate slot 40 again prevents the movable channel 14 from moving vertically. This causes the movable channel 14 to pivot about the upper rod 52, forcing the lower end of the movable channel 14 to tilt away from the fixed channel 12. Turning the second adjusting bolt 68 in the other direction causes the lower rod 72 to move downward and causes the lower end of the movable channel 14 to tilt more toward the fixed channel 12.

The vertical height of these channel middle holes 26 and these movable channel middle slots 40 is slightly greater than the height of the middle rod 70, or at least the portion of the middle rod 70 inserted into the channel middle holes 26 and the movable channel middle slots 40, just large enough to allow the middle rod 70 to move in an arc around the upper rod 52 or the lower rod 72 when the movable channel 14 pivots, but not large enough to allow the movable channel 14 to undergo significant vertical movement relative to the fixed channel 12.

The depth of the wall panel 88 held by the front adjustable wall panel mounting device 10 can be adjusted by turning both the first adjustment bolt 66 and the second adjustment bolt 68 so that these bolts move both the upper rod 52 and the lower rod 72 by the same amount in the same direction. This will change the depth of the wall panel 88, but will keep the amount of tilt the same. However, this also moves the wall panel 88 vertically.

The vertical height of the wall panel 88 can be adjusted by rotating the third adjusting bolt 82. Rotating the third adjusting bolt 82 causes the mounting plate 42 to move upward or downward relative to the movement channel 14 depending on the thread direction and rotation direction of the third adjusting bolt 82.

FIG5 and FIG6 illustrate how the front-adjustable wall panel mounting assembly 10 can be adjusted from the front of the wall. A plurality of wall panels 88 are mounted on the front-adjustable wall panel mounting assembly 10 at intervals such that a wall panel gap 104 exists between adjacent wall panels 88. A thin wrench 102 can be inserted into the wall panel gap 104, engaging and turning the adjustment bolts (66, 68, and 82). Once the wall panels are adjusted as desired, the wall panel gap 104 can be filled with a removable or permanent caulk or filler (if desired).

Second embodiment

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a front adjustable wall panel mounting assembly 110. The second embodiment functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment, although there are some structural differences.

The front adjustable wall panel mounting device 110 of the second embodiment includes a fixed housing 112, a movable housing 114, and a mounting plate 142. The fixed housing 112 is configured to be fixed to a wall frame (not shown) and the mounting plate 142 is configured to be coupled to a wall panel (not shown).

The movable housing 114 and the fixed housing 112 (referred to as a channel in the first embodiment) are nested in a manner opposite to that of the first embodiment (Figures 1-6). In the second embodiment, unlike the arrangement of the first embodiment, the movable housing 114 fits within the fixed housing 112, with the fixed channel 12 being configured to nest within the movable channel 14 (see Figures 1-2). In the second embodiment, unlike the movable channel 14 of the first embodiment, the fixed housing 112 has these angled slots.

The stationary housing 112 has two stationary housing sides 116 and a stationary housing back 118. The stationary housing 112 has an upper stationary housing slot 136 and a lower stationary housing slot 138 in each of the two stationary housing sides 116. A middle stationary housing slot 140 is located substantially in the center of each stationary housing side 116. The stationary housing 112 has a flange 205 on each side with a plurality of slotted holes 206 to facilitate mounting to a wall frame. However, in other embodiments, the flange 205 may be configured differently, or the stationary housing 112 may have a different structure to facilitate mounting to a wall frame.

The upper stationary housing slot 136 is angled between zero and ninety degrees relative to the stationary housing back 118. The lower stationary housing slot 138 is angled between zero and ninety degrees relative to the stationary housing back 118. In the embodiment shown in FIG7 , the angles of the upper stationary housing slot 136 and the lower stationary housing slot 138 have the same magnitude (45°) and orientation, but may have different magnitudes and/or orientations in other embodiments. The middle stationary housing slot 140 is perpendicular to the stationary housing back 118.

The mobile housing 114 has two mobile housing sides 130, a mobile housing back 132, and a mobile housing end plate 134 at its upper end. The mobile housing 114 has a mobile housing upper slot 122, a mobile housing middle hole 126, and a mobile housing lower slot 124 in each of the two mobile housing sides 130. These mobile housing upper slots 122 and mobile housing lower slots 124 are parallel to the mobile housing back 132. In this second embodiment, these mobile housing middle holes 126 are round, but other shapes are possible in other embodiments. In some embodiments, these mobile housing middle holes 126 are slots perpendicular to the mobile housing back 132.

The mobile housing 114 and the fixed housing 112 are configured to be nested together. In this second embodiment, the fixed housing 112 is configured to be nested within the mobile housing 114. In other embodiments, the mobile housing 114 can be configured to be nested within the fixed housing 112.

An upper riser 152 is positioned through the stationary housing upper slots 136 and through the mobile housing upper slots 122. In this second embodiment, the upper riser 152 includes an upper riser block 154 and two upper riser bolts 156. In other embodiments, the upper riser 152 may be a single piece. The upper riser block 154 is nested within the mobile housing 114. The upper riser bolts 156 pass through the stationary housing upper slots 136 and through the mobile housing upper slots 122 to couple with the upper riser block 154. The upper riser 152 has an upper riser threaded hole 158, which in this second embodiment is located in the upper riser block 154. A first adjustment bolt 166 passes through a first end plate unthreaded hole 162 and engages with the upper riser threaded hole 158.

A lower riser 172 is positioned through the stationary housing lower slot 138 and through the mobile housing lower slots 124. In this second embodiment, the lower riser 172 includes a lower riser block 174 and two lower riser bolts 176. The lower riser block 174 is nested within the mobile housing 114, and the lower riser bolts 176 pass through the stationary housing lower slots 138 and through the mobile housing lower slots 124 to couple with the lower riser block 174. In other embodiments, the lower riser 172 is a single piece. The lower riser 172 has a threaded lower riser hole 178. A second adjustment bolt 168 passes through a second end plate unthreaded hole 164, bypasses the upper riser 152, and engages with the threaded lower riser hole 178.

The first and second adjusting bolts 166 and 168 each have an adjusting bolt collar 194 that is each placed on the corresponding adjusting bolt below the moving housing end plate 134 to prevent vertical movement of the first and second adjusting bolts 66 and 68 relative to the moving housing end plate 134 .

In this second embodiment, the upper and lower riser stops 154, 174 are similar to the upper and lower rod stops 54, 74 of the first embodiment, but differ in that, instead of having unthreaded holes for one adjustment bolt to pass through, the upper and lower riser stops 154, 174 in this second embodiment are shaped to allow one of the adjustment bolts to pass through. In the second embodiment, the upper and lower riser stops 154, 174 are custom molded plastic parts, but in other embodiments they may be made of other suitable materials and by other methods.

One or more intermediate rods 170 are placed through at least one of the stationary housing intermediate slots 140 and through at least one of the mobile housing intermediate holes 126. In this second embodiment, there are two intermediate rods 170 in the form of bolts that couple with threads in the mobile housing intermediate holes 126. In other embodiments, the intermediate rods 170 are rivets and the mobile housing intermediate holes 126 are unthreaded.

Unlike the first embodiment, the adjustment bolts in the second embodiment do not have adjustment bolt collars below the moving housing end plate 134 to prevent the adjustment bolts from vertically moving relative to the moving housing end plate 134. Instead, the adjustment bolts rely on the downward pull of gravity on the various parts of the adjustable wall panel mounting device 110 to prevent vertical movement relative to the moving housing end plate 134.

The mounting plate 142 has a mounting plate end piece 144 at its upper end. The mounting plate 142 has an upper mounting plate slot 146 and a lower mounting plate slot 148. The mounting plate end piece 144 is configured to be inserted into a mobile housing upper opening 200. The mounting plate 142 is coupled to the mobile housing 114 via two mounting plate bolts 196, one of which passes through the upper mounting plate slot 146 and the other through the lower mounting plate slot 148. These mounting plate bolts 196 engage with two mobile housing threaded holes 198, thereby holding the mounting plate 142 against the mobile housing 114 but allowing the mounting plate 142 to slide vertically relative to the mobile housing 114.

Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the mounting plate 142 does not have hooks extruded therefrom. This is to allow for a variety of different clamp options for securing the wall panel to the mounting plate 142.

The moving housing end plate 134 has a third end plate unthreaded hole 190, and the mounting plate end piece 144 has an end piece threaded hole 192. A third adjusting bolt 182 passes through the third end plate unthreaded hole 190 and engages with the end piece threaded hole 192. The third adjusting bolt 182 has an adjusting bolt collar 194 positioned on the adjusting bolt below the moving housing end cap 134 to prevent vertical movement of the third adjusting bolt 182 relative to the moving housing end cap 134.

The adjustable wall panel mounting device 110 of the second embodiment can adjust the inclination, depth, and vertical height of a wall panel (not shown) attached to the mounting plate 142. The inclination, depth, and vertical height of the wall panel can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment bolts (166, 168, and 182). The inclination of the wall panel is adjusted by rotating the first or second adjustment bolts (166, 168). Rotating the first adjustment bolt 166 causes the upper riser 152 to move upward or downward depending on the thread direction and rotation direction of the first adjustment bolt 166. Rotating the first adjustment bolt 166 in one direction causes the upper riser 152 to move upward within the upper slot 136 of the fixed housing and the upper slot 122 of the movable housing. The intermediate rod 170 in the intermediate hole 126 of the movable housing prevents the movable housing 114 from moving vertically. This causes the movable housing 114 to pivot about the lower riser 172, thereby forcing the upper end of the movable housing 114 to move toward the fixed housing 112. Turning the first adjustment bolt 166 in the other direction causes the upper riser 152 to move downward and causes the upper end of the moving housing 114 to move away from the stationary housing 112 .

Turning the second adjusting bolt 168 causes the lower riser 172 to move upward or downward, depending on the thread direction and direction of rotation of the second adjusting bolt 168. Turning the second adjusting bolt 168 in one direction causes the lower riser 172 to move upward within the stationary housing lower slot 138 and the mobile housing lower slot 124. The intermediate rod 170 in the mobile housing intermediate hole 126 again prevents the mobile housing 114 from moving vertically. This causes the mobile housing 114 to pivot about the upper riser 152, forcing the lower end of the mobile housing 114 toward the stationary housing 112. Turning the second adjusting bolt 168 in the other direction causes the lower riser 172 to move downward and causes the lower end of the mobile housing 114 to move away from the stationary housing 112.

The vertical height of these movable housing intermediate holes 126 and fixed housing intermediate slots 140 is slightly greater than the height of the intermediate rod 170, or at least a portion of the intermediate rod 170 inserted into the movable housing intermediate holes 126 and the fixed housing intermediate slots 140, just large enough to allow the intermediate rod 170 to move in an arc around the upper vertical plate 152 or the lower vertical plate 172 when the movable channel 114 pivots, but not large enough to allow the movable housing 114 to undergo significant vertical movement relative to the fixed housing 112.

The depth of the wall panel attached to mounting plate 142 can be adjusted by turning both first adjustment bolt 166 and adjustment bolt 168 so that these bolts move both upper riser 152 and lower riser 172 by the same amount and in the same direction. This will change the depth of the attached wall panel, but will keep the tilt the same. However, this also moves the wall panel vertically.

The vertical height of the wall panel attached to the mounting plate 142 can be adjusted by rotating the third adjustment bolt 182. Rotating the third adjustment bolt 182 causes the mounting plate 142 to move upward or downward relative to the mobile housing 114 depending on the thread direction and rotation direction of the third adjustment bolt 182.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Of course, it will be understood that modifications of the present invention in many aspects will be clear to those skilled in the art, some modifications becoming clear only after study, while other modifications are common mechanical, chemical, and electronic design matters. A single feature, function, or characteristic of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, the specific design of which depends on the specific application. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but is to be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

1. A device for installing wall panels, comprising: A fixed housing with a fixed back cover; A movable housing having a movable housing back side, a movable housing side, a movable housing upper end, and a movable housing lower end, wherein the movable housing is at least partially nested within a fixed housing such that the movable housing back side faces the front of the device and the fixed housing back side faces the back of the device; A mounting plate is slidably connected to the back of the movable housing; The movable housing is connected to the upper vertical plate of the fixed housing. The upper vertical plate is configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves vertically in a first direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves toward the rear of the device while remaining at least partially nested within the fixed housing. It is also configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves vertically in a second direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves toward the front of the device while remaining at least partially nested within the fixed housing. The movable housing is connected to the lower vertical plate of the fixed housing. The lower vertical plate is configured such that when the lower vertical plate moves vertically in a third direction, the lower end of the movable housing moves toward the back of the device while remaining at least partially nested in the fixed housing. It is also configured such that when the lower vertical plate moves vertically in a fourth direction, the lower end of the movable housing moves toward the front of the device while remaining at least partially nested in the fixed housing. A first adjusting element is configured to move the upper vertical plate vertically by means of a threaded engagement with the upper vertical plate. A second adjusting element, configured to move the lower vertical plate vertically via a threaded engagement with the lower vertical plate; and A third adjusting element is configured to move the mounting plate vertically via a threaded engagement with the mounting plate. The upper vertical plate and the lower vertical plate together prevent the side of the movable housing from extending completely outside the fixed housing in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing. 2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, The fixed housing is configured to be mounted on a structure; and The mounting plate is configured to attach the wall panel to the mounting plate. 3. An apparatus for mounting a wall panel to a wall frame, comprising: A fixed housing, configured to be fixed to the wall frame and including a fixed housing back and two fixed housing sides that commonly define a channel; A movable housing includes a back surface, an upper end, a lower end, and two side surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the movable housing is disposed within a channel defined by the fixed housing; Mounting plate, which is attached to the front of the movable housing and configured to connect with the wall panel; The movable housing is connected to the upper vertical plate of the fixed housing. The upper vertical plate is configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves in a first direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves toward the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing while remaining disposed within the channel. It is also configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves in a second direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves away from the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing while remaining disposed within the channel. An upper vertical plate adjusting element, configured to move the upper vertical plate in a first direction and a second direction via a threaded engagement with the upper vertical plate; and Mounting plate adjustment element, configured to move the mounting plate up and down relative to the movable housing via a threaded engagement with the mounting plate. The upper vertical plate prevents the side of the movable housing from extending completely outside the channel in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: A lower vertical plate, configured to cause the lower end of the movable housing to move toward the plane defined by the back surface of the fixed housing when the lower vertical plate moves upward in a third direction, and configured to cause the lower end of the movable housing to move away from the plane defined by the back surface of the fixed housing when the lower vertical plate moves in a fourth direction; and A lower vertical plate adjusting element is configured to move the lower vertical plate in the third and fourth directions. 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one hook-shaped mounting bracket extending from the mounting plate and configured to engage the wall panel. 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the mounting housing includes flanges extending from both sides of the mounting housing, the flanges including holes that facilitate mounting the mounting housing to the wall frame. 7. The device of claim 3, wherein the movable housing includes a first end plate, and wherein the upper vertical plate adjusting element passes through a threadless hole in the first end plate to engage with the upper vertical plate. 8. An apparatus for mounting a wall panel to a wall frame, comprising: A fixed housing, configured to be fixed to the wall frame and including a fixed housing back and two fixed housing sides that commonly define a channel; The movable housing includes a side portion of the movable housing, which is at least partially disposed within the channel; Mounting plate, which is attached to the movable housing and configured to connect with the wall panel; The movable housing is connected to the upper vertical plate of the fixed housing. The upper vertical plate is configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves in a first direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves toward the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing while remaining at least partially disposed within the channel, and is configured such that when the upper vertical plate moves in a second direction, the upper end of the movable housing moves away from the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing while remaining at least partially disposed within the channel. An upper vertical plate adjusting element is configured to move the upper vertical plate in a first direction and a second direction by threaded engagement with the upper vertical plate. The movable housing is connected to the lower vertical plate of the fixed housing. The lower vertical plate is configured to cause the lower end of the movable housing to move toward the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing when the lower vertical plate moves upward in a third direction, and is configured to cause the lower end of the movable housing to move away from the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing when the lower vertical plate moves in a fourth direction. A lower vertical plate adjusting element, configured to move the lower vertical plate in a third and a fourth direction via a threaded engagement with the lower vertical plate; and Mounting plate adjustment element, configured to move the mounting plate up and down relative to the movable housing via a threaded engagement with the mounting plate. The upper vertical plate and the lower vertical plate together prevent the side of the movable housing from extending completely outside the channel in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the back of the fixed housing. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one hook-shaped mounting bracket extending from the mounting plate and configured to engage the wall panel. 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the movable housing includes a first end plate at an upper end and a second end plate at a lower end, wherein the upper vertical plate adjusting element passes through a threadless hole in the first end plate to engage with the upper vertical plate, and wherein the lower vertical plate adjusting element passes through a threadless hole in the second end plate to engage with the lower vertical plate.