CA2973269C

CA2973269C - Prefabricated lath panel and method of installation of a covering onto a pre-existing substructure using the same

Info

Publication number: CA2973269C
Application number: CA2973269A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jasmin Cameron
Original assignee: 9151-1626 Quebec Inc
Current assignee: 9151-1626 Quebec Inc
Priority date: 2016-07-14
Filing date: 2017-07-14
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-14
Also published as: CA2973269A1; CA2936274A1

Abstract

A prefabricated lath panel fastenable to a pre-existing substructure for subsequent fastening of a fastenable covering thereon. The prefabricated lath panel comprises framework members engaged together to define a framework having a covering abutment surface and an opposed substructure engaging surface, with a panel core being defined therebetween. At least one of the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface extends between a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge. A plurality of consecutive ones of the framework members extending substantially parallel to one another have a through hole defined therein and define together a utility path for utility members to extend through the framework members, inside the panel core. The prefabricated lath panel further comprises a complementary male-female assembly provided along the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. A method for installation of a fastenable covering onto a pre-existing substructure is also provided.

Description

File No.17602-5 PREFABRICATED LATH PANEL AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION
OF A COVERING ONTO A PRE-EXISTING SUBSTRUCTURE USING
THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of prefabricated building structures.
More particularly, it relates to a prefabricated lath panel mountable to one of a wall, a ceiling or a roof structure, for subsequent attachment of a fastenable wall, ceiling or roof covering, and to a method of mounting a fastenable covering to a wall, ceiling or roof, using the prefabricated lath panel.
BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of building constructions, it is known to fasten laths to a pre-existing wall, ceiling or roof structure, for subsequent securing of a fastenable covering thereon. In order to do so, workers commonly fasten a plurality of spaced-apart laths to the pre-existing wall, ceiling or roof structure, one at a time, and subsequently fasten the fastenable wall, ceiling or roof covering to the laths.

[0003] The traditional way of fastening the plurality of independent laths to the wall, ceiling or roof structure however suffers from several drawbacks. For example and without being limitative, the fastening of every individual laths is time consuming and requires numerous on-site manipulations (e.g. measuring, marking, cutting fastening, etc.), often requiring specialized tools which need to be brought to the construction site. Moreover, such operations often generate loss of material, as a result of the cutting of lath sections, generate on-site littering that needs to be cleaned, etc. In some instances, adjacent laths of the plurality of independent laths are also not substantially even (or in register) with one another, and therefore define an uneven abutment surface for the fastening of the covering.

[0004] Moreover, in cases where wiring is required to be installed outside of the wall, ceiling or roof structure, workers are often required to bore holes in the laths, in order to allow wires to run through the laths and along the wall, ceiling or roof File No.17602-5 structure (i.e. between the wall, ceiling or roof structure and subsequently fastened covering). Such actions are also time consuming, require the presence of the necessary tools, generate on-site littering that needs to be cleaned, etc.

[0005] In view of the above, there is a need for a prefabricated lath panel and a method of installation of a subsurface covering onto a pre-existing substructure using the prefabricated lath panel, which would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance to a first general aspect, there is provided a prefabricated lath panel fastenable to a pre-existing substructure for subsequent fastening of a fastenable covering thereon. The prefabricated lath panel comprises framework members engaged together to define a framework having a covering abutment surface and an opposed substructure engaging surface, with a panel core being defined therebetween. At least one of the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface extends between a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge. A
plurality of consecutive ones of the framework members extending substantially parallel to one another have a through hole defined therein and define together a utility path for utility members to extend through the framework members, inside the panel core. The prefabricated lath panel further comprises a complementary male-female assembly provided along the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge.

[0007] In an embodiment, the framework members comprise a plurality of laths extending substantially parallel to one another and mounted to a plurality of studs extending substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of laths and maintaining the plurality of laths in position.

[0008] In an embodiment, each one of the plurality of studs has notches defined therein to allow interlocking of the corresponding ones of the laths and studs at junctions thereof.

File No.17602-5

[0009] In an embodiment, each one of the plurality of laths and the plurality of studs have complementary notches defined therein to allow interlocking of the corresponding ones of the laths and studs at junctions thereof.

[0010] In an embodiment, the framework defined by the laths and the studs has evenly levelled opposing faces, which respectively define the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface.

[0011] In an embodiment, the framework members are spaced apart of a distance sufficient to provide access to the panel core through the covering abutment surface.

[0012] In an embodiment, the framework members are spaced apart of a distance ranging between about 12 inches and about 48 inches.

[0013] In an embodiment, at least a subset of the plurality of through holes defined in the consecutive adjacent ones of the framework members are substantially levelled with one another, thereby defining a substantially straight utility path.

[0014] In an embodiment, the plurality of consecutive ones of the framework members extending substantially parallel to one another each comprise a plurality of through holes defined therein and defining a plurality of substantially straight utility paths extending substantially parallel to one another.

[0015] According to another general aspect, there is further provided a method for installation of a fastenable covering onto a pre-existing substructure. The method comprises providing at least two prefabricated lath panels, with the prefabricated lath panels each including a plurality of framework members defining a framework having a first lateral edge and a second opposed lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge. The framework of each one of the at least two lath panels comprises a complementary male-female assembly including a male member and a female member provided respectively along the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge. The method further comprises juxtaposing and interlocking adjacent File No.17602-5 ones of the at least two lath panels through engagement of the complementary male member and female member defined in the corresponding one of the first lateral edge and the second opposed lateral edge thereof; fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure; and fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels.

[0016] In an embodiment, fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure comprises maintaining the at least two prefabricated lath panels against the substructure and fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels using mechanical fasteners extending through the framework members of the framework and into the substructure.

[0017] In an embodiment, interlocking adjacent ones of the at least two lath panels and fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure comprises, for each pair of adjacent lath panels of the at least two lath panels: fastening one lath panel of the pair of adjacent lath panels to the substructure; interlocking the pair of adjacent lath panels through engagement of the complementary male member and female member defined in the corresponding one of the first lateral edge and the second opposed lateral edge thereof; and fastening the other one of the pair of adjacent lath panels to the substructure.

[0018] In an embodiment, fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels comprises maintaining the fastenable covering against the covering abutment surface of the at least two lath panels and fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels using mechanical fasteners extending through the fastenable covering and into the framework members of the framework of the at least two lath panels.

[0019] In an embodiment, the framework of each one of the at least two lath panels comprises through holes defined in consecutive adjacent framework members, the through holes defining a utility path for longitudinally extending utility members to File No.17602-5 extend through the corresponding framework member and the method comprises inserting at least one utility member in the through holes, along the utility path of the at least two lath panels prior to fastening of the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a prefabricated lath panel, in accordance with an embodiment where the laths are mounted forwardly of the studs.

[0022] Figure 2 is an isometric view of the prefabricated lath panel of Figure 1, where the laths are mounted forwardly of the studs.

[0023] Figure 3 is an isometric cross-section view of a prefabricated lath panel, in accordance with an alternative embodiment wherein the laths and studs are interlocked, and shown mounted to a substructure (shown partially) and with a covering mounted thereto (shown partially).

[0024] Figure 4 is a top elevation view of end sections of two adjacent prefabricated lath panels of Figure 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.

[0026] It will be understood that, although the embodiments described comprise particular steps of a method and although the embodiment of the prefabricated lath File No.17602-5 panel, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and explained herein, include particular components and consist of certain geometrical configurations, not all of these components, geometrical configurations and steps are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components, and cooperation therebetween, as well as other suitable configurations may be used for the method and system, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom, by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "above", "below", "left", "right" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting.

[0027] Referring generally to Figures 1 to 3, in accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a prefabricated lath panel 10 mountable to a substructure 12, for subsequent attachment of a fastenable covering 13 (i.e. a fastenable wall, ceiling, or roof covering) hereto (see Figure 3).

[0028] In an embodiment, the fastenable covering 13 is an interior finish such as, for example and without being limitative, a drywall board, wooden sidings, a steel covering or any other covering which can be fastened to the laths of the panel and used as interior finish. In an alternative embodiment, the fastenable covering 13 can also be an exterior finish (i.e. a finish designed to be used as an external covering, exposed to the weather elements, and which can withstand these weather elements without deteriorating prematurely).

[0029] In an embodiment, the substructure 12 is an assembly defining a pre-existing wall structure onto which a fastenable wall covering is to be mounted, in a spaced-apart configuration. The wall structure can include a structural portion (not shown) providing the required rigidity and strength to ensure that the wall has the necessary solidity and/or load-bearing capacities. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the structural portion can be a studded framework defined by a combination of vertical and horizontal members joined to one another File No.17602-5 and made of wooden material, metallic material, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the structural portion can also be a block layer, such as, for example, a wall section comprising a plurality of stacked concrete blocks, or the like, or any other assembly providing the desired solidity and/or load-bearing capacities to the wall structure. In an embodiment, the wall structure can also include additional elements joined to the structural portions, such as, without being limitative, sheeting (OSB sheeting, vapor permeable sheeting, or any other types of membrane or protective sheet), rigid insulation panels, or any additional layer forming part of the pre-existing wall structure. In an embodiment, the structure can even include a pre-existing covering (defining an interior finish or exterior finish) onto which a new covering is to be fastened.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the substructure 12 can be a ceiling structure or a roof structure, for the lath panel 10 to be fastened to a ceiling or a roof of a building, for subsequent fastening of a covering onto the corresponding ceiling and/or roof. Hence, it will be understood that the term "substructure" is used herein to refer to any structure of a building having a surface to which a covering is to be mounted using the lath panel.

[0031] The prefabricated lath panel 10 includes a plurality of framework members 26 engaged together. In the embodiment shown, the framework members 26 include a plurality of substantially horizontally extending laths 20 and a plurality of substantially vertically extending studs 30. The substantially horizontally extending laths 20 are horizontally spaced-apart from one another and mounted to the substantially vertically extending studs 30. The substantially vertically extending studs 30 are vertically spaced-apart from one another. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the plurality of laths 20 could extend substantially vertically, while the studs 30 extend substantially horizontally. Therefore, the combination of the laths 20 and studs 30 define a panel 10 which can be secured (or fastened) to an existing substructure rapidly and easily, and wherein the laths 20 are maintained substantially parallel to File No.17602-5 one another (at a predetermined distance) by a plurality of studs 30 extending substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of laths 20. In the embodiment shown, the panel 10 includes more laths 20 than studs, but one skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment, the number of laths and studs can also be substantially similar.

[0032] In an embodiment, the laths 20 are fastened to the studs 30 using conventional mechanical fasteners such as, without being 'imitative nails, screws, staples or the like. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, any other known fastener or fastening types and/or methods resulting in the laths 20 being securely fastened to the studs 30 could also be used.

[0033] As mentioned above, the plurality of laths 20 and studs 30 forming the prefabricated lath panel 10 are framework members 26 defining a framework 28.
The framework 28 has a covering abutment surface 14 and a substructure engaging surface 16 and opposed lateral edges 36 thereof. In the course of the present description, the term "lateral edge" is used to refer to edges of the panel 10 configured to be adjacent and/or engaged to another panel 10. In the embodiment shown, the lateral edges 36 are the edges at the right and left extremities of the panel 10, but one skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment, the upper and lower edges can also be considered lateral edges. In an embodiment, the covering abutment surface 14 is defined at least by a face of the laths 20 facing away from the substructure 12, when the prefabricated lath panel 10 is mounted thereto. The covering abutment surface 14 is substantially flat as a result of the exposed face of each one of the laths being substantially in register and allows the fastenable covering 13 to be abutted thereon and fastened to the laths 20. The substructure engaging surface 16 faces away from the covering abutment surface 14 and is the surface abutted against the existing substructure 12, when the prefabricated lath panel 10 is mounted thereto.

File No.17602-5

[0034] In an embodiment, the laths 20 extend substantially horizontally past the studs 30 at the lateral extremities, such that the the lateral edges 36 are defined by the ends of the laths 20. One skilled in the art will understand that, in an embodiment, the studs 30 could extend substantially vertically past the laths 20 at the upper and lower extremities.

[0035] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in an embodiment, the plurality of laths 20 are positioned (or mounted) forwardly of the studs 30 in the prefabricated lath panel 10. In other words, in such an embodiment, the covering abutment surface 14 is defined only by a face of the plurality of laths 20, with the studs 30 being positioned rearwardly of the covering abutment surface 14 (i.e. the studs 30 being rearwardly offsets from the covering abutment surface 14), and the substructure engaging surface 16 is defined only by a face of the plurality of studs 30, with the laths 20 being positioned forwardly of the substructure engaging surface 16 (i.e.
the laths 20 being forwardly offset from the substructure engaging surface 16).

[0036] With reference to Figure 3, in an alternative embodiment, each one of the framework members 26 (i.e. each one of the laths 20 and the studs 30) can have complementary notches defined therein to allow engagement (or interlock) therebetvveen, at the junctions thereof, such that the framework members 26 are intermeshed with one another at such junctions. More particularly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, each one of the laths 20 and the studs 30 have U-shaped recesses defined therein, with the laths 20 and the studs 30 being arranged in a crisscross configuration, wherein the corresponding U-shaped recesses are aligned, facing one another, and engaged with one another. In such an embodiment, the framework 28 defined by the laths 20 and the studs 30 can have evenly levelled opposing faces, which respectively define the covering abutment surface 14 and the substructure engaging surface 16.

[0037] One skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the framework 28 defined by the laths 20 and the studs 30 can have only one evenly level face defining a corresponding one of the covering abutment File No.17602-5 surface 14 or the substructure engaging surface 16. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the laths 20 can be thinner than the studs 30, such that the interlocked laths 20 and the studs 30 have at least one evenly level face. Moreover, one skilled in the art will understand that, in an embodiment where the laths 20 are thinner than the studs 30, only the studs 30 could include U-shaped recesses into which the laths 20 are insertable to intermesh the laths and the studs 30 with one another, at junctions thereof.

[0038] In an embodiment where the laths 20 and the studs 30 have at least one evenly level face defining the covering abutment surface 14, one skilled in the art will understand that both the laths 20 and/or the studs 30 (i.e. any framework member 26) can be used to fasten the fastenable covering 13 to the prefabricated lath panel 10.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, in an embodiment, the framework members 26 of the prefabricated lath panel 10 are spaced apart from one another of a predetermined and constant distance. In an embodiment, the predetermined distance is adapted for easy and sturdy fastening of the fastenable covering 13 to the laths 20 and/or the studs 30. For example and without being !imitative, in an embodiment, the framework members 26 (i.e. the respective laths 20 and the respective studs 30) are spaced apart from one another of a distance of between about 12 inches and about 48 inches. One skilled in the art will understand that, in an embodiment, the distance between the consecutive laths 20 can be smaller than the distance between the consecutive studs 30.

[0040] As will be described in more details below, in an embodiment, the distance between adjacent framework members 26 of the prefabricated lath panel 10 is also sufficient to allow workers to have access to a lath panel core 18 (i.e. it allows the workers to manually have access to the section of the lath panel 10 defined between the covering abutment surface 14 and the substructure engaging surface 16, for example to install utility members 24 such as, wires, pipes or the like, as will be described in more details below).

File No.17602-5

[0041] In an embodiment, the consecutive studs 30 of the prefabricated lath panel include at least one through hole 32 sized and shaped to allow longitudinally extending utility members 24 to extend through consecutive studs 30. The combination of the through holes 32 defined in each one of the consecutive studs 30 define a utility path 33 for the utility members 24 to extend through the consecutive studs 30, inside the panel core 18. For example and without being !imitative, in an embodiment, the diameter of the through holes 32 can vary between about 0.5 inch and about 2.5 inches. One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments, the through holes 32 can also have a diameter smaller than 0.5 inch or bigger than 2.5 inches.

[0042] In the present description, the term "utility member" is used to refer to any longitudinally extending element used for providing a utility service such as electricity, cable, or the like in the corresponding building. For example and without being limitative, the utility members 24 can include electrical wiring, network cables, or other types of wires, cables and/or cords, small pipes, or the like, used for utility services. As will be readily understood, the utility members are meant to be concealed between the substructure 12 and the fastenable covering 13 subsequently installed onto the lath panel 10 (as will be described in more details below).

[0043] Given that, as mentioned above, the distance between adjacent framework members 26 of the prefabricated lath panel 10 is sufficient to allow workers to access the lath panel core 18, through the covering abutment surface 14, the through holes 32 remain accessible to workers, even after the prefabricated lath panel 10 has been fastened to the substructure 12. Consequently, the prefabricated lath panel 10 allows utility members 24 of a building to be installed through the lath panel core 18, subsequently to the fastening of the prefabricated lath panel 10 onto the substructure 12 (and before fastening of the fastenable covering 13 to the covering abutment surface 14 of the prefabricated lath panel 10).

File No.17602-5

[0044] In an embodiment (see Figure 3), at least a subset of the plurality of through holes 32 defined in the consecutive studs 30 are substantially aligned (or substantially in register) with one another and therefore define a substantially straight utility path 33. In other words, the corresponding ones of the plurality of through holes 32 defined in the consecutive studs 30, are substantially aligned with one another, such that more than one row of substantially aligned through holes 32 can be defined. In an embodiment, the utility path 33 defined by one row of substantially aligned through holes 32 is a substantially linear utility path 33. In such an embodiment, installation of the utility members 24 through the utility path 33 defined in the lath panel core 18 is facilitated (and minimizes the required length thereof), as the utility members 24 can easily be moved through adjacent studs successively, simply by inserting the utility members 24 through the substantially aligned through holes 32.

[0045] One skilled in the art will understand that, in the embodiment shown (see Figure 3), through holes 32 are also defined in consecutive laths 20 of the prefabricated lath panel 10. The above teachings regarding the through holes defined in consecutive studs 30 apply to the through holes 32 defined in the consecutive laths 20 of the prefabricated lath panel 10.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a series of adjacent studs 30 each having a through hole 32, substantially aligned with the through holes 32 of the adjacent studs 30, and a plurality of utility members 24 extending through the consecutive studs 30 (i.e.
through the through holes 32 of the consecutive studs 30) and therefore running along a wall, outside of the wall structure (i.e. outside of the substructure 12 to which the lath panel 12 is mounted).

[0047] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, each stud 30 includes a plurality of through holes 32 and the through holes 32 defined in the consecutive studs 30 are substantially aligned horizontally (or substantially in register) with one another and therefore define a plurality of substantially straight utility path 33. In an =

File No.17602-5 embodiment, the plurality of substantially straight utility paths 33 extend substantially parallel to one another.

[0048] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in an embodiment, each one of the prefabricated lath panel 10 also includes a complementary male-female assembly 34 provided along the opposed lateral edges 36 thereof. The complementary male-female assembly 34 allows the lateral edges 36 of adjacent prefabricated lath panel 10 to be easily interlocked with one another, when prefabricated lath panels 10 are being mounted to the substructure 12. One skilled in the art will easily understand that the complementary male-female assembly 34 thereby favors easy and speedy onsite installation of the prefabricated lath panel 10 to the substructure 12 and consequently, easy and speedy installation of a covering 13 onto the pre-existing substructure 12 (see Figure 3).

[0049] For example and without being limitative, in the embodiment shown, the complementary male-female assembly 34 includes a tongue and groove assembly, where a tongue 35a extends from a first one of the lateral edges 36a and a complementary groove 35b is defined in a second one of the lateral edges 36b, opposed to the first lateral edge 36a and spaced apart from the first lateral edge 36a. Hence, in the embodiment shown, the tongue 35a extends from the ends of the laths 20 at the first one of the lateral edges 36a and the complementary groove 35b is defined in the ends of the laths 20 at the second one of the lateral edges 36b. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, other male-female assemblies 34 could be provided for easy connection between adjacent lath panels 10.

[0050] All of the above-described characteristics, taken alone or in combination, result in the prefabricated lath panel 10 allowing fast and easy on-site mounting of a fastenable covering 13 to a substructure, with possible utility member 24 installation in the lath panel core 18. Moreover, in an embodiment, the prefabricated lath panel 10 includes a plurality of laths 20 and/or studs 30 which are positioned at precise and constant distances from one another, and File No.17602-5 identification of the relative position of the laths and/or studs is facilitated, even when the covering 13 is applied and covers the laths 20 and/or studs 30, thereby favoring successful and sturdy installation of the fastenable covering 13.
Moreover, the use of the prefabricated lath panel 10 provides a flat surface, without warping, and allow the installation of utility members 24 running through the panels 10 (through the panel core 18 and over the substructure 12) without having to perform on-site drilling of the required holes in the studs 30 (or laths 20), therefore again facilitating the installation of the lath panel 10 and mounting of the fastenable covering 13 thereon.

[0051] The prefabricated lath panels 10 having been described in detail above, a method for installation of a covering 13 onto a pre-existing substructure 12, using the above-described prefabricated lath panel 10, will now be described in detail below.

[0052] In an embodiment, the method includes providing prefabricated lath panels (i.e. at least two lath panels) having the above described characteristics.
Hence, the prefabricated lath panels each include a plurality of framework members defining a framework. In an embodiment, the plurality of framework members include substantially horizontally extending laths secured to a plurality of substantially vertically extending studs. As previously mentioned, the plurality of substantially horizontally extending laths are spaced apart from one another of a distance sufficient to allow workers to access a lath panel core of the lath panel, even after fastening the lath panel to the substructure. Each one of the lath panels further includes a male member defined at a first lateral edge thereof and a complementary female member defined at a second lateral edge opposed to the first lateral edge. As mentioned above, in an embodiment, the male member is a tongue extending from the first lateral edge of each one of the lath panels and the female member is a groove defined in the second lateral edge opposed to the first lateral edge.

File No.17602-5

[0053] In an embodiment, the lath panels also include at least one through hole defined in consecutive framework members. As previously mentioned, the at least one through holes defined in the consecutive framework members are sized and shaped to allow the insertion of utility members therethrough. In an embodiment, the at least one through holes are formed in consecutive studs and are substantially aligned with one another.

[0054] In an embodiment, the method further includes configuring the lath panels in an adjacent configuration, wherein lateral edges of the laterally adjacent lath panels are juxtaposed, and laterally interlocking adjacent ones of the at least two lath panels through engagement of the male and female members provided along corresponding lateral edges of the laterally adjacent lath panels. For example, in an embodiment, the interlocking of laterally adjacent panels in the above described male/female relationship includes engaging the tongue of one lath panel in the groove of a laterally adjacent lath panel, such that the lath panels are joined and maintained substantially in a same vertical plan (i.e. the lath panels are substantially vertically levelled with one another). In other words, upon interlocking of the laterally adjacent panels in the above described male/female relationship, the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface of the adjacent panels are maintained substantially in register.

[0055] In an embodiment, the method further includes fastening the lath panels to the substructure. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, fastening of the lath panels to the substructure is performed by maintaining the lath panel against the substructure and fastening the lath panel using mechanical fasteners extending through the laths and/or studs (i.e. through the framework members) and into the substructure. For example and without being limitative, the mechanical fasteners can be nails, screws, or the like. One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments, any types of fasteners securely maintaining the lath panel in place against the substructure can also be used.

File No.17602-5

[0056] In an embodiment, for each pair of adjacent lath panels, interlocking of the panels and fastening of the panels to the substructure can be performed by initially fastening one of the lath panels to the substructure, as described above, subsequently interlocking the two adjacent panels and finally fastening the unfastened lath panel to the substructure. Such steps can be performed for each pair of adjacent lath panels used for installation of the covering onto the substructure.

[0057] It will be understood that, interlocking of adjacent lath panels and fastening of the lath panels to the substructure is repeated for all of the laterally adjacent lath panels used to cover the desired subsurface.

[0058] In an embodiment, once the lath panels are fastened to the substructure, utility member(s) can be inserted within the lath panel core of the lath panels (i.e.
over the substructure). In an embodiment, utility members are installed by inserting at least one utility member in a corresponding one of the at least one through hole of the consecutive framework members, such that the utility member(s) extend(s) through the framework members and run(s) across at least a section of the lath panels.

[0059] As a final step, the fastenable covering can be fastened to the lath panels.
For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the fastenable covering is fastened to the lath panels by superposing and maintaining the covering against the covering abutment surface of the lath panel and fastening the covering to the lath panel, using mechanical fasteners extending through the fastenable covering and into the laths and/or studs of the lath panel(s). Once again, for example and without being limitative, the mechanical fasteners can be nails, screws, or any other type of fasteners securely maintaining the fastenable covering 13 in place against the lath panel(s).

[0060] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended File No.17602-5 to be exemplary only. A person skilled in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person skilled in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A prefabricated lath panel fastenable to a pre-existing substructure for subsequent fastening of a fastenable covering thereon, the prefabricated lath panel comprising:
framework members engaged together to define a framework having a covering abutment surface and an opposed substructure engaging surface, with a panel core being defined therebetween, at least one of the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface extending between a first lateral edge and an opposed second lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge, a plurality of consecutive ones of the framework members extending substantially parallel to one another having a through hole defined therein and defining together a utility path for utility members to extend through the framework members, inside the panel core, and a complementary male-female assembly provided along the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge.

2. The prefabricated lath panel of claim 1, wherein the framework members comprise a plurality of laths extending substantially parallel to one another and mounted to a plurality of studs extending substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of laths and maintaining the plurality of laths in position

3 The prefabricated lath panel of claim 2, wherein each one of the plurality of studs has notches defined therein to allow interlocking of the corresponding ones of the laths and studs at junctions thereof.

4. The prefabricated lath panel of claim 3, wherein each one of the plurality of laths and the plurality of studs have complementary notches defined therein to allow interlocking of the corresponding ones of the laths and studs at junctions thereof.

5. The prefabricated lath panel of claim 4, wherein the framework defined by the laths and the studs has evenly levelled opposing faces, which respectively define the covering abutment surface and the substructure engaging surface.

6. The prefabricated lath panel of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the framework members are spaced apart of a distance sufficient to provide access to the panel core through the covering abutment surface.

7. The prefabricated lath panel of claim 6, wherein the framework members are spaced apart of a distance ranging between about 12 inches and about 48 inches.

8. The prefabricated lath panel of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of through holes defined in the consecutive adjacent ones of the framework members are substantially levelled with one another, thereby defining a substantially straight utility path.

9. The prefabricated lath panel of claim 8, wherein the plurality of consecutive ones of the framework members extending substantially parallel to one another each comprise a plurality of through holes defined therein and defining a plurality of substantially straight utility paths extending substantially parallel to one another.

10. A method for installation of a fastenable covering onto a pre-existing substructure, the method comprising:
providing at least two prefabricated lath panels, the prefabricated lath panels each including a plurality of framework members defining a framework having a first lateral edge and a second opposed lateral edge spaced apart from the first lateral edge, the framework of each one of the at least two lath panels comprising a complementary male-female assembly including a male member and a female member provided respectively along the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge;
juxtaposing and interlocking adjacent ones of the at least two lath panels through engagement of the complementary male member and female member defined in the corresponding one of the first lateral edge and the second opposed lateral edge thereof;
fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure; and fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure comprises maintaining the at least two prefabricated lath panels against the substructure and fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels using mechanical fasteners extending through the framework members of the framework and into the substructure.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein interlocking adjacent ones of the at least two lath panels and fastening the at least two prefabricated lath panels to the pre-existing substructure comprises, for each pair of adjacent lath panels of the at least two lath panels:
fastening one lath panel of the pair of adjacent lath panels to the substructure;
interlocking the pair of adjacent lath panels through engagement of the complementary male member and female member defined in the corresponding one of the first lateral edge and the second opposed lateral edge thereof; and fastening the other one of the pair of adjacent lath panels to the substructure.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels comprises maintaining the fastenable covering against the covering abutment surface of the at least two lath panels and fastening the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels using mechanical fasteners extending through the fastenable covering and into the framework members of the framework of the at least two lath panels.

14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the framework of each one of the at least two lath panels comprises through holes defined in consecutive adjacent framework members, the through holes defining a utility path for longitudinally extending utility members to extend through the corresponding framework member and wherein the method comprises inserting at least one utility member in the through holes, along the utility path of the at least two lath panels prior to fastening of the fastenable covering to the at least two lath panels