Framed panel

Claim 1

A framed panel comprising a mesh element formed of expanded metal and thereby being integral, the body of the expanded metal lying generally in a plane and having thick and thin portions forming projections extending outwardly from said plane, the projections being distributed throughout the area of the mesh, perimeter frame members mounted on the edge portions of the mesh element, the frame members being tubular and substantially cylindrical in shape and each having a slot extending throughout its length, each slot being of substantially uniform width throughout its length, each frame member except for the slot being continuous circumferentially, adjacent frame members being welded together at their engaged ends, and the interior of the frame members communicating as between contiguous frame members, from the whole interior of one frame member through the slot in an adjacent frame member whereby the interior of all the frame members form a continuous interior space peripherally around the panel, the frame members being welded together to form a unitary and effectively integral, and rigid frame, the slots receiving the edge portions of the mesh element with the marginal edges of the slots engaging thin portions of the mesh element, and certain of the projections disposed within the frame members and secured against withdrawal through the slots and the mesh element being secured in the frame members thereby the mesh element and the frame members being so relatively dimensioned and proportioned that the mesh element extends throughout the length of each frame member into the next and contiguous frame member, whereby the frame holds the mesh element in rigid position throughout the perimeter of the frame, and the frame and mesh element together form a unitary, rigid, and essentially planar member.