Panel attachment structure

1. A panel attachment structure comprising:

a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member directly or indirectly coupled to the channel member; and

an insert assembly including an insert portion that is closely slidably received in the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure, and wherein the insert assembly includes a bearing component positioned on an outer surface thereof to engage a portion of the channel member to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member in the insertion direction.

2. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing member is oriented generally perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of within 25 degrees of perpendicular to the insertion direction.

3. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the panel assembly further includes a base coupled to the channel member, and wherein the at least one reinforcing member is directly coupled to the base.

4. The attachment structure of claim 3 wherein the base is generally shaped as a rectangular prism, wherein the panel assembly includes a supplemental reinforcing member coupled to the base on an opposite side of the base relative to the channel member, and wherein reinforcing member and the supplemental reinforcing member are rebar.

5. The attachment structure of claim 3 wherein the panel assembly includes a face plate coupled to an outer face of the base.

6. The attachment structure of claim 5 wherein the face plate includes a plurality of attachment holes extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to enable the panel assembly to be attached to a form during a pouring of concrete about the panel assembly.

7. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the panel assembly includes a plurality of attachment holes extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to enable the panel assembly to be attached to a form during a pouring of concrete about the panel assembly.

8. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the insert assembly includes an opening formed therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener therethrough to couple the insert assembly to the underlying support structure, and wherein the opening is oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion direction.

9. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the insert assembly includes a support bracket including a pair support bracket sidewalls and a support plate positioned below the support bracket sidewalls, wherein the support plate is configured to be coupled to the support structure.

10. The attachment structure of claim 9 wherein the support plate includes a pair of openings formed therethrough, each of which is configured to receive a fastener therethrough.

11. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the insert portion is shaped as a rectangular prism configured to be closely received in the channel.

12. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the channel member is generally closed except for an open end, and wherein the attachment structure further includes a cover configured to removably cover an open end of the channel member.

13. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein at least part of the insert assembly is configured to be positioned outside of the channel, when the insert assembly is received in the channel member, to enable the insert assembly to be coupled to the support structure.

14. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the bearing component is configured and positioned to engage the channel member when the insert portion is sufficiently inserted into the channel to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member.

15. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the channel member is a tubular member having a generally constant hollow cross sectional shape along at least part of its length.

16. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the insert portion is not a threaded fastener.

17. The attachment structure of claim 1 wherein the portion of the insert assembly that engages the portion of the channel member is positioned outside an outer perimeter of the channel, when the channel is viewed along the insertion direction.

18. The attachment structure of claim 17 wherein the insert assembly has a longer length than the channel member to thereby limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member.

19. The attachment structure of claim 17 wherein the channel is closed on all sides except for a mouth at one end configured to receive the insert portion therein.

20. A panel attachment structure comprising:

a panel assembly including a channel member having a tubular channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member directly or indirectly coupled to the channel member; and

an insert assembly including an insert portion that is received in a receiving portion of the channel member, wherein the insert portion has a cross-sectional surface area that is within about 5 percent of the cross-sectional surface area of the receiving portion of the channel, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is oriented generally perpendicular to the insertion direction, or at an angle of within 25 degrees of perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the insert assembly is coupled to an underlying support structure, and wherein the insert assembly includes an opening that receives a fastener therethrough to couple the insert assembly to the underlying support structure.

21. The structure of claim 7 the opening is oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to the insertion direction.

22. The attachment structure of claim 20 wherein the insert assembly includes a bearing component on an outer surface of thereof and positioned to engage the channel member when the insert portion is sufficiently inserted into the channel to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member such that the opening is positioned outside the channel.

23. A panel system comprising:

a panel including a tubular channel formed therein and extending generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the panel;

a panel assembly embedded in the panel, the panel assembly including at least one reinforcing member embedded in the panel;

an insert assembly having an insert portion closely received in the channel, wherein the insert assembly is not directly coupled to the at least one reinforcing member, and wherein at least part of the insert assembly is positioned externally of the channel; and

a fastener positioned entirely externally of the panel and extending through the part of the insert assembly that is positioned externally of the channel to couple the insert assembly to an underlying support structure.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the panel assembly includes a channel member defining the channel.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the fastener is oriented vertically.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the insert assembly includes an opening that receives the fastener therein, wherein the opening is positioned externally of the channel.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the insert portion is not a threaded fastener, and wherein the panel assembly at least partially defines the channel.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein the wherein the insert portion has a cross-sectional surface area that is within about 5 percent of the cross-sectional surface area of the receiving portion of the channel.

29. A method for connecting a panel to a support structure comprising:

accessing a panel assembly having a channel member including a tubular channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member directly or indirectly coupled to the channel member;

causing the panel assembly to be positioned in an uncured concrete panel;

allowing the panel to cure;

after the allowing step, inserting an insert portion of an insert assembly into the channel in an insertion direction generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the panel such that at least part of the insert assembly is positioned externally of the channel; and

securing the externally positioned part of the insert assembly to the support structure, by a fastener, to thereby connect the panel to the support structure.

30. The method claim 29 wherein the panel is oriented vertically, the fastener is oriented vertically, and the support structure is oriented horizontally, and wherein the fastener is positioned entirely externally of the channel.

31. A panel attachment structure comprising:

a panel assembly including a channel member having a channel therein, the panel assembly further including at least one reinforcing member directly or indirectly coupled to the channel member; and

an insert assembly including an insert portion that is configured to be closely slidably received in the channel member in an insertion direction, wherein the insert assembly is configured to be coupled to an underlying support structure, and wherein a portion of the insert assembly includes a bearing component positioned on an outer surface thereof that is configured and positioned to engage a portion of the channel member to limit the insertion of the insert assembly into the channel member, wherein the reinforcing member is positioned entirely externally of the channel.