Spacer Assembly For Holding A Pair Of Panel Connectors In A Wall Structure

Abstract

A spacer assembly for releasably holding a pair of opposed panel connectors assembled in spaced apart relation comprising an elongated connector spanning the space between the opposed panel connectors and having opposite ends engageable against the opposed panel connectors. Interlocking means are provided adjacent the opposite ends of the connector for connecting the connector to the opposed panel connectors. Each interlocking means is comprised of a first clip having a locking head interlockable with one of the opposed panel connectors and second clip detachably interlocking the first clip to the spacing connector.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the construction art and, more particularly, to certain new and useful wall panel constructions incorporating variable spacer means.

It is generally known to use various pre-fabricated, modular wall paneling arrangements for erecting partition or perimiter wall structures in an effort to provide mass produced, low cost constructions which can be readily installed with a minimum of effort and which also can be easily dismantled when it is desired to remove or shift the position of the walls. Wall panel supports in the form of panel connectors maintained in a spaced relationship by detachable interlocking spacer elements are disclosed in application Ser. No. 703,955, filed Feb. 8, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,217 and assigned to the assignee of this application.

Such interlocking spacer elements come in different standard sizes to accommodate different spacing requirements between opposed walls. However, not all spacing requirements can be met due to the limited number of sizes of these spacer elements. Moreover, unless an inventory of all available sizes of spacer elements is maintained a particular size may not be readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a double wall construction of varying width which is simple, rugged and durable in use, inexpensive to install, and which possesses the requisite strength and stability.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double wall panel supporting structure incorporating spacer assemblies for accommodating different, non-standard widths in spacing between the opposite wall panels.

A further object of the present invention is to form the foregoing spacer assemblies of standard components available at the erection site.

In carrying out this invention, a pair of elongated panel connectors are disposed in opposed relationship at any desired spacing and detachably interlocked by means of spacer assemblies spanning the space between such opposed panel connectors. The spacer assemblies are formed by utilizing a panel connector cut to a length equal to the spacing desired between opposed panel connectors and having opposite ends in engagement with the opposed panel connectors. Interlocking means comprised of two standard, but differently shaped, clip elements are provided adjacent the opposite ends of the spacer connector for connecting the spacer connector to the opposed panel connectors.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of this invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts broken away, showing a portion of a double wall partition of indeterminate width incorporating the spacer assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken about on line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded view, illustrating the various components that form the spacer assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an illustrative embodiment of this invention incorporated in a partition or perimeter wall construction comprising a double wall structure having opposed panel members 12 defining opposite wall surfaces.

Panels 12 are mounted and supported in properly spaced relation by means including panel connectors, generally designated 14, which extend vertically and also can extend horizontally to receive the four side edge portions of each supported panel 12. Each panel connector consists of a sheet metal fabrication of a unitary, one-piece construction formed to provide a rectangular body portion having front face portions 16 and a rear face 18 joined and spaced apart by opposite side faces 20. A pair of flange portions 22 extend outwardly from front face portions 16 away from rear face 18 to form a pair of corners adapted to receive the edge portions of adjacent panel members. The metal or other sheet material of which connectors 14 are fabricated is folded over at the outer end of flange portions 22 to provide cam surfaces 24 leading to opposed shoulder portions 26, the opposite edges of the sheet material terminating within the opening between flange portions 22. Each panel connector 14 is formed to provide an internal channel having inwardly diverging side walls 28 leading to a rear wall 30 and providing a restricted inlet opening 32 through rear face 18. Channel 28-32 extends the full length of connector 14 in alignment with the opening between flange portions 22, the channel proper being entirely confined within the rectangular body portion 16-20 of connector 14 as shown in FIG. 3.

Each panel member 12 includes a body 34 of gypsum, wallboard or any other suitable material, covered with a skin 36 of metal or other thin sheet material which can be painted or decorated to provide any desired effect. Skin 36 extends beyond panel body 34 and is formed to provide an inturned skirt having a shoulder engaging behind connector shoulder portions 26 with a snap fit, such panels and panel connectors being disclosed in application Ser. No. 703,955, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,217, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

In accordance with this invention, spacer assemblies, generally designated 40, utilizing the aforesaid panel connectors are provided for interlocking the opposed panel connectors 14 together and for maintaining the same in the desired spaced relation. The connector of spacer assembly 40 is identical to the opposed panel connectors 14 but will hereinafter be identified as spacer connector 42 to prevent confusion and positively identify such connector as a component of the spacer assembly 40.

Connector 42 can be cut to any length at the erection site to bridge the space between opposed panel connectors 14, which space may be of any varied and non-standard distance.

A pair of clips 44 are provided at the opposite ends of connector 42, each clip 44 comprising a web body 46 having on at least one side thereof a locking head 48. In the illustrated embodiment such heads are provided on opposite sides of body 46. Each clip 44 is of generally Z-shaped configuration in side elevation having legs 52 and 54 formed at opposite ends of body 46 and extending in opposite directions normal to the plane of body 46. An opening 56 is provided in each leg 52 and 54. Clips 44 are conveniently fabricated by punching the same from a sheet of steel, aluminum, or other suitable material and form a component generally employed as a spacer clip between opposed panel connectors in the invention as disclosed in application Ser. No. 777,438, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,221, assigned to the same assignee as this application.

Clip 44 is detachably secured to connector 42 by means of an attachment clip, generally designated 60, comprising a web body 62 having at least one locking head 64 joined to a side of body 62 by a reduced width neck portion 66. Locking head 64 extends through opening 56 in clip 44 and fits within channel 28-32 of connector 42 to interlockingly assemble clip 44 to connector 42. Clips 60 also are conveniently fabricated by punching the same from a sheet of steel, aluminum or other suitable material in a manner similar to the formation of clips 44. Clips 60 also are wall construction components and are normally used in conjunction with clips 44 as disclosed in application Ser. No. 777,438, filed Nov. 20, 1968 and assigned to the assignee of this application. The material thickness of clips 44 and 60 are less than the width of inlet opening 32 to the panel connector channel.

When assembling a wall in accordance with this invention, opposed panel connectors 14 are erected in any desired spacial relation. An elongated panel connector 14 is cut into discrete lengths 42 equal to the spacing desired between the opposed panel connectors. Clips 44 are detachably interlocked adjacent opposite ends of each connector 42 by means of clips 60 with rear face 18 in abutting relation against legs 52 of clips 44. To do this, clips 60 are initially rotated to a position shown in FIG. 3. This aligns the thickness of clips 60 with channel opening 28-32, permitting locking heads 64 to be inserted through openings 56 of clips 44 and channel inlet opening 32. Clips 60 are then twisted 90.degree. to the position shown in FIG. 2 confining heads 64 within channel 28-32 and detachably connecting clips 44 to connector 42. The entire spacer assembly 40 is then detachably interlocked with opposed panel connectors 14 by means of locking heads 48 located on opposite sides of clips 44. This is done by initially rotating spacer assembly 40 to a position 90.degree. from that shown in FIG. 3 to align the thickness of locking heads 48 with channel inlet openings 32 in opposite panel connectors 14 and inserting said heads 48 into such openings 32. Spacer assembly 40 is then rotated 90.degree. to the position shown in FIG. 3, confining heads 48 within channels 28-32 and detachably interlocking spacer assembly 40 to opposed panel connectors 14. Spacer assemblies 40 are inserted between opposed panel connectors 14 at spaced intervals therealong as required. It should be understood that spacer assemblies 40 can be oriented in such a manner as to span horizontally extending, laterally spaced panel connectors used for the upper and lower edges of panel members 12.

From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention fully accomplishes its intended objects and provides a wall construction having a wall thickness of any flexible design. Any desired wall spacing can be spanned by the spacer assembly of this invention. Moreover, this spacer assembly is formed of available, standard sized components thereby reducing inventory and realizing a reduction in costs.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention having been disclosed, it is to be understood that modifications thereof can be made within departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. Support means for releasably holding a pair of panel support elements assembled in spaced apart relation comprising a spacer connector having interlocking means at opposite ends thereof, each of said interlocking means including a first clip and a second clip having means connecting said first clip to said connector, said first clip comprising a body portion and at least one projection extending laterally outwardly from a side of said body portion engageable with one of said support elements for connection thereto, said first clip having a pair of legs extending in opposite directions from said body adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and each of said legs having an opening therethrough.

2. Support means according to claim 1 wherein said second clip has a body portion and said connecting means of said second clip comprises a projection extending laterally outwardly from said second clip body portion, through said opening in one of said legs of said first clip, and engageable with said connector.

3. Support means according to claim 2 wherein said spacer connector has channel means for receiving said projection of said second clip.

4. Means for supporting opposed panel members in a double wall construction comprising a pair of opposed elongated panel connectors each having a panel receiving face, at least one spacer assembly extending between said opposed connectors, said spacer assembly comprising a spacer connector extending transversely between said opposed panel connectors, and means interlocking opposite ends of said transversely extending spacer connector and said opposed connectors in assembled relation, each of said interlocking means comprising a first clip and a second clip, said first clip detachably interlocking said second clip to said transversely extending spacer connector and said second clip having a portion detachably interlocking said second clip to an opposed panel connector; said second clip having a web portion and a pair of legs extending from said web portion in opposite directions generally normal to said web portion and integral therewith, said web portion having at least one locking head integral therewith interlocking with one of said opposed panel connectors.

5. Means for supporting opposed panel members in a double wall construction comprising a pair of opposed elongated panel connectors each having a panel receiving face, at least one spacer assembly extending between said opposed connectors, said spacer assembly comprising a spacer connector extending transversely between said opposed panel connectors, and means interlocking opposite ends of said transversely extending spacer connector and said opposed connectors in assembled relation, each of said interlocking means comprising a first clip and a second clip, said first clip detachably interlocking said second clip to said transversely extending spacer connector and said second clip having a portion detachably interlocking said second clip to an opposed panel connector, said transversely extending spacer connector having a channel, said first clip having a web portion engageable with said second clip and a locking head projecting from said web portion through said second clip into said channel.

6. Support means for releasably holding a pair of panel support elements assembled in spaced apart relation comprising a spacer connector having interlocking means at opposite ends thereof, each of said interlocking means including a first clip having detachable support element connecting means, and a second clip having detachable means connecting said first clip to said spacer connector, said first clip including a body portion and said support element connecting means of said first clip comprising at least one projection extending laterally outwardly from a side of said body portion engagable with said one of said support elements for connection thereto, said first clip comprising a pair of legs extending in opposite directions from said body portion adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and one of said legs having an opening therethrough and the other said leg having a means for receiving an attaching means.