Wall Panel Joint Structure

Abstract

Wall panels are adapted to be interconnected by separable joint structure which can serve as an electrical conduit. A joint structure enables panels to be joined without the use of screws, nails or other similar fasteners. The joint structure involves force separable components.

Description

This invention is directed to wall panel joint structure which will enable walls of buildings to be erected without the need of skilled labor. Panels are interconnected by joint structure which does not require screws, nails, or other similar fasteners, and has a decorative appearance.

The joint structure is directed to four separable components comprising first and second members which are removably coupled together to define a hollow channel. Third and fourth members constituting panel embracing members are removably coupled to the first member and cooperate with flanges on the first member to embrace a panel.

The panel embracing members referred to above are preferably L-shaped estrusions which facilitate assembling a wall, notwithstanding minor variations in tolerances of panel thicknesses. The present invention enables the column or hollow channel to be assembled at the factory and shipped to the site fully wired. The four-piece joint structure enables one to have access to the wiring without interfering with the mounting of the panels and permits the joint structure formed by the first and second members to be installed at the job site before the panels are erected in position.

The joint structure of the present invention is adaptable for use in retaining new wall panels in various angular positions. Thus, the present invention comprehends joints which are T joints, Y joints, L joints, V joints, etc. All components of the joint are preferably extruded members made from a lightweight non-corrosive material such as aluminum, which may be anodized for purposes of improving the surface characteristics and color of the components.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel panel joint structure which may be rapidly installed at the job site without the use of skilled labor and special tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel wall panel joint structure which facilitates ease of installation, notwithstanding variations in tolerances of panel thicknesses.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall panel joint structure which may be factory assembled and shipped to an installation site fully wired.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wall panel joint structure which is hollow and adapted to contain electrical wiring in a manner whereby access may be had to the wiring without interfering with the mounting of wall panels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel wall panel joint structure which is adaptable for use at the juncture of wall panels oriented at different angles.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view in section and illustrating the bottom portion of an installed joint structure and wall panel where the panels are aligned with one another.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the components of the joint structure shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of joint structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention wherein a T-joint is provided.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of joint structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention wherein a Y-joint is provided.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of joint structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention wherein an L-joint is provided.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of joint structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention wherein a V-joint is provided.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown a joint structure designated generally as 10, supported on a floor 12 and retaining aligned wall panels 14 and 16. The wall panels 14 and 16 are preferably multilayer panels and may be inside wall panels defining separate rooms of a building, or may be outside wall panels defining the periphery of the building. The specific nature of the multilayer wall panels, per se, forms no part of the present invention.

The joint structure 10 is comprised of four separable components including a first member 18 removably coupled to a second member 20 so as to define a hollow channel for receiving electrical wiring (not shown).

A first member 18 is provided with parallel legs 22 and 24. The second member 20 is provided with parallel legs 26 and 28. Leg 26 terminates in a ratchet tooth 30 which is snapped into engagement with ratchet tooth 32 on leg 22. Leg 28 terminates in a ratchet tooth 34 which is snapped into engagement with a ratchet tooth 36 on leg 24.

The joint structure 10 is installed to maintain an upright disposition by means of a mounting bracket designated generally as 38. The bracket 38 includes a base 40 having an upstanding wall 42. Notches 44 and 46 are provided in the base 40 contiguous to the wall 42. The notch 48 extends from the edge of the base 40 removed from the wall 42 and extends towards said wall 42. A bolt 50 extends through the notch 48 and into the floor 12.

Leg 22 is provided with a flange 52 extending toward leg 24. Leg 24 is provided with the flange 54 extending toward leg 22. The flanges 52 and 54 are aligned with one another and are adapted to be received in the notches 44 and 46, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The wall 42 extends into the channel defined by member 18 and the flanges 52 and 54. It will be noted that the width of the base 40 corresponds to the distance between legs 22 and 24 on member 18.

Member 18 is provided with a flange 56 which is serrated on its inner surface and embraces one side of panel 16. A similar flange 58 on the other side of member 18 embraces a portion of panel 14.

The joint structure 10 includes retainer members 60 and 62. Retainer member 60 includes a panel embracing portion 64 which is parallel to flange 56 and embraces the opposite side of panel 16. Member 60 also includes a leg 66 terminating in a ratchet tooth 68 which cooperates with one of the teeth 70 supported by leg 22. The

Claims

We claim:

1. A wall panel structure comprising:

a. first and second discrete members coupled together, each of said members having a pair of legs, each leg on each member being coupled to a mating leg on the other member without the use of separate fasteners and thereby forming a hollow column,

b. said first member having a panel embracing flange,

c. a discrete retainer having a leg portion and a panel embracing portion, said retainer leg portion being generally parallel to an adjacent leg of said second member,

d. means for coupling said retainer leg portion to a leg of one of said first and second members at different locations so that the distance between said flange and said panel embracing portion is adjustable to accommodate panels of different thicknesses, and

e. said retainer being disposed alongside said second member so that said retainer is adjustable with respect to said flange without moving said second member.

2. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling means is on a leg of said first member, said retainer leg portion being in abutting contact with said adjacent leg on said second member.

3. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 2 including a second flange on said first member, a second retainer having a panel embracing portion parallel to said second flange, said second retainer being adjustably connected to said other leg of said first member so that the panel embracing flange on said second retainer may be moved toward or away from the second flange on said first member.

4. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second flange is perpendicular to said first flange on said first member.

5. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 3 including a third flange on said first member, a third discrete retainer, said third retainer being coupled to said first member and having a panel embracing portion parallel to said third flange.

6. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first and second flanges are adjacent to one another and have an included angle between 90.degree. and 180.degree..

7. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said legs on said first member converge toward said second member.

8. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first and second flanges are aligned with one another, and the third flange being generally perpendicular to the first and second flanges.

9. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said retainers are identical, and only two such retainers are coupled to said first member.

10. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein said legs are connected to converging portions of said first member, said converging portions being connected directly to one another so as to be V-shaped, and said second member having converging portions each of which are parallel to one of said converging portions on the first member.

11. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first and second flanges are aligned, the panel enbracing portions on said retainers being aligned, and only two such retainers being coupled to said first member.

12. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member has flanges extending toward one another, a mounting bracket having notches receiving said last-mentioned flanges, said bracket cooperating to support said hollow column in an upright disposition attached to a floor.

13. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 3 including two wall panels, each flange and panel embracing portion of the retainers cooperating to embrace one of said wall panels.

14. A wall panel joint structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second member has a panel embracing flange arranged at an acute angle with respect to said panel embracing portion, and a discrete retainer coupled to said second member without the use of separate fasteners, said last-mentioned retainer having a panel embracing portion parallel to said first panel embracing flange on said second member.