U.S. patent number 3,861,103 [Application Number 05/337,598] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-21 for partitioning arrangement for high rise buildings.
Invention is credited to Robert R. Rasmussen.
United States Patent |
3,861,103 |
Rasmussen |
January 21, 1975 |
PARTITIONING ARRANGEMENT FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Abstract
A partitioning arrangement for high rise buildings comprising
floor, ceiling, and side wall runners mounted in coplanar relation,
and a panel partition assembly positioned between said runners, in
which the panel partition assembly, which comprises studs in the
usual spacing having wallboard sheeting secured thereto, rests on
the floor runner and is free of fixed connection to all of the
runners for floating action relative thereto, whereby the runners
are free to shift with the building relative to the panel partition
to accommodate flextural movements in the building, due to drift,
seismic shock, and the like without distressing the partition in
the area of its juncture with the floor, ceiling and side walls.
Associated with the runners are masking trim members that have a
slip fit with the panel structure to accommodate the relative
movement involved. Several different forms of mounting arrangements
for the runners are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Rasmussen; Robert R. (Lake
Forest, IL) |
Family
ID: |
23321194 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/337,598 |
Filed: |
March 2, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/241;
52/573.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/825 (20130101); E04B 2/7854 (20130101); E04F
2019/0422 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
2/82 (20060101); E04B 2/76 (20060101); E04B
2/78 (20060101); E04b 002/74 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/238-243,290,481,573 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Murtagh; John E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mann, Brown, McWilliams &
Bradway
Claims
I claim:
1. A partition arrangement for forming a wall in a building
structure defining a room space having a floor and ceiling, said
partition arrangement comprising:
floor and ceiling runners of generally channel shape respectively
secured to the floor and ceiling respectively in substantial
coplanar opposed relation,
a pair of side runners respectively mounted between the ends of the
respective floor and ceiling runners adjacent the ends of the
latter,
and a partition framework between said runners in close
interfitting relation thereto and resting on said floor runner,
said framework being free of fixed connection to said runners,
and trim strip means positioned along the vertical and horizontal
edges of said framework on at least one side of same for masking
said runners,
whereby said runners are free to shift with the building structure
relative to said framework to accommodate flexture movements in the
building structure,
said partition framework comprising:
a plurality of vertically extending studs positioned between said
floor and ceiling runners and having their ends received
therein,
and wallboard sheeting mounted on said studs at said one side of
said framework in fixed relation to said studs and masking
same,
said studs being free of columnar supporting engagement with said
ceiling runner,
said wallboard sheeting at said runners being received in close
fitting relation thereto,
with the trim strip means along said side runners being applied to
said sheeting,
said side runners being mounted in abutting relation with vertical
walls of the building structure adjacent same,
said trim strip means along said side runners defining a gap
between same and said building structure vertical walls,
respectively,
and resilient caulking compound means filling said gaps along the
lengths thereof.
2. A partition arrangement for forming a wall in a building
structure defining a room space having a floor and ceiling, said
partition arrangement comprising:
floor and ceiling runners of generally channel shape respectively
secured to the floor and ceiling respectively in substantial
coplanar opposed relation,
a pair of side runners respectively mounted between the ends of the
respective floor and ceiling runners adjacent the ends of the
latter,
and a partition framework between said runners in close
interfitting relation thereto and resting on said floor runner,
said framework being free of fixed connection to said runners,
and trim strip means positioned along the vertical and horizontal
edges of said framework on at least one side of same for masking
said runners,
whereby said runners are free to shift with the building structure
relative to said framework to accommodate flexture movements in the
building structure,
said partition framework comprising:
a plurality of vertically extending studs positioned between said
floor and ceiling runners and having their ends received
therein,
and wallboard sheeting mounted on said studs at said one side of
said framework in fixed relation to said studs and masking
same,
said studs being free of columnar supporting engagement with said
ceiling runner,
said trim strip means being positioned along the vertical and
horizontal edges of said framework on both sides of same for
masking said runners,
and including wallboard sheeting mounted on the other side of said
framework in fixed relation to said studs and masking same,
with the ceiling being of the T-grid suspended type,
and including means for supporting said ceiling runner from said
suspended ceiling,
said supporting means comprising:
a pair of elongate trim members of generally Z-configuration having
like wing flanges affixed to said support member along either side
of same and each having a depending wing flange each defining a
masking flange shaped to engage the wallboard sheeting on either
side of said framework for masking the upper margin of said
framework,
said trim members each including on their respective like wing
flanges a holding flange spaced above said support member for
receiving the flanges of the ceiling suspension T-grid frame
member.
3. A partition arrangement for forming a wall in a building
structure defining a room space having a floor and ceiling, said
partition arrangement comprising:
floor and ceiling runners of generally channel shape respectively
secured to the floor and ceiling respectively in substantial
coplanar opposed relation,
a pair of side runners respectively mounted between the ends of the
respective floor and ceiling runners adjacent the ends of the
latter,
and a partition framework between said runners in close
interfitting relation thereto and resting on said floor runner,
said framework being free of fixed connection to said runners,
and trim strip means positioned along the vertical and horizontal
edges of said framework on at least one side of same for masking
said runners,
whereby said runners are free to shift with the building structure
relative to said framework to accommodate flexture movements in the
building structure,
said partition framework comprising:
a plurality of vertically extending studs positioned between said
floor and ceiling runners and having their ends received
therein,
and wallboard sheeting mounted on said studs at said one side of
said framework in fixed relation to said studs and masking
same,
said studs being free of columnar supporting engagement with said
ceiling runner,
said trim strip means being positioned along vertical and
horizontal edges of said framework on both sides of same for
masking said runners,
and including wallboard sheeting mounted on the other side of said
framework in fixed relation to said studs and masking same,
with a mullion member being along one side of the room space, and
including means for supporting one of the side runners from said
mullion,
said supporting means comprising:
an elongate support member of generally quadrilateral transverse
cross-sectional configuration having said side runners secured
thereto in parallelism therewith and along the lower surface of
same,
said trim strip means along said one side runner comprising:
a pair of elongate trim members of generally Z-configuration having
like wing flanges affixed to said support member along either side
of same and each having a projecting wing flange each defining a
masking flange shaped to engage the wallboard sheeting on either
side of said framework for masking the adjacent side margin of said
framework,
said trim members each including on their respective like wing
flanges a holding flange spaced from said support member for
receiving the flanges of a T-frame member fixed to and extending
longitudinally of said mullion.
4. A partition arrangement for forming a wall in a building
structure defining a romm space having a floor and ceiling, said
partition arrangement comprising:
floor and ceiling runners of generally channel shape respectively
secured to the floor and ceiling respectively in substantial
coplanar opposed relation,
a pair of side runners of generally channel shape respective
mounted between the ends of the respective floor and ceiling
runners adjacent the ends of the latter,
a plurality of vertically extending studs positioned between said
floor and ceiling runners in horizontally spaced, coplanar
relation,
and wallboard sheeting disposed along and against one side of said
studs in masking relation to said studs,
said runners each defining a web having upstanding side flanges
along either side of same having opposed inner surfaces and
oppositely facing outer surfaces,
said studs having their lower ends resting on and supported by said
web of said floor runner,
said studs having their upper and lower ends respectively
frictionally received between said floor and ceiling runner
flanges, in frictional engagement with said inner surface
thereof,
with said upper ends of said studs being spaced from said ceiling
runner web whereby said studs are free of columnar supporting
engagement with said ceiling runner,
said sheeting engaging said floor and ceiling runner flange outer
surfaces on one side of said floor and ceiling runners in slip fit
relation to said flange outer surfaces thereof,
said sheeting have the side edges of same in slip fit relation with
the respective side runner flange outer surfaces and extending
short of the plane of the respective side runner webs to define a
gap along the respective side runners,
said sheeting having the upper edge thereof formed to be short of
the level of said ceiling runner web and defining a gap between the
sheeting upper edge and the ceiling,
said sheeting having the lower edge thereof formed to be short of
the level of said floor runner web and define a gap between the
sheeting lower edges and the floor,
said studs and sheeting being free of fixed connection to said
runners,
said sheeting defining a first side surface facing and engaging
said studs and a second side surface facing oppositely of said
first surface thereof and facing away from said studs,
fastener means for securing said sheeting to said studs, with said
first surface of said sheeting engaging same, for supporting said
sheeting against gravity from said studs and maintaining said studs
in said spaced relation and said sheeting in said slip fit relation
with said runners,
and trim strip means positioned along the upper and lower edges of
said sheeting for spanning said gaps at the sheeting upper and
lower edges and masking said sheeting upper and lower edges and
said floor and ceiling runners,
said trim strip means engaging said second side surface of said
sheeting,
said sheeting and said studs forming a floating framework supported
by said floor runner whereby said runners are free to shift with
the building structure relative to said framework to accommodate
flexture movements in the building structure free of stressing said
sheeting along said edges thereof, and stressing of said studs at
said ends thereof.
5. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 4 wherein:
said side runners are mounted in abutting relation with vertical
walls of the building structure adjacent same,
and including trim strip means fitted along said side sheeting side
edges,
and resilient caulking compound means filling said gaps along said
side runners.
6. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 4 wherein:
the trim strip means along said ceiling runner is supported by said
ceiling runner,
said trim strip means along said ceiling runner comprising:
an elongate trim member defining along one side of same a gripping
fold receiving the adjacent side flange of said ceiling runner, and
a masking flange shaped to engage said wallboard sheeting second
side surface in slip fit relation thereto for masking the upper
margin of said partition framework,
and means for securing said trim member fold to said adjacent
ceiling runner side flange.
7. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 4 wherein said trim
strip means along said floor runner comprises:
an elongate trim member defining along one side of same a gripping
fold receiving the adjacent side flange of said floor runner, and a
masking flange shaped to engage said wallboard sheeting second side
surface in slip fit relation thereto for masking the lower margin
of said partition framework,
and means for securing the trim member fold to said adjacent floor
runner side flange.
8. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 4 wherein said trim
strip means along said floor runner comprises:
an elongate trim member of generally flat configuration defining a
nailing strip separating an upper arched flap and a lower flexible
base,
said trim member being formed to define a slot along the outwardly
facing surface of same exposing said nailing strip,
fastener means applied in spaced relation along said strip,
and a masking strip received in snap fit relation in said slot and
masking said fastener means,
said masking strip being flush with said trim member outwardly
facing surface.
9. A partition arrangement for forming a wall in a building
structure defining a room space having a floor and ceiling, said
partition arrangement comprising:
floor and ceiling runners of generally channel shape respectively
secured to the floor and ceiling respectively in substantial
coplanar opposed relation,
a pair of side runners of generally channel shape respectively
mounted between the ends of the respective floor and ceiling
runners adjacent the ends of the latter,
a plurality of vertically extending studs positioned between said
floor and ceiling runners in horizontally spaced, coplanar
relation,
and wallboard sheeting disposed along and against either side of
said studs in masking relation to said studs,
said runners each defining a web having upstanding side flanges
along either side of same having opposed inner surfaces and
oppositely facing outer surfaces,
said studs having their lower ends resting on and supported by said
web of said floor runner,
said studs having their upper and lower ends respectively
frictionally received between said floor and ceiling runner
flanges, in frictional engagement with said inner surfaces
thereof,
with said upper ends of said studs being spaced from said ceiling
runner web whereby said studs are free of columnar supporting
engagement with said ceiling runner,
said sheetings engaging said floor and ceiling runner flange outer
surfaces on either side of said floor and ceiling runners in slip
fit relation to said flange outer surfaces thereof,
said sheetings having the side edges of same in slip fit relation
with the respective side runner flange outer surfaces and extending
short of the plane of the respective side runner webs to define a
gap along the respective side runners on either side of same,
said sheetings having the upper edges thereof formed to be short of
the level of said ceiling runner web on either side of same and
defining a gap between the sheeting upper edge and the ceiling on
either side of said ceiling runner,
said sheetings having the lower edges thereof formed to be short of
the level of said floor runner web on either side of same and
defining a gap between the sheeting lower edges and the floor on
either side of said floor runner,
said studs and sheetings being free of fixed connection to said
runners,
said sheetings each defining a first side surface facing and
engaging said studs and a second side surface facing oppositely of
said first surface thereof and facing away from said studs,
fastener means for securing said sheetings to said studs, with said
first surface of the respective sheetings for supporting said
sheetings against gravity from said studs and maintaining said
studs in said spaced relation and said sheetings in said slip fit
relation with said runners,
said trim strip means positioned along the upper and lower edges of
said sheetings for spanning said gaps at the sheeting upper and
lower edges and masking said sheeting upper and lower edges and
said floor and ceiling runners on either side of same,
said trim strip means engaging said second side surface of the
respective sheetings,
said sheetings and said studs forming a floating framework
supported by said floor runner whereby said runners are free to
shift with the building structure relative to said framework to
accommodate flexture movements in the building structure free of
stressing said sheetings along said edges thereof, and stressing of
said studs at said ends thereof.
10. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 9 wherein the trim
strip means along said floor runner comprises:
a channel shaped trim member having said floor runner seated within
same and extending longitudinally thereof,
said trim member defining along either side of same an upstanding
side wall having its upper edge hooked over inwardly of said
framework for engaging the respective wallboard sheetings on either
side of said framework for masking the lower margin of said
framework.
11. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 9 wherein:
the ceiling is of the non-suspended type,
said ceiling runner being fixed directly to the ceiling.
12. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 9 wherein:
the ceiling is of a T-grid suspended type,
and including means for supporting said ceiling runner from said
suspended ceiling,
said supporting means comprising:
an elongate support member of generally quadrilateral transverse
cross-sectional configuration having said ceiling runner secured
thereto in parallelism therewith and along the lower surface of
same,
said trim strip means along said ceiling runner comprising:
a pair of elongate trim members of generally Z-configuration having
like wing flanges affixed to said support member along either side
of same and each having a depending wing flange each defining a
masking flange shaped to engage the wallboard sheeting on either
side of said framework for masking the upper margin of said
framework,
said trim member each including on their respective like wing
flanges a holding flange spaced above said support member for
receiving the flanges of the ceiling suspension T-grid frame
member.
13. The partition arrangement set forth in claim 9, wherein a
mullion member is along one side of the room space, and including
means for supporting one of the side runners from said mullion,
said supporting means comprising:
an elongate support member of generally quadrilateral transverse
cross-sectional configuration having said side runners secured
thereto in parallelism therewith and along the lower surface of
same,
said trim strip means along said one side runner comprising:
a pair of elongate trim members of generally Z-configuration having
like wing flanges affixed to said support member along either side
of same and each having a projecting wing flange each defining a
masking flange shaped to engage the wallboard sheeting on either
side of said framework for masking the adjacent side margin of said
framework,
said trim members each including on their respective like wing
flanges a holding flange spaced from said support member for
receiving the flanges of a T-frame member fixed to and extending
longitudinally of said mullion.
Description
This invention relates to a partitioning arrangement for high rise
buildings, and more particularly, to an arrangement for
partitioning off room areas in high rise buildings that is
specifically adapted to accommodate shifting movement of the
builiding and its walls, floors, and ceiling due to drift, seismic
shock, thermal movement and the like.
In the now common high rise building construction, which for the
building involved frequently comprises a basic reinforced concrete
skeleton defining large opening floor spaces from which individual
rooms are formed by partitions, considerable difficulty has been
experienced with distressing of the partitions where they join with
the floor, ceiling and side walls. The applicant has determined
that this problem can be laid to the tendency of high rise
buildings to drift or sway under wind movements and seismic shock,
as well as expansion and contraction due to temperature variations
and deflection due to loads. Low rise buildings also tend to have
similar problems to a lesser degree.
A principal object of this invention is to provide a partitioning
arrangement especially adapted for high rise buildiings which
accommodates the relative movements of the building ceiling, floor,
and side walls, of a particular room area, as the basic building
structure shifts or sways due to drift, seismic shock, thermal
movement or the like, without distressing the room partitioning
arrangements employed.
Another principal object of the invention is to provide a partition
arrangement for buildings subject to the problems that involves,
for each partition wall, ceiling, floor, and side wall runners
mounted in coplanar relation for movement with the building
structures adjacent same, and a partition panel assembly that is
free of fixed connection to the runners while being supported
thereby, with the arrangement being such that the runners shift
freely relative to the partition assembly, under the building
ceiling, floor, and side wall shifting action that may be involved
in drift or seismic occurrences, or the like, whereby distressing
of the partition is avoided.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a
partitioning arrangement for buildings in which a panel partition
assembly is free to float relative to ceiling, floor and side wall
runners supporting same, in the sense that the runners can shift
relative to the panel assembly in the plane thereof, under the
building ceiling, floor and side wall shifting action that may be
involved in drift or seismic occurrences or the like, with the
arrangement being such that even though such shifting movement is
accommodated, the panel assembly is firmly mounted in place and its
marginal edges are masked in an attractive manner.
Other objects of the invention are to provide partition panel
assembly supporting runner mounting arrangements for different
types of wall and ceiling constructions encountered in modern
buildings, to provide trim stripping especially adapted for use
with the floating partition assembly of this invention, and to
provide a partition arrangement for high rise buildings and the
like that is economical of manufacture, convenient to install, long
lived in use, and readily adaptable to a number of specific
architectural situations.
In accordance with this invention, a partitioning arrangement is
provided in which floor, ceiling, and side wall runners of channel
construction are mounted in coplanar relation in association with
the building floor, ceiling and side walls of the room space being
partitioned, and a partition panel assembly, comprising metal
channel studding having the usual spacing and covered by wallboard
sheeting, is positioned between and within said runners, in which
the panel assembly rests on the floor runner and is free of fixed
connection to any of the runners, whereby the runners are free to
shift with the building relative to the panel assembly. The panel
assembly has its studs received in the floor and ceiling runners,
but the studs extend short of columnar engagement or supporting
relation with the ceiling runner. The wallboard sheeting
frictionally engages all runners for good acoustical
characteristics, but is spaced from the adjacent building ceiling,
floor and side walls to leave a gap that accommodates the floating
action contemplated by this invention. At the sides of the
partition, this gap is closed by a wallboard supported trim piece
for masking the side runners, and suitable resilient caulking
material. Associated with the upper and lower margins of the panel
assembly are trim members that mask the ceiling and floor runners
respectively and have a slip fit engagement with the panel assembly
to accommodate the floating action contemplated by this
invention.
The invention also contemplates specific runner mounting
arrangements for mounting the ceiling and side runners under
specific conditions, such as when suspended ceilings are used, or
when the partition is to abut a mullion.
Other objects, uses, and advantages will be obvious or become
apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description
and the application drawings in which like reference numerals are
used throughout the views to designate like parts.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a fragmental vertical sectional view through a typical
high rise building showing an outside wall of same at one of the
floors thereof, with a room partition wall formed in accordance
with this invention being shown in elevation;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 of
FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale and with parts broken away;
FIG. 2A is a fragmental sectional isometric view of the panel
assembly lower margin trim piece shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a fragmental view better illustrating one of the ceiling
runner trim pieces shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but on an enlarged
scale;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along
line 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic fragmental sectional view taken
substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but illustrating the
principles of this invention applied to a suspended ceiling
construction in association with an exterior curtain wall mullion
along one side of the room being partitioned;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-sectional view taken
substantially along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line 8--8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but illustrating a
modified form of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 9, but
illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar to FIG. 7 but illustrate application of
the invention to alternate forms of suspended ceilings.
However, it is to be distinctly understood that the specific
drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply
with the requirements of the Patent Laws, and that the invention
has other embodiments that will be obvious to those skilled in the
art, and which are intended to be covered by the appended
claims.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Reference numeral 10 generally indicates one embodiment of the
invention applied to high rise building 12 of familiar reinforced
concrete construction defining outer wall or columns 14 and floor
walls 16 and 18 (actually floor slabs defining ceiling and wall
surfaces) which, together with the other building walls not shown,
define floor space 20 in which the partition arrangement 10 is
mounted. The floor walls 16 and 18 thus define for the space 20
ceiling 22 and floor 24. A second room dividing partition embodying
the invention is indicated by reference numeral 26 which serves as
a cross wall in subdividing room space 20.
In accordance with the present invention, the partition arrangement
10 comprises (see FIGS. 1 - 5) a ceiling runner 40 (see FIG. 2), a
floor runner 42, and side wall runners 46 and 48 (see FIG. 4)
mounted in coplanar relation, and mounting between same a partition
panel assembly 50 which rests on the floor runner 42, but which is
free of fixed connection with respect to any of the runners 40, 42,
46 and 48 that receive same, so that the runners for each partition
arrangement are free to shift relative to their respective panel
assemblies 50 as the building 12 and its floor walls and side walls
shift laterally of FIG. 1 due to drift, seismic occurrences,
thermal movement and the like.
The partition arrangement 10 is specifically adapted for use where
the partition is intended to extend between the floor walls 16 and
18, as distinguished from the case where suspended ceilings are
employed. In the partition arrangement 10, the ceiling and floor
runners 40 and 42, which are of standard channel-shaped
construction, are fixed in place by employing suitable fasteners
such as ram set nails 52. The side wall runners 46 and 48 are also
of standard channel-shaped construction (conventional metal
sutdding may be employed to form runners 46 and 48), with the side
wall runner 46 fixed in place by employing the ram set nails 52 and
the runner 48 being secured to the panel assembly 50 of partition
cross wall structure 26 in the manner suggested in FIG. 4.
The panel assembly 50 comprises studs 56 of the familiar metal
channel shape construction having the usual spacing (for instance,
16 inches on centers), which have secured thereto, by employing
suitable screws 58, wallboard sheets 60. The runners each comprise
a web 47 having spaced side flanges 49 along each side edge of
same, though the side runners, which preferably are formed from
standard metal channel studding, have end flanges 113.
In accordance with this invention, the studs 56 of panel assemblies
50 at their lower ends 62 rest on the web 47 of floor runner 42 and
between its flanges 49, but at the upper ends 64 of the studs 56,
the studs 56, while being received between the runner flanges 49,
extend short of the ceiling runner web 47. Also, the wallboard
sheeting 60 extends short of both the ceiling and floor, but is in
frictional, slip fit engagement with runners 40 and 42.
At the building side walls 14 and 26, the end studs 56 of the panel
assembly 50 are spaced from the respective side wall runners 46 and
48, and the ends 66 of the wallboard sheeting 60 on either side of
the assembly extend beyond the end studs 56 and receive between
them the flanges 49 of the side wall runners 46 and 48.
Further in accordance with this invention, there is operably
associated with the ceiling runner 40 along the upper margin 70 of
the assembly 50 a trim member 72, and since the embodiment of FIGS.
1 - 5 has a finished surface on either side of same, a like trim
member 72 is applied to either side of the runner 40. At the bottom
margin 74 of the assembly 50, trim members 76 are applied on either
side of the assembly 50, and at the side margins 78 and 80 of the
assembly 50, trim strips 82 are applied to the vertically extending
edge portion 66 of the wallboard sheeting 60.
The trim members 72 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 5 are secured to
the ceiling runner 40 and overhang the upper margin 70 of the
assembly 50 (see FIG. 2) and in close fitting relation thereto for
masking the runner 40 and the upper edges of the sheeting 60.
The trim members 76 are secured to the sheeting 60 and extend into
engagement with the floor wall 18 to mask the floor runner 42 at
the lower edges of the sheeting 60. Trim members 76 are formed from
a suitable resiliently flexible material, such as vinyl or the like
to accommodate the relative movement and minimize distress between
the panel assembly 50 and the floor wall 18 that is contemplated by
this invention.
The trim stripping members 82 are frictionally fitted over the
edges 66 of the sheeting 60 for face to face slip fit engagement
with the respective flanges 49 of the side wall runners 46 and 48,
respectively. A suitable resilient caulking material that
accommodates such slip fits such as USG Acoustical Sealant (made
and sold by U.S. Gypsum Co.), is applied where indicated by
reference numeral 90, in the gap 91 that is purposely left between
the trim members 82 and the building side walls, for sound
insulating purposes and for minimizing distressing that may occur
if the joint were rigid, from relative building frame movement.
In the drawings the wallboard sheeting 60 is shown indented at 83
for the slip fit engagement with the floor and ceiling runners.
However, such indenting is ordinarily not necessary; it is shown in
the drawings primarily because the thickness of the runners and
trim members is made out of proportion to better distinguish the
parts involved.
In assembly the partition arrangements 10, the runners 40, 42, 46
and 48 are mounted in the positions indicated, after which trim
members 72 are applied to the ceiling runner 40 to which they are
secured by crimping same together through the runner flange 49 as
indicated at 93 in FIG. 5. The studs 56 are then inserted between
runners 40 and 42 at the desired spacing, and with their upper ends
64 disposed as indicated in FIG. 2 relative to ceiling runner 40.
The friction fit between the ends 62 and 64 of the studs 56 and the
ceiling and floor runs is all that is needed to hold them in the
desired upright position, to receive the sheeting 60, which is
applied to the studs in sheets of suitable length (cut to size as
necessary), which have their upper ends inserted between the
respective runner flanges and the trim members 72 adjacent same,
and lifted upwardly to space their lower ends above floor wall 18,
whereupon screws 58 are applied to fix the sheet to the studs. The
sheeting is secured by at least several screws to each stud,
whereby the studs and sheet are united in fixed relation (the
sheeting 60 has trim strips 82 applied to same before application
to the studs 56). The trim members 76 are then secured to the
sheeting 60 in the floor wall engaging positions indicated in FIGS.
1 and 2, and the caulking material 90 applied to gaps 91, to
complete the assembly.
The side runner 48 in the showing of FIGS. 1 - 4 is secured to the
panel assembly 50 of cross partition 26, as by securing same to a
convenient stud 56 of the cross partition by employing suitable
screws 54 at spaced points therealong. Partition 26 may thus be put
up or completed after that shown in elevation in FIG. 1, for this
purpose, and the panel assemblies 50 of other cross partitions
employed in the room space 20 are interconnected in like
manner.
In use, should wind activity or seismic shock shift the building 12
to the left or right of FIG. 1, the runners 40, 42, 46 and 48 are
free to articulate in the four corners 92, 94, 96 and 98 of the
partition arrangements 10, relative to the panel assembly 50
thereof under the relative movement generated. Since the studs 56
of panel assembly 50 extend short of the web 47 of the top runner
40, the upper and lower edges of the sheeting 60 extend short of
the ceiling and floor, the sheeting and studs are free of fixed
connection to the runners as well as the building walls, and the
gap 90 separates the trim covered edges 66 of the panel assembly
sheeting from the building side walls and cross partitions, the
panel assembly 50 is essentially in a floating relationship with
respect to its runners whereby its runners may freely adjust with
respect to same under the building structure movements indicated,
and the nature of the trim members 72, 76 and 82 is such to fully
accommodate such relative movements that are involved.
The panel assemblies 50 at their juncture points are thus flexibly
connected in the manner indicated in FIG. 4, and being so
connected, remain relatively stable and yet accommodate the side
runner movement that may be involved.
It will thus be seen that the panel arrangement 10 accommodates the
relative movements that may be involved in ceilings, side walls and
floors due to wind activity, seismic occurrences, and the like, as
well as due to expansion and contraction and load deflections.
The partition arrangement 10A of FIGS. 6-8 follows the same basic
principles and is illustrated in connection with a building 12A
having a conventional suspended ceiling of the T-grid lay-in tile
type, generally indicated at 100, the conventional partition side
wall 26, and a window wall 12A involving conventional mullions 102
that are operably associated with conventional exterior windows 104
and spardrel panels 104A normally associated with curtain wall
construction.
In the embodiment 10B (see FIG. 9), the panel assembly 50 is
operably associated with ceiling and floor runners 40 and 42 that
mount special ceiling and floor trim members 106 and 108 of
generally channel-shaped configuration.
The embodiment 10C (see FIG. 10) is in the form of a pipe chase
partition arrangement utilizing floor and ceiling runner mounted
trim members 72 along the lower and upper margin of the panel
assemblies involved.
In the showing of FIG. 11, the partition arrangement 10A is
operably associated with a Z-spline suspended ceiling arrangement
100A, while in the showing of FIG. 12, the partition arrangement
10A is associated with a varient form of Z-spline suspended ceiling
arrangement 100B.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
The building 12 that has been illustrated is for purposes of
diagrammatically showing a typical high rise building to which the
invention is applicable (obviously the invention iw equally
applicable to the other forms of buildings, including low rise
buildings, that, due to wind loads, thermal movements, and the
like, are subject to relative ceiling, side wall and floor shifting
movements).
The runners 40, 42, 46 and 48 are formed from any suitable
material, such as galvanized steel of a suitable gauge. As already
indicated, runners 46 and 48 may be lengths of conventional metal
channel studding, and they may comprise lengths of studding 56; in
the drawings runners 46 and 48 are shown of a lesser width than
studs 56, but this is primarily to facilitate illustration of trim
strips 82. Runners 40, 42, 46 and 48 at partition corners 92, 94,
96 and 98 are suitably mitered and spaced to allow the articulation
at such corners that is contemplated by this invention.
Studs 56 each define a web 110 having a side flange 112 along
either side edge of same bearing an end flange 113. The side
flanges 112 of studs 56 and the side flanges 49 of the floor and
ceiling runners are of complemental spacing so that studs 56 have a
friction fit within the runner side flanges 49. As clearly shown in
FIG. 2, the upper ends 64 of the respective studs 56 are received
within the side flanges 49 or the ceiling runner 40, but the
terminal top edges of same, indicated at 114, are adequately spaced
from the web 47 of the runner to accommodate the floating action of
the panel assembly 50 that is contemplated by this invention. The
studs and runners may be in the form of USG 20 gauge metal studs
and runners, made and sold by U.S. Gypsum Co.
The sheeting 60 may comprise wallboard of any suitable type in
nature proportioned lengthwise and heightwise of the panel assembly
50 to be spaced from the building floor walls 16 and 18 and the
building side walls 14 and 26 or their equivalents an adequate
amount to accomplish the floating action of the assembly 50 that is
contemplated by this invention. As indicated the sheeting 60 on
either side of the panel assembly overlaps the ceiling floor and
side runners an amount adequate to insure good acoustical
characteristics along the ceiling and floor runners. In practice,
the gauge of the runner side flanges and the material forming the
trim members associated therewith is sufficiently thin that no
recessing of the sheeting 60 is necessary where the sheeting
overlaps the runners. The sheeting 60 thus makes a dry slip joint
with respect to the runners, and the slip joint involved is fully
masked by the trim members employed along the upper and lower
margins of the partition arrangement.
The trim members 82 are suitably formed from aluminum or the like
and may be extruded elements or suitably shaped from sheet metal or
some suitable plastic material. They preferably are proportioned to
make a firm friction fit over the wallboard sheeting edges 66 and
fit flush against the side runners for good acoustical
characteristics. Again, the thickness of the trim members 82 is
overemphasized in the drawings to better distinguish these elements
from those with which they are associated.
The trim members 72 are preferably cold rolled from a suitable
sheet metal, such as aluminum, to define a base wall 120 (see FIG.
3) having formed along the inner edge 122 of same a flange 124
including a doubled over edge portion 126 defining a gripping fold
128 in which the adjacent side flange 49 of the runner 40 is
frictionally received. Formed along the outer edge 130 of base wall
120 is flange 132 shaped to define spacing web 134 and abutment
flange 136 which is in frictional slip fit engagement with the
outwardly facing surface of the wallboard sheeting 60. The
respective trim members 72 preferably have their gripping folds 128
crimped to the runner flange 49, as indicated at 93 in FIG. 5, by
employing a suitable crimping tool.
The trim members 72 are preferably formed and proportioned so that
when the runner side flange 49 is properly seated in the gripping
fold 128 and crimped thereto, at least the outer edge 130 of the
base wall 120 will be in firm engagement with the ceiling wall, and
the wallboard sheeting 60 makes a friction slip fit with respect to
the abutment flange 136 (see FIG. 3).
The trim members 72 on either side of the panel assembly 50 are
identical but reversed. The member 72 may be formed from the same
piece of stock (that has been primed for pleasing appearance),
suitably cut to length in accordance with the basic length of the
partition arrangement 10. The trim members 72 are employed on the
ceiling and floor runners of the embodiment 10C (see FIG. 10) as
will be hereinafter described, and in alternate arrangement of
embodiment 10, the trim member 72 may be employed along the lower
margin 74 of the panel assembly 50 instead of using the trim member
76.
The trim members 76 (see FIGS. 2 and 2A) are of identical
construction and comprise extruded strips formed from vinyl or the
like so as to be resiliently flexible to accommodate the floating
movement between the floor wall 18 and the panel assembly 50 that
is contemplated by this invention and yet insure full masking of
the lower margin 74 of the panel assembly 50 and floor runner 42.
In the form shown, the trim members 76 are of generally flat
configuration comprising a base tubular portion 140 integrally
joined to an anchoring wall 141 that is in turn integrally joined
to an arched flap wall 142. The anchoring wall 141 is adapted to
have holes drilled through same to apply conventional double
threaded wallboard screws 143 to the sheeting 60 to mount the
members 76 on the sheeting 60.
The tubular portion 140 and flap wall 142 are shaped to define
dovetail type slot 146 that is aligned with the wall 141, in which
slot is received with a snap fit sealing strip 148 formed from any
suitable resiliently compressible material such as vinyl, for the
purposes of concealing the screws 143. Strip 148 is shaped to
substantially complement the shape of outer portion of slot 146,
and the parts involved are arranged so that the strip 148 can be
readily snap fitted into slot 146. Strip 148 is shaped to be flush
with the outwardly facing surface of member 76 (see FIGS. 2 and
2A).
The tubular portion 140 of the trim members 142 is shaped to define
a relatively flat planar abutment wall 149 for engaging the upper
surface of floor wall 18 and the shape of same is such as to resist
being kicked under the lower edge of wallboard 60. The flap portion
of member 76 is rounded as at 150 to avoid a right angled ledge
along its upper margin. As indicated in FIG. 2A, wall 141 is
preferably disposed or set back slightly to the right of FIG. 2A
(and thus outwardly of the trim member base wall 149), in the
unstressed relation of member 76, so that on application of the
screws 143 to wall 141 to secure member 76 to the sheeting 60, flap
142 (which is resiliently flexible) is drawn firmly against the
sheeting 60. Edge 151 of flap wall 142 is recessed as at 153 for
good engagement with sheeting 60.
Referring now to the embodiment 10A of FIGS. 6 - 8, the suspended
ceiling 100 is of the familiar T grip suspended type which, as is
well known in the art, involves a T-grid construction comprising a
plurality of interconnected T-bars 152 (see FIG. 7), each defining
an upwardly directed main flange 154 and laterally directed support
flanges 156 on which rest the conventional ceiling tile 158. The
T-bars 152 are supported from the slabs 16A by wires 160 suitable
anchored in the slab 16A.
The wall 14A of building 12A is of a familiar conventional exterior
curtain or window wall construction providing vertically disposed
mullions 102 separating windows 104 or spandrel panels 104A in a
conventional manner. These parts are only diagrammatically
illustrated and are intended to represent any conventional
structure of this type.
In the embodiment 10A, the ceiling runner 40 is affixed to a
blocking 162 in the form of beam 163 that is suspended from the
suspended ceiling 100 by being operably associated with one of the
T-grid members 152. For this purpose, trim members 72A are given a
substantially modified Z-shaped configuration involving a wing
flange 164 suitably secured to the blocking 162 by suitable screws
166 and having at its upper end a retainer flange 168 that projects
above the upper edge 170 of the blocking 162 for reception over one
of the support flanges 156 of the T-member 152. Trim members 72A
are otherwise similar to members 72, they having the wing flange
164 integral with base wall 120A equipped with flanges 132, spacing
web 134, and abutment flange 136 for cooperation with sheeting
60.
The ceiling runner 40, blocking 162, and the trim members 72A
provide a suspended overhead beam structure support for the panel
assembly 50 that is indicated as a whole by reference numeral 172.
Panel assembly 50 is operably associated with beam structure in the
same manner as assembly 50 is operably associated with ceiling
runner 40 and trim members 72 in the arrangement 10.
In accordance with this invention, the beam support 172 is also
usable to support the side edge of the assembly 50 at the mullion
102. As indicated in FIG. 8, beam assembly 172A, which is the same
in construction as beam assembly 172, except for length, and the
application of side wall runner 46 thereto, is operably associated
with the mullion 102 by having its retainer flanges 168 operably
engaged with the support flanges 180 of a T member 182 having its
main flange 184 suitably anchored to the mullion by self tapping
screws 185 through the member 182 and its main flange 184. In the
embodiment 10A, the trim members 82 and caulking associated
therewith are omitted.
The embodiment 10A is otherwise the same as the embodiment 10. Trim
members 72A are preferably cold rolled aluminum that has been
primed for decorative appearance and are suitably mitered at
adjoining corners, as indicated in FIG. 6.
In the embodiment 10B, the ceiling runner 40 is mounted within trim
channel member 106 defining side flanges 190 formed with portions
134 and 136 that correspond to the similarly numbered portions of
trim member 72 for close fitting relation with the upper margin of
the panel assembly 50. The same ram set nails 192 that secure the
ceiling runner 40 in place also secure the trim channel member 106
in place against the floor wall 16.
The floor runner 42 is seated within trim channel member 108 that
defines side flanges 194 formed with portions 134 and 136
comparable to the corresponding portions of trim member 72 for
close fitting engagement with the lower margin of the panel
assembly 50. Ram set nails 196 that secure the floor runner 42 to
the floor wall 18 also secure the trim channel member 108 in
place.
The embodiment 10B is otherwise the same as the embodiment 10, trim
channels 106 and 108 are preferably cold rolled aluminum that has
been suitably primed.
In the embodiment 10C, a pipe chase partition arrangement is
involved in which a pair of partition arrangements 200 are mounted
in spaced apart relation between floor walls 16 and 18 to define
between them a pipe chase 202 through which the usual conduiting,
and plumbing, etc., can extend. The partition arrangements 200 are
identical, but reversed, each comprising ceiling and floor runners
40 and 42 secured in place by suitable ram set nails 52 and each
supporting a trim member 72 (secured thereto as described in
connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 5) for close fitting
engagement with a panel assembly 50A. The panel assembly 50A is the
same as assembly 50 except the wallboard sheeting 60 is applied to
only one side (the outwardly facing side) of the respective sets of
studs 56.
At the side walls, the arrangement for mounting the side wall
runners may be of any of the types described hereinbefore.
FIG. 11 shows the application of the embodiment 10A to a modified
form of suspended ceiling which will be recognized as the familiar
Z-spline type wherein the grid members 210 are supported from
suspension channels 212 by suitable clips 214, and the ceiling tile
216 are formed with cooperating grooves 218 and 220 along
associated edges for engagement with the support flanges 221 of thd
grid member 210.
In accordance with this invention, the beam structure 172 is
operably associated with a special T-member 224 having its main
flange 226 provided with a right angled projection 228 that is
received over the adjacent support flange 221 when the member 224
is positioned as shown in FIG. 11 relative to grid member 210.
Member 224 defines support flanges 230 that are received under the
flanges 168 fo the trim members 72A for operably associating the
beam structure 172 with panel assembly 50.
The suspended ceiling 100B is substantially the same as that shown
in FIG. 11 except that the groove 218 of the ceiling panels 216 are
made identical to grooves 220 so that the trim member 72 can be
applied directly to the grid member 210 in the manner indicated in
the drawings.
The screws employed for application to wallboard are preferably the
familiar USG brand high-low thread screws, made by U.S. Gypsum Co.
Screws employed for securing the trim members in 7, 8, 11 and 12
may be standard round head screws.
It will therefore be seen that the invention provides a partition
arrangement that is especially suited for high rise buildings
wherein lateral and vertical movement of the building structure
particularly on the upper floors, causes relative movement between
the ceiling, floor and side walls of a room, which heretofore has
unduly distressed partitions where they engage these parts of the
building. In accordance with this invention, a floating panel
assembly is provided that is operably mounted in ceiling, floor and
side runners that move with the building and yet can articulate at
their adjoining corners, relative to the panel assembly without
distressing the panel assembly due to the slip fit that exists
between the runners and the floating panel assembly.
In addition, the cold rolled trim members that have been disclosed
are of special significance in that they provide an inexpensively
manufactured trim piece that is light weight and attractive in
appearance and can be readily processed for application to
particular partition installations.
The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to
explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be
limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so
limited, since those skilled in the art who have the disclosure
before them will be able to make modifications and variations
therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *