Cover Assembly For Structural Joints

Abstract

A low cost cover assembly for structural joints is provided having base structure adapted to be mounted on one structural section and serving as an anchor for an overlying joint cover plate. Unique connector components are provided on the face and cover, respectively, permitting easy press fit installation of the cover in conforming relationship to the structural sections even though there may be slight elevational and spacing irregularities therebetween. The components and cover plate are capable of flexing as necessary to insure a tight fit of the cover over the joint regardless of the direction of subsequent relative movement of the structural sections. The connector components of the base structure include an integral outwardly facing channel which slidably receives a number of yieldable, spring metal, U-shaped clips which are held in position within the channel by I-shaped retainers. An elongated, continuous, longitudinally serrated connection tongue projecting from the inner face of the cover plate is adapted to be received in and held by the clips so that adequate tension is maintained on the cover plate to bias the latter toward the structural sections.

Description

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a cover assembly for use in covering the joint defined by elongated, adjacent, spaced, shiftable structural sections. More particularly, it is concerned with such an assembly that is capable of maintaining an effective covering function during all normal relative shifting movements of the structural sections, and may be manufactured at relatively low cost and easily installed in the field.

In the art, cover assemblies which are adapted to maintain their complemental engagement with the underlying structural sections defining an expansion joint during coplanar as well as transverse relative movements of the structural sections are commonly referred to as "four-way" joint covers. These typically have included relatively expensive components such as leaf and coil springs in order to provide a continuously applied bias to the cover plate associated therewith in covering relationship to the joint. For example, one such prior device employs a covering plate having a series of centrally positioned, spaced depending studs. A leaf spring is slidably journaled on each stud and extends into engagement with separate connection structure attached to each of the laterally spaced structural sections. Additionally, a coil spring is positioned about the stud below the leaf spring in order to insure that the cover plate is operatively biased to shift and tilt in unison with the structural sections therebelow.

Thus, four-way cover assemblies heretofore provided have been expensive to manufacture and tedious and time-consuming to install. For example, in the assembly described above, it is necessary to include threaded anchoring structure in the respective structural members during manufacture of the latter, this being required so that the connection components of the cover assembly may be securely affixed thereto. The provision of such anchoring structure extending from the structural members also makes it necessary to carefully handle and mount the latter so that the outwardly extending bolts do not become bent or broken, and, thus, inoperative. Moreover, by virtue of the complexity of such devices, it has heretofore been necessary to make certain that skilled workers properly install the assemblies in the field.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a structural joint cover assembly which is fabricated from relatively inexpensive components, is capable of maintaining a complemental covering function under all normal movements of underlying structural sections, and can quickly be installed in the field by personnel with ordinary skills.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it has been found that a cover assembly exhibiting the characteristics outlined above can be produced by provision of a base structure designed to be fixedly secured to at least one of the structural sections or members presenting the joint and having an elongated channel or track defined by spaced, upstanding sidewalls. Yieldable connector means of lesser transverse dimensions than the channel are seated therewithin and are shiftably and tiltably retained therein by means of separate retainer structure. A cover is disposed above the base structure and joint and includes an elongated connection tongue extending from the inner face thereof. The cover is tensionably maintained in complemental covering disposition over the joint by the unique connector means covered by the base structure.

As the adjacent structural sections shift and move with respect to one another, the orientation of the cover plate relative to the base structure is altered accordingly, and the forces developed thereby are, in turn, harmlessly transmitted to the yieldable spring clip connector means. The latter are capable of shifting, tilting or deflecting within the channel therefor, and, hence, these components safely absorb potentially damaging forces. In this manner, the assembly is not prone to buckling or breaking during relative shifting of the structural members, but rather it shifts and tilts in unison therewith in order to provide the desired complemental covering function.

In particular, the device preferably comprises an elongated, generally flat base structure configured to be secured to one of the structural sections by means of conventional fasteners such as externally serrated expansible nails. The base structure includes an elongated, continuous channel portion adapted to be disposed in substantially parallel relationship to the joint and defined by a pair of laterally spaced, elongated, integral, upstanding walls having a continuous, inwardly extending lip along the top thereof. Retainer means are removably and sidably positioned in the channel and include a series of separate, integral clip members composed of spring metal, each having a transverse bight segment which seats within the described channel structure and is of lesser transverse dimensions than the latter. These members also include upstanding sidewalls along the distal longitudinal edges of the bight segment, and each sidewall is further provided with an inwardly extending, downwardly inclined portion which cooperatively define an elongated connection slot therebetween.

A plurality of such clip members are positioned within the channel structure at spaced intervals and are each retained therein by a generally I-shaped retainer preferably fabricated from aluminum stock. The relatively narrow, elongated body portion of the retainer is adapted to be inserted within a corresponding spring clip member with the distal ear portions of the retainer being dimensioned to fit beneath the separate opposed lip portions of the channel portion. In this fashion, the respective spring clips are retained against removal within the channel, but can shift and tilt as required to absorb the forces developed by relative movement of the structural sections.

In one embodiment, the cover means comprises an integral plate which is adapted to cover both the base structure and joint. The plate is provided with a longitudinally serrated connection tongue extending from its inner face and positioned to interlock with the separate, spaced spring clips retained within the channel as described. The plate also includes integral longitudinal support structure along the respective longitudinal edges thereof which slidably engage the underlying structural sections to provide additional support and sealing for the plate.

In another preferred embodiment, separate, elongated base structures are fixedly secured to each structural section adjacent the joint, each base having parallel channel-defining portions as previously described, in conjunction with a series of spaced spring clip connector means therealong. A separate cover plate is then snapped into place over each of the base structures in conjunction with a separate joint-covering plate operatively positioned and maintained between the separate cover plates in order to shift and tilt in unison therewith. In all of the aforementioned embodiments, it is also possible to cover a corner or wall-to-ceiling expansion joint by merely providing a generally L-shaped cover means which is identical in all other respects to the generally flat cover plates described.

During installation of the assemblies, the worker first secures the base structure to the structural members as required with the spring clips and associated retainers positioned therealong at spaced intervals. Installation is completed simply by placing the cover plate over the base structure and joint with the internal, serrated connection tongue proximal to the slotted spring clips. The worker then press fits the plate into place by forcibly inserting the connection tongue within the spring clips along the length of the joint, as by hammering with a non-damaging tool such as a rubber or plastic headed hammer. In this manner, the downwardly sloping portions of the sidewalls of the respective clips thus engage the upwardly tilted shoulders of the connection tongue serrations, thereby insuring a tensioned holding of the plate in its proper covering disposition. Moreover, because of the yieldable nature of the connector clips, any tilting or shifting thereof required to compensate for previously misaligned structural members is automatically accomplished by the forcible insertion of the connection tongue therewithin. Hence, the cover assemblies disclosed herein are capable of automatically conforming upon installation to the relative positions of the adjacent structural members thereunder.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a cover assembly in accordance with the invention, partially cut away to show the base and channel structure of the assembly with yieldable spring clips retained within the channel;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the normal relative position of the structural sections to be covered and defining a joint therebetween;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are vertical sectional views similar to FIG. 2, showing the compensatory shifting and tilting action of the spring clips caused by relative shifting of the structural members;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an assembly in accordance with the invention adapted for use in covering a corner joint or the like;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views similar to that of FIG. 5, showing the manner in which the corner joint cover assembly compensates for two other types of relative shifting of the structural sections;

FIG. 8 is an oblique, vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention wherein identical base structures are secured to each of the structural sections adjacent the joint defined thereby, with a separate joint plate located between the base structures;

FIG. 9 is an oblique, vertical sectional view of a corner joint cover assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 8, with a generally L-shaped joint plate engaging the respective base structures;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred spring clip connector means for use with the present invention, with a generally I-shaped retainer element inserted within the spring clip prior to installation along the channel of a base structure.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the retainer element shown perspectively in FIG. 10, and showing the preferred longitudinal bow formed in the element; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the spring clip as shown in FIG. 10, prior to insertion of the retainer element therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One type of joint cover assembly as contemplated by the present invention is shown in plan in FIG. 1 and generally designated by the numeral 20. It includes elongated, generally flat, plate-like base structure 22 constructed in a manner for mounting on elongated, structural section or member 24. The latter and the adjacent structural member 26 cooperatively define an expansion joint 28 therebetween which is necessary to accommodate the relative shifting of members 24 and 26 due to thermal expansion and contraction or the like.

The assembly shown is particularly adapted for use in covering wall or ceiling joints, but the assembly can be modified for floor use without difficulty, primarily by simply making the component of slightly heavier material than shown.

Integral base structure 22 includes an elongated, relatively flat planar mid-segment 32 with an elongated, apertured, upstanding ridge 34 for the reception of fasteners such as expansion nails 30 which are adapted to securely affix the base structure to section 24.

Adjacent to ridge 34 is a generally vertical stop wall 36 which is important for purposes to be made clear hereinafter. An elongated, continuous channel structure 38 is laterally spaced from stop wall 36 and is in generally parallel disposition with respect to joint 28. Channel structure 38 is defined by a pair of spaced, upstanding sidewalls 40 which are integral with the overall base structure 22 and have an inwardly extending, continuous lip 42 along top thereof.

A series of spaced spring clip connector means 44 are positioned within channel structure 38 and are of lesser transverse dimensions than the distance defined by the opposed, inwardly extending lips 42. spring clips 44 are preferably composed of spring steel and as best shown in FIG. 12, they each include a transverse bight portion 46 with a pair of integral, elongated upstanding sidewalls 48. Each adjacent sidewall 48 is also provided with an inwardly extending, downwardly sloping segment 50 which cooperatively define a slot 52 centrally disposed between the sidewalls 48.

Each of the spaced clips 44 are shiftably and tiltably retained within the channel structure 38 by means of a generally I-shaped retainer element 54. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, the element 54 comprises an integral member having an elongated, relatively narrow body segment 56 which is adapted to be inserted within clip 44 by slipping the segment 56 through slot 52 provided in the latter. Integral, relatively wider eared portions 58 provided at opposed distal ends of the body segment 56 are adapted to be slidingly inserted beneath the opposed lips 42 of the channel structure 38 to provide the requisite hold-down function for the respective spring clips 44. As depicted in FIG. 11, the element 54 preferably is fabricated of spring steel of 0.026-inch thickness and having a slight bow referred to by the numeral 60 along the length thereof.

During installation procedures, an element 54 is inserted within a clip 44 in the manner described, with the concave face of element 54 facing downwardly. The associated components are then slidably inserted within channel structure 38 and shifted into a desired operative position. For this purpose, it has been found advantageous to dimension the eared portions 58 of retainer element 54 to facilitate such sliding insertion and positioning. As will be more fully explained below, a somewhat loose-fitting, slidable, arrangement of these components does not detract from the overall integrity of the cover assembly, and, in fact, can enhance the ultimate fastened integrity of the cover plate.

After the spring clips 44 have been positioned within the channel structure 38 as described, a cover plate 62 is positioned thereover and snapped into its final operative position. Plate 62 is preferably composed of extruded aluminum material and includes an integral, elongated connection tongue 64 extending from the inner face thereof and positioned to interlock with the respective spring clips 44. For this purpose, tongue 64 is provided with a series of elongated, continuous, spaced, upwardly inclined serrations 66. As can be appreciated from a study of FIGS. 2-4, these serrations are adapted to interengage with the respective slot-defining segments 50 of the spring clips 44. In this manner, plate 62 can be initially positioned in covering relationship to base structure 22 and joint 28 with tongue 64 proximal to the elongated slots 52 in each of the spring clips 44. Attachment of plate 62 is completed by forcing tongue 64 into connective interengagement with each of the clips 44. This can be accomplished most easily by holding the plate in the position described and forcing the latter into its completed, locked position.

It is to be understood that by virtue of the slight flexibility of cover 62 and the yieldable nature of the spring clips 44, misaligned structural members can be complementally covered without difficulty. That is, as the connection tongue 64 is forced into its operative position, the inwardly extending, downwardly inclined portions 50 of spring clips 44 can engage different levels of the upwardly disposed serrations 66 on the respective sides of the tongue. In this manner the clips 44 shift or tilt as necessary to compensate for previous misalignment of the adjacent structural members. Hence, the cover assemblies automatically align themselves in conformity to the configuration of the underlying structural sections by the expedient of simply forcing the cover toward the joint throughout its length with force applied therealong being sufficient to cause the cover to complementally engage the structural sections regardless of their relative positions.

Elongated, integral, continuous support structure 68 is provided along the distal longitudinal edges of plate 62 and is adapted to slidingly engage with each of the respective structural sections 24 and 26. For this purpose, a resilient pad member 70 is interposed between support structure 68 of plate 62 and the exterior surfaces of the structural members. Pad 70 is preferably composed of synthetic rubber-like material and has a relatively stiff upper flange 72 which is adapted to be slidably inserted within complementary slot structure provided along each of the supports 68. The lower flexible portion of pad 70 is provided with a series of elongated, continuous ribs 74 which are in direct engagement with the surfaces of structural members 24 and 26.

As outlined previously, the cover assemblies of the present invention are capable of maintaining a fully complemental covering function during vertical as well as horizontal shifting of the underlying structural members. Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that during horizontal shifting of structural sections 24 and 26, the leftmost support structure 68 associated with plate 62 will slide along the surface of structural member 26, thus insuring that the joint 28 remains covered at all times. Relative sliding movement of right-hand support structure 68 is effectively precluded by means of the attachment between tongue 64 and spring clips 44, as well as the abutment of this stop structure against upstanding wall 36.

During relative vertical shifting of the adjacent structural sections, the following is believed to occur. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate 62 is first altered from its generally horizontal alignment by virtue of the forces developed during such shifting transmitted through the respective support structures 68. Such forces, which would normally cause buckling or perhaps even breakage of plates 62, are in turn safely and effectively transmitted to the yieldable spring clips 44. In response, the clips 44 are deflected or can shift or tilt as necessary within channel structure 38 in order to absorb the potentially destructive forces. Because each spring clip 44 is of lesser transverse dimension than the distance between the opposed lips 42, transverse shifting is possible; moreover, because the elongated body segment 56 of retainer element 54 is of substantially lesser width than the spring clips 44, the latter can twist and tilt about the axis defined by elongated, relatively narrow body segment 56. Thus, the separate spring clips 44 can assume any orientation necessary to maintain a continuing tight covering function of the assembly.

In this connection, it should be noted that longitudinal shifting of clips 44 along channel structure 38 is effectively precluded after installation of plate 62. This results from the fact that when tongue 64 thereof is inserted within the clips 44, an upwardly directed biasing force is imparted to the latter. This biasing force is, in turn, transmitted to the retainer elements 54, causing the eared portions thereof to snugly engage the underside of the opposed lips 42. This causes a secure frictional fit of the elements 54 and thus insures that the associated clips 44 cannot be moved a significant distance longitudinally with respect to channel structure 38.

When it is desired to cover a corner joint 76 (FIGS. 5-7) defined by structural sections 78 and 80 having generally perpendicular surface planes, it has been found advantageous to employ an elongated generally L-shaped cover plate 82. In this embodiment of the invention, base structure 84 is attached to vertically extending structural member 80 adjacent joint 76. Base structure 84 is identical in all respects to that of structure 22 and, therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, L-shaped cover plate 82 includes a relatively short leg 86 having integral support structure 88 including pad 89 engaging structural member 80. An integral, relatively elongated leg 90 with accompanying identical support structure 92 is also provided and a continuous, elongated laterally extending serrated connection tongue 94 extends from leg 86 into operative interlocking relationship with the spring clips 44 received by base structure 84.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the L-shaped cover plate 82 is similarly maintained in its operative covering disposition during all normal horizontal and vertical shifting of the structural members 78 and 80. In general, this is accomplished in a manner identical to that described above in that the spring clips 44 serve to absorb the displacement forces transmitted to the cover plate during relative movements of the structural members.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, separate identical base structures 96 are secured to each of the adjacent structural sections along the length of the joint defined thereby. Each base structure 96 includes a pair of longitudinally ribbed pads 98 identical to the pads 70 inserted within complementary slot structure provided along the bottom face of base structure 96. The latter is provided with a series of apertures along the length of the structure between the laterally spaced pads 98 which are adapted to receive externally serrated expandable fasteners 30 which securely mount the base structure to the respective structural sections. In this manner, the longitudinal ribs in pads 98 are in direct engagement with the surface of the structural members and are compressed somewhat to insure a tight sealing therebetween. At the end of the base structures 96 removed from joint 100 there is provided an elongated, continuous channel structure 102 which is likewise identical in all respects to channel structure 38 described previously, and is adapted to receive a spaced series of spring clips 44 and related componets employed in the present invention. A ledge 104 forms the outermost, upstanding edge of the base structure 96, and is adapted to abuttably engage with integral depending skirt 106 of cover plate 108. An elongated support section 110 vertically spaced from the underlying structural section is provided along the length of base structure 96 adjacent joint 100, and is provided with an upwardly facing ribbed pad 112 identical to pads 70 and 98.

Each of the described base structures 96 is covered by a separate plate 108. The latter are connected to the respective base structures by means of a serrated tongue 114 extending from the inner surface thereof into locking engagement with the spaced spring clips 44. A depending skirt 106 is provided along the longitudinal edge of plates 108 removed from joint 100 which is adapted to abut ledge 104 of the underlying base structure 96 to thereby preclude relative sliding movement of cover plate 108. Thus, each base structure 96 and associated cover plate 108 are in effect a unit which moves in unison with the structural member to which they are connected.

The required four-way flexibility of this assembly is achieved by means of a separate joint covering plate 116 which is slidably gripped by the respective upwardly facing pads 112 associated with support structures 110 and the proximal, angularly depending ledges 120 of the plates 108. An inclined stop ledge 118 is also provided along the distal longitudinal edges of plate 116 and serves to limit horizontal movement of the respective base structures 96 with respect to plate 116.

Hence, during horizontal movements of the underlying structural members, plate 116 remains essentially stationary, while the units defined by the respective base structures 96 and cover plates 108 move in a horizontal direction relatively. During vertical or angular shifting of the structural members, the orientation of plate 116 is first altered in response thereto. The twisting or buckling forces transmitted to plate 116 are, in turn, transmitted to the respective plates 108 which cause the spring clips interconnected therewith to deflect, twist or shift as required in order to maintain the integrity of the overall assembly. Thus, as with the embodiment discussed above, an assembly is provided which is capable of maintaining a tensioned covering of a structural joint during all normal movements of the respective structural members.

Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the present embodiment can also be adapted to cover a joint 122 defined by generally perpendicular structural members 126 and 128. Base structure 96 identical to that discussed is secured to member 126, with a cover plate 108 secured thereover. A modified base structure 196 is affixed to member 128, the former differing from base structure 96 only in the vertical spacing of the support section 210 from the underlying structural member and the configuration of cover 208.

In particular, support section 210 is relatively closer to member 128 than is corresponding section 110 of base structure 96 from member 126. Additionally, cover 208 has an elongated depending leg 220 which is adapted to engage the outer face of joint-covering plate 124. By provision of such a modified base structure 196, sufficient space results between the perpendicularly aligned base structures to permit coverage of joint 122 during all normal expansion and contraction of members 126 and 128. If it were attempted to employ identical base structures 96 in this instance, too little spacing therebetween would result, thereby severely limiting the relative sliding movements thereof along the plate 124. This, of course, would diminish the effectiveness of the overall cover assembly.

Claims

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by a pair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structural members comprising:

base structure adapted to be fixedly secured to one of said structural members and presenting a section having an elongated, continuous channel substantially parallel to said joint and defined by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, upstanding sidewalls, each of the latter being provided with an elongated, continuous, integral, inwardly extending lip along the top thereof;

yieldable connector means comprising a plurality of yieldable metallic spring clips positioned within said channel and spaced along the length thereof, said clips being of lesser transverse dimensions than the distance between said lips;

means for retaining said springs clips within said channel and permitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clips;

cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clips and joint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereof and extending therefrom into secure interlocking relationship with the underlying springs clips; and

support structure adapted to engage the other of said structural members for supporting the end of said cover means remote from said base structure.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said spring clips is an integral body of spring steel having a transverse bight portion engaging the transverse portion of said channel, and a pair of spaced, upstanding sidewalls each having an inwardly extending, downwardly sloping portion along the length thereof cooperatively defining an elongated slot therebetween.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said retainer means for each of said spring clips comprises an integral locking member of spring steel having a relatively narrow body portion of a length at least as long as said spring clip and dimensioned to be inserted between the upstanding sidewalls of the latter, and ear portions on the distal ends of said body portion operable to be slidably inserted within said channel and under the opposed, inwardly extending lips of the latter.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said locking members are bowed along the length thereof with the concave faces of the bows facing the transverse portion of the channel.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said locking members are composed of spring steel of approximately 0.026 inches thickness.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein connection means comprise an integral, elongated, connection tongue extending from said cover means.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said tongue is provided with a series of elongated, spaced, continuous, upwardly inclined teeth along the opposed faces thereof, the latter being adapted to simultaneously interlock with adjacent edges of the respective downwardly sloping portions of the sidewalls of said spring clips to thereby tensionably lock the cover means in said covering relationship.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base structure is adapted to be secured to said structural member by means of externally serrated expansion fasteners.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said covering means is an elongated, integral plate dimensioned to cover said base structure and joint, said plate being provided with integral, elongated support structure along the longitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidingly engage with the respective structural members.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein an elongated, continuous strip of resilient material is connected to each of said support structures for engaging with said respective structural members.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said strips has a series of integral, laterally spaced, elongated, substantially parallel fins located to directly engage said structural members.

12. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said base structure is provided with an integral, elongated, upstanding stop wall adapted to abut the proximal support structure of said plate and thereby limit the sliding movement thereof along the underlying structural member.

13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the surface planes of said structural members are substantially perpendicular to define a corner joint, said covering means being substantially L-shaped in cross-section and dimensioned to cover both the base structure and joint.

14. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by a pair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structural members comprising:

first and second base structures adapted to be securely affixed to said structural members and each including a section having a transverse portion and defined by spaced, upstanding sidewalls;

yieldable connector means seated within each of said sections and of lesser transverse dimensions than the latter;

means for retaining said connector means within said sections and permitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the connection means;

separate cover plates disposed in spaced covering relationship to said first and second base structures, and connection structure attached to the inner faces of said cover plates and extending into secure interlocking relationship with the underlying connector means; and

a joint covering plate overlying said joint and moveably engaging each of said cover plates.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said sections is an elongated, continuous channel defined by a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, upstanding sidewalls, said channels being generally parallel to the joint.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said sidewalls are each provided with an elongated, continuous, integral, inwardly extending lip along the top thereof.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said connector means comprises a plurality of yieldable metallic spring clips positioned with each of said channels and spaced along the length thereof, said clips being of lesser transverse dimensions than the distance between said lips.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein each of said spring clips is an integral body of spring steel having a transverse bight portion engaging the transverse portions of said channels, and a pair of spaced, upstanding sidewalls each having an inwardly extending, downwardly sloping portion along the length thereof cooperatively defining an elongated slot therebetween.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said retainer means for each of said spring clips comprises an integral locking member of spring steel having a relatively narrow body portion of a length at least as long as said spring clip and dimensioned to be inserted between the upstanding sidewalls of the latter, and ear portions on the distal ends of said body portion operable to be slidably inserted within said channels and under the opposed, inwardly extending lips of the latter.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said locking members are bowed along the length thereof with the concave faces of the bows facing the transverse portions of the channels.

21. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said connection structure comprises integral, elongated, connection tongues extending from the inner faces of said cover plates.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said tongues are provided with a series of elongated, spaced, continuous, upwardly inclined teeth along the opposed faces thereof, the latter being adapted to simultaneously interlock with adjacent edges of the respective downwardly sloping portions of the sidewalls of said spring clips to thereby tensionably lock the cover plates in said covering relationship to the underlying base structure.

23. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second base structures are adapted to be secured to said structural member by means of externally serrated expansion nails.

24. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said covering means is an elongated, integral plate dimensioned to cover said base structure and joint, said plate being provided with integral, elongated, support structure along the longitudinal edges thereof adapted to slidingly engage with the respective structural members.

25. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said first and second base structure each include upwardly facing support sections adapted to engage the inner face of said joint covering plate.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein an upwardly facing resilient pad is attached to each of said support sections.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said cover plates include depending ledges along the longitudinal edge thereof proximal to said joint adapted to engage the outer face of said joint covering plate.

28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein said ledges and resilient pad are configured and positioned to cooperatively slidably grip said joint covering plate therebetween.

29. The assembly of claim 28, wherein said joint is defined by a pair of structural members whose surface planes are generally perpendicularly aligned, said support sections being positioned at relatively different vertical distances with respect to the underlying support members therebelow, said joint covering plate being generally L-shaped in cross-section and having stop structure along the distal longitudinal edges thereof adapted to limit the sliding of said base structures and associated cover plates therealong.

30. An assembly for complementally covering the open joint defined by a pair of elongated, spaced, adjacent, relatively shiftable structural members and comprising:

base structure adapted to be secured to one of said members and presenting a section defined by a pair of spaced upstanding sidewalls;

connector means comprising at least one yieldable spring clip positioned within said section and of lesser transverse dimensions than the latter;

means for retaining said spring clip within said section and permitting limited shifting and tilting therein by the spring clip;

cover means disposed in covering relationship to said spring clip and joint and having connection structure attached to the inner face thereof and extending therefrom into secure interlocking relationship with the underlying spring clip; and

support structure adapted to engage the other of said structural members for supporting the end of said cover means remote from said base structure.