U.S. patent number 3,925,948 [Application Number 05/411,703] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-16 for modular wall construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Roblin Hope's Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Barton G. Hansen, Gale E. Sauer.
United States Patent |
3,925,948 |
Sauer , et al. |
December 16, 1975 |
Modular wall construction
Abstract
Spaced panel bearing studs are vertically arranged to receive
and support panel members defining a wall surface. The studs are
maintained in a spaced apart relation by detachable spacer bars
extending therebetween and releasably engaged therewith. The panel
members can be adhesively secured to the studs or mechanically
secured in place by separate batten strips or by skirt portions
formed integral with the panel members. The batten strips and
skirts are each provided with tongues having enlarged formations
interlockingly engagable with clips detachably mounted on the
studs. Axially adjustable extender clips are insertable in the
upper ends of the studs for connecting the studs to ceiling channel
members.
Inventors: |
Sauer; Gale E. (Williamsville,
NY), Hansen; Barton G. (Cheektowaga, NY) |
Assignee: |
Roblin Hope's Industries, Inc.
(Buffalo, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23629966 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/411,703 |
Filed: |
November 1, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/481.2; 52/242;
52/669; 52/434; 52/696 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/789 (20130101); E04B 2002/7462 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
2/76 (20060101); E04B 2/78 (20060101); E04B
2/74 (20060101); E04B 002/30 (); E04B 002/60 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/348,349,434,481,241,242,758A,664,669,696 ;403/353 ;211/177 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sutherland; Henry C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christel & Bean
Claims
We claim:
1. Means supporting opposed panel members in a double wall
comprising at least two vertical studs spaced longitudinally along
the length of said double wall; each said stud comprising an
elongated body member of generally channel U-shaped cross sectional
configuration providing a web portion and a pair of opposite side
walls in substantial parallelism with each other and extending in a
direction normal to said web portion; said web portion having a
plurality of longitudinally spaced openings formed therein with
each of said openings having a uniform radius and an uninterrupted
periphery; at least one elongated spacer bar extending between said
studs and having opposite ends projecting through aligned openings
of said studs; said spacer bar having diverging legs with a pair of
slots at each said end extending inwardly from the longitudinal
edges thereof and being in planes substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of said spacer bar, the longitudinal axes of
the slots of each pair being aligned, each pair of said slots being
mounted over the lower peripheral edge portion of each
corresponding said opening to lock each respective end of said
spacer bar in a locked axial position, and opposed panel members
defining opposed wall surfaces; each of said stud side walls
defining a bearing surface receiving the edge portions of
side-by-side related panel members thereon.
2. Means for supporting opposed panel members as set forth in claim
1 further including means adhesively securing the inner faces of
said panel members adjacent said edge portions to said stud
sidewalls wherein said stud sidewalls are provided with grooves for
receiving adhesive therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the construction art and, more
particularly, to certain new and useful wall constructions.
In the wall construction art, it is known to employ prefabricated
partition or perimeter walls and many modular arrangements have
been proposed in an effort to provide mass produced, low cost
construction which can be readily installed and which also can be
easily dismantled when it is desired to remove or shift the
position of the wall.
While many of these known modular wall constructions are admirably
suited for their intended purpose, they possess certain
disadvantages. For example, they often require complexly
configurated components and connecting attachments which are
expensive and present problems in fabrication and assembly,
sometimes requiring an inventory of a large number of different
parts and the services of skilled personnel for installation.
Moreover, such known constructions generally are designed for
specific types of wall paneling, thereby severely limiting their
versatility in accommodating various types of wall paneling
arrangements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
modular wall arrangement offering versatility in accommodating
various types of wall panel arrangements and having a minimum of
parts.
It is another object of this invention to provide wall panel
supporting structure including novel stud and detachable clip
arrangements for mechanically securing panel members in place.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide the
foregoing stud arrangement with extensible means for detachable
engagement with ceiling attachment means.
In one aspect thereof, the present invention is characterized by
the provision of elongated studs serving as panel bearers and which
extend along the side edge portions of the panels in conjunction
with clips detachably interlocked with the studs for receiving
panel attaching means in the form of batten strips or skirts formed
integral with the panel members. Axially adjustable extender clips
are insertable in the upper ends of the studs for connecting the
studs to ceiling channel members.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing
features of this invention will become clearly apparent from the
ensuing detailed description of certain illustrative embodiments
thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various
views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular wall construction
embodying features of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view, primarily in elevation,
looking in the direction of arrows 2--2 in FIG. 1, and with parts
broken away to show details of the stud and extender clip of this
invention;
FIG. 3 is an end elevational view, partly in section, taken about
on line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken about on line 4--4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, showing a pair
of double wall structures joined together at a T-intersection;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, showing the
starting end of a double wall structure;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a batten strip used with this
invention;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, showing the use
of a batten strip in conjunction with this invention;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of a corner
construction of this invention;
FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of a clip used in conjunction
with the batten strip mounting, the batten strip and stud being
shown in cross section;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the clip shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of the clip of FIG. 11, shown in
conjunction with the panel member mounting;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken about on line
13--13 of FIG. 12; and
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one form of panel member used in
this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in
the accompanying drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of a
modular, double wall construction embodying various features of the
present invention. The double wall construction comprises opposed
panel members 10 (FIG. 2) defining opposite wall surfaces extending
from a floor 12 to a ceiling 14 and which meet to form inside and
outside corners. This modular wall construction also can include
door frame assemblies 16 and windows 18, as desired. It should be
understood that the double wall construction of this invention can
be used in perimeter walls defining inner and outer surfaces as
well as in partition walls, as desired. Also, the features embodied
in the present invention are equally applicable to single wall
constructions.
In accordance with this invention, panel members 10 are mounted and
supported in properly spaced relation by means including metal
panel bearers or studs, generally designated 20 (FIG. 2), extending
vertically to receive the opposite lateral edges of the supported
panel members 10. However, it should be understood that studs 20
can extend horizontally as well as vertically to receive the four
side edge portions of the supported panel member 10. Studs 20,
whether horizontal or vertical, are maintained in a properly
longitudinal spaced relation by spacer bars 22, which extend
therebetween as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, studs 20 can comprise a sheet metal
fabrication of unitary, one-piece construction formed to provide a
channel shaped, rectangular body having a web portion 24, a pair of
opposite and parallel side walls 26 and 28 extending from the
opposite lateral edges of web portion 24 in a direction normal
thereto, and a pair of inturned flanges 30 and 32 formed at the
outer ends of side walls 26 and 28 and extending lengthwise thereof
in substantial parallelism with web portion 24. A plurality of
longitudinally spaced openings or slots 34 are formed in side walls
26 and 28 for the reception of retaining clips, hereinafter
described in detail. Also, each of the side walls 26 and 28 is
provided with a pair of laterally spaced indentations or grooves 36
of a generally V-shaped configuration in cross section extending
lengthwise of side walls 26 and 28. These grooves 36 not only
provide pockets for the reception of a suitable adhesive when
securing gypsum board panels thereto, but also provide mechanical
reinforcement for studs 20 to add rigidity thereto.
Each stud 20 also is formed to provide web portion 24 with an
internal channel having inwardly directed, parallel side walls 38
leading to a rear wall 40 and providing an inlet opening 42 through
web portion 24. Channel 38-42 extends the full length of stud 20
with the channel proper being entirely confined therewithin. A
plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 44, of generally round
configuration, are formed in stud web portion 18 for receiving
spacer bars 22 therein. Also, openings 44 provide passages for the
placement of electric conduits, heating pipes and the like.
Spacer bars 22 each comprise an elongated body portion of an
inverted V-shaped configuration in cross section and having a pair
of inclined legs 48 and 50 joined at an apex juncture 52 and
extending downwardly in a diverging relation, as best shown in FIG.
3. Spacer bars 22 extend horizontally and longitudinally along the
wall and have a length greater than the spacing between adjacent
studs 20 so that the adjacent ends of the former overlap each other
as shown in FIG. 4. Each opposite end portion of spacer bar 22 is
provided with axially spaced, oppositely directed pairs of slots 54
and 56 extending inwardly from the marginal edges of legs 48 and
50. The opposite ends of each spacer bar 22 are inserted through
openings 44 of adjacent studs 20 with slots 54 adjacent one end of
spacer bar 22 receiving portions of web 18 and slots 56 at the
other end thereof receiving portions of the other stud web portion
18. The overlapping end portions of adjacent spacer bars 22 are
arranged in a manner aligning slots 54 of the overlying spacer bar
22 with the slots 56 of the underlying spacer bar 22.
It is contemplated that studs 20 can be utilized in a variety of
applications. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a double wall
construction wherein one wall is comprised of a plurality of panel
members 10 supported in a lateral edge-to-edge relation against
side wall 28 of stud 20. Such panel members 10 comprise a body 60
of gypsum, wall board or any other suitable material, covered with
a skin 62 of plastic vinyl or any other suitable thin plastic
laminating material which can be painted or otherwise decorated to
provide any desired effect. When mounting panel members 10 in
place, the inner faces of panel members 10 adjacent their
respective lateral edges 64 and 66 are positioned flatly against
side wall 26 of stud 20 and affixed thereto by means of a suitable
adhesive 68 applied either to such inner panel bearing surfaces or
along grooves 36 just prior to positioning panel members 10 against
stud 20. The opposed panel members 10 in a double wall construction
preferably are staggered so that the parting line defined between
edges 64 and 66 of adjacent panel members 10 of one wall are offset
from the parting line between adjacent panel member edges 64, 66 of
the opposed wall.
In order to temporarily maintain panel members 10 properly
positioned against studs 20 until adhesive 68 finally sets, clips
70 are employed to temporarily secure panel members 10 in place.
Each clip 70 comprises a thin, elongated strip 72 formed from a
suitable sheet metal insertable between the opposed edges 64 and 66
of adjacent panel members 10 and into slot 34 of stud 20. A slot
(not shown) is formed in the lower longitudinal edge of strip 72
for receiving and engaging about the edge of stud side wall 26
defining the lower end of stud slot 34. An intersecting cross strip
member 76 interlocked or formed integral with strip 72 is provided
with a pair of resiliently yieldable, laterally offset, opposite
end portions 78 and 80 engagable against the outer faces of
adjacent panel members 10 to urge the same against stud 20. After
adhesive 68 has properly set, clips 70 can be disengaged from stud
20 and withdrawn from between panel members 10 so as not to
interrupt the integrity of the outer wall surface. Such clips 70
are fully disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 359,618,
filed May 11, 1973, assigned to the same assignee as the present
invention, and reference may be had thereto for a detailed
description of such clips 70.
In those modular wall constructions incorporating detachable
mechanical interlocking arrangements for securing other forms of
panel members 10' in place, retainer clips, generally designated 82
(FIGS. 11, 12 and 13) are provided for connecting the former to
studs 20. As shown in FIG. 11, each retainer clip 82 comprise a
generally V-shaped body 84 having a pair of legs 86 and 88 joined
together at an apex juncture 89 and extending outwardly therefrom
in a diverging relation. These legs 86 and 88 are provided with
extensions 90 and 92 extending axially outwardly from legs 86 and
88 and forming continuations thereof. Extensions 90 and 92 are
slightly greater in axial dimension than legs 86 and 88 and the
transition between the latter and extensions 90 and 92 define
opposite pairs of abutment shoulders 94 and 96 for a purpose that
will presently become apparent. Extensions 90 and 92 are bowed
inwardly toward each other to form shoulder portions 98 and 100 and
then flare outwardly to provide a restricted inlet 102 inwardly of
the outer ends of extensions 90 and 92 as defined by shoulders 98
and 100.
Oppositely directed spring locking fingers 104 and 106 are struck
out from legs 86 and 88 adjacent the opposite marginal edges
thereof and project outwardly in opposite directions from the
planes of their respective legs 86 and 88. Locking fingers 104 and
106 have stud engaging edges 108 and 110 for locking engagement
behind stud side walls 26 and 28 in the assembled relation
therewith.
When assemblying a wall in accordance with this invention utilizing
clips 82, studs 20 are erected, as will be described in greater
detail hereafter, and retainer clips 82 are detachably connected
thereto, as shown in FIG. 12. To do this, the rearward or apex
juncture 89 of clip 82 is first inserted into stud slot 34. As clip
82 is inserted through slot 34, the outer sides of legs 86 and 88
and fingers 104 and 106 bear against the opposing edges of stud
side wall 26 defining slot 34 and legs 86 and 88 along with fingers
104, 106 are cammed inwardly out of the way, permitting fingers 104
and 106 to pass through slot 34. The resiliency of fingers 104 and
106 permits deflection by such camming action without taking a
permanent set. Further insertion of clip 82 through slot 34 causes
fingers 104 and 106 to pass completely therethrough past stud side
wall 26, allowing the resiliently displaced fingers 104 and 106 to
snap laterally outwardly away from their respective legs 86 and 88
behind stud side wall 26, as shown in FIG. 12. Fingers 104 and 106
are thereby positioned behind stud side wall 26 with finger edges
108 and 110 in locking engagement thereagainst, preventing
withdrawal of clip 82 from slot 34. In this locked position,
abutment shoulders 94 and 96 engage the outer side of stud side
wall 26 opposite fingers 104 and 106 to block further insertion of
clip 82. The spacing between edges 108 and 110 of fingers 104 and
106 and abutment shoulders 94 and 96 is substantially no greater
than the thickness of stud side wall 26 to insure a rigid
connection between clip 82 and stud 20. Moreover, the tendency of
the compressed legs 86 and 88 to restore themselves outwardly to
their natural relaxed state causes them to be urged against the
opposed edges of stud side wall 26 defining slot 34 to further
facilitate a tight connection between clip 82 and stud 20.
With clips 82 secured to studs 20, another form of panel member 10'
(FIGS. 12 and 14) or batten strip 112 (FIG. 7) can be snap-fitted
into interlocking engagement with clips 82. It is contemplated that
each panel member 10' will include a body 114 of gypsum, wall board
or any other suitable material, preferably covered with a skin 116
of metal or other thin sheet material which can be painted or
decorated to provide any desired effect. Further, it is
contemplated that skin 116 will extend beyond panel body 114 at its
edge portions and will be formed to provide an inturned skirt 118
adapted to be inserted in inlet 102 of clip 82. Skirts 118 are
formed with enlarged bulbuous portions 120 at their extremities
engagable behind clip shoulder portions 98 and 100 with a snap fit.
Therefore, when mounting panel members 10' in place, they are
positioned against studs 20 and the bulbuous portions 120 are snap
fitted in place within inlet 102 and behind shoulder portions 98
and 100. While the illustrative panel member 10' shown in FIG. 14
has skirt portions 118 along the opposite side edges only, it
should be understood that such skirt portions can be provided along
all four edges, if desired, for interlocking engagement with clips
82 mounted in vertically and horizontally extending studs 20. Also
the lengths, widths and thicknesses of panel members 10' can vary,
as desired.
Clips 82 also are used in conjunction with studs 20 when it is
desired to use batten strips 112 for detachably securing panel
members 10 of the type first described in place rather than
adhesively securing the same to studs 20. Each batten strip 112
(FIG. 7) can be conveniently fabricated from a single piece of any
suitable material, preferably an inexpensive, lightweight metal
such as soft steel for example, and is formed to provide a
generally T-shaped body in cross sectional configuration having a
web or tongue 122 extending in a direction normal to laterally
projecting panel member engaging flanges 124 on opposite sides
thereof having inner projections 125 engagable against the outer
faces of adjacent wall panels 10. Tongue 122 is formed at its free
end with a bulbuous or enlarged head formation 126 which is
interlockingly engaged behind shoulder portions 98 and 110 in the
assembled relation with clip 82, as shown in FIG. 10, to
mechanically secure wall panel members 10 in place.
The means for supporting studs 20 in an upright position includes
an elongated base channel member 130 (FIGS. 2 and 3), which is
nailed or otherwise fastened to floor 12. The lower end of each
stud 20 is slip fitted within base channel 130 with stud side walls
26 and 28 engaging against the inner surfaces of the base channel
side walls 132 and 134 with a friction fit. A plurality of base
plates 136, are secured to the outer surfaces of panel members 10
along the lower edges of panel members 10 by suitable fasteners 138
extending through panel members 10 and side walls 26 and 28 of
studs 20 to secure these components in an assembled relation. A
resilient finger 140 extends outwardly and upwardly from adjacent
the lower edge of each base plate 136 and is formed to provide an
upwardly directed hook portion having an outwardly flaring end
portion 144. Plates 136 and fasteners 138 can be covered by
decorative strips 146 of a width to extend from floor 12 to above
the upper edges of base plates 136. Strips 146 can be made of a
suitable plastic material, such as vinyl for example, and formed
with downwardly bent resilient fingers 148 adapted to snap fit
behind base plate fingers 140 for interlocking engagement therewith
to secure strips 146 in place against the lower end of the
wall.
The means for supporting the upper end of the wall includes a
ceiling track or head channel member 152 nailed or otherwise
suitably fastened to ceiling 14 and provided with a strip of
resilient cushioning material 154 interposed therebetween to deaden
sound transmission between the wall and ceiling 14. Similar
cushioning seals 154 can be provided at the floor level, if
desired, as shown in FIG. 2. Head channel member 152 is provided
with a web portion 155 and opposite side walls 156 and 158
depending downwardly therefrom and terminating in inturned lips 160
and 162 adapted to bear against the outer faces of panel members 10
in the assembled relation therewith.
In order to secure the upper end of each stud 20 to head channel
member 152, attaching means in the form of an extender clip,
generally designated 164, is provided and comprises an elongated,
channel shaped body 166 adapted to be inserted in the upper open
end of stud 20 and retained therein with a friction fit. Body 166
has a web 168 in bearing engagement against the rear wall 40 of the
channel formed in stud web portion 24 and a pair of flanges 170 and
172 in bearing engagement against the inner surfaces of stud side
walls 26 and 28. Elongated opposite slots (not shown) are formed in
the lower ends of flanges 170 and 172 and have widths approximating
the widths of stud slots 34 for registry therewith so as not to
interfere with the insertion of clips 82 through the upper slots 34
of stud 20.
Extender web 168 is provided with an extension 174 having concave
lateral edges 176 and 178 for a purpose hereinafter explained.
Extension 174 is surmounted by a generally flat head 180 extending
in a direction normal to extension 174 and having downwardly
inclined flanges 182 and 184 at the opposite ends thereof. Head 180
is received in head channel member 152 and extends transversely
thereof in abutting relation thereto. Extension 174 is formed with
a pair of longitudinally extending embossments 186 and 188, which
extend into web 168, to mechanically reinforce extension 174 for
added rigidity. Also, mechanical reinforcement is provided at the
juncture of extension 174 with head 180 by means of an inclined
embossment 189.
The inclined flanges 182 and 184 facilitate ready insertion of
extender head 180 into head channel member 152. The concave edges
176 and 178 on extension 174 provide sufficient clearance to enable
panel members 10 to be inserted between such edges 176, 178 and
head channel side walls 156, 158 at a slight angle. Once the upper
edges of panel members 10 are inserted in such spaces between the
extension edges 176, 178 and head channel side walls 156, 158,
panel members 10 are swung laterally inwardly into an upright
position to bring the inner faces thereof against stud side walls
26 and 28 and the outer faces adjacent the upper ends thereof
against lips 160 and 162, as shown in FIG. 3.
When assembling a double wall, vertically aligned base channel
member 130 and head channel member 152 are suitably secured to
floor 12 and ceiling 14, respectively, with cushioning seals 154
interposed therebetween, as desired. The body 168 of an extender
clip 164 is inserted into one end of a stud 20, which is previously
cut to length slightly shorter than the ceiling height. In order to
position stud 20 in place, head 180 of extender clip is inserted
within head channel members 152 with the stud disposed at an
inclined angle relative to a true vertical. Then the lower end of
stud 20 is swung forwardly into base channel member 130 into a
vertical position. Extender clip 164 can then be tapped upwardly
relative to stud 20 for a snug fit. The stud can then be properly
aligned and plumbed. A second stud 20 having an extender clip 164
mounted therein is then vertically positioned between head channel
member 152 and base channel member 130 in the same manner described
above at a predetermined distance from the first stud 20, as
dictated by the modular spacing between studs 20. Where required,
clips 82 can be inserted into the stud side wall slots 34 for
snap-fitted interlocking engagement with stud side walls 26 and 28,
preferably prior to placement of studs 20 between head and base
channel members 152 and 130.
In starting a wall, the first stud 20 is placed against a masonry
or otherwise permanent wall 190 (FIG. 6) and secured thereto by a
suitable adhesive or any other fastening means, as deisred. A sound
seal 154 can be sandwiched between wall 190 and stud web portion
24. After positioning successive studs 20 in place, the first pair
of opposed panel members 10 can then be vertically positioned
against stud side walls 26 and 28 with the upper edges thereof
being received within the spaces defined by extender clip edges
176, 178 and head channel member side walls 156 and 158 in the
manner heretofore described. Opposed, vertically extending batten
strips 112 are then snap fitted to clips 82 with the tongue heads
126 thereof received between extensions 90 and 92 behind shoulder
portions 98 and 100 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10. In the
case of a wall start, one of the flanges 124 of each batten strip
112 urges the associated panel member 10 against stud 20 and the
opposite flange 124 serves to close the reveal between the edge of
such panel member 10 and masonry wall 190. Panel members 10 are
thus erected along the entire length of the wall with batten strips
112 mechanically securing panel members 10 to studs 20 and closing
the space between adjacent lateral edges thereof, as shown in FIGS.
8 and 10.
In wall starts of those applications employing panel members 10',
such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, which have skirts 118 provided
with bulbuous portions 120 for snap fitted engagement behind clip
shoulder portions 98 and 100, batten strips having only one flange
124 can be utilized to close the space between the panel member
skirt 118 and masonry wall 190.
It should be understood that the components of the present
invention thus far described can be utilized in a variety of
combinations to produce the desired joint connections, such as
where a partition wall meets another or a perimeter wall at a
T-intersection, or at inside corners, outside corners and the like.
For example, there is illustrated in FIG. 5 a double wall structure
joined to a right angularly related double wall structure at a
T-intersection. The means for joining the two wall structures
includes an elongated channel member 192 having a web 194 and
opposite, parallel side walls 196 and 198 extending in a direction
normal to web 194 and terminating in inturned lips 200 and 202. Web
194 is anchored to a panel member 10 of one wall structure by two
or more longitudinally spaced fasteners, such as screws 204 for
example. A suitable sound seal 154 is interposed between channel
web 194 and the outer face of panel member 10 to deaden sound
transmission therebetween. Side walls 196 and 198 extend outwardly
from web 194 for receiving the opposed panel members 10 of the
intersecting wall structure with lips 200 and 202 bearing against
the outer faces thereof in the assembled relation therewith.
In a corner construction, such as shown in FIG. 9, the inner walls
of a double wall construction are spaced from each other and the
outer walls thereof also are spaced from each other to form inner
and outer exposed corners. A batten strip 112 is employed to close
the space between the end of an inner wall panel member 10 of one
of the double walls and the outer face of a right angularly
extending inner wall panel member 10 of the other double wall.
Where an outside corner is to be enclosed, an outer corner trim
connector, generally designated 206, can be employed as shown in
FIG. 9. Trim connector 206 comprises right angularly related faces
208 and 210 having inturned flanges 212 and 214 abutting against
the outer faces of the right angularly related outer wall panel
members 10. Corner trim connector 206 extends the full height of
panel members 10. A tongue 216 projects inwardly from face 210 in
substantial parallelism with flange 214 and is provided with a
bulbuous portion 218 at the distal end thereof for snap-fitted
engagement behind shoulder portions 98 and 100 of clips 82
interlocked with stud 20. Corner trim connector 206 can be painted
or otherwise decorated similarly to panel members 10 or in any
other suitable manner to provide any desired effect.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention fully
accomplishes its intended objects. Studs 20, in combination with
the base and head channel members provide a quickly assembled
supporting framework on which wall panel members can be readily
attached. Studs 20 can be employed in a variety of ways, offering
versatility in accomodating various modes of panel attachments. For
example, panel members such as wallboards and the like can be
directly secured to the studs by a suitable adhesive, utilizing
clips 70 to temporarily hold the panel members in place while the
adhesive sets. In another mode of construction, the panel members
can be secured in place against studs 20 by means of batten strips
112 having portions interlocking with clips 82 detachably mounted
on studs 20. In still another construction, the panel members are
provided with integral skirts having portions interlocking with
clips 82 for securing the panel members in place. The ends of the
studs 20 are joined to ceiling channel members 152 by means of
extender clips 164, which are axially adjustable relative to studs
20 for insuring a tight connection between the vertically and
horizontally extending members.
An embodiment of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it
is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration
only.
* * * * *