GB2085995A - Panel Joints - Google Patents

Abstract

Two thick panels 1 and 2 are joined by a pair of channel sections 5 and 6 having flanges 7 overlying the marginal portions of the panels 1 and 2 held together by screws 8 and captive nuts 9. The channel sections are concealed by extruded plastics material cover strips 10 each having a pair of ribs 13. To secure the strips 10 firmly in their channels, spring clips 16 are fixed in the channels and have noses 15 which resiliently engage in grooves 14 in the ribs 13. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Panel Joints This invention relates to panel joints for use in walls assembled from prefabricated panels.

According to the present invention there is provided a panel joint comprising a pair of channel members having outwardly extending flanges to overly the edges of two adjacent panels, means securing the bases of the channels to each other and cover strips overlying the channel openings and having rib portions engaged in the channels, wherein resilient clip means secured in the channels detachably secure the cover strips by engaging their rib portions.

Advantageously the strip ribs have grooves along each side to receive nose portions of the clips.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a panel joint Fig. 2 shows one of the cover strips of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows one of the securing clips for the cover strip in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a view of the clip seen in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 3.

The panel joint shown in Fig. 1 interconnects the adjacent edges of two panels 1 and 2 formed of inert, fire-resistant material boards having decorative facings 3 for example, of laminate.

The joint comprises a pair of rolled sheet-steel channel sections 5 and 6 having outwardly extending flanges 7 overlying the marginal portions of the panels 1 and 2. The two channel sections 5 and 6 are pulled towards each other by screws 8 in captive nuts 9 carried by one or both of the channel members 5, 6.

The channel members 5 and 6 are concealed by cover strips 10 formed by extruded plastics material and having inwardly directed lips 11 to grip a strip of laminate 12.

The cover strips 10 have rib structures 1 3 which project into the channel portions of the channel members 5 and 6 for anchorage of the cover strips. For this purpose, each of the ribs 13 has a groove 14 of arcuate section to receive noses 1 5 of a series of spring clips 16 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The bases 1 7 of the clips 16 have central apertures 1 8 by means of which the clips may be secured permanently to the channel section, for example by means of an eyelet surrounding the shank of the screw 8.

Thus, when assembling the panel joint shown in Fig. 1, after the screws 8 have been tightened into their nuts 9 to clamp the flanges 7 of the channel sections 5 and 6 against the edges of the panels 1 and 2, the cover strips 10 can be applied over the channel sections 5 and 6 to hide them and pushed against the channel sections so that the ribs 13 are pushed into the channels and the spring clip noses 1 5 snap into the grooves 14.

There is then no risk of the cover strips becoming detached, in spite of relativp movement of the components of the wall, for example due to thermal expansion or contraction. The decorative strip 12 can then be applied by inserting its edges under the lips 11.

Claims

1. A panel joint comprising a pair of channelmembers having outwardly extending flanges to overly the edges of two adjacent panels, means securing the bases of the channels to each other and cover strips overlying the channel openings and having rib portions engaged in the channels, wherein resilient clip means secured in the channels detachably secure the cover strips by engaging their rib portions.

2. A panel joint according to claim 1, wherein the strip ribs have grooves along each side to receive nose portions of the clips.

3. A panel joint substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Panel Joints This invention relates to panel joints for use in walls assembled from prefabricated panels. According to the present invention there is provided a panel joint comprising a pair of channel members having outwardly extending flanges to overly the edges of two adjacent panels, means securing the bases of the channels to each other and cover strips overlying the channel openings and having rib portions engaged in the channels, wherein resilient clip means secured in the channels detachably secure the cover strips by engaging their rib portions. Advantageously the strip ribs have grooves along each side to receive nose portions of the clips. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a panel joint Fig. 2 shows one of the cover strips of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows one of the securing clips for the cover strip in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a view of the clip seen in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 3. The panel joint shown in Fig. 1 interconnects the adjacent edges of two panels 1 and 2 formed of inert, fire-resistant material boards having decorative facings 3 for example, of laminate. The joint comprises a pair of rolled sheet-steel channel sections 5 and 6 having outwardly extending flanges 7 overlying the marginal portions of the panels 1 and 2. The two channel sections 5 and 6 are pulled towards each other by screws 8 in captive nuts 9 carried by one or both of the channel members 5, 6. The channel members 5 and 6 are concealed by cover strips 10 formed by extruded plastics material and having inwardly directed lips 11 to grip a strip of laminate 12. The cover strips 10 have rib structures 1 3 which project into the channel portions of the channel members 5 and 6 for anchorage of the cover strips. For this purpose, each of the ribs 13 has a groove 14 of arcuate section to receive noses 1 5 of a series of spring clips 16 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The bases 1 7 of the clips 16 have central apertures 1 8 by means of which the clips may be secured permanently to the channel section, for example by means of an eyelet surrounding the shank of the screw 8. Thus, when assembling the panel joint shown in Fig. 1, after the screws 8 have been tightened into their nuts 9 to clamp the flanges 7 of the channel sections 5 and 6 against the edges of the panels 1 and 2, the cover strips 10 can be applied over the channel sections 5 and 6 to hide them and pushed against the channel sections so that the ribs 13 are pushed into the channels and the spring clip noses 1 5 snap into the grooves 14. There is then no risk of the cover strips becoming detached, in spite of relativp movement of the components of the wall, for example due to thermal expansion or contraction. The decorative strip 12 can then be applied by inserting its edges under the lips 11. Claims

1. A panel joint comprising a pair of channelmembers having outwardly extending flanges to overly the edges of two adjacent panels, means securing the bases of the channels to each other and cover strips overlying the channel openings and having rib portions engaged in the channels, wherein resilient clip means secured in the channels detachably secure the cover strips by engaging their rib portions.

2. A panel joint according to claim 1, wherein the strip ribs have grooves along each side to receive nose portions of the clips.

3. A panel joint substantially as described with reference to the drawings.