US2342297A - Metallic partition - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1944. PAULD|NG 2,342,297

METALLIC PARTITION Filed Aug. 9 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g 5 j 3 Z 1 \3 INVENTOR David L. Pau' ldzlng ATTORNEY Feb. 1944- D. L. PAULDING METALLIC PARTITION Filed Aug. 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR DwoidLPluHirg BY ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1944 METAIiLIC PARTITION David L..Paulding, NewiYork N. Y .,..assignor-1to;= on Co.,,Inc., acorporation- National Steel Partiti oi New York Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 351,938

iGlaims.

This invention relates to improvements in metallic partitions;

One ofthe objectsof this invention isto'provide a metallic partition construction which,

when erected; will possess great rigidity and. durability and the parts-of which will be rigidly and securely interlocked;

Another-object of my invention is to produce a metallic partition of the; type hereinabove specified which will be formed" of" panel units-that may be readily erected or assembled and dis"- assembled;

Another objector this invention is, in ametallic' partition, to provide" apanel unit with anedge member-embodying a hollow channel shaped upright element provided'with a-web' portion extending parallel to'the edge to which it"is attached andat a right angleto'the plane of the panel member and having a prong-receiving aperture, and may comprise either an independent channel-shaped edge-closing member. or a channel-shaped glass-receiving portion of i an edge molding: member, but in either case the channel-shaped member or portion forms a column-like upright or supporting-member and the web thereof is provided with one or more and preferably a series'of spaced prong-receiving apertures, and these members aresecurely fasteneditogether by on'eor a plurality-of'interlocking fastening members having, prongs adap.t ed toiengage the. metal at the edgeof the. apertures ofopposite webs to lock the elements and the panels of which they form part securely to gether.

Still another object ofimy invention is to provide upon each interlocking fastening member, means for connecting, at an angle to thevinter lockingprongs, another panel upright 0r forlresiliently clipping thereto atpilaster.

Another object of my invention is tolproduce a pane1 unit formed from side plates having inturned corner. flanges provided, at'the terminal edges, with oppositely arranged and outwardly.- disposed groove-forming hooks. and channelshaped edge membershavinginturned flanges adapted to slide into opposite groovesover the. edges'of the flanges to. lock thersidei plates to-- gether, and provide. a hollow channeI shaped edging member for the. panel;

Another object of'my inve'ntion is. to provide upright channel-shaped"elements and. interlock.-

ing fastening means therefor. which. will been pa-ble of universal application in metallic partie tions and maybeapplied to one-Way partitions," which comprise panels extending in a single plane, two-waypartitions" in which the'panels are L-shaped,' threesway partitions, in which one or more panel-units" abuts a'- main row" intermediate theends thereof.

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide simpleand rigid fastening-members for securely' fastening and spacing the web-portions of channel-shaped edgemembers to each other-to form a rigid partition post or posts; all partsof which are readilyaccessible:-'for easyerection.

Still another-object of 'myinvention is to provide a fastening" member capable of ready and quick insertionbetween members having such upright channel shaped' portions and which will be engageab'lewith opposite surfaces of the web ortion of such uprights andwillsimultaneously engage the inner and-outer surfaces of a pair of channel shaped elements of apanel unitor the like;

Another object of my invention is to produce a panel unit construction" in which channelshaped hollow upright members are provided with prong-receivingapertures and to utilizea fastening member" havinga spaced prong" adapted to beins ertedlthrough:such' apertures. in adja'cently positioned Eedge: members of "a'dj acent panel-unitsadapted to. spaceflandlrlock the channel shaped hollow" edge, membersw and the panel of. which.

they form part in rigid relationship to each other.

Still: another objectoi my. invention is to {provide fastening. members oft-the typehereinabove specified with wedgemortions adapted toforce pilaste-rr flanges apartrand i adjacent grooves: to.

permit clipping: OffllfilfiiStQl'St or thellike: to such edges. 1 f Still anothera bjectrloii=my invention: is to utilize a. panel construction which" will require a minimunr numberio'fiscrews I or other fastening devices? Still another; ob'ject oi mydnvention is to provide; in an "interengaging fastening connection between upri'ghts andispacewprongs of a fastening-'- member; such: as 'hereinabove referred "to,-

means on the uprights for locking such prongs in engaging or seated position.

Still another object of my invention is to provide, within the channel-shaped members, struckup straps to provide pockets registering with the lower part of said prongs and into which such prongs extend so as to prevent any spreading movement of the prongs, and thus to cause a more secure, firm and stable interlocking of the parts and holding such fastening members firmly though removably in position.

Still another object of my invention is to provide, on fastener prongs of the type specified, a struck-up interlocking bead and to provide in an upright in registration with said bead slots'into which said beads will extend to provide a resilient fastening connection between such prongs and said uprights. V

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the combination of members and arrangement of parts so combined as to coact and co-operate with each other in the performance of the functions and the accomplishment of the results herein contemplated, and

comprises in one of its adaptations the species or preferred form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of a partition embodying my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a three-way partition showing the use of my invention in connection with a clip fastening, pilaster molding and a third panel extending at right angles to the fastening members;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of clip employed in connection with my panel; I

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section showing a fastening member or clip having a slightly modified form of prongs and mounted to provide an interlocking engagement between the prongs and uprights;

Fig. 6 is a perspective section showing my invention applied to a three-way partition;

Fig. 7 is a section through a'three-way partition showing the clip illustrated in Fig. 5, cmployedas a fastening'member, a clipping element for pilaster and an anchoring element for a screw connection; 7

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to these drawings, I have, in Fig. 1, illustrated a fragmentary partition em-' bodying three sections, two of which are composed of panel units I, l,"and the third includes a door 2, and in accordance with the preferred form of my invention, each of the sections in a given form of partition Iis composed of units of substantially similar" and standard construction with, of course, the modifications necessary to produce wall sections, doors-and doorways and the like, and all such sections or units are preformed and built at the plant, shipped to the site of use and then erected, and it is, of course, desirable that the sectionsmay be erected in the shortest period of time possible with the least,

possible effort, providedthata rigid, strong and durable partition is produced.

In accordance with my invention, when a unit is intended to receive a plate or panel 4 of glass or other suitable material, each panel unit Dreferably comprises a molding member 3 (which may be either a stile or rail), having a conventional glass-receiving groove 3', t his member is connected to its adjacent member by an interlocking-joint in which one of themembers is provided with marginal backwardly-bent and oppositelydisposed flanges which, with the adjacent surface portion, assumes a hook-shaped configuration and provides a V-shaped outwardly-disposed groove. Thus, in Fig. 3, the member 3 is provided, at its opposite edges with marginal flanges 3 3 which are bent backwardly an provide at the outer surfaces grooves 3 into which inturned marginal flanges 5' of a channel-shaped edge member 5 are slidingly interlocked. The member 5 has its web portion 5* extending transversely across or through the partition at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel 4 and a similar interlocking connection is made at the opposite and adjacent edges, the hookshaped flanges being provided on either the two interlocked members. These channel-shaped edge members thus enclose the edges of the panels and at the upright edges of the panels, said members are utilized in the partition as rigid channel-shaped post-sections and when these upright members of adjacent units are suitably spaced and rigidly connected to each other and fastened a rigid frame or skeleton for a post will be provided that will require only the further connection and fastening over the panel edges of a pilaster member or other closure.

To enable such spacing, rigid connection and fastening, the web portion of such a channelshaped edge member 5 at each upright edge of the panel is provided with apertures extending from the outside to the inside of the channel and these apertures in adjacent upright edge members are arranged in parallel registering pairs, and in the preferred form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, I utilize these registering pairs of apertures in the upright members to enable interlocking of adjacent edge upright members and panels together.

By the use of my fastening element, which is more particularly illustrated in perspective in Fig. 4, I am enabled to space, interlock and rigidly fasten such adjacent upright members together and also to provide for the connection of other parts thereto. Said fastening member comprises a transversely-disposed body portion 6 having at opposite edges 6' depending interlocking prongs I each of which is preferably extended outwardly from the edge 6' a slight dis-' tance substantially equal to the thickness of the metal being used so as to provide between the inner surface of the prong 1 and the edge 6 a tight seat for the reception of the metal of the web adjacent to the bottom of said apertures, and the bottom edges of these prongs l are provided with outwardly curved edges or lips I so as to facilitate the engagement of the same with the web metal at the edges of the opposite apertures and to enable the pulling-in and fastening together of such members. The interconnection and fastening of such fastening members and their prongs with a section of metal at the edges of the apertures of said web members provides for a spacing, alignment and secure fastening together of the panel units, In the said preferred embodiment of my invention, the aforesaid tight seat on the fastening member is formed by providing each of the edges 8 at opposite sides of the prongs! with abutment portions 8 extending parallel to but slightly spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the prong. These edge portions 8 are adapted to abut with and engage the other surface of the Web portion 5 of the member 5. at opposite sides of the aperture while the inner surface of the prong l. iswm. engagement with the inner.

surface thereof. In this; way;- when. a. fastenermember iszse'ated in registering apertures in the edge. membersv 5 the webxmetal: of. saidv edge member will be; pressed outwardly; away from; the; panel edge: by; the prong and. inwardly toward thepanehedgeby. the-.edges:8 sees not only to producea: rigid and. strong fasteningconnecition: between the said member: 6. and: the: Web metal-of thehollow. members 5. butrto: provide a;

reinforcementpafor, such' members. and av secure and rigid: interlocking. connection; therefor: and

furthermore, will produce: a-.skeleton frame for theprovisioninthe partition of:'a. r.igid post or.

posts;

In accordance witlrthe. preferredembodiment pronged: edges 6 hereinabove referred to. and each ofth'ese: intermediate edges 6 isprovided with'tmeans. for; fasteningto. the member 6 anotherpartitionrsection oriatpilaster or pilasters 9. The-pilasters 9 are-resiliently fastened and for thispurpose I provide. each edge-6i at the cornerswtliereof, with projections I having wedge or spreading. surfaces Ill-adapted to engage terminal inwardly-extending flanges 9" of the pllaster Sduring an inwardapplying movement of saidpila'ster to spread such flan'ges outwardly and" then to interlock with-grooves ll so-as to resiliently engage the pilaster and hold the same in place for the purpose of closing the space between-panel edges and finishing the appearance of the partition-2 and/or producing a post therein. While in'some-cases aapilaster 9 will be applied' atopposite sides of-the member-6- so as-toproducea finished-post in a two-way single partition, it is in many cases necessary to have a three-way partition such as illustrated in Fig. 4 and for the purpose of providing a" fastening connection for a third' leg ofa partition, I-also" provide at the edge. 6' o'f tliefastening member separate tongues I2 preferablyprojecting-upwardly, andeach tongue I2 is providedwith a fastening notch: 12'. In saidpreferredembodiment theno'tches I 2 are utilized to receive and abut' the head l3 of a bolt 13 which is adapted toprojctthrougli one of the standardized apertures 5 in an upright member 5=-of the third partition leg, as more partlcularly-shown in Fig: 7.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and '7, an-elongated bridge-'memb'e'rl3 -is preferably positioned at the inner side of the aperture and provided with a screw-threaded opening through which the bolt l3 extends. Obviously, when the head of the bolt abuts the edges of the kerf or notch I2 and the bridge member I 3 abuts the opposite edges of the aperture 5', the bolt may be tightened up as rigidly as desired and the panel I of the third partition leg will be securely mounted and fastened in place.

In Fig. '7 I have shown an extremely simple form of interlocked panel construction comprising oppositely disposed side plates I, I each having corner bends I and inturned flanges the marginal edges I of which are bent backwardly to provide hook-shaped portions which form oppositely-disposed grooves I". These grooves receive and interlock with flanges 5' of the hollow edge member 5 in the same way as hereinabove described in relation to the interlocking connection between said member 5 and the; glass-receiving member 3 in: Fig. 3 and the g1assreceivingmember 3 of Fig. 2.v In the lastmentioned construction, the backwardly-turned flanges-l are similarlyformed on the side panel edges while in Fig. 3 thehook-shaped flanges are. formed on the molding member 3; but in othen; respects the.- interlocking connections are similan.

Thenpanel of Fig. 7 may. be entirely hollow is preferably providedtoiurtherlockthe prongs l: to =-'the: upright members and for this purpose.

upright channel members such as shown in Figs. 3,!l1andi'6'to 8 are provided as more particularly shown in Fig. li with pairs of slots i into which the curved lip portions I extend, and, although the frictional locking shown in Fig. 8 operates to eiiectually holdthe parts together, I.also preferably provide the prongs l with. a more pronounccdstruck -up locking bead 1 such as shown in'Fig; 5'. Ineither event, an additional special locking connection between the prong and uprig'htmember is provided which prevents any tendency of the fastening member 6 to loosen' up.

Itwillbe-seen, therefore, that I have provided.

a hollow channel-shapedmember having its web portion extending parallel with the edge of the unit and-at right angles to'the plane of the panel andthat such a member may either comprise a special separatemember used for that 'purpose as "shown in Figs: 1 to 8.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a metallic partition, the combination of a plurality of units, each unit provided with a channel shaped upright edge-member having its channel web portion extending in a vertical plane transversely of the partition and in parallel relationship with the edge of the unit, said upright edge-members being arranged in adjacently-po'sitioned pair's having their channel web-members spaced from each other and proportion comprising a spacing'plate provided at opposite edges withoutwardly and downwardlyprojectingpronged' portions, said plate together with the outwardly-projecting parts of the pronged portions being of greater width than thedistance between the vertical planes of. said web-portions and said'prong portions being extensible through said pairs of registering apertures therein to engage inside surfaces of the web-portions within the channels of said upright members, said spacing plates also having at opposite sides of and adjacent to each pronged portion, additional web-engaging portions simultaneously engageable with outside surfaces of said web-portions, whereby upon insertion of the clip between said apertured webs and movement thereof into final position each of said opposite edges of the spacing plate will have tight oppositely-engaging triple-contact interlocking connections with adjacent portions of opposite surfaces of the web-portion of one of said channelshaped upright members and flexing of such webportion adjacent to the connections is prevented, additional partition parts, and means for connecting to said uprights said additional partition parts to produce a closed post.

2. In a metallic partition, the combination of a plurality of units, each unit provided with a channel-shaped upright edge-member having its channel-web portion extending in a vertical plane transversely of the partition and in parallel relationship with the edge of the unit, said upright edge-members being arranged in adjacently-positioned pairs having their channel web-members spaced from each other and provided with pairs of prong-insertion registering apertures, a plurality of independent spacing clips, each having a transversely-disposed body-portion comprising a spacing plate provided at opposite edges with outwardly and downwardly-projecting pronged portions, said plate together with the outwardly-- projecting parts of the pronged portions being of greater width than the distance between the vertical planes of said web-portions and said prong portions being extensible through said pairs of registering apertures therein to engage inside surfaces of the web-portions within the channels of said upright members, said spacing plates also having at opposite sides of and adjacent to each pronged portion, additional webengaging portions simultaneously engageable 5 with outside surfaces of said web-portions, whereby upon insertion of the clip between said apertured webs and movement thereof into final position each of said opposite edges of the spacing plate will have tight oppositely-engaging triple-contact interlocking connections with adjacent portions of opposite surfaces of the webportion of one of said channel-shaped upright members and flexing of such web-portion adjacent to the connections is prevented, said prongs having inwardly curved lip portions and said Web portions of the uprights having slots within which said curved lip portions seat in engaged position to more securely lock the prongs to said web, and means at another edge of said body for fastening said additional partition parts thereto to enclose said fastening member and produce a closed post.

3. In a metallic partition, the combination of a plurality of units, each unit provided with a channel-shaped upright edge-member having its channel-web portion extending in a vertical plane transversely of the partition and in parallel relationship with the edge of the unit, said upright edge-members being arranged in adjacent- ]y-positioned pairs having their channel webmembers spaced from each other and provided with pairs of prong-insertion registering apertures, additional partition parts, a plurality of in.- dependent spacing clips, each having a transversely-disposed body-portion comprising a spacing plate provided at opposite edges with outwardly and downwardly-projecting pronged' portions,

said plate together with the outwardly-projecting parts of the pronged portions being of-greater.

faces of the web-portions within the channels of said upright members, said spacing plates also having at opposite sides of and adjacent to each pronged portion, additional web-engaging portions simultaneously engageable with outside surfaces of said web-portions, whereby upon insertion of the clip between said apertured Webs and movement thereof into final position each of said opposite edges of the spacing plate will have tight oppositely-engaging triple-contact interlocking connections with adjacent portions of opposite surfaces of the web-portion of one of said channel-shaped upright members and flexing of such web-portions adjacent to the connections is prevented, and an additional locking c nnection between said webs and pronged portions disposed adjacent to the said pairs of pronginsertion registering apertures to prevent loosening of said pronged portions, and means at another edge of said body for fastening said additional partition parts thereto to enclose said fastening member and produce a closed post.

i. In a metallic partition, the combination of a plurality of units, each unit comprising side members and including a channel-shaped upright edge member having its channel-web portion extending transversely of the partition and in parallel relationship with the edge of the unit, said side and edge members being connected by an interlocking joint embodying a pair of oppositely-arranged hook-shaped marginal portions on one part to provide outwardly-disposed grooves and a pair of inwardly-disposed marginal flanges on the other part, and said upright edgemernbers being arranged in adjacently-positioned pairs having their channel web-members spaced from each other and provided with pairs of registering apertures, fastening members of greater width than the distance between the web-portions of such uprights and extending within said registering apertures to engage the web portion at the inside of said apertures to provide an open skeleton post, and means on said bridgingmember for connecting to said uprights other partition parts.

DAVID L. PAULDING.

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