US3744199A

US3744199A - Demountable wall partition

Info

Publication number: US3744199A
Application number: US00079386A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Navarre
Original assignee: PRUDENT O BLANCKE
Current assignee: PRUDENT O BLANCKE
Priority date: 1968-08-30
Filing date: 1970-10-09
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10

Abstract

A demountable wall partition for use between a floor and ceiling, opposed floor and ceiling channels, with longitudinally spaced upright stud and stud spacing tabs projected from the channels in one embodiment. The upright spaced studs extending into said channels for interlocking engagement therein. L-shaped wall board mounting and retaining trim flanges on said channels; the studs being H-shaped in cross-section with their flanges including reverse turned clip edges, and upright trim moldings enclosing opposite edges of adjacent wall boards and frictionally interlocked with said clip edges. In a further embodiment spacer and wall board retaining clips are attached to the clip edges to receive and retain a batten strip.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Navarre 1451 July 10, 1973 DEMOUNTABLE WALL PARTITION [75] lnventor: William J. Navarre, Riverview,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 9, I970 [21] Appl. No.: 79,386

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 756,514, Aug. 3,

1968, Pat. No. 3,537,219.

1,133,138 3/1915 Henderson 52/241 1,990,259 2/1935 Walters 52/242 3,537,219 11/1970 Navarre 52/213 2,023,989 12/1935 Brown 52/493 X 3,222,833 12/1965 Woodrum 52/211 3,293,813 12/1966 Emmons et al.... 52/729 X 3,319,983 5/1967 Zibell 287/189.35

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 290,361 4/ 1969 Australia 52/731 Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Att0rneyCullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor [5 7] ABSTRACT A demountable wall partition for use between a floor and ceiling, opposed floor and ceiling channels, with longitudinally spaced upright stud and stud spacing tabs projected from the channels in one embodiment. The upright spaced studs extending into said channels for interlocking engagement therein. L-shaped wall board mounting and retaining trim flanges on said channels; the studs being H-shaped in cross-section with their flanges including reverse turned clip edges, and upright trim moldings enclosing opposite edges of adjacent wall boards and frictionally interlocked with said clip edges. In a further embodiment spacer and wall board retaining clips are attached to the clip edges to receive and retain a batten strip.

4 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl 52/211, 52/241, 52/290 [51] Int. Cl. E0411 1/00 [58] Field of Search 52/208, 211, 241, 52/242, 290, 464, 466, 468, 493, 489, 729, 731

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,981,239 11/1934 Manske 52/290 X 2,261,077 10/1941 Schultz 52/241 2,387,389 10/1945 Goldsmith. 52/290 2,682,087 6/1954 'Siering 52/242 X 3,397,495 8/1968 Thompson et a1. 52/241 3,339,324 9/1967 Stackhouse 52/24l 3,193,061 7/1965 Downes 52/242 X 2,818,947 l/1958 Goldberg... 52/211 2,277,792 3/1942 Small 52/489 PATENIED JUL I "I973 mn'ur FIGI FIG.2

FIG?) INVENTOR WILLIAM J. NAVARRE BY Wu,

0 2 c/W ,4 M XM 3 7% 8 k 0 3 n w? aw G 6 H I r Q 2 W ATTORNEYS mimmw K 3.744.199

INVENTOR WILLIAM J. NAVARRE ATTORNEYS DEMOUNTABLE WALL PARTITION REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 756,514, filed 8-3-68 for Demountable Partition Wall" now U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,219.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a demountable partition wall for use between floor and ceiling which employs floor and ceiling channels adapted to receive and support and secure a series of longitudinally spaced studs of I-I-shape in cross-section.

It is another object to provide an improved form of floor and ceiling channel which includes opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges by which the wall board may be easily disassembled from the wall construction for reuse and to aid in assembly.

It is another object to provide an improved stud for said partition wall which includes reverse turned clip edges on the flange portion thereof and the use of channel trim moldings for the upright side edges of the wall boards which enclose the same and are frictionally interlocked with said stud clip edges.

It is another object to provide in said partition wall a novel form of snap-on door jamb construction of a channel formation and including channel shaped marginal portions adapted for frictional interlock with the adjacent clip edges of one stud.

It is another object to provide within said partition wall an improved window sill or divider wall partition sill adapted for easy interlock and mounting upon horizontally disposed similar stud interposed between a pair of upright studs for mounting a window or a divider wall element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects will be seen from the following specifications and claims in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away vertical section of one embodiment of the present partition wall; I

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section taken in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a connection of snap-on door jamb;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of a horizontally disposed divider stud with detachable window sill or one half divider wallpartition sill,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partially broken away vertical section through a further embodiment of the present improved partition wall;

FIG. 6 and 7 are perspective fragmentary illustrations of modifications of the basic strut member for use in connection with ceiling panels;

FIG. 8 is a partial horizontal section through the present improved partition wall showing a further embodiment of wall board spacer and attached batten strip;

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a wall board spacer and batten retaining clip for use in the assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. l0-is likewise a partial horizontal section similar to FIG. 3 illustrating another embodiment of a door jamb;

FIG. 10a illustrates a further modification of the basic strut member of the present invention;

FIG. 1 1 similarly is a partial horizontal section similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a further embodiment ofa window or glass wall retaining member;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing the partition wall of FIG. 5 partially assembled; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12 showing the partition wall completely assembled with the batten strip in place to cover adjoining wall board edges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, the present demountable partition wall, FIG. 1, is adapted for use between floor F and ceiling C. Elongated floor channel 12 includes a base 14 secured to the floor by fastener 16. Side edges of the base are curved upwardly and inwardly at 18 merging with upright side wall 20 which terminate at their upper edges in the opposed wall baord support trim flanges 22.

Ceiling channel 26 overlies floor channel 12 and includes base 28 which bears against said ceiling and is secured thereto by fastener 16.

The ceiling channel includes upright sides 30 which terminate in the downwardly opening right angular wall board top support flanges 32.

The ceiling and floor channels have formed longitudinally therein a series of longitudinally spaced pairs of depending struck out stud spacing and locating and securing tabs 24.

A series of longitudinally spaced upright studs 34 of H-shaped in cross-section, see FIG. 2, are mounted with their respective ends nested projected into the floor and ceiling channesl and with their central webs 36 projected into and between the adjacent pairs of spacing and locating tabs 24 on said channels and suitably interlocked therewith.

Conversely, as shown in connection with the floor channel 12 in FIG. 1, the base of the channels may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots 23 adapted to be engaged by tongues 25 extending from the lower, respectively upper ends, of the central webs 36 for spacing and vertical alignment of the studs 34 along the

channels

12 and 26.

The respective studs, FIG. 2, include the opposed elongated flanges 38 whose outer edges are reverse turned defining clip edges 40 having some flexibility.

The raceway 44 is formed through the respective stud webs providing a means for passing utility wires or the like as desired for concealing the same within a partition wall.

A series of conventional wall boards, 46, such as are available on the market, are mounted in an upright position so as to bear against the stud flanges, 38, supported at their lower edges within the bottom channel trim flanges, 22, and retained within the trim flanges, 32, of the ceiling channel, 26, FIG. 1.

A suitable clearance space, 48, is provided above the top edges of the wall boards, 36, FIG. 1, to provide a means by which said wall boards may be elevated initially for disassembly and reuse as desired with respect to the floor channel trim flanges, and support flanges, 22. This construction provides for easy assembly and disassembly as desired, and for reuse of the respective parts without damage thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, elongated snap-on moldings, 50, of channel form enclose the outer upright edges of the wall boards, 46, and include an inner flange with longitudinal bead, 52, as desired for frictional interlock with and snug projection into the adjacent edge clips, 40, of the adjacent stud for removeable interlock therewith.

The trim moldings 50, of an adjacent pair of wall boards and uniformly spaced apart and define a utility channel which may be employed as desired for wires and other connections instead of the raceway, 44, FIG.

1. A suitable finish molding, 54, spans the utility channel, FIG. 2, and includes a pair of parallel spaced flanges, 56, which are adapted to snap into the said utility channel in snug frictional engagement with the adjacent trim moldings 50.

FIG. 3, framentarily illustrates a snap-on removeable door jamb 58 adapted to receive the door D fragmentarily shown.

The said door jamb includes a channel body and a central elongated outer door receiving stop 60 of rectangular shape in cross-section. The opposing side edges of said body are flanged at 62 and terminate in the reverse formed channel clips 64. These channel clips frictionally project into the stud clip edges, FIG. 3, for interlock therewith. The construction of the clip 64 is the same as shown and may include the bead 52 for increased frictional lock at the edge clip, such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such beading, however, can be omitted if desired relying solely upon a frictional interlock. The assembly is further completed by the use of a spacer block or the backing block 66 which is interposed between the outer pair of stud flanges 38. Jack screw 68 is mounted centrally through the door stop 60 and includes an adjustable nut portion 70 which compressively engages backing block 66 and which assists and functions for the purpose of securing the snap-on door jamb in the assembled relation shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the removeable window sill or half divider wall partition sill at 72 which is removeably mounted upon and interlocked with a horizontally disposed stud 34 similar to the first mentioned studs 34 of FIG. 2.

In such construction, the stud 34, FIG. 4, is interposed between a pair of upright studs and intermediate to floor and ceiling with respective ends of said stud interlocked and suitably secured to the corresponding vertical studs.

The sill assembly 72 includes a body of channel form which includes side flanges 74 and reverse turned securing clips 76 which frictionally project up into the corresponding adjacent clip edges of the horizontal stud.

The assembly is similar to the door-jamb shown in' FIG. 3, except in place of the door stop 60 of FIG. 3, central portion of the body of the sill includesan elongated slotted portion 78 of rectangular cross-section adapted to receivc the glass window 80 or other half divider fragmentarily shown.

The assembly of the sill 72 with respect to the horizontal stud 34 is furthermore completed by the use of a similar jack screw 68-which extends through the base of the slotted portion 78 and adjustably projects the nut assembly 70 against the corresponding backing block 66 which bears against the stud web and is interposed between its respective flanges, FIG. 4.

The above described pairs of tabs 24 projecting from the respective floor and ceiling channels, or slots 23 and tongues 25, serve to automatically center the vertical studs to provide a means of securing the same in upright position within the said channels,

The ceiling channel 26 is of such construction as to provide a trim line at ceiling elevation without additional trims being required.

The formation on the respective trim and support and retaining

flanges

22 and 32 of the respective floor and ceiling channels'provides a means by which the wall panels or wall boards 46 may be readily removed and are completely recoverable in the present partition construction.

The floor channel, 12, provides a completely finished base wall trim and in view of the cove construction, 18, facilitates cleaning and floor maintenance.

The construction of the trim moldings, 50, FIG. 2, and the corresponding clip edges, 40, permit the said trim moldings to be easily removable and replaceable. The trim moldings, 50, define the utility space, FIG. 2, which can be conventiently closed by the additional finish molding, 54, and facilitate the wiring of electrical outlets, phone outlets, or heat control and so forth and can be used instead of the raceway, 44, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for this purpose and thus, provides a means to eliminate the raceway, 44, and possible damage caused to the webbing by cutting into them and also this is a labor saving means by which all the materials and elements of the partition wall are recoverable and reusable.

With reference now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13, the demountable partition wall of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, 8, 12 and 13, is likewise adapted for use and assembly between a floor and a ceiling C (FIGS. 12 and 13). The elongated floor channel includes a base portion 102 which is suitably secured to the floor by means of conventional fasteners (not shown). The opposite parallel sides of the floor channel 100 are curved upwardly inwardly to form

cover portions

104 and 106, respectively, which, at the upper end, terminate in

flanges

108 and 110, respectively, which as shown are L-shaped in crosssection to provide opposite wall baord or panel retaining members. Thus, as shown, the L-shaped support flanges of the floor channel 100 are adapted to support .individual wall panels P well above the floor, a distance of about 2 to 3 inches provided by the outwardly

curved cove portions

104 and 106, to prevent water damage of the panels or damage by floor cleaning machines and simultaneously provides anattractive appearance with no need for additional base board moldings. v

A top channel ll2overlies the floor channel 100 in parallel vertical alignment therewith and has a' top base portion 114, in this instance suitably secured to the ceiling indicated at C in FIGS. 12 and 13. The top channel 112 has oppositely downwardly depending

sides

116 and 118, respectively, which terminate in downwardly extending resilient panel retaining flanges I20 and 122, respectively, which are connected to the sides of the top channel by an upwardly inclined intermediate portion 124, which provides a flexible means for the

panel retaining flanges

120 and 122 to resiliently retain the flanges against the panels P.

As will be noted from FIG. 5, assembly and disassembly of the wall panels P into the floor and

top channels

100 and 112, respectively, is facilitated in that the vertical height between the lower

panel retaining flanges

108 and 110 and the flexible connecting member 124 of the

top channel flanges

120 and 122 is larger than the vertical dimension of the panels P so that, when the panels are assembled, a space 126 is left between the top edge of each panel and the resilient connecting portions 124 of the top channels. Thus, in assembly, the panel P is first moved into the top channel all the way up against the resilient connection portions 124 and then permitted to drop down into the lower

panel retaining flanges

108 and 110, respectively. The

top flanges

120 and 122 are of sufficient length, in down ward direction, so as to overly a substantial portion of the upper portion of the panel P. Likewise, to remove the panels P from the floor and top channels, the panel P is moved upwardly against the resilient connecting portion 124 of the top channel to move the bottom edge of the panel upwardly beyond the top edge of the lower

panel retaining flanges

108 or 110 respectively. The lower end of the panel can then be moved outwardly beyond the lower panel retaining flanges, which is permitted by the flexibility provided by the inclined connecting portion 124 of the top channel 112.

Both the floor and

ceiling channels

100 and 112 are made from sheet metal, such as aluminum, and may be fabricated by extrusion or rolling. The top channel 112 does not necessarily have to be secured to the ceiling, as for instance in half-size wall partitions, in which instance the top channel 112 provides an attractive top molding trim for the half-size wall partition assembly. Similarly, the upwardly inclined connecting portion 124 of the top channel 112 can then conveniently be used for hanging pictures, bulletin boards and the like.

In assembly of the partition wall of the present invention, a plurality of spaced upright stud members 128 of desired vertical length, corresponding to the vertical dimension between the floor channel 100 and top channel 112, are mounted with their respective and lower and upper ends within the channel formed by the oppositely spaced

floor cove portions

104 and 106 and within the similarly, oppositely spaced

flanges

116 and 118 of the top channel 112 in snap-in engagement therewith. The

floor cove portions

104 and 106 of the floor channel100 initially are curved further inwardly towards each other, to define a transverse distance less than the transverse width of the stud members 128,

which are thereby frictionally engaged within the floor channel 100.

The stud member 128, which is similar to the stud member 34 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, is of generally I-I-shaped cross-section, as shown in FIG. 8, providing a center transverse web portion 130 connected between opposed

parallel flange members

132 and 134, respectively. Each of the

flange members

132 and 134 terminates at opposite ends of both sides of the central web portion 130 into reverse-bent resilient clip formations 136, each. of which have an inwardly crimped bead portion 138.

As indicated in FIG. 5, instead of the stud member 128 being supported directly on the base portion 102 of the floor channel 100 (as in FIG. 1), the floor channel 100 may be provided inwardly with opposite

longitudinal flanges

103 and 105, respectively, extending along the

cove portions

104 and 106 to support a longitudinal plate 107 on which the stud member 128 rests. There is thus a space 109 provided in the bottom of the floor channel to provide a raceway for convenient l0cation of conduits, pipes etc. 111, which are thus being completely hidden from view in a protective enclosure by the floor channel. The support plate 107, as will be understood, is provided along its length with openings between studs for extension of the conduits therethrough upwardly through the wall structure.

With particular reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 12 and 13, in assembly, the upright stud members 128 are adapted to support the wall panels P and to retain the panels in vertical position. Adjacent panels P are locked to the stud member 128 by means of a plurality of twist clips 140. With particular reference to FIG. 9, the twist clips 140 are constructed to provide a U- channel portion 142 which base, and outwardly thereof, is connected a T-flange 144, adapted for locking engagement with the flanges 132 and/or 134, respectively, of the stud member 128. The open end of the U-channel portion 142 of the twist" clip 140 is provided with opposite outwardly directed flange portions 146 adapted, in assembly, to overly the adjacent vertical side edges of adjoining panels P as seen in FIG. 8. The U-channel portion 142 of the twist clip 140 provides a spacing 148 between adjoining panel members P, which conveniently can be used as a means for installation of conduits, utility wires and the like, re quired to be mounted within the partition wall.

In assembly, the twist" clip 140 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 8, for insertion of the T- flange 144 between the adjoining panel members and moved to-wards the flange 132 of the stud member 128. In that position, the twist clip 140 is again rotated 90, to move the opposite arms of the T-flange 144 into the opposite reverse clip formations 136 of the marginal flange 132 of the stud and into frictional engagement with the crimped bead portions '138 thereof. In that position, the outer side flanges 146 at the open end of the U-channel portion 142 of the twist clip, are disposed to overly the vertical side edges of the adjoining panel members, thus, securely locking the panel members against the flange 132 and/or 134, respectively, of the studmember 128.

To complete the partition wall assembly of the present invention, and'to cover the space 148 provided by the U-channel portion 142 of the twist clip 140, a molding or so called batten strip 150 is provided for locking engagement within the twist clip 140. The batten strip 150 is preferably of a length corresponding to the vertical dimension between the edges of the lower flanges 108 and and upper flanges and 122 of the floor and top channel members. The batten strip is comprised of a generally flat body portion 152 which, at the inner side thereof, is provided with pairs of laterally spaced legs 154 spaced in correspondence with the lateral spacing between sides of channels 142. The legs 154 are adapted for insertion within the U-channel portion 142 of the twist clip. To lock the batten strip 150 within the U-channel ofthe twist clip, the opposite sides of the U-channel are provided with inwardly extending protrusions 143 and the legs 154 of the batten strip are provided with corresponding grooves or notches 156 adapted for snap-in engagement over the protrusions 143 within the U-channel portion 142 of the twist" clip, as shown in the assembly in FIG. 8. v

The generally flat body portion 152 of the batten strip is of a width to extend beyond the flanges 146 of the twist" clip to thereby completely cover the twist clips and the adjoining edges of adjacent panel members. The outer surface of the batten strip 150 may be variously shaped or formed such, as for instance, by providing alternate grooves and land portions to provide a pleasant appearance, as particularly noted in FIG. 13. Thus, with the attachment of the batten strip 150, the assembly of the demountable partition wall, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is completed, providing a partition wall having a neat and trim appearance, as noted in FIG. 13.

With particular reference now to FIG. which illustrates the assembly of a door jamb to the upright stud member 128, the door jamb 160 of this embodiment is comprised of a substantially U-shaped channel portion 162 having a width exceeding the overall cross-section width of the wall partition. The U-channel portion 160 has a substantially flat base 164 from both ends of which extend at right angles thereto side flanges 166 and 168, respectively. The flanges terminate at the ends in reverse-

bent portions

170 and 172, respectively, which are parallel to the base portion 164. The base portion 164 of the door jamb 160 is provided at the center with a longitudinally extending door abutment 165 extending from the base portion 164 in a direction opposite to the side flanges 166 and 168 provided for a door D, indicated fragmentarily in FIG, 10. A pair of opposite parallel flanges or legs 174 and 176 extend from the inside of the U-shaped channel portion 162 which are spaced a distance slightly larger than the distance between the opposed

marginal flanges

132 and 134 of the stud member 128 for snap-in engagement thereinbetween. I

In assembly, the central snap-in locking flanges 174 and 1 76 of the door jamb 160 are preferably secured to the opposite

marginal flanges

132 and 134 of the stud member 128 by means of fasteners 178. As seen in FIG. 10, the opposite parallel panel members P are retained within the U-channel portion of the door jamb and are locked in place against the outside of the reverse clip formations 136 of the marginal flanges of the stud member 128 by means of abutment of the inwardly directed

flanges

170 and 172 against the outside of the respective panel members, as shown.

With reference now to FIG. 11, there is shown the assembly of a 4-way window or glass panel retaining post 180 to the stud member 128.

The glass panel post or strut 180 has a substantially square shaped cross-section to provide a hollow tubular formation. Each of the opposed sides of the glass panel strut 180 is provided with an inwardly extending, outwardly open longitudinal U-channel 182 each of which is provided adjacent the open end with inwardly directed, opposite ribs 184. The ribs 184 parallel and coplanar with each other, and are spaced inwardly below the external surface of the glass panel strut 180 to provide a retaining and guide means for a window or glass panel fragmentarily indicated at 186.

stud member 128 or may be of any other desired lengthas required by the size of the window or glass panel be retained by separate fastener means (not shown). Glass panels or windows 186 can then be selectively installed in anyone of the three exposed U-channels 182.

Selectively, a pair of vertically spaced shorter stud members 128 may be disposed horizontally between a pair of spaced vertical stud members 128 in each of which is placed, between the opposed

marginal flanges

132 and 134 of the stud members, a glass panel strut 180 of appropriate length and in horizontal position to thereby provide upper and lower horizontal retaining rails for a window or glass panel 186, the rail being provided by the recessed co-planar flanges 184 adajacent the open ends of the U-channels 182.

FIG. 10a illustrates an alternate embodiment of the basic stud member of the present invention. In this instance, the central web portion 130 is eliminated from the alternate stud 128a and replaced by a pair of outwardly disposed parallel sides 130a and 13% which connect the opposite outer edges of the

respective side flanges

132a and 134a, so as to provide a stud member of rectangular tubular cross-section. The internal space 200 of the alternate stud 128a provides a convenient raceway for conduits, pipes and the like.

With reference to the embodiment in FIG. 6, in this instance, the basic stud member is cut in half along its longitudinal web portion to provide a half-stud member 202 of T-shaped cross-section. This stud member can conveniently be used as a horizontal strut for the attachment and support of ceiling panels 204, as indicated in FIG. 6, utilizing the same twistclip 140 and batten strip 150 arrangement as in the wall structure of FIG. 8 to retain the ceiling panels or tiles 204 against the flangeof the half stud member 202.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment similar to FIG. 6. However, in this embodiment only one side flange 132 (or 134) of the basic stud member 128 has been retained. The single stud flange 132 (or 134) may then be secured by means of fasteners 205 to the underside of a joist 206. already provided in the building, thus obtaining a T-shaped structure similar to that in FIG. 6, for the attachment and securement of ceiling panels in the same fashion as illustrated in FIG. 6;

As herein provided, the various channels, stud and strut members and trim members as well as the door jambs, glass panel struts and twist clips are preferably I made from molded, extruded or rolled aluminum sheet being utilized. The strut 180 is simply inserted between the opposed

marginal flanges

132 and 134 of the stud member 128 in which the glass panel strut 180 will be retained by the clamping force of the adjacent wall panel members abutting against the outside of the

marginal flanges

132 and 134, as shown in FIG. 8, or may material for light weight, goodappearance and resistance against corrosion. Additionally, aluminum is preferred, because this material can be easily cut or sprayed to provide any desirable decorator color to match or compliment the particular color shade of the wall board panels. It shall be noted here, with particular reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, that both, the floor channel and top channel 112, can be made and assembled in two halves, split along the longitudinal center line as shown at 188 of the floor channel 100. When these two half channel sections which are identical except for being reversed, are assembled as a unit, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, they provide a full channel equivilent to the unitary channel shown in FIG. 5. The inner ends of the two half channel sections are provided with short, upstanding,

longitudinal flanges

190 and 192, respectively, which in assembly, as shown in FIG. 12 and 13, abut against each other and provide an additional securing means for the upright stud member 128 byextension into an appropriate slot 194 provided in the web portion of the stud member.

Conversely, each half channel section can be used separately for a one-sided wall panel installation, such as hiding unsightly or damaged walls by covering the wall with a one-sided demountable partition wall using a half floor and top channel and half stud member. Likewise, by this arrangement, an inner wall for a building can be provided in opposition to the external wall by securing the half channels by means of the

inner flanges

190 or 192 to the inside of the two-by-four studs of the building wall and then finishing the inside wall by installation of the wall panels as previously described herein, with the exception that only one half of the stud member 128 is used which, as shown, is symmetrical to both sides of its longitudinal centerline.

The herein proposed and described batten strip 150, which snaps into the twist clip 140 between adjoining panels, lends to the partition wall a very decorative, finished appearance. The batten strip may be anodized for kalcolor, du-randodic, naarcolor or similar color finishes or may be covered with a material matching the panel color shades or color sprayed for the same purpose.

Any selective panel member at any portion of the demountable partition wall of the present invention, can be removed in three simple steps by: (l) removing the snap-in batten strip 150, (2) removing the exposed twist" clips 140, and (3) removing the selected panel member. Thus, one can easily replace one panel with a panel of another color on either one or both sides of the partition wall may be removed for the installation of a doorway, for shortening of the wall or for any other desired purpose.

All units of the present improved, demountable partition wall are fully recoverable with no waste material and having no material which has to be destroyed during disassembly.

The present improved partition wall is designed to be labor saving by the initial installation and reassembly and maybe simply demounted and reconstructed in a minimum amount of time and labor.

The

upright stud members

128 or 34, respectively, are of such construction as to be conveniently adaptable to be interlocked with snap-on door jambs or glass panel struts or to receive horizontal studs of the same construction to provide glass panel or window sills or retaining rails for half divider wall partitions.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, it will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, that various changes in material, arrangement and details may be made without departing from the spirit and essential characteristic thereof as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the following claims:

I Clain:

1. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floor channel;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H- shape in cross section, having a central web and a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor and ceiling channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively;

the opposite ends of the marginal flanges on each stud including an elongated reverse turned flexible clip edge;

a snap-in glass panel strut mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to one of said studs and including a tubular unitary channel body having at least one elongated outwardly opening panel receiving slot, said snap-in panel strut being of square tubular cross-section having a cross-sectional dimension corresponding to the dimension between said opposed marginal stud flanges for frictional snap-in engagement therebetween.

2. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having at least one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor and top channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing against opposite ends of said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively;

said wall board retaining flanges of said top channel terminating at their upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined top wall at its lower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channel whereby said latter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitate installation and removal of said wall board and exert a retaining force on said wall board against said stud flanges;

an upright snap-on door jamb mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to one of said studs, and including a channel body having an elongated outer door receiving stop of rectangular crosssection with the opposing edges of said body being flanged and terminating in reverse formed channel clips each having an inner flange snugly abutting against an edge portion of a wall board extending into said channel body to retain said wall board against the clip edges of said stud flanges; v

' said channel body of said door jamb being provided with a pair of resilient parallel leg portions extending in opposite direction to said door stop and adapted for frictional snap-in engagement between opposed stud flanges; and fasteners interconnecting said leg portions and stud flanges.

3. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling;

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said a down-turned top channel'parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floor channel a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having at least one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels;

a horizontally disposed stud of the same construction as the upright studs, extending between and secured to a pair of adjacent upright studs intermediate said floor and top of said wall;

and a snap-in divider strut mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to said horizontal stud including -a channel body having at least one elongated outwardly opening divider receiving slot, therein;

said snap-in divider strut being of tubular unitary rectangular cross section having a divider receiving slot in each of its sides, the external distance between opposite sides corresponding to the distance between said opposed stud flanges for frictional snap-in engagement of said strut between said flanges.

4. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; i

an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor;

a down-turned top channel overlying said floor channel in parallel vertically aligned relationship thereto;

a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H- shape in cross section, having a central web and opposed marginal flanges, said marginal flanges being elongated and having reverse turned outer ends defining clips having some flexibility, with the respective stud ends projected into said channels;

said floor channel including a base having opposed upwardly and inwardly curved cove portions which terminate at their upper edges in opposed wall board supporting and retaining flanges; and cove portions being normally spaced apart a distance less than the width of said studs;

said top channel including elongated opposed and outwardly flexible angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges;

upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said clips of said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively;

and said curved cove portions of said floor channel frictionally bearing against the outside of said stud flanges;

said channels being split-along their longitudinal centerline to provide opposed identical half-channels, the opposed inner edges of said half-channels being provided with longitudinal flanges abutting each other in assembly, and said central web of said stud being provided with longitudinal slots to receive said flanges to thereby lock said two half-channels together.

Claims

1. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floor channel; a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H-shape in cross-section, having a central web and a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor and ceiling channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively; the opposite ends of the marginal flanges on each stud including an elongated reverse turned flexible clip edge; a snap-in glass panel strut mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to one of said studs and including a tubular unitary channel body having at least one elongated outwardly opening panel receiving slot, said snap-in panel strut being of square tubular cross-section having a cross-sectional dimension corresponding to the dimension between said opposed marginal stud flanges for frictional snap-in engagement therebetween.

2. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floor channel; a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having at least one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor and top channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boards bearing against opposite ends of said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively; said wall board retaining flanges of said top channel terminating at their upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined top wall at its lower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channel whereby said latter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitate installation and removal of said wall board and exert a retaining force on said wall board against said stud flanges; an upright snap-on door jamb mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to one of said studs, and including a channel body having an elongated outer door receiving stop of rectangular cross-section with the opposing edges of said body being flanged and terminating in reverse formed channel clips each having an inner flange snugly abutting against an edge portion of a wall board extending into said channel body to retain said wall board against the clip edges of said stud flanges; said channel body of said door jamb being provided with a pair of resilient parallel leg portions extending in opposite direction to said door stop and adapted for frictional snap-in engagement between opposed stud flanges; and fasteners interconnecting said leg portions and stud flanges.

3. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned top channel parallel to and in vertically aligned relationship overlying the floor channel a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs, having at least one web portion between a pair of opposed marginal flanges, with their respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor and top channels including elongated opposed angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boards bearing against opposite ends of saiD stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively; said wall board retaining flanges of said top channel terminating at their upper edges in an elongated downwardly inclined top wall at its lower edge joined to the lower edge of said top channel whereby said latter flanges are outwardly flexible to facilitate installation and removal of said wall board and exert a retaining force on said wall board against said stud flanges; a horizontally disposed stud of the same construction as the upright studs, extending between and secured to a pair of adjacent upright studs intermediate said floor and top of said wall; and a snap-in divider strut mounted upon and interlocked with and parallel to said horizontal stud including a channel body having at least one elongated outwardly opening divider receiving slot, therein; said snap-in divider strut being of tubular unitary rectangular cross section having a divider receiving slot in each of its sides, the external distance between opposite sides corresponding to the distance between said opposed stud flanges for frictional snap-in engagement of said strut between said flanges.

4. In a demountable partition wall, for use between a floor and a ceiling; an up-turned floor channel on and secured to said floor; a down-turned top channel overlying said floor channel in parallel vertically aligned relationship thereto; a series of longitudinally spaced upright studs of H-shape in cross section, having a central web and opposed marginal flanges, said marginal flanges being elongated and having reverse turned outer ends defining clips having some flexibility, with the respective stud ends projected into said channels; said floor channel including a base having opposed upwardly and inwardly curved cove portions which terminate at their upper edges in opposed wall board supporting and retaining flanges; and cove portions being normally spaced apart a distance less than the width of said studs; said top channel including elongated opposed and outwardly flexible angular wall board supporting and retaining flanges spaced from the stud flanges; upright wall boards bearing inwardly against said clips of said stud flanges supported and retained along their top and bottom edges within said channel flanges respectively; and said curved cove portions of said floor channel frictionally bearing against the outside of said stud flanges; said channels being split along their longitudinal centerline to provide opposed identical half-channels, the opposed inner edges of said half-channels being provided with longitudinal flanges abutting each other in assembly, and said central web of said stud being provided with longitudinal slots to receive said flanges to thereby lock said two half-channels together.