Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WALL OR PANEL CONNECTOR AND PANELS THEREFOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to new and useful improve-
ments in the formation of panels from a relatively thin light
weight metal, plastic or the like.
Conventionally, such panels, utilized for garage
doors, walls or the like require a frame unless the thickness
and rigidity of the panel material is sufficient to be self-
supporting.
However, for many constructions, it is desirable to
have a relatively light weight construction yet which is pro- ~.
vided with sufficient strength for the purpose for which it
is designed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention overcomes disadvantages inhe-
rent in conventional construction and in accordance with the ` .
invention, there is provided a connector web for securing
adjacent panels together in spaced apart relationship ln which
said panels are substantially rectangular and are provided
~: 20 with web engaging means along a pair of opposing edges; said
connector web comprising in combination a panel edge engaging : :
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` ~ claw assembly on each end of said web, the web engaging means .
on the associated panel snap engaging within said claw assem-
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bly, and a web extending between said panel edge engaging
claw assemblies.
A further aspect of the invention contemplates the
use of a stiffener panel intermediate the two parallel panels
particularly if the distance between the opposing panels is
relatively wide.
Another advantage of the invention, particularly i -
when the material used is synthetic plastic, is the ease with
which the beads can be formed on the edges of the panel by
extrusion or other means. ~ -
Another advantage of the invention is the ease with
which the webs can he formed by extrusion if synthetic plas- ;~
tic is utilized.
A still further advantage of the invention is to
provide a construction of the character herewithin described
which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture
and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is de- -
signed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as
will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which
this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the
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invention is herein described by reference to the accompany~
ing drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a descrip-
tion of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles
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of the present invention, in which:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of
two pairs of panels held together by one of the web connec-
tors.
Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the panels.
Figure 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the
connector web.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but show~
ing a pair of stiffener panels incorporated therein.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a section
of a wall or door formed by the us~ of the present invention.
In the drawings like characters of reference indi-
cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in
` detail,~ the invention consists primarily of a connector web
collectively designated 10 to which may be secured substan-
tially rectangular panels collectively designated 11.
The connector webs are preferably extruded from
synthetic plastic and include a central vane or web 12 with
~ a jaw assembly collectively designated 13 formed on each
`~ longitudinally extending side edge of the web 12.
Although the drawings show double jaw assemblies on
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each end of the web 12, nevertheless it will be appreciated
that single jaw assemblies can be provided and are particu-
larly useful for finishing the ends of the wall or door con-
struction inasmuch as they are adapted to receive only one
panel 11.
The jaw assemblies 13 include a central jaw portion -
14 which extends as a continuation of the web or vane 12 and
is provided with an elongated bead 15 on the distal end the-
reof which, in this embodiment, takes the form of an arrow
head configuration when viewed in cross section. At the base
16 of the arrow head bead 16, the sides of the portion 14 ex- -
tend outwardly and inwardly as indicated by reference charac-
ter 17 to form in effect a second arrow head when viewed in
cross section. However, it is the sloping side walls 17 which
are of importance in this second arrow head configuration.
Outer jaws 18 extend upon each side of the central
jaw 14 in the form of arcuately curved portions 19 which are
~ resilient relative to the portion 14 which in turn may be
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resilient if desired.
In~ardly facing hook portions 20 are formed on the
upper ends of these portions 19 with the hooks facing the
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;;~ sides of the arrow head bead 16 as clearly illustrated in
~ Figures 1 and 3. It will be noted that the upper end 21 of
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~ the hooked ends 20 are substantially planar and that the apex
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22 of the central arrow head bead 15, projects slightly
beyond the plane of the ends 21, to an amount substantially
equal to the thickness of the associated panel 11. However, -~
if desired, the apex 22 may be in alignment with the ends
21.
The panels 11 are provided with web engaging means
along the longitudinal edges llA of the panels, said means
taking the form of elongated beads collectively designated
23 formed on the edges of the panels 11 and extending from
one side thereof. In the present embodiment, these comprise
a bead 24 spaced from the planar inner surface 25Aof the pa- -
nel and having a cross sectional configuration similar to
that defined by the inner surfaces of the jaws 15 and 20.
In this instance, the cross sectional configuration of this
bead 24 is of an arrow head configuration supported from the
panel 11 by means of a stem 25, the sides 26 of which slope
inwardly towards the base 27 of the arrow head configuration
as clearly illustrated so that when the panels are snap en-
gaged between the central jaw 15 and either of the outer jaws
20, these sloping surfaces 25 register against the sloping
surfaces 15A of the central jaw and 20A of the outer jaws
and the sloping surfaces 27A of the bead 24 registers against
the sloping surfaces 17 of the central jaw and the surface
18A of the portions 19 of the outer jaw thus holding the
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panel panel snugly into position. When two adjacent panels
are snap engaged within the jaws as shown in Figure 1, it
will be noted that the edges of the outer surfaces 28 of
the panels 11 are in proximity with one another thus giving
a neat finish to the outer surface as shown in Figure 5.
If the space between the opposing panels 11 is re-
latively wide, then it may be desirable to provide a central .
stiffening panel collectively designated 29 and shown in de- :. ~
tail in Figure 4. This panel is provided with a bead 30 .
along opposed longitudinal edges which is T-shaped when view- . .
ed in cross section in conjunction with the panel 29.
Jaws 31 are formed upon each side of the web por-
tion 12 having a configuration similar to the configuration :
of the edge of the panel and the bead 30 so that these panels : ;
may be slid into the jaws to take up the position shown in ~-
.
Figure 4. The cells formed thereby or the space between :
opposing panels may be filled with loose fill insulation or
: foamed in place insulation if desired and after the door or
wall has been assembled thus providing a rigid light weight
door or wall construction which is easily manuactured and
shipped and readily assembled on site to the desired size
or area.
Since various mod1fications can be made in my in- :
v.ention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely
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different embodiments of same made within the spirit and
scope of the claims without departing from such spirit
and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the
accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illus- -
trative only and not in a limiting sense.
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