Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Interconnection System for Panel Assemblies
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
[0004] The present invention relates to foldable, connectable panel assemblies
for use
in building structures and other structures where the panel assemblies may be
utilized. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a system for interconnecting
panel assemblies,
providing for rotatability of one panel assembly relative to another around an
axis of rotation, and
providing for securing the interconnection of one panel assembly with respect
to another panel
assembly in a fixed, lockable relationship. Additionally, this invention
provides with a
fastenerless connection between the construction panel its perimeter trims.
2. Description of the Related Art.
[0005] Pre-fabricated, foldable, portable building structures have been
developed to
enable shipment of structures in a collapsed form while facilitating the
erection of those buildings
at their installation site. One objective in developing pre-fabricated,
foldable, portable buildings
is to provide for maximum square footage of erected structure while retaining
a minimum
volume and weight of the structure in its collapsed form for shipping
purposes. This avoids the
unnecessary transportation of air volume within the structure, resulting in
more economical
transportation of such structures. At the same time, hingedly joining
components of the structure
to fold when collapsed facilitates erection of these structures at the
erection site by unskilled
labor at considerable cost and time saving.
[0006] The successful development and introduction of containerized
transportation,
involving the loading of fixed-dimension containers aboard land, sea, and air
modes of
transportation specially adapted for standard container sizes, has provided
considerable cost
benefit and generally provides safer and quicker worldwide freight
transportation. The I.S.O.
freight containers have been universally adopted by most modern modes of
transportation, and
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practically every country in the world is now capable of handling and
delivering such containers,
making it possible to economically ship I.S.O. freight containers to
practically any destination in
the world.
[0007] Given the benefits associated with containerized transportation, the
development
of a pre-fabricated, foldable, portable building that is collapsible to fit
within the outside
dimensions of shipping containers meeting I.S.0 standards is desirable. One
problem associated
with the development of a pre-fabricated, foldable, portable building is a
sufficiently robust and
maneuverable interconnection system for interconnection of panel assemblies
that compose the
foldable building.
[0008] Current designs for interconnection systems are not maximally efficient
in terms
of use of the available space, do not interconnect panel assemblies with
adequate fixation,
resulting in weak connections, create unwanted heat transfer at the
connections of adjacent panel
assemblies, and inadequately seal the space between sides of the panel
assembly to prevent fluid
flow therebetween. Accordingly, there exists a need for an optimized panel
assembly that
addresses such deficiencies.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention system for interconnection multiple panel
assemblies
comprises a first bracketing body having a first bearing member and at least
one planar member;
a second bracketing body having a second bearing member pivotally engaged with
the first
bearing member and at least one planar member; a third bracketing body having
at least one
planar member; a fourth bracketing body having at least one planar member; a
first panel
receiving volume at least partially defined by the at least one planar member
of the first and third
bracketing bodies; a second panel receiving volume at least partially defined
by the at least one
planar members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies; and wherein the at
least one planar
members of the second and fourth bracketing bodies at least partially define a
second panel
receiving volume. According to another aspect of the present invention, a
first thermal insulating
body is positioned between and separates the first and third bracketing
bodies, and a second
thermal insulating body positioned between and separates the second and fourth
bracketing
bodies. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
fastenerless connection is
provided between surfaces of the system and the panel assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
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[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of a bracketing body of the preferred
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of the
bracketing
body shown in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 2B shows the relationship between the bearing surfaces of the
bracketing
body shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of a second bracketing body of the
preferred
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of the
bracketing
body shown in FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 3B shows the relationship between the bearing surfaces of the
bracketing
body shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIGS. 4-5 are sectional views of third and fourth bracketing bodies of
the hinge
assembly of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hinge assembly shown in FIG. 1 from
line 5-5
thereof in a first configuration wherein the interconnected panel assemblies
are in coplanar
alignment.
[0019] FIG. 6A is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment to the
embodiment
shown in FIG. 6 comprising planar engaging members extending into the panel
receiving
volumes.
[0020] FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C shows the sectional view and an isometric view,
respectively of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, and further depicts
individualized extruded
teeth engaging the panel engaging members to inhibit removal of the panel
assemblies from the
panel receiving slots.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hinge assembly shown in FIG. 6 in a
second
configuration wherein the interconnected panel assemblies are in a
perpendicular relationship.
[0022] FIGS. 8-9 are sectional views of the elements of the preferred
embodiment of
the connection assembly shown in FIG. 1 from line 8-8 thereof.
[0023] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are section views of an alternative embodiment of
the
FIGS. 8-9, which further comprise panel engaging members extending into the
respective panel
receiving volumes.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the connection assembly shown in FIG. 1
along
line 10-10 thereof.
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[0025] FIG. 10A is a section view shown in FIG. 10 with the locking member
engaged
with the lock engaging edges.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of FIG. 10
further
comprising panel engaging members extending into the panel receiving volumes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment 20 of the present invention,
which
comprises a hinge assembly 22 and a connection assembly 24 interconnecting a
first panel
assembly 26, a second panel assembly 28, and a third panel assembly 30. The
hinge assembly 22
interconnects the first and second panel assemblies 26, 28 and provides
rotational movement of
the first panel assembly 26 relative to the second panel assembly 28 between
the first relative
position shown in FIG. 1 and a second relative position. The connection
assembly 24
interconnects the first panel assembly 26 and the third panel assembly 30 in a
fixed relative
position in which the first panel assembly 26 is orientated at a right angle
relative to the third
panel assembly 30, such as, for example, would be found at the intersection of
a sidewall and a
ceiling of a building.
[0028] FIGS. 2-7 depict the basic structure and operation of the preferred
hinge
assembly 22 in greater detail. While FIGS. 2-7 are sectional views of a
specific profile of the
hinge assembly 22, it should be understood that any profile through the hinge
assembly 22 is
identical. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge assembly 22 comprises a first
bracketing body 32 having
first and second planar members 34, 36 intersecting at a first junction 38 in
a perpendicular
relationship. As used herein, "bracketing body" means a body for attachment to
one or more
sides of the member to be bracketed in order to fix the relationship so that
the attached member
securely moves with the bracketing body as the bracketing body is moved, or
alternatively so that
the bracketing body securely moves with the attached member is moved. First
and second planar
members 34, 36 have first and second free ends 40, 42, respectively, distal
from the first junction
38 and also comprise first and second planar engaging surfaces 44, 46
intersecting in a right angle
at the first junction 38. As used herein, "planar member" means a member
having at least one
planar surface, and "engaging surface" means a surface having a profile with a
shape at least
generally corresponding to the shape of the surface of an object member to
which the engagement
surface is to be proximally positioned for the purpose of fixing the body with
the "engagement
surface" to the object member. The terms "engaging surface" and "planar
surface" are not
intended, however, to exclude the incorporation of additional panel engaging
members proximal
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to or extending from the surface, such as the use of teeth or ridges as
described elsewhere herein,
to provide further fixation functionality between the body and the object
member.
[0029] The first bracketing 32 body is preferably fixed to a panel assembly
with
fasteners, such as rivets 47. Alternative embodiments contemplate panel
engaging members, in
conjunction with or instead of fasteners, extending from the engaging
surfaces. In one alternative
embodiment of the first bracketing body 32, shown in FIG. 2A, a first set of
normal ridges
extends from the first engaging surface 44 and a first set of angled ridges 48
extends from the
second engaging surface 46 toward the first engaging surface 44. Each of the
ridges 48, 50
extends along the length of the engaging surface 44, 46. In another
alternative embodiment, a
plurality of individualized extruded teeth extends normally or at an angle
from the first and
second engaging surfaces 44, 46.
[0030] A first channel beam 51 having a generally C-shaped cross section is
formed
integrally with and extends from the free end 40 to the first planar member
34. A non-engaging
surface 45 of the first planar member 34 opposite its engaging surface 44 and
the channel beam
51 has a concave interior curved surface 52 which defines a first insulating
volume 54.Still
referring to FIG. 2, the first bracketing body 32 has a first bearing member
56 which extends
from the first junction 38 opposite of the second planar member 36 and
comprises a curved first
bearing arm 57 partially surrounding and spaced from a generally cylindrical
hinge pin 59. The
first bearing arm 57 is connected to the hinge pin 59 by a bridging member 61.
[0031] The hinge pin 59 has a convex first bearing surface 58 having a first
radius R1
from a first axis 60. The bearing arm 57 has interior second bearing surfaces
62 having a second
radius R2 from the first axis 60 and a convex exterior third bearing surface
64 having a third
radius R3 from the first axis 60. The bearing arm 57 terminates at an end
surface 76 extending
between the second and third bearing surfaces 62, 64.
[0032] A stop member 65 extends from the exterior third bearing surface 64.
This stop
member 65 comprises two preferably parallel opposite side stopping surfaces
68, 70 extending
between the third bearing surface 64 and a convex fourth bearing surface 66
having a fourth
radius R4 from the first axis 60.
[0033] As shown jointly in FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A, all of the bearing surfaces 58,
62, 64,
66 are partially-cylindrical and concentric around the first axis 60. The
magnitude of the first
radius R1 is less than the magnitude of the second radius R2, which is less
than the magnitude of
the third radius R3, which is less than the magnitude of the fourth radius R4.
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[0034] First and second inner stopping surfaces 72, 74 comprise the sides of
the
bridging member 61 and extend between the first and second bearing surfaces
58, 62. Each of
the first and second inner stopping surfaces 72, 74 are coplanar with
reference planes P1, P2
extending through the first axis 60. A first partially-toroidal slot 78 is
defined by the first inner
stopping surface 72 and the first and second bearing surfaces 58, 62. A second
partially-toroidal
slot 80 is defined by the second inner stopping surface 74 and the first and
second bearing
surfaces 58, 62. A planar first support surface 82 is positioned adjacent to
the second bearing
surface 62 and extends between the non-engaging surface 45 of the first planar
member 34 and
the second bearing surface 62.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the hinge assembly 22 further comprises a second
bracketing body 84 having third and fourth planar members 86, 88 intersecting
at a second
junction 90 in a perpendicular relationship. The third and fourth planar
members 86, 88 have free
ends 92, 94 distal from the second junction 90 and also comprise a third and
fourth planar
engaging surfaces 96, 98 intersecting in a right angle at the second junction
90.
[0036] The second bracketing body 84 is preferably fixed to a panel assembly
with
fasteners, such as a row of rivets 99. Alternative embodiments contemplate
panel engaging
members, in conjunction with or instead of fasteners, extending from the
engaging surfaces. In
one alternative embodiment of the second bracketing body 84, shown in FIG. 3A,
a second set of
normal ridges 102 extends from the third engaging surface 96 and a second set
of angled ridges
100 extends from the fourth engaging surface 98 toward the third engaging
surface 96. Each of
the ridges 100, 102 extend along the length of the corresponding engaging
surface 96, 98. In
another alternative embodiment, a plurality of individualized extruded teeth
extends normally or
at an angle from the first and second engaging surfaces 96, 98.
[0037] A second channel beam 91 having a generally C-shaped cross section is
formed
integrally with and extends from a non-engaging surface 97 of the third planar
member 86
adjacent its free end 92. The second channel beam 91 has a concave interior
curved surface 104
which defines a second insulating volume 106.
[0038] Still referring to FIG. 3, a second bearing member 108 which extends
from the
non-engaging surface 97 of the third member 86 comprises a curved second
bearing arm 107
which terminates in a hinge barrel 109 having a generally semicircular, C-
shape cross section and
an interior concave fifth bearing surface 110 having a fifth radius R5 from a
second axis 112.
The hinge barrel 109 has a convex sixth bearing surface 114 having a sixth
radius R6 from the
second axis 112 and a convex seventh bearing surface 116 having a seventh
radius R7 from the
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axis 112. The second bearing arm 107 has an interior, concave eighth bearing
surface 118 having
an eighth radius R8 from the axis 112 and an interior, concave ninth bearing
surface 120 having a
ninth radius R9 from the axis 112. The ninth bearing surface 120 extends
between two stopping
surfaces 124, 126 positioned on the second bearing arm 108.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A, all of the bearing surfaces 110, 114,
116, 118,
120 are partially-cylindrical and concentric around the second axis 112. The
magnitude of the
fifth radius R5 is less than the magnitude of the sixth radius R6, which is
equal to the magnitude
of the seventh radius R7. The magnitude of the seventh radius R7 is less than
the magnitude of
the eighth radius R8, which is less than the magnitude of the ninth radius R9.
[0040] A first stopping surface 122 extends between the seventh and eighth
bearing
surfaces 116, 118 and is co-planar with a reference plane P3 extending
radially through the
second axis 112. The second stopping surface 124 extends between the eighth
and ninth bearing
surfaces 118, 120 and is co-planar with a reference plane P4 extending
radially through the
second axis 112. The third stopping surfaces 126 extends from the ninth
bearing surface 120 and
is positioned adjacent the second junction 90 of the third and fourth planar
members 86, 88. The
hinge barrel 129 has an outer end surface 128 which extends between the fifth
and sixth bearing
surfaces 110, 114, and an inner end surface 130 extends between the fifth and
seventh bearing
surfaces 110, 116. A planar second support surface 132 is positioned adjacent
to the sixth
bearing surface 114 forming a portion of the exterior surface of the second
bearing arm 108.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows a third bracketing body 134 having fifth and sixth planar
members
136, 138 intersecting at a third junction 140 in a perpendicular relationship.
The fifth planar
member 136 has a first planar engaging surface 146, a non-engaging surface 147
and a free end
142 distal from the third junction 140. Likewise, the sixth planar member 138
has a sixth planar
engaging surface 148, non-engaging surface 149 and free end 144 distal from
the third junction
140.
[0042] The third bracketing body 134 is preferably fixed to a panel assembly
with
fasteners, such as a row of rivets 145. Alternative embodiments contemplate
panel engaging
members (i.e., ridges or individualized extruded teeth), in conjunction with
or instead of
fasteners, extending from the engaging surfaces, as shown and described with
reference to the
first and second bracketing bodies 32, 84 and FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A.
[0043] A third channel beam 153 having a generally C-shaped cross section is
continuous and extends from and is formed integrally with the non-engaging
surface 147 of the
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fifth planar member 136 proximal its free end 142. The third channel beam 153
has a concave
interior curved surface 154 defining a third insulating volume 156.
[0044] First and second engagement fins 158, 160 extend generally
perpendicular from
the non-engaging surface 147 of the fifth planar member 136 to partially
define therebetween a
first sealing volume 162 proximal to the junction 140. Retaining members 161
are angle toward
the fifth planar member 136 extend from the planar surfaces of the first and
second engagement
fins 158, 160 that define the sealing volume 162. In the preferred embodiment,
the retaining
members 161 are ridges. In alternative embodiments the retaining members 161
are a plurality of
individualized extruded teeth.
[0045] FIG. 5 depicts a fourth bracketing body 164 having seventh and eighth
planar
members 166, 168 intersecting at a fourth junction 170 in a perpendicular
relationship. The
seventh planar member 166 has a seventh planar engaging surface 176, a non-
engaging surface
177, and a free end 172 distal from the fourth junction 170. Likewise, the
eighth planar surface
168 has an eighth planar engaging surface 178, a non-engaging surface 179 and
a free end 174
distal from the fourth junction 170. The seventh and eighth planar engaging
surfaces 176, 178
intersect at a right angle.
[0046] The fourth bracketing body 164 is preferably fixed to a panel assembly
with
fasteners, such as a row of rivets 175. Alternative embodiments contemplate
panel engaging
members (i.e., ridges or individualized extruded teeth), in conjunction with
or instead of
fasteners, extending from the engaging surfaces, as shown and described with
reference to the
first and second bracketing bodies 32, 84 and FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A.
[0047] A fourth channel beam 183, having a C-shaped cross section, is
continuous with
and extends from the non-engaging surface 177 of the seventh planar member 166
proximal its
free end 172. The fourth channel beam member 183 has a concave interior curved
surface 184
defining a fourth insulation volume 186.
[0048] Third and fourth engaging fins 188, 190 extend generally perpendicular
from the
non-engaging surface 177 of the seventh planar member 166 to define a second
sealing volume
192 therebetween. The third engaging fin 188 is coplanar with the eighth
planar member 168 and
has a free end 194 that curves toward the fourth engagement fin 190. Retaining
members 196
angled toward the seventh member 166 extend from the planar surfaces of the
third and fourth
engagement fins 188, 190 that define the sealing volume 192. In the preferred
embodiment, the
retaining members 196 are ridges extending along the length of the planar
surfaces. In alternative
embodiments the retaining members 196 are a plurality of individualized
extruded teeth.
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[0049] FIG. 6 shows the hinge assembly 22 of the present invention in its
entirety,
including the elements described previously with reference to FIGS. 2-5, in
use with the first and
second panel assemblies 26, 28. The first planar member 34 of the first
bracketing body 32 is
positioned adjacent the fifth planar member 136 of the third body 134 in
coplanar alignment with
a space 35 therebetween. The first and third bracketing bodies 32, 134 are
oriented such that the
second and sixth planar members 36, 138 extend from the first and third bodies
32, 134,
respectively, in the same direction.
[0050] The first and third channel beams 51, 153 of the first and third bodies
32, 134,
respectively, are mechanically connected with a first insulating body 198
positioned in a space
between the first and third channel beams 51, 153. The first insulating body
198 is rigid, made of
an insulative material such as a thermally nonconductive resin, portions of
which are shaped to fit
within the first and third insulating volumes 54, 156. Preferably, such a
resin is poured into the
insulating volumes 54, 156 and the space therebetween in a liquid state and
allowed to harden.
The interior curved surface 52, 154 of the first and third channel beam
members 51, 153,
respectively, secure the first and third bracketing bodies 32, 134 to the
first insulating body 198.
[0051] The planar engaging surfaces 44, 46, 146, 148 of the first bracketing
body 32
and the third bracketing body 134 form an assembly having a square U-shaped
cross section
which defines a first panel receiving volume 200. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6,
the first panel
assembly 26 is positioned within the panel receiving volume 200 such that the
sides of the first
panel assembly 26 engage the planar engaging surfaces 44, 46, 146, 148 and are
fastened with
rows of rivets 47, 145
[0052] The first panel assembly 26 itself comprises a layer of insulative core
material
(e.g., polystyrene) 202 positioned between two reinforcing layers 204, 206
that provide structural
rigidity to the intermediate layer 202. In the preferred embodiment, the first
and second
reinforcing layers are metallic.
[0053] In the same manner as described with regard to the first and third
bracketing
bodies 32, 134, the second and fourth bracketing bodies 84, 164 are
mechanically connected with
a thermally non-conductive second insulating body 207 wherein the second
insulating body 207
is positioned between the second and fourth channel beams 91, 183 and secured
with the second
and fourth insulating volumes 106, 186. In this position, the third planar
member 86 of the
second body 84 is in co-planar alignment with the seventh planar member 166
with a space 37
between the respective free ends 92, 172. Also in this position, the fourth
and eighth planar
members 88, 168 of the second and fourth bracketing bodies 84, 164,
respectively, extend in the
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same direction wherein the planar engaging surfaces 146, 148, 176, 178 of the
second and fourth
bracketing bodies 84, 164 form an assembly with a square U-shaped cross
section defining a
second panel receiving volume 208. One end of the second panel assembly 28,
also comprising a
layer of insulative core material 210 positioned between two preferably
metallic reinforcing
layers 212, 214, is positioned within the second panel receiving volume 208.
[0054] FIG. 6 shows the hinge assembly 22 in a first configuration wherein the
first
bearing member 56 and second bearing member 108 are interconnected and the
first and second
panel assemblies 26, 28 are in coplanar alignment. In this configuration, the
first axis 60
described with reference to the first through fourth bearing surfaces 58, 62,
64, 66 (see FIG. 2) is
coaxial with the second axis 112 described with reference to the fifth through
ninth bearing
surfaces 110, 114, 116, 118 (see FIG. 3) to form an axis of rotation 216. To
prevent further
rotation of the second bearing member 108 with respect to the first bearing
member 56, the outer
end surface 128 of the hinge barrel 129 is in contact with the second stopping
surface 74 and the
side stopping surface 70 of the stop member 65 is in contact with the third
stopping 126.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 6, the rubber sealing elements 218, 220 are
positioned in
the first and second sealing volumes 162, 192, respectively, to prevent fluid
flow into an interior
space 222 of the hinge assembly 22. The sealing element 220 is compressed and
held within the
second sealing volume 192 by the first engagement fin 158. The other sealing
element 218 is
compressed and held within the first sealing volume 162 by the fourth
engagement fin 190.
Retaining members 161, 196 inhibit movement of the sealing elements 218, 220
within the
sealing volumes 162, 192.
[0056] FIG. 7 shows the hinge assembly 22 in a second configuration wherein
the first
bearing member 56 and the second bearing member 108 are still interconnected
and the second
panel assembly 28 is at a right angle with respect to the first panel assembly
26. In this position,
to prevent further rotational movement of the second bearing member 108 with
respect to the first
bearing member 56, the inner end surface 130 of the hinge barrel 129 contacts
the first stopping
surface 72 of the bearing member 56; the side stopping surface 68 of the stop
member 65 is in
contact with the second stopping surface 124; and end surface 76 of the first
bearing member 56
is in contact with the stopping surface 122 of the second bearing member 108.
[0057] Use of the preferred embodiment of the hinge assembly 22 is initially
described
with reference to FIG. 6. First and second panel assemblies 26, 28 are
positioned in the first and
second panel receiving volumes 200, 208 respectively. Rows of rivets 47, 145
engage with the
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first panel assembly 26 to inhibit movement thereof Likewise, rows of rivets
99, 175 engage the
second structural member 28 to inhibit removal thereof.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 6A, in an alternative embodiment, angled ridges 48,
150 and
normal ridges 50, 152 within the first panel receiving volume 200 (described
with reference to
FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A) engage with the first panel assembly 26 to inhibit
movement thereof, either
in conjunction with or in place of rivets described with reference to FIG. 6.
Likewise, the angled
ridges 100, 180 and isometric ridges 102, 182 within the second panel
receiving volume 208
engage the second structural member 28 to inhibit removal thereof.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 611-6C, in other alternative embodiments, the panel
assemblies 26, 28 may include similarly-shaped but oppositely-orientated
individualized extruded
teeth 215 formed in the metallic reinforcing layers 204, 206, 212, 214 that
engage with the angled
ridges 48, 100, 150, 180 to provide additional engagement functionality. In
still other
embodiments, individualized extruded teeth extending normally or at an angle
into the panel
receiving volumes from the engaging surfaces, the panel assemblies 26, 28 to
engage teeth or
ridges formed in the reinforcing layers 204, 206, 212, 214.
[0060] Referring back to any of FIG. 6, the first and second bearing members
56, 108
are rotatable with respect to one another so that the first and second panel
assemblies 26, 28 may
be rotated between the first relative position shown in FIG. 6 wherein the
panel assemblies 26,28
are aligned and the second relative position shown in FIG. 7 wherein the panel
assemblies 26,28
are in a perpendicular relationship.
[0061] When the panel assemblies 26, 28 are in the aligned position as shown
in FIG. 6,
the first and second insulating bodies 198, 207 and the first and second
spaces 35, 37, create a
thermal barrier across the hinge assembly 22. Thermal energy is inhibited from
passing from the
first and second bodies 32, 84 on one side of the hinge assembly 22 to the
third and fourth bodies
134, 164 on the other side of the hinge assembly. The interior space 222
defined by the hinge
assembly 22, is normally filled with air and also provides thermal insulation.
Although the
preferred embodiment is described as including the first and second insulating
bodies 198, 207,
alternative embodiments contemplate manufacture of the present invention
without these thermal
bodies 198, 207 when the intended installation site is at a temperate area.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the first bracketing body 230 and
second
bracketing body 254 of the preferred embodiment of the connection assembly 24.
The first
bracketing body 230 and the second bracketing body 254 define a third panel
receiving volume
328 have a square U-shaped cross section. The third panel assembly 30 is
positioned within the
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third panel receiving volume 328. The third panel assembly 30 is preferably
comprised of a layer
of insulative core material 224 positioned between metallic reinforcing layers
226, 228.
[0063] The first bracketing body 230 comprises a base planar member 232 with a
first
end 234 and a second end 236. A first engagement fin 238 extends at a right
angle from the first
end 234 of the base planar member 232. A side planar member 240 extends at a
right angle from
the second end 236 of the base planar member 232. A second engagement fin 246
extends from
the base member 232 at a position between the side planar member 240 and first
engagement fin
238 at a right angle. The base planar member 232 and the side planar member
240 both have
planar engaging surfaces 233, 241 and non-engaging surfaces 235, 243.
[0064] The first bracketing body 230 is preferably fixed to the panel assembly
328 with
fasteners, such as a row of rivets 245. A first channel beam 247, having a
generally C-shaped
cross section, is positioned at and formed integrally with the free end of the
second engagement
fin 246. The first channel beam 247 has a curved concave interior surface 248
which defines a
first insulating volume 250. The first engagement fin 238, the second
engagement fin 246, and
the base member 232 define a first sealing volume 252 having a generally
square U-shaped cross
section. Retaining members 226 are located within the first seal forming
volume 252. In the
preferred embodiment, the retaining members 196 are ridges. In alternative
embodiments the
retaining members 226 are a plurality of individualized extruded teeth.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, the second bracketing body 254 comprises a base
planar
member 256 with a first end 258 and a second end 260, a planar engaging
surface 255 and a non-
engaging surface 257. A second channel beam 261 having a generally C-shaped
cross section is
formed integrally with and positioned at the first end 258 of the base planar
member 256. The
second channel beam 261 has a curved concave interior surface 262 defining a
second insulating
volume 264. A locking engagement surface 266 extends from the non-engaging
surface 257 at an
angle proximal to the second end 260 of the base planar member 256. The
locking engagement
surface 266 has ridges 265 extending therefrom.
[0066] The second engagement fin 246 and the second bracketing body 254 are
positioned with respect to each other such that the open ends of the first and
second channel
beams 247, 261 face each other with a space 267 between. The channel beams
247, 261 are
mechanically connected by a rigid first insulating body 268 (i.e., a thermally-
nonconductive,
hardened resin) shaped to fit within the first and second insulating volumes
250, 264 and a
portion of the space 267 between the channel beams 247, 261. In this manner,
the second
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bracketing body 254 is fixed relative to, but not in direct contact with, the
first bracketing body
230.
[0067] FIG. 9 discloses a sectional view of a third bracketing body 270 and a
fourth
bracketing body 290 of the preferred embodiment of the connection assembly 24.
The third
bracketing body 270 and fourth bracketing body 290 define a fourth panel
receiving volume 330
having a square U-shaped cross section. A second end of the first panel
assembly 26 is
positioned in the fourth panel receiving volume 330. The third bracketing body
270 having base
planar member 272 with a first end 274, a second end 276, a planar engaging
surface 273 and a
non-engaging surface 275. A side planar member 278 extends at a right angle
from the first end
to 274 of
the base member 272 and also has an engaging surface 279 and a non-engaging
surface
283.
[0068] A third channel beam 281 having a generally C-shaped cross section is
formed
integrally with and positioned at the free end of the side planar member 278.
The third channel
beam 281 has a concave curved interior surface 282 which defines a third
insulating volume 284.
[0069] A third engagement fin 280 is formed integrally with and extends from
the third
channel beam 281 in a direction generally toward the base planar member 272.
The third
engagement fin 280 is spaced from and generally parallel with the side planar
member 278
forming a second sealing volume 289 defined by the third engagement fin 280,
the third channel
beam 281 and the side planar member 278.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the preferred embodiment of the connection assembly
24
includes a fourth bracketing body 290 with a base planar member 291 and side
planar member
293 extending from one end 285 of the base planar member 291. The base planar
member 291
has a planar engaging surface 295 and anon-engaging surface 297. The side
planar member 293
also has a planar engaging surface 299 and non-engaging surface 301.
[0071] The fourth bracketing body 290 is preferably fixed to the panel
assembly 330
with fasteners, such as a row of rivets 287. A fourth channel beam 292, having
a generally C-
shaped cross section, is formed integrally with and positioned at the free end
of the side planar
member 293. The fourth channel beam 292 has a concave curved interior surface
294 forming a
fourth insulating volume 296. A partially-cylindrical bearing surface 300 is
formed in the
exterior surface 295 of the fourth channel beam 292, the non-engaging surface
301 of the side
planar member 293 and a curved surface 203 of a bearing fin 298 extending from
the non-
engaging surface 301. The side planar member 278 of the third bracketing body
270 is
positioned with respect to the side planar member 293 of the fourth bracketing
body 290 such
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that the open ends of the third and fourth channel beams 281, 292 face each
other with a space
303 therebetween. The channel beams 281, 292 are mechanically connected by a
second
insulating body 322 (i.e., a thermally-nonconductive, hardened resin) shaped
to fit within the
third and fourth insulating volumes 284, 296 and a portion of the space 303
between the channel
beams 281, 292. In this manner, the third bracketing body 270 is fixed
relative to, but not in
direct contract with, the fourth bracketing body 290.
[0072] A locking member 308 having a hinge pin 310 at one end is rotatably
connected
to the third bracketing body 290 with the hinge pin 310 pivoting within the
partially-cylindrical
bearing surface 300 and occupying the corresponding partially-cylindrical
volume 302 defined by
the bearing surface 300. The locking member 308 includes a planar strut member
312 extending
from the hinge pin 310 at one end and having a free second end 314. Ridges 316
are formed in
the free second end 314 to correspond with the locking engagement surface 266
of the lock-
engaging member 254 (see FIG. 8). A spacing fin 318 having an L-shaped cross-
section extends
from the planar strut member 312. The spacing fin 318 is positioned with
respect to the hinge pin
310 such that the hinge pin 310 occupies the space between spacing fin 318 and
the bearing fin
298 when the locking member 308 is in the unlocked position as shown in FIG.
9.
[0073] FIG. 10 depicts the connection assembly in a configuration where the
first panel
assembly 26 is connected to a third panel assembly 30 in a perpendicular
alignment. This could
occur in a building construction, for example, when a wall panel is mated with
a ceiling panel. In
this configuration, the first and second insulating bodies 268, 322 and the
first and second spaces
267, 303 create a thermal barrier across the connection assembly 24. Thermal
energy is inhibited
from passing from the first and second bracketing bodies 230, 254 on one side
of the connection
assembly 24 to the third and fourth bracketing bodies 270, 290 on the other
side.
[0074] In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the first, second and third
engagement
fins 238, 246, 280 are arranged in a generally parallel, overlapping
configuration with the third
engagement fin 280 positioned in the first sealing volume 252 between the
first and second
engagement fins 238, 246 and the first engagement fin 238 positioned in the
second sealing
volume 289 between the side panel member 278 and the third engagement fin 280.
[0075] A rubber sealing element 324 is positioned in the first sealing volume
and
compressed therein by the third engagement fin 280. Sealing element 326
occupies the second
sealing volume 289 and is compressed therein by the first engagement fin 238.
In this manner,
the sealing elements 324, 326 inhibit fluid flow into the interior space 330.
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[0076] To use the connection assembly 24, the first and third panel assemblies
26, 30
are inserted into the fourth and third panel receiving volumes 330, 328,
respectively, and fixed
thereto with fasteners, such as rows of rivets 245, 277, 287.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 10, the locking member 308 is rotatable between a
first
position (shown in FIG. 9) and second position. In the first position, the
ridges 316 of the
locking member 308 are not engaged with the ridges 265 of the locking
engagement surface 266
of the second bracketing body 254. In the second position, the ridges 316 are
engaged with the
ridges 265 of the locking engagement surface 266.
[0078] As described above, the sealing elements 324, 326 inhibit moisture and
other
fluids from passing through the connection assembly 24 between first and third
panel assemblies
26, 30. In addition, the sealing elements 324, 326 create a biasing force that
urges the first
bracketing body 230 and the third bracketing body 270 apart and at the same
time urges the
ridges 316 of the locking member 308 into the ridges 365 of the locking
engagement surface 266
of the second bracketing body 254. This inhibits inadvertent disengagement of
the locking
member 308 from the locking engagement surface 266. Retaining members 332 in
the first and
second sealing volumes 252, 289, respectively, inhibit egress of the sealing
elements 324, 326
from those volumes.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 11, in alternative embodiments, in addition to or
instead of the
rivets described with reference to FIG. 10, the engaging surfaces 233, 241 of
the base planar
member 232 and the side planar member 240 of the first bracketing body 230
have isometric
ridges 242 and angled ridges 244, respectively, that engage the third panel
assembly 30.
Likewise, the engaging surfaces 295, 299 of the base planar members 291 and
side planar
members 293 of the fourth bracketing body 290 have angled ridges 304 and
isometric ridges 306
that engage the first panel assembly 26, with the angled ridges 304 angled to
resist movement of
the first panel assembly 26 from the bracketing volume 330. The engaging
surfaces 273, 279 of
the base planar member 272 and the side planar member 278 of the third
bracketing body 270
have angled ridges 286 and isometric ridges 288, respectively, that engage the
first panel
assembly 26, with the angled ridges 286 angled toward the side planar member
278. Other
alternative embodiments of the invention contemplate a plurality of
individualized extruded
members extending normally or at an angle from the planar members, as
described with reference
to FIGS. 6B-6C.
The present invention is described above in terms of preferred illustrative
embodiments of
a specifically described interconnection system. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that
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alternative constructions of such a system can be used in carrying out the
present invention.
Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be
obtained from a study of
this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.
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