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US3866377A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Wall panel spacer

Assignee: Perfect Module Systems Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-04-23
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Abstract

Abstract A wall panel system having a plurality of spaced, parallel panel sections that are connected at opposite ends by a panel joint to form a wall panel. The panel system includes a spacer having a body portion with parallel outer edges and inwardly spaced and outwardly extending pairs of arm members paralleling the body edges. The outer edge of each of the arm members has a notch portions which are inwardly spaced from the body edges to define a snap lock means. The inner opposing edges of each pair of arms define a recess having therein between second snap lock means. Central portions of the body section are deformed to define outwardly extending tabs, the edges of which parallel the body portion edges. The panel system also includes a second spacer means of a T-shaped configuration having a base with rounded edges extending to the mid-section of the base and downwardly therefrom to define the legs of the T-shaped member. The downwardly extending legs at the mid-section are spaced a predetermined distance to define a spacer receiving neck portion and the legs therebeyond are outwardly deformed to define on the opposing inner surfaces thereof, notches which in conjunction with the first mentioned spacer form a snap lock arrangement. The outside face of the base is in abutment with the inside surface of the panel section and the base surface is roughened for bonding purposes with the panel section.

Inventors

  • 👤 Schutter Camiel R De

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 20:29
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7401

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 221 words
In a wall panel system comprising a plurality of wall panel sections connected in an end to end fashion by panel joints, a spacer member disposed within said panel system to maintain selected opposing components of said system in a predetermined spaced relationship, said spacer member comprising a body section having opposing parallel edges, two pairs of opposed spaced arms extending outwardly from said body portion in said direction as said parallel edges; the outer edge of each of said arms being provided with a rib adapted to engage components of said panel system in a snap lock fashion, each of said ribs being inwardly spaced from said body portion parallel edges; each of said pairs of extended arms defining thereinbetween a recess and the inner opposing surfaces of each of said pair of said arms having a groove formed therein for engaging in a snap lock fashion with a component of said wall panel system; the body section being provided with a central aperture of sufficient size to facilitate the passage of wiring and conduits therethrough; the side walls of said aperture adjacent said body portion being bent outwardly in the same direction to define tab means, said tab means being inwardly spaced from said parallel edges and being disposed along an axis paralleling the edges of said body portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 221 words
In a wall panel system comprising a plurality of wall panel sections connected in an end to end fashion by panel joints, a spacer member disposed within said panel system to maintain selected opposing components of said system in a predetermined spaced relationship, said spacer member comprising a body section having opposing parallel edges, two pairs of opposed spaced arms extending outwardly from said body portion in said direction as said parallel edges; the outer edge of each of said arms being provided with a rib adapted to engage components of said panel system in a snap lock fashion, each of said ribs being inwardly spaced from said body portion parallel edges; each of said pairs of extended arms defining thereinbetween a recess and the inner opposing surfaces of each of said pair of said arms having a groove formed therein for engaging in a snap lock fashion with a component of said wall panel system; the body section being provided with a central aperture of sufficient size to facilitate the passage of wiring and conduits therethrough; the side walls of said aperture adjacent said body portion being bent outwardly in the same direction to define tab means, said tab means being inwardly spaced from said parallel edges and being disposed along an axis paralleling the edges of said body portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 51 words
The wall panel defined in claim 1 wherein said spacer means is disposed in said panel joint between spaced parallel vertical members, said edges of said body portions being in abutting contact with said spaced members to define the predetermined spacing therein between, said spacer being disposed in a horizontal plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 101 words
The wall panel system defined in claim 1 further comprising longitudinally disposed T-shaped members disposed between said panel sections and, respectively, abutting the opposing inner surfaces of said panel sections, the legs of said T-shaped members having openings therein which define snap lock means for the reception of said spacer; said spacer being disposed in a vertical position with said parallel edges respectively being received in said T-shaped leg openings with said tab means carried by said body portion of said spacer engaging said legs in a snap lock fashion to maintain said panel sections at a predetermined spaced apart distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 62 words
The wall panel system defined in claim 1, wherein said spacer means is disposed in said panel joints between spaced parallel members, said edges of said body portions being in abutting contact with said spaced members to define the predetermined spacing thereinbetween, saiD spacer being disposed in a plane which is perpendicular to the planes that said parallel members are disposed in.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The wall panel system defined in claim 3 further comprising means disposed between said T-shaped members in the abutting surfaces of said panel sections for securing said T-shaped members to said panel sections.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1842144A Cited
US2015754A Cited
US2007618A Cited
US2123458A Cited
US3037590A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-02-17 1978-08-19 1979-02-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-02-17 1982-08-19 1983-02-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-02-17 1986-08-19 1987-02-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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