US3882652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Demountable partition assembly and studs therefor
Assignee: United States Gypsum Co
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Filing: 1974-06-19
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1994-06-19
Abstract
Abstract Sheet metal studs in a demountable partition assembly are provided with tabs interlocking adjacent pairs of the studs at each joint against relative lateral movement, to prevent lipping at the panel joints. The tabs are resiliently retractable and are formed with angularly oriented outer surfaces to permit forcible retraction of the tabs by sliding a thin tool blade between a pair of such interlocked studs.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice J Marchello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:17
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/76; E04B2/78; E04B2/7854; E04B2002/7461; E04B2002/7474
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A partition assembly including first and second stud members each having a web portion, said stud members being positioned with said web portions thereof in parallel closely adjacent opposed relation to one another, and first and second partition members along one side of said stud members, said partition members having edges adjacent one another to define a joint therebetween in substantial alignment with the interface between said web portions, and each of said partition members forming said joint being attached to the respective adjacent stud member, each of said web portions having an opening therethrough, portions of said openings in said opposed web portions being in registry with one another, a locking tab having one end resiliently attached to said web portion of said first stud member adjacent said opening therein and extending longitudinally of said web portion from said one end in registry with said registered portions of said openings and being otherwise unattached, said tab including an intermediate locking portion normally projecting into said opening in said second stud member, said tab engaging the lateral sides of said opening in said second stud member to interlock said pair of stud members against relative lateral movement therebetween, and said tab being resiliently retractable into said opening in said web of said first stud member from said opening in said second stud member for disengagement from said second stud member to permit relative lateral movement between said pair of stud members for selective removal from said assembly of one of said stud members and said partition member attached thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A partition assembly including first and second stud members each having a web portion, said stud members being positioned with said web portions thereof in parallel closely adjacent opposed relation to one another, and first and second partition members along one side of said stud members, said partition members having edges adjacent one another to define a joint therebetween in substantial alignment with the interface between said web portions, and each of said partition members forming said joint being attached to the respective adjacent stud member, each of said web portions having an opening therethrough, portions of said openings in said opposed web portions being in registry with one another, a locking tab having one end resiliently attached to said web portion of said first stud member adjacent said opening therein and extending longitudinally of said web portion from said one end in registry with said registered portions of said openings and being otherwise unattached, said tab including an intermediate locking portion normally projecting into said opening in said second stud member, said tab engaging the lateral sides of said opening in said second stud member to interlock said pair of stud members against relative lateral movement therebetween, and said tab being resiliently retractable into said opening in said web of said first stud member from said opening in said second stud member for disengagement from said second stud member to permit relative lateral movement between said pair of stud members for selective removal from said assembly of one of said stud members and said partition member attached thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A partition assembly as in claim 1 wherein said tab includes a surface exposed to engagement by a tool inserted through said joint and between said adjacent opposed web portions for retracting said tab to effect such disengagement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A partition assembly as in claim 2 wherein said surface of said tab extends at an angle to said adjacent web portions for retraction of said tab by cam action upon engagement by such a tool so inserted between said web portions and moved longitudinally of said stud members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A partition assembly as in claim 1 wherein each of said stud members is formed of resilient material and one end of said tab is unitary with said web portion of said first stud member at said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A partition assembly as in claim 4 wherein said tab includes a bight section extending into said opening in said second stud member, and first and second sections extending in opposite angular relationship to one another from said bight section into said opening in said web portion of said first stud member, said first and second sections presenting oppositely inclined surfaces exposed to engagement by a tool inserted through said joint and moved between said adjacent opposed web portions in either direction longitudinally of said adjacent studs for effecting retraction of said tab from said opening in said second stud member by cam action of such a tool on said tab surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A partition assembly as in claim 1 wherein said openings are positioned symmetrically relative to the longitudinal centerlines and the transverse centerlines of said stud members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A partition assembly as in claim 6 wherein each of said openings is elongated and is oriented with its major dimension parallel to the length of the respective stud member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A partition assembly as in claim 1 wherein said web portion of each of said stud members is formed with a plurality of said openings and is provided with one of said tabs at one end of each of said openings, each of said openings being of an extent beyond the respective tab to receive another such tab therein, said openings in each of said web portions being symmetrically positioned relative to the longitudinal centerline and to the transverse centerline of the respective stud member, and said tabs on each of said members being at the same end of the respective openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A partition assembly as in claim 8 wherein said openings are positioned on such longitudinal centerline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |