Wall partition arrangement

Claim 1

In a wall partition arrangement, the combination of: A. a pair of channel-like, stud retaining, track members affixed to vertically spaced, horizontal surfaces such as a floor and ceiling of a room; B. a plurality of horizontally spaced, adjustable stud members extending vertically between said track members; C. a plurality of wall panels secured to said stud members; D. said stud members each comprising; a. an opposed pair of elongated channel elements each being generally U-shaped in cross section and including: i. a center panel; ii. a pair of integral side panels extending from opposed side edges of said center panel in parallel relation with each other and normal to said center panel; b. said channel elements having adjacent end portions disposed in lapping, telescoping relation with one portion received within the other with their side panels in sliding engagement with each other to provide a partially enclosed cavity therebetween; c. tension spring means disposed within said cavity and connected between said channel elements operable to bias said adjacent end portions toward each other and thereby urge the remote end portions of said channel elements away from each other and against said horizontal track members.