US4245442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable interior wall and ceiling construction system for buildings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-07-19
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-07-19
Abstract
Abstract An object of the present invention is to provide a reusable modular interior wall and ceiling construction system for buildings. The system utilizes a modular wall panel unit formed by a rectangular frame having a peripheral surface forming a central recess and a pair of securing slots. Decorative panels are releasably held to the frame by magnetic means. An adjustable base supports the wall panels and provides hollow runs for concealing wiring for power and communication purposes. The panel slots and central recess provide for securing with adjacent panel units as well as providing a means for connecting the modular ceiling support members. The ceiling support members may also serve as ducting for heating and cooling as well as passageways for wiring.
Inventors
- 👤 I. Milt Durham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:21
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/064; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7453; E04B2/7455; E04B2/76; E04B2/78; E04B2/7809; E04B2/7818; E04B2/82; E04B2/821; E04B9/008; E04B9/30; E04B2002/7461; E04B2002/7468; E04B2002/749; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
A reusable modular wall panel unit apparatus adapted to connect to adjacent modular wall panel units to form an interior wall, including: a hollow rectangular metal frame having a horizontal bottom frame member and a pair of upstanding vertical side members, one of said upstanding side members connected to one end of said bottom frame member and the other of said upstanding side members to the other end of said bottom frame member, said frame having a horizontal upper frame member connected at one end to one of said upstanding members and with the other end of said upper member connected to the other of said upstanding members; said bottom member and said top member along with said upstanding side members defining an outer peripheral rim of the modular wall panel unit; a plurality of internal support members disposed in parallel relationship with said upstanding side members, each of said plurality of internal support members having one end connected to said bottom member and the other end connected to said top member; support projections mounted on said bottom, top and two upstanding members and extending outwardly on both sides of said peripheral edge for providing a support for a panel disposed on each side of said metal frame; and said peripheral rim having a central recess and having a first slot formed parallel to and on a first side of said central recess and a second slot formed parallel to and on the other side of said central recess; support means for said metal frame having a floor engaging member and a mounting member having a pair of upwardly extending parallel projections that are received within said slots on said bottom frame member, said support means having means for connecting said floor engaging member and said mounting member to adjustably position said wall panel unit relative to the floor; and means for releasably connecting said horizontal upper frame member with a modular suspended ceiling for supporting said modular wall panel unit apparatus perpendicular to the floor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
336 words
A reusable modular wall panel unit apparatus adapted to connect to adjacent modular wall panel units to form an interior wall, including: a hollow rectangular metal frame having a horizontal bottom frame member and a pair of upstanding vertical side members, one of said upstanding side members connected to one end of said bottom frame member and the other of said upstanding side members to the other end of said bottom frame member, said frame having a horizontal upper frame member connected at one end to one of said upstanding members and with the other end of said upper member connected to the other of said upstanding members; said bottom member and said top member along with said upstanding side members defining an outer peripheral rim of the modular wall panel unit; a plurality of internal support members disposed in parallel relationship with said upstanding side members, each of said plurality of internal support members having one end connected to said bottom member and the other end connected to said top member; support projections mounted on said bottom, top and two upstanding members and extending outwardly on both sides of said peripheral edge for providing a support for a panel disposed on each side of said metal frame; and said peripheral rim having a central recess and having a first slot formed parallel to and on a first side of said central recess and a second slot formed parallel to and on the other side of said central recess; support means for said metal frame having a floor engaging member and a mounting member having a pair of upwardly extending parallel projections that are received within said slots on said bottom frame member, said support means having means for connecting said floor engaging member and said mounting member to adjustably position said wall panel unit relative to the floor; and means for releasably connecting said horizontal upper frame member with a modular suspended ceiling for supporting said modular wall panel unit apparatus perpendicular to the floor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably connecting includes: an elongated connector having a pair of webs adapted to be received partially within said first and said second slot of said portion of said peripheral rim formed by said horizontal upper frame member, said webs extending upwardly from peripheral rim for attaching to said ceiling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said means for connecting said floor engaging member and said mounting member including a helical screw and a screw engaging member, said screw engaging member adjustable on said helical screw for positioning said wall panel unit relative to the floor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said means for connecting said floor engaging member and said mounting member including a second helical screw and a second screw engaging member, said second screw engaging member adjustable on said second helical screw for cooperating with said first mentioned helical screw and screw engaging member for positioning said wall panel unit relative to the floor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including: magnetic means for holding said panels on said frame of said apparatus.
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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) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |