Structural support for interior wall partition assembly

Claim 2

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said back wall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, said first interconnection means comprising a laterally facing channel formed in each of said outer flanges, with said channels facing outwardly away from each other, and elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges.

Claim 3

The structural support as defined in claim 1 wherein said backwall is generally flat and said second interconnection means comprises a pair of longitudinally extending dovetail slots formed in said backwall, and with said slots being laterally spaced apart and each being adapted to slideably receive a cooperating second structural component therein.

Claim 4

The structural support as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner flanges extend from said back wall a distance so as to extend beyond said common plane which includes said free edges of said outer flanges.

Claim 5

The structural support as defined in claim 1 further comprising an enclosing cover plate which comprises an elongate outer wall having side edges and a length and width generally conforming to that of said backwall, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer side walls extending along the length of respective ones of the side edges of said outer wall, and means disposed adjacent the free edge of said side walls slideably engaging said first interconnection means, and such that said side walls are disposed in coplanar relation with respective outer flanges, and said back wall, flanges, side walls, and outer wall collectively define a generally rectangular enclosed configuration in cross-section.

Claim 6

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said back wall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, said first interconnection means comprising a laterally facing channel formed in each of said outer flanges, and with said channels being positioned immediately adjacent said free edge of the associated outer flange, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, and a spacing extension formed on the inwardly facing surface of each of said outer flanges and above the associated channel for engaging and supporting the surface of a wallboard panel or the like in spaced relation from the associated outer flange.

Claim 7

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said back wall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, said first interconnection means comprising a laterally facing channel formed in each of said outer flanges, and with said channels being positioned immediately adjacent said free edge of the associated outer flange, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, and a spacing extension formed on the inwardly facing surface of each of said outer flanges and above the associated channel for engaging and supporting the surface of a wallboard panel or the like in spaced relation from the associated outer flange.

Claim 8

The structural support as defined in claim 5 wherein said channels face inwardly toward each other.

Claim 9

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate generally flat backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, said inner flanges extending from said backwall a relatively short distance and each including an integral locking projection thereon, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite side outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising a pair of longitudinally extending dovetail slots formed in said back wall, and with said slots being laterally spaced apart and each being adapted to slideably receive a cooperating second structural component therein, and a stud anchoring member releasably secured to said inner flanges, said stud anchoring member being composed of two sidewalls and an interconnecting wall disposed in a generally H-shaped arrangement, with corresponding edges of the sidewalls each including an integral locking projection releasably engaging said locking projections on said inner flanges.

Claim 10

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate generally flat backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, said inner flanges extending from said backwall a relatively short distance and each including an integral locking projection thereon, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite side outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising a pair of longitudinally extending dovetail slots formed in said back wall, and with said slots being laterally spaced apart and each being adapted to slideably receive a cooperating second structural component therein, and a stud anchoring member releasably secured to said inner flanges, said stud anchoring member being composed of two sidewalls and an interconnecting wall disposed in a generally H-shaped arrangement, with corresponding edges of the sidewalls each including an integral locking projection releasably engaging said locking projections on said inner flanges.

Claim 11

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, said back wall including in cross-section a first half portion which is generally flat, and a second half portion which extends outwardly beyond said first half portion and includes a wall section disposed generally perpendicular to and facing said first half section and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, and elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising an elongate locking tenon of generally T-shaped cross-section formed in said first half portion of said backwall.

Claim 12

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, said back wall including in cross-section a first half portion which is generally flat, and a second half portion which extends outwardly beyond said first half portion and includes a wall section disposed generally perpendicular to and facing said first half section and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, and elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising an elongate locking tenon of generally T-shaped cross-section formed in said first half portion of said backwall.

Claim 13

The structural support as defined in claim 8 further comprising an elongate glazing strip comprising mortise like arms slideably received on said locking tenon of said second interconnection means, and a wall section disposed generally parallel to and opposite said wall section of said second half portion of said backwall, and such that the wall section of said glazing strip and said wall section of said backwall are disposed in opposing relation and are adapted to receive and support a pane of glass or the like therebetween.

Claim 14

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate generally flat backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising a pair of longitudinally extending dovetail slots formed in said backwall, and with said slots being laterally spaced apart and each being adapted to slideably receive a cooperating second structural component therein, a first elongate glazing strip comprising tenon like means slideably received in one of said slots of said second interconnecting means and further comprising a wall section disposed in a plane generally parallel to the planes of said outer and inner flanges and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, and a second elongate glazing strip comprising tenon like means slideably received in the other of said slots of said second interconnecting means and further comprising a wall section disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said outer and inner flanges and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, and such that the wall sections of said first and second glazing strips are disposed in opposing relationship and are adapted to receive and support a pane of glass or the like therebetween.

Claim 15

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate generally flat backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard panel or the like therebetween, elongate first interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, elongate second interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of said backwall adapted for interconnecting a cooperating second structural component on the side of said backwall opposite said outer and inner flanges, said second interconnection means comprising a pair of longitudinally extending dovetail slots formed in said backwall, and with said slots being laterally spaced apart and each being adapted to slideably receive a cooperating second structural component therein, a first elongate glazing strip comprising tenon like means slideably received in one of said slots of said second interconnecting means and further comprising a wall section disposed in a plane generally parallel to the planes of said outer and inner flanges and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, and a second elongate glazing strip comprising tenon like means slideably received in the other of said slots of said second interconnecting means and further comprising a wall section disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said outer and inner flanges and adjacent but spaced from the longitudinal centerline of said backwall, and such that the wall sections of said first and second glazing strips are disposed in opposing relationship and are adapted to receive and support a pane of glass or the like therebetween.

Claim 16

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard sheet or the like therebetween, elongate interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free lower edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, said interconnection means comprising a laterally facing continuous channel formed in each of said outer flanges, with said channels being disposed immediately adjacent the free edge of the respective outer flanges, and an elongate integral spacing extension formed on the inwardly facing side of each of said outer flanges and above the free edge thereof for engaging and supporting the surface of a wallboard panel or the like in spaced relation from the associated outer flange, with said spacing extensions being disposed immediately above said channels.

Claim 17

A structural support adapted for extending along and supporting the edges of two parallel, spaced apart panels of wallboard or the like to form a hollow wall in an interior wall partitioning system, and characterized by the further ability to interconnect with other structural members of different configurations to form a variety of structural components, said structural support comprising an elongate backwall having opposite side edges extending longitudinally along the length thereof, a pair of elongate parallel integral outer flanges extending along the length of respective ones of said edges and defining parallel spaced apart planes which are generally perpendicular to said backwall, said outer flanges each including a free edge, and with said free edges collectively lying in a common plane which is perpendicular to the planes defined by said outer flanges, a pair of elongate parallel integral inner flanges extending along said backwall and positioned between and parallel to said pair of outer flanges, said inner flanges being spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and each inner flange being spaced from a corresponding outer flange a distance adapted for receiving the edge of a wallboard sheet or the like therebetween, elongate interconnection means formed in and extending along the length of each of said outer flanges adjacent said free lower edge thereof adapted for interconnecting a cooperating structural component to said outer flanges, said interconnection means comprising a laterally facing continuous channel formed in each of said outer flanges, with said channels being disposed immediately adjacent the free edge of the respective outer flanges, and an elongate integral spacing extension formed on the inwardly facing side of each of said outer flanges and above the free edge thereof for engaging and supporting the surface of a wallboard panel or the like in spaced relation from the associated outer flange, with said spacing extensions being disposed immediately above said channels.