Panel module

Claim 1

A panel-support means for effectively interlocking a pair of first and second panel means which are supported externally so as to be adjacent one another and in coplanar relation, the panel-support means being operative to hold together the adjacent edges of the panel means intermediate their locations of external support to prevent their translatory movement with respect to one another out of their plane, as would otherwise be caused by load-imposed flexure of one or both of the panel means between their portions supportingly engaging external supports, the panel-support means comprising the following provisions: a first one of the panel means having a first wall means generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel means, there being provided a second wall means and a third wall means, respectively extending from vertically-spaced portions of the said first wall means, generally parallel to the plane of the panel means, and extending toward the second panel means, the said second panel means being provided with a fourth wall means generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel means, and, at least throughout the span of the second wall means, is of a height perpendicular to the plane of the panel means generally that of the distance between the said second wall means and the third wall means of the first panel means, the arrangement providing that with the first panel means and the second panel means assembled with the said fourth wall means and the said first wall means juxtaposed, and with the said fourth wall means operatively nested between the said second wall means and the said third wall means, and the first panel means and the second panel means held by associated external means against movement other than translatory movement with respect to one another out of their plane intermediate their positions of external support, relative translatory movement of the first and second panel means is blocked as follows: flexure-causing load onto the first panel means between its positions of external support will act on the said second wall means to cause it to bear onto the upper portion of the fourth wall means, which, being a portion of the second panel means, blocks such translatory movement of the first panel means with respect to the second panel means, and, flexure-causing load onto the second panel means between its positions of external support will act on the fourth wall means to cause it to bear onto the upper portion of the third wall means, which, being a portion of the first panel means, blocks such translatory movement of the second panel means with respect to the first panel means; in a combination in which the second wall means is provided along a certain portion of the edge of the first panel means, and the third wall means is provided along a portion offset therefrom along the panel edges being interlocked; and the fourth wall means is provided to have an upper portion along a portion of the second panel means generally registering with the second wall means of the first panel means, and to have a lower portion along a portion of the second panel means generally registering with the third wall means of the first panel means.