초록 ▼

A wall structure is composed of interlocked components which are joined together by pivoting one component relative to the next until the two components snap into interlocking engagement. The components may take the form of wall panels, corner posts, wireways, or the like. In the case of wall panels

A wall structure is composed of interlocked components which are joined together by pivoting one component relative to the next until the two components snap into interlocking engagement. The components may take the form of wall panels, corner posts, wireways, or the like. In the case of wall panels, each has a side member that includes a web along the side edge of the panel and flanges projecting outwardly from the web. One flange on each web is a pivot flange and the pivot flange of the one side member has a rib, while the pivot flange on the connected side member has a groove which receives the rib. This enables the two side members as well as the wall panels of which they are part, to pivot relative to each other about an axis that is fixed with respect to those wall panels. One of the side members also has a retaining flange which projects outwardly from its web, while the other side member has a connecting flange which projects outwardly from its web. As the two side members are pivoted together, the retaining and connecting flanges snap into engagement and interlock, thereby securely coupling the two wall panels. The corner post has side walls provided with retaining and connecting sections and also a center web. The center web is provided with a pivot section having both a pivot rib and a groove which correspond to their counterparts on the two side members. The side walls have retaining and connecting sections that correspond in configuration to the retaining and connecting flanges on the side members. As a consequence, the side members of two wall panels may be pivoted into interlocking engagement with the corner post so that the wall sections are disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The wireway has corresponding pivot, retaining, and connecting flanges and may be coupled with the wall panels or corner post in a like manner.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved vertical wall structure suitable for use in a building as an exterior wall, and interior wall, a partition wall, or some other vertical wall, said wall structure comprising: a first wall panel having a first side member along one of its sides and a second wall panel having a second side

An improved vertical wall structure suitable for use in a building as an exterior wall, and interior wall, a partition wall, or some other vertical wall, said wall structure comprising: a first wall panel having a first side member along one of its sides and a second wall panel having a second side member along one of its sides, with the first side member of the first wall panel being located adjacent to and along the second side member of the second wall panel, each of the side members having a web that extends generally front to rear with respect to its wall panel with the web having front and rear margins, so that the webs of the two side members are located opposite to and face each other, each of the side members also having a pivot section mounted on its web along one margin for the web, the pivot section for the first side member having a groove and the pivot section for the second side member having a rib that fits snugly in the groove, with the groove and rib being configured such that the panels can pivot with respect to each other about an axis that is fixed in position with respect to the two panels, each of the side members further having locking means mounted on its web along the other margin of the web for engaging the locking means of the other side member and thereby preventing the wall panels from pivoting, the locking means of the two side members being positioned on their respective webs such that they align and move into locking engagement when the panels are pivoted about the fixed axis to a predetermined position, one of the locking means including a locking bead of convex configuration and the other of the locking means containing a locking groove that receives the bead when the panels are in the predetermined position.