The present invention relates generally to modular, typically interior erected, wall systems. More specifically, the present invention discloses a wall system incorporating a plurality of polymeric based and foam filled panels which integrate side edge extending and inter-engageable, typically rigid PVC, extrusions. Bottom edges of the joined panels are supported upon a track configured base molding, a separate top cap attaching along an upper continuous edge established by the interlocking panels. Corner moldings are also provided and which substitute for a given side edge extrusion for forming such as a ninety degree angle or curved profile between succeeding panels.
The prior art is documented with varying types of assembleable and free-standing support structures, such as which are positioned within a building and utilized to subdivide an interior space. A first example is shown in EP 0 814 214, to Plamet LLC, which teaches a system of structural elements for building internal walls. The system provides hollow parallelepiped modular components each composed of two interlocking half shells with a C-shaped inner core and a U-shaped section for housing the core.
WO 94/28262, to De Zen, further teaches an elongated extruded thermoplastic building component for use in erecting a thermoplastic building structure, such being extruded from a PVC material and containing a reinforcing and expansion controlling agent selected from mineral fibers, glass fibers and calcium carbonate. A coextruded thermoplastic skin is applied to the components. Openings are bored into the web of the structural components immediately after extrusion and while still feeding away from the extruder, with the material removed from the web returned for reuse as a core extrusion material.
Other examples include the multi-functional building assembly of Hubbard, U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,762 and the frame profile system of Strassle 2013/0199118. Finally, reference is made to the low cost and prefabricated housing system of Rook, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,480.
The present invention discloses a modular wall system including a plurality of panels, each having a plurality of interconnecting sides including a top, a bottom, a first joiner edge and a second joiner edge. The first and second joiner edges of the panels each further include a pair of first and second side edge projecting profiles, the profiles each exhibiting mating and friction fitting locations such that the panels are inter-engaged in extending fashion. A floor supported track is provided for seating the bottoms of the interconnecting panels.
Other features include a top cap for securing the tops of the interconnecting panels. The track further includes a base or floor support surface, from which upwardly extends first and second spaced apart walls, inside opposing surfaces of said walls and an interconnecting upper surfaces of said floor support collectively defining a generally rectangular shaped pocket for seating and supporting the bottom and bottom proximate sides of each of said panels in upstanding fashion.
Each of the side edge projecting profiles further includes an elongated extrusion having an outer three sided configuration with a longer outer side, a shorter spaced apart outer side, and an interconnecting inner or back surface, the mating and friction fitting associated with the extrusions being established by inner stepped and outwardly projecting portions associated with each extrusion. The projecting portions are inwardly stepped from the shorter outer sides, such that the shorter sides and inwardly stepped projecting portions respectively establish outwardly facing engagement ledges for receiving the outermost extending portions of the longer sides.
Additional features include the panels each further having first outer and harder plastic skins in combination with foam insulating interiors. The top cap further includes a generally “U” shaped cross sectional profile with a base and interconnecting and parallel spaced outer walls. Each of the joiner edge profiles, top cap and bottom track further include a rigid PVC material.
Other features include a corner molding for engaging opposing first and second side edge extending profiles associated with first and second panels and in order to array the panels in an angular fashion relative to one another. Without limitation, the corner moldings can include any of angled or curved configurations and terminating at opposite ends in inwardly stepped engaging portions which interface between the ends of the central body and the engaging portions.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
As previously described, the present invention discloses a wall system, such as in one embodiment being a free standing structure erected within an open building interior. Without limitation, the system incorporates a plurality of polymeric based and foam filled panels, these integrating side edge extending and inter-engageable, typically rigid PVC, extrusions. Bottom edges of the panels are supported upon a track configured base molding, a separate top cap attaching along an upper continuous edge established by the interlocking panels.
Referring initially to
The inside opposing surfaces of the walls 24 and 26 and the interconnecting upper surfaces of the floor support 22 collectively define a generally rectangular shaped pocket 28 for seating and supporting the bottom and bottom proximate sides of each panel in upstanding fashion. As further shown, the cross sectional depiction of the floor support 22 can include opposite extending profile edge contours, see arcuate at 30 and flattened at 32. The uppermost edges of the walls 24 and 26 may also exhibit variously notched or angled edge profiles, at 34 and 36 respectively, and which can include any variation of a lead-in angle or profile to facilitate vertical insertion and subsequent mounting support of the panels 12, 14, et seq.
For purposes of the present inventions, the term “extrusion” in reference to the joiner edge profiles 38 and 40 is intended to denote one preferred embodiment for forming an elongated (such as again rigid PVC) material which is integrated or otherwise joined with the panel construction (see
In the non-limiting variant depicted, each extrusion includes an outer three sided configuration with a longer outer side (at 42 for extrusion profile 38 and at 44 for extrusion profile 40), a shorter spaced apart outer side (at 46 for extrusion 38 and at 48 for extrusion 40), and an interconnecting inner or back surface (at 50 for extrusion 38 and at 52 for extrusion 40). The mating configuration associated with the extrusions 38 and 40 is established by inner stepped and outwardly projecting portions (at 54 for extrusion 38 and at 56 for extrusion 40).
As shown, the projecting portions 54 and 56 are inwardly stepped from the shorter outer sides 46 and 48 of the respective extrusions 38 and 40, such that the shorter sides and inwardly stepped projecting portions respectively establish outwardly facing engagement ledges for receiving the outermost extending portions of the longer sides 42 and 44. In this fashion, the extrusions are reversed or mirrored in the manner shown to provide overlapping channel engagement and so that the projecting portions 54 and 56 abut one another along opposing inner surfaces (58 and 60), concurrent with the outermost end and inside end proximate surfaces of the longer sides 42 and 44 (see additional pairs of locations at 62/64 and 66/68 respectively) overlapping the inner projecting portions 54 and 56 (along opposing inwardly stepped surfaces 51 and 53) and engaging the abutment ledges (such further referenced by inwardly stepped end walls 70/72) defining the inwardly stepped transition between the shorter outer walls 46 and 48 and the inner projecting portions 54 and 56.
The inner stepped and outwardly projecting portions 54 and 56 can further include angled end surface profiles, see central end surface 55 and adjoining upper 55′ and lower 55″ surfaces for portion 54. Likewise, the end profile of outwardly projecting portion 56 is characterized by central end surface 57 and adjoining upper 57′ and lower 57″ surfaces.
Proceeding to
Each of the panels 12 and 14 further depict a pair of extrusions 38 and 40 configured along their opposite joiner edges in the manner shown to assist in establishing a friction fit inter-assembly of any plurality of the panels in a continuously extending and supported fashion upon the base track 22. Specifically, the outer planar surfaces of the extrusion (further represented by surfaces 79 and 81 for extrusion 38′ in
As further shown in
It is further envisioned and understood that the extrusions 38 and 40 (see as shown as opposing edge extending pairs for each panel 12, 14, et seq.) are capable of being produced in a molding or extruding operation along with the individual panels, such further not being limited to that shown. Additional envisioned applications include the extrusions being made from other materials and/or post applied to the edges of the panels.
Referring to
As partially shown, the end portions 98 and 100 are angularly offset such as at 90° as reflected by angle 106 taken between x and y axes taken through center lines associated with the end portions 98 and 100. As further shown, the end portions 98/100 are dimensioned to fit between the opposing inner surface locations (see at 58′ and 64′ in
While being depicted with a selected spacing between the thickness of the portions 98/100 and the inner space between the receiving and seating surfaces 58′ and 64′ of the selected extrusion 38′, it is understood that the dimensioning between the opposing portions can be modified such that they establish a desired friction fitting arrangement such as which is also provided between the opposing extrusions 38 and 40 of
Proceeding to
As further shown in each of the enlarged and reduced length perspective of
The three dimensional and cross sectional design of the arcuate corner molding 106 is further exhibited by an inner curved layer 118 which is spatially arrayed relative to and interconnected with the outer layer 108 via an interconnecting web 120. The inner curved layer 118 is further exhibited by end proximate support surfaces, see at 122 and 124 as best shown in
As further best shown in the top plan view of
As shown in
Upon installation, the curved fitting 106 provides three dimensional support along outer and inner curved layers, as compared to that associated with the example 96 of
As further shown in
Finally, and as also shown in
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. Such can include the edge joiner extrusions 38 and 40 being reconfigured in any manner desired beyond that shown and in order to provide an adequate friction inducing and mating engagement between the joiner edges of the panels.
The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 62/171,089 filed Jun. 4, 2015, the contents of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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62171089 | Jun 2015 | US |