Patent Application
20080222987
Wall panel systems include prefabricated wall panels and joints which are used to create a wall. These systems are suitable for many types of environments. In particular, wall panel systems may be useful when constructing secure holding facilities such as jails and prisons.
Each wall panel 4 includes plates 8, 10 and vertical supports 12. Plates 8, 10 are generally parallel to one another and spaced apart. Each plate 8, 10 may be constructed of any suitable plate material. For example, plates 8, 10 may be constructed of twelve gage steel. Each plate 8, 10 is sized as desired for the application.
Vertical supports 12 are affixed between the plates 8, 10. Supports 12 are affixed to plates 8, 10 by any suitable means. For example, supports 12 may be affixed to plates 8, 10 by welding, riveting, screwing, or nailing. Support 12 may be constructed of any suitably rigid material. For example, supports 12 may be constructed of 2″×2″×⅛″ steel tube material. While
Each vertical support 12 has a longitudinal axis 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of each other vertical support 12. Each vertical support 12 also has a width dimension 16 parallel with plates 8, 10 and perpendicular to longitudinal axis 14 of vertical support 12.
At least one of the plates 8, 10 extends beyond at least one of the vertical supports 12 a distance of a partial width 16 of the vertical support 12. In addition, at least one of the vertical supports 12 may extend beyond at least one of the plates 8, 10 a distance of a partial width 16 of the vertical support 12.
In one embodiment of wall panel 4, each vertical support 12 has a thickness dimension 18 perpendicular to plates 8, 10. Width 16 of vertical support 12 is equal to thickness 18 of vertical support 12. In one embodiment, vertical supports 12 are tubes. In one embodiment, vertical supports 12 have a rectangular cross section. In one embodiment, vertical supports 12 have a square cross section, such as a 2″×2″ square.
In one embodiment, wall panels 4 further includes horizontal support 20 affixed between plates 8, 10. Horizontal support 20 has a longitudinal axis 22 perpendicular to longitudinal axis 14 of each vertical support 12 of wall panel 4.
When assembled to form wall system 2, at least one plate 8, 10 of at least one of the wall panels 4 overlaps at least one of the vertical supports 12 of at least another one of the wall panels 4. This overlapping of plates 8,10 and supports enables wall system 2 to be easily assembled into a structurally cohesive integral unit. In one embodiment of wall system 2, at least one vertical support 12 of at least one of the wall panels 4 abuts at least one of the vertical supports 12 of at least another one of the wall panels 4.
At least one vertical support 12 is affixed between plates 26, 28 and at least one vertical support 12 is affixed between plates 30, 32. Each vertical support 12 has a longitudinal axis 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of each other vertical support 12.
At least one of plates 26-32 of corner joint 6 extends beyond at least one of the vertical supports 12 a distance of a partial width 16 of the vertical support 12. When assembled with wall panels 4, at least one plate 26-32 of at least one of the wall panels 4 overlaps at least one of the vertical supports 12 of at least one of the corner joints 6.
Wall panel 4 may be mounted by any suitable means.
The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives, modifications, and variances can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the described invention.
