US1964728A - Building construction - Google Patents

Description

July 3, 1934. T, 1 FOSTER 1,964,728

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1952 j THOMASJ. FOSTER Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATET GFFME 13 Claims.

This invention relates to joints for preformed Wall and roof slabs in modern light weight, re resisting building construction, and aims generally to improve the same.

Important objects of the invention, severally and inter-dependently, are to improve upon the building slab framing and joining means disclosed in my Patent No. 1,825,346, dated September 29, 1931; to provide partition slabs of improved construction enabling rapid erection and joining thereof to form a wall; to provide an improved slab-joint assembly for general use in building construction; and to provide certain new and improved elements entering into such assembly; as will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with the following description of preferred embodiments of my invention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention not here enumerated will also be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described.

In the accompanying drawing of illustrative embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of slabframe;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a form of spring clip suitable to cooperate therewith;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of a joint between two slabs embodying the elements of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a slab embodying the elements of Fig. 1 and a novel top and bottom mounting cooperating therewith;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modiiied construction employed as inside furring for an exterior wall;

Figs. 6 and 8 are respectively transverse sectional views of modified forms of slab-joints; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view of a modied form of joint clip and slab framing.

A preliminary reference to my Patent No. 1,825,346, particularly Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, will make clear the relationship of the present improvements to my prior invention. In my prior patent I provided for the construction of building slabs by securing framing members to a facing sheet and lling the shallow box-like structure thus formed with heat and sound proof plastic material such as cellular gypsum or the like, and disclosed various kinds and formations of the edge framing in a manner to enable the slabs to be fastened together conveniently, as by nailing or tongue and groove connection.

lWv present invention relates to the same type of slab and provides an improved edge framing (Cl. Y2-16) and joint construction enabling the slabs to be set up in place and secured together with greatly increased rapidity and neatness and providing better insulation of the joints. A preferred form of slab edge framing is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 60 of the accompanying drawing, and comprises a metal channel 12 provided with suitable means 16 for receiving the joint cover strips 17 (see Fig. 2).

In the illustrative construction of Fig. 3 the slabs A and B are each comprised of a filling 10 65 of light weight heat and sound proof material such as set cellular gypsum, interposed between facing sheets l1 of sheet-rock, gypsum-board or the like, and confined at the edges of the slabs by framing 12 suitably secured to the facing sheets 70 11 as by adhesive 13 or rivets 14, for example. The framing 12 is preferably of channel or U- shape as shown, and formed of drawn-steel or other sheet metal for lightness and permanency. To provide for nailing into the slabs as for the attachment of door and window trim, picture molding or the like, blocks 15 of wood or other suitable material may be embedded in the slabs, and these blocks may be adhesively or otherwise secured to either or both facing sheets if this is desired.

As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the bases of the channel-like members l2 forming the edges of the slab are provided with engagement means, such as the depressed beads 16 adjacent the 85 bends of the U-shaped sections, to receive cooperating engagement elements 19 carried by the cover strips 17 which are in the form of spring clips in the construction illustrated. The engagement means may be of any suitable type, and where indented beads 16 are employed these beads may run the entire length of the channel members if this is desired, although I prefer, as shown in Fig. 1, to construct the side channels 12 with unbeaded portions intervening between 95 the portions having the beads 16 so that the engagement of the clips 17 with the beads 16 of adjoining slabs will assist in aligning the slabs and for other purposes hereinafter set forth.

The spring clip joint covers 17, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, are likewise of channel-section, with a flat base or head portion which inthe form shown lies ush with the surfaces of the slabs and covers the joint therebetween, and with parallel spring arms or leg portions 18 which lie 105 adjacent the slab-edges and are provided with cooperating engagement elements 19, which in the form shown are made generally hook-shaped to cooperate with the bead-like engagement means 16 of the slab-framing 12. 110

In the preferred forms of my invention provision is made for rendering the partition construction substantially soundproof, by mounting all edges of the slabs in insulating material such as mineral wool or the like; suitable means 26 for insulating the joints between partition slabs being indicated in Fig. 3, and similar means 20e, 201, for insulating the slabs at their tops and bottoms being indicated in Fig. fl, as hereinafter described.

The insulation of the joints in accordance with Fig. 3 is preferably accomplished when the slabs have been set up ready to be joined together by the spring clips 17, and is effected by inserting between the slab-edges a thick strip 2G of insulating material such as mineral wool, soft enough to allow the spring clips 17 to be pushed into place, but rm enough to make a cushion to support the partition slab. When rst inserted the edges of the strip 20 may extend beyond the faces of the partition, if desired, and the edges of the strip may be somewhat thinner than its center portion to facilitate the application of the spring clips 17 which, when inserted as shown in Fig. 3, compress the strip in-the space between the slab-edges. This compression of the strip 20 not only insures firm abutment of its middle portions against the slab edges to destroy vibrations in the partition slab, but also results in firmly pressing the engagement elements 19 into place and prevents the passage of sound through the joint by stopping all cracks and open spaces with sound insulating material. The staggered arrangement of the engagement means 16 and engagement elements 19 prevents too much compression of the strip 20 at one place and prevents the clip from being pushed too far in as well as helping align the slabs, as hereinafter set forth, while the notched spaces 21 between the engagement elements 19 increase the area of contact between the compressed strip 20 and the slab edges thus further improving the soundproof quality of the wall construction.

The insulation of the bottoms of the slabs (see Fig. 4) is preferably effected by erecting the slab on an insulating strip 20D in lieu of or superposed upon the usual sill, and if the bottom edge of the partition is to be finished with ordinary foot boards or moldings these will serve to retain the Vstrip 20b in place, so that no clips or engagement elements need be employed at the bottom edge of the slab, and the bottom framing element 12b (see Figs. 1 and 4) need not be provided with engagement means.

The insulation of the tops of the slabs as illustrated in Fig. 4 is preferably accomplished by the use of modified spring clips 17a having one leg 18EL provided with engagement elements 19a and the other leg 181 plain and adapted to lie flat against the ceiling member 22. The slabedge framing l2*l at the top edge of the slab, and its engagement means 16a may be substantially similar to the side frame members 12 and their engagement means 16, and the insulation strip 202 is substantially similar to the strip 2O of Fig. 3. In assembling the top-mounting, the same procedure is followed as in the case of the slab-joints of Fig. 3, the strip 20a being first inserted, after which the clips 171L are inserted to the position shown, compressing the strip 2()a tightly in the space between the member 12e and the ceiling 22.

From the foregoing description it will be ap-l parent that my invention provides a cushioned support for the wall slab or other building construction to which it may be applied, and that particularly when applied to partition construction (as in Figs. 3 and 4) an easily erected and substantially sound proof construction is assured.

My invention is obviously capable of many modifications depending upon the desired form of application, and various details oi construction will answer my purpose without departing from its primary principles. For example, in applying the invention in the furring of outside walls, as indicated in Fig. 5, the slab C may be constructed with a single face 11C, and the slab-edge framing 12c needs to be provided with engagement means 16c only adjacent to said face 11C, and may have its other edge slit and bent alternately in opposite directions as shown at 23, 24e, t0 provide leveling screeds 23c for the plastic filling c and hold it securely in place, and to supply abutment means 24@ to cooperate with the spring clips in compressing the insulating strips C. Such furring slabs may be erected in the same manner as the partition slabs except that spring clips 17C need be inserted only from one side of the slabs, the other side being spaced from the outside wall D by any suitable means (not shown). On the side edges of the furring slabs the tongues 24C should preferably be arranged so that there will be no conflict between those of adjacent slabs, while the tongues by their alternately placed relation will cooperate to provide a sufficiently continuous abutment between adjacent slabs for the compression of the interposed insulating strip. Obviously double spring clips will be used between adjacent furring slabs, as in Fig. 3, although Fig. 5 shows only the single clip 17c employed at the top edge of the slab.

As examples only, of modifications which may be made in the construction of building sla-bs according to my invention, I have shown in Fig. 5

a reinforcing mesh 25c of expanded metal, wire fabric or the like, embedded in the plastic filling 10c, a coating of water proofingmaterial 27 applied to that side of the slab adjacent the outside wall D, and the provision of tongues 26 partially struck out of the framing 12c and embedded in the core ofthe slab. Similar struck-out tongues maybe employed in other forms of the invention, as indicated at 26 in Fig. 4.

Furthermore, whilo I prefer to employ the sheet metal type of framing illustrated in Fig. l, my invention is not limited in this respect, and as shown in Fig. 6 may be practiced in connection with wooden framing members 12d, by providing them with engagement means such as the beads 16d for engagement by spring clips similar to those above described. Moreover, as indicated in Fig. 6, the edge framing l2d may be secured to one of the facing sheets 11d, preferably that upon which the plastic filling is poured in manufacture, by adhesive 13d, and the other sheet secured to the edge framing by nailing, as indicated at 14d. A slightly simpler form of wooden edge framing 12ig is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the outer edges are beveled to provide notches for the flanges 19g of the spring clips 17g to catch in behind the edges of the slab facings 11g.

It is believed that the foregoing examples are sufiicient to indicate clearly that my invention is not limited to particular details of construction of the slabs; and with the further purpose of presenting examples of the numerous modifications that may be made in the 'construction of the spring clips, I have shown three modified forms thereof in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

In the 'mst of these modied forms', shown at I1'7u1 in Fig. j'thebase of the clip iswidene'dand slightly down turned at its lateral lmargins to abut closely theslab facings V11d at Isorrlelittle distance from their edges, and thus' conceal any chipping of the edges, or, in case the facings are `nailedfas at 14d, to concealthenail heads adjacent the joint. As shown, I prefer to make clips of this type of a single metal strip bent up into the desired form although my invention is not limited in this respect.

Another form of clip shown in Fig. 6 at 17e also has an enlarged head, which is intended to lie flush with the faces of the slabs, and preferably is formed from a single piece of metal. With this form of clip the facing sheets 11d either terminate short of the edge of the slab or are cut back therefrom to eliminate chipped edges, thus providing spaces 27d to receive the enlarged head of the clip 17e. As is clearly shown in Fig. 6, both of these forms of clip compress the edge of the insulating strip 20d insuring a tight and soundproof joint.

It will also be apparent that the head portion of the spring clip may be formed in any desired way either for utility or ornamentation, and may be beaded or molded to simulate fancy panel stripping or the like as illustrated in Fig. 1, where the clip is designated l'lf, or made flat to be entirely contained in the spaces between the slab facing sheets as illustrated in Fig. 8, where the clip is designated 17g. In addition my invention contemplates the use of such forms of engagement means as may be best adapted for the particular application to which the invention is to be put. For example, under some circumstances, where relatively soft insulating material is to be retained in place by the spring clips it may be desirable to shape the engagement elements 19 in such a manner as to insure against any tendency of the insulating material to enter between them and the engagement means 16 and interfere with proper engagement of the parts. This may be v accomplished in any suitable way and in Fig. 7 I have shown the engagement element l9f shaped to provide a relatively sharp leading edge f which will press along the edge of the joint as the clip is inserted and throw all the insulating material into the clip avoiding any tendency to curl or fold the edges of the insulating strip. In this figure I have also indicated formation of the engaging means 16f simply by punching a slit in the member l2 in lieu of beading the same.

Thus it is clear that my invention is not restricted to the specific forms and modes of application disclosed and is subject to numerous modifications as circumstances may demand.

Having described sundry illustrative embodij ments, I claim as my invention:

l. A wall construction comprising adjacent slabs and joining means therebetween, in which the adjacent edges of the slabs are provided with engageable means at points spaced from their j exposed faces; and in which the joining means comprises a clip member, interposed between the slab-edges adjacent an exposed face of the structure, and provided with engageable elements cooperating with said engageable means to main- Y tain the mutual relationship of the parts.

2. A wall construction according to claim l in which the clip member comprises a base and parallel spring arms extending therefrom and carrying said engageable elements, and in which a strip of insulating material is interposed between the slab edges and held in place by said joining means'. f

3. A wall construction, according to claim 1, in which the clip member comprises a base and parallell spring arms extending therefrom carrying said engageableelements, and in which said base constitutes means for covering the space between the slab-edges.

4. A wall construction according to claim 1 in which the clip member comprises a base and parallel spring arms extending therefrom carrying said engageable elements, and in which said base is of greater width than the 'space between the slabs and overlies the adjacent marginal portions of the slabs to hide the joint therebetween.

5. A wall construction comprising a building slab and a building element in spaced relation to an edge thereof, said edge of the slab being provided with engageable means spaced from the exposed face of the slab, and a clip member interposed between said slab-edge and said building element and provided with engageable elements cooperating with said engageable means for retaining the member in position.

6. A wall construction according to claim 5 in which said building slab comprises an edge framing presenting said engageable means in position to receive said clip member, in which said edge framing is provided with an abutment spaced from the edge which receives the clip member, and in which a strip of insulating material is compressed between said abutment, said clip member, said edge framing and said building element.

'7. A building construction comprising heading and footing elements and wall slabs in upstanding relation therebetween, said wall slabs being substantially insulated from one another and from said heading and footing elements by strips of insulating material, and clip means engaged between said slabs and retaining in position the insulating material therebetween.

8. A building construction according to claim 7 in which additional clip means engaged with the top edges of said slabs serve to retain in position the insulating material thereabove.

9. A building slab comprising a substantially self-sustaining sheetlike facing, an edge framing secured thereto and provided with engagement means adjacent the edge of the facing in spaced relation to the exposed surface thereof, said engagement means providing for the reception and retention of mounting-clip members, and a lling of heat and sound proof set plastic material within said framing.

10. A building slab comprising a substantiall self-sustaining sheetlike facing, a sheet metal edge framing of substantially U-shaped crosssection secured thereto with its base outwardly presented, said base having engagement means adjacent a bend of the U-shaped section in spaced relation to the exposed surface of the facing to provide for the reception and retention of mounting clip members, and a filling of heat and sound proof set plastic materials within said framing substantially filling said U-shaped framing;

11. Building slab mounting means, comprising members to be carried at the edges of the slabs presenting engagement means positioned to lie in spaced relation to the exposed faces of the slabs, and spring clips embodying a base portion and leg portions extending therefrom to project from the face of the slab inwardly adjacent said edge members provided with engagement elements positioned to cooperate with said engagement means when said spring clips are inserted adjacent the edges of the slabs.

12. Building slab mounting means according 5 to claim 11 in which said spring-clip-base portions are enlarged and extend over the edges of the slabs to hide the joints.

structure.

THOMAS J. FOSTER.

jso

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