US3191726A - Panel structure - Google Patents

Description

. June 29, 1965 J, PAVLECKA 3,191,726

PANEL STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 29, 1965 J. PAvLEcKA 3,191,726

PANEL STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Filed Jan. '7, 1952 203-1 160 207 .f2 II. o 76 204 i 20e 209 2H 20 Z l I 221 1 215 d) 218 F g INV EN TOR.' 173 77 [2 214 l? 3? 219 United States Patent() 3,191,725 PANEL STRU John Pavlecka, 8797 Capital St., Oak Park, Mich. Filed Jan. 7, 1952, Ser. No. 265,316 27 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) This invention relates to structures employing panels as their principal components and Suitable for walls of buildings, furniture, and containers, and for iioors, roofs, doors, partitions, decks, and sign and bill boards, etc.; one of the novel and distinguishing features of these structures resides in that panels unlimited either in number or extent are conjoined separably in adjoining as well as facing relationship by means of stringers and interlocking keys.

The general objects of this invention include a panel structure for the purposes designated and having either unlimited continuity or forming a closed pattern, that can be assembled or disassembled without tools or attaching parts such as bolts and nuts, that presents a smooth and iiush exterior, that allows the use of the widest panels available and thus reduces the number of parting lines, and that can be sealed and made weather proof at the parting lines.

A specific object of this invention resides in devising a Structure in which spaced apart facing panels are locked together rigidly yet separably by a keyed union of oppositely alined stringers on them at and along two of their edges and at intervals therebetween, the stringers bearing means for engaging and resiliently constricting linear keys of an open profile and being interlocked thereby, and bearing positioning faces for locating the panels in their spaced apart relationship by being drawn into abutment with each other at their faces by forces exerted by the constricted keys.

Another object is a structure in which adjoining panels in a row meet with each other either in a coplanar or in a right angle relationship at a parting line and are provided along this line with juxtaposed stringers that bear instrumentalities for engaging slidably and constricting resiliently a linear key jointly with each other as well as with a third structural member such as another Stringer pertaining to a proximate panel, the juxtaposed stringers having confronting faces at the panel parting line and having other faces confronting the third member or Stringer, all of which faces are drawn against each other by forces originating in the key, which thus locks the stringers and their panels together relatively immovably and keeps lthe panel parting line closed.

A further object resides in devising a Structure constituted of individual panels in two spaced facing rows, each panel having stringers thereon along its lateral edges and having a number, i.e., one or more, of stringers at modular intervals intermediate the edges, both the edge stringers and the intermediate stringers bearing means for slidably engaging a linear key, the edge stringers on any two adjoining panels in a row being complemental to each other so that they form a full equivalent of one of the intermediate stringers; in this structure the panels can be of different modular widths, and can be united with one another in a row as well as with panels in a facing row irrespective whether their edges meet at parting lines that fall into coincident, non-coincident, or both Such relationships in the facing rows.

A Still further object is a structure in which spaced rows of panels form intersecting wall patterns, the panels in each row meeting one another edge-to-edge in either coplanar or right angle alinement, all of the panels being provided with juxtaposed stringers along their edges and with intermediate stringers apart therefrom, both kinds of the stringers falling into frontal opposition with stringers of either kind on facing or on right angle panels;

ICC

stringers so opposed in pairs or clusters occupy complemental sectors around linear keys and are in slidable t engagement therewith and bear means for positioning and blocking themselves as well as their panels into a cohesive and relatively immovable unity in the presence and through the instrumentality of the keys.

Yet another object resides in devising hollow walls of spaced apartfacing rows of panels, the panels in each row meeting at parting lines and being interlocked with one another as well as with the panels in the facing row by means of stringers and linear keys, each two panels at a parting line being provided with juxtaposed stringers constrained immovably by being interlocked byl resiliently confined keys with one or more stringers on the facing row of panels, and sealing means are lodged inbetween the stringers so interlocked and constrained.

The foregoing objects, devices, and principles of construction are productive of a variety of structures all of which are characterized by a relatively small number of primary components used in multiple numbers, by easy fabrication because of direct accessibility to all the permanent joints, and by universal applicability because of ease of assembly and dis-assembly. A numberV of such structures is illustrated in the drawings forming an integral part of this specification, and is described hereinfurther with reference thereto. In all of these structures, the instrumentalities borne by the stringers for slidably engaging the linear keys may be of any type or kind that is capable of performing that function, the particular type shown in the drawings and referred to in the description consists of interrupted protruding archways, the archways on two or more of associated stringers being congruently interfitted and interlocked by a linear key of a normally oversize profile and constricted by the archways; two species of the means for positioning and abutting the stringers in their assembled relationship are disclosed; one of the species is represented by longitudinal vshoulders alongside the Stringer holding archways, and the other one by depressed walls, faces or archways inbetween the protruding holding archways; both of these species are Shown in the various embodiments in the drawings forming a part of this specification. Furthermore, the Stringer abutment faces, be they either on confronting Shoulders or on conforming depressed walls and archways, are

subject to a preloaded contact with each other by forces originating in the interlocking key; to this end, the key is made normally oversize, viz., of a girth larger than to fit into the archways freely, and is contained therein slidably by a resilient equalization of the relative sizes of its girth or profile and of the opening in the archways; the means herein disclosed for this purpose resides in the key being of a resiliently variable girth or profile, as by having a tubular wall with one or more lengthwise breaks or slits in it; when Such a key is sprung slidably into the archways, it exerts distending forces on them by the recoil of its constricted girth or profile, and the archways subject to such forces draw their respective stringers into v abutment with each other at their confronting faces.

and interlocking keys; a portion of the wall at the right hand end is shown in a dis-assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a side View of the dis-assembled portion of the wall of FIG. 2, and shows four disconnected panels and the stringers thereon, the spacing of the Stringer archways being a variant of that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan View of another wall structure with panel parting lines located so that the panels remain continuous around inner as well as outer rounded corners.

- FIG. 5 is a plan view of a wall structure in which stringers of extruded origin are formed with both longitudinal shoulders and recessed faces as the spacing, positioning and abutting means.

FIG. 6 is an exploded View showing profiles of three of the stringers from a cluster'which forms the T intersection in lthe structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of two of the stringers of FIG.

V6 taken in the direction indicated by arrows 7--7 therein.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the components of a panel structure in a dis-assembled state except for a short length in the lower right-hand corner; the stringers are analogous to those in FIG. l with the difference in that they employ depressed archways and faces thereon for spacing, locating and abutting purposes throughthe instrumentality of open-section keys resiliently confined.

FIG. 9 represents a plan view of a wall structure the stringers in which are of the same type as in the preceding gure, except in that they are interlocked by square linear keys; four panels on the right hand side are shown in a dis-assembled relationship.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing profiles of three of the stringers from a cluster of six of them at the T intersection inthe wall of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1l is a side view of the four dis-assembled panels of FIG. 9 showing a spacing of the Stringer archways alternative to that of FIG. 8.

FIG. l2 is a plan View of'another wall structure in which clusters of stringers effect the union of panels at L and T intersections by means of dual interlocking keys.

- FIG. 13 isan exploded View showing the profiles of the individual stringers from the T intersection in FIG. 12.

The primary components of theV hollow structure shown in FIG. 1 are panel-sub-assemblies or panel units which are used in multiples to setup structures of any shapeV or extent; these panel units constitute two spaced facing rows 1-2 and 3-4-5g in the completed structure these panel units become alined and butted together edgeto-edge in their rows; 'thek panels in these units can be of any thickness or length, and can be of any material or composition. Each panel is provided on its inner face with stringers two of which, 6 and 7,`are attached to it at and alongits lateral edges, and arevhereinfurther referred to as edge stringers; in the span between these stringers and apart from them each panel unit may and usually is provided with one or more of stringers such as 8, which are referred to as intermediate The width of the panel units and the spaces between the stringers of both types or between the edge stringers only are equal to a modular distance or any multiple thereof in order to make the panel units universally associable with one another. Both types of the stringers have three main purposes, i.e., as the carriers of instrumentalities for engaging, jointly with stringers of either type on adjoining or on facing panels, linear keys 9; as the carriers of instrumentalities for spacing and positioning themselves and their panels and, moreover, for abutting and blocking themselves and their panels relatively immovably in the presence of the keys; and for providing, in their interlocked relationship, substantial and elective stress members such as studs, joists, beams, etc.

Both the edge and the intermediate stringers are characterized by a denite prole which, in the latter stringers, includes a base inthe form of two spaced flanges 1i) and llattached to the panel surface by such processes as resistance welding or adhesive bonding; on these anges stand lateral walls 12 and 13, respectively, which rise to a Cil l height reaching normally to the median plane through the structure and thereat support two shoulders 14 and 15; these shoulders in turn support and are connected by a series of longitudinal protruding archways 16 which are interrupted by perforations or clearance spaces 17 which cut partially into the shoulders 14 and 15 and have a length somewhat greater than that of the archways 16; the transition between these Stringer elements, i.e., the anges, walls, shoulders, and archways, is effected at sharp corners or, as shown, by small radii 18 if sheet material is used.

The intermediate stringers, such as 19 and 2?, on two facing panels 1 and 3, are attached to their panels in paired opposed alinement so that their archways 21 and 22 are staggered lengthwise by a distance equal substantially to the length of one archway; when the panels are placed in their assembled positions, the Stringer archways 21 and 22 intert congruently with one another into a nearly or fully axial alinement as the stringers come together shoulder-against-shoulder, whereupon the key 9 is telescoped into the archways `to interlock the stringers and their panels into unity. In order to secure a rigid and cohesive union ofthe stringers and panels, the stringers are made to abut each other with a preloading force at their shoulders, for which purpose the key 9 has a normally oversize profile split longitudinally, and is sprung into its place with an interference t, and is contained therein by having its profile resiliently constricted by the archways; the archways so strained by the distending recoil of the key prole draw their stringers into contact with each other at their shoulders.

While the intermediate stringers, such as 19 and 20, eiect a separable connection between two facing panels, a structure of any extent is made feasible, according to this invention, by the use of complemental edge stringers,

such as stringers 6 and 24, which conjoin panels intoy continuous rows and, furthermore, can be interlocked with their counterparts 25 and 26 on two facing panels, or with one intermediate stringer on a facing panel, such as edge stringers 27 and 28 and intermediate stringer 29, and thereby conjoin two rows of panels one with another to form a hollow wall.

The edge stringers are distinguished not only by a characteristic profile but also by a particular and systematic spacing of their archways; their profile includes attaching ilanges 39 and 31 resting alongside each other on the marginal panel portion and providing the footing for two lateral walls 32 and 33,- respectively; the latter wall has its face coincident with the panel parting line, and the former wall parallels it and rises above it and supports a shoulder 34 at the median plane through the structure; this shoulder in turn supports, jointly with the wall 33, a series of protruding longitudinal archways 35 which have an angular span amounting to three quarters of a circle whose center lies in the panel parting plane so that the archways overhang this plane and the wall 33 with their lateral half; archways 35 are separated by clearance spaces between lengthwise edges 36 and 37 that are recessed into the shoulder 34 and the wall 33, respectively.

The spacing of the archways 35 and their length constitute important features since each edge Stringer has to be compatible with as many as three others of its kind in this particular structure, and at least two arrangements in this respect are practicable; in the one shown in FIG. 1, the length of the archways 35 is the same as that of the intermediate Stringer archways 16, but the length of the intervening clearance spaces is considerably greater and amounts to somewhat more than three times the length of one archway; this ratio is determined by the fact that on this structure each edge Stringer must accommodate and intert with three archway series on as many associated edge stringers pertaining to one adjoining and two spacedV facing panels.

In this arrangement, the juxtaposed stringers, such as 24-5 on the respective meeting panels 3-4, are paired so that they are face-to-face at their lateral walls 33 and 38, and their archways 35 and 39 fall into a near or exact axial alinement with one another and assume central positions in the clearance Spaces between one another so that they remain separated by clearance spaces that are somewhat longer than one archway. A pair of edge stringers so combined provides two longitudinal shoulders 34 and 23 and between them a series of equidistant archways 35 and 39, and in those respects constitutes a full equivalent of one intermediate Stringer Such as 20, and is capable of being alined in opposition to and interfitted with its mate 19; in the structure as Shown, the combined edge stringers 24-6 are in opposition to the edge stringers 25 and 26 Whose archways 4i? and 41, respectively, are similarly spaced and are staggered lengthwise complementally to the archways 3S and 39 of the former stringers; the two pairs of these stringers are thus equivalents of one another and are compatibly associable in opposition to one another; in the assembled structure, the shoulders on the opposed pairs of stringers 24-6 and 25-26 fall into confronting positions of one another while the Stringer archways in each pair occupy the remaining clearance spaces in the other pair, and the archways of all four stringers so interfitted are interlocked by one of the linear keys 9.

The significance of the above configuration whereby two juxtaposed stringers provide a full structural and functional equivalent of one intermediate Stringer or of two other juxtaposed stringers in opposition thereto, is most pronounced in that it allows edge stringers and intermediate stringers on spaced facing panels to be interlocked with one another indiscriminately, so that panels of modular widths and with stringers at modular intervals thereon can be assembled into a Structure without any regard as to where their parting lines may occur; the location of the parting line between the panels 4 and 5 in opposition to the panel 2, and their union with it by juxtaposed edge stringers 27-28 interfitted with an intermediate Stringer 29, exemplifies this principle.

Springiness of material in the split tubular keys 9 is made use of by confining them in the archways of the stringers in a reduced Size whereby the Stringer confronting lateral faces and frontal shoulders are subjected to preloading forces that block the stringers relatively immovably and hold the panels cohesively at their parting lines; moreover, this is taken advantage of by forining the edge Stringer lateral walls 33 and 38 with opposite longitudinal grooves', and confining a weather strip 45 between them so that it is subjected to constant compression by them and by the keys for edective Sealing.

An application of the foregoing principles of integrating panel units into walls of buildings that include L and T intersections is shown in FlG. 2. The walls consist of an exterior row of panels 46 to 51, an interior row 52 to 55, and partition panel rows represented by facing panels 56 and 57. All of the panels are provided with juxtaposed edge stringers Such as 53-59 at part-A ing lines, and with intermediate stringers 6i), both kinds of which correspond to those Shown in FIG. 1. At wall intersections, the profiles of Some of the stringers are modified to fulll Specific needs or conditions; at the L intersection, for instance, edge stringers 6l and 62 are employed to conjoin two panels 48 and 49 that meet edge-to-edge at right angles with each other; theA Same principle applies here as in the case of two coplanar panels attached to two right-angle portions of panel 53 over in the form of a door or window jamb 42, by providingl this member with a Stringer 43 identical with the anchor Stringer 68, and interlocking it with opposite edge stringers I analogous to stringers 66-67 on the partition panels.

The spacing of the archways on the stringers in this wall Structure may conform to that employed in FIG. l, or it may be of an alternate type Shown in FIG. 3; here four edge stringers 71 to 74 which form a single cluster are shown as having their respective archways 75 to 78 only half as long as the archways 79 and 86 on intermediate Stringers Sli-32, and the clearance space 83 between any two archways on them is three time as long as their archways so that each Stringer can accommodate the archways of its three associated stringers; the archways on each two juxtaposed stringers, Such as 75 and 76 on stringers 71 and '72, or 77 and 78 on stringers 73 and '74, are staggered lengthwise so that they interiit next to each other, thereby jointly amounting to the length of an intermediate Stringer archway and the remaining clearance space next to ,them correspondsl to those in the intermediate stringers. In this manner again any two interiitted edge stringers on adjoining panels constitute a full equivalent of one intermediate Stringer.

All the interiitted stringers in this wall Structure are locked into unity by linear keys Such as 69, and sealing strips '76 are lodged between the edge stringers at all parting lines and are compressed in their place by pressure originating in the keys which are slit lengthwise and sprung into the Stringer archways.

The structure of FIG. 4 is distinguished by the congulration of the T intersection therein; in this case, partition panels 84 and S5 merge with the wall by being continuous around corners. These panels as well as the inner panel 86 at the L intersection are provided with stringers 37 to S9, all alike, which are directed diagonally toward their companion stringers, confront them with convergent shoulders 44, and are interlocked therewith by linear keys 95. The stringers at the T intersection form a cluster around the key thereat, and include two diagonally directed stringers 87-88, and -two edge stringers 90- 91 on outer panels 92-93; the stringers 87-88 are interitted congruently in the manner of two edge stringers so that they jointly provide an equivalent of one intermediate Stringer and could be interfitted with one in place of the two edge stringers 9ll-91. At the L intersection, the companion `Stringer 94 to the diagonal one 39 is secured to the right-angle sides of the corner panel 93, and its profile includes divergent Shoulders 96 which confront and abut the convergent shoulders 44 on the Stringer 89; the two convergent s-tringer shoulders 44 drawn by the resiliently constricted key 95 inbetween the divergent lshoulders 96 at the L intersection, orinbetween the divergently related shoulders on two associated stringers at the T intersection in FIG. 4, because of their inclination, produce a wedged condition which improves the rigidity of the union.

Another embodiment with modified lStringer profiles is Shown in FIG. 5, and differs from the preceding ones in that the parting lines between the inner panels 97 to4 M2 coincide with intersection corners; both the intermediate stringers, such a's`1ti3, and the edge stringers, such 'as T94 and 195, Shown individually in FIG. 6,. are

Aof Aextruded origin with a Single supporting wall which,

in the edge stringers, stands next to the panel edgeto form an abutting lateral face thereat with a groove in it for a sealing strip 166. A further distinguishing feature resides in `that all of the stringers, in addition to bearing longitudinal shoulders, are formed with depressed faces such as 107 on the Stringer 1:63, which faces may be used as the spacing, positioning and abutment means independently of the shoulders or in conjunction with them.

The L and T inter-sections in this structure are formed of stringers in a manner analogous to that in the wall of FIG. 4, with the difference in that edge stringers are used instead of the single diagonal ones; this results in a cluster of live stringers 103-104-1ti5-168-19 at the T intersection, interlocked by a single key 11G. One arrangement of spacing the Stringer archways in this cluster is shown in FIG. 7; in it, the intermediate Stringer 133 bears equidistant archways 111 separated by clearance Ispaces somewhat longer than the archways; the archways 112 to 11S on the respective edge stringers are each one quarter the length of the intermediate Stringer archways 111 so that the four of them Side-by-side can occupy one clearance space in the intermediate stringer, while the clearance spaces in each edge Stringer are seven times as long as one of their archways. Should two edge stringers, such as 116-117, be substituted for the intermediate Stringer 103, their archways would jointly provide an equivalent to the archways 111 of the latter Stringer, each being only one half as long according to the arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

While in the structure of FIG. both longitudinal shoulders and depressed arched faces are provided, and either one or both of these devices may be used for spacing, positioning and abutment purposes, the structure of FIG. 8 makes use of depressed archways and faces for that purpose. The novel features include again the use of intermediate stringers, such as 118 and 119, in multiple numbers for securing together panels 1219 and 122, and 121 and 123 in a spaced facing relationship; furthermore, the feature of juxtaposed stringers, such as 125 and 126, on adjoining panels 122 and 123 for fastening them to each other and thereby producing panel rows of unlimited continuity; the feature of juxtaposed stringers, such as 12S-12:50u adjoining panels 122-123, interfitted with each other as well as with two other juxtaposed stringers, such as 127' and 128 on adjoining panels 124) and 121-- shown in FIG. 8 in a dis-assembled relationship-in a spaced facing row and thereby integrating rows of panel into a hollow wall or body; the feature of two juxtaposed and interiitted edge stringers, such as 129-136 on adjoining panels 123-124, that jointly provide an equivalent of one intermediate Stringer, such as 131 on a facing panel 121, and are intertted and interlocked therewith, thereby abolishing any particular relationship between the parting lines in two facing panel rows; and the feature of tubular keys 141i of a resiliently variable girth and profile by virtue of one or more lengthwise breaks in their wall, and constricted in girth by the stringers so that the stringers are forced into preloaded Contact with each other at conforming faces on each others protruding and depressed archways.

The prole of the intermediate stringers in this structure is defined by attaching flanges 132 and 133, lateral walls 134 and 135 which, at a distance close to the halfway point in the width of the structure, turn on radii 136 and 137, respectively, into converging directions, and by and between them support a series of longitudinal protruding archways 13S interrupted by clearance gaps; in these gaps the radii 136 and 137 turn downwardly and support a series of depressed walls of the shape of archways 139 of a depth, with respect to a common axis with the protruding archways 138, normally greater by the thickness of the material than the height of the latter archways above the same axis. The length of the clearance gaps,similarly as in the structure of FIG. l, is a little more than the length of the protruding archways 133,'but the length of the depressed archways 139 can be less than that of the protruding archways since it has nothing to do with their function as the spacing, positioning and abutment means.

The oppositely alined stringers, such as 118 and 119, are paired so that their protruding archways are staggered lengthwise and interiit congrnently when the respective panels are placed into their assembled position; then the protruding archways 13S of each `Stringer come into a face-to-face relationship with the depressed archways 139 on the companion Stringer, and the protruding archways of both stringers become nearly or exactly alined with one another axially, and are interlockcd into unity by linear keys such as 148. Again in this union springiness of material of the key 141i is resorted -to for securing cohesion, tightness and rigidity of the interlocked parts; the key 14d is deivsed for that purpose by being rolled into `an S-proile of an oversize girth so that it has to be sprung into the Stringer archways and by lrecoil of its constricted girth exerts a constant force on them tending to abut them firmly in the depressed larchways of one another. Such an S-shaped key with two lengthwise breaks in its wall will exert more uniform recoiling forces on the Stringer archways, and is easier to insert or to withdraw slidably.

The protile of the edge stringers is characterized by attaching flanges 141 and 142, lateral walls 143 and 144, of whichthe former one rises to a height greater than the latter, and both walls are connected by a series of protruding archways 146 the center of which lies in the panel parting plane so that they overhang the panel edge with one half of a circular arc. Inbetween the successive archways 146 extend clearances in each of which the walls 143 and 144 support, by and between a crest 147 on the wall M3 and the edge of the wall 144, a depressed wall 14d which conforms to the protruding archways 145. A groove or recess 149 in the Stringer wall 144 along the panel edge containers, jointly with the companion edge Stringer 12e, a weather strip Such as 156.

The spacing of the edge Stringer archways in FIG. 8 corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1 in that they are of the same length as those on the intermediate stringers, Iand the clearances between them are three times as long as the archways; the yarchways 146 yand 151 on each of juxtaposed stringers 125426 are staggered lengthwise into equidistant locations so that the combined stringers represent an equivalent of yan intermediate one, such as 118, and the archways 152 and 153 on the two opposite edge stringersz127 and 12S on facing panels are staggered complementally thereto so that .all four edge stringers will intert congruently into axial alinernent of their archways; in that relationship, the archways and 151 on the juxtaposed stringers 12S-126 fit against each others depressed archways 155i and 148, respectively, while the alined protruding archways on eac-h two juxtaposed stringers become nested in the depressed archways of the opposite pair combined into one continuous archwa such as iS-154, and all four edge stringers can be interlocked into a rigid and cohesive unit by the key 14d).

The type of the stringers of FIG. 8 is applicable to the same embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 as well as to anyothers, .as exemplified in FIGS.I9 and l2. The wall structure of FlG. 9 consists of an exterior row of panels 155 to 159, and two interior rows 16% to 163, and 1d4-15, the panels in each row being held together by edge stringers such as .lo-167, or by diagonally directed edge stringers such as 168-169 at L intersections, and the facing panel rows are conjoined with one another by the same kind Iof'stringers in clusters of four or more as well as by intermediate stringers such as 171i in opposite alinernent with eit-her combined edge stringers, or with their own kind. The interlocking keys 221 have, by way of an example, a square profile normally oversize and slit longitudinally lin order to induce preloadin-g forces in the interlocked stringers; the Stringer protruding as well as depressed archways consequently have a pointed and flatsided profile to dene square openings for the keys; the intermediate stringers of the type 189 have two at sides on their protruding .archways, the edge stringers such as 179 have three, and diagonally inclined edge stringers such as 171 have four ilat sides 176; such flat sides coming to a point are effective in constraining the stringers immovably by becoming wedged against the depressed walls of the companion Stringer or stringers due to the recoil of the resiliently contained keys 221 in them.

The diagonally inclined edge stringers 168-169 at the L intersection, and the two pairs 17-1-172 and 173-174 of such stringers at the T intersection, are analogous to the stringers d-165 of FIGS. 5 and 6; two of them, 17-1 and 172, as well .as a companion edge stringer 175 on .a facing panel 156, are shown individually in FIG, 10; in comparison to the solid stringers 164 and 165, their body is hollow as outlined in sheet material, and the square archways `178 on the stringer `175 are in a biased posi-tion with respect to its lateral walls while the archways y17( and 177 on the respective stringers 171 and 172 have a position normal to the walls. The spacin-g of the archways 176 and 177 can be identical with that of the archways 112 and 113 on the corresponding stringers in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The spacing of the archways on the normal edge stringers in this structure, such as those forming a cluster 179-182, shown in a disassembled condition, may be of the same order .as in the arrangement of FIG. 3 as applied to these stringers, Iin FIG. ll, the archways 183 to 136 on the respective stringers are again one half Vas long as the . archways 187 and 188 pertaining to intermediate stringers 189499, with clearance spaces 191 three times as long as the archways; the respective archways 183 and 184, and 185 and 186, on each pair of juxtaposed stringers 179-180, .and 181-182, are in side-by-side locations so that when intertitted the stringers in each pair constitute an equivalent of one intermediate Stringer, such as 189 or 19t). Holes 192 are shown in the depressed spacing and abutting stringer faces 193 to make their inner flange accessible in .attaching it to a panel.

Similarly as in the wall structure of FIG. 2, a terminal member may be positioned crosswise of the panels in any of the walls, such member being either a continuous panel in an abutting wall, or .a window jamb or door stile with flanges overlapping the panels .along their edges, and is integrated into the structure by means of a Stringer 224 attac-hed to its side; this Stringer is intertted and interlocked with two stringers such as 222 extending in opposed aline- -ment with each other on facing panels 164) and 161 in the wall.

In the wall structure of FIG. 12, dual keys interlock complementally profiled stringers in clusters at L and T intersections; in the former intersection, a Stringer 194 on a corner panel 217 supports two parallel set-s of protruding and depressed archways 195 and 1%; frontally .alined with it are two diagonal edge stringers 197 and 19S in lateral positions of each other on inner corner panels 199 and 269, and are intertted and interlocked each with one of the archway sets 195 and 196 on the stringe-r 194 by linear keys 291 and 2112, respect-ively.

At the T intersection, shown in an exploded View in FIG. 13, inner panels 203 and 204- at the terminus of a partition represented by panels Z115 and 2116, are provided with strin-gers 297 and 238, respectively, each of which projects laterally beyond the panel edge with a wall 209 and on it carries a set of protruding and depressed archways 210; spaced from this set by .a wall 212 and supported by the other lateral wall of the Stringer is another set 211. These stringers interiit at both of their archway sets to tie the inner panels 2% and 2114 together as well as to form a strong column and anchorage for the partition panels 265 and 2136. These panels are provided with the respective stringers 214 and 215 of .an ident-ical proiile which conforms to that of any of the edge stringers 1@ of FIG. 8 except that the inward lateral wall 213 is slanted for bracing a set of protruding and depressed archways 216; these two stringers are interitted frontally with each other and laterally with the archways 21) on the combined stringers 2117-2518, and are interlocked therewithl by a split tubular key 217.

An intermediate stringer219, which could be substituted for by two juxtaposed edge stringers such as those of FIG. 8 on two adjoining panels instead of the panel 21S, is interlitted and interlocked by a key 220 with the other archway set 211 on the combined stringers 297-268.

I claim:

1. In a structure, a panel, a structural member extending in a frontally spaced apart relationship along said panel, a Stringer on one face of said panel coextensive with said structural member, said Stringer and said structural member having alternate lengthwise portions thereof forming an opening therethrough, faces borne on said yStringer and on Said structural member along said opening in confronting positions of each other, and a linear key having a free pr-ole larger than said opening and having a tubula-r wal-l substantially S-shaped 'with two opposite lengthwise breaks therein, said key lbeing Sprung into said opening slidably and by recoil against said Stringer and structural member .alternate portions drawing said Stringer and structural member into abutment with each other at said faces thereof.

2. In a structure, two panels meeting with each other at right angles along the edges thereof at a parting line, stringers extending on one face of said panels, Said stringers being of substantially equal size and having walls standing thereon angularly side-by-side with each other at a plane through said parting line, on Said walls said stringers bearing alternate lengthwise portions and having said portions interlitted congruently to form an opening through said stringers over said parting line, and a linear key having a free profile larger than said opening and having a tubular wall with at least one lengthwise break therein, said key being sprung into said opening slidably and by recoil against Said interiitted Stringer portions drawing said stringers together for causing Said panels to cohere relatively immovablyin said right-angle relation- Ship at said edges thereof and for causing said stringers to coact as equal portions of a unitary stress member in the corner between said panels.

3. In a structure, two panels meeting with each other at a straight parting line, a structural member extending along said parting line at a distance from said panels, stringers extending on said panels side-by-side at and along said parting line and reaching to said structural member, said stringers and said structural member bearing alternate lengthwise portions intertted congruently with one another to form an opening therethrough, along said opening each of said stringers and said structural member bearing faces in confronting positions, of each other, anda linearkey having a free profile larger than said opening and having a tubular wall with at least one length- Wise break therein, Said key being sprung into Said opening slidably and by recoil against said intertted Stringer and structural member portions drawing said Stringer and panels together at said parting line and drawing said stringers and structural member together at said confronting faces thereof.

' 4. In a structure, two panels meeting with each other at a straight parting line, a structural member extending along said parting line at a distance from said panels, stringers extending on said panels at and along a plane through said parting line in opposition to said structural member, a linear key interposed between said structural member and Said stringers in Said parting line plane, said structural member bearing protruding lengthwise archways and being in engagement of said key therewith, said stringers bearing lengthwise archways protruding frontally and laterally over said parting line plane and being congruent with each other in forming an equivalent of il' said structural member archways and being in congruent engagement of Said key therewith, along said key said structural member and said stringers bearing faces in confronting positions of each other, and means for engaging said key slidably by Said structural member and stringer archways and causing said archways to draw said` structural member and said stringers into a preloaded contact at said faces thereof.

5. In a structure, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 4, said structural member bearing frontal shoulders astride said key and said archways thereof, and each of said stringers bearing a shoulder in opposition to one of said structural member shoulders, Said shoulders in opposition providing said confronting faces for said structural member and stringers.

6. In a structure, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 4, said two panels meeting with each other at said parting line at substantially right angles, said structural member extending in a plane passing diagonally to Said panels through said parting line, and said stringers having walls at Said diagonal plane and based on said panels at an inclination thereto.

7. In a structure, panel units in a row meeting with one another at` straight parting lines to form a wall, structural members extending at modular intervals along one side of Said wall at a distance therefrom, said panel units including panels and stringers thereon at and along each parting line and individual stringers one at each modular interval apart from said parting lines, each two of said parting line stringers side-by-side and said individual stringers reaching into opposition with said structural members, linear keys interposed between said structural members and stringers, means on said structural members and on said stringers for engaging said keys slidably, and means for constraining said structural members and said stringers relatively immovably by said engaging means thereof in joint engagement of said keys, each two of said side-by-Side parting line stringers having the key-engaging and constraining means thereof jointly equivalent to one individual stringer means whereby said panel units can be of different modular widths and said key-engaging and constraining means on all of said structural members can be identical with one another.

8. In a structure, two panels meeting with each other at a straight partingline, a third panel coextensive with said two panels in a spaced apart relationship thereto, stringers extending side-by-side on said meeting panels at and along said parting line, a Stringer extending on said third panel and reaching into opposition with said side-byside stringers, a linear key interposed between said stringers, said third panel stringer bearing protruding lengthwise archways and being in engagement of said key therewith, said side-by-side stringers bearing each protruding and laterally offset archways and being in engagement of said key therewith, said archways on said side-by-side stringers being congruent with one another and being jointly equivalent in opposition to and congruent with Said third panel Stringer archways in engagement of said key, said side-by-side stringers and said third panel stringer bearing confronting faces of each other along said key, said key being normallyY oversize, and means for containing said key slidably and resiliently in said stringer archways for exerting distending forces thereon and thereby exerting abutment forces on said stringers at said confronting faces thereof and constraining said panels in said relationship thereof.

9. In a panel structure, two panels alined at a straight i parting line into continuity with each other, a third panel coextensive in a spaced apart relationship with said parting line, a linear key extending along Said parting line interja'cent said alined panels and said third panel, Stringers standing on said alined panels in juxtaposition to one another at Said parting line, a Stringer standing on said third panel in opposition to said stringers in juxtaposition, said stringers in juxtaposition and in opposition bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement of said key, lateral confronting faces on Said stringers in juxtaposition, frontal confronting faces on said stringers in opposition, and means including the prole of said key in cooperation with said Stringer engagement means for causing Said lateral and frontal confronting faces to abut one another.

1t). In a panel structure, two panels meeting at a straight parting line angularly in continuity with each other, a third panel in a parallel and spaced apart relationship to at least one of said meeting panels, a linear key extending along said parting line interjacent said meeting panels and said third panel, stringers standing on said meeting panels in juxtaposition to one another at said parting line, a Stringer standing on said third panel in opposition to said stringers in juxtaposition, said stringers in juxtaposition and in opposition bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement of said key, confronting faces on Said stringers in juxtaposition, confronting faces on said stringers in opposition, said confronting faces on said stringers in juxtaposition and on said stringers in opposition being inclined with respect to a plane bisecting the angle between said two meeting panels, and means for causing said Stringer faces to abut one another through the instrumentality of said key.

il. In a panel structure, two panels meeting with each other at a straight parting line, another two panels meeting with each other at a parting line spaced from and coextensive with said first parting line, at least two of said meeting panels being in angular continuity with each other at said parting line thereof, a linear key extending interjacent Said parting lines, stringers standing on each two of said meeting panels in juxtaposition to each other at said parting line thereof and being directed into opposition with one another from each two of said meeting panels, said stringers bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement of said key, confronting faces on said stringers in juxtaposition, and confronting faces on said stringers in opposition for positioning and blocking them relatively immovably while in engagement of said key, said confrontin7 faces on said stringers in opposition on both sides of said key being inclined with respect to each other for a wedged blocking of said stringers.

12. In a Structure, two panels meeting with each other at a straight parting line, two other panels meeting with each other at a straight parting line, said panels and said parting lines being coextensive in a spaced apart relationship with one another, stringers extending side-by-side on each two of said meeting panels at and along said parting ines and reaching into opposition with one another, a linear keyV interposed between said stringers, said stringers bearing protruding and laterally offset archways and being in engagement of said key therewith, said archways on each two side-by-side stringers being congruent with each other and being jointly equivalent in opposition to and congruent with the archways on the other two side-by-side stringers in engagement of said key, said side-by-Side stringers bearing confronting faces of each other along said key, said side-by-side stringers in opposition bearing confronting faces of each other along Said key, said key being normally oversize, and means for containing said key slidably and resiliently in said Stringer archways for exerting distending forces thereon and thereby exerting abutment forces on said stringers at said confronting faces thereof and constraining said panels in said relationship thereof.

13. In a structure, spaced apart facing panels having coextensive edges, a linear key extending interjacent said panels proximately to said edges thereof, stringers standing on said panels in opposition to each other and reaching to said key and bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement thereof, a terminal member positioned crosswise of said panels at Said edges thereof, and a Stringer standing on said member and reaching to said key and bearing means for engaging said key slidably conjointly with Said panel Stringer means.

14. In a structure, spaced apart facing panels having i3 coextensive edges, a linear key extending interjacent Said panels proximately to said edges thereof, stringers standing on said panels in opposition t each other and reaching to said key and bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement thereof, a terminal member positioned crosswise of said panels at said edges thereof, a Stringer standing on said member and reaching to said key and bearing means for engaging said key slidably conjointly with said panel Stringer means, frontal confronting faces on said stringers in opposition, frontal faces on said terminal member Stringer, and lateral faces on said stringers in opposition confronting said frontal terminal Stringer faces, said frontal and lateral confronting Stringer faces being drawn into abutment with each other through the instrumentality of said key and Said Stringer engagement means therefor.

15. In a structure, components and their relationships as Set forth in claim 14, Said confronting faces on Said stringers in opposition and on said terminal member Stringer being astride said key and being at and inclined with respect to Said panels and to said terminal member and being wedged against each other by Said abutment thereof.

16. In a wall structure, an L intersection consisting of two panels meeting in an angular relationship along straight edges and a third panel bent angularly and continuous around the bend in spaced relationship to said angular panels, juxtaposed stringers extending on said two panels at and along the edges thereof, a Stringer extending on said third panel along and astride said bend thereof in opposed longitudinal alinement with said juxtaposed stringers, a linear key interposed between said opposedly alined stringers, means on said stringers having a slidable engagement with said linear key, confronting faces on said third panel Stringer and on Said juxtaposed stringers along said linear key, confronting faces on said juxtaposed stringers at and along said panel edges, and means causing said Stringer confronting faces along said key and along said panel edges to abut one another through the instrumentality of said key and engagement means therefor on said third panel stringer and juxtaposed stringers.

17. In a structure, panels in straight and agular rows forming a T intersection between hollow walls, two of Said panels in at least one of` said rows meeting each other at a parting line at said intersection, a linear key extending at said intersection interjacent said panel rows, a Stringer standing on each of said panels at said intersection and reaching to said key therefrom, said Stringer bearing means for engaging said key slidably conjointly with the stringers from said panels forming said intersection, each two stringers standing on two panels meeting at said parting line extending in juxtaposition thereon and bearing faces at and along a plane through said parting line, all of said stringers bearing faces at and along said key in opposition to one another, and means including the profile of Said key in cooperation with said Stringer key engaging means for causing said Stringersto abut one another at said faces thereof at and along said parting line plane and at and along said key.

18. In a structure, components and their relationships as Set forth in claim 17, two of said panels meeting each other coplanarly at a parting line in one of said rows, two panels in each of two other rows meeting each other angularly at a parting line at said intersection, Said stringers in juxtaposition on said angularly meeting panels reaching to said key diagonally across Said intersection and bearing said faces thereon at a plane bisecting the angle between said panels through Said parting line therein.

19. In a structure, panels in parallel and spaced apart rows forming hollow walls and an intersection therebetween, atleast one of said panels being continuous through Said intersection and others meeting at parting lines thereat, a linear key having a normally oversize and resilient profile, Said key being interposed at Said intersection between Said panel rows, a Stringer extending on ld each of said continuous panels and rising toward said key therefrom and bearing means for engaging it slidably and bearing frontal abutment faces therealong, a pair of juxtaposed stringers extending on each two panels meeting at one of said parting lines, said juxtaposed stringers rising toward said key and bearing means for engaging it slidably jointly with each other and in conjunction with said Stringer on each of said continuous panels and with like pair of juxtaposed stringers from each two others of Said panels meeting at parting lines, said juxtaposed stringers in each pair bearing lateral abutment faces in opposition to each other and bearing frontal abutment faces, all of said stringers blocking one another relatively immovably at said lateral and frontal abutment faces thereof by forces exerted by said key on said Stringer engaging means when constricted thereby.

Zt. In a structure, a number of panels alined edge-toedge at straight parting lines into two spaced facing rows, linear keys interposed between Said panel rows at and along said parting vlines and at intervals intermediate thereof, stringers extending on said panels intermediate said parting lines and edge stringers extending on said panels at said parting lines, means on said intermediate and on said edge stringers for engaging slidably Said linear keys jointly one with another, means on said intermediate and on said edge stringers in joint engagement of said keys for positioning and blocking one another relatively immovably through the instrumentality of said keys, said edge stringers at each parting line being complemental to each other and being combined to provide a full equivalent of one of said intermediate stringers whereby each two Said stringers at certain parting lines engage one of said keys jointly with two other edge stringers on facing panels, and at other parting lines engage one of said keys jointly with one of said intermedate stringers on a facing panel.

2li. A structure including, a number of panels in spaced apart facing rows meeting yat parting lines with each other, said panel rows forming straight runs and corners therebetween, certain `of said parting lines occurring in said straight runs and others at said corners, linear keys extending interjacent said panel rows along said parting lines and at intervals apart therefrom, stringers Standing in juxtaposition on said panels at said parting lines and reaching to said keys thereat, individual stringers standing on said panels apart from said parting lines and reaching to said keys thereat, certain of Said stringers in juxtaposition on Said spaced apart panel rows being in opposition to others of said stringers in juxtaposition and to certain of Said individual stringers, certain of said individual stringers on said spaced apart panel rows being in opposition to others 4of saidrindividual stringers, Said stringers in juxtaposition and in opposition bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement of said keys, each two of said stringers in juxtaposition being complemental in forming an equivalent of one said individual Stringer key-engagement means and being compatible indiscriminately with one opposite individual Stringer and with two other opposite stringers in juxtaposition in Said straight runs and at said corners whereby panels lof different modular widths are usable cooperatively in meeting and in facing relation- Ships and corner panels are cooperatively associable with straight um panels, said stringers in juxtaposition bearing confronting faces at a plane through said parting line thereat, said stringers in opposition bearing confronting faces along said keys, and means including the profile of said keys in cooperation with said Stringer engagement means Ifor blocking said stringers or said faces thereof relatively immovably.

22. ln a structure, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 2l, said key-engagement means of Said stringers residing in protruding lengthwise archways alternating with clearance Spaces and interftted congruently through said spaces, said stringers in opposition having shoulders alongside said archways and clearance spaces thereof and providing said confronting faces along said keys.

23. In a structure, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 21, said key-engagement means of said stringers residing in protruding lengthwise archways alternating with clearance spaces and interfitted congruently through said spaces, said stringers in opposition having depressed Walls in said clearance spaces thereof conforming to said archways of each other and providing said confronting faces along said keys. Y

24. In a structure, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 21, said key-engagement means of said stringers residing in protruding flat-sided lengthwise archways alternating with clearance spaces and intert'ted congruently through said spaces, said stringere in opposition having depressed walls in said clearance spaces thereof conforming to said archways of each other and providing said confronting faces along said keys.

25. A wall structure including, rows of panels in spaced facing relationship forming straight walls and L and T intersections therebetween, said panels in each row meeting at right angles to each other along st-raight edges at certain of said intersections and in coplanar alinement with each other at others of said intersections and apart therefrom, certain of said panel edges in the facing panel rows being in opposition to each other and others being out of opposition, juxtaposed edge stringers extending on said panels at said edges thereof, intermediate stringers extending on said panels apart from said edges, certain of said intermediate stringers on panels in the facing rows being in opposed alinement with one another, said juxtaposed stringers at certain panel edges in said walls and at said L intersections being in opposed alinement with said intermediate stringers and at others with juxtaposed edge stringere on facing panels, said juxtaposed stringers on panels at right angles at said T intersections being directed diagonally toward one another and at certain such intersections being in opposed alinernent With said intermediate stringers and at others with said juxtaposed edge stringere on facing panels, linear keys interposed between said opposedly alined edge and intermediate stringers, key-engagement means on said intermediate stringers, key-engagement means on each two of said juxtaposed edge stringers complemental to each other in forming an equivalent of said intermediate Stringer keyengagement means, said intermediate stringers and said juxtaposed edge stringers in said Walls and at said intersections being in said opposed alinement one kind with its own kind and one kind with the other kind according to random occurrence of said panel edges in said facing panel rows and being compatibly in engagement by said means thereof with said keys, confronting faces on said` opposedly alined stringers along said keys, and confronting faces on said juxtaposed edge stringers at and along said panel edges, and means for constraining said stringers relatively immovably at said confronting faces thereof through the instrumentality of said keys and said engagement thereof with said keys.

26. A structure including, panels in spaced apart straight and angular rows forming hollow Walls and connecting intersections therein, certain of said walls terminating with coextensive edges, said panels in each row meeting with one another at paiting lines located in said straight walls and at certain of said intersections therein,

certain of said parting lines in said walls and at said intersections being in coincidental and others in non-coincidental relationships, linear keys extending interjacent said panel rows at and along said parting lines therein and at intervals rt therefro-m, individual stringers standing on said panels apart from said parting lines and reaching` to said keys, juxtaposed stringers standing on said panels at and along said parting lines and reaching to said keys, said juxtaposed stringers being complemental to each other in forming equivalents of said individual stringers for cooperative association of panels of different modular widths and random occurence of said coincidental and non-coincidental parting line relationships in said walls and at said intersections, certain of said individual and of said juxtaposed stringers at said coincidental and noncoincidental parting lines and apart therefrom on said straight and angular panel rows being directed frontally and others angularly into opposition with one another along said keys, a terminal member positioned crosswise of said wall coext'ensive edges,an individual Stringer standing on said member and reaching to one of said keys interjacent said walls in lateral opposition to two of said'stringers in opposition therealong, said individual and said juxtaposed stringers in opposition with one another bearing means for conjoint slidable engagement of said keys, said key-engagement means on said frontally and angularly directed individual and juxtaposed stringers being congruently associable with one another, confronting lateral faces on said juxtaposed stringers at said parting lines, confronting faces along said keys on all `of said stringers in opposition of one another, longitudinal sealing strips confined between said juxtaposed stringers in said lateral confronting faces thereof, and means for constraining said stringers relatively immovably at said confronting faces thereof by said keys in engagement with said engagement means thereof.

27. A structure including, components and their relationships as set forth in claim 26, said Stringer means for the engagement of said keys residing in protruding lengthwise archways alternating with clearance spaces, said archways having flat-sided walls, said stringers having depressed tiat-sided walls in said clearance spaces thereof, said archway Walls and said depressed Walls in said stringers in opposition and in said juxtaposed stringers being complemental to one another to provide said confronting faces with said flat sides thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,198 Adams June 11, 1907 1,988,085 Orlando Ian. 15, 1935 2,103,407 Dean Dec. 28, 1937 2,107,418 Keller Feb. 8, 1938 2,148,698 Lashman Feb. 28, 1939 2,181,831 McLaughlin Nov. 28, 1939 2,256,791 Schroeder Sept. 23, 1941 2,287,229 Carpenter June 23, 1942 2,399,151 Tickle Apr. 23, 1946 2,412,464 Jackson Dec. 10, 1946 2,414,628 Battin Jan. 12, 1947 FGREIGN PATENTS 793,334 France Nov. 16, 1935 884,329 France Apr. 9, 1943

Claims (1)

1. IN A STRUCTURE, A PANEL A STRUCTURAL MEMBER EXTENDING IN A FRONTALLY SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP ALONG SAID PANEL, A STRINGER ON ONE SURFACE OF SAID PANEL COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID STRUCTURAL MEMBER, SAID STRINGER AND SAID STRUCTURAL MEMBER HAVING ALTERNATE LENGTHWISE PORTIONS THEREOF FORMING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH, FACES BORNE ON SAID STRINGER AND ON SAID STRUCTURAL MEMBER ALONG SAID OPENING IN CONFRONTING POSITIONS OF EACH OTHER, AND A LINEAR KEY HAVING A FREE PROFILE LARGER THAN SAID OPENING AND HAVING A TUBULAR WALL SUBSTANTIALLY S-SHAPED WITH TWO OPPOSITE LENGTHWISE BREAKS THEREIN, SAID KEY BEING SPRUNG INTO SAID OPENING SLIDABLY AND BY RECOIL AGAINST SAID STRINGER AND STRUCTURAL MEMBER ALTERNATE PORTIONS DRAWING SAID STRINGER AND STRUCTURAL MEMBER INTO ABUTMENT WITH EACH OTHER AT SAID FACES THEREOF.

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