US3394519A

US3394519A - Building wall structure

Info

Publication number: US3394519A
Application number: US556064A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tischuk Walter
Original assignee: HH Robertson Co
Current assignee: HH Robertson Co
Priority date: 1966-06-08
Filing date: 1966-06-08
Publication date: 1968-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1985-07-30

Description

July 30, 1968 w. TISCHUK 3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E x ,I

5a f Q .45

//0 L INVENTOR. WALTER 775CHUA I /QL AQ" July 30. 1968 w. TISCHUK 3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 8, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /54 INVENTOR.

July 30, 1968 w. TISCHUK 3,394,519

BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 8-, 1966 a Sheets-Sheet s' INVENTOR. #444 TH? T/scwu/r United States Patent 3,394,519 BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Walter Tischuk, Richmond, Ind., assignor to H. H.

Robertson Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 8, 1966, Ser. No. 556,064 12 Claims. (Cl. 52-478) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a building wall structure having load supporting elements of the type presenting legs extending parallel with the plane of the wall structure, subgirt members engaged with the legs and clips rigidly securing the subgirt members to the load supporting elements. The clips snap over the subgirt member in saddle-like fashion and project inboard of the legs into interfitted engagement therewith. The clip is constructed to prevent unintended disengagement thereof from the subgirt member; to prevent movement of the clip and the subgirt member transversely of the load support element; and to prevent sliding of the clip and the subgirt member lengthwise along the load supporting element.

This invention relates to building wall structures of the type having spaced subgirt members secured to load supporting elements, and more particularly to improved means for securing said subgirt members to said load supporting elements.

Many prior art wall structures include vertically extending load supporting elements which project outwardly from and which are secured to the skeletal framework of a building. Horizontal subgirt members are secured to the load supporting elements. Thereafter, an exposed or outer metal sheath is secured to the subgirt members to complete the wall structure.

When erecting the subgirt members, it has heretofore been necessary to preposition each subgirt member and then drill holes through both the subgirt member and the load supporting elements engaged therewith. Thereafter, fasteners, such as self-tapping screws, were used to secure the subgirt members to the load supporting elements.

Such insulated metal wall structures include an inner metal sheath formed from liner sheets which are secured in side-by-side relation to the skeletal framework of the building. The liner sheets may, for example, have outwardly projecting side walls terminating in laterallyextended first and second flanges. The configuration of the liner sheets is such that when the side Walls of adjacent liner sheets are abutted, a first flange of one liner sheet will overlap the second flange of the adjacent liner sheet. The abutted side walls and overlapped first and second flanges provide strong load supporting elements to which the subgirt members may be secured. Such constructions are shown in copending US. patent application Ser. No. 299,695, filed Aug. 5, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and now US. Patent No. 3,300,934.

For increased strength, the first and second flanges are deformed to provide interfitting lengthwise ribs and grooves. The configuration of the deformed flanges is such that a pocket is provided between the flanges. A bead of sealant material is introduced into the pocket. When the flanges are drawn together, the sealant material is compressed and provides an effective vapor barrier.

Objects Accordingly, as an overall object, the present invention provides improved means for securing subgirt members to load supporting elements.

3,394,519 Patented July 30, 1968 Another object of the invention is to provide a fastening means which rigidly secures subgirt members to load supporting elements without distorting the load supporting elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wall structure incorporating the fastening means of the invention, whereby the wall structure, if desired, may be readily dismantled without damage to any of the wall components.

Still another object of the invention is to provide unitary fastening means for securing subgirt members to load supporting elements, as well as for securing outer facing sheets to the subgirt members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a double sheath wall structure whose components are secured together without the aid of conventional threaded fasteners.

Another object of the invention is to provide fastening means which is capable of acting as an intermediate support for subgirt members.

Statement of invention The fastening means of the invention is particularly adapted for use in securing subgirt members to load sup porting elements of the type having a generally L-shaped configuration. Examples of such load supporting elements are Z bars, channels, angles and the like. The fastening means of the invention is particularly adapted for use in an insulated metal wall structure of the type having an inner metal sheath including the above-described overlapped first and second flanges; subgirt members secured to the overlapped flanges by the fastening means of the invention; batts of thermal insulation overlying the inner metal sheath; and an outer decorative metal sheath secured to the subgirt members. The load supporting elements have an L-shaped configuration including a first leg projecting from a plane of the wall structure and a second leg extending laterally of the outer edge of the first leg. The subgirt members are vertically spaced and engaged with the second legs of the load supporting elements.

In accordance with the present invention, the fastening means comprise a saddle clip preferably formed from spring steel. The saddle clip includes a U-shaped body having a central web and spaced side walls. A body segment projects from each of the side walls and is positioned to frictionally engage an inboard face of a second leg of the load supporting element. The Saddle clip includes first means for connecting the saddle clip to the subgirt member to prevent disengagement therefrom and second and third means for connecting the saddle clip to the second leg whereby the subgirt member is (l) prevented from moving transversely of the load supporting element, and (2) prevented from sliding lengthwise along the load supporting element.

The saddle clip of the invention is adapted to be engaged over a subgirt member in saddle-like fashion and positioned adjacent to that edge of a second leg remote from a first leg. In this position, the body segments project inboard of the second leg and are frictionally engaged therewith. The various connecting means, enumerated above, rigidly connect each saddle clip to the subgirt member and to the second leg as well as rigidly connecting the subgirt member to the load supporting element.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the saddle clip is provided with a flange-like element which adapts the saddle clip for connection to interengageable facing sheets of an outer decorative metal sheath. That is to say, the facing sheets engage the flangelike element and are thereby connected to the subgirt member. As a result of this arrangement, a double sheath wall structure is provided whose components are secured together without the aid of conventional fasteners.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the saddle clip may be connected to a subgirt member at an intermediate location thereon, that is, between a pair of adjacent load supporting elements. The saddle clip extends inwardly into engagement with the inner metal sheath and further rigidifies the subgirt member by providing an intermediate support. Accordingly, where relatively large spans are encountered between the load supporting elements, the saddle clips of the invention provide intermediate support which prevents undue deflection of the subgirt members.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front view of a building wall structure having vertical load supporting elements and horizontal subgirt elements secured to said load supporting elements by means of a plurality of saddle clips of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present saddle clip;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through a load supporting element and illustrating the installation of a saddle clip of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the manner by which the present saddle clip connects a subgirt member to a vertical load supporting element;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through the wall structure of FIG. 4 and incorporating an outer metal sheath;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the present saddle clip;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, ilustrating the saddle clip of FIG. 12 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIXI of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present saddle clip;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary isometric view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the saddle clip of FIG. 12 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wall structure incorporating the saddle clip of FIG. 12 and including an outer metal sheath;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the present clip member;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, ilustrating the saddle clip of FIG. 15 installed in a wall structure;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the present saddle clip; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the saddle clip of FIG. 17 installed in a wall structure.

General description Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a wall structure 20 of which only an inner metal sheath 22 and a plurality of subgirt members 24 are shown. The inner metal sheath 22 comprises a plurality of liner sheets 26 which are secured in side-by-side relation to a skeletal framework 28 of a building. The skeletal framework 28, in this instance, includes columns 30 and girt members 32. The liner sheets 26 provide a plurality of vertical load supporting elements 34 to which the subgirt members 24 are secured by fastening means 36 of the invention. Additional ones of the fastening means, indicated here by 36, may be provided on the subgirt members 24 at intermediate locations between adjacent pairs of the vertical load supporting elements 34. The intermediate fastening means 36' are used whenever there is a relatively large spacing between adjacent pairs of the vertical load supporting elements 34 and serve to further rigidify the subgirt members 24 relative to the inner metal sheath 22.

Liner sheets 26 As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the liner sheets 26 is generally U-shaped and includes a flat rectangular central web 38 having perpendicular side walls 40, 42 formed along the opposite sides thereof. A first longitudinal flange 44 is provided along the outer edge of the side wall 40 and extends laterally from the side wall 40 toward the side wall 42 (of the same liner sheet 26, not seen in FIG. 3). A second longitudinal flange 46 is provided along the outer edge of the side wall 42 and extends laterally from the side wall 42 away from the central web 38. The overall arrangement is such that when the sheets are erected in side-by-side relation, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side walls 40, 42 of adjacent liner sheets 26 will be abutted and the second longitudinal flange 46 of one liner sheet 26 will overlap the first longitudinal flange 44 of an adjacent liner sheet 26. The abutted side walls 40, 42 and the overlapping

longitudinal flanges

44, 46 comprise the aforementioned vertical load supporting elements 34 to which the subgirt members 24 are secured.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the second longitudinal flange 46 is deformed to provide a generally V-shaped groove or recess 48. An inner recess 50 is provided between the recess 48 and the side wall 42, which receives a head 52 of sealant material. The first longitudinal flange 44 is also deformed into a generally U-shaped configuration to provide a sealant engaging rib 54. When the

flanges

44, 46 are drawn together in a manner to be described, the sealant engaging rib 54 is embedded in and compresses the sealant material 52 to provide an effective weather seal. The first longitudinal flange 44 has a rib-like configuration and provides a concealed recess 56 and an inboard surface 58.

Accordingly, each of the load supporting elements 34 has an L-shaped configuration including a first leg 60, consisting of the abutted side walls 40, 42, which projects outwardly from a plane of the skeletal framework 28; and a second leg 62, consisting of the overlapped first and second

longitudinal flanges

44, 46, which extends laterally of the outer edge of the first leg 60. Liner sheets 26 are described and claimed in copending application Ser. No. 425,517, filed Jan. 14, 1965, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and now U.S. Patent No. 3,324,617.

Subgirt members 24 The fastening means 36 of the invention may be used to secure subgirt members of various configurations to the load supporting elements 34. A particular one of these subgirt members 24, which is best illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises a channel-shaped body 64 including a pair of opposed inturned lips 66. The channel-shaped body 64 and the inturned lips 66 cooperate to provide an elongated channel 68 which is adapted to receive clip members for connecting an outer facing sheath.

Fastening means 36 Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 7, and in particular to FIG. 2, the fastening means 36 of the invention comprises a saddle clip 70, preferably formed from spring steel, including a central web 74 and spaced side walls 76 projecting from the opposite ends of central web 74. As best shown in FIG. 4, the saddle clip 70 is adapted to engage a subgirt member 24 in saddle-like fashion with the central web 74 engaging the inturned lips 66 and with the side walls 76 projecting toward the liner sheet 26. The saddle clip 70 further includes body segments 78, formed integrally with the side wall 76, which project forwardly of the central web 74 in a common direction. The body segments 78 have corresponding edges 80 disposed generally parallel with and spaced from the plane of a lower face 82 of the central web 74. Each of the side walls 76 and the body segment 78 integral therewith have a common inner edge 84 which terminates, in the region of the body segments 78, in an arcuate edge 86. The overall configuration of the saddle clip 70 is such that once the saddle clip is installed on a subgirt member, as shown in FIG. 4, the body segments 78 will project inboard of the second leg 62 with the corresponding edges 80 engaged with the inboard surface 58. Furthermore, the common inner edges 84 will engage the exposed surface of the rectangular web 38, thereby providing firm line contact between the saddle clip 70 and the liner sheet 26. The arcuate edges 86 permit the body segments 78 to be introduced between the second leg 62 and the rectangular web 38 of the liner sheet, in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

To prevent disengagement of the saddle clip 70 from the subgirt 24, the saddle clip 70 is provided with a plurality of tangs 88 comprising inwardly bent portions of the side wall 76. The tangs 88 have pointed ends 90 which are spaced from the lower face 82 of the central web 74 and which are positioned to engage an inboard face 92 of the subgirt member 24. As best shown in FIG. 6, the subgirt member 24 is clamped between the tangs 88 and the central web 74, thereby securing the saddle clip 70 to the subgirt member 24 to prevent disengagement therefrom. Preferably the pointed ends 90 of the tangs 88 will be embedded in the inboard face 92 to prevent the saddle clip 70 from sliding along the length of the subgirt member 24.

Initially, each saddle clip 70 is positioned in the manner shown in FIG. 3, that is, with the central web 74 disposed over the subgirt member 24 and with the side walls 76 positioned on opposite sides of the subgirt member 24. Inasmuch as the saddle clip 70 is formed from spring steel, the tangs 88 will readily spread apart as they pass over the subgirt member 24. To complete the installation of the saddle clip 70, a hammer, such as illustrated in dash-dot outline at 94, may be used to strike the central web 74, thereby displacing the saddle clip 70 toward the liner sheet 26 into the position shown in FIG. 5. When the central web 74 engages the subgirt member 24, the tangs 88 will move inwardly such that the pointed ends 90 will be embedded in the inboard face 92 of the subgirt member 24.

Each of the body segments 78 is provided with a tongue 96 formed integrally therewith and projecting above one end of the edge 80. As best shown in FIG. 5, the tongues 96 are engaged in the concealed recess 56 and effectively clamp the saddle clip 70 and the subgirt member 24 to the load supporting element 34. The tongues 96 are maintained engaged in the concealed recess 56 by engagement of the common inner edges 84 with the rectangular web 38 of the liner sheet 26.

The saddle clip 70 may be provided with additional tangs 98 comprising portions of the body segments 78 which are bent out of the plane of the body segments 78 and which have pointed ends 100 projecting above a plane connecting the corresponding edges 80. As best shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the corresponding edges 80 will engage the inboard face 58 of the second leg 62 while, simultaneously, the pointed ends 100 of the tangs 98 will be embedded in the inboard surface 58. Accordingly, the tangs 98 prevent the saddle clip 70 and, hence, the subgirt member 24, from sliding down or parallel with the load supporting element 34.

When the saddle clip 70 is installed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, it should be apparent that the first and second

longitudinal flanges

44, 46 are clamped together between the corresponding edges 80 of the body segments 78 and the subgirt member 24. At this time, the sealant engaging rib 54 is forced into engagement with and compresses the sealant material 52 to provide an effective weather barrier. It is important to note that the first and second

longitudinal flanges

44, 46 are not deformed when they are clamped together between the body segments 78 and the subgirt 24. Consequently, the saddle clip 70 provides a convenient means by which the subgirt member 24 may be secured to the load supporting element 34 while simultaneously accomplishing a clamping of the

flanges

44, 46 to provide the necessary seal therebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, additional ones of the saddle clips 70, comprising the aforementioned intermediate fastening means 36, may be installed on the subgirt member 24 at an intermediate location between a pair of adjacent load supporting elements 34. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the subgirt member 24 is clamped between the tangs 88 and the central web 74 of the saddle clip 70. The common inner edges 84 provide spaced line contact between the saddle clip 70 and the rectangular web 38 of the liner sheets 26. Consequently, the intermediate fastening means 36' further rigidifies the subgirt member 24 with respect to the liner sheets 26.

While the saddle clips 70 firmly and rigidly secure the subgirt members 24 to the load supporting elements 34, nevertheless, the saddle clips may be easily and rapidly removed in the event the wall structure 20 is to be dismantled. Futhermore, no damage, whatsoever, occurs to the subgirt members 24 or the load supporting elements 34 when the saddle clips are installed or removed. Accordingly, the present invention provides a fastening means by which subgirt members may be rapidly secured to load supporting elements and which permits dismantling of the wall structure without damage to any of the wall components.

Outer metal sheath Referring again to FIG. 5, the wall structure 20 is completed by providing batts of thermal insulation 102 and an outer metal sheath 104 comprising a plurality of interengageable facing sheets 106 having interfitting laterallyextended, male and female lips 108, .110, respectively.

The facing sheets 106 are erected in side-by-side relation and connected to the subgirt member 24 by means of clip members 112. This construction is broadly described and claimed in copending application Ser. No. 299,695, filed Aug. 5, 1963, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and now US. Patent No. 3,300,934. However, for the purposes of the present invention, it is believed sufficient to state that the clip member 112 has a first end portion 114 and a second end portion 116. The first end portion 114 is adapted to fit within the elongated channel 68 of the subgirt member 24 and, as shown in FIG. 6, includes pointed ends 118 which are embedded in the subgirt member 24 to prevent the clip member 112 from sliding relative to the subgirt member 24. The second end 116 is adapted to receive the male lip 108 of a facing sheet 106 along with a U-shaped sealing strip 120 carried by the male lip 108. The second end 116 is also adapted to enter the female l-ip of an adjacent liner sheet 106, as clearly shown in FIG. 5.

When the clip members 112 are used in combination with the fastening means 36 of the present invention, the inner and

outer metal sheaths

22, 104 are secured together without the aid of conventional threaded fasteners. Elimination of the drilling operations heretofore required, has reduced the time and labor required to erect an insulated metal wall structure, such as the wall structure 20.

Fastening means 36-Alternative embodiment Reference is now directed to FIG. 9 wherein there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the fasten-ing means of the invention comprising a saddle clip 126. The saddle clip 126 is similar to the saddle clip 70 and, hence, corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described. In this embodiment, the body segments 78 are provided with additional tangs 128 having pointed ends 130. The tangs 128 project above the plane connecting the corresponding edges 80 and are bent out of the planes of the body segments 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the saddle clip 126 is shown securing a subgirt member 24 to the load supporting element 34. In this embodiment the tangs 128 are engaged in the concealed recess 56 of the second leg 62. That is to say, the tangs 128 extend into the concealed recess 56 with their pointed ends 130 embedded therein. It should be immediately apparent, that the tangs 128 comprise unitary means for connecting the saddle clip 126 to the second leg for the purposes of (1) preventing movement of the saddle clip 126 and the subgirt member 24 in a direction transversely of the load supporting element 34 and (2) preventing movement of the saddle clip 126 and the subgirt member 24 along or parallel with the second leg 62. The tangs 128 of the saddle clip 126 replace the tongues 96 and the tangs 98 of the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2.

Fastening means-Alternative embodiments Further alternative embodiments of the fastening means of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14, to 16 and 17 to 18. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated a saddle clip 136 comprising a U-shaped body 138 including a central web 140 termiating at each of its ends in an inclined web portion 142 which, in turn, has a side wall 144 extending therefrom. Body segments 146 project forwardly of the side walls 144 and include corresponding edges 80 which extend generally parallel with and spaced from the plane of a lower face 148 of the central web 140. Second body segments 150 project rearwardly of the side walls 144. The side walls 144 and the first and

second body segments

146, 150 have a common inner edge 152 which terminates, in the region of the first body segments 146, in an arcuate edge v154.

The saddle clip 136 is also provided with a plurality of tangs 88, two of which comprise inwardly bent portions of the side walls 144 and the remaining two comprising inwardly bent portions of the second body segments 150. The plurality of tangs 88 cooperate with the central web 140 to rigidly connect the saddle clip 136 to a subgirt member. Additionally, the first body segments 146 are provided with the tongues 96 and the tangs 98 whose functions have been heretofore described.

The second body segments 150 include projections 156 which are positioned between the tangs 88 and the inclined web portion 142. The projections 156 extend above the side walls 144 and provide hammering surfaces 158 adapted to receive the impact of a hammer employed to install the saddle clip 136.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the saddle clip 136 is particularly adapted for securing a subgirt member 160 which, itself, is adapted to have an outer facing sheet secured directly thereto by fasteners. The subgirt member 160 comprises a channel-shaped body 162 including outwardly extended lips 164. The subgirt member .160 is positioned transversely across the load supporting elements 34 with the lips 164 engaged with the second leg 62, as shown in FIG. 13. The saddle clip 136 is engaged with the subgirt member 160 in saddle-like fashion as described above, such that the subgirt member 160 is clamped beween the central web 140 and the tangs 88. It is to be noted that the projections 156 extend outwardly of the lips 164 and, therefore, the hammering surfaces 158 remain exposed and adapted to receive the impacts of a hammer for installing the clip member 136. As described above, the common inner edges 152 are engaged with the exposed face of the rectangular web 38 of the facing sheet 126, thereby rigidifyi-ng the connection between the subgirt member 160 and the load supporting elements 34. Furthermore, the first body segments 146 are disposed inboard of the second leg 62 whereby the tongues 96 are engaged in the concealed recess 56 of the second leg 62 and such that the tangs 98 are engaged with the inboard face 58 of the second leg 62. Again, the saddle clip 136 serves not only to secure the subgirt member 162 to the load supporting elements 34 but also serves to clamp the first and second

longitudinal flanges

44, 46 to compress the head of sealant material 52 and thereby provide the necessary seal at the joint between adjacent ones of the liner sheets 26.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 14 showing a wall structure 170 wherein the saddle clips 136 are employed to secure the subgirt members to the load supporting elements 34 as described above. The wall structure additionally includes an outer metal sheath 172 which comprises a plurality of facing sheets 174 secured to the subgirt members 160 by means of fasteners 176. The facing sheets 174 are erected in side-by-side relation and have overlapping sides 178, which are secured together at spaced points along their length by additional fasteners 177. The facing sheets 174 are shown here solely for the purpose of illustration and that facing sheets of other configurations may be secured to the subgirt members 160. It is to be noted that the saddle clips do not interfere with the erection of the outer metal sheath 172.

A further alternative embodiment of the present fastening means is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. Referring in particular to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a saddle clip 184 whose configuration is similar to the configuration of the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2. Accordingly, corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described. The saddle clip 184 differs from the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2 in that the saddle clip 184 includes fastening means 186 for securing an outer metal sheath to the subgirt members of the wall structure. In this embodiment, the fastening means 186 comprises a flat segment 188 which is spaced outwardly from the central web 74 and connected thereto by an intermediate arcuate segment 190. A tang 192 is provided on each side of the flat segment 188 and extends inwardly in the direction of the central web 74.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown a wall structure 194 wherein the saddle clips 184 secure the subgirt members 24 to the load supporting elements 34. The flat segment 188 and the intermediate arcuate segment cooperate with the outer face of the subgirt member 24 to provide a groove 196 adapted to receive the female lip 110 of facing sheet 106. The tangs 192, of course, embed themselves in the outer surface of the male lip 108 and prevent the facing sheet 106 from sliding laterally out of engagement with the fastening means 186.

An important feature of the wall structure 194 is the automatic spacing of the facing sheets 106 provided by the saddle clips 184. That is to say, the saddle clips 184 will be uniformly spaced along subgirt member 24 by virtue of their engagement with the substantially uniformly spaced load supporting elements 34. Furthermore, all of the saddle clips 184 engaged with a single load supporting element 34 will have the fastening means 186 aligned in a vertical direction. Consequently, when facing sheet 106 is installed on the subgirt members 24 with its female lip engaged with a plurality of vertically aligned fastening means 186, a variation in its width will automatically be taken up in the female lip 110 of an adjacent one of the facing sheets 106. For example, let us assume that the width of the facing sheet 106A, in FIG. 16, is equal to the desired width. In this instance, the female lip 110A is received in and abuts the fastening means 186, while the male lip 108A resides within the female lip 110B of an adjacent one of the facing sheets 106B, without undue compression of the U-shaped sealing strip 120A. Now, if the sheet 106A is less than the desired width, the male lip 108A will not extend completely into the female lip 110B. It should be noted however that in this instance the U-shaped sealing strip 120A will still provide the necessary seal between adjacent liner sheets 106A, 106B. On the other hand, if the width of the facing sheet 106A were slightly greater than the desired width, the male lip 108A would project into the female lip 110B for a distance greater than shown. The greater penetration of the male lip 108A is permitted by the U-shaped sealing strip 120A. Accordingly, minor variations in the width of the outer facing sheets will be automatically taken up and will not be accumulated from facing sheet to facing sheet.

A further alternative embodiment of the present fastening means is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. Referring in particular to FIG. 17, there is illustrated a saddle clip 200 whose configuration is similar to the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2. Accordingly, corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts heretofore described. The saddle clip 200 differs from the saddle clip 70 of FIG. 2 in that the saddle clip 200 is provided with fastening means 202 by which outer facing sheets are secured to the subgirt members of a wall structure. The fastening means 202 comprises a U-shaped flange 204 which is spaced outwardly from the central Web 74 and which provides a groove 206 adapted to receive the male lip of an outer facing sheet. Tangs 208 are provided at a first remote end 210 of the U-shaped flange 204 and bent upwardly away from the central web 74. The U-shaped flange 204 has a second end 212 integral with a web portion 214. The U-shaped flange 20'4 cooperates with the web portion 214 to provide a second groove 216.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is illustrated a wall structure 218 wherein the saddle clip 200 is shown securing a subgirt member 24 to the load supporting element 34. Adjacent facing sheets 106C and 106D are also shown connected to the subgirt member 24 by the fastening means 202 of the saddle clip 200. Specifically, the male lip 108C of the facing sheet 106C is received in the groove 206 of the fastening means 202. The female lip 110D of the facing sheet 106C is engaged over the U-shaped flange 204. The tangs 208 are embedded in the female lip 110C and prevent the sheet 106C from sliding laterally out of engagement with the U-shaped flange 204.

In this arrangement, the saddle clip 200 is first connected to the male lip 108 of a facing sheet and then the saddle clip 200 is installed about the subgirt member 24 in the manner described above. However, since the body segments 78 of the saddle clip 200 engage the load supporting elements 34, the saddle clip 200 will always be installed at substantially an exact position relative to the load supporting elements 34. It should be evident, therefore, that even in this embodiment the variations in the width of the outer facing sheets are automatically taken up and therefore prevented from accumulating facing sheet to facing sheet across the width of the wall structure.

Summary The present invention provides a fastening mean-s by which a wall structure may be rapidly and easily erected and which eliminates time consuming drilling operations heretofore required in prior art wall structures wherein conventional threaded fasteners were employed. Furthermore, the present fastening means permits the wall structure to be dismantled, when desired, without damaging any of the wall components. Still further, the present fastening means rigidly secures sub-girt members to load supporting elements without distorting the load supporting elements. This is particularly important when the load supporting elements comprise the above-described overlapped flanges between which a seal is provided. The present fastening means represents a savings in the cost of the fastener itself as well as a savings in the cost of erecting the wall structure. It is possible, when employing the fastening means of the present invention, to erect an insulated metal wall structure without the use of conventional threaded fasteners. Finally, although the liner 10 sheet-s have been shown and described in a vertical orientation, they could, instead, be otherwise oriented, for example, horizontal or inclined from the horizontal.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a building wall structure, the combination comprising:

spaced load supporting elements including first legs projecting from a plane of said wall structure and second legs extending laterally of the outer edges of said first legs;

recesses in the inboard faces of said second legs;

spaced subgirt members engaged with said second legs and extending transversely thereacross; and

fastening means for securing said subgirt members to said load supporting elements, said fastening means comprising saddle clips each including:

a generally U-shaped body engaged over a said subgirt member in saddle-like fashion and positioned adjacent to that edge of said second leg remote from said first leg;

body segments projecting from said U-shaped body inboard of said second leg, said body segments being frictionally engaged with said second leg;

tongues extending from the ends of said body segments into said recesses, whereby each of said saddle clips and said subgirt member are prevented from moving transversely of said load supporting elements, and

means carried by said U-shaped body for connecting said saddle clip to said subgirt member to prevent unintended disengagement of said saddle clip from said subgirt member.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 including:

tan-gs disposed on said body segments adjacent to said second legs, said tangs being embedded in said second legs whereby said saddle clips and said subgirt members are prevented from moving along said load supporting elements.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said tongues have pointed ends embedded in said second legs, whereby said saddle clips and said subgirt members are prevented from moving along said load supporting elements.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped body includes a central Web engaged over an outer face of said subgirt member and spaced side walls projecting from opposite ends of said central web, said spaced side Walls extending inwardly beyond said subgirt members; and wherein said body segments extend from said side walls towards load supporting elements.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprise at least two tangs, one positioned on each of said side walls adjacent said central web, each of said tangs comprising inwardly bent portions of said side walls, said tangs projecting toward each other and being engaged with an inboard face of said subgirt member whereby said subgirt member is clamped between said tangs and said central web.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said tangs are positioned adjacent to that edge of said central web remote from said body segments.

7. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprise:

a plurality of tangs each comprising an inwardly bent portion of said side walls; each of said side walls carrying two of said tangs, one adjacent to each edge of said central web;

said tangs projecting beneath said central web and being engaged with an inboard face of said subgirt member whereby said subgirt member is clamped between said plurality of tangs and said central web.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1 including vertically extending sheets spanning the distance between adjacent ones of said load supporting elements and providing vertical surfaces spaced inboard of said second legs; and wherein said U-shaped bodies extend from said subgirt members into engagement with said vertical surfaces.

9. The combination as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of interengageable facing sheets having interfitting male and female lips, said facing sheets being erected in side-by-side relation with said lips adjacent said subgirt members; and fastening means formed integrally with certain of said saddle clips for securing said facing sheets to said subgirt members, said fastening means providing grooves adapted to receive one of said lips.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said fastening means comprises a flat segment connected to and spaced from said U-shaped body, said flat segment extending substantially parallel with said subgirt members and cooperating therewith to define a groove positioned to receive a said male lip of said facing sheet.

11. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said fastening means comprises a generally U-shaped flange spaced outwardly from said U-shaped body and defining a said groove, said U-shaped flange being received in a said female lip of one facing sheet and receiving a said male lip of an adjacent facing sheet.

12. The combination as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of interen-gageable facing sheets having interfitting male and female lips, said facing sheets being erected in side-by-side relation with said lips adjacent said subgirt members; and fastening means connected to said subgirt members and including grooves adapted to receive one of said lips, for securing said facing sheets to said sub-girt members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,552 12/1937 Marsh 287-18935 2,303,269 11/1942 Goss 52--348 X 2,629,157 2/1953 OHerron 287-189.35 X 2,847,099 8/1958 Gruber 52-404 X 3,193,062 7/1965 Pendleton 52-489 X 3,300,934 1/1967 Waizenhofer 52- 480 X 3,305,994 2/1967 Amrhein et a1. 52488 X 3,324,617 6/1967 Knight et a1. 52-48l FOREIGN PATENTS 220,746 3/ 1959 Australia.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. ALFRED C. PERHAIM, Assistant Examiner.