US3423892A

US3423892A - Partition assembly

Info

Publication number: US3423892A
Application number: US573103A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Kenneth Rimington
Original assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stramit Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1966-08-17
Filing date: 1966-08-17
Publication date: 1969-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1986-01-28

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 J. K. RIMINGTON 3,423,892 PARTITION ASSEMBLY Sheet Filed Aug. 17, 1966 INVENTOR. J. KENNETH RIMINGTON ATTORNEYS.

Jan- 8, 96 J. K. RIMINGTON 3,

PARTITION AssEMBLY Sheet g of 3 Filed Aug. 17, 1966 HO H n4 n2 |0| [EMBED INVENTOR. 7 '02 J. KENNETH RIMINGTON BY I /II7 M Q H3 Ill 09 m (.22 v ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1969 v J. K. RIMINGTON 3,

I PARTITION ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 17, 1966 Sheet 3 of 3 INVENTOR. J. KENNETH RIMINGTON MM W ATTORNEYS United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A partition assembly including base therefor, a supporting structure incorporated therein, and means for supporting a panel member along an edge thereof, said member having any one of several predetermined thicknesses. The base for the partition includes a plurality of first and second base channel members, one of said base channel members being vertically adjustable relative to the other of said channel members for supporting at a predetermined elevation the lower surface of a partition member, a baseboard backer plate disposed on each side of the assembly of said first and second base channel members, and fastening means securing each baseboard backer plate to the assembled base channel members. The baseboard assembly also includes a longitudinally extending flexible non-metallic baseboard member connected to and carried by each baseboard backer plate. The partition assembly includes a supporting structure comprising a channel-shaped post having a U-shaped cross sectional configuration defined by a web and a pair of generally parallel flanges, a channel-shaped backer plate having a web disposed adjacent the web of said post, and means for securing together said post and said backer plate.

This invention relates to wall or partition assemblies and more particularly to wall or partition assemblies, and the parts comprising the same, for subdividing space in office buildings and the like which assemblies may be quickly and easily installed or removed without loss or destruction of any portion thereof.

It is quite common to arrange or rearrange suites of offices or rooms by reinstalling partitions that have been built in place or made of prefabricated sections. Sectional partitions, usually prefabricated, have numerous advan tages obvious to one skilled in the art. However, the vast quantity of prior art prefabricated partitions to which this invention relates have heretofore not provided the desired versatility and adaptation to spaces of varying dimensions, and accordingly have required an undue amount of planning because of the amount of close fitting work required. Additionally, many of the prior art prefabricated partitions were disadvantageous since portions thereof could not be reused upon removal or relocation of the partition and had to be replaced. Further, many of the prior art prefabricated partitions were complex in design and could not be easily or quickly installed or removed. It has been found, however, that each of the foregoing objections and disadvantages may be overcome through the use of a partition comprising a female base channel member having a web adapted to be secured to a floor and a pair of parallel flanges, said parallel flanges having serrations formed in opposed surfaces thereof, and a male base channel member having a web and a pair of 3,423,892 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 parallel flanges extending downwardly bet-ween said parallel flanges in said female channel member, said downwardly extending parallel flanges having serrations formed on opposed surfaces thereof that seat on said serrations of said parallel flanges of said female channel member, said male base channel member being vertically adjustable relative to said female base channel member over the range permitted by said serrated surfaces, an upper surface of said web of said male base channel member being adapted to support a partition thereon, and said male base channel member having a pair of upstanding flanges connected to the lateral edges of said 'web thereof for sandwiching the lower edge of the partition therebetween.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a novel and improved :wall partition assembly, and parts therefor, comprising prefabricated sections ready for assembly installation without any requirement for close fitting work and highly skilled labor.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved design for a removable partition all of the parts of which are completely reusable upon relocation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a base board member for a removable partition which may be quickly and easily installed or removed from said partition, said base board member having a feathered lower edge for bearing against a floor in a coved configuration, said base board member having a downwardly extending lip forming a portion of a channel-shaped upper edge and an upwardly extending channel forming lip formed between the upper and lower edges thereof. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a base board member for a removable partition, said base board member having a feathered lower edge for bearing against a floor in a coved configuration and a downwardly extending lip forming a portion of a channel-shaped upper edge, said base board being at least partially supported relative to said portion through the use of a pressure sensitive mate-rial.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support means for a removable partition which is easily and quickly adjusted to compenaste for uneven floor surfaces and the like.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel wall or partition assembly which is lightweight, rigid, non-rattling, and resistant to transmission of sound therethrough.

A further object of this invention is the provision of assemblies of the type referred to above which will permit the removal of one or more panels of any partition thereof without requiring the disassembly of the entire partition.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a removable panel or partition assembly that is adjustable to accommodate relatively large variations in room dimensions, and more particularly where it is found necessary to accommodate a wide range of floor to ceiling dimensions and/ or wall to wall distances.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a removable panel construction that provides modern, aesthetic, eye appealing, yet functional structure having clean, smooth lines.

Another object of this invention is the provision of partition or wall assemblies that can be easily removed and reinstalled without damage thereto, and at the same time leave only a relatively small number of conventional fastener holes in any permanent floors, walls, and ceilings to which the partition has been attached. These holes are easily eliminated by sanding the same, back-filling with appropriate filler material, and applying a suitable finish, where desired. Other than this, there are no other marks remaining on the permanent parts of the building.

Another object of this invention is to provide a flexible arrangement for mounting one of a plurality of glass thicknesses or one or more pieces of glass in an assembly through the use of a novel arrangement of removably mounted beads and mounting means therefor.

The partition or wall structure embodying the invention comprises doors, prefabricated window subassemblies, opaque wall panels, panel and/or window joints which are made up of two vertical posts bolted together, a top rail for the top of the partition that may or may not reach a ceiling, and a base subassembly adapted to be installed in situ for supporting the entire partition.

More particularly, it will be understood that the partitions can comprise numerous combinations and arrangements of opaque panels, windows, doors, and the like without any departure from the spirit and scope of this invention. However, for purposes of description, a window subassembly is supported by an opaque wall panel, such as a lightweight attractive panel of compressed straw fiber composition. Also, the partition is described herein as reaching a ceiling where the top rail is preferably suitably fastened to the ceiling.

The assembled panel, window and top rail are supported by the base subassembly. The baseboard illustrated in the drawings comprises two coved rubber baseboard members each adapted to "be carried by thin metal backer plate members. The rubber members have a feathered lower edge adapted to bear against a floor in a substantially coved configuration.

The upper and lower edges of a backer plate member are each seated in a groove of a base board member for securing the members together. The backer plates are fastened by a plurality of suitable fastening means such as spring wire clips to vertically extending parallel flanges of mated channel-shaped female and male members. The female member can be of one continuous length forming a floor runner. However, this has been found to interfere with an important vertical adjustment feature of this invention. It is therefore preferred that the floor runner comprise a plurality of short segments, each of three inches length, for example.

The male member is also of short lengths, each approximately 6" in length, for example, in order to facilitate the utilization of the adjustable feature of the assembly. If the assembled male and female members were inserted, it will be understood that the female member would then be attached to the floor.

The male member, unlike the female member, is a double channel having an H-shaped cross-sectional configuration. An interconnecting web supports the window or wall panel subassembly. A pair of erect parallel flanges of the male member embrace the lower edge of the wall panel. Another pair of parallel flanges extend downwardly between two erect parallel flanges of the female member.

The vertical adjustment feature of the invention comprises mating serrations formed in the contiguous flange surfaces of the female and male members. The serrations extend longitudinally of the male and female members. Preferably these serrations provide substantially horizontal ledges for providing maximum bearing support areas so as to support entire weight of the partitions. These serrations are easily joined by springing the male and female channel flanges apart and vertically adjusting the height of the entire partition. This would not be altogether possible but for the use of a series of female member segments where the floor to ceiling dimensions are irregular due to nonparallelism between the floor and ceiling. It has been found that the male member, when mounted within the female member, may be easily raised relative to said female member by canting or rotating same slightly and then urging same upwardly. This method requires only a small force to spring the flanges of the female member outwardly to permit first the serrated surfaces or ledges of one of the flanges of said male member to move past and then seat upon corresponding serrated surfaces or ledges of one of the flanges of said female member before a like action take place between the surfaces or ledges of the other mating flanges of said male and female members.

The vertical post assembly for joining any combination of two panels or window panes comprises two channelshaped members of hat-shaped cross-section bolted together with nuts and bolts. The members each have two coplanar flanges extending parallel to each other. The inner opposed surfaces of the flanges are serrated throughout the length thereof. These serrations are longitudinally extending V-shaped grooves provided for being wedged against and retaining a vertical edge of a window frame or panel in sandwiched relationship there'between. The panels can be laterally adjusted to accommodate variations in wall to wall dimensions. The amount of variation permitted is determined by the width of the flanges.

Vinyl filler strips appearing in decorator colors are inserted in the vertically extending grooves of each of the posts to cover the heads of the nuts and bolts. The groove has a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration where a flat bottom wall of the groove is larger than the groove mounted thereby securely retaining the filler strip, yet permitting the easy removal thereof.

A very desirable feature of this invention involves the use of prefabricated subassemblies, each comprising a window pane glazed to a metal frame. The metal frame is comprised of channel members having E-shaped cross-sectional configurations. The flanges or legs of the side window channel sections are serrated on the outer surfaces thereof for being secured between the serrated flanges of the vertical posts. This forms the lateral adjustment feature between the posts and the window side sections.

The top and bottom window sections are also channel members of E-shaped cross-sectional configuration. However, no flange surfaces are serrated. The flanges, however, are generally made wider to provide additional side or lateral thrust and bearing support between the window frame and the side panel. The bottom window section flanges straddle the supporting panel. The top rail telescopes over the top window section. Preferably the top rails splices are staggered so that any terminal ends thereof are disposed between vertical posts for added overall strength of the partition assembly.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein the same reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a length or portion of a floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall partition embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1 showing details of the partition construction and a vertical adjustment feature of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing further details of the partition;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 showing details of vertical post construction and a lateral adjustment feature of the vertical posts relative to opaque wall panels;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 taken along section line 55 of FIGURE 1 showing details of the lateral adjustment feature of the vertical posts relative to window frames;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 1 showing the connection of the partition to a wall at right angles thereto;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 1 showing details of construction and connection to the partition of a door jamb;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 1 showing details of construction and connection to the window frame of the door jamb and the hanging of the door jamb;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 1 showing details of construction and connection to an overhead window frame of the top section of the door frame;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to the lower portion of FIGURE 2 showing details of another embodiment of a partition constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of one of the glazing beads shown in FIGURE 10.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings and hereinafter described in detail, but is capable of being otherwise embodied and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be further understood that the phaseology o-r terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and there is no intention to herein limit the invention beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a partition, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 and embodying the invention, comprises a plurality of

opaque panels

11, 12 and 13, a plurality of

glass panels

14, 15, 16 and 17, and a door 18. The partition 10 extends from a floor 20 to a ceiling 21, and from a wall 22 to another wall, not shown. For the purpose of describing the best mode of carrying out this invention, the

panels

11, 12 and 13 are normally composed of compressed straw fiber formed under heat and pressure. These panels are lightweight, durable, and sound insulating.

In the preferred form of the invention, the partition 10 extends to the ceiling 21. An inverted female channel member forming a top rail 23 is therefore preferably secured to the ceiling 21 by a plurality of fasteners, such as a screw 23a as shown in FIGURE 2. Preferably, the channel member 23 is of one continuous length with the web thereof bearing directly against the ceiling 21 so that the parallel legs thereof extend downwardly.

The partition 10 rests on and is supported by a plurality of aligned erect channel-shaped female members or segments 24, see FIGURES 2 and 3. Preferably the segments 24 are approximately three inches in length to allow for accurate vertical adjustment of the partition 10 where the floor 20 is uneven. More particularly, the female members 24 are each fastened to the floor 20 by a fastener, such as a threaded fastener 25. The female members 24 support male channel members 26. The member 26 may be of one continuous length from. the door 18 to each wall, such as the wall 22; normally, it is in lengths of approximately 6 inches. The member 26 is a double channel member of H-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The member 26 supports the panel 12, see FIGURE 2. The panel 12 supports the window 16.

The downwardly extending flanges or legs of the ceiling channel 23 and two erect or upwardly extending

flanges

27 and 28 of each of the female channel members 24 secure the partition 10 in an upright position.

Each female channel segment 24 has the opposed inner surfaces of the

flanges

27 and 28 serrated to provide longitudinally extending horizontal ledges 29 and 30, respectively. The ledges 29 and 30 provide parallel bearing support surfaces for downwardly facing complementary and mating parallel surfaces or ledges 31 and 32, respectively,

formed in the outer surfaces of two parallel flanges 33 and 34 of the male member 26. Preferably, the ledges 31 and 32 of the flanges 33 and 34 of the member 26 are vertically spaced twice as far apart as the ledges 29 and 30 formed in the

flanges

27 and 28 of the female channel segments 24. The serrations of both

members

24 and 26 preferably allow for the vertical adjustment of one to two inches in overall partition height. The length of the flanges of the ceiling rail 23 provides for additional dimensional variations without havng to alter the dimensions of the

wall panels

11, 12 and 13 and/ or the

glass panels

14, 15, 16 and 17.

In FIGURE 2, the panel 12 is shown being supported on a. transversely and longitudinally extending web 35 of the male channel member 26. At each side of the web 35 there is an upwardly extending leg or

flange

37 and 38 for sandwiching the lower edge of the panel 12 therebetween. The

flanges

37 and 38 are relatively short to permit ease of assembly and installation of the partition 10.

The window panel 16 is a prefabricated subassembly that has a bottom section 40, a side section 41, a top section 42, and another side section similar to side section 41 forming a rectangularly-shaped window panel unit, see FIGURES l and 5. The bottom and

top window sections

40 and 42 are parallely and oppositely disposed. The

sections

40 and 42 are each of E-shaped cross-sectional configuration have parallel legs or

flanges

46, 47 and 48, 49, respectively. The

flanges

46 and 47 of the bottom section 40 are adapted to extend downwardly over the top edge of the panel 12 and sandwich the same therebetween. A groove 50 of the rectangular cross-section is formed in a web 52 of the section 40 along the longitudinal center line thereof. A flat bottom wall 53 of the groove 50 rests upon the to edge of the panel 12. The groove 50 holds glazing 54 for a glass pane forming a glass panel 16.

Similarly in FIGURE 2, the window top section 42, having the upwardly extending

flanges

48 and 49, has a central web 56 with a groove 57 of rectangular cross-section configuration. The upwardly extending

flanges

48 and 49 are telescoped between the downwardly extending flanges of the top rail 23. The glazing 54 secures the glass pane of the panel 16 in place.

As best seen in FIGURE 5, the window side section 41 is of E-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The section 41 has laterally outwardly extending parallel flanges 59 and 60. The outer parallel surfaces of the flanges 59 and 60 are serrated. The serrations comprise vertically extending grooves of V-shaped cross-section adapted to mate with similarly formed serrations in laterally extending

parallel flanges

61 and 62 of

vertical posts

63 and 64, respectively. A web 65 of the side section 41 is formed with a longitudinally and vertically extending groove 75 of the rectangular cross-section. The groove 75 forms a receptacle for the glazing 54, see FIGURE 2, that secures the glass panel 16 in place.

Both window side sections for window 16 are similarly formed. The side section 66 for window 17, see FIGURE 5, is similar to the side section 41, but is oppositely disposed. The glazing 67 holds the window panel 17 in place. The

vertical posts

63 and 64 each have a hat-shaped cross-section. The

serrated flanges

61 and 62 sandwich the similarly serrated flanges 59 and 60 of the side section 41 therebetween.

Serrated flanges

78 and 79 of the side section 66 complement and mate with the serrations formed in

post flanges

69 and 68, respectively. The

posts

63 and 64 are parallel and extend vertically from a point near the floor 20 to the top rail 23 at the ceiling 21.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the window side section 41 is secured to the bottom and

top window sections

40 and 42 by means of self-tapping metal screws 70. The screws 70 are threaded into two

parallel screw ports

71 and 72, see FIGURE 2, integrally formed in the web 52 of the section 40. The

screw ports

71 and 72 extend the length of the web 52 and are equally spaced on either side of the groove 50. The

parts

71 and 72 have a substantially C-shaped cross-section with a slit opening downwardly. The

ports

71 and 72 each form a reinforcing beam that adds to the rigidity of the section 40. The window top section 42 is similarly formed with screw ports 73 and 74 for securing the same, by means of self-tapping screws to the side sections such as section 41, see FIGURE 2.

In FIGURE 5, a window bottom section 76 of the glass panel 17 is secured to the side section 66 by means of selftapping screws 77.

For purposes of interchangeability of parts, all of the window side sections are alike, but top and bottom sections are dissimilar. All of the vertical posts are alike. The window panels and opaque panels may be alike or different as desired.

As best seen in FIGURES l, 4 and 5, the

posts

63 and 64 are alike but are oppositely disposed. A plurality of nut and bolt assemblies are used to fasten the

posts

63 and 64 together. For example in FIGURE 5, a threaded bolt 80 having a screw driver slot in the head thereof extends through an opening in a web 81 of the post 63 and is threaded into a plain hexagonal nut 82. A similar assembly of a nut 84 and a bolt 85 is shown in FIGURE 4. The nuts if desired may be fixed to the web 83 of the post 64, such as by welding.

The web 81 of the post 63 forms a bottom wall of a trapezoidally-shaped cross-section of a groove 87 The web 81 is of a greater transverse dimension than the mouth of the groove 88. The groove 88 has a trapezoidallyshaped cross-section.

The post 63, as pointed out, has a hat-shaped crosssection. The crown of the hat comprises the web 81. The web 81 is parallel to the

flanges

61 and 69. The crOWn of the hat of the post 64 comprises the web 83 that is parallel to the

flanges

62 and 68. The crown of the post 63 comprises

side walls

89 and 90, see FIGURES 4 and 5, having outer surfaces perpendicular to the

flanges

61 and 69 and the web 81. The inner surfaces of the

side walls

89 and 90 are not parallel but have converging sides of equal dimensions that extend outwardly from the web 81 to the mouth of the groove 87. The purpose of the converging sides is to retain in the groove 87 an elastomeric feature strip 91 that conceals the heads of the bolts, such as the

bolts

80 and 85. Preferably the strip 91 is of a vinyl material that can be obtained in decorator colors.

The vinyl strip 91 is of a weiror channel-shaped crosssectional

configuration having legs

92 and 93 that bear against the

walls

90 and 89, respectively, of the groove 87. A web 94 of the vinyl strip 91 has an outer planar surface that is coplanar and coextensive with the outer surfaces of the

flanges

61 and 69 of the vertical post 63. A similar polymeric strip 95 is retained in the groove 88 of the vertical post 64. The

strips

91 and 95, easily cut into the desired length, are of uniform thickness through, are interchangeable, and are easily installed and removed.

The manner in which the partition is fastened to the wall 22 is shown in FIGURE 6. The wall 22 may be a part of the permanent structure of a building or of another removable partition. After the top rail 23 and the segments 24 have been aligned and secured in place, a channel-shaped strip 100 is properly aligned and secured to the wall 22 by suitable fastening means, such as wood screws 101. The strip 100 is identical to the

window side sections

41 and 66 previously described. However, for ease of placement of the screws 101, webs 102 and 103 of the strip 100 may be notched or V-grooved as desired.

Posts 104 and 106, similar to the

posts

63 and 64 in FIGURES 4 and 5, are fastened together by vertically spaced nut and bolt assemblies. A bolt 107 and a nut 108 are shown assembled in FIGURE 6. Vinyl strips 109 and 110 are provided in grooves 111 and 112 of the posts 104 and 106, respectively. The opaque panel 11 is shown with a side edge sandwiched and retained between parallel serrated flanges 113 and 114 of the posts 104 and 106, respectively. Serrated parallel flanges or legs 115 and 116 of the strip are shown sandwiched and retained between similarly serrated parallel flanges 117 and 118 of the posts 104 and 106, respectively.

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 show details of the door 18 and the latch, frame and hinge arrangement for latching and supporting the same.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the door 18 has a conven tional latch 120 retractable by turning a door knob 121 shown in FIGURE 1. A catch or lock-pin receptacle plate unit 122 for the latch 120 is disposed in a rectangular cutout portion of a vertical door jamb post section 123. The unit 122 is secured to two parallel backer plates, such as plate 124, by means of binding head screws 125.

More particularly, the door frame comprises the vertical door jamb section 123, an oppositely disposed vertical door jamb section 128, and an upper door jamb header section 129, see FIGURE 1. The upper section 129 is mitred at the opposite ends thereof for being joined to similarly mitred upper ends of vertical door jamb post

sections

123 and 128. The

sections

123, 128 and 129 each have the same cross-sectional configuration. Accordingly, the details of the section 123 only need be described. The section 123 is channel-shaped and comprises two serrated legs or flanges 130 and 131 connected together by a planar web 132. The serrations in the outer surfaces of the flanges 130 and 131 extend longitudinally of the section 123 and mate with correspondingly serrated flanges 133 and 134 of two vertical posts 135 and 136, respectively. The

serrated flanges

137 and 138 of vertical posts 135 and 136, respectively, engage the lateral side edge of the panel 12 and assist in retaining the same in place. The posts 136 and 135 extend upwardly from a point near the floor to the flanges of the top rail 23. The posts 135 and 136 are secured together by vertically spaced assemblies of nuts and bolts, such as a bolt 140 threaded into a nut 141. The posts 135 and 136 retain in place vinyl decorator strips 142 and 143, respectively.

The backer plate 124, see FIGURE 7, is a channelshaped short metal segment. The plate 124 comprises a web 144 and two longitudinally slotted flanges that are described as parallel bifurcated legs 145 and 146. Fasteners, such as self-tapping screws 147 secure the plate 124 to parallel and coplanar flanges 148 and 149 respectively integrally connected to the legs or flanges 130 and 131 of the door jamb section 123. The flanges 148 and 149 are parallel to and spaced from the web 144. Preferably the flanges 148 and 149 are slotted or V-grooved for ease of placement of the screws 147. The backer plate 124 is inserted between the web 144 and the flanges 148 and 149 from one end of the door jamb section 123.

The section 123 has a door stop or jamb flange 150 that extends into the doorway parallel to the door 18 when the door 18 is closed. A plastic or resilient polymeric door mute 15.1 is carried by the jamb flange 150 for cushioning and deadening the closing sound of the door 18. The mute 151 in cross-section comprises a semi-circular portion 152 retained in a correspondingly shaped vertically extending slot formed in the terminal edge 153 of the jamb flange 150. The mute 151 has a cushion 154 of circular cross-section when not compressed or deformed by the closure of the door 18. The cushion 154 is integrally connected to the portion 152 by means of a thin planar connecting strip of polymeric material. Preferably, the mute 151 is of a vinyl material that is available in decorator colors.

FIGURE 8 shows the other vertical door jamb post section 128 secured between two vertical posts and 161. The

posts

160 and 161 are connected to the window panel 14. The door 18 is hinged to the door jamb section 128 by a conventional piano or door hinge assembly 162. A pin 163 secures two

mating hinge plates

164 and 165 together. The hinge plate 164 is fitted flush with an edge 166 of the door 18 and secured thereto in a conventional manner, such as by a plurality of screws. One screw 167 is shown. Screws such as a binding head screw 168 secure 9 the hinge plate 165 to a hacker plate 170. The backer plate 170, similar in construction to the backer plate 124 of FIGURE 7, is secured within the jamb section 128 as in FIGURE 7, by self-tapping screws 171. The section 128 is suitably cut away to permit the hinge plate 165 to lie flush with the exposed surface thereof.

The door frame is preferably prevented from warping by reinforcing the connection of the

sections

123 and 128 to the upper section 129, as shown in FIGURE 9. A backer plate 172, bent to a ninety degree angle, is secured by self-tapping screws 173 to the mitred joints of the

sections

123, 129 and 128, 129.

FIGURE 9 additionally shows a lower window section 174 forming a part of the window panel 15. The window section 174 is similar to the lower window section 40 of FIGURE 2. The section 129 has a downwardly extending door jamb flange 175 carrying a door mute strip 176. Additionally similar backer plates bent to an angle of ninety degrees are used as brackets for rigidly securing the

door jamb sections

123 and 128 to the floor. One arm of each bracket angle is inserted upwardly into the

door jamb section

123 and 128, as in FIGURES 7 and 8, and the other arm is fastened to the floor 20 beneath the partition so as to not extend into the doorway.

A door base block is connected to each of the lower ends of the

door post sections

135, 136, 160 and 161. Door base blocks 180 and 181 are shown in FIGURE 1 respectively connected to the

post sections

135 and 161. Preferably a sheet metal door base angle segment, not shown, but similar in cross-section to the vinyl decorator strips 142 and 143 of FIGURE 7 is fitted into each of the channels or grooves of the

vertical post sections

135, 136, 160 and 161 below the vinyl decorator strips. A door base angle is suitably fastened to the back Side of each door base block, such as by metal screws, not shown.

Preferably the entire partition 10 is completely assembled prior to the hanging of the door 18 and mounting of the baseboard. The baseboard can be attached as desired. FIGURE 1 shows continuous baseboard strips 190 and 191. The strip 191 extends along the floor 20 from the wall 22 to the base block 181.

FIGURE 2 shows the coved baseboard strips 190 on one side of the partition 10 and another coved baseboard strip 192 on the other side thereof. A thin metal baseboard backer plate 194 is used to attach the baseboard strip 190 to the partition 10. Similarly, a thin metal baseboard back plate 195 is used to attach the baseboard strip 192 to the opposite side of the partition 10.

More particularly, the baseboard backer plate 194 comprises an upper planar strip portion 196 that is secured flush against the erect flanges 27 of the female channel segments 24 preferably by means of a plurality of spring or wire clips 197, see FIGURES 2 and 3. The clips 197 are U-shaped and the ends are crossed when installed as shown in FIGURE 2. The two legs of each clip 197 are inserted through drill holes in the flanges 27 and 33 of the female and

male channel members

24 and 26, respectively. Similarly, wire clips 197 are used to secure the baseboard backer plate 195 to the flange 28 of the female channel member 24. The wire clips are passed through two vertically spaced apart drill holes in the flanges 28 and 34 of the female and

male channel members

24 and 26, respectively. The spring clips 197 also reinforce the assembly of the female and male channel member assembly to provide a more rigid foundation for the partition 10. The baseboard backer plate 194 and a planar strip 198 integrally connected to the portion 196 at an angle thereto of approximately 135 degrees and at an acute angle of approximately 45 degrees to the flange 27 of the female channel member 24.

The lower edge of the baseboard strip 190 is feathered for smoothly fairing with the floor 20. The upper end of the baseboard strip 190 is of U-shaped configuration to provide a lip portion 200 that is inserted behind the upper edge of the baseboard backer plate 194 for securing the baseboard 190 thereto. The backside of the baseboard 190 is V-grooved parallel to the upper and lower edges thereof to provide a lip 201. The lip 201 is inserted up under the lower edge of the baseboard backer plate 194 as shown in FIGURE 2. The

lips

200 and 201 have parallel edges and cooperate to form a channel into which is inserted the upper and lower edges of the baseboard backer plate 194.

The baseboard 192 is similarly connected to the baseboard backer plate 195. The door base blocks and 181, see FIGURE 1, are buffed to fair smoothly with the baseboard and 191, respectively.

Referring now to FIGURES 10 and 11, in FIGURE 10, which is a view similar to the lower portion of FIG- URE 2, is illustrated another embodiment of a partition constructed in accordance with the subject invention. In FIGURE 10, the panel 203 is shown being supported by the transversely and longitudinally extending web 202 of the female channel member 204. At each side of the web 202 there is an upwardly extending leg or

flange

206, 208 for sandwiching the lower edge of the panel 203 therebetween. The

flanges

206 and 208 are relatively short as are the

flanges

37 and 38 of member 26 shown in FIG- URE 2 to facilitate the assembly and installation of the partition.

A sheet of glass 210 is shown disposed intermediate between a pair of glazing

beads

212 and 214. Each of the

glazing beads

212 and 214 are removably mounted within a respective one of a pair of

recesses

216 and 218 which are formed within the web 220 of a bottom section or inverted channel member 222. Each

recess

216 and 218 has, in cross-section, a C-shaped configuration with opposed flanges 224. Each of the glazing heads is generally U-shaped in cross-section, each of the arms or legs of the

U-configuration having recesses

226 and 228, see FIG- URE 11, formed therein. It will be noted that the depth of recess 228 is approximately twice the depth of the recess 226. The purpose for forming the glazing beads with recesses having unequal depths is to enable the installation of one of three different glass sheet thicknesses through the use of a single set of glazing beads. For example, when the recess 228 of each of the glazing beads is disposed closest to the glass sheet 210, a minimum gap separates the opposed surfaces of the

glazing beads

212 and 214. When the recesses 226 are placed closest to the glass sheet 210 a maximum gap separates the opposed surfaces of the glazing beads. When the recess 228 of one of the glazing beads is disposed closest to the glass sheet 210 and the recess 226 of the other of the glazing heads is disposed closest to the glass sheet 210, an intermediate gap thickness separates the opposed surfaces of the glass beads. Thus, it will be readily apparent that through appropriate positioning of one or both of the

glazing beads

212 and 214, it is possible to install any one of three thicknesses of glass sheets through the use of a single pair of glazing beads as constructed in accordance with the subject invention.

In the event it is desired or required that a pair of glass sheets be used, one of the glass sheets is mounted in recess 216 while the other glass sheet is mounted in recess 218. Under these circumstances, each glass sheet will be mounted within its respective recess in the same manner as the glass panel 16 is mounted in the recess 50 as shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 10 shows the use of modified coved baseboard strips 227 and 229 each of which is disposed on a respective side of the partition. Modified thin metal

baseboard backer plates

230 and 232 are used to attach, respectively, the baseboard strips 227 and 229 to the partition.

Referring now to baseboard backer plate 230, baseboard backer plate 230 comprises an upper planar strip portion 234 that is secured flush to the depending flanges 236 of the female channel segments 204, preferably by means of a plurality of spring or wire clips 238. The clips 238 are substantially identical to clips 197 shown in FIG-

URES

2 and 3. However, the two legs of each clip are inserted through drill holes formed only in the baseboard backer plate and in flanges 236 of the female member 204. The legs of the clips 238 do not extend through the flanges 240 of the male channel members 242. The baseboard backer plate 230 also has a planar strip 244 integrally connected to but preferably offset from planar strip 234. The baseboard backer plate 230 also preferabl includes a third planar strip 246 disposed at an acute angle to planar portion 244 and extending toward the outer surface of flange 240 of the male channel member 242. Al though planar strip 246 does not contact the outer surface of flange 240, it can be useful in supporting the adjacent baseboard strip when the baseboard strip is subjected to relatively large lateral loads.

The lower edge of each baseboard strip is feathered for smoothly fairing with the floor 248. Referring now to baseboard strip 232, it being understood that baseboard strip 230 is identical in construction with baseboard strip 232, the upper end of baseboard strip 232 is of a U-shaped configuration to provide a lip portion 250 that is inserted behind the upper edge of the baseboard backer plate 232 for securing the baseboard 232 thereto, much in the same manner as baseboard strip 192 is secured to baseboard backer plate 195 as shown in FIGURE 2. The lower portion of baseboard backer plate 232 is secured to the offset planar portion 252 of baseboard backer plate 232 by an adhesive means 254 which may comprise a strip of tape adhesively coated on both sides thereof. The bottom portion of the baseboard strip 232 which contacts the floor 248 comprises an inverted V-shaped portion 256.

Due to the similarities of the remaining structural portions of the partitions shown in FIGURE 10 with the structural features shown in FIGURE 2, a further discussion of FIGURE 10 is not deemed warranted and a more complete understanding of the function and operation of the partition shown in FIGURE 10 may be had from an examination of FIGURE 10 combined with a review of the explanation set forth above relating to the partition shown in FIGURE 2.

It is apparent that the partition 10 may be entirely of glass or entirely of opaque panels. It is also apparent that various configurations and combinations of glass and panels may be employed in making up a wall assembly from the various parts hereinabove described.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved partition which may be easily, readily and inexpensively installed or removed has been described. One important advantage inherent in the herein described partition results from the fact that substantially every part thereof is completely reusable following removal and reinstallation of the partition. Additionally, an unusual degree of vertical flexibility exists as the result of the use of the herein described partition particularly due to the use of the female channel members and male channel members having serrations formed on the flanges thereof as described herein. Further vertical flexibility is obtained through the use of additional channel members such as the

channel members

40, 23 and 42 shown in FIGURE 2. The female channel member and the male channel member such as

members

24 and 26 cooperate to provide a firm vertical support while at th same time one of said members is easily and quickly adjusted vertically relative to the other said member. Further, the use of backer plates such as

plates

194 and 195 in combination with the baseboard members described herein such as

baseboard members

190 and 192 facilitates the installation or removal of the baseboard members without any damage thereto and without the use of additional fastening or securing means. The installation and removal of the baseboard members may be done quickly and inexpensively without the use of specialized skills or expensive tools. The use of the various posts described herein not only reduces the overall cost of a partition since the same degree of flexibility is obtained even though a smaller number of different parts are involved but also permits the erection and removal of such a partition or portions thereof with persons having ordinary skills. Also, the herein described partition permits the installation of doors in a greatly simplified manner than has heretofore been possible with prior art removable partitions.

It will be understood that the present invention may be modified to adapt it to various circumstances and conditions, and it is accordingly desired to comprehend within the purview of this invention such modifications as may be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A base for a partition comprising: a plurality of aligned male base channel members forming a floor runner, each of said male channel members having a web adapted to be secured to a floor and a pair of erect generally parallel flanges, said erect parallel flanges having formed in the outer surfaces thereof a plurality of upwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said web and coextensive with said erect parallel flanges to describe serrated surfaces, and a plurality of female base channel members having a web and a pair of generally parallel flanges extending downwardly and encompassing at least a portion of said erect parallel flanges of said male base channel members, said downwardly extending parallel flanges having formed in opposed surfaces thereof a plurality of downwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said web and coextensive with said parallel extending flanges to describe serrated surfaces at least one of which seats on one of said upwardly facing ledges of said erect parallel flanges, each female base channel member being vertically adjustable relative to said male base channel members over the range permitted by said serrated surfaces, the upper surface of said web of each female base channel member being adapted to support a partition thereon, and each female base channel member having a pair of short generally parallel upstanding flanges connected to the lateral edges of said web thereof for sandwiching the lower edge of a partition therebetween; two elongated baseboard backer plates each having first and second longitudinally extending planar surface portions one of which is offset relative to the other, said first longitudinally extending planar surface portion of one of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surfaces on one side of said downwardly disposed parallel flanges of said female base channel members; said downwardly extending parallel flanges of each female base channel member and each of said baseboard backer plates having openings formed therethrough, at least some of the openings formed in one of the baseboard backer plates being disposed in alignment with the openings formed in a corresponding one of the downwardly extending parallel flanges; and fastening means extending through some of said aligned openings formed in said contiguous baseboard backer plates and said parallel flanges of said female channel members and for securing the same together.

2. A base for a partition as described in claim 1 further comprising a longitudinally extending flexible, non-metallic baseboard member connected to and carried by each of said baseboard backer plates, each of said baseboard members having a feathered lower edge for hearing against the floor in a coved configuration.

3. A base for a partition comprising: a plurality of aligned female base channel members forming a floor runner, each of said female channel members having a web adapted to be secured to a floor and a pair of erect generally parallel flanges, said erect parallel flanges having formed on opposed surfaces thereof a plurality of upwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said web and coextensive with said erect parallel flanges to define serrated surfaces, and a plurality of male base channel members having a web and a pair of generally parallel flanges extending downwardly between said erect parallel flanges, said downwardly extending parallel flanges having formed therein a plurality of downwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said web and coextensive with said downwardly extending flanges to define serrated surfaces at least one of which seats on one of said upwardly facing ledges of said erect parallel flanges, each male base channel member being vertically adjustable relative to a corresponding one of said female base channel members over the range permitted by said serrated surfaces where by the web of each male base channel member is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, the upper surface of the Web of each male base channel member being adapted to support a partition thereon, and each male base channel member having a pair of short generally parallel upstanding flanges connected to the lateral edges of said web thereof for sandwiching the lower edge of a partition therebetween; two elongated baseboard backer plates each having parallel upper and lower edges, said baseboard backer plates each having first and second longitudinally extending planar surface portions extending obliquely to each other at an obtuse angle, said first longitudinally extending planar surface portion of one of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surfaces on one side of said erect parallel flanges of said female base channel members, and said first longitudinally extending planar surface portion of the other of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surfaces of the other of said erect parallel flanges of said female base channel members; said parallel flanges of said female and male base channel members and said baseboard backer plates having openings formed therethrough, at least some of the openings formed through said baseboard backer plates being disposed in alignment with the openings formed in said parallel flanges; and fastening means extending through some of said aligned openings formed in said contiguous baseboard backer plates and said parallel flanges of said female and male base channel members and for securing the same together and maintaining alignment thereof.

4. A base for a partition as described in claim 3 further comprising a longitudinally extending, flexible, nonmetallic baseboard member connected to and carried by each of said baseboard backer plates, each of said baseboard members having a feathered lower edge for bearing against the floor in a coved configuration.

5. A base for a removable partition comprising: a plurality of linearly spaced and aligned male base channel members forming a floor runner, each of said male channel members having a web adapted to be secured to a floor and a pair of erect parallel flanges, said erect parallel flanges having formed in the surfaces thereof a plurality of upwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said web and coextensive with said erect parallel flanges to describe serrated surfaces; a plurality of female base channel members each having a Web and a pair of parallel flanges extending downwardly and encompassing at least a portion of said erect parallel flanges, said downwardly extending parallel flanges having formed in opposed surfaces thereof a plurality of downwardly facing ledges extending parallel to said Web and coextensive with said downwardly extending flanges to describe serrated surfaces at least one of which seats on one of said upwardly facing ledges of said erect parallel flanges, each of said female base channel members being vertically adjustable relative to said male base channel members over the range permitted by said serrated surfaces, an upper surface of said web of said female base channel members being adapted to support a partition thereon, said female base channel members having a pair of short parallel upstanding flanges connected to the outermost lateral edges of said web thereof for sandwiching the lower edge of a partition therebetween; two elongated baseboard backer plates each having first, second and third longitudinally extending planar surface portions, said third longitudinally extending planar portion extending obliquely to said second planar portion at an obtuse angle, said first longitudinally extending planar surface portion of one of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surfaces on one side of said downwardly disposed parallel flanges of said female base channel members, and said first longitudinally extending planar surface portion of the other of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surfaces of the other of said downwardly disposed parallel flanges of said female base channel members; spring clips extending through aligned openings formed in said contiguous baseboard backer plates and said parallel flanges of said female base channel members and for securing the same together and maintaining alignment thereof; a longitudinally extending flexible nonmetallic baseboard member connected to and carried by each of said baseboard backer plates, each of said baseboard members having a feathered lower edge for bearing against the floor in a coved configuration, each of said baseboard members having a downwardly extending lip forming a channel-shaped upper edge and extending behind the upper contiguous edge portion of one of said baseboard backer plates; and adhesive means for adhesively securing at least a portion of each of said baseboard members to at least a portion of the contiguously disposed second planar portion of a respective one of said baseboard backer plates.

6. A base as described in claim 5 in which said third planar portion of each of said baseboard backer plates is dispoesd generally intermediate to said second planar portion and an adjacent erect flange of said male base channel member.

7. In a baseboard assembly for a partition, a female base channel member, a male base channel member, a baseboard backer plate connected to said female base channel member, means securing said baseboard backer plate and said female base channel member together, and a longitudinally extending flexible non-metallic baseboard member connected to and carried by said baseboard backer plate, said baseboard member having a feathered lower edge for bearing against a floor in a coved configuration, said baseboard member having a downwardly extending lip forming a portion of a channel-shaped upper edge and extending behind the upper contiguous edge portion of said baseboard backer plate, and said baseboard backer plate having an upwardly extending channel forming lip between the upper and lower edges of each of said baseboard members extending behind the lower contiguous edge portion of said baseboard backer plate.

8. A partition comprising: a sheet of wall-forming material and a retaining assembly extending along one edge of said sheet; said assembly comprising first, second, and third vertical posts, said first and second vertical posts having a hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a vertical and longitudinally extending groove and a pair of coplanar laterally extending flanges, said first and second vertical posts having the crowns of said hatshaped configuration opposed to each other and the flanges thereof extending parallel to each other and being formed with vertically extending grooves, the opposed surfaces of said flanges describing serrated surfaces and sandwiching said one edge of said sheet therebetween; means biasing said first and second posts together along the length thereof; a channel-shaped plastic non-metallic filler strip disposed in each of said vertically and longitudinally extending grooves of said first and second posts and retained therein enclosing said biasing means; said third vertical post being channel-shaped and having a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a web and a pair of parallel flanges sandwiched between the other pair of opposed serrated surfaces of said flanges of said first and second vertical posts, the outer surfaces of said flanges of said channel-shaped vertical posts being formed with vertically extending grooves that define serrated surfaces engaging and mating with said serrated surfaces of said flanges of said first and second vertical posts; a channel-shaped backer plate means having a web bearing against said web of said channel-shaped vertical post, said flanges of said channel-shaped vertical post each having a short flange extending toward each other parallel to said web of said channel-shaped vertical post, said backer plate means having bifurcated fastener receiving means extending perpendicular to said backer plate web and engaging said short flanges; and fastener means extending through said short flanges into said bifurcated fastener receiving means for securing said backer plate means to said channel-shaped vertical posts.

9. A supporting structure for use in a partition, said structure comprising: a channel-shaped post having a U- shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a web and a pair of generally parallel flanges each having a short flange extending toward each other and disposed generally parallel to said web; a channel-shaped backer plate means having a web disposed adjacent the web of said post and bifurcated fastener receiving means extending perpendicular to the web of said backer plate means and terminating at a point adjacent the short flanges of said post; and fastener means extending through said short flanges into said bifurcated fastener receiving means for securing said backer plate means to said post.

10. A supporting structure as described in claim 9 wherein said web of said post includes a door jamb having a flange extending therefrom on a side opposite to said parallel flanges and extending the length of said post.

11. A supporting structure as described in claim 10 wherein said flange of said door jamb has a groove formed in the outer vertical edge portion thereof and coextensive therewith, and door mute means comprising resilient cushion means retained in said groove and substantially coextensive therewith.

12. A supporting structure as described in claim 9 wherein the outer surfaces of the generally parallel flanges of said post have a plurality of grooves formed thereon.

13. A base for a partition comprising: a plurality of first base channel members and a plurality of second base channel members, each of said first base channel members being disposed in aligned, spaced-apart relation and having a web adapted to be secured to a floor and a pair of generally erect parallel flanges, said parallel flanges having serrations formed in the surfaces thereof, each of said second base channel members having a web and a pair of generally parallel flanges extending downwardly and engaging the parallel flanges of a corresponding one of said first base channel members, said downwardly extending parallel flanges having serrations formed in the surfaces thereof that seat on and are supported by said serrations of the arallel flanges of the corresponding one of said first base channel members, the base channel member having downwardly disposed flanges being vertically adjustable relative to the corresponding one of said base channel members having erect parallel flanges over the range permitted by said serrated surfaces, an upper surface of said web of said second base channel member having downwardly disposed flanges being adapted to support a partition thereon, each of said second base channel members having downwardly disposed flanges also having a pair of upstanding flanges connected to the lateral edges of said web thereof for sandwiching the lower edge of a partition therebetween; two elongated baseboard backer plates each having first and second longitudinally extending planar surface portions one of which is offset relative to the other, said first longitudinally extending planer surface portion of each of said baseboard backer plates being contiguous with the outer surface on one side of said downwardly disposed corresponding parallel flange of the base channel member having its parallel flanges outermost of the parallel flanges of the other base channel member; said outermost parallel flanges of each corresponding base channel member and each of said baseboard backer plates having openings formed therethrough, at least some of the openings formed in each of the baseboard backer plates being disposed in alignment with the openings formed in the corresponding outermost parallel flange; and fastening means extending through some of said aligned openings formed in said contiguous baseboard backer plates and said outermost flanges of the corresponding base channel members for securing same together.

14. A partition comprising: a sheet of wall-forming material, a panel member and an assembly for retaining said sheet and panel member, said panel member having any one of several different thicknesses; said retaining assembly comprising first and second vertical posts each of hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a vertically and longitudinally extending groove and a pair of coplanar laterally extending flanges, said first and second vertical posts having the crowns of said hat-shaped configuration opposed to each other and the flanges thereof extending parallel to each other and being formed with vertically extending grooves, the opposed surfaces of said flanges defining serrated surfaces and sandwiching one edge of said sheet therebetween; means biasing said first and second posts together along the length thereof; a channel-shaped plastic non-metallic filler strip disposed in each of said vertically and longitudinally extending grooves and retained therein enclosing said biasing means; a channel-shaped post having a pair of longitudinally extending grooves of C-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed in the web thereof, each groove having one longitudinal flange extending inwardly from each side of the entrance thereof with the flanges being coplanar; and a pair of biasing beads of general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, each of said beads being removably mounted in a corresponding one of said pair of longitudinally extending grooves of C-shaped cross-sectional configuration, each of said beads comprising a body having side portions, a top and two bottom sections of unequal width with facing separated inner edges, a C-shaped leg depending from each of said inner edges with the legs facing each other, each leg comprising a first downwardly extending leg portion, a second downwardly extending leg portion attached to and outwardly offset from said first downwardly extending leg portion, and a third leg portion attached to said second downwardly extending leg portion extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom, each of said second downwardly extending leg portions having a recess in its outer surface with one of said recesses being deeper than the other, whereby said beads cooperate with each other to support therebetween a panel member having any one of several predetermined thicknesses.

15. In a supporting structure for use in a partition, said partition including a panel member: removably mounted means for supporting said panel member along an edge thereof, said panel member having any one of several predetermined thicknesses, said supporting means comprising a member having a pair of longitudinally extending grooves of C-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed in a surface thereof, each groove having one longitudinal flange extending inwardly from each side of the entrance thereof with the flanges being coplanar, and a pair of biasing beads of general U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, each of said beads being removably mounted in a corresponding one of said pair of longitudinally extending grooves of said C-shaped cross-sectional configuration, each of said beads comprising a body having side portions, a top and two bottom sections of unequal width with facing separated inner edges, a C- shaped leg depending from each of said inner edges with the legs facing each other, each leg comprising a first downwardly extending leg portion, a second longitudinally extending leg portion attached to and outwardly offset from said first downwardly extending leg portion, and a third leg portion attached tosaid second downwardly extending leg portion extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom, each of said second downwardly extending leg portions having a recess in its outer surface with one 01. said recesses being deeper than the other, whereby saxd beads, when installed within their respective grooves, cooperate with each other tosupport therebetween said panel member having any one of several predetermined thicknesses, With each flange member of each groove 'being disposed Within a. corresponding one of said recesses.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OBrien 52-288 X 18 1/1966 Gartrell 52--29O X 10/1966 Birum 52-239 12/1966 Hammitt 52238 10/1964 Oppenhuizen et a1. 52502 X OTHER REFERENCES FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiner,

U.S. Cl. X.R.