US3838548A

US3838548A - Panel edging member and assembly

Info

Publication number: US3838548A
Application number: US00201769A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Tanner
Original assignee: SOUTHESTERN ALUMINUM PROD Inc
Current assignee: SOUTHESTERN ALUMINUM PROD Inc
Priority date: 1971-11-24
Filing date: 1971-11-24
Publication date: 1974-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-01

Abstract

A unitary panel edging member is disclosed in which a first channel is formed with an inturned flange for gripping the edge of a panel of various thicknesses, such first channel being so adaptable without adversely affecting the outer walls of such edging member. The member includes a second channel for receiving a corner connector therein. When the member is in the stile, the second channel faces in the same direction as the first channel. When the member is the rail, the second channel faces in the opposite direction with respect to the first channel. A panel assembly including a rail and stile edging member and corner connector is also disclosed.

Description

United States Patent Tanner I45] Oct. 1,1974

[73] Assignee: Southestern Aluminum Products,

Inc., Jacksonville. Flat.

[22] Filed: Nov. 24, 1971 I21] Appl. No.1 201,769

Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Attorney. Agent. or Firm-George H. Baldwin:

Arthur G. Yeager (57] ABSTRACT A unitary panel edging member is disclosed in which a first channel is formed with an intumed flange for gripping the edge of a panel of various thicknesses. such first channel being so adaptable without adversely affecting the outer walls of such edging member. The member includes a second channel for receiving a comer connector therein. When the member is in the stile. the second channel faces in the same direction as the first channel. When the member is the rail. the second channel faces in the opposite direction with respect to the first channel. A panel assembly including a rail and stile edging member and corner connector is also disclosed.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Flgures 1 PANEL EDGING MEMBER AND ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to edging member rails and stiles of panel framing assemblies adapted to support rectangular panels or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Edging members, some of which were designed for panel frame assemblies. have been shown in the art and numerous patents have been issued thereon, exemplary of which are US. Pat. Nos. 2.784.445. 2.798.262; 3,188,772. 3.234.697; 3,26l.l29; 3.294.353; 3,382.6l4', 3,382,615; and 3,416,282. Many of the above patents do not directly relate to the subject matter herein disclosed, while the ones that do relate are deficient in numerous ways, and the invention herein described and claimed substantially alleviates the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one of the aspects of this invention, the elongated panel edging member includes an outer bottom integral with an outer side wall extending generally perpendicular to the outer bottom wall. a first inner side wall disposed generally parallel and adjacent the outer side wall and integral with the outer side wall. An inner bottom wall is connected to the first inner side wall and extends generally perpendicular to the first inner side wall and is disposed generally parallel and adjacent the outer bottom wall. A second inner side wall is integral with the inner bottom wall, and extends generally perpendicular thereto and in the same general direction and parallel to the first inner side wall. The inner side walls and inner bottom wall form an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to the inner bottom wall for receiving a panel edge portion therein. Means are provided on the second inner side wall to firmly grip panel edge portion of differing thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal thereof from between the inner side walls. The edging member is formed of stiffly resilient material to permit flexing of the second inner side wall spacedly away from the first inner side wall and flexing of the inner bottom wall toward the outer bottom wall.

Other aspects relate to the formation of either of two different channels unitarly with such edging member whereby when the other channel faces in the same direction as the panel receiving channel, such edging would be employed as a stile and when the other channel faces in the opposite direction from the panel receiving channel, such edging is employed as a rail. The other channels each receive a leg of a corner connector thereby connecting a rail and stile together in a panel assembly.

Additional aspects relate to the specific means provided on the second inner side wall and is seen to include an elongated flange extending along the inner side wall, such flange extending laterally toward the first inner side wall and toward the inner bottom wall and terminating in an elongated free edge which firmly engages with and locks a panel edge portion inserted between such flange and the first inner side wall.

A general object of this invention is to provide improved panel edging members for use as rails and stiles of panel frame assemblies.

A particular object is the provision of such a member which will receive various thicknesses of panel edge portions and securely grip same without other separate fastening means, such as screws. nails. etc.

Another particular object is to provide a stile member that will maintain a perpendicular square corner shape between the outer wall surfaces thereof. one of which will be flushed and juxtaposed with a door opening and the other being substantially parallel to the panel to which the stile member is attached.

A further particular object is the provision of an edging member in which the panel edge receiving channel is formed inwardly of the outer exposed walls thereof whereby the preformed relationship between the exposed walls is maintained regardless of flexing and/or some repositioning movements of the channel to accommodate various thicknesses of panels.

A specific object is to provide panel edging members which is unitary and includes additional channels for receiving corner connectors therein to complete panel framing assemblies.

Other specific objects are to provide panel edging members which are simple and easily constructed; inexpensively manufactured; readily installed without requiring skilled labor or the use of any tools; and durable and efficient in operation and use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself. however, both as to its organization and method of operation. together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a sliding door assembly utilizing the panel edging member in accord with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the cross-section of the rail in accord with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing the cross-section of the stile in accord with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a sliding door assembly generally at I] including a pair of sliding and bypassing doors l2 and [3 with door 12 being outwardly disposed relative to door 13, assembly 11 being installed in a rectangular doorway 15. Each of doors l2 and 13 are slidingly guided by a pair of spaced lower guides 16 which extend into respective guideways I7 and 18 of lower track 19, track 19 being installed in doorway 15 by spaced fasteners 20 aiong its length and being generally parallel to the upper track which is similarly affixed in doorway 15.

Each of the doors l2 and 13 are substantially identical and further description of door 12 will suffice to particularly describe the invention. Door 12 includes a panel frame assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 2|, and a panel 22 of any suitable material. such as plywood. paneling. plastic or the like. The frame assembly 2| includes a pair of generally horizontal and

identical rails

23 and 24 and a pair of generally vertical and identical stiles and 26, and four unitary corner connectors, including corner connectors 27, disposed in each corner and connecting one stile and one rail together. The manner of attaching the upper rail 23 to the

stiles

25 and 26 and ofhanging the sliding

doors

12 and 13 is adequately shown and described in connection with applicants pending U.S. Pat. application. Ser. No. 70.383, filed Sept. 8. 1970 and entitled Panel Frame Assembly, now US. Pat. No. 3.650.07l. granted Mar. Zl. l972. The manner of attaching the lower rail 24 to the

stiles

25 and 26 with corner connectors 27. and of guiding the sliding

doors

12 and 13 are shown and described in connection with applicants pending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 123.661. filed Aug. 12. l97l and entitled Unitary Guide for Sliding Panels. now US. Pat. No. 3683415, granted Aug. 15. l972. and further description thereof is not believed to be necessary. Each of the rails and stiles 23 26 includes a channel 30 opening and facing inwardly with respect to the panel 22 and receiving respective edge portions 31 and 32 of panel 22 thereinto as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In accord with this invention the panel edging member 34 in the form of rail 24 is shown in FIG. 2, while such member 34 in the form of stile 25 is shown in FIG. 3. Since the portion of member 34 forming channel 30 is identical in the rail 24 and stile 25. like reference numerals will be employed in the description of each where appropriate. Member 3 is formed preferably of steel of the like which is strong and resilient and includes an elongated outer bottom wall 35 having an elongated edge 36. An elongated outer side wall 37 is integral with edge 36 and extends generally perpendicular to bottom wall 35 terminating in an elongated edge 38. An elongated first inner side wall 39 is disposed generally parallel and adjacent side wall 37. wall 39 having an elongated edge 40 integral with edge 38. lnner bottom wall 41 includes a pair of spaced elongated edges 42 and 43 with edge 42 being integral with side wall 39 spacedly away from edge 40 thereof. bottom wall 41 extending generally perpendicular to side wall 39 and disposed generally parallel and adjacent bottom wall 35. An elongated second inner side wall 44 includes a pair of spaced

elongated edges

45 and 46 with edge 45 being integral with bottom edge 43, side wall 44 extending generally perpendicular to bottom wall 41 and in the same general direction and parallel to the first inner side wall 39. The

inner side walls

39 and 44 and inner bottom wall 41 form the elongated channel 30 having an opening therealong opposite to bottom wall 41 for the reception of a panel edge 31 or 32 therein. as respectively depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 Further in accord with the invention means are provided in the form of an elongated flange 48 extending along an integral with edge 46 of inner side wall 44 for firmly gripping panels of various thicknesses and inhibiting inadvertent removal of a panel edge from between inner wall 39 and such flange 48. Since the member is formed of stiffly resilient material. flexing of inner side wall 44 from side wall 39 is caused by insertion of a panel edge between side wall 39 and the free edge 49 of flange 48. The opening 50 of channel 30 may thus adapt to various thicknesses of panel 22 because of the flexing capabilities of both the side wall 44 about the connection of edges 43 and 45 and the flange 48 about edge 46, which is illustrated by broken lines 52in FIGS.

2 and 3. Furthermore. the holding action of flange 48 caused by the flange being resiliently biased against the panel 22 and the free edge 49 being embedded inwardly of the surface 53 of panel 22, when such panel is plywood. panelling or the like. establishes a firm lock which inhibits ready or inadvertent removal of the panel from the channel 30 after insertion thereinto.

While flange 48 is shown as being continuous along the edge 46. it is to be understood that the same could be constituted by a plurality of smaller and spaced flanges along edge 46 without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention herein disclosed.

Due to the small spacing between the outer side wall 37 and first inner side wall 39 and between the outer and inner

bottom walls

35 and 41, the inner side wall 39 would move closer to the outer side wall 37 and the inner bottom wall 41 would move closer to the outer bottom wall 35 during insertion of panel 22 and sometimes these positions are substantially maintained due to the thickness of panel 22. Even if the latter occurs. the perpendicular arrangement between the exposed outer side wall 37 and outer bottom wall 35 is maintained so that the stile 25. for example, will be and remain flush with respect to the cooperating surface of the rectangular doorway 15. ln other words. the

channel forming components

39, 41 and 44 may become out of square without adversely affecting the squared condition of the

outer wall components

37 and 35.

The outer bottom wall 35 of rail 24 includes another elongated edge 55 parallel to and spaced from edge 36 thereof to which is integrally attached a third elongated inner side wall 56, wall 56 extending generally perpendicular to bottom wall 35 and in the same general direction and adjacent the second inner side wall 44, as shown in FIG. 2. Another elongated bottom wall 57 includes a pair of spaced elongated edges 58 and 59 with edge 58 being integral with side wall 56 spacedly away from edge 55. Wall 57 extends generally perpendicular to side wall 56 and generally parallel to and offset from bottom wall 35. Another elongated outer side wall 60 is integral with edge 59 and extends generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to side wall 56. Side wall 60 is spaced from side wall 56 by bottom wall 57, all of which form another elongated channel 61 having an opening 62 tberealong opposite to bottom wall 57, such channel 61 receiving one leg 63 of corner connector 37 therein. Outer bottom wall 57 includes an aperture 65 therethrough and leg 66, angularly disposed with respect to leg 63, extends through such aperture 65 and is locked therein by resilient flange 67 which engages the shoulder (not shown) defining aperture 65 after insertion of leg 66 therethrough.

The stile member 25 includes another outer side wall 70 integrally connected along elongated bottom edge 71, bottom edge 71 being spaced from edge 36 and spaced from the inner side wall 44, as shown in FIG. 3. Side wall 70 extends generally perpendicular to bottom wall 35 and parallel to inner side wall 44, side wall 70 and bottom wall 35 and side wall 44 forming an elon gated channel 72 facing in the same direction as channel 30, channel 72 having an opening 73 therealong opposite to bottom wall 35 for receiving a leg 75 therein. An inwardly directed flange 77 is integrally connected to side wall 70, and such flange 77 is spaced from bottom wall 35 to accommodate leg 75 therebetween. Leg 72 is locked within channel 72 by a shoulder of the corner connector 27 engaging a shoulder of the flange 77 (not shown herein but adequately described in applicants aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,45l.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment. it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An elongated panel edging member for a marginal edge portion of a panel or the like comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and an elongated edge, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said edge of said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular to said outer bottom wall and terminating in an elongated edge. an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being disposed generally parallel and adjacent said outer side wall, said first inner side wall having an elongated edge integral with said edge of said outer side wall, an inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with said first inner side wall spacedly away from said edge of said inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular to said first inner side wall. said inner bottom wall being disposed generally parallel and at least spaced partially above and adjacent said outer bottom wall, a second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with the other said edge of said inner bottom wall,

said second inner side wall extending generally perpendicular to said inner bottom wall and in the same general direction and parallel to said first inner side wall, said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of a panel therein, panel gripping means connected to the other said edge of said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner side walls, said member being formed of stiffly resilient material to permit flexing of said second inner side wall spacedly away from said first inner side wall and flexing of said inner bottom wall toward said outer bottom wall thereby urging said panel gripping means into embedment in a panel.

2. The member as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer bottom wall includes another elongated edge parallel to and spaced from said edge thereof, another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other edge of said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to said second inner side wall, said other outer side wall extending in the same general direction and spaced from said second inner side wall, said other outer side wall and second inner side wall and outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said outer bottom wall for the reception of a corner connector therein.

3. The member as defined in claim I wherein said outer bottom wall includes another elongated edge par- LII allel to and spaced from said edge thereof. a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other edge of said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto. said third inner side wall extending in the same general direction and adjacent said second inner side wall. another elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with said third inner side wall and spaced from said other edge of said outer bottom wall. said other outer bottom wall extending generally perpendicular to said third inner side wall and generally parallel to said outer bottom wall, another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with the other said edge of said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto. said other outer side wall extending in generally the opposite direction and spaced from said second inner side wall and being generally parallel to said third inner side wall. said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for the reception of a corner connector therein.

4. The member as defined in claim I wherein said panel gripping means connected to the other said edge of said second inner side wall includes an elongated flange extending along said other edge of said inner side wall. said flange extending laterally toward said first inner side wall and toward said inner bottom wall and terminating in an elongated free edge which firmly engages with and locks a panel inserted between said flange and said first inner side wall.

5. In a panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner. each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces. an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith. an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith, an elongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall. an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bottom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall. said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein. means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls. each said stile and rail including another channel along respective said channel, and corner means having a pair of spaced leg portions respectively entering said other channels for connecting said stile and rail together.

6. ln the assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said stile includes another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and spaced from and parallel to said second inner side wall. said other outer side wall and second inner side wall and outer bottom wall forming said other channel.

7. in the assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said pair of spaced leg portions are unitary and angularly disposed.

8. in panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner. each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith. an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith. an elongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer sur faces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall. an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bottom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall. said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein, means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls. and corner means attached to said stile and rail for connecting same together said rail including a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom all and extending generally perpendicular thereto and adjacent and parallel to said second inner side wall. another elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said third inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto. said other outer bottom wall being spaced from and generally parallel to said outer bottom wall. another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to said third inner side wall. said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for receiving said corner means therein.

9. In the assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said corner means includes a corner connector having a pair of angularly disposed legs. one said legs being disposed in said other channel for attaching said connector to said rail.

10. In the assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said other outer bottom includes an aperture therethrough. said connector including a third leg angularly disposed with respect to and attached to said one leg. said third leg being disposed through said aperture.

11. in a panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner, each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces. an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith. an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith. an clongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall. an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bot tom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall. said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein. means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls. and corner means attached to said stile and rail for connecting same together said stile including another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and spaced from and parallel to said second inner side wall. said other outer side wall and second inner side wall and outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel of said stile having an opening therealong opposite to said outer bottom wall for receiving said corner means therein. said rail includes a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending gener ally perpendicular thereto and adjacent and parallel to said second inner side wall. another elongated outer bottom wall of said rail having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said third inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said other outer bottom wall being spaced from and generally par allel to said outer bottom wall. another elongated outer side wall of said rail having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to said third inner side wall. said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel of said rail having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for receiving said corner means therein.

l2. in the assembly as defined in claim ll wherein said corner means includes a corner connector having a pair of angularly disposed legs. one said leg being disposed in said other channel of said stile for attaching said connector to said stile. the other said leg being dis posed in said other channel of said rail for attaching said connector to said rail.

13. In the assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said other outer bottom of said rail includes an aperture therethrough. said connector including a third leg angularly disposed with respect to and attached to said other leg, said third leg being disposed through said aperture.

222 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3 838,548 Dated October 1. 1974 Inventor(s) Homer C. Tanner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r- Column 1, linell, "shown" should read "known" Column 3, line 16, Pat. No. 3,683,415" should read Pat. No. "3,683,451" Column 3, line 29, "3" should read "34" Column 3, line 30, "of" should read "or" Column 4, line 46, "37" should read "27" Column 4, line 66, "72" should read "75" Column 7, line 7, after "In" insert "a" Column 7, line 33, "all" should read "wall" Column line second occurrence, should read leg Signed and Scaled this Fifteenth Day Of February 1977 [SEAL] Arresr:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParemx and Trademarks

Claims

1. An elongated panel edging member for a marginal edge portion of a panel or the like comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and an elongated edge, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said edge of said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular to said outer bottom wall and terminating in an elongated edge, an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaceS and being disposed generally parallel and adjacent said outer side wall, said first inner side wall having an elongated edge integral with said edge of said outer side wall, an inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with said first inner side wall spacedly away from said edge of said inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular to said first inner side wall, said inner bottom wall being disposed generally parallel and at least spaced partially above and adjacent said outer bottom wall, a second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with the other said edge of said inner bottom wall, said second inner side wall extending generally perpendicular to said inner bottom wall and in the same general direction and parallel to said first inner side wall, said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of a panel therein, panel gripping means connected to the other said edge of said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner side walls, said member being formed of stiffly resilient material to permit flexing of said second inner side wall spacedly away from said first inner side wall and flexing of said inner bottom wall toward said outer bottom wall thereby urging said panel gripping means into embedment in a panel.

3. The member as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer bottom wall includes another elongated edge parallel to and spaced from said edge thereof, a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other edge of said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said third inner side wall extending in the same general direction and adjacent said second inner side wall, another elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of spaced elongated edges with one said edge being integral with said third inner side wall and spaced from said other edge of said outer bottom wall, said other outer bottom wall extending generally perpendicular to said third inner side wall and generally parallel to said outer bottom wall, another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with the other said edge of said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said other outer side wall extending in generally the opposite direction and spaced from said second inner side wall and being generally parallel to said third inner side wall, said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for the reception of a corner connector therein.

4. The member as defined in claim 1 wherein said panel gripping means connected to the other said edge of said second inner side wall includes an elongated flange extending along said other edge of said inner side wall, said flange extending laterally toward said first inner side wAll and toward said inner bottom wall and terminating in an elongated free edge which firmly engages with and locks a panel inserted between said flange and said first inner side wall.

5. In a panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner, each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith, an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith, an elongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall, an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bottom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall, said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein, means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls, each said stile and rail including another channel along respective said channel, and corner means having a pair of spaced leg portions respectively entering said other channels for connecting said stile and rail together.

6. In the assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said stile includes another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and spaced from and parallel to said second inner side wall, said other outer side wall and second inner side wall and outer bottom wall forming said other channel.

8. In panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner, each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith, an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith, an elongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall, an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bottom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall, said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein, means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls, and corner means attached to said stile and rail for connecting same together said rail including a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom all and extending generally perpendicular thereto and adjacent and parallel to said second inner side wall, another elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said third inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said other outer bottom wall being spaced from and generally parallel to said outer bottom wall, another elongated outer side wall having inner and oUter surfaces and being integral with said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to said third inner side wall, said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for receiving said corner means therein.

9. In the assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said corner means includes a corner connector having a pair of angularly disposed legs, one said legs being disposed in said other channel for attaching said connector to said rail.

10. In the assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said other outer bottom includes an aperture therethrough, said connector including a third leg angularly disposed with respect to and attached to said one leg, said third leg being disposed through said aperture.

11. In a panel frame assembly comprising a stile and a rail perpendicularly disposed to form a corner, each said stile and rail comprising an elongated outer bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces, an elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and being perpendicularly disposed therewith, an elongated first inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first outer side wall and being parallel and generally coextensive therewith, an elongated inner bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said first inner side wall and being parallel and adjacent said outer bottom wall, an elongated second inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said inner bottom wall and being parallel and spaced from said first inner side wall, said inner side walls and inner bottom wall forming an elongated channel having an opening therealong opposite to said inner bottom wall for the reception of an edge of a rectangular panel therein, means connected to said second inner side wall to firmly grip panels of various thicknesses and inhibit inadvertent removal of a panel from between said inner walls, and corner means attached to said stile and rail for connecting same together said stile including another elongated outer side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and spaced from and parallel to said second inner side wall, said other outer side wall and second inner side wall and outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel of said stile having an opening therealong opposite to said outer bottom wall for receiving said corner means therein, said rail includes a third elongated inner side wall having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and adjacent and parallel to said second inner side wall, another elongated outer bottom wall of said rail having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said third inner side wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto, said other outer bottom wall being spaced from and generally parallel to said outer bottom wall, another elongated outer side wall of said rail having inner and outer surfaces and being integral with said other outer bottom wall and extending generally perpendicular thereto and parallel to said third inner side wall, said other outer side wall and third inner side wall and other outer bottom wall forming another elongated channel of said rail having an opening therealong opposite to said other outer bottom wall and facing oppositely from said channel for receiving said corner means therein.

12. In the assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said corner means includes a corner connector having a pair of angularly disposed legs, one said leg being disposed in said other channel of said stile for attaching said connector to said stile, the other said leg being disposed in said other channel of sAid rail for attaching said connector to said rail.

13. In the assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said other outer bottom of said rail includes an aperture therethrough, said connector including a third leg angularly disposed with respect to and attached to said other leg, said third leg being disposed through said aperture.