US3916577A

US3916577A - Joint retention clip for a building wall structure

Info

Publication number: US3916577A
Application number: US331557A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bobby G Vare
Original assignee: HH Robertson Co
Current assignee: SPX Corp
Priority date: 1973-02-12
Filing date: 1973-02-12
Publication date: 1975-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-04
Also published as: CA998218A; USB331557I5

Abstract

Joint retention means in the form of a clip, for confining a male lip of a first panel within a fixed female lip of a second panel, against withdrawal by negative wind loading. The retention clip presents at least one wing element which is flexible in a direction normal to the general plane of the panel, and is relatively inflexible in a direction parallel with the direction of withdrawal of the male lip from the female lip.

Description

i United States Patent Vare 51 Nov. 4, 1975 JOINT RETENTION CLIP FOR A BUILDING 3,209,503 10/1965 Mosteller 52/478 x WALL STRUCTURE 3,300,934 1/1967 Waizenhofer.... 52/489 X 3,394,519 7/1968 Tischule 52/478 Inventorr Bobby Vare, Mllton, 3,603,057 9/1971 Curran 52/478 [73] Assignee: H. H. Robertson Company,

Pittsburgh, Pa, Primary ExaminerEmest R. Purser Assistant Examiner-Carl D. Friedman [22] Filed 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harry B. Keck; George E. [21] Appl. No.: 331,557 Manias [44] Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no. [57] ABSTRACT B Joint retention means in the form of a clip, for confining a male lip of a first panel within a fixed female lip SZMZhZS/gg of a Second p against withdrawal y negative [58] Fie'ld S 478 522 wind loading. The retention clip presents at least one 50 wing element which is flexible in a direction normal to the general plane of the panel, and is relatively inflexible in a direction parallel with the direction of with- [56] g gzz lgs gglims drawal of the male lip from the female lip. 2,642,968 6/1953 Roush et al 52/522 x 4 Claims 19 Drawing figures US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,916,577

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,916,577

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.IIB)

FIG. l2

lif/// Hg ///1/A1|3 FIG.II

Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,916,577

FIG. l6 a JOINT RETENTION CLIP FOR A BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to vertical and inclined building wall structures of the type having joints formed by interengaged male and fixed female lips wherein the male lip is subject to disengagement by negative wind loading of the wall structure, and more particularly to joint retention means in the form of a clip by which the male lip is confined within the fixed female lip.

2. Description of the Prior Art Wall structures are known wherein the joints between adjacent panels comprise interengaged male and female lips which extend laterally of the general plane of the wall structure. The female lip presents a terminal flange extending laterally beyond the lips. The terminal flange portion is secured to a supporting structure by fasteners. See US. Pat. No. 3,324,617 (KNIGHT et al., June 1967); British Pat. No. 1,099,735 (H. H. ROB- ERTSON COMPANY, January 1968).

Wall structures also are known having similar interengaged male and female lips wherein clip members are employed to secure the female lip to a supporting structure. See US Pat. Nos. 3,300,934 (WAIZEN- I-IOFER, January 1967); 3,394,519 (TISCHUK, July 1968); 3,438,168 (TISCHUK, April 1969).

In all of the above-described wallstructures, the stiffness of the building panel is relied upon to retain the male lip engaged with the female lip. When the wall structure is subjected to negative wind loading, the male lip may be disengaged from the female lip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide a joint retention clip by,which a male lip of one panel is contained within a fixed female lip of an adjacent panel under negative wind loading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a joint retention clip by which a neat panel joint is assured.

The present invention provides improvements in a joint between adjacent panels of the type wherein the panels present confronting first and second side walls extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, such as a subgirt. A female lip extends laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of the panel. A male lip extends laterally from the second side wall into the female lip.

In accordance with the present invention means is provided for securing the female lip to the supporting structure. At least one wing element is provided which extends outwardly from the supporting structure in confronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from the first side wall. The wing element is flexible in a direction parallel with the second side wall, whereby the wing element may be depressed by the male lip during installation of the panel. After the male lip is inserted into the female lip, the wing element returns to its original outwardly extending position. The wing element is relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the first side wall, whereby the male lip is confined within the female lip against forces, such as negative wind loading, tending to withdraw the male lip from the female lip.

The means for securing the female lip to the supportporting structure. In this arrangement, the fastener also secures the wing element to the supporting structure.

The means for securing the female lip to the supporting structure may comprise a fastener extending through a terminal flange portion presented by the female lip. In this arrangement, the fastener also secures the wing element to the supporting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a broken, fragmentary front view of a building wall structure incorporating the joint retention means of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view, in exploded form, illustrating a joint between adjacent panels of the wall structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the joint retention means of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the joint retention means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a clip member;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side and plan views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the present joint retention means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the use of the joint retention means of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2 illustrating an initial position of a panel being installed with respect to the joint retention means I of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l0l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating an intermediate position ofthe panel being installed with the present joint retention means in a depressed condition;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l2l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating the final installed position of the panel with the present joint retention means in an operative position;

FIG. 14 is a crosssectional view taken along the line 1414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the present joint retention means;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the joint retention means of FIG. 15; and

FIGS. l7, l8 and 19 are cross-sectional views, similar to FIGS. l0, l2 and 14, illustrating the installation of a panel and use of the joint retention means of FIGS. 15 and 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a wall structure 10 comprising plural building panels 11 erected in side-by-side relation to a supporting structure, such as the building framework 12 of a building of which only subgirts 13 are illustrated. Joints 14 are presented between adjacent ones of the building panels 11. Securing means 15 is provided for securing one edge of the panels 11 to the subgirts 13. Joint retention means 16 of this invention is provided for confining the panels 11 at each joint 14.

Each of the'panels 11 (FIG. 2) comprises a central web 17 having first and second side walls l8, 19 formed along the opposite longitudinal edges of the central web 17. A female lip 20 extends laterally from the inboard edge of the first side wall 18 inwardly of the panel. The female lip provides a lengthwise channel 21. A male flange 22 extends laterally from the inboard edge of the second side wall 19 outwardly of the panel 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the male lip 22 of the panel 11A is positioned to be introduced into the lengthwise channel 21 of the female lip 20 of the adjacent panel 118. The joint retention means 16 is secured to the subgirt 13 adjacent to the entrance of the lengthwise channel 21.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the joint retention means 16 comprises a clip member 23 having a central, U- shaped base 24 including a web 25 having upstanding flange portions 26 along opposite sides thereof. The clip member 23 additionally provides wing elements 27 which extend in opposite directions and which are inclined relative to the web 25. Each wing element 27 terminates in a flat end portion 28. The web 24 is provided with a central aperture 29 used in securing the clip member 23 to the supporting structure. In one commercial embodiment, the clip member 23 is formed from heat treated spring steel having a thickness of 0.022 inches. The wing elements 27 are flexible in the direction indicated by the arrows 30 in FIG. 3 and are relatively inflexible in the direction indicated by the arrows 31 in FIG. 4.

The securing means 15 (FIG. 1) may comprise a clip member 32 (FIG. 5) which is similar to that clip member described and illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,438,168, supra. The clip member 32 comprises a lip receiving portion 33 providing a recess 34 for receiving the female lip 20 (FIG. 2) of a panel 11. A pair of inwardly sloped prongs 35 provided on the lip receiving portion 33 are positioned to engage an outer surface of the female lip 20 thereby securing the clip member 32 to the female lip 20. The clip member 32 additionally includes a flat body portion 36 which is offset from and connected to the lip receiving portion 33 by an intermediate body portion 37. The flat body portion 36 is provided with a central aperture 38.

It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the flat body portion 36 of the clip member 32 overlies the U-shaped base 24 of the joint retention means 16. A fastener 39 secures the clip member 32 and the joint retention means 16 to the subgirt 13. The wing elements 27 extend outwardly from the subgirt 13 and are flexible in a direction parallel with the first and

second side walls

18, 19 of the panels 11 between the normal position illustrated in solid lines and a depressed position illustrated in dotted outline. The wing elements 27 are relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the first and second side walls l8, 19.

An alternative embodiment of the present joint retention means is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and comprises a clip member 40. The clip member 40 presents a single wing element 27 extending outwardly from one of the upstanding flange portions 26a of the U-shaped base 24 and is inclined relative to the web 25. The clip member 40 includes means (the upstanding flange portion 26a) for preventing rotation of the clip member 40 about an axis extending normal to the base 24, for example the central axis of 41 (FIG. 6) of the central aperture 29 (FIG. 7).

FIG. 8 illustrates an insulated wall structure 42 comprising an inner sheath assembled from plural liner sheets 43 presenting overlapping flanges 44; a layer of insulation 45 covering the interior surfaces of the liner sheets 43; horizontal girt members 46 (only one illustrated) secured to the overlapping flanges 44 by fasteners 47 (only one visible); and building panels or facing sheets 11A, 118. The female lip 20 of the panel 11A is secured to the girt member 46 by the clip member 32 and fastener 39. It will be observed in FIG. 8 that the base 24 of the clip member 40 underlies the flat body portion 36 of the clip member 32 and also is secured to the girt member 46 by the fastener 39.

It will be observed in FIG. 8 that the upstanding flange portion 26a is presented in confronting relation with an edge of the flat body portion 36 of the clip member 32, whereby rotation of the clip member 40 about the axis 41 is prevented. The axis 41 extends normal to the girt member 46 and is parallel with the first and

second side walls

18, 19 of the building panels 1 l A, 1 18.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 9 through 14 which illustrate the installation of a building panel at a joint incorporating the present joint retention means 16. It will be observed in FIGS. 9 and 10 that initially the male lip 19 of the panel 11B is engaged with the flat end portions 28 of the wing elements 27. The panel 11B is moved inwardly toward the subgirt 13 until the male lip 19 confronts the lengthwise channel 21 of the female lip 20. During the inward movement of the panel 11B, the wing elements 27 being flexible in a direction parallel with the first and

second side walls

18, 19 of the panels 11A, 11B are depressed inwardly toward the subgirt 13. Thereafter, the panel 11B is moved laterally to introduce the male lip 22 into the lengthwise channel 21. As the second side wall 19 is moved beyond the clip member 40 (FIGS. 13 and 14), the wing elements 27 return to their original outwardly inclined position. It will be observed in FIG. 14 that the wing elements 27 present corresponding longitudinal edges 48 (only one visible) in confronting relation with a face 49 of the second side wall 19 which is remote from the first side wall 18. Since the wing elements 27 are relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the

side walls

18, 19, the male lip 22 is confined within the lengthwise channel 21 of the female lip 20. A centering device, such as a lip clip 50 (FIGS. l3, l4), maintains the male lip 22 centered within the channel 21 of the female lip 20.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 15 and 16 wherein an alternative embodiment of the present clip member, indicated generally by the numeral 55, is illustrated. The clip member presents wing elements 57 extending outwardly from opposite edges of and inclined relative to a base 56. The wing elements 57 terminate in flat end portions 58. The wing elements 57 present corresponding first longitudinal edges 59 and corresponding second longitudinal edges 60. A base portion 61 extends laterally beyond the corresponding second longitudinal edges of the wing elements 57 andis provided with a fastener receiving aperture 62.

Referring to FIG. 17, the building panels 11C, 11D are similar to the building panels 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the building panels 11C and 11D, the female lip 20 includes a terminal flange 63 which extends laterally outwardly beyond the first side wall 18 and comprises a fastening flange by which a fastener 64 secures the panel 11C to the subgirt 13. It will be observed in FIG. 17 that the clip member 55 also is secured to the subgirt 13 by the fastener 64 passing through the aperture 62 (FIG. 16) of the base portion 61. The clip member 55 is positioned such that the corresponding first longitudinal edge 59 of a wing element 57 confront the first side wall 18 of the panel 11C.

When installing the panel 11D, the male lip 22 thereof is engaged with the flat end portions 58 of the wing elements 57 (FIG. 17). The panel 11D is then pushed inwardly toward the subgirt 13 thereby depressing the wing element 57 toward the subgirt 13 and posi tioning the male lip 22 thereof for introduction into the female lip 20 (FIG. 18). Thereafter, the panel 11D is displaced laterally toward the building panel 11C to introduce the male lip 22 into the lengthwise channel 21 of the female lip 20. As the second side wall 19 of a panel 11D is moved beyond the wing elements 57, the wing elements 57 return to their normally inclined position and have their corresponding first longitudinal edges 59 confronting the face 49 of the second side wall 19 (FIG. 19). It will be observed in FIG. 19 that the wing elements 57 confine the male lip 22 within the female lip 20.

I claim: 1. In a joint between adjacent panels wherein said panels present confronting first and second side walls extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of the panel, a male lip extending laterally from the second side wall into said female lip, the improvement comprising:

first means for securing said female lip to said supporting structure; and

second means for retaining said male lip engaged with said female lip, including at least one wing element extending outwardly from said supporting structure and presenting a longitudinal edge in confronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from the first side wall, said wing element being flexible in a direction parallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the second side wall;

said female lip presenting a terminal flange portion extending laterally of said first and second side walls and inwardly of said second panel;

a base formed integrally with said wing element and engaged with said terminal flange portion; and said first means for securing said female lip to said supporting structure comprising a fastener extending through said base and said terminal flange portion.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said second means includes 5 a second wing element extending outwardly from said base in a direction opposite to that of the first said wing element and having longitudinal edge presented in confronting relation with said face of the second side wall, said second wing element being flexible in a direction parallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the second side wall.

3. In a joint between adjacent first and second panels wherein said first and second panels present confronting first and second side walls, respectively, extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of said first panel, a male lip extending laterally from the second side wall into said female lip, the improvement comprising:

a first clip member having one end secured to said female lip and an opposite end confronting said supporting structure;

a second clip member having 25 a base engaged with said supporting structure and said opposite end of said first clip member, and diverging wing elements extending in opposite directions from opposite sides of said base and presenting corresponding longitudinal edges in confronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from the first side wall, said wing elements being flexible in a direction parallel with said face of the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to said face of the second side wall; and fastening means securing said opposite end of said first clip member and said base of said second clip member to said supporting structure. 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said base has a generally U-shaped transverse profile including a web and end flanges angularly disposed relative to said web, said opposite end of said first clip member being disposed between end flanges and engaging said web. 4

Claims

1. In a joint between adjacent panels wherein said panels present confronting first and second side walls extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of the panel, a male lip extending laterally from the second side wall into said female lip, the improvement comprising: first means for securing said female lip to said supporting Structure; and second means for retaining said male lip engaged with said female lip, including at least one wing element extending outwardly from said supporting structure and presenting a longitudinal edge in confronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from the first side wall, said wing element being flexible in a direction parallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the second side wall; said female lip presenting a terminal flange portion extending laterally of said first and second side walls and inwardly of said second panel; a base formed integrally with said wing element and engaged with said terminal flange portion; and said first means for securing said female lip to said supporting structure comprising a fastener extending through said base and said terminal flange portion.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said second means includes a second wing element extending outwardly from said base in a direction opposite to that of the first said wing element and having longitudinal edge presented in confronting relation with said face of the second side wall, said second wing element being flexible in a direction parallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to the second side wall.

3. In a joint between adjacent first and second panels wherein said first and second panels present confronting first and second side walls, respectively, extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of said first panel, a male lip extending laterally from the second side wall into said female lip, the improvement comprising: a first clip member having one end secured to said female lip and an opposite end confronting said supporting structure; a second clip member having a base engaged with said supporting structure and said opposite end of said first clip member, and diverging wing elements extending in opposite directions from opposite sides of said base and presenting corresponding longitudinal edges in confronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from the first side wall, said wing elements being flexible in a direction parallel with said face of the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to said face of the second side wall; and fastening means securing said opposite end of said first clip member and said base of said second clip member to said supporting structure.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said base has a generally U-shaped transverse profile including a web and end flanges angularly disposed relative to said web, said opposite end of said first clip member being disposed between end flanges and engaging said web.