Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Facer held by stiffener-type frame – Facer back abuts and conceals frame
Patent
1995-05-05
1997-12-02
Friedman, Carl D.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Facer held by stiffener-type frame
Facer back abuts and conceals frame
52 34, 52 366, 524891, 5250609, E04B 272, E04H 112
Patent
active
056923457
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a panel joining mechanism for joining a plurality of wall panels or partition panels.
BACKGROUND ART
There have been proposed various joining structures and fixtures for joining wall panels or partition panels for unit bathrooms. Reference numerals given in parentheses below refer to those indicated in the drawings of publications of the background art.
Japanese utility model publication No. 60-40722 discloses a joining structure as a first background art arrangement. As shown in FIG. 5 of the publication, the joint structure has a joint member (12) (see its FIG. 6) fitted in a post (11) and panels (1), (1) having hook fingers (4), (4) inserted in the joint member (12). The joint member (12) has deep grooves (12c), (12c) in which attachment members (11'), (11') of the post (11) are fitted, respectively. Therefore, the joint member (12) is movable along the grooves (12c) with respect to the post (11), allowing the panels (1), (1) to be easily attached to the joint member (12).
Japanese laid-open utility model publication No. 59-168414 discloses, a second background art arrangement, a fixture (1) for joining panels (3), (4) to each other. When the fixture (1) is fitted in a channel-shaped stud (2) and engaging members (11), (11) on ends of the panels (3), (4) are inserted into the fixture (1), the panels (3), (4) are joined to each other and fixed to the stud (2).
As shown in FIG. 2 of the publication, the fixture (1) is formed by bending a thin metal sheet a number of times, and has a shape that can elastically be deformed.
The relevance of the two background art structures described above resides in that panels can easily be attached to a post or a stud by a joint member or a fixture.
There is a demand for modifying a finished bathroom by attaching an accessory such as a lavatory bowl to a wall of the bathroom. Since the lavatory bowl is heavy, it should not simply be fastened to a wall panel by screws.
It has been customary to detach a wall panel, remove a joint member or a fixture, put an accessory attachment plate between exposed posts or studs, fasten opposite ends of the accessory attachment plate to the posts or studs, attach the joint member or the fixture again, and then attach the wall panel again to the joint member or the fixture. Thereafter, a lavatory bowl is fastened to the accessory attachment plate behind the wall panel.
Therefore, it is necessary to remove panels for rearranging bathrooms.
In terms of rearranging a bathroom, the first background art arrangement is disadvantageous in that, as shown in FIG. 5 of the publication, since the tip ends of J-shaped hook fingers (4) engage steps (accompanied by no reference numerals) of the joint member (12), attempts to force the panels (1) off tend to deform the hook fingers (4) or break the steps of the joint members (12).
With the second prior art arrangement, a pattern of spaced fixtures (1) which are of a small length, as shown in FIG. 1 of the publication, allows steam to leak out of the bathroom through gaps. If an elongate fixture (1) as long as the stud (2) is used to avoid the steam leakage, then it will not be easy to detach the fixture (1) from the stud (2). This is because steps (14), (14) of the fixture (1) interlock with tip ends (8), (8) of flanges (7), (7) of the stud (2). If intensive forces are applied to remove the fixture (1), then the fixture (1) is liable to be deformed largely and may not be used again.
As described above, the conventional joining structures are addressed to attachment of panels only, and are not suitable for detaching and reattaching panels.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a panel joining mechanism which allows panels to be detached and reattached without applying undue forces and repeatedly.
A panel joining mechanism according to the present invention comprises a post composed of a flat rear wall adapted to be positioned in confronting relation to an attachment for being s
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Mogaki Yukinori
Seno Shunroku
Suzuki Shigieru
Carrier Joseph P.
Friedman Carl D.
Toto Ltd.
Weiner Irving M.
Yip Winnie
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