FLUSH JOINT STRUCTURE FOR ADJOINING PANELS

• US 3,868,802 A
• Filed: 10/11/1972
• Issued: 03/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rohr Industries, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Theodor C. Schubach
• Inventors: Schubach, Theodor C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Jordon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berman, Conrad L.
• Application Number:
  US05/296,517
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 287/2.92J,2.92W,2.92G,2.92R 52/588,483,599,463,468,492,753G,753J,753R,753W
• US Class Current: 52/462
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/58 with elongated members of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 15/02 Flooring or floor layers composed of a number of similar elements of webs E04F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/062 used between similar elements separate provisional spacers E04F21/0092
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/065 Finishing profiles with a T-shaped cross-section or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4987 Elastic joining of parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit

Abstract

A plurality of structural panels are mounted in side by side relation on a structural support member, adjacent edges of the panels being provided with overlapping flanges which hold the panels in spaced relation to provide a channel therebetween and permit the insertion of fasteners, which secure the flanges, and thereby the panels, to the support member. A latch step is provided along each of the panel edges which define each channel, and a recess is provided along each exposed panel edge along each side of the channel to receive an edge of a flush plate, which spans, and closes, the channel between adjacent panels. Two latch flanges or fingers extend from the underside of each flush plate into the channel which it covers, for latching engagement, one with each of the latch steps. Each flush plate is applied by pressing it into flush latched position, and can be removed by splitting it lengthwise with a suitable tool, such as a metal cutting saw.

Claims

1. A concealed flush joint structure comprising in combination with two generally similar structural floor panels mounted in edge-to-edge relation on an underlying supporting member to define a common upper surface, adjacent edge faces of said first and second panels spaced slightly apart, and parallel, each of the panels having a marginal recess in an upper face thereof along its respective adjacent edge to receive the edge of a cover plate flush therein, each panel further comprising a parallel bottom facing sheet, a first of said adjacent edge faces comprising an edge member of said first panel, of general Z cross sectional shape having an upper flange portion bonded to an underside marginal portion of a top facing sheet of said first panel and a bottom flange portion bonded to an upper side of a bottom facing sheet marginal portion of said first panel wherein said bottom flange portion projects outwardly in the direction of the adjacent floor panel, a second of said adjacent edge faces comprising an edge member of said second panel of general channel cross sectional shape having an upper flange portion bonded to an underside marginal portion of a top facing sheet of said second panel and a lower flange portion bonded to An upper side of a substantially continuous bottom facing sheet with the open side of the channel facing laterally inwardly toward the interior of said second panel, a flange projecting from the lower side of each second edge member and in relative overlapping engagement with the projecting flange from said one edge of the adjoining panel, the overlapping flanges holding the edge faces of the panels thereabove in spaced, parallel relation, a core of light, structural material having high thermal and acoustical insulative properties filling the space interiorly of the facing sheets and edge members and bonded to said sheets and edge members, a first latch step along the exterior face of the intermediate portion of the Z-shape of the first edge member, a second latch step along the exterior face of the intermediate portion of the second edge member, a plurality of fasteners penetrating the overlapping flange portions of the first and second edge members and the bottom facing sheet of said first panel, and directly connecting the same to said underlying supporting member, an extruded cover plate having load bearing structural integrity permanently flush fitted to and supported on said oppositely disposed upper marginal portions of the adjoining pair of panels to span the space therebetween, and a pair of elongated latch fingers extending downwardly from the lower face of said flush plate, each latch finger being shaped and being in latching engagement with one of said latch steps when the plate is seated flush on such upper marginal panel portions.

2. A joint structure according to claim 1 wherein each panel comprises a top and bottom facing sheet, a pair of edge members fixedly secured between opposite edge portions of the facing sheets, and a filling of structural plastic foam.

3. A permanent, concealed, flush joint structure comprising, in combination with two generally similar structural floor panels having upper and lower facing sheets bonded thereto, wherein said panels are supported in side-by-side relation to an underlying support member to define a common outer surface, an edge face of each panel spaced slightly from, and parallel to the adjacent edge of the other panel, each of the panels having a recess in its outer surface along its edge to receive an edge portion of a cover plate flush therein, a flange projecting from the edge face of each of said panels and extending toward the edge face of the other panel, said flanges being spaced inwardly from a common upper surface defined by the panels, and in overlapping, closely superimposed relation with each other, means directly securing together the overlapping flanges, the substantially continuous lower facing sheets the underlying support member, and thereby the two panels, a latch element on each of the edge faces of the two panels, each of said latch elements being spaced inwardly from such outer surface defined by the panels adjacent parallel edges, an extruded joint cover plate having load bearing structural integrity spanning the space between the parallel edge faces of the two panels and permanently fitted flush into and seated upon the oppositely disposed marginal recesses provided in the two panels, a pair of substantially parallel and elongated latch fingers extending inwardly from the inner face of said joint cover and fitted between the parallel edge faces of the two panel members, each latch finger having a cam end face and a latch portion in latching engagement with one of said latch elements.

4. A joint structure according to claim 3 wherein each panel comprises an upper and lower facing sheet, a pair of edge members fixedly secured between opposite edge portions of the facing sheets, and a filling of structural plastic foam.