US3742672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular building panel having interlocking edge structure
Assignee: United Mcgill Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A building panel is provided for modular construction where a plurality of such panels are assembled in edgewise relationship to form a structural barrier such as a wall. The panels are formed with opposed, longitudinally extending marginal edge portions of tongue and socket configuration that interfit in interlocking relationship with mating marginal edge portions of adjacently disposed panels. The tongue configured edge portion is provided with an outwardly opening, longitudinally extending groove spaced a distance inwardly from the edge and the socketforming edge portion is provided with an inwardly directed bead that cooperatively interengages with the groove to interlock two adjacently disposed panels in assembled relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 H Schaeufele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/38; E04B1/541; E04F; E04F2201/00; E04F2201/01; E04F2201/0107; E04F2201/0115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An interlocking building panel comprising opposed, sheet form surface skins secured together in structurally rigid relationship forming a double-walled panel having opposed, longitudinally extending, marginal edge portions of mating tongue and socket configuration adapted to interfit edgewise in interlocking relationship with a mating marginal edge portion of an adjacent panel, said opposed marginal edge portions having respective bead and groove conformations extending longitudinally thereof and configured to interlockingly interfit, said groove being formed in the surface skin of the tongue-forming marginal edge portion in inwardly spaced parallel relationship to the terminal edge thereof, and a U-shaped channel extending longitudinally thereof at each respective marginal edge portion and rigidly secured to said surface skins, the channel at one of said marginal edge portions disposed to open outwardly thereby forming said socket to receive the second of said marginal edge portions, the channel at said tongue-forming marginal edge portions disposed to open outwardly and having a web extending transversely between said surface skins immediately adjacent the edge of said groove to prevent relative flexing of said surface skins at said groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An interlocking building panel comprising opposed, sheet form surface skins secured together in structurally rigid relationship forming a double-walled panel having opposed, longitudinally extending, marginal edge portions of mating tongue and socket configuration adapted to interfit edgewise in interlocking relationship with a mating marginal edge portion of an adjacent panel, said opposed marginal edge portions having respective bead and groove conformations extending longitudinally thereof and configured to interlockingly interfit, said groove being formed in the surface skin of the tongue-forming marginal edge portion in inwardly spaced parallel relationship to the terminal edge thereof, and a U-shaped channel extending longitudinally thereof at each respective marginal edge portion and rigidly secured to said surface skins, the channel at one of said marginal edge portions disposed to open outwardly thereby forming said socket to receive the second of said marginal edge portions, the channel at said tongue-forming marginal edge portions disposed to open outwardly and having a web extending transversely between said surface skins immediately adjacent the edge of said groove to prevent relative flexing of said surface skins at said groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An interlocking building panel according to claim 1 wherein said groove opens outwardly from the respective surface skin, said other marginal edge portion having said bead formed on an inner wall of said socket to interfit with said groove formed in an adjacently disposed panel assembled therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
An interlocking building panel according to claim 2 wherein said tongue-forming marginal edge portion is of a relatively reduced thickness to interfit in the socket formed in the other marginal edge portion, and said groove is formed at the juncture of said reduced thickness marginal edge portion with a main body portion of the panel and the reduction in thickness of said marginal edge portion being of the order of the thickness of wall portions of said socket in the other marginal edge portion to form a substantially uninterrupted and contiguous skin surface as between two panels assembled into a unitary structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An interlocking building panel according to claim 3 wherein each of said surface skins is similarly provided with bead and groove conformations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An interlocking building panel according to claim 1 in which the channel at the socket-forming marginal edge portion comprises side walls juxtaposed to respective surface skins with the surface skins folded around the edge of a respective channel wall to form said bead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
An interlocking building panel according to claim 5 wherein that portion of the surface skin forming said bead is folded over in a flat configuration against the inner wall surface of said socket with the depth of said groove and relatively reduced thickness of said tongue-forming marginal edge portion cooperating with the bead of the socket-forming marginal edge portion to provide a substantially uninterrupted and contiguous skin surface as between two assembled panels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |