Building elements

Abstract

The invention concerns a building element which is a stud ( 10 ) having a number of channels ( 12 ). Each channel can receive a cooperating means ( 14 ) which can be used to mount a panel or bracket on the stud. The invention also concerns a building element which is a joining clip ( 16 ) which can be connected to a panel or bracket. The joining clip includes the cooperating means ( 14 ) for mounting a panel or bracket on the stud. The invention also concerns a building element which is a joining element ( 42 ) which can connect one panel to another. The joining element is hinged ( 46 ). The invention also discloses two types of bracket for mounting in the stud. The first type has a screw-threaded shaft ( 71 ) and a sleeve ( 72 ) with cooperating means ( 73 ) at one end of the sleeve. The cooperating means is shaped so that it can be inserted horizontally in a channel of the stud and rotated so that the cooperating means cannot be withdrawn horizontally from the channel. The bracket may thereafter be locked into position in the channel. The second type of bracket has two arms ( 81, 82 ) at an angle to each other ( 83 ). Cooperating means ( 84 ) are located at one end of one arm ( 81 ). The cooperating means is shaped so that it can be inserted horizontally in a channel of the stud and rotated so that the cooperating means cannot be withdrawn horizontally from the channel. The one arm of the bracket may thereafter be pushed into position in the channel. A track ( 60 ) is adapted to be hung from a horizontal surface ( 61 ), the track having a gutter ( 59 ) adapted to receive a connecting clip ( 63 ) attached to an end of a panel ( 18 ), the track also having a channel ( 59 ) adapted to receive a masking clip ( 64 ) adapted to conceal the end of the channel.

1 . A building element being a stud, characterised in that the stud has a plurality of channels, each channel being adapted to receive a cooperating means for the purpose of mounting a panel or bracket on the stud.  
     
     
         2 . The building element as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the stud has three longitudinal channels.  
     
     
         3 . The building element as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the stud has a first side and a second side opposing the first, and wherein one set of three longitudinal channels is arranged on the first side and a second set of three longitudinal channels is arranged on the second side.  
     
     
         4 . The building element as claimed in any one of    claims 1    to    3   , wherein each channel is “C” shaped in cross-section.  
     
     
         5 . The building element as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the stud is manufactured from aluminium.  
     
     
         6 . A building element being a joining clip adapted to mount a panel or bracket to the stud claimed in any one of    claims 1    to    5   , characterised in that the joining clip includes the cooperating means and also includes means for connecting the joining clip to the panel or bracket.  
     
     
         7 . The building element as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein the joining clip is made of a plastic material.  
     
     
         8 . The building element as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein the joining clip has parts of varying resiliency.  
     
     
         9 . The building element as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein the clip is adapted to mount a panel to the stud, the panel has a longitudinal groove in an edge thereof and the connecting means comprises a protrusion adapted to fit closely within the groove.  
     
     
         10 . The building element as claimed in    claim 9   , wherein the protrusion is saw-toothed.  
     
     
         11 . The building element as claimed in    claim 9    or    10   , wherein the longitudinal groove extends for substantially the whole length of the edge of the panel and the connecting means substantially fills the length of the groove.  
     
     
         12 . The building element as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein the clip is adapted to mount a panel to the stud, the connecting means comprises a groove and the panel has an edge of a complementary shape to, and adapted to fit closely within, the groove.  
     
     
         13 . The building element as claimed in    claim 12   , wherein the panel has a tapered edge.  
     
     
         14 . The building element as claimed in    claim 12    or    13   , wherein the groove embraces substantially the whole length of the edge of the panel.  
     
     
         15 . The building element as claimed in    claim 9    or    12   , wherein after assembly of the connecting means and the panel, the exertion of appropriate force is capable of separating the panel and the connecting means without damage to the joining clip or the panel.  
     
     
         16 . A building element being a joining element adapted to annex a first panel to a second panel, the joining element having first means for connecting the joining element to the first panel, second means for connecting the joining element to the second panel and hinge means located between the first and second connection means, characterised in that the hinge means comprises a resilient bridge.  
     
     
         17 . The building element as claimed in    claim 16   , wherein the first panel has a longitudinal groove in an edge thereof, the second panel has a longitudinal groove in an edge thereof, the first connecting means comprises a protrusion adapted to fit closely within the groove of the first panel and the second connecting means comprises a protrusion adapted to fit closely within the groove of the second panel.  
     
     
         18 . The building element as claimed in    claim 16   , wherein each of the first and second connecting means comprises a groove, the first panel has an edge of a complementary shape to, and adapted to fit closely within, the groove of the first connecting means and the second panel has an edge of a complementary shape to, and adapted to fit closely within, the groove of the second connecting means.  
     
     
         19 . The building element as claimed in    claim 17   , wherein each longitudinal groove extends for substantially the whole length of the edge of the respective panel and the connecting means substantially fills the length of the groove.  
     
     
         20 . The building element as claimed in    claim 18   , wherein the groove of the first connecting means embraces substantially the whole length of the edge of the first panel and the groove of the second connecting means embraces substantially the whole length of the second panel.  
     
     
         21 . A bracket for mounting on the building element claimed in any one of    claims 1    to    5   , wherein the bracket comprises a screw-threaded shaft and a sleeve therefor, the sleeve having at one end a cooperating means adapted to be inserted in a channel of the stud, the channel having first and second ends, wherein the cooperating means is shaped so as to be capable of insertion in the channel at any location between the first and second ends and capable of manipulation to a position where the cooperating means cannot be withdrawn from the channel except at the first or second end, and wherein screwing of the shaft within the sleeve in a direction towards the channel is adapted to lock the bracket in the channel.  
     
     
         22 . A bracket for mounting on the building element claimed in any one of    claims 1    to    5   , wherein the bracket comprises a shaft having first and second arms forming an angle between them, the first arm having at one end a cooperating means adapted to be inserted in a channel of the stud, the channel having first and second ends, wherein the cooperating means is shaped so as to be capable of insertion in the channel at any location between the first and second ends and capable of manipulation to a position where the cooperating means cannot be withdrawn from the channel except at the first or second end, and wherein the first arm is adapted to fit substantially within the channel.  
     
     
         23 . The bracket as claimed in    claim 21    or    22   , wherein the channel of the stud is “C” shaped in cross-section, except that it has a flat base and the cooperating means is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape, except that one pair of opposing corners of the rectangle are cut off.  
     
     
         24 . The bracket as claimed in    claim 21    or    22   , wherein the channel of the stud is “C” shaped in cross-section, except that it has a flat base and the cooperating means is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape, except that one corner of the rectangle is rounded off.  
     
     
         25 . A track adapted to be hung from a horizontal surface, the track having a gutter adapted to receive a connecting clip attached to an end of a panel, the track also having a channel adapted to receive a masking clip adapted to conceal the end of the channel.  
     
     
         26 . A track as claimed in    claim 25   , wherein the connecting clip is shaped to complement the shape of the gutter.  
     
     
         27 . A track as claimed in    claim 25    or    26   , wherein the channel adapted to receive the masking clip is shaped so as to provide a good friction fit with the clip.  
     
     
         28 . A track as claimed in any one of    claims 25    to    27   , which has two of the gutters and two of the channels adapted to receive a masking clip.