Wall structure system

Abstract

A wall structure incorporates load-bearing integrated strut members in inclined back-to-back relation. Pairs of the light strut members, of board, or metal or plastic with profiled sections, have their outer ends joined, being fixed at their centres, to provide a high load-bearing capacity. An eight-strut concertina assembly can replace two studs. The ends of each pair of strut members are fastened together, and secured to the adjoining frame and/or closure panel members; and at their centres are fastened to the adjoining strut members, or secured to the respective abutting frame side member. The strut edges may be glued adjacent their ends to the adjoining partition sheeting. Reinforcement by tension elements, strapping and foamed plastic may be used.

1 . A wall frame structure having an enclosing framework, including a plurality of pairs of load-bearing, substantially upright strut members having intermediate longitudinal portions thereof in mutually inclined relation, contained within said framework, and subject to longitudinal compressive loading.  
   
   
       2 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said strut members are of slender section modulus, prone to individually buckle under said longitudinal compressive loading, said strut pairs having their individual outer ends joined, and being mutually joined and substantially immobilized at a location intermediate their ends.  
   
   
       3 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein members of said frame structure laterally constrain said strut members.  
   
   
       4 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein upper end and lower end portions, and at least one portion intermediate said end portions of a pair of said strut members are secured to each other, and fastened in predetermined locations within said framework.  
   
   
       5 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower ends of a pair of said strut members are secured to each other, and attached to an adjoining, laterally extending member of said framework.  
   
   
       6 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the upper and lower ends of a pair of said strut members are glued to each other.  
   
   
       7 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , said frame structure including face sheets in enclosing relation with said strut members, wherein said strut members have edge portions thereof secured to adjoining surface portions of said face sheets.  
   
   
       8 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said strut member edge portions are glued to said adjoining surface portions of said face sheets.  
   
   
       9 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 2 , a said pair of struts being laterally constrained at their centre by contact with adjoining pairs of said struts.  
   
   
       10 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 2 , one said strut being laterally constrained substantially at its centre by contact with an adjoining portion of said framework.  
   
   
       11 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said one strut is joined to an adjoining portion of said framework by fastening means selected from the group consisting of nails, staples and glue, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 2 , including a laterally extending tension member securing intermediate portions of said struts in mutually adjoined relation.  
   
   
       13 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 10 , said tension member being selected from the group consisting of strapping, wire and plastic filament.  
   
   
       14 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said struts are selected from the material group consisting of composite panel board, wood-based pressed sheetboard, metal and plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 14 , said metal and plastic struts having a profiled cross section with side flanges extending for at least a portion of their length, and substantially planar end and centre portions.  
   
   
       16 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 15 , said struts each having at least two portions of its length with said profiled cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 15 , said strut having at least four portions of its length with said profiled cross section.  
   
   
       18 . The frame structure as set forth in  claim 1 , having plastic foam in supporting relation with said strut intermediate portions, in use to resist lateral deformation of said struts when subjected to said compressive loading.