Interior wall and ceiling construction and method adapted for use with conventional stud frame structures

Abstract

An improved interior wall and/or ceiling construction and method comprised of compressed straw or other such construction panels wherein the finished wall contains no exterior surface penetrations through the panels, thus providing a substantially seamless outer surface. The improved construction is adapted for use with conventional wall constructions comprised of spaced studs or beams and a finished exterior facing. Interior panels are attached by means of a plurality of disc connectors along a first edge and by means of a specially adapted bracket located near a second edge. Attaching the interior panels in a sequence provides a continuous interior wall or ceiling surface with no penetrations therethrough. The construction and method may be adapted for use with a variety of conventional wall constructions.

1 . A method for constructing an improved wall from an existing or newly constructed wall frame consisting of spaced stud members and including a plurality of rigid, elf-supporting panels, said panels each having a substantially rectangular shape with an inner and outer face and a top, bottom, front and rear edge, said front and rear edges having, along a centerline, a plurality of symmetric recesses for accepting a symmetric connector inserted therein, said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a first bracket connector against the inner face of a first panel;    attaching said first bracket connector to said first panel by bracket connection means;    placing said first panel and first bracket connector against said wall frame in proper position for mounting such that said first bracket connector is juxtaposed to a stud member;    attaching said first bracket connector to said stud member by stud connection means;    inserting a disc connector into each of said plurality of symmetric recesses along the front edge of said first panel;    placing a second bracket connector against the inner face of a second panel;    attaching said second bracket connector to said second panel by bracket connection means;    placing said second panel in edge to edge abutted relation to said first panel such that said dis connectors extending from front edge of said first panel are accepted into said plurality of symmetric recesses in said rear edge of said second panel; and    attaching said second bracket connector to a said stud member by stud connection means.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first and second panel are comprised of compressed straw or other recovered cellulosic material.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bracket connector comprises at least two outer faces.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said outer faces are in substantially perpendicular relative position.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a cross section of said bracket connector further comprises the substantial shape of an L, T, rectangle, square, circle, or polygon.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bracket connector means is comprised of a penetrating connector selected from the group of a nail, screw, bolt, lag screw, rivet, staple, pin, dowel, rod, spindle, stem, brad, peg, spike and stake.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bracket connector means is comprised of a non-penetrating connector selected from the group of adhesive, glue, tape, bond, paste, epoxy, cement, and pitch.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said stud connector means is comprised of a penetrating connector selected from the group of a nail, screw, bolt, lag screw, rivet, staple, pin, dowel, rod, spindle, stem, brad, peg, spike, or stake.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said stud connector means is comprised of a non-penetrating connector selected from the group of adhesive, glue, tape, bond, paste, epoxy, cement, and pitch.  
   
   
       10 . An improved wall construction to provide walls and/or divide or partition space adapted for positioning a plurality of rigid, self-supporting panels to an existing wall frame comprised of stud members, said panels having a substantially rectangular shape with an inner and outer face and a top, bottom, front and rear edge, said front and rear edges having, along a centerline, a plurality of symmetric recesses for accepting a symmetric connector inserted therein, said wall construction comprising: 
 a bracket connector, said bracket connector suitable for providing connection between said panels and said stud members;    panel connection means for connecting said bracket connector to said panel; and    stud connection means for connecting said bracket connector to a said stud member.    
   
   
       11 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said panels are comprised of compressed straw or other recovered cellulosic material.  
   
   
       12 . The improved wall construction of  claim 11  wherein said compressed straw or other recovered cellulosic materials resides within an exterior wrapper.  
   
   
       13 . The improved wall construction of  claim 12  wherein said exterior wrapper is comprised of paper, paperboard, or a woven material.  
   
   
       14 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said bracket connector has at least to substantially flat outer faces.  
   
   
       15 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein the cross section of said bracket connector further comprises the substantial shape of an L, T, C, D, rectangle, square, circle, ellipse, or polygon.  
   
   
       16 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said panel connection means further comprises a penetrating connector.  
   
   
       17 . The improved wall construction of  claim 16  wherein said panel connection means is selected from the group of a nail, screw, bolt, lag screw, rivet, staple, pin, dowel, rod, spindle, stem, brad, peg, spike, and stake.  
   
   
       18 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said stud connection means further comprises a penetrating connector.  
   
   
       19 . The improved wall construction of  claim 18  wherein said stud connection means is selected from the group of a nail, screw, bolt, lag screw, rivet, staple, pin, dowel, rod, spindle, stem, brad, peg, spike, and stake.  
   
   
       20 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said panel connection means further comprises a non-penetrating connector.  
   
   
       21 . The improved wall construction of  claim 20  wherein said panel connection means is selected from the group of adhesive, glue, paste, tape, or cement.  
   
   
       22 . The improved wall construction of  claim 10  wherein said stud connection means further comprises a non-penetrating connector.  
   
   
       23 . The improved wall construction of  claim 22  wherein said stud connection means is selected from the group of adhesive, glue, paste, tape, or cement.