Wall system

Abstract

An interlocking frame assembly for constructing and supporting a wall system, wherein a plurality of substantially H-shaped support sections are each formed with a pair of flange members extending substantially perpendicularly from a side thereof, with each pair of flange members having a pair of inwardly directed projections and each pair of leg members forming the H-shaped support section also having a pair of inwardly directed projections. A plurality of connecting sections are selectively positionable to engage the inwardly projecting projections of separate support sections to interconnect said support sections in perpendicular or parallel arrangement relative to one another.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. An interlocking frame assembly for constructing and supporting a wall system and the like, and comprising: a plurality of substantially similarly-shaped support sections, each support section having a substantially H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by two pairs of oppositely directed leg members attached to one another and a web portion extending therebetween,   each pair of said oppositely directed leg members having confronting leg surfaces, with at least one pair of projections formed on each pair of confronting leg surfaces;   each pair of said H-shaped support sections further including at least one pair of parallel extending, spaced flange members attached to an outer surface of said support section and extending substantially perpendicular with respect thereto;   at least one substantially H-shaped connecting means extending between and engaging a pair of said projections formed on confronting leg surfaces of each of two perpendicularly extending support sections for interlocking said perpendicular support sections to one another, and   at least one further substantially H-shaped connecting means extending between and engaging a pair of said parallel extending, spaced flange members attached to each of two parallel extending support sections for interlocking said parallel support sections to one another.   
     
     
       2. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pairs of oppositely directed leg members forming each of said support sections are spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow a plate-like wall element to be inserted therebetween. 
     
     
       3. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support sections each include a pair of spaced web portions extending between said pairs of oppositely directed leg members, with an opening formed through one of the leg members extending between said spaced web portions. 
     
     
       4. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein substantially U-shaped receiving sections are selectively mounted on said support sections, said U-shaped receiving sections including a bottom portion and a pair of guide flanges attached to said bottom portion, with said guide flanges extending between a pair of said parallel extending leg members forming said support section to retain said receiving section in contact with said support section.   
     
     
       5. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 4, wherein said U-shaped receiving section is adaptable for supporting an end portion of a window assembly and the like mounted in said wall assembly. 
     
     
       6. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein support means engage a pair of parallel extending support sections for supporting said support sections relative to a reference surface such as ground level. 
     
     
       7. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 6, wherein said support means comprises an attachment section having a substantially straight middle portion and a pair of substantially L-shaped end portions attached to either end of said middle portion, said support means further comprises a rod-like member extending between said middle portion and a reference surface such as ground level,   wherein each of said L-shaped end portions supports one of said parallel extending support sections resting thereon.   
     
     
       8. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said support sections further includes a pair of guide edges formed on a pair of confronting leg surfaces, said pair of guide edges substantially aligned with and extending toward one another, with said pair of guide edges spaced from said web portion of said support section a distance corresponding to a length of said substantially H-shaped connecting means, allowing insertion of said substantially H-shaped connecting means into at least one of said perpendicularly disposed support sections to provide attachment therewith.   
     
     
       9. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 8, wherein each support section defines a center section located a substantially equal distance between said respective pair of guide edges and said respective web portion. 
     
     
       10. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein each pair of parallel extending, spaced flange members include confronting flange surfaces, with at least one pair of projections formed on each pair of confronting flange surfaces. 
     
     
       11. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 10, wherein said pair of projections formed on said confronting flange surfaces are substantially aligned with one another and are inwardly directed toward one another. 
     
     
       12. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pair of projections formed on confronting leg surfaces are substantially aligned with one another and are inwardly directed toward one another. 
     
     
       13. An interlocking frame assembly according to either claims 12 or 11, wherein said H-shaped connecting means comprises a connecting section of substantially H-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by two pairs of oppositely directed leg members attached to one another and further including a web portion extending therebetween, each pair of oppositely directed leg members including a pair of aligned, outwardly directed projections formed on opposed, outer leg surfaces with each pair of said outwardly directed projections engaging inwardly directed projections formed on a support section.   
     
     
       14. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 13, wherein said two pairs of oppositely directed leg members forming said connecting section are formed with a distance between opposed, outer surface portions which substantially corresponds to a distance between confronting leg surfaces of said support sections and also substantially corresponds to a distance between confronting flange surfaces of said pair of parallel extending, spaced flange members attached to said support section. 
     
     
       15. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 13, wherein said outwardly directed projections attached to said connecting section each form a substantially hook-shaped configuration slightly countersunk with respect to a lateral surface of said attached leg member. 
     
     
       16. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 13, wherein at least one tongue-like locking section is attached to one of said leg members forming each of said pairs of oppositely directed leg members of said connecting section, each of said tongue-like locking sections having a width sufficient to selectively frictionally engage a remaining leg member of each pair of oppositely directed leg members, with said tongue-like locking sections locking each pair of said leg members into frictional contact with said inwardly directed projections formed on one of said support sections.   
     
     
       17. An interlocking frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein each of said tongue-like locking sections is attached to a portion of one of said leg members located adjacent to one of said outwardly directed projections, with each of said tongue-like locking sections initially inclined toward said web portion of said connecting section.