# US 2019/0376282 A1 · Modular architectural wall system

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- Number: US 2019/0376282 A1
- Document ID: US20190376282A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/386,596
- Filed: 2019-04-17
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-19
- Assignees: Top Life Contract Glazing, Inc.
- Applicants: Top Life Contract Glazing, Inc.
- Inventors: Timothy J. Michel; Eric Goodman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376282A1

## CPC

- E04B 2/723: {constituted of gypsum elements}
- E06B 1/02: Base frames, i.e. template frames for openings in walls or the like, provided with means for securing a further rigidly-mounted frame; Special adaptations of frames to be fixed therein {(E06B1/003, E06B1/24 take precedence; fastening door or window frames per se E06B1/56)}
- E04B 2/721: {connections specially adapted therefor}
- E04B 2/7455: {Glazing details}
- E04B 2/7457: {with wallboards attached to the outer faces of the posts, parallel to the partition (E04B2/7459 takes precedence)}
- E04C 2/043: {of plaster (E04C2/049 takes precedence)}
- E04C 2/384: {with a metal frame}
- E04C 2/54: Slab-like translucent elements (floors for transmitting light E04B5/46; translucent or open-work ceilings E04B9/32, E04B9/34; translucent roof coverings E04D3/06, E04D3/28)
- E06B 1/6023: {completely hidden between the frame and the border of the opening, at least part of the means being previously fixed to the wall (E06B1/6038 takes precedence)}
- E06B 1/6092: {Fastening door frames to the floor or ceiling; Jamb feet; Cross members uniting the jamb feet (E06B1/70 and E06B3/9632 take precedence)}
- E06B 3/36: with a single vertical axis of rotation at one side of the opening, or swinging through the opening (wings requiring lifting before opening E06B3/52)
- E06B 3/42: Sliding wings; Details of frames with respect to guiding {(E06B3/26347 and E06B3/92 take precedence)}
- E06B 3/60: of clamping cleats of metal
- H01R 13/73: Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00)
- E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S)
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A modular, lightweight, nonload bearing, space dividing architectural wall system. The architectural wall system configured to be installed in an opening defined by one or more studs of an interior wall and to interlock with one or more at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock adhered to the one or more studs. The architectural wall system including one or more modular panels, each modular panel including at least a three sided extruded metal perimeter frame having a cross-section including a rectangular tubular portion and a pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets, each defining a channel configured to receive an edge of the one or more at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock, thereby interlocking the perimeter frame with the at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock to secure the perimeter frame to the interior wall and to provide a finished appearance to the opening.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modular, lightweight, non-load bearing, space-dividing architectural wall system configured to be installed in an opening defined by one or more studs of an interior wall and to interlock with one or more at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock adhered to the one or more studs, the architectural wall system comprising:
one or more modular panels, each modular panel including at least a three sided extruded metal perimeter frame having a cross-section including
a rectangular tubular portion configured to be secured to one or more studs of an interior wall, the rectangular tubular portion having a width sized to match the width of the one or more studs; and
a pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets extending beyond the width of the rectangular tubular portion, the pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets each defining a channel configured to receive an edge of the one or more at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock, thereby interlocking the perimeter frame with the at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock to further secure the perimeter frame to the interior wall and to provide a finished appearance to the opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, wherein the opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets are configured to receive a panel of sheet rock having a standard thickness approximating of one of ½ of an inch and/or ⅜ of an inch.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, wherein the width of the rectangular tubular portion is approximating one of 1⅜ inches, 1⅝ inches, 2 inches, 2½ inches, and/or 3 inches.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, wherein a depth of the pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets is the same as a depth of the rectangular tubular portion, thereby enabling two or more modular panels to be secured together with a finished appearance.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of shims configured to be positioned between the perimeter frame and the one or more studs prior to securing the rectangular tubular portion to the one or more studs of the interior wall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, wherein the perimeter frame houses a rigid panel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The architectural wall system of claim 6, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of a transparent and/or translucent portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The architectural wall system of claim 6, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of a hinged and/or a sliding window.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The architectural wall system of claim 6, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of an electrical outlet and/or other electrical coupling.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The architectural wall system of claim 1, wherein the perimeter frame houses a pivotable door.

### Claim 11

A method of constructing a modular, lightweight, non-load bearing, space-dividing architectural wall system in an opening defined by one or more studs of an interior wall, the method comprising:
partially building an interior wall with one or more studs, wherein the one or more studs define an opening;
securing one or more modular panels within the opening defined by the one or more studs, each modular panel including at least a three sided extruded metal perimeter frame having a cross-section including
a rectangular tubular portion configured to be secured to the one or more studs and having a width sized to match the width of the one or more studs; and
a pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets extending beyond the width of the rectangular tubular portion, the pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets each defining a channel; and
adhering one or more panels of sheet rock to the one or more studs of the interior wall, such that the one or more modular panels are at least partially surrounded by the one or more panels of sheet rock, wherein an edge of at least one of the one or more at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock is received within the channel defined by the sheet rock accommodating brackets, thereby interlocking the perimeter frame with the at least partially surrounding panels of sheet rock to further secure the perimeter frame to the interior wall and to provide a finished appearance to the opening.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets are configured to receive a panel of sheet rock having a standard thickness approximating of one of ½ of an inch and/or ⅜ of an inch.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the width of the rectangular tubular portion is approximating one of 1⅜ inches, 1⅝ inches, 2 inches, 2½ inches, and/or 3 inches.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein a depth of the pair of opposed sheet rock accommodating brackets is the same as a depth of the rectangular tubular portion, thereby enabling two or more modular panels to be secured together with a finished appearance.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning one or more of shims between the perimeter frame and the one or more studs prior to securing the rectangular tubular portion to the one or more studs of the interior wall.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the perimeter frame houses a rigid panel.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of a transparent and/or translucent portion.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of a hinged and/or a sliding window.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the rigid panel includes at least one of an electrical outlet and/or other electrical coupling.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the perimeter frame houses a pivotable door.