Joints and connector mechanisms for wall systems

A joint adapted for disposition between two sections of a movable wall for interconnecting the sections, each section including a panel having elongated vertical edges defined by a pair of spaced parallel walls, said joint comprising:

• a first elongated vertical post including a mounting strip for mounting said post to the edge of one of said panels, a pair of spaced parallel legs extending outwardly from said mounting strip away from the edge of said panel along substantially the full length of said post, each of said legs including a bend for defining a first flange extending outwardly from the center of said first post, said first flanges occupying essentially the same plane which is parallel to the edge of said panel;
• a second elongated vertical post including a mounting strip for mounting said post to the edge of the other of said panels, a pair of spaced parallel legs extending outwardly from said mounting strip away from the edge of said other panel along substantially the full length of said second post, each of said legs including a bend for defining a second flange extending outwardly from the center of said second post, said second flanges occupying essentially the same plane which is parallel to the edge of said panel;
• a plurality of first slots defined along the full length of said vertical post along the area where said legs bend to define said first flanges;
• a plurality of second slots defined along the full length of said vertical post along the area where said legs bend to define said second flanges;
• a rigid first connecting strip having an elongated strip portion, and a pair of edge tongues outwardly extending from the elongated edges of said first strip, said edges tongues being parallel to each other;
• and
• a plurality of key members emanating from the edge of each of said edge tongues, said key members positioned to mate and be aligned with said first and second sets of slots to interconnect the adjacent panels.

A panel unit comprising:

• two confronting identical half sections, each half section comprising a facing sheet terminating in first and second vertical side edges;
• each of said first and second side edges turned inwardly in a direction parallel to the plane of said facing sheet and then turning inwardly in a direction transverse to the plane of said facing sheet and away from said facing sheet;
• an elongated generally U-shaped member defining a recessed channel for accommodating the inwardly turned portions of adjacent side edges of said two confronting half sections, the length of said member generally conforming to the length of said side edges;
• an elongated post means for mounting within said channel after said adjacent side edges have been inserted in said channel;
• and
• fastening means for fastening said post means to said U-shaped member to align and secure said side edges of said adjacent panel.