Patent ID: 6088978
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: E04B,E04D

Abstract:
A structural panel system comprising:a first retaining structure including a first retaining member at a first end of the first retaining structure and a second retaining member at an opposed second end of the first retaining structure, the first retaining member having a first channel and the second retaining member having a second channel;a second retaining structure including a third retaining member at a first end of the second retaining structure and a fourth retaining member at an opposed second end of the second retaining structure, the third retaining member having a third channel and the fourth retaining member having a fourth channel, the second retaining structure being located adjacent the first retaining structure such that the third retaining member is located adjacent the second retaining member;a first panel having a first connecting device connected to a first end of the first panel and a second connecting device connected to an opposed second end of the panel, the first connecting device having a first body member, a first arm member extending from the first body member, and a first head member extending from the first arm member opposite from the first body member, the first body member of the first connecting device being connected to the first end of the first panel, and the second connecting device having a second body member, a second arm member extending from the second body member, and a second head member extending from the second arm member opposite from the second body member, the second body member of the second connecting device being connected to the second end of the first panel,a second panel having a third connecting device connected to a first end of the second panel and a fourth connecting device connected to an opposed second end of the second panel, the third connecting device having a third body member, a third arm member extending from the third body member, and a third head member extending from the third arm member opposite from the third body member, the third body member of the third connecting device being connected to the first end of the second panel, and the fourth connecting device having a fourth body member, a fourth arm member extending from the fourth body member, and a fourth head member extending from the fourth arm member opposite from the fourth body member, the fourth body member of the fourth connecting device being connected to the second end of the second panel; anda cap mounted to the second retaining member and the third retaining member,wherein the first panel is disposed between the first retaining member and the second retaining member such that first head member of the first connecting device of the first panel is arranged within and free to laterally move within the first channel of the first retaining member and the second head member of the second connecting device of the first panel is arranged within and free to laterally move within the second channel of the second retaining member,wherein the second panel is disposed between the third retaining member and the fourth retaining member such that third head member of the third connecting device of the second panel is arranged within and free to laterally move within the third channel of the third retaining member and the fourth head member of the fourth connecting device of the second panel is arranged within and free to laterally move within the fourth channel of the fourth retaining member, andwherein the cap covers a gap formed between the first panel and the second panel.