Metal channel for wall panels

A metal channel for positioning and retaining metal studding and wall panels to form partition walls, comprising a central web with retaining flange portions along its opposite sides. The web is segmented, being divided along its length into discrete segments by transverse slots. One of the flange portions is similarly divided into segments by transverse slots aligned with the slots. Adjacent segments of the flange portions are however connected together by expansible bridges and optionally by frangible bridges. The other of the flange portions is provided with lines of perforation aligned with the slots and defining flexure zones. The channel is formed straight but can be bent into smooth curves by expansion of the expansible bridges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 5 , a channel according to the invention is illustrated in an orientation suitable for floor fixing, to create the base channel locating and retaining metal studding to support a partition wall. The same channel section can be inverted to form the head channel for the same wall. The channel comprises a central web 1 bounded on its opposite sides by first and second flange portions 2 and 3 . The web 1 is divided into discrete segments 4 longitudinally of the channel by transverse slots 5 spaced apart by equal distances of 75 mm. The web 1 is longitudinally profiled (see FIGS. 1 and 5 ) for added rigidity, and has preformed holes 6 for fastening the channel to the floor or ceiling of a building. The first flange portion 2 is similarly divided into discrete segments by transverse slots 7 aligned with the slots 5 , the significant difference between the slots 5 and 7 being that the slots 7 do not extend completely through the first flange portion 2 whereas the slots 5 do extend completely through the web 1 . The slots 7 leave two short anchorage portions 8 of the first flange portion connecting adjacent segments 9 of the first flange portion 2 to an expansible metal bridge 10 . The expansible bridge 10 is in the form of an oval-shaped annulus of metal joined to the segments 9 by the anchorage portions 8 across its short axis. Expansion of the bridge, as described below, causes extension of that short axis and deformation of the oval annulus until ultimately the oval is reformed with its long axis connecting together the anchorage portions 8 . The second flange portion 3 has a line of perforations 11 defining a flexure line or flexure zone aligned with each of the slots 5 and 7 . The channel is formed by first punching the appropriate apertures from a straight strip of metal and then forming the metal into the channel shape shown. The metal of the channel is preferably made by the ULTRASTEEL™ process which is a processes protected by inter alia, Patents GB-B-2063735 and GB-B-2095595 in the name of Hadley Industries PLC. In use, the channel may be kept straight as it is secured to the floor and ceiling, and used to position and retain metal studding and partition panels to form straight walls. Or it may be bent into curves, each bending being accompanied by flexure of the second flange portions 3 along the flexure zones and expansion of the expandible bridges 10 as the slots 5 and 7 widen. FIG. 6 shows another possible shape for the expansible metal bridge 10 . FIG. 7 shows a further possible shape, illustrating how the adjacent segments 9 of the first flange portion 2 may be connected together by more than one expansible bridge 10 . FIG. 8 illustrates how a temporary and frangible bridge 12 may be left in the manufacturing process, connecting together the adjacent segments 9 of the first flange portion 2 at its end remote from the web 1 . If the frangible bridges 12 are left intact, the channel is straight and can be used for the positioning and retention of straight walls where the majority of partition walls are expected to be straight. Whenever a curved wall section is desired, however, the frangible bridges 12 can be severed by a hacksaw or by tinsnips, and the channel formed into an appropriate curve. The slot 7 , frangible bridge 12 and expansible bridge 10 formation of FIG. 8 can advantageously be repeated on the second flange portion 3 to create the flexure zones of the second flange portion, so that the functions of first flange portion (supporting the outer curve of a curved wall) and the second flange portion (supporting the inner curve) can alternate along the length of the channel to support an undulating wall. While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.