Removable fastener for structural elements and a method of its use

A removable fastener for securing a first stud to a second stud each stud having an aperture with lateral and bottom edges, includes a joining member with a first end and second end having first and second notches sized to admit lateral edges made adjacent by placing the studs back-to-back. Fastener includes a locking member that has a stud end configured to rest on the bottom edges of the apertures and a fastener end configured to attach to the joining member, holding the joining member in position within the apertures when the joining member is engaged within the apertures; the fastener end may include a clip.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Background

Metal studs are used in a number of construction applications to support or frame walls, windows, doors, or other structural elements of buildings. Typically, such studs are secured in place using conventional fastening technology such as bolts or rivets. Existing mechanisms for fastening studs, however, lack ready detachability and reusability, and thus are unsuitable for some potential applications in which studs might otherwise conveniently be employed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an aspect, a removable fastener for securing a first structural element to a second structural element wherein the first structural element includes a substantially planar first web portion and a first aperture formed in the first web portion, the first aperture having a first aperture width, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and a first bottom edge, and the second structural element includes a substantially planar second web portion and a second aperture formed in the second web portion, the second aperture having a second aperture width, a third lateral edge, a fourth lateral edge, and a second bottom edge includes a joining member. Joining member includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, the elongate body having a length greater than the aperture width. First end further includes a first notch having a first opening facing away from the second end, the first notch having a first width sized to admit the first lateral edge and the third lateral edge when the joining member is engaged within the first aperture and second aperture. Second end further includes a second notch having a second opening facing away from the first end, the second notch having a second width sized to admit the second lateral edge and the fourth lateral edge when the joining member is engaged within the first aperture and second aperture. Fastener includes a locking member, which includes a stud end configured to rest on the first bottom edge and second bottom edge, and a fastener end configured to attach to the joining member, holding the joining member in position within the first aperture and second aperture when the joining member is engaged within the first aperture and second aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a fastener that may be used to secure metal studs in a back-to-back configuration by insertion into studs' apertures. Notches in opposite ends of a joining member force edges of two apertures together, securing web portions of studs against one another. A locking member secures joining member in position to maintain the attachment; locking member may also include a notch to further engage aperture edges and may fasten to joining member using a clip.

Referring now toFIG.1, an exemplary embodiment of a removable fastener100is illustrated. Fastener100includes a joining member104and a locking member108. Each of joining member104and locking member108may be composed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including without limitation plant materials such as bamboo or wood such as maple, ash, or other wood, fiberglass, laminated fiberglass, metal such as steel, titanium, aluminum, combinations of metals, and/or alloys of metals, natural or artificial polymers including without limitation hard rubbers, plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), or the like, carbon fiber, graphene, or any other material combination usable to provide desired material properties to joining member104and locking member108, which may include sufficient rigidity to hold together studs as described in further detail below.

Referring now toFIG.2, an exemplary embodiment of a structural element200of that may be fastened to another such structural element using an embodiment of a removable fastener100is illustrated for the purpose of context. A structural element200may be used to frame internal and/or external walls of buildings such as offices, houses, or the like, for instance by attachment to metal channels affixed to upper or lower wooden or steel beams in building frames and/or to other walls, ceilings, or other structural elements. Structural elements200may vary from lightweight studs used to frame non-load-bearing walls to heavier and/or stronger studs that can help maintain the structural integrity of buildings, such as in load-bearing walls. Structural elements200may alternatively or additionally be included in modular wall sections that may be detached and/or reassembled, including without limitation by using a fastener100as disclosed herein. A structural element200as illustrated inFIG.2may include a substantially planar portion known as a web204, which may be disposed orthogonally to a plane of a wall containing the structural element200. Perpendicular to web204, and typically projecting in a direction parallel to a wall in which a structural element200is installed, are two flanges208that together with the web204form a rectangular U-shaped cross-section. An aperture212may be formed in the web204; aperture212may have the form of a rectangle, a rectangle with rounded corners, an oval, a T-shape, or any other suitable form. An aperture212may be used to link two structural elements together with cross-braces to form, for instance, a window frame, and/or to permit wires and/or pipes to be run through the wall between structural elements, passing through apertures212. Typically, two structural elements of matching types or brands will have apertures212at the same or substantially the same locations along the web204, such that where two structural elements are placed back-to-back, signifying as used herein that the two structural elements' webs204are in contact while the flanges208of the two structural elements project in opposite directions away from the two webs204, the two apertures212may be aligned, so that edges of the two apertures212are together.

Still referring toFIG.2, each aperture212may have two lateral edges216, defined for the purposes of this disclosure as making up vertical sides of the aperture212. An aperture212may have a width, which is defined as used in this disclosure as a horizontal distance between the two lateral edges216at some height within the aperture212, where “vertical” means aligned with a longitudinal axis of bilateral symmetry of a structural element200, which axis is typically arranged in a vertical position when the structural element200is used in a wall or other structural feature, and “horizontal” means orthogonal to the vertical direction, and thus typically in a horizontal position and/or direction when the structural element200is used in a wall or other structural feature. Each aperture212may have a bottom edge220, defined for the purposes of this disclosure as an edge joining two lateral edges216, and defining a bottom of the aperture212with respect to the vertical when a structural element containing the aperture212is placed in its typical position within a wall or other structural feature. Thus, for instance where a fastener100is used as described herein to secure a first structural element200ato a second structural element200b, the first structural element200amay be characterized as including a substantially planar first web204portion and a first aperture212formed in the first web204portion, the first aperture212having a first aperture212width, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and a first bottom edge220, and the second structural element200bmay be characterized as including a substantially planar second web204portion and a second aperture212formed in the second web204portion, the second aperture212having a second aperture212width, a third lateral edge, a fourth lateral edge, and a second bottom edge220.

Referring now toFIG.3, an exemplary embodiment of a first structural element200aand second structural element200bplaced in back-to-back positions as described above is illustrated. First web204portion and second web204portion may be in contact with each other. Flanges208may be projecting away from each other. In an embodiment, upper and lower vertical ends of first structural element200aand second structural element200bmay be resting or secured in horizontal channels300to form a frame. Structural elements may be formed by sheet-metal manufacturing processes; for instance, structural elements may be pressed and/or bent to form flanges208and punched or cut to form apertures212.

Referring again toFIG.1, joining member104includes an elongate body112. Body112may include any elongate body112suitable cross-sectional form, including any regular or irregular polygonal form, any regular or irregular curved form, and/or any combination thereof such as without limitation polygonal forms with rounded external or internal vertices or the like. As a non-limiting example, body112may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional form. Cross section of body112may vary along the length of body112; one or more portions of body112may have uniform or substantially uniform cross-sections. Joining member104may have a first end116and a second end120; body112may have a length running from the first end116to the second end120. In an embodiment, the length of body112is greater than the first and/or second aperture212width; in other words, at the point in first and/or second aperture212where joining member104is held when locking member108is engaged as described in further detail below, the aperture212width at that point may be less than the length of the body112.

Still referring toFIG.1, first end116of joining member104includes a first notch124having a first opening facing away from second end120. First notch124may have the form of a slot created in or carved out of first end116; that is, where first end116includes a first end116surface, which may be substantially orthogonal to an axis drawn from first end116to second end120, notch may be formed in first end116surface. When joining member104is placed in first and/or second aperture212and extending from one lateral edge to another lateral edges216, first notch124may be oriented facing one or more lateral edges216; for instance, first notch124may have a first width sized to admit a first lateral edge and a third lateral edge when the joining member104is engaged within the first aperture212and second aperture212, for instance in a position in which joining member104is maintained by locking member108as described in further detail below. First notch may be beveled to admit lateral edges216; in other words, first notch124may be wider at first notch and narrow in a slanting or curved fashion, which may produce the effect of pulling web204portions of a first structural element200aand second structural element200btogether.

With continued reference toFIG.1, second end120of joining member104includes a second notch128having a second opening facing away from first end116. Second notch128may have the form of a slot created in or carved out of second end120; that is, where second end120includes a second end120surface, which may be substantially orthogonal to an axis drawn from first end116to second end120, notch may be formed in second end120surface. When joining member104is placed in second and/or second aperture212and extending from one lateral edge to another lateral edge, second notch128may be oriented facing one or more lateral edges216; for instance, second notch128may have a second width sized to admit the second lateral edge and the fourth lateral edge when the joining member104is engaged within first aperture212and second aperture212, for instance in a position in which joining member104is maintained by locking member108as described in further detail below. Second notch may be beveled to admit lateral edges216; in other words, second notch128may be wider at an opening of second notch128and narrow in a slanting or curved fashion, which may produce the effect of pulling web204portions of a first structural element200aand second structural element200btogether.

In an embodiment, and still referring toFIG.1, joining member104may include at least a grip projection132, the at least a grip projection132having at least a distal end that extends orthogonally to the first web204portion when the joining member104is engaged within the first aperture212and second aperture212. At least a grip projection132may be a projection that a user may be able to hold onto and/or grip when inserting joining member104into a first aperture212and second aperture212. At least a grip projection132may have any suitable shape, including without limitation a form of a ridge or sheet-like projection from a side of joining member104, so oriented that when first notch124is engaged with first and third lateral edges216and second notch128is engaged with second and fourth lateral edges216, at least a grip projection132extends in a direction orthogonal to a plane containing first aperture212, second aperture212, first web204portion and/or second web204portion, such that distal end is farther from first aperture212, second aperture212, first web204portion and/or second web204portion than body112. In an embodiment, a ridge making up at least a grip projection132may extend into a substantially flat sheet having a lesser thickness than a thickness of body112; sheet may flange outward to the body112at a proximal end joined to the body112. In an embodiment, at least a grip projection132may include a grip projection132adjacent to or at first end116; two grip projections132opposite each other across body112at first end116may be included. In an embodiment, at least a grip projection132may include a grip projection132adjacent to or at second end120; two grip projections132opposite each other across body112at second end120may be included. At least a grip projection132may include four grip projections132; for instance, at least a grip projection132may include two opposing grip projections132at first end116and two opposing grip projections132at second end120. At least a grip projection may alternatively or additionally have a form of a ring or annulus (not shown, which may have an interior diameter sufficient for insertion of a user's finger; ring or annulus may have a through-hole in a plane orthogonal to first web portion as shown for at least a grip projection132. Additional slots, holes, or other elements may be incorporated in joining member104for insertion of tools or the like.

With continued reference toFIG.1, locking member108includes a stud end136configured to rest on first bottom edge220and second bottom edge220. Stud end136may include a flat surface that rests on first bottom edge220and second bottom edge220; alternatively or additionally stud end136may include a stud end notch140configured to admit first bottom edge220and second bottom edge220. Stud end notch140may have any form suitable for use as first and/or second notch128as described above. Stud end136may be composed of any material suitable for use in composition of joining member104and/or locking member108; stud end136may be composed of elastomeric material or other high-friction material to help maintain stud end136on first bottom edge220and second bottom edge220, for instance where stud end136does not include a notch. Stud end136may include a magnet.

Still referring toFIG.1, locking member108includes a fastener end144configured to attach to the joining member104, holding the joining member104in position within the first aperture212and second aperture212when the joining member104is engaged within the first aperture212and second aperture212. Fastener end144may include any suitable fastener, including without limitation a snap fastener, a slide-release fastener, a bolt or screw fastener, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive such as a pressure-activated adhesive, or the like. Fastener end144may include a flexible member that secures fastener end144to joining member104, for instance by tying, using a double-loop buckle, a tri-glide, or similar facility. Fastener end144may include a clip148; for purposes of this disclosure, a “clip” is an element having a portion that secures fastener end144to joining member104by means of an elastic recoil force generated by displacement of the portion as it is moved into a fastened position. For instance, clip148may include a cam element152that, when forced past joining member104, displaces an arm, generating an elastic recoil force in the arm or in a biasing means coupled thereto, such as a spring or elastic element. Elastic recoil force may act to grip joining member104; alternatively or additionally, cam element152may be forced past joining member104, permitting the arm to “snap” back into a neutral position with the cam element152on an opposite side of joining member104, thus securing joining member104between the cam element152, the arm, and one or more additional surfaces of locking member108. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various alternative or additional methods that may be used to fasten fastener end144to joining member104. In an embodiment, body112may have an exterior surface, and clip148may have an internal surface conforming to the external surface of body. Arm may rest against a first surface of body112when clip148is fastened to body; cam element152may rest against a second surface of body when the clip is fastened to body. Second surface of the body may be orthogonal to first surface of body112. For instance, and without limitation, cam element may be opposite a surface of clip from which arm emanates, such that body is trapped between cam element and the opposite surface of clip.

Referring now toFIG.4A, fastener100may be used to attach two structural elements together by placing a first structural element200aand second structural element200bback to back, with first and second aperture212lined up. Joining member104may then be inserted within first and second aperture212in a horizontal position so that first and third lateral edges216are inserted in first notch124and second and fourth lateral edges216are inserted in second notch128. Locking member108may them be placed resting on first and second bottom edges220with fastening end attached to joining member104; joining member104may thus be immobilized in a horizontal position wherein first and third lateral edges216are inserted in first notch124and second and fourth lateral edges216are inserted in second notch128. As shown inFIG.4B, first lateral edge400and third lateral edge404may be held together by first notch124, while second lateral edge408and fourth lateral edge412are held together by second notch128; as a result, first web204portion and second web204portion may be held securely together. As shown inFIG.4C, where stud end136of locking element further includes a third stud end notch140, a first bottom edge416and second bottom edge420may be inserted in third notch; this may further secure first web204portion and second web204portion together, while supporting locking member108so as to continue to immobilize joining member104.

The above-described embodiments confer various advantages. A user may rapidly secure together two studs and/or two structural elements incorporating such studs, in a back-to-back configuration by placing joining member104within first and second apertures212and engaging locking member108; detachment may be effected equally rapidly by disengagement of fastening end from joining member104and removal of joining member104and locking member108from first and second apertures212. Joining member104may be easily grasped and controlled using grip extensions, where present, allowing attachment and detachment in circumstances of limited mobility or visibility. Such temporary or detachable securing of structural elements together may be used for rapid reconfiguration of modular structures, or to temporarily hold structural elements in position while securing such structural elements to channels or other structural elements.

Referring now toFIG.5, fastener100may be used in combination with a reconfigurable structural panel assembly500. Assembly500may include a first panel504a. First panel504amay include a first structural element508, which may include any structural element as described above. For instance, and without limitation, wherein first structural element508may include a substantially planar first web portion. First structural element508may include a first aperture formed in the first web portion. First aperture may have a first aperture width, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and a first bottom edge, as described above. First structural element508may include a first exterior surface facing away from the first panel504a, and a first interior surface facing into the first panel504a; that is, first exterior surface may be a surface of web portion that may be placed against a corresponding web portion for attachment using fastener100as described above. First panel504amay include a second structural element512, which may include any structural element as described above. For instance, and without limitation, wherein second structural element512may include a substantially planar second web portion. Second structural element512may include a second aperture formed in the second web portion. Second aperture may have a second aperture width, a third lateral edge, a fourth lateral edge, and a second bottom edge. Second structural element512may include a second exterior surface facing away from the first panel504a, and a second interior surface facing into the second panel504b; that is, second exterior surface may be a surface of web portion that may be placed against a corresponding web portion for attachment using fastener100as described above. Each of first structural element508and second structural element512may include multiple apertures as described above, each of which may be used in fastening structural elements to additional structural elements in other frames and/or posts as described in further detail below, for instance and without limitation using fastener100.

Still referring toFIG.5, first panel504aincludes a structural frame516connecting the first structural element508to the second structural element512. Structural frame516may have one or more horizontal cross-pieces connecting first and second structural element512. Horizontal cross-pieces may be constructed of any suitable material for first and second structural element512, including metal, wood, plywood, or the like. Structural frame516may include one or more vertical elements, such as without limitation a central structural element520; central structural element520may include any element suitable for use as first structural element508and may be equidistant in first frame from first structural element508and second structural element512. Structural frame516may include one or more sheets of material such as sheets of plastic, plywood, metal, or the like, which may occupy one or more spaces between structural elements and/or cross-pieces. In an embodiment, structural frame516may be rectangular and/or substantially rectangular in profile. Elements of structural frame516may be fastened together in any suitable manner, including without limitation welding, riveting, bolting, adhesion, or the like; persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various ways in which elements of structural frame516may be secured together.

As a non-limiting, illustrative example, and further referring toFIG.5, structural frame516may include three steel studs, with the outer two facing their flat sides to the outside of the frame, and a central stud oriented in either direction. The outer two may have a standardized orientation of apertures in the studs, for instance to permit joining first panel504ato additional panels and/or posts as set forth in further detail below. Continuing the example, structural frame516may include 4′ steel track at a top and bottom of structural frame516as horizontal cross-pieces. Still continuing the example, each overlap point between steel track and first, second, and/or central structural element520may be secured using, for instance, two spot-welds on each side for a total of 24 points on the frame. Continuing the example, rubber O-ring may be placed in a center-most pass-thru hole in each of the two outside studs and the top hole of the middle stud to allow for wire stringing. An assembly500jig may be used to cut tracks to length, as well as hold structural frame516pieces together for welding or other fastening.

Still referring toFIG.5, first panel504amay include an exterior skin524covering structural frame516from first structural element508to second structural element512. Exterior skin524may form a substantially planar exterior surface of panel. Exterior skin524may be constructed of any suitable material and/or combination of materials, including without limitation flexible materials. Flexible materials may include materials that can be bent by hand and returned to an original and/or flattened state without permanent deformation, such as without limitation natural or artificial textile materials, sheets of material such as leather, paper, natural and/or artificial polymer, felts, or the like. Skin524may alternatively or additionally be constructed of rigid materials such as medium density fiberboard (MDF) or other composites, fiberglass, sheet-metal, wood veneer paneling, plywood, plastic, sheetrock, or the like. Skin524may alternatively or additionally be composed of transparent materials such as glass or acrylic; for instance, first panel504amay have one or more windows formed therein. Skin524and/or a sheet of material may have one or more openings cut or otherwise formed within skin524for access to interior elements, and/or to permit inclusion in first panel504aof one or more additional items such as without limitation electronic devices, appliances, or the like.

Further referring toFIG.5, skin524may, as described in further detail below, overlap first panel504aand/or extend beyond structural frame516, to form a continuous surface and/or to disguise frame locations and/or appearances. Skin524may be selected and/or deployed, with any combination of elements as described in this disclosure, to create an aesthetically pleasing and/or functional interior space when elements such as first panel504aand additional elements that will be set forth below are combined together with skin524to form rooms, to form corridors, to form nooks, or otherwise define interior spaces. For instance, and without limitation, where panels as described herein are used to create walls of a room, a sheet of skin524may have a length of an entire wall and may be joined to additional sheets of skin524at internal corners, to create a seamless appearance.

Continuing to refer toFIG.5, attachment of skin524to structural frame516and/or other elements of first panel504amay be effected using any suitable attachment devices and/or means such as without limitation rivets, press-fasteners100, magnets, latches which may be actuated manually, electronically, or the like, locks which may be actuated manually electronically or the like, insertion into tracks and/or grooves, use of bolts, screws, and/or tabs, and/or any other attachment mechanism that may occur to persons skilled in the art upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure.

As used herein, a press fastener is a fastener that couples a first surface to a second surface when the two surfaces are pressed together. Some press fasteners include elements on the first surface that interlock with elements on the second surface; such fasteners include without limitation hook-and-loop fasteners such as VELCRO fasteners produced by Velcro Industries B.V. Limited Liability Company of Curacao Netherlands, and fasteners held together by a plurality of flanged or “mushroom”-shaped elements, such as3M DUAL LOCK fasteners manufactured by3M Company of Saint Paul, Minn. Press-fastener may also include adhesives, including reusable gel adhesives, GECKSKIN adhesives developed by the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, of Amherst, Mass., or other reusable adhesives. Where press-fastener includes an adhesive, the adhesive may be entirely located on the first surface of the press-fastener or on the second surface of the press-fastener, allowing any surface that can adhere to the adhesive to serve as the corresponding surface.

Still referring toFIG.5, first panel504amay include one or more internal elements (not shown) such as thermal and/or acoustic insulation, electrical and/or data exchange wiring including without limitation coaxial and/or ethernet cables, tubing for fluids, gases, or the like, light fixtures, storage compartments, light switches, electrical outlets, or the like.

With continued reference toFIG.5, first panel504amay include at least a first void located within the panel frame and at the first aperture, the first void bordered by the first interior surface. First void may be an empty space into which a person may reach to manipulate a fastener100as described above for the purpose of connecting first panel504ato a post and/or additional panel. Where first structural element508includes multiple apertures, there may be multiple voids and/or first void may communicate with two or more of multiple apertures, permitting a user access for fastening and/or unfastening first panel504ato or from other panels and/or posts. First panel504amay include at least a second void located within the first panel504aand at the second aperture, the first void bordered by the first interior surface; at least a second void may include any void as described above for at least a first void.

Still referring toFIG.5, first panel504amay include at least an anchoring mechanism. At least an anchoring mechanism may include any mechanism for anchoring first frame to a ceiling and/or floor above and/or below first frame. Anchoring mechanism may include, without limitation, a floor anchoring mechanism528, which may include without limitation feet such as rubber feet or other elastomeric feet, feet adapted for securing to a carpeted surface such as feet with one or more spikes, wheels and/or projections for insertion into tracks and/or recesses in a floor, or the like. Floor anchoring mechanism528may include a threaded rod, which may be used akin to a lolly-beam that twists top and bottom pads into place with a wrench, anchoring via friction; alternatively or additionally, a ratchet mechanism, pneumatic mechanism, or the like that may enable extension of feet to create pressure, for instance in combination with a ceiling attachment mechanism. Ceiling attachment mechanism may include any mechanism suitable for use as floor attachment mechanism. Ceiling attachment mechanism may alternatively or additionally include hooks, ties, or other elements to attach a top edge of first frame to one or more rails or other elements in a ceiling such as a drop ceiling. As a further non-limiting example, a bottom portion of first frame may be rubberized, so that an overall weight of a completed structure holds assembly500system in place; periodic eye-bolts may extend from a top of first frame to guy-wires or the like to provide additional top stability.

Further referring toFIG.5, assembly500may include a second panel504bsecond panel504bmay include any item suitable for use as first panel504a. Second panel504bmay be secured to first panel504ausing a fastener100as described above. Assembly500may include a plurality of panels, which may be combined in various configurations as described in further detail below.

Referring now toFIG.6, each of first void and/or second void may be accessed, without limitation, using a one or more doors in skin524. Doors may be hinged using any suitable hinge. Doors may slide. Doors may have a latching mechanism accessible from an exterior of first panel504a; latching mechanism may be manually, mechanically, and/or electronically actuated. Alternatively or additionally, voids may be accessible using a removable sheet of material which may be secured over void using any mechanism suitable for securing skin524over structural frame516.

Alternatively or additionally, and referring now toFIG.7, first void and/or second void may be accessed by wholly or partially removing skin524. For instance, where skin524is flexible, skin524may be partially detached from structural frame516and bent or folded away from void, permitting access; alternatively or additionally, skin524may be attached to first frame and/or other elements of assembly500after securing with fastener100, permitting access for securing. First void and/or second void may alternatively or additionally permit access to securing mechanisms to secure elements of assembly500to a ceiling and/or floor as described above.

Referring now toFIG.8, a non-limiting example of a potential variation of first panel504ais illustrated. First panel504amay include a bottom kickboard804attached to the structural frame516. Kickboard804may be a part of structural frame516, leading to significant increased structural stability. Additionally, use of kickboard804may size of a required skin524. Further design variants alternatively or additionally have a top panel which is much narrower than the kickboard. A kickboard may handle additional abuse by users while protecting first panel504afrom closer to ground wear and tear. Kickboard804may also allow skin524to be stiffer due to less suspended material weight.

Referring now toFIG.9, assembly500may include a post900. A posts900may include a four-sided structural element, having four web surfaces904in a square array. Web surfaces904may include apertures908, which may be implemented in any manner suitable for implementation of apertures in first and/or second structural element512as described above. Any panel in assembly500may be attached to any of four web surfaces of post900. Post900may function to allow for frames to be attached to form ninety-degree angles, to make a T-junction or to make across junction. Post900may be additionally kitted with floor anchoring mechanism912and/or ceiling anchoring mechanisms allow them to be anchored to the floor and/or ceiling anchoring mechanism916to help stabilize frame assemblies, using any suitable securing mechanism as described above. Alternative designs may be similarly constructed that allow for three sided, or NT-sided posts900for more complex room design.FIG.10illustrates a partial view of post900with an aperture in post900.

Referring now toFIG.11, post900may be formed, in a non-limiting example, by securing four structural elements1100a-d, such as studs, together, for instance by bending sides and welding and/or riveting them together; alternatively or additionally, posts900may be constructed by trimming sides of steel studs; four of the trimmed pieces may be put into a square with an ‘over/under’ repeated pattern. A tack-welder may then be used at a top and bottom to make four welds each, holding the post900together. Tack-welder may be fit through a number of the stud pass-thru cut-outs to do some additional tacks along the length of the post900for additional stability. Structural elements may alternatively or additionally be fastened together using any suitable process including any type of welding, bolting, riveting, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, post900may be formed as a single monolithic structure using any suitable process, including without limitation molding, machining, sheet metal processes such as cutting, bending, and/or stamping, and/or any other suitable manufacturing process.

Still referring toFIG.11, at least a securing mechanism may be affixed in an interior of post900, at a top or bottom end thereof. Securing mechanism may be secured using any suitable fastening mechanism, including an engineering fit such as a press fit, welding, adhesion, riveting, bolting, screwing, or the like.FIG.12illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an attachment mechanism1200including a threaded rod1204supporting a foot and/or cap1208which may provide friction against a surface when pressed thereon by the threaded screw.

Referring now toFIG.13, a top view of an exemplary embodiment of assembly500is provided. Assembly500may include a plurality of panels1300and/or posts900which may be combined to form one or more interior spaces1304. Interior spaces may include rooms, offices, corridors, nooks, bays, or any other internal space that may occur to persons skilled in the art upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure. Assembly500may be assembled by attaching panels to each other and to posts900. Posts900may be used to attach panels at angles to one another to form corners, T-junctions, crosses, and/or any other desired configuration. Assembling may further include securing posts900, panels, or the like to ceilings and/or floors using attachment mechanisms.

With continued reference toFIG.13, posts900and/or panels may be attached to additional features such as door frames, doors, exterior walls, load-bearing walls, columns including without limitation anti-seismic columns, or the like. Attachment may be effected using any suitable fastening devices and/or techniques including adhesion, fastening with bolts, screws, rivets, or the like, and/or fastening using a fastener100as described above. Persons skilled in the art, upon reviewing the entirety of this disclosure, will be aware of various possible additional features and/or attachment processes that may be employed consistently with this disclosure.

Still referring toFIG.13, at least a skin524may be placed over panels and/or posts900; at least a skin524may overlap joints between panels and/or between panels and posts900. At least a skin524may overlap and/or join at corners; this may enable skin524to form a seamless or apparently seamless surface on interior walls formed using panels. Wiring (not shown) may be run through, e.g., apertures or other openings in structural elements and/or frame of any panel and/or post900; fixtures, electrical outlets, switches, communication ports, or the like may be attached to wiring through openings in skin524. Other tubing such as without limitation air, water, vacuum, or other tubing used for pneumatic devices, medical devices, or the like may be fed through panels and/or apertures to corresponding devices, fixtures, nozzles, or the like. Wiring and/or tubing may be fed to and/or from additional features such as other interior or external walls and/or wiring and/or tubing systems within a building.

Further referring toFIG.13, a user may reconfigure assembly500by detaching skin524, panels, posts900, and/or additional features from one another and reattaching in a new configuration. Alternatively or additionally, a damaged element such as a skin524, post900, panel, or other element may be detached from assembly500, including any necessary and/or useful disassembly500steps, and replaced with a new and/or repaired element. Any reconfiguration may further include replacement and/or reconfiguration of wires, tubes, or the like; alternatively or additionally, repair, replacement, and/or addition of wires, tubes, and/or anything attached thereto may be effected by removal of skin524and/or otherwise accessing panel interiors, swapping skin524with a skin524having openings at desired points, and/or cutting or otherwise forming new openings in skin524, followed by installation of any desired article, fixture, and/or element.

With reference now toFIG.14, an exemplary embodiment of a method1400of using a fastener100to secure structural elements is illustrated. At step1405, a fastener100as described above, a first structural element508, and a second structural element512, are each provided; this may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference toFIGS.1-13. Alternatively or additionally, any fastener, latching mechanism, locking mechanism, or the like may be used, including without limitation bolts, hooks, magnets, or the like. First structural element508may include any first structural element508as described above; for instance, first structural element508may include a substantially planar first web portion and a first aperture formed in the first web portion, the first aperture having a first aperture width, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, and a first bottom edge. First structural element508may be incorporated in a first panel504aand/or a post900as described above. Second structural element512may include any structural element as described above; for instance, second structural element512may include a substantially planar second web portion and a second aperture formed in the second web portion, the second aperture having a second aperture width, a third lateral edge, a fourth lateral edge, and a second bottom edge. Second structural element512may be incorporated in a post900. Second structural element512may be incorporated in a second panel504b.

At step1410, and still referring toFIG.14, web portion of first structural element508may be placed against web portion of second structural element512; this may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference toFIGS.1-13. At step1415, first structural element508is secured to second structural element512using fastener100; this may be implemented, without limitation, as described above in reference toFIGS.1-13. Any other assembly500, disassembly500, and/or reconfiguration steps as described above may be performed as part of method1400, including without limitation attaching skin524to panels and/or posts900, securing panels and/or posts900to ceiling and/or floor using anchoring mechanisms, joining multiple elements together, or the like.

In an embodiment, fastener100, structural elements, and/or elements incorporating structural elements may enable rapid and straightforward construction and/or reconfiguration of internal spaces such as offices, residential spaces, and/or recreational spaces. Insertion, removal, and/or decoration of walls, doors, windows, or the like may be performed at low cost with relatively unskilled labor.