Patent ID: 6935085

Claim:
A universal stud for use with demountable wall partitions and demountable ceiling panels comprising (a) at least one base having a first end and a second end, the base having sufficient structure for removably engaging only one of a demountable wall partition and a demountable ceiling panel, and (b) a plurality of arms extending from the base such that two arms and the base define a channel for receiving one of the demountable wall partition and the demountable ceiling panel, wherein the plurality of arms comprises (1) a first arm extending from the first end of the base, (2) a second arm extending from the second end of the base, (3) a third arm extending from the base closer to the first arm than the second arm, (4) a fourth arm extending from the base closer to the second arm than the first arm and between the third arm and the second arm, such that (5) an exterior channel is defined by the first arm, the third arm and the base therebetwen, (6) an interior channel is defined by the third arm, the fourth arm and the base therebetwen, (7) an inner channel is defined by the fourth arm and the second arm, whereby the channels receive and removeably secure at least one of the demountable wall partition and the demountable ceiling panel between the channels such that the universal stud can be oriented to accept a demountable wall partition, or, can be oriented to receive at least one of the demountable wall partition and the demountable ceiling panel, and the universal stud further comprising: (a) a second base having a first end and a second end, the base having sufficient structure for removably engaging at least one of the demountable wall partition and the demountable ceiling panel, with the second end of the second base fixedly secured to the second end of the first base at a predefined angle, (b) a plurality of arms extending from the second base, the plurality of arms comprising (1) a first arm extending from the first end of the base. (2) a second arm extending from the second end of the base, (3) a third arm extending from the base closer to the first arm than the second arm, (4) a fourth arm extending from the base closer to the second arm than the first arm and between the third arm and the second arm, such that (5) an exterior channel is defined by the first arm, the third arm and the base therebetwen (6) an interior channel is defined by the third arm, the fourth arm and the base therebetwen (7) an inner channel is defined by the fourth arm and the second arm whereby the channels receive and removeably secure at least one of the demountable wall partition and the demountable ceiling panel between the channels.