GB1244155A - A construction kit and method of building using the kit - Google Patents

Abstract

1,244,155. Panels &c, building structures. PLASTIERS Ltd. 13 Aug., 1968 [17 Aug., 1967; 7 Feb., 1968 (2)], Nos. 37891/67; 6143/ 68 and 6144/68. Headings E1B and E1W. A hollow open-ended panel 91 (Fig. 2) having its two side walls 93 shaped to form one or more recesses extending the length of the panel is provided along each side wall with a channel 95 on one edge facing inwardly of the panel and an outwardly projecting rib 94 on the other edge, the channel and rib being such that when two panels are disposed coplanar and side by side the channel on one panel can receive a rib on the other panel to latch the panels together against movement in the plane of the panels. Walls, floors, ceilings and roofs are formed from such panels which are so latched together by inserting into the space 97 formed by the recesses in the adjacent side walls one or more locking members which fit into the space and prevent unlatching of the panels, the locking members being of considerably less cross-sectional area than the space. As shown, the panels which typically are formed of extruded synthetic plastics material have side walls with two parallel half cylinders of semi-circular cross section and are locked together by tubular members 96 or a member 100 of metal or plastics which. may be in the form of two or more short lengths or may extend the length of the panel. The spaces 97 as well as the panel interiors may be filled with concrete or another material providing strength or heat and/or sound insulation during or after insertion of the locking members. Wires 101 may be embedded in the infill material, particularly for roofs, ceilings or floors when the wires are anchored by tying to members embedded in the walls of the building. Also for roofs, ceilings or floors panels can be combined with and supported by girderlike spanning units 151 (Fig. 6) of synthetic plastics or metal, at least the ends of which rest on walls, these units comprising a central element 153 for mating with panels 141, upper and lower tubes 152 and connecting arms or webs 154. The tubes 152 may be infilled or may encase steel strengthening bars 155. For curved ceilings or roofs the panels, locking members and spanning units may be curved along their lengths. As shown in Fig. 6, the side walls of the panels may form shallow V-troughs, the space formed between two such side walls being of rhombic cross section and receiving a cruciform locking member (see also Fig. 3, not shown). In a modification (Fig. 4, not shown), the bottom of the V may be replaced by a semi-circular portion and the corresponding arms of the locking member modified to seat in this portion. Fig. 5 (not shown) shows a panel in which the side wall recess comprises in cross section both a semicircular central portion and flanking shallow V-troughs, the locking member being a tube with oppositely extending fins. Fig. 1 (not shown) depicts a panel with a single semi-cylindrical recess in its side walls.