GB2125844A

GB2125844A - Connecting building panels

Info

Publication number: GB2125844A
Application number: GB08303431A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Francis Oakes
Original assignee: WHITEHOUSE ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: WHITEHOUSE ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 1979-11-10
Filing date: 1983-02-08
Publication date: 1984-03-14
Also published as: GB8303431D0; GB2125844B

Abstract

The panels 10, 11 comprise two spaced sheets, plates or skins 13, 14 with an intervening filling material or layer 15 or a hollow gap or cavity. Each panel 10 has a projecting tongue 30 along one edge and a co- operating groove on its opposed edge. The groove is defined by a channel 17 and projecting limbs 18. Associated pairs of constrictions 23 and seals 22 are provided between the limbs 18 and tongue 30 on either side of the tongue. The seals 22 snap into grooves 40 in the tongue so that the seal is enhanced by external wind pressure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building panels This invention relates to building panels of the type comprising two spaced sheets, plates or skins with an intervening filling material or layer, or in some cases a hollow gap or cavity. The invention is applicable not only to such panels as used as component parts of the main fabric of a building, for example as external cladding panels, but may also be applied to internal permanent or temporary panels or partitions. For convenience all such panels are referred to herein as building panels.

With such panels it is usually necessary to provide means for joining adjacent panels edgeto-edge and also means for locating the panels in position. In some cases the junction between the panels must be weatherproof and in any case it is desirable that the junction should be of pleasing appearance and that the locating or anchorage means should be strong, easy to assemble or fix, and also of attractive appearance.

Accordingly an object of the invention is to provide an improved building panel which will satisfy at least some of these requirements.

In the following specification it is assumed that each of the panels joined together edge-to-edge is of similar shape and construction. Thus if a panel has a male formation along one edge and a female formation along the opposite edge the adjacent edges of two such panels will fit together male to female. It is possible, however, that one of two adjacent panels might have a male formation on each of its opposite edges and the other panel a female formation on each edge, and the invention may also be applied to such cases.

Broadly stated from one aspect the invention consists in a building panel having a projecting tongue part along one edge to engage in a groove or channel along the adjacent edge of an adjacent panel, and means providing a pair of spaced parallel constrictions or seals between the two panels along the joining edges.

In any case the projecting tongue part conveniently has a groove on one or both side surfaces to co-operate with a seal or weather strip located in the respective other part of the channel.

The corresponding formation is preferably designed to provide inner and outer seals with each side of the co-operating projecting tongue part.

In any of the above cases a channel, which has a pair of spaced limbs, which act to receive the projecting tongue part. These limbs may also act to locate or engage a sealing strip or weather strip.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment with a number of possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontal section through the adjacent vertical edges of two adjacent insulating building panels according to the invention, Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating an alternative anchorage, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative anchorage clip in position, Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating the anchorage clip engaging a structural girt or sheeting rail, Figure 5 is another end elevation illustrating a different method of fixing panels to a rail, and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic horizontal section through adjacent vertical edges of two adjacent alternative building panels according to the invention.

Referring to the assembly illustrated in Figure 1, the two insulating building panels 10 and 11 are to be connected together edge-to-edge and attached to a structural beam or rail 12 at the reverse face. Each of the panels comprises a pair of sheet metal skins 13, 14 spaced apart with an intervening insulating filler material 1 5 which also bonds to the skins and provides a composite structure. As mentioned previously other internal fillers or laminations may be used or there may be a hollow gap or cavity between the skins.

In order to form the edge joint the panel 10 has a female formation along one vertical edge, comprising an extruded profile of plastics such as PVC or other thermal insulating material, including a central channel part 1 7 and a pair of projecting limbs 1 8 of either side, which lie flush with the skins 13, 14 the extreme edges or lips of the skins being bent over the limbs as illustrated at 1 9 to lock the parts together. The inner surface of each limb 18 is formed with a groove 20 to receive a flexible sealing or weather strip 21. This has a flexible lip or feather edge 22 which engages in a groove in a projecting tongue on the other panel 11 as will be described. Each limb 18 also has an internal ridge 23 which forms a wall of the groove 20 and has a further purpose as described below.

The other end of the panel 10, and hence the adjacent edge of the other panel 11 is formed with a projecting tongue 30 to engage with the plastic extrusion on the first panel 1 0. The two metal skins 13, 14 are shaped to define the side walls 31, 32 of this tongue and a closure strip 33 of timber or other thermal insulating material is fixed between the skins to close off and strengthen the free edge of the tongue and so prevent escape of fluid material when the panel is filled by injection foaming.The interior of the tongue is occupied by the same fillter material 1 5. At the root of the tongue each of the metal skins 13, 14 is bent back to form an undercut re-entrant which combines with the re-entrant formed by the projecting limb 1 8 of the plastics extrusion to provide a double undercut groove. An anchorage member 36 with an enlarged head having side wings 37 can be located in this undercut groove and secured to the beam or rail 12 thus holding the edges of both panels firmly in position.As illustrated in Figure 3 the clip 36 may be secured to the rail 12 by a tail 39 and a locking bolt 38, and so arranged that it can be introduced in the 1 2 o'clock position and then turned to the 3 o'clock position to engage the two panels, finally being slid down so that the tail 39 engages over the rail 12.

As also seen in Figure 1, the tongue 30 is shaped with a shallow groove 40 on each face near the free edge and the lip seals 22 snap into these shallow grooves 40 when the tongue is introduced into position. In this position the free edge of the tongue 30 lies within the base part 1 7 of the plastics channel and the flanks 31, 32 of the tongue lie close against the extremities of the ribs 23. This provides a double weather seal which is effective against moisture and wind loading. Any wind pressure on the panels may cause a small air flow past the ribs 23 but the pressure will be much reduced by the restriction and by expansion with the chamber so formed, and on the other side of the panel suction will tend to urge the seal strip 22 into contact with the adjacent flank of the groove 40 on the opposite side of the tongue.Any moisture entering will be blocked by this sealing strip and will run lengthways along the groove 40 to a point of escape.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative anchorage system where the anchorage clips 36 are replaced by a continuous elongated anchorage strip or plate 42, attached to the structure on the reverse face by suitable bolts 43. This can provide continuous anchorage along the whole joining edge of each panel, which may be desirable in some circumstances or it may reduce the effective span of the panel edge between support points. The panel therefore becomes stiffer. The strip may be of I or T section to increase its stiffness. In the structure of Figure 4 the clip 44 is attached to an angle girder 45 by means of a bolt or stud 46, the clip having an enlarged head of the type illustrated in Figure 1 and 3.Figure 5 illustrates how the elongated plate 42 may be attached to an angle girder 47 by means of bolts 48, 49 of different lengths each held in position by a clip 50, 51 engaging the girder.

The panels may each be fixed to rails top and bottom and in this way be supported and located vertically with less supporting steel framework.

Figure 6 shows building panels 60 and 61 assembled in a similar manner to the building panels of Figure 1. The construction of panels 60 and 61 is essentially the same as that of panels 10 and 11 except for the formation of the central channel part 17 and the projecting limbs 18.

Each limb 18 is constituted by a metal, preferably aluminium, extrusion 62 which defines grooves 20 to receive weather strip 21 and an internal ridge 23. At their innermost ends each extrusion 62 defines an inwardly longitudinally facing groove 63, which receives a respective end of a plastics material channel member 64.

Channel member 64 serves to interconnect the limbs 18 to hold them, and hence metal skins 13 and 14, together. The channel member also seals off the edge of the panel in an insulating manner.

Metal clips 65, one of which is shown in Figure 6, extend around channel member 64 to engage on projections 66 on the extrusions 62 to prevent the limbs 18, and hence skins 13 and 14 separating in the event of the channel member 64 being melted in a fire.

The use of metal extrusions considerably increase the shear load which the limbs 1 8 can withstand, for example due to suction of the building. Further the construction means that panels of different widths can be manufactured merely by providing different widths of channel members 64.

The shear load capabilities of limbs 1 8 can further be enhanced by mounting an aluminium strip down the opposite side of the panel. As well as flat panels other shapes can be provided, for example, corner pieces. If the panels are to be used for walls and ceilings it may be necessary to form a further tongue extension along the upper edge of the panels so that they can engage in the female formations on the corner pieces.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A building panel having a projecting tongue part along one edge to engage in a groove or channel along the adjacent edge of an adjacent panel, and means providing a pair of spaced parallel constrictions or seals between the two panels along the joining edges. 2. A building panel according to claim 1, in which the outer constriction provides a restricting gap or clearance to reduce any penentrating wind pressure and the inner seal includes a flexible lip designed to close against a contacting face in the presence of wind pressure. 3. A building panel as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 4. A building panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 14 October '83. Superseded claims 1 to 4. New or amended claims:

1. A building panel assembly comprising a first panel having a projecting tongue along one edge and a second panel having a groove or channel along an adjacent edge for receiving the tongue part, a seal having a flexible lip extending between the channel and the tongue and a locating groove in the assembly into which the lip snaps on insertion of the tongue into the channel and a further spaced parallel seal and/or constriction between the two panels along the joining edges.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lip is directed towards the base of the channel when it lies in the locating groove.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locating groove provides a run-away for moisture trapped by the seal.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the locating groove is formed on the tongue.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the constriction is nearer the mouth of the channel than is the seal.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the constriction provides a restricting gap or clearance to reduce any penetrating wind pressure and the seal is designed to close against a contacting face in the presence of wind pressure.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is cooperating pairs of a seal and a locating groove on each side of the tongue.