GB2141461A - Construction panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The panel has an undulating edge comprising edge sections 14, 15, 16, 17 separated by alignment surfaces 19 which lie at the corners of a notional rectangle 9. Each edge section comprises concave and convex portions which, in use, follow an intercalating edge section of a similar panel so that the edge sections generally follow each other with the alignment surfaces of one panel aligned with the alignment surfaces of the other panel. Pegs (P-Fig. 3, not shown) co-operate with adjacent alignment surfaces to space the panels stated applications are wall cladding and paving. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Panels for use in construction The invention relates to panels for building, cladding, paving or the like and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with pre-cast concrete panels.

Various types of pre-cast concrete panels have been available hitherto for use in the construction of walling, paving, etc. . Where a structure such as a building faced with large flints or other exposed aggregates is to be extended by using traditional rectangular pre-formed panels, it is difficult to eliminate the appearance of coursing between the panels. An object of the present invention is to provide a panel which, when assembled with a plurality of similar panels, will produce an area in which the coursing wall is less noticeable than with traditional rectangular panels.

According to the invention there is provided a panel for use in construction having an undulating edge and alignment surfaces spaced apart on said edge, said edge being arranged in use to substantially to follow an undulating edge of a similar panel with said alignment surfaces of one panel aligned with the alignment surfaces of the other panel.

The undulating edges of the two panels reduce considerably the appearance of coursing and particularly so when the panel is faced with exposed aggregates. The alignment surfaces may be used as abutments for pegs for spacing apart the panels.

Preferably the undulating edge comprises a number of edge sections with said alignment surfaces arranged at or adjacent end portions of said sections which may be separated by said alignment surfaces.

The alignment surfaces are arranged generally at corners of the panel. The alignment surfaces may comprise two edges at right angles and may be at the corners of a notional rectangle.

Preferably the two edges of each alignment surface lie on sides of the notional rectangle.

Where the undulating edge comprises a number of edge sections, each edge section may undulate between positions inside and outside the notional rectangle.

Each edge section may comprise convex and concave portions, which portions may have equal radii of curvature. Preferably a line passing through radial extremities of two like said portions also passes through the centre of curvature of an intermediate portion.

Preferably each of two opposite edge sections comprises two convex portions which lie substantially or at least partially inside the notional rectangle. In such a case each of two further opposite edge sections may comprise two concave portions which lie substantially inside the notional rectangle and an intermediate convex portion which lies substantially or at least partially outside the notional rectangle.

Preferably the distance between one side of the notional rectangle and a line passing through inner extremities of the adjacent concave portions is equal to the distance between an adjacent side of the notional rectangle and a line passing through the outer extremities of the adjacent convex portions.

Adjacent convex and concave portions may lie on notional circles which meet tangentially.

A panel in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of panel in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the panel shown in Figure 2; and Figure 3 is a plan view of four panels in an assembled condition.

A panel 1 0, which may be cast from concrete, is faced on one surface 11 with large flints 12 or other exposed aggregates to simulate the appearance of natural stone or traditional handplaced stone construction. The other side 1 3 of the panel is flat to enable it to be affixed by mortar for example to the exterior of a building or to a surface to be paved.

The shape of the panel 10 is based on a notional rectangle such as the square 9 indicated in broken lines in Figure 1. The edge of the panel is of undulating form and comprises four edge sections 14, 15, 1 6 and 1 7 separated by nibs 1 9 which define the aforesaid alignment surfaces.

Each nib lies on a corner section of the notional square 9 and has surfaces 20, 21 at right angles.

Each of the side sections 1 4, 1 6 comprises two concave edge portions 22 which lie inside the notional square 9 and an intermediate convex edge portion 23 which lies partially outside the notional square. The concave and convex portions are of the same radius R and lie on notional circles C which meet tangentially, the centres of curvature lying on parallel lines L spaced apart by R. The lines L pass through the radial extremities of their associated concave and convex portions 22, 23. The side sections 15,17 each comprise two convex edge portions 24 which lie outside the notional square 9 and an intermediate concave edge portion 25 which lies at least partially inside the notional square curvature of portion 25.The curvature R of the convex and concave edge portions 24, 25 is the same as for side portions 22, 23 of sections 15, 1 6. The distance x, y in Figure 1 are equal.

The panel 10 can be assembled with further identical panels 1 0a, 1 Oh, 1 Oc and so on as in Fig.

3 so that the adjacent undulating edges of the panels substantially follow each other.

The nibs 1 9 co-operate with square pegs P to assist in aligning the panels in spaced configuration. Without the nibs, varying substantially radial distances D between the adjacent undulating edges would make the panels difficult to align with each other to ensure even placing. It can be seen that the undulating edge sections intercalate to form serpentine shaped courses C between the panels. Such courses are panels and are virtually imperceptible if the mortar used matches the colour of the panels.

The pegs P are not essential as the user may be able to judge the spacing of the nibs in horizontal and vertical directions without difficulty during assembly. However, the pegs are useful when working on a vertical surface to prevent the panel squashing the joining mortar below.

Whilst the edge sections of the panel 10 shown are of serpentine form they may be of zig-zag or other undulating shape.

Claims (14)

1. A panel for use in construction having an undulating edge and alignment surfaces spaced apart on or adjacent said edge, said edge being arranged in use substantially to follow an undulating edge of a similar panel with said alignment surfaces of one panel aligned with the alignment surfaces of the other panel.

2. A panel according to Claim 1 in which the undulating edge comprises a number of edge sections with said alignment surfaces arranged at or adjacent end portions of said sections.

3. A panel according to Claim 2 in which the edge sections are separated by said alignment surfaces.

4. A panel according to any preceding claim in which said alignment surfaces are arranged generally at corners of the panel.

5. A panel according to any preceding claim in which each of the alignment surfaces comprises two edges at right angles.

6. A panel according to any preceding claim in which the alignment surfaces lie at the corners of a notional rectangle.

7. A panel according to Claim 6 when appendant to Claim 5 in which the two edges of each alignment surface lie on sides of the notional rectangle.

8. A panel according to Claim 7 and in the case where the undulating edge comprises a number of edge sections, in which each edge section undulates between positions inside and outside substantially less noticeable than the linear courses defined between conventional rectangular the notional rectangle.

9. A panel according to any preceding claim and where the undulating edge comprises a number of edge sections, in which each edge section comprises convex and concave portions.

10. A panel according to Claim 9 rn which the convex portions have equal radii of curvature.

11. A panel according to Claim 9 or 10 in which a line passing through radial extremities of two like said portions also passes through the centre of curvature of an intermediate portion.

12. A panel according to Claim 9, 10 or 11 and where each edge section undulates between .positions inside and outside the notional rectangle, in which each of two opposite edge sections comprises two convex portions which lie substantially outside the notional rectangle and an intermediate concave portion which lies substantially or at least partially inside the notional rectangle.

13. A panel according to Claim 12 in which each of two further opposite edge sections comprises two concave portions which lie substantially inside the notional rectangle and an intermediate convex portion which lies substantially or at least partially outside the notional rectangle.

14. A panel according to Claim 13 in which the distance between one side of the notional rectangle and a line passing through inner extremities of the adjacent concave portions is equal to the distance between an adjacent side of the notional rectangle and a line passing through the outer extremities of the adjacent convex portions.

1 5. A panel according to any of Claims 9 to 14 in which adjacent convex and concave portions lie on notional circles which meet tangentially.

1 6. A panel according to any preceding claim having a surface faced with exposed aggregates.

1 7. A panel for use in construction constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.