GB2595498A

GB2595498A - Building panel and system thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2595498A
Application number: GB2008028.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cosmin Fechete Nicu
Original assignee: Napolo Construction Ltd
Current assignee: Napolo Construction Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-28
Filing date: 2020-05-28
Publication date: 2021-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-28
Also published as: GB2595498B; GB202008028D0

Abstract

The building panel system comprises first and second building panels 10a,10b each having a body with opposing sides and a rigid support element 14 at or adjacent each side. Each support element has an opening therein, a path being defined between the openings through the body of the building panel. An elongate element 12a,12b is secured at a first location to one of the rigid support elements of the first panel, extends through the second panel via the openings in the rigid support elements and along the path of the second panel, and is secured at a second location to a distal rigid support element of the second panel relative to the first panel. The elongate element is secured under tension to apply a compressive force between the first and second panels. Each support element preferably comprises further offset openings to enable additional panels 10c to be secured. Also claimed is a method of installing a building panel system and a building panel.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII2008028.9 RTM Date:2 November 2020 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Zip Clip Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo Building Panel and System Thereof The present invention relates to a building panel, a building panel system, a method of installing a building panel system, and a building.

Building panels allow for rapid and convenient construction. Building panels are 5 conventionally joined together via splines or tongue and groove joints.

For joining panels by splines, the spline, which would extend along the length of the panel, is inserted into a pre-cut spline slot or groove in the edge of a panel so that it protrudes therefrom. A spline slot of a further panel is positioned over the protruding portion of the spline.

For joining panels by tongue and groove joints, a panel may have a protruding tongue at one side and a groove at the other side. The tongue of one panel is inserted into a groove of a further panel. A panel with a tongue and groove therefore is required to be installed in a particular orientation.

The use of splines or tongue and groove joints typically requires significant application of adhesive and/or sealant, to ensure a relatively firm, weatherproof, and thermally insulated joint. Such application of adhesive and/or sealant can be time consuming and risks poorly joined panels if care is not taken to ensure a continuous line of adhesive and/or sealant is applied.

Furthermore, the use of adhesives creates a permanent or substantially permanent bond 20 or join which would not allow the panels to be readily dismantled.

If fasteners are instead used to join panels together or to splines in a typical front-to-back direction, then this could result in a poor surface finish of the panel, due to part of the fastener protruding. Additionally or alternatively, the use of metal fasteners could cause thermal bridging, since the metal fastener would extend through the panel in a front to back direction and therefore provide a path of heat conduction.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building panel system comprising: first and second building panels; each building panel having a body with opposing sides and a rigid support element at or adjacent to each side; each support element having an opening therein, a path being defined between the openings through the body of the building panel; an elongate element which is secured at a first location to one of the rigid support elements of the first building panel, extends through the second building panel via the openings in the rigid support elements and along the path of the second building panel, and is secured at a second location to a distal rigid support element of the second building panel relative to the first building panel, the elongate element being secured under tension so as to apply a compressive force between the first and second building panels.

Holes at each side of a panel with an elongate element extending between these holes 10 and secured to an adjacent panel allows for a compressive force to be conveniently applied between the two panels. The compressive force can provide a secure, thermally insulated and weatherproof joint without the use of adhesive.

Rigid support elements at or adjacent to the sides allows for the panel to withstand the compressive force and distribute the forces across the panel without damaging or deforming the panel. The rigidity may be provided by the material selection and material thickness of the support elements and/or may be provided by reinforcing elements, such as struts. The elongate element extending across at least a majority of a width of the panel enables the elongate element to be accessed and tensioned at a distal end of the panel relative to the adjacent panel. Securing the panels together in a side-to-side direction prevents or limits fasteners from protruding from front or rear surfaces of the panels, which therefore provides a good surface finish.

Although the first panel is described as having openings in the support element, it will be appreciated that this may not be required to connect only two panels together. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the same concept may be applied to connecting 25 one panel to a non-panel structural element.

The openings are preferably slots to provide for some adjustability in position of the elongate element.

Preferably, the support elements of the first and second building panels have offset openings. This permits for the offsetting of the elongate element which connects the first and second building panels relative to a further elongate element which may connect the second panel with a possible third panel. As such, the elongate element and further elongate element would not interfere or clash with each other.

Advantageously, said opening in each support element may be a first opening and at least one of the support elements of each panel may comprise a second opening offset to the first opening. Additionally, the elongate element may extend through the first panel via at least one second opening. For example, a second further opening in the first panel could allow for a portion of the elongate element to be accommodated through said second further opening and extend into the first building panel. This allows for the elongate element to be oversized. In other words, the elongate element may be longer than the distance between the support element of the first panel and the distal support element of the second panel with the panels engaged together. This is since the oversized portion could extend back into the first panel via the further opening, especially if the first opening is already filled by another elongate element. Oversizing of the elongate element allows for more convenient installation. Since the oversized elongate element can extend into the first panel, the excess elongate element is not required to be cut on site.

Beneficially, the elongate element may, for example, be 35 mm longer than the distance between the support element of the first panel and the distal support element of the second panel with the panels engaged together. An elongate element oversized by 35 mm allows for more convenient installation, since space is provided for connection with a channel nut at a first end, which may require 10 mm, and for connection with a washer and nut at a second end, which may require 15 mm. More preferably, the elongate element may be 40 mm, 45 mm or 50 mm longer than the distance between the support element of the first panel and the distal support element of the second panel with the panels engaged together so as to provide additional fitting allowance. The elongate element is preferably less than twice the width of the panel to prevent or limit the elongate element from extending across two panels and therefore disrupting onward connection.

In a preferable embodiment, each support element of each panel may comprise a second opening offset to the first opening, the said path of each panel being a first path and a second path extending between second openings of each building panel. Two pairs of openings for each panel allows for identical panels to be used whilst accommodating the option of offset elongate elements.

Optionally, each building panel may have a plurality of sets of first and second openings.

This allows for two building panels to be compressed together at multiple positions.

Additionally, each building panel may have three sets of first and second openings.

Preferably, the system may further comprise a third building panel, the third building panel having the features of the first and second building panels, said elongate element being a first elongate element and the system further comprising a second elongate element which is secured at a first location to said distal support element of the second 5 building panel relative to the first building panel, extends through a lateral extent of the third building panel via the second openings in the rigid support elements and along the second path of the third building panel, and is secured at a second location against a distal side wall of the third building panel relative to the second building panel, the second elongate element being secured under tension so as to apply a compressive force 10 between the second and third building panels.

Advantageously, the elongate element may be secured using releasable securing means for permitting ready disassembly. Releasable securing means, such as screw threaded fasteners or wire grips, allow for the panels to be disconnected. A temporary building can thus be constructed from the building panel system and then deconstructed as required, with the building panel system being reusable for constructing further buildings.

In a preferable embodiment, the or each elongate element may be a rod and may be secured at the second location via a nut. The rod may be easier to feed through the panel between the openings.

Alternatively, the or each elongate element may be a wire and may be secured at the 20 second location via a wire grip. A wire can be more easily stored, transported and cut to length, if necessary, as compared to fixed rods.

Beneficially, each support element may comprise a channel having a base and two sides, a channel opening defined between the two sides, each side having an projection which extends across the channel opening, the channel for receiving a channel nut between the base and the inwardly extending projections. The channel permits for a channel nut to be received which allows for adjustability in the position of attachment of the elongate element.

Optionally, the system may further comprise at least one channel nut received in the channel, the elongate element secured at the first location via the channel nut.

Additionally, the channel nut may include a biasing element for biasing the channel nut against the inwardly extending projections. This allows for the channel nut to be quickly and easily moved and secured in place relative to the channel.

Advantageously, each building panel may have at least one sealing element which extends along at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of at least one of the sides. This can ensure a watertight seal, as well as providing for a better insulated structure.

Additionally, said at least one of the sides may have two sealing elements, the sealing 5 elements spaced apart from each in a front-to-back direction of the panel.

Preferably, each panel may comprise insulative material located between the support elements the or each path being defined by a through-bore through the insulative material. As such, the panel is insulated.

In a preferable embodiment, each panel may comprise a frame which includes said 10 support elements and upper and lower cross-members which interconnect the support elements. The frame provides structural strength to the panel. The upper and lower cross-members can allow for the compressive force to be transmitted across the panel.

Advantageously, upper and/or lower edges of the panel include a guide for engagement with an upper and/or lower rail. This permits for the panel to be more conveniently located 15 on the rails and so more conveniently installed.

Optionally, the or each guide is U-shaped or substantially U-shaped for sliding along the upper and/or lower rail. A U-shaped guide can prevent or limit unintentional displacement of the panel relative to the rail. Although described as U-shaped, the guide is preferably square bottomed or square based.

Additionally, upper and/or lower edges of each panel may include attachment means for attaching to the upper and/or lower rail. This ensures that the panel remains fixed in place.

Preferably, the system may further comprise an upper and/or lower rail which supports at least one panel.

In a preferable embodiment, each support element is recessed within the panel body of each panel. Recessing the support elements can allow for a more thermally insulated arrangement. This is since the panel body can introduce thermal breaks between the support elements of adjacent panels.

Advantageously, each panel may further comprise at least one strut element which 30 extends between support elements away from ends thereof. At least one strut element can provide additional rigidity to the support elements.

Although the above preferable and optional features are described for each panel, it will be appreciated that the features may instead be only for one of the panels of the system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a building panel system according to the first aspect of the invention, the method 5 comprising the steps of a) providing said first and second building panels; b) positioning the elongate element between the openings of the support elements of the second building panel; c) securing the elongate element to the support element of the first building panel proximal to the second building panel; d) securing the elongate element to the support element of the second building panel distal to the first building panel, the 10 elongate element being secured under tension to apply a compressive force between the first and second panels.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a building panel for the system according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a building panel having a body with opposing sides and a rigid support element at or adjacent to each side; each support element having an opening therein, a path being defined between the openings through the body of the building panel; a guide for engagement with an upper and/or lower rail; and attachment means for attaching the panel to the upper and/or lower rail.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a building comprising the 20 building panel system according to the first aspect of the invention. The building panels may most preferably be used to construct the walls, either interior or exterior, or roof of a building, and may also be used to construct the floor of a building.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows two building panels being joined together, the building panels of a building panel system according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a frame and support elements of a building panel of a building panel system according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 shows the building panel of Figure 2 with insulative material; Figure 4 shows the building panel of Figure 3 with boarding; Figure 5 shows a rigid side wall of the frame of Figure 2; Figure 6 shows a side view of one of the building panels of Figure 1 with an elongate element extending therefrom; Figure 7 shows a side view of one of the building panels of Figure 1, with an 5 elongate element received therethrough and fastened to a rigid side wall thereof; Figure 8 shows a side view of one of the building panels of Figure 1, with sealing elements thereon; Figure 9 shows the building panels of Figure 1 secured together to form a building panel system according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 10 shows frames, elongate elements and support elements of three building panels configured as a second embodiment of a building panel system according to a first aspect of the invention; Figure 11 shows a view of the connection of the frames of Figure 10-and Figure 12 shows a building panel of a building panel system according to a first 15 aspect of the invention, the building panel adapted for a corner connection; and Figure 13 shows a building panel of a building panel system according to a first aspect of the invention, the building panel adapted for roofing.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown first and second building panels 10a, 10b joined by elongate elements 12 to form a building panel system 100. Here there is shown three elongate elements 12, although it will be appreciated that there may be any number of elongate elements 12 including one, a plurality thereof, or more than three. Each panel 10a, 10b has two rigid support elements 14, more clearly shown in Figure 2, which are here at or adjacent to sides 15 of a panel body 16 of each panel 10a, 10b. The support elements 14 are preferably recessed or embedded relative to the sides 15, although it will be appreciated that such recessing may not be necessary.

The rigid support elements 14 extend along the length, substantially the length, or at least a majority of the length of the sides 15 of the panels 10a, 10b. A longitudinal extent of each support element 14 is preferably parallel or substantially parallel to that of each associated side 15.

Referring now to Figure 2, each building panel 10a, 10b preferably comprises a frame 18. The frame 18 comprises the two rigid support elements 14 and upper and lower cross-members 20, 22. The upper and lower cross-members 20, 22 preferably extend between upper and lower ends of the support elements 14 respectively, and are here attached to the support elements 14 via brackets and fasteners. It will be appreciated that upper and lower is defined relative to the building panel 10a, 10b in use installed in a typical orientation for a wall formed by building panels. However, for a flat roof formed of building panels 10a, 10b for example, it will be appreciated that the cross-members may not be upper or lower and may instead be termed first and second.

Here the support elements 14 and/or cross-members 20,22 comprise metal, for example steel or aluminium, although other materials may be considered such as plastics, wood, or composite materials such as carbon fibre.

Each building panel 10a, 10b additionally includes at least one strut element 24 for reinforcing the support elements 14. Here there are three strut elements 24, although it will be appreciated that more or fewer strut elements 24 may be considered, for example only one or at least two. The strut elements 24 are rods. The strut elements 24 here extend between the support elements 14 away from the ends of support elements 14 and may resist compressive forces applied across the panel 10a, 10b.

The strut elements 24 are preferably removably attachable to the support elements 14, 20 and this will be better understood herein below.

The building panel 10a, 10b preferably has core insulative material between the support elements 14. This may be achieved, for example, by connecting the frame elements together around the insulative material, or by fitting the insulative material between the frame elements. Bores may be made in the insulation to accommodate the elongate elements 12 and/or the strut elements 24. Alternatively, separate insulative material sections may be used with gaps therebetween to accommodate the elongate elements 12 and/or the strut elements 24.

There is preferably front and/or rear insulative material 26, which is positioned in front of and/or to the rear of a plane defined by the frame 18. The front and/or rear insulative material 26 may be separate to the core insulative material, and may be attached thereto or to the frame 18. Alternatively, the core insulative material and the front and/or rear insulative material 26 may be unitarily formed. The front and/or rear insulative material 26 more preferably overlaps the support elements 14 and/or the upper and/or lower cross-members 20, 22. This may be achieved, for example, by forming a block of insulative material 26 with a groove therearound to accommodate the frame 18, or by attaching separate sections of insulative material 26 either side of the frame 18. The insulative material preferably comprises polystyrene, such as expanded polystyrene, although other materials may be considered.

Referring to Figure 4, the panel 10a, 10b may include boarding 28 at front and rear surfaces, for example wood, such as oriented strand board or plywood, or other materials such as plaster board. The boarding 28 may be attachable to the frame 18 or to the insulative material 26 via self-tapping screws. The boarding may be painted or coated. Instead of boarding, a render system may be used instead, particularly in the case of polystyrene as the insulative material 26. The render system may comprise a base coat, fibre glass mesh, primer and finish coat.

Referring to Figure 5, a support element 14 of each panel 10a, 10b is shown in greater detail. Each support element 14 includes at least one elongate-element-receiving opening 30, slot, hole or aperture, and preferably includes a plurality of elongateelement-receiving openings 30, slots, holes or apertures, along a longitudinal extent thereof Each elongate-element-receiving opening 30 of one support element 14 of the building panel 10a, 10b preferably has a corresponding elongate-element-receiving opening 30 in the other support element 14 of the building panel 10a, 10b. These elongate-element-receiving openings 30 may be considered to be a pair of elongateelement-receiving openings 30. The elongate-element-receiving openings 30 of each pair are preferably aligned so that they are each at a similar or identical distance from the upper and lower ends of their corresponding support element 14. A path is defined between the pair of openings. Said path may be a through bore through the insulative material 26. This permits elongate elements 12 to be received through the panel 10a, 10b and secured to the support elements 14. The panel 10a, 10b may have multiple pairs of elongate-element-receiving openings 30 for receiving multiple elongate elements 12. Appropriately shaped support elements may be available under the trade name Unistrut (RTM).

Each panel 10a, 10b preferably further includes at least one pair of strut-elementreceiving openings 32 for attaching the strut element 24 between the support elements 14. The strut-element-receiving openings 32 are preferably similar or identical to the elongate-element-receiving openings 30. Each pair of elongate-element-receiving openings 30 is offset from the pair of strut-element-receiving openings 32. Preferably, the pairs of openings 30, 32 are adjacent to each other.

Preferably, the support element 14 comprises a channel, having a base 34, two sides 36 5 and a channel opening 38 defined between the two sides 36. The elongate-elementreceiving openings 30 and the strut-element-receiving openings 32 extend through the base 34 of the channel. Each side 36 has a projection 40 which extends across the channel opening 38. In this way the support element 14 can receive a channel nut 42 between the base 34 and the inwardly extending projections 40. The projections 40 10 preferably also extend towards the base 34 which assists with laterally securing the channel nut 42, since the channel nut 42 may include grooves which receive at least part of the projection 40.

The channel nut 42 preferably includes a spring 44 or other biasing element at a rear surface thereof. The spring 44 may be attached to the channel nut 42. The spring 44 can be compressed against the base 34 to move the channel nut 42 away from the projections 40. This permits the channel nut 42 to slide or move along the channel. Wien the spring 44 is released, the spring 44 biases the channel nut 42 against the projections which holds the channel nut 42 in position.

Referring now to Figure 6, it can be seen that the support elements 14 and the remainder of the frame 18 are preferably at least in part imbedded or recessed in the panel body 16. Since the rigid support elements 14 are recessed, the sides 15 of the panel 10a, 10b have at least one, and preferably three cut outs 46 to allow access to the rigid support element 14. Said cut outs 46 are preferably elongate and each cut out 46 may allow access to one strut-element-receiving openings and two elongate-element-receiving openings. The cut outs 46 may be made through insulative material and/or boarding which may be positioned at each side and/or support element 14. The elongate element 12 is attachable to the channel nut 42 at a first end 47 or location of the elongate element 12. For example, the elongate element 12 may be a rod which has a screw threaded end which is attachable to the channel nut 42. There are preferably three channel nuts 42 to allow attachment of each elongate element 12.

Referring in addition to Figure 7, it can be seen that each strut element 24 is attached between support elements 14 via extending through the pair of strut-element-receiving openings 32 in the support elements 14. A nut 48, preferably with a washer, is secured to each end of the strut element 24 to secure the strut element 24 to the respective support element 14. As such, at least each end portion of the strut element 24 is preferably screw threaded. Although the strut element 24 is attached in this way, it will be appreciated that the strut element 24 may be attached to the support elements 14 in other ways, for example being unitarily formed with the support elements 14, or being welded to the support elements 14.

The nut 48 may be secured using a tool 50 with a projecting head for turning a nut 48, such as a box spanner or similar. This permits for the nut 48 to be accessed despite the recessed support element 14.

Additionally, it is shown that the elongate element 12 is attached to the support element 14 via a nut 48 at a second end 51 or location of the elongate element 12. The nut 48 may be secured to the elongate element 12 using a similar tool 50 as described above. The arrangement and installation of the elongate element 12 relative to the panel 10a, 10b bodies of the building panel system 100 will be better understood below.

Referring now to Figure 8, each panel 10a, 10b preferably has at least one sealing element 52 for sealing with an adjacent panel 10a, 10b. The sealing element 52 preferably extends continuously along at least a majority of the longitudinal extent of one of the sides of the panel body 16. The sealing element 52 here extends along the entirety of the longitudinal extent of the side of the panel body 16. There are preferably two sealing elements 52, spaced apart from each other in a front to back direction of the panel 10a, 10b. Preferably, the sealing elements 52 are at or adjacent to a front and back surface of the sealing panel 10a, 10b respectively. Each panel 10a, 10b has sealing elements 52 at one side of the panel 10a, 10b, although it will be appreciated that sealing elements 52 may be at both sides of the panel 10a, 10b. The or each sealing element preferably comprises neoprene, silicone or rubber.

Each panel 10a, 10b preferably further includes at least one receiver 54 or guide at an upper and/or lower surface of the panel 10a, 10b. The receivers 54 are U-shaped or substantially U-shaped for engagement with an upper and/or lower rail 56, 58, which are shown in Figure 9. Although described as U-shaped, the receivers 54 are square based or square bottomed so as to accommodate the shape of the rails 56, 58. The receivers 54 are attached to the upper and lower cross-members 20, 22.

Additionally or alternatively, each panel 10a, 10b preferably includes at least one attachment means 60 at an upper and/or lower surface of the panel 10a, 10b for attaching the panel 10a, 10b to the upper and/or lower rail 56, 58 respectively. Here, each attachment means 60 is a connection plate 60 or bracket which attaches to the upper and/or lower cross-members 20, 22, and preferably overhangs from an edge thereof Therefore, there are upper and lower connection plates 60 attached to the upper and lower cross-members 20, 22 respectively. The plate 60 or bracket preferably includes a fastener-receiving aperture 62 through an overhanging extent thereof. The upper and/or lower rails 56, 58 may also include a fastener-receiving aperture so that a fastener can be inserted through the fastener-receiving apertures in the upper or lower rail and the plate 60 at the upper or lower surface of the panel 10a, 10b so as to secure the panel 10a, 10b to the respective rails. The upper and/or lower rails 56, 58 may include a plurality of openings so as to permit attachment of the panel 10a, 10b in different positions. Alternatively, the upper and/or lower rails 56, 58 may have a continuous slot, rather than a plurality of discrete openings to allow for a continuous adjustment of position of the panels. Each upper and lower surface of the panel 10a, 10b includes only one plate 60, although each surface may have multiple plates if fixing each surface relative to the rail at multiple positions is required.

In use, and referring again to Figure 1, the building panel system 100 is installed via mounting a first building panel 10a, 10b to the lower and upper rails 56, 58. The lower and upper rails 56, 58 may already be secured in place, for example to a building framework. The lower and upper rails 56, 58 are positioned so as to be parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a distance equal or substantially equal to the longitudinal extent of the support element 14 of the panel 10a, 10b.

To mount the first panel 10a, the first panel 10a may be positioned between and moved along the rails 56, 58, with the rails 56, 58 received within respective receivers 54. The panel 10a, 10b may then be secured to the rails 56, 58 via a fastener inserted through the fastener receiving aperture in each of the upper rail 56 and the upper connection plate 60 and via a fastener inserted through the fastener receiving aperture in each of the lower rail 58 and the lower connection plate 60.

A second panel 10b may then be mounted to the upper and lower rails 56, 58 without being secured thereto. The first and second panels 10a, 10b are oriented so that one side of the proximal sides of the first and second panels 10a, 10b has sealing elements 52 thereon. At least one elongate element 12 is then inserted through the second panel 10b via the pair of elongate-element-receiving openings 30 in the support elements 14. Preferably, there are three elongate elements 12, each received through respective pairs of elongate-element-receiving openings 30. The panels 10a, 10b are moved towards each other and each elongate element 12, at a first end 47 or first location, is secured to a channel nut 42 received within the channel of the proximal support element 14 of the first panel 10a.

The second panel 10b is then moved along the elongate elements 12 so that the first and second panels 10a, 10b are engaged and side by side, as shown in Figure 9. A nut 48 is then secured at the second end 51 or second location of each elongate element 12. The nut 48 is tightened against the distal support element 14 of the second panel 10b relative to the first panel 10a so as to tension the elongate element 12. As such, this action compresses and tightly locks the first and second panels 10a, 10b together. This may deform the sealing elements 52 to ensure a good seal between panels 10a, 10b.

The second panel 10b is then secured into place to the upper and lower rails 56, 58 via fasteners. Subsequent building panels may then be attached to the first and second panels along the same rails or adjoining rails. Attachment of more than two panels will be better understood below.

To construct building walls which are higher than the height of one panel, panels may be installed above other panels. For example, a further lower rail may be installed at or adjacent to the upper rail described above, and a further upper rail installed above the further lower rail. Further building panels may be installed between these two further rails in the same way as described above. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that instead of said upper rail, an intermediate rail may be used for connection with panels below and above the rail.

In view of the reversible connection or securing means used to connect the panels together, for example screw threaded nuts, the panels are easily assemblable and disassemblable. The panels may thus be suitable for a variety of buildings which may be intended to be temporary, or which at least have the option of deconstruction if required.

For example, garden rooms, garden gyms, music studios, or garages. If foundations are required for the buildings, ground screws can be used with the panels to ensure fully deconstructable buildings.

Figure 10 illustrates an arrangement of first, second and third panels 10a, 10b, 10c connected together to form a building panel system 200. The insulafive material and panelling of the panels 10a, 10b, 10c is removed in this figure so as to clearly indicate the arrangement of elongate elements 12 and strut elements 24.

The elongate elements 12 which connect the first and second panels 10a, 10b, hereinafter referred to as first elongate elements 12a, and those which connect the second and third panels 10b, 10c, hereinafter referred to as second elongate elements 12b, are offset from each other. This is to permit for the first elongate elements 12a to be secured to the support element 14 of the second building panel 10b which is proximal to the third building panel 10c, whilst allowing for the second elongate elements 12b to be secured to the same support element 14 via a channel nut 42. Without such offsetting, the first and second elongate elements 12a, 12b may clash.

Referring to Figure 11, this offsetting can be seen in greater detail. Additionally, it can be seen that a washer 64 is used at the second end 51 or location of the elongate element 15 12, between the nut 48 and the support element 14.

Whilst installing panels 10a, 10b, 10c it is advantageous for the elongate elements 12 to be oversized in length when compared to a width of the panel 10a, 10b, 10c. This permits for the elongate element 12 to be received through both elongate-element-receiving openings 30 of a second panel 10b whilst allowing for sufficient spacing between first and second panels 10a, 10b to give access for an installer to connect the elongate element 12 to a channel nut 42 at the first panel 10a. The offsetting of first and second elongate elements 12a, 12b permits for such oversizing, since the first and second elongate elements 12a, 12b might be at risk of clashing even without such oversizing.

Furthermore, to further accommodate such oversizing, each panel 10a, 10b, 10c preferably includes at least one further opening 66 for each pair of elongate-elementreceiving openings 30. Each further opening 66 is offset from the pair of elongate element 12 receiving openings of its panel 10a, 10b, 10c, and is aligned with the pair of elongate-element-receiving openings 30 of an adjacent panel 10a, 10b, 10c. The further opening 66 is aligned with a position of the channel nut 42 of the said panel 10a, 10b, 10c. The further opening 66 is for accommodating an oversized length of the elongate element 12 which joins the said panel 10a, 10b, 10c and the said adjacent panel 10a, 10b, 10c. As such, the further opening 66 may be associated with a recess or through bore through the panel 10a, 10b, 10c.

For example, this is illustrated with reference to the second and third panels 10b, 10c of Figure 10. The second elongate element 12b, which connects the second and third panels 10b, 10c and is secured to the second panel 10b via a channel nut 42, can be seen to extend into a panel body 16 of the second panel 10b. The installer can achieve this by rotating the second elongate element 12b relative to the channel nut 42, before the nut 48 at the distal side of the third panel 10c is secured. Since the channel nut 42 is open, the associated spring 44 has a passage therethrough, and the channel nut 42 is aligned with the further opening 66, the elongate element 12 can protrude through the channel nut 42, the spring 44, the further opening 66, and into the second panel 10b.

Alternatively, the oversized length of the elongate element 12 could be accommodated adjacent to the second end 51 of the elongate element 12. For example, the elongate element 12a which connects the first and second panels 10a, 10b could extend through a further opening 66 in the proximal support element 14 of the third panel 10c.

As such, at least one support element 14 of each panel 10a, 10b, 10c may have a further opening 66 for receiving an elongate element 12. Preferably, each support element 14 has a further opening 66 for receiving an excess length of elongate element 12 and a through bore extends between a pair of further openings 66. Therefore, each panel 10a, 10b, 10c most preferably has at least one set of two pairs of elongate-element-receiving openings 30, 66. As will be understood from Figure 10, each panel 10a, 10b, 10c has three such sets. Here, the pairs of elongate-element-receiving openings 30, 66 are either side of the strut-element-receiving openings 32, although it will be appreciated that this may not necessarily be the case.

Each panel having at least one set of two pairs of openings 30, 66 allows for identical panels 10a, 10b, 10c to be used with offset elongate elements 12 connecting adjacent 25 panels 10a, 10b, 10c.

Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a second embodiment of a building panel 110 which is adapted for a corner connection. Similar or identical reference numerals may be used as for the first embodiment, with 100 added. The second embodiment 110 includes a further support element 168, or Unistrut (RIM). The further support element 168 is attached at or adjacent to the panel 110, for example to or adjacent to a support element 114 at the side 115, via brackets, for example three brackets, and corresponding nuts and bolts. The further support element 168 is therefore at or aligned with one of the major surfaces 170 of the panel 110.

The further support element 168 is attached at an angle to the side support element 114 which corresponds to the angle of the required corner connection. Here the angle is 90 °, although other angles can be considered. Part of the insulative material 126 may be required to be cut away or omitted to accommodate the further support element 168.

Boarding with cut outs may be used to cover the insulation and the further support element 168, whilst allowing access thereto.

To connect the further support element 168 to adjacent panels, channel nuts may be used with the further support element 168 and elongate elements connected with the channel nuts and secured to an adjacent panel as described above.

Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a third embodiment of a building panel 210 which is adapted for roofing and therefore may be considered to be a roof panel. Similar or identical reference numerals may be used as for the first embodiment, with 200 added. The roof panel 210 is preferably adapted to connect with the top of two upright panels. Two further support elements 268, or Unistruts (RTM), are attached to a major surface 270 of the panel 210, at or adjacent to each end 272 of the panel 210. The further support elements 268 may be attached via screws or by bolts and brackets, for example.

Each further support element 268 may be received in an upper receiver of an upright panel, bridging between two upright panels. In this way, the further support elements 268 may function as the upper rail for the upright panels. The further support elements 268 can be attached or secured to the fixing plate of the upright panels. This is achieved via inserting a bolt through the opening of the fixing plate of each upright panel and through an opening 274 in the further support element 268. This is enabled by the further support elements 268 being offset relative to the building panel 210 so as to overhang a side edge thereof. The opening 274 in the support element extends 268 through this offset portion to permit a bolt to be fed therethrough. The further support elements 268 do not extend to the opposing side edge, which allows for accommodating the overhanging further support element of an adjacent roof panel. Adjacent roof panels are interconnected via elongate elements in the same way as building panels previously described.

Although here the elongate elements are described as rods, it will be appreciated that the rods may be replaced with wire or rope, and the nut at the second location or end replaced with a wire rope grip, which may be known under the trade name "Zip Clip". To connect first and second panels, the wire may extend through a first opening in the support element towards an interior of the first panel, and then extend out of the panel through a second opening so as to loop around part of the support element. A slot or cut out in insulation may be formed to accommodate the wire. Legs of the loop are secured in place exterior of the panel via a wire rope grip or similar so that the wire is secured relative to the first panel. The wire can then extend through the second panel in a similar or identical way as with regards to the rod elongate element as described above. The wire is secured under tension at the distal support element of the second panel relative to the first panel via a further wire rope grip or similar. To tension the wire, the wire may be pulled before being secured with a rope grip, or a one way rope grip may be used to allow for tensioning with the rope grip in place. The wire rope grip at the distal support element of the second panel is large enough so that it does not pass through the opening in the support element through which the wire extends.

Whilst the support elements are described as being rigid, it will be appreciated that this may not necessarily be the case and at least some flexibility in the support elements may 15 be present.

It is therefore possible to provide a building panel for a building panel system which allows for adjacent panels to be conveniently joined under tension to achieve a tight fitting joint and seal therebetween.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein 20 with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from 30 the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims 2. 4. 6 7.A building panel system comprising: first and second building panels; each building panel having a body with opposing sides and a rigid support element at or adjacent to each side; each support element having an opening therein, a path being defined between the openings through the body of the building panel; an elongate element which is secured at a first location to one of the rigid support elements of the first building panel, extends through the second building panel via the openings in the rigid support elements and along the path of the second building panel, and is secured at a second location to a distal rigid support element of the second building panel relative to the first building panel, the elongate element being secured under tension so as to apply a compressive force between the first and second building panels.
A building panel system as claimed in claim 1, wherein support elements of the first and second building panels have offset openings.
A building panel system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said opening in each support element is a first opening and at least one of the support elements of each panel comprises a second opening offset to the first opening.
A building panel system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elongate element extends through the first panel via at least one second opening.
A building panel system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elongate element is 35 mm longer than a distance between the support element of the first panel and the distal support element of the second panel with the panels engaged together.
A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support element of each panel comprises a second opening offset to the first opening, the said path of each panel being a first path and a second path extending between second openings of each building panel.
A building panel system as claimed in claim 6, wherein each building panel has a plurality of sets of first and second openings.
8 A building panel system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a third building panel, the third building panel having the features of the first and second building panels, said elongate element being a first elongate element and the system further comprising a second elongate element which is secured at a first location to said distal support element of the second building panel relative to the first building panel, extends through a lateral extent of the third building panel via the second openings in the rigid support elements and along the second path of the third building panel, and is secured at a second location against a distal side wall of the third building panel relative to the second building panel, the second elongate element being secured under tension so as to apply a compressive force between the second and third building panels.
9 A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate element is secured using releasable securing means for permitting ready disassembly.
10. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each elongate element is a rod and is secured at the second location via a nut.
11. A building panel system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the or each elongate element is a wire and is secured at the second location via a wire grip.
12 A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support element comprises a channel having a base and two sides, a channel opening defined between the two sides, each side having an projection which extends across the channel opening, the channel for receiving a channel nut between the base and the inwardly extending projections.
13. A building panel system as claimed in claim 11 when dependent on claim 9, further comprising at least one channel nut received in the channel, the elongate element secured at the first location via the channel nut.
14. A building panel system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the channel nut includes a biasing element for biasing the channel nut against the inwardly extending projections.
15. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each building panel has at least one sealing element which extends along at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of at least one of the sides.
16. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel comprises insulative material located between the support elements the or each path being defined by a through-bore through the insulafive material.
17. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel comprises a frame which includes said support elements and upper and lower cross-members which interconnect the support elements.
18. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein upper and/or lower edges of each panel include a guide for engagement with an upper and/or lower rail.
19.A building panel system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the or each guide is U-shaped or substantially U-shaped for sliding along the upper and/or lower rail.
20. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein upper and/or lower edges of each panel include attachment means for attaching to the upper and/or lower rail
21. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an upper and/or lower rail which supports at least one panel.
22. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support element is recessed within the panel body of each panel.
23. A building panel system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each panel comprises at least one strut element which extends between support elements away from ends thereof.
24 A method of installing a building panel system according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing said first and second building panels; b) positioning the elongate element between the openings of the support elements of the second building panel; c) securing the elongate element to the support element of the first building panel proximal to the second building panel; d) securing the elongate element to the support element of the second building panel distal to the first building panel; and the elongate element being secured under tension to apply a compressive force between the first and second panels.
25. A building panel for the system building panel system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23.