US3886706A

US3886706A - Building sandwich panels

Info

Publication number: US3886706A
Application number: US393691A
Authority: US
Inventors: William H Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-21
Filing date: 1973-08-31
Publication date: 1975-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-03

Abstract

Building sandwich panels are provided having one or more facing panels removably supported on a load-carrying frame, facilitating their assembly at a building site, and repair afterwards.

Description

I United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,886,706

Baker 1 1 June 3, 1975 [54] BUILDING SANDWICH PANELS 1,971,533 8/1934 Oliver 52/629 2,000,882 5 1935 C t k 220 15 [761 lnvenw" William, Baker Cowan Farm 2,178,762 11/1939 Ml'fif hnn 52/193 Rock 29730 2,718,287 9/1955 Hobart .1 52/621 2,931,468 4/1960 Keller 52/663 [22] 1973 3,282,615 11/1966 Darby et al. 52/615 21 Appl. No.1 393,691

R l l [63] Continuzti ozin ifrt zz l 2:268 Dec 21 Primary Examiner prank Abbott er. 0. v 1970, abandoned, Continuation-impart of Ser. No. Asslsmm Examiner James Rldgm 257,441, May 26, 1972, abandonedv [52] US. Cl. 52/615; 52/663; 52/629;

52/474 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl E041) 2/28; E04c 2/38 [58] Field of Search 52/615, 663, 629, 726, Building sandwich panels are provided having one or 52/621, 491-493, 474 more facing panels removably supported on a loadcarrying frame, facilitating their assembly at a building [56] References Cited site, and repair afterwards.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,116,391 10/1914 Davison 52/726 57 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJM 1975 3.886706 SHEET 1 SHEET IIRTEEHEDJUTS I;

3 w h b Ev l a d M r a BUILDING SANDWICH PANELS This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 99,868, filed Dec. 2l, 1970, now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 257,44l filed May 26, 1972 and now abandoned.

Efforts by the building industry to reduce the costs of building construction have led to the development of a large variety of modular units, which can be manufactured in quantity at a factory and then, because of their relatively small size, can be shipped to a building site for quick assembly into buildings of prefabricated design. The very much greater versatility of modular units has made it possible to make a number of cost-saving modifications in building construction, but the objective has nearly always been to build permanent build ings of a rather solid construction, as substantial and as permanent as buildings of conventional type, with the result that the versatility of the modular unit construction has not been fully realized in all instances.

Modular units must be designed to support a load, and for this reason modular units that can be disassembled are considered less desirable because it is hard to make them durable and strong. However, dismantling of a modular unit in whole or in part is a much easier and less expensive way of effecting necessary repairs and even renewal of parts than is possible in conventional buildings, and this is a possibility in modular unit design that has not been taken advantage of. The advantages of disassembly are particularly noteworthy in interior wall construction, especially in commercial buildings, where the erection and removal of walls to fit changing office requirements is a continuing problem, especially when one tenant vacates a given space and is replaced by another. Moreover, wall damage is more readily rectified by replacing a building panel than by repairing it, or by tearing out an entire wall, as is frequently necessary in permanent modular wall units, just as in the case of plaster or gypsum board walls.

in accordance with the invention, modular sandwich panels are provided having removable facing panels. so that necessary repairs or modifications of the panels can be made merely by replacing them. The facing panels are rigidly attached but can be easily removed whenever required without disturbing the interior supporting frame structure of the sandwich panel. In the sandwich panels of the invention, the facing panels carry substantially no load; the load is carried by the supporting frame to which the facing panels are attached. Consequently, the sandwich panels of the invention have many advantages over prior modular sandwich panels.

The sandwich panels of the invention comprise at least one and preferably two removable panels, a load supporting frame, and means for removably attaching the facing panels to the frame. The supporting frame is preferably a metal network comprising a plurality of more than two load-carrying beams extending in one direction, and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between or across the beams and means is provided on the facing panel or panels or on the supporting frame for removably attaching these together, so that the facing panels can be separated from the frame, without disturbing the load-carrying supporting frame, in some cases even after the sandwich panel has been put in place in the building.

The invention accordingly provides a modular build ing sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of a network having a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame, and another plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network; the beams or beam cross supports being apertured and the beam supports or beams respectively interlocking therewith at the apertures; the tops of the beams or beam crosssupports on one side being lower than the tops of the beam cross-supports or beams on that side; and adaptor or spacer members attached to the tops of the beams or cross supports that are the lower bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beams or beam crosssupports that are the higher; at least one facing panel attached to the adaptor or spacer members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

in the preferred embodiment, the supporting frame is a metal network, with the beam cross-supports extending from one side to the other side of the frame, perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

The removable facing panel or panels can be made of any desirable sheet material, and since they carry no load, the sheet material can be weak or strong, as required to suit the individual needs. The facing panels can be plain, or they can carry a decorative pattern or design. Facing panels of decorative woods, for example, can be used, as well as facing panels made of glass or of plastic, which can be plain, or can carry some form of pattern or design, such as a wood grain, or a decorative pattern. The panels can also be made of metal, such as anodized aluminum (for color), stainless steel, or copper, for interior decoration effects. Facing panels made or surfaced with cloth or tapestry or with decorative woods, wood strips, or wall paper can also be used. Transparent and translucent facing panels are also desirable for some uses.

The facing panels can be provided on either or on both sides of the supporting frame. The panels can be in one piece, or in several pieces, in juxtaposition on the frame, and can extend over all or only part of the surface area of the frame, and can extend over all or only part of the surface area of the frame. The more pieces making up a facing panel, the smaller the unit that must be removed for replacement when making modifications or repairs. Panels that cover squares of the network are quite advantageous for some uses, such as in a roof interior wall.

The load-supporting frame is of a strong construction, and is preferably made of metal. The frame includes load-supporting members extending longitudinally at least in the load-carrying direction, and optionally also in the crosswire direction, and if only in the load-carrying direction then desirably with cross supports, although the panels themselves can act as cross supports, if they are strong enough. Beams of extrudable and castable metals extending in the load-carrying direction and optionally crosswise as well are particularly advantageous in modular unit construction, and box beams, l-beams and T-beams of such metals, especially of aluminum and titanium alloys, can be used. Structural steel can also be employed.

Crosswise beams or cross-supports extending be tween the beams impart structural rigidity, and are very desirable. Such a cross-supported beam structure constitutes a network, and a network support imparts great versatility as supporting structure in fitting the panel in a building. The support can also be in sheet form, or in other physical form.

A network can be assembled in a variety of ways. It is possible to extrude the network, or to mold or cast it, for modular unit construction. However, it is usually best to assemble the beams and cross-supports to form the network, and this can be done by fitting the crosssupports into or through the beams in a manner such that they are held rigidly together.

One type of network structure has the grid beams provided with apertures receiving the cross-supports, which are provided with an end configuration meshing into the apertures. Projections or lugs that lock into beams at the apertures and prevent withdrawal except by lifting or some maneuver other than mere sliding are suitable. Pins can be used to lock the cross-supports in the apertures. A network of this type is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

Another type of network structure has beams running both lengthwise and crosswise of the network, instead of cross-supports running only between beams. The load-supporting beams run through some or all of the cross-supporting interior beams throughout the network, and at their ends lock into the exterior beams by way of meshing projections or lugs and apertures. Such a network is shown in FIGS. to 13.

Those load-supporting beams that run through the cross-supporting interior beams do not of course have their tops flush with the tops of the cross-supporting in terior beams. in order to bring the tops of the load supporting beams level with the tops of the crosssupporting interior beams, adaptor or spacer members are attached to the tops of the load-supporting beams.

The adaptor or spacer members can be permanently or removably attached to the load-supporting beams. A removable form of adaptor member is in the shape of a U-channel, embracing the sides and top of the loadsupporting beams in a press fit. U-channel members can also be permanently attached to the top of the load-supporting beams, by providing the sides of the U-channel with flanges extending inwardly and engaging a groove or outwardly extending flange on the load supporting beams. Thus, for example, the U-channel members can embrace the flanged top of an l-beam in a manner such that they cannot be removed, by having inwardly extending flanges gripping the underside of the l-tops.

in another form of permanent attachment, the adaptor or spacer members can be provided with a tongue on their inner side, which projects into and engages a groove on the tops of the load-supporting beams. The groove can be wider at the bottom than at the top, and the tongue wider at its tip end than at its base end, so as to be keyed to the groove, so that the adaptor or spacer member can be inserted and removed only by sliding it lengthwise of the load-supporting beam. When such a network is assembled, it is then impossible to remove the adaptor members. The tongue can have a squared off or rounded tip and sides, and the groove is shaped correspondingly.

Alternatively, the tongue can be press-fitted directly into the groove, in which event the adaptor members can be attached to the tops of the load-supporting beams after assembly of the network.

The adaptor members can be secured to the loadsupporting beams by use of a bonding agent, or adhesive, if desired, or by welding, soldering or brazing.

While the adaptor members can be in the form of strips attached to conventional load-supporting beam tops, it is more difficult to locate the adaptor members properly with respect to the position of the loadsupporting beams, and it is also more difficult to secure the adaptor members to the tops of the beams. Consequently, this type of adaptor member is not preferred.

Means is provided for removably attaching or connecting the facing panel or panels to the frame, and this means can be associated with or a part of the adaptor member or spacer spacing the panel from the frame, if desired, but this is not essential. The detachable connection can be in the form of a socket, and a mating male member fitting in the socket in a press fit, one of which can be attached to the panel or to the frame, and the other of which then is attached to the frame or to the panel, respectively, or to the adaptor member or spacer for spacing these members. The socket has retaining means, such as projecting bulges, lugs, or flanges at the entry thereto, and the attaching means has a corresponding mating configuration, and either or both has a sufficient resiliency so as to allow the re taining means to enter the socket, where it is retained by the retaining means until pulled out.

In one embodiment, a flanged U-channel socket is provided on either the panel or the frame, and the means for removably attaching and spacing the panel from the frame has a T or an l-configuration to lock into the U-charmel in a press or sliding fit.

One particularly desirable embodiment is a metal network of l-beam members placed at angles, and the facing panels have U-channels extending longitudinally or crosswise of the panels, for attachment over the l-beam flanges of the cross-supporting interior beams, and to the tops of the adaptor members or spacers on top of the load-supporting beams. The U- channels on the panels are provided with inwardly extending flanges, which are resilient. Upon assembly, the l-bearn flanges are pushed into the U-channels, past the flanges, or are slid endwise into the U-channels, and held there by the flanges, which extend over the flanges of the l-beam ends. The attaching means can also be provided with outwardly extending lugs, which engage outwardly projecting flanges on U-channels attached to the panel or to the frame.

Another type of connection is flanged lugs projecting from the panels, which are engaged by socket members attached to the frame. These members fit externally over the lugs, forming the connection.

Other types of connections will be apprent to those skilled in the art, from the above description.

Either the socket or the attaching means or both can be made of metal or plastic and can be readily assembled and disassembled, whenever desired. The metal can be steel or aluminum. The plastic material can be of natural or synthetic rubber, polypropylene or nylon, or any of the plastic materials named above which can withstand many such attachments and detachments without permanent distortion or breakage.

The panel sandwiches of the invention are useful as inside walls, in which case two facing panels are needed, or on outside walls, floors, or roofing panels, in which case two facing panels can be used, but one is sufficient. The sandwiches are easily attached at their ends to the ceiling and to the floor, in the case of inside walls. They can be attached to supporting beams in the roof, floor, and outside walls, in the same manner as the facing panels are attached to the supporting frame.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, which show preferred embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of a sandwich panel in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sandwich panel structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the network supporting frame of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric exploded view on an enlarged scale of the interlocking l-beams forming the network of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the end of an I-beam 4 showing the connection to the cross I-beam 21 of FIG.

FIG. 8 represents in cross-section a sandwich panel having a plurality of facing panels on one side, corresponding to the squares of the network supporting frame;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the I-beam and panel connections thereto of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of another embodiment of network supporting frame for the structure shown in FIGS. 1 t0 4;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken along the lines 11-11 of the interlocking I-beams forming the network of FIG. 10; and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along the lines l212 of the interlocking I-beams forming the network of FIG. 10; and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the end of an I-beam 44 showing the connection to the exterior I-beam 41 of FIG. 10.

The sandwich panel structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 has two removable facing panels, 1, 2, in this instance made of fiberglass plastic sheet, and a load-supporting frame 3, in this case a network made of extruded aluminum I-beams 4, with I-beam cross-supports 5 extending therebetween at a 90 angle thereto, the I-beams 4 extending from end to end in the longitudinal loadsupporting direction of the panel sandwich. Panel 1 laps beyond the end of panel 2 on the left hand side, thus to project over the next panel and provide a weather-tight connection.

The

panels

1, 2 carry longitudinally extending extruded aluminum U-channels 6, 7 which serve as adaptors and have inwardly extending flanges 8, 9, and are bonded to the panels by an adhesive 10.

The I-beams 4 have flanged I-ends 11, 12 which fit snugly in the U-channels 6, 7, in a sliding fit, with the channel flanges snugly engaging the interior face of the I-ends 11, 12 of the I-beam members, as best seen in FIG. 4.

The network I-beams 4 have a plurality of

square apertures

14, 15, arranged in rows of four each at spaced intervals corresponding to the network I-beam crosssupports 5. The crosssupports at each end have two square end projections 16, 17 which fit into the two pairs of apertures, the projections 16 at one end fitting into the upper pair of apertures 14 and the projections 17 at the other end fitting into the lower pair of apertures 15. The l-beams 4 have apertured projections l8, l9 at each end, which extend through slots 20 in the end cross support beams 21, 22, and are held there by pins 23 extending through the apertures.

The network is assembled by sliding U-channels 6, 7 of panels I, 2 over the l-beams 4, and then fitting the I-beam end projections 18 into end I-beam 21, locking them in place by pins 23. Next, the cross-supports 5 are inserted between the l-beams 4. Finally, the end I-beam 22 is fitted over the projections 19 at the other end of l-beam 4, and these are locked in place by pins 23. The panel sandwich is then finished, ready to install. The panels are held securely and rigidly to the network frame, and can be readily removed in the same way, pulling out the pins and removing the l-beams 21, 22 first. One may also pull the U-channels off the I-beam ends, because of the resiliency of the channels, but this is less desirable.

It is also possible to form either or both the facing panels of a plurality of panel sections. In this case, the I-beams can be formed with flanged ends, so that the panels engage the flanged ends from beneath.

In this type of construction, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the facing panel 30 is made up of a plurality of facing panel sections 31, one corresponding to each square of the network. The longitudinally extending I-beam members 32 have T-ends 33. Each sandwich panel section 31 has flanged ends 37 locking into one side 34 of the T-ends 33. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the other facing panel 35 is of the same type as in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the l-beams 32 have also the same type of I-ends 36 on that side. Such a panel sandwich is especially useful for a roof with the facing panel 35 on the outside, and the panel sections 31 on the inside.

The network structure shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 has an array of interior I-beams 44 and exterior I-beams 46 extending from end to end in the load-supporting direction of the panel sandwich, and an array of interior I- beams 40 and exterior I-beams 41 which extend in the other direction of the panel sandwich. The I-beams can be of extruded aluminum, for example. The [beams 40 have uniformly spaced l-shaped slots 42 corresponding closely to the I-configuration of the array of loadsupporting beams 44 and 46, which extend through the slots from end to end of the network. The slots 42 of I-beams 40 are at spaced intervals corresponding to the spacing of the I-

beams

44 and 46.

The exterior l-beams 41 carry integral U-channels 45, which have inwardly extending

flanges

48, 49, into which slide the correspondingly notched ends 43 of

beams

44 and 46, with the

channel flanges

48, 49 snugly engaging the

notches

51, 52 of the I-ends of these I-beam members, as best seen in FIG. 13. The

beams

41, 44 and 46 carry U-channels 6 and the beams 40 carry U-channels 7 on their tops, and the facing panels are attached to the exterior faces of these channels.

The U-channels 7 extend from end to end of beams 40, while the U-channels 6 are in sections of a length to fit between the

beams

40 and 41, and high enough so that the sectioned U-channel 6 top surfaces are level with the top surfaces of Uchannels 7. In this way, a facing panel can be attached level to U-channels 6 and 7 of the finished and assembled network.

The network is assembled by sliding U-channels 7 over the l-beams 40 and then sliding first the l-beams 44 and then the l-beams 46 through the slots 42 of the central l-beam 40. Next the inside sections of U- channel sections 6 are slid over l-

beams

44 and 46, and the outside l-beams 40 are slid onto

beams

44 and 46.

Then, the outside sections of U-channel sections 6 are slid onto

beams

44 and 46. Finally, the exterior beams 41 are slid along the channel 45 in notched ends 43 of the I-

beams

44 and 46, which thus are locked in place. The panel sandwich is then finished, ready to install. The panels are held securely and rigidly to the network frame, and can be readily removed in the same way, sliding out the l-beams 41 first. One may also pull the U-channels off the l-beam tops, because of the resil iency of the channels, but this is less desirable.

1n the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, only the ends 43 of

beams

44 and 46 are notched and the beams 46 extend through slots in beams 40. If desired, the end slots of beams 40 can be replaced by notched ends 43 on the beams 40, as shown in FIG. 13, and the beams 46 replaced by flanged beams 41 which slide along the notched ends of beams 40 and are locked in place, and are slid on these ends just before the flanged beams 41 are slid into place along the notched ends 43 of the

beams

44 and 46. This gives a completely closed beamside appearance on each side of the finished network structure, since the protruding tips of beams 40 at two sides of the network can thus be eliminated.

In place of U-channels, the adaptor or

spacer members

6, and 7 can be made with tongues fitting in a groove in the tops of the

beams

40, 41, 44, 46. The tongues and grooves can be keyed, if desired, so that the adaptor or spacer members cannot be removed from the beams.

The panels of the invention can be used for floors for roofing panels, or for interior or exterior walls of a building as desired. The term building panel" sandwich is used generically to encompass any such suitable use. A facing panel on the exterior is of course of weather-resistant material, but internal facing panels can be made of any desired material, suitable for this purpose, and to meet individual tastes.

Having regard to the foregoing disclosure, the following is claimed as the inventive and patentable embodiments thereof;

1. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beams being apertured and the beam cross supports interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beam cross supports on at least one side being lower than the tops of the beams on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beam cross supports bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beams at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

2. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the loadsupportirig beams comprise a plurality of l-beam members whose l-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

3. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the facing panel is of plastic material.

4. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the frame is composed of a network of l-beams and l-beam cross supports.

5. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the beam cross supports extend beyond the apertures and have apertures therein with pins inserted to lock the beams and beam cross support together.

6. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the beam cross supports extend through said apertures from one end to the other end of the frame.

7. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the ends of the beam cross supports are notched, and fit in channels of the beams, thereby locking the beams and beam cross supports together.

8. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the facing panel is pennanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

9. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 having adaptor members attached to the tops of the beams and beam cross supports on at least one side bringing them to the same level, the facing panel being attached to the adaptor members.

10. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 9 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

11. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the supporting frame is a metal network, with the beam cross supports extending from one side to the other side of the frame perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

12. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 11 in which the beams are extruded aluminum beams.

13. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 having facing panels on opposite sides of the frame.

14. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 13 in which one of the facing panels projects on at least one end of the sandwich beyond the end of the other facing panel.

15. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 13 in which at least one of the facing panels is formed in a plurality of channel sections.

16. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beams being apertured and the beam cross supports interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beams on at least one side being lower than the tops of the beam cross supports on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beams. bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beam cross supports; at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

17. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the loadsupporting beams comprise a plurality of l-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

18. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 having facing panels on opposite sides of the frame.

19. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which at least one of the facing panels is formed in a plurality of channel sections.

20. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the facing panel is of plastic material.

21. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the frame is composed of a network of l-beams and l-beam cross supports.

22. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the beam cross supports extend beyond the apertures and have apertures therein with pins inserted to lock the beams and beam cross supports together.

23. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the beam cross supports extend through said apertures from one end to the other end of the frame.

24. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the ends of the beam cross supports are notched, and fit in channels of the beams, thereby locking the beams and beam cross sup ports together.

25. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

26. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the supporting frame is a metal network with the beam cross supports extending from one end to the other end of the frame perpendicularly to the load supporting beams.

27. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 26 in which the beams are extruded aluminum beams.

28. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 having adaptor members attached to the tops of each of the beams and beam cross supports on at least one side, bringing them to the same level, the facing panel being attached to each set of adaptor members.

29. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 28 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

30. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beam cross supports being apertured and the beams interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beams at least on one side being lower than the tops of the beam cross supports on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beam bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beam cross supports; at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

31. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross-supports.

32. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the supporting frame is a metal network with the beam cross supports extending from one end to the other end of the frame perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

33. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the beams are extruded aluminum beams.

34. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the loadsupporting beams comprise a plurality of l-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

35. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 having facing panels on opposite sides of the frame.

36. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which at least one of the facing panels is formed in a plurality of channel sections.

37. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the facing panel is of plastic material.

38. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the frame is composed of a network of l-beams and l-beam cross supportsv 39. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the beams extend beyond the apertures and have apertures therein with pins inserted to lock the beams and beam cross supports together.

40. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the beam cross supports extend from one end to the other end of the frame, and the beams extend through said apertures from one end to the other end of the frame.

41. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the ends of the beams are notched, and fit in channels of the beam crosssupports, thereby locking the beams and beam cross supports together.

42. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 having adaptor members attached to the tops of each of the beams and beam cross supports on at least one side bringing them to the same level, the facing panel being attached to each set of adaptor members.

43. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 42 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross-supports.

44. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beam cross supports being apertured and the beams interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beam cross supports on at least one side being lower than the tops of the beams on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beam cross supports bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beams; at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

45. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

46. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the support frame is a metal network, with the beam cross supports extending from one end to the other end of the frame perpendicu larly to the load-supporting beams.

47. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the beams are extruded aluminum beams.

48. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the loadsupporting beams comprise a plurality of l-beam members whose l-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

49. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 having facing panels on opposite sides of the frame.

50. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which at least one of the facing panels is formed in a plurality of channel sections.

51. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the facing panel is of plastic material.

52. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accor dance with claim 44 in which the frame is composed of a network of l-beams and l-beam cross supports.

53. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the beams extend beyond the apertures and have apertures therein with pins inserted to lock the beams and beam cross supports together.

54. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the beam cross supports extend from one end to the other end of the frame, and the beams extend through said apertures from one end to the other end of the frame.

55. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the ends of the beams are notched, and fit in channels of the beam cross supports, thereby locking the beams and beam cross supports together.

S6. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 having adaptor members attached to the tops of each of the beams and beam cross supports on at least one side bringing them to the same level, the facing panel being attached to each set of adaptor members.

57. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 56 in which the facing panel is perm anently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and b63111 CI'OSS supports.

Claims

1. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a loadsupporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame and a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beams being apertured and the beam cross supports interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beam cross supports on at least one side being lower than the tops of the beams on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beam cross supports bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beams at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

2. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the load-supporting beams comprise a plurality of I-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

4. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the frame is composed of a network of I-beams and I-beam cross supports.

8. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the facing panel is permanently attached to the adaptor members and the adaptor members are removably attached to the beams and beam cross supports.

11. A modular building sandwhich panel unit in accordance with claim 1 in which the supporting frame is a metal network, with the beam cross supports extending from one side to the other side of the frame perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

16. A modular building sandwich panel unit comprising a load-supporting frame composed of an interlocking network of a plurality of more than two beams extending substantially in parallel in the load-supporting direction from one end to the other end of the frame aNd a plurality of more than two beam cross supports extending between the load-supporting beams and interlocked therewith so as to impart structural rigidity to the network, the beams being apertured and the beam cross supports interlocking therewith at the apertures, the tops of the beams on at least one side being lower than the tops of the beam cross supports on that side; and spacer or adaptor members attached to the tops of the beams, bringing them to the same level as the tops of the beam cross supports; at least one facing panel attached to the spacer or adaptor members; and means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame.

17. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the load-supporting beams comprise a plurality of I-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

21. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the frame is composed of a network of I-beams and I-beam cross supports.

24. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the ends of the beam cross supports are notched, and fit in channels of the beams, thereby locking the beams and beam cross supports together.

26. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 16 in which the supporting frame is a metal network with the beam cross supports extending from one end to the other end of the frame perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

34. A modular building sandwhich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the load-supporting beams comprise a plurality of I-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

38. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the frame is composed of a network of I-beams and I-beam cross supports.

39. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the beams extend beyond the apertures and have apertures therein with pins inserted to lock the beams and beam cross supports together.

41. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 30 in which the ends of the beams are notched, and fit in channels of the beam cross-supports, thereby locking the beams and beam cross supports together.

46. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the support frame is a metal network, with the beam cross supports extending from one end to the other end of the frame perpendicularly to the load-supporting beams.

48. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the means for removably attaching the facing panel to the frame comprises a flanged channel on the facing panel, and the load-supporting beams comprise a plurality of I-beam members whose I-ends are engaged in such flanged channels.

52. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 in which the frame is composed of a network of I-beams and I-beam cross supports.

56. A modular building sandwich panel unit in accordance with claim 44 having adaptor members attached to the tops of each of the beams and beam cross supports on at least one side bringing them to the same level, the facing panel being attached to each set of adaptor members.