Building panel system
A building panel system that utilizes a panel structure that is interchangeable and can be utilized for any wall, roof, or floor surface is disclosed. The building panels have mating joints formed from a plurality of male projections along one end surface and a plurality of female recesses along the oppositely disposed end surface. The plurality of male projections on one building panel can be aligned with and received within the plurality of female recesses in an adjacent abutting building panel to form a mating joint therebetween. A plurality of fasteners can be received through and along the length of the mating joint between adjacent abutting panels to secure the panels together,
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The present invention relates, in general, to a building panel system and, more particularly, to prefabricated building panels that utilize mating joints or connections therebetween and which permit panel interchangeability and assure structural integrity.
BACKGROUND ARTMany types of joint or connection arrangements are available to provide a strong, vapor-tight connection between building panels and which prevent excessive heat transfer from the outside into the building structure. In most instances, such joints or connections have involved complex building panel structures which incorporate sealing and/or insulating materials. In addition, such building panel systems have lacked structural integrity against wind loads. Structurally interlocking joints or connections have been utilized in the past to provide the needed strength. In most instances, however, this approach has further increased the complexity of the resulting mechanical structure because of the numerous components involved and the considerable labor required to assemble each panel which typically must be selected for its actual location within the building. Thus, the panels are not interchangeable or universal and the same panel cannot be used on any wall, roof or floor surface. In addition, with respect to the interior or exterior of any wall, the panels are not formed with mating joints which would permit their attachment to one another regardless of whether it is an interior or exterior surface, as long as the joints are opposed.
In view of the foregoing inherent disadvantages associated with the presently available building panel systems, it has become desirable to develop a building panel structure that is universal and interchangeable and can be used for any wall, roof or floor surface and which is formed with mating joints permitting the attachment of one panel to another panel regardless of whether an interior or exterior wall is being constructed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention solves the problem associated with the prior art building panel systems and other problems by providing a panel system that utilizes a panel structure that is universal and interchangeable and which can be used for any wall, roof or floor surface. The foregoing is accomplished by utilizing panels that have mating joints permitting the attachment of one panel to an adjacent abutting panel regardless of whether an interior or exterior wall is being constructed. Structurally, each building panel has a plurality of male projections along one end surface and plurality of mating female recesses along the oppositely disposed end surface. Since the plurality of male projections are aligned with the plurality of female recesses, the plurality of male projections on one building panel can be received within the plurality of female recesses in an adjacent abutting building panel forming a mating connection therebeteween. One or more threaded fasteners can be received through and along the length of the mating joint between adjacent abutting panels in order to secure same together.
Referring now to the drawings where the Figures are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention described herein,
Referring now to
End 52 of inner surface 30 of building panel 22 or 24 is formed into a U-shape defining a male projection 54 having an end surface 56 and forming a female recess 58 defined by surface 60 of male projection 54 and surface 62 of insulating material 32. Male projection 54 is spaced apart from inner surface 30 of building panel 22 or 24 and is substantially parallel thereto. Oppositely disposed end 64 of inner surface 30 of the building panel 22 or 24 is formed into a U-shape defining a male projection 66 substantially parallel to the inner surface 30 of building panel 22 or 24. A shoulder portion 68 joins male projection 66 to the inner surface 30 of building panel 22 or 24. Male projection 66 in end 64 is aligned with female recess 58 in end 52 of the building panel 22 or 24. The width of male projection 66 in end 64 of inner surface 30 of building panel 22 or 24 is slightly less than the width of female recess 58 in end 52 of the aforementioned building panels permitting the receipt of male projection 66 of a building panel 22 or 24 within the female recess 58 in another building panel 22 or 24 when abutting building panels 22 or 24 are joined.
Referring now to
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Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. It is understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1) A building panel comprising:
- a first longitudinally extending surface having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion, said first end portion being in the form of a longitudinally extending projection, said second end portion having a longitudinally extending recess formed therein;
- a second longitudinally extending surface having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion, said first end portion being in the form of a longitudinally extending projection, said second end portion having a longitudinally extending recess formed therein, said first longitudinally extending surface and said second longitudinally extending surface being in a spaced apart relationship with respect to one another;
- a first end surface joining said first end portion of said first longitudinally extending surface to said first end portion of said second longitudinally extending surface, said first end surface having said longitudinally extending projection on said first longitudinally extending surface and said longitudinally extending projection on said second longitudinally extending surface emanating therefrom, said longitudinally extending projection on said first longitudinally extending surface and said longitudinally projection on said second longitudinally extending surface being substantially longitudinally offset from one another and being in a spaced apart relationship with respect to one another; and
- a second end surface joining said second end portion of said first longitudinally extending surface to said second end portion of said second longitudinally extending surface, said second end surface containing said longitudinally extending recess formed within said first longitudinally extending surface and said longitudinally extending recess formed within said second longitudinally extending surface, said longitudinally extending recess formed within said first longitudinally extending surface and said longitudinally extending recess formed within said second longitudinally extending surface being substantially longitudinally offset with respect to one another and being in a spaced apart relationship with respect to one another, being, said longitudinally extending projections on said first end surface being substantially longitudinally aligned with said longitudinally extending recesses, on said second end surface and being sized so as to be receivable within said longitudinally extending recesses when two of said building panels are in an abutting relationship permitting the joining of said abutting building panels.
2) The building panel as defined in claim 1 further including insulating material received between said first longitudinally extending surface and said second longitudinally extending surface of said panel.
3) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said first longitudinally extending surface and said second longitudinally extending surface are substantially parallel to one another.
4) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said first longitudinally extending projection and said second longitudinally extending projection are substantially parallel to one another.
5) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said first longitudinally extending recess and said second longitudinally extending recess are substantially parallel to one another.
6) The building panel as defined in claim 1 further including fastening means received through said abutting building panels to join said abutting building panels.
7) The building panel as defined in claim 6 wherein said fastening means are recessed between said abutting building panels.
8) The building panel as defined in claim 7 further including filler material to substantially cover said fastening means when recessed between said abutting building panels.
9) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said first longitudinally extending surface forms the exterior surface of said building panel and said second longitudinally surface forms the interior surface of said building panel.
10) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said second longitudinally extending surface forms the exterior surface of said building panel and said first longitudinally extending surface forms the interior surface of said building panel.
11) The building panel as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second longitudinally extending surfaces are formed from metallic material.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2016
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2018
Applicant:
Inventor: Mark A. Boyd (Kimmel, IN)
Application Number: 14/999,942