Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to prefabricated panels and
buildings utilizing prefabricated panels.
Background and Summary
of the Invention
The use of prefabricated panels in buildings has
become very common. In many instances, the panels are not
constructed so that they can absorb longitudinal or trans-
verse loads and therefore a separate frame is also utilized
in conjunction with the panels. where the panels are intended
to be load bearing, substantial reinforcement must be provided
by an individual framing for the panel or the like.
Among the objectives of the present invention are
to provide a low cost panel which will support loads without
the need for framing or complex reinforcing; which panels may
be assembled in a novel manner to provide a building system
and to a method of assembly of such building system.
In accordance with the invention, the prefabricated
building system comprises a plurality of prefabricated panels.
Each panel comprises a formed body of insulating material hav-
ing a top, bottom, sides and a front face and back face. At
least one hollow tubular load bearing member is embedded in
the body intermediate the sides and faces thereof and extend
vertically between the top and bottom. The tubular load bear-
ing members have a slot in the top and bottom thereof, the
slots having their axes generally parallel to the front and
` rear faces of the body. A bottom member is provided along
the floor and has an upstanding flange extending into the slot
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of the bottom of the tubular member and a top member extends
along the top of the panels and has a flange extending down-
wardly into the slots in the top of the tubular load bearing
members. The load bearing members have a length greater than
S the length of the body so that vertical loads are not trans-
mitted to the body.
Description of the Drawin~s
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a
prefabricated building system embodying the invention.
FIG. 2 i3 a fragmentary exploded perspective view
of a portion of the building system.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion
of the system shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3 in
FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary qectional view taken along
the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
the line 5-5 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sealing
strip used in the system.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary ~ectional view showing the
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~` system at the base of a building.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
`~ modified form of panel.
~`~25 FIG~ 9 is a perspective view of a further modified
form of panel and is shown on the same sheet of drawings as
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~` FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
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FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion
of the system.
FIG~ 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a portion
of the system shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a system embodying
the invention.
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Description
Referring to FIG. 1, the building system embodying
the invention incorporates a plurality of prefabricated panels
10 that are joined, as presently described, to form a wall or
walls of a building.
As shown in FIG. 2, the prefabricated panel 10 com-
prises a formed body of insulating material having at least
one and preferably two verti~ally extending hollow tubular
load bearing members 11 such as a pipe extending from the top
12 to the bottom 13. Each member 11 further includes a slot
14 in the upper end thereof that extends longitudinally of
the panel 10 and is aligned with a complementary slot 15 in
the body 10.
The bottom of each member 11 is similarly formed
with a slot i6 aligned with a complementary slot 17 in the
bottom of the panel 10.
Each panel 10 further includes a pair of vertical
slots 18 in each side 20 The tubular load bearing members
11 are positioned intermediate the inner and outer faces of
20 the panel 10 so that they are entirely embedded therein
except for the exposed ends at the top and bottom which pro-
ject beyond the top and bottom~
" The system further includes a member 21 that is,~
fastened to the floor and extends along the floor having a
length greater than a single panel which has an upstanding
flange 22 that extends upwardly into the slots 17 of the
panels 10 that are positioned on the members 21, In addition,
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a top member 23 is provided having a downwardly extending
flange 24 that extends into the slot 15 of the body of the
panel and the slots 14 of the load bearing members 11. The
joint between adjacent panels 10 is provided by strips 25
that are inserted in the aligned slots 18. Finally, a T-
shaped joint 26 is inserted in ~he gap between adjacent panels
to provide an aesthetic appearance between adjacent panels.
The bottom members 21 and top members 23 may have
various configurations such as a T-shape or L-shape to form
the respective flanges~
As shown in FIG. 4, the load bearing members 11 pro-
ject slightly above and below the top and bottom of each panel
10 so that the entire load on the top member 23 is transmitted
to the load bearing member 11 and through the load bearing
member to the bottom member 21. As shown in FIG~ 5 t the slots
15, 17 at the top and bottom of the panels are deep enough
with respect to the flanges 22, 24 that there will be no engage-
ment and none of the load will be transmitted through the body
as contrasted to the load bearing members 11.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 10 and 12, each panel 10 is
~` preferably formed with an exposed area or recess 27 so that
access can be provided to the top and bottom of each load bear-
.~ ing member 11 for welding the load bearing member to the re-
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spective top and bottom members 23, 21 as at 28. Alternatively,
the load bearing members 11 may extend beyond the top and bottom
of the body of the panel so that direct access is obtained for-
welding without the need for recesses 27~
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The space can be formed in the panel either during
the molding of the panel or after the panel is formed by
cutting away a portion of the panel.
In a preferred form, the mixture from which the
panel i5 provided may comprise plastic materials or cemen-
titous materials such as pearlite or vermiculate which form
solid light weight insulating bodies. An appropriate mixture
is mixed and poured into a mold that has previously positioned
therein one or more load bearing members 11. If necessary,
the mold is vibrated and therea~ter is permitted to set so
that the mixture will be cured~
If a window or door is to be provided, the window
opening 29 (FIG. 1) can be provided either during molding or
after molding. Similarly, the door opening 30 (FIG. 9) can
be so provided. Hollow members 11 may serve as conduits for
utilities such as electric wires, water pipes or gas pipes.
Decorative or protective layers or coatings can be
applied to the faces of the body during or after forming.
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Where the panels are to be used on a base floor on
the exterior of the building, the flashing strip 31 can be
interposed between the panel and the floor 32 as shown in
` FIG. 7, In this form, the bottom member 21a is L-shaped
rather than T-shaped.
It is contemplated that the panels need not be
planar but may be formed with two portions as shown in FIG.
8 wherein portions lOa are molded into a corner structure
with a load bearing member 11 at the corner and load bearing
members 11 in each of the angular portions.
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Similarly, in the form shown in FIG~ 9, a T-shaped
panel is provided which has portions lOb in the same plane
and portion lOc at right angles thereto. In this form~ each
portion lOb, lOc has preferably two load bearing members.
As shown in FIG. 2, the panel 10 is urther formed
with a groove 33 along the lower face of one side thereof
for receiving wiring and the like (FIG. 4). In the completed
building construction, this groove is covered by an additional
base molding or strip 34.
It can thus be seen that there has been provided a
novel prefabricated panel which will absorb the load, which
panel can be manufactured at low cost; which panels can be
assembled readily in an economical fashion; and which will
provide a pleasant appearance.
~ In the assembly of panels, it is contemplated that
the bottom member 21 will be positioned along the floor and
fastened thereto. A first panel is then positioned with the
flange 22 engaging the slot 17 in the bottom thereof. Successive
panels are placed in position and joining strips 25 are moved
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axially downwardly into slots 18 of the adjacent panels. A
short bridge section leaving the cross-section of top member 23
; can be used between adjacent panels to temporarily hold adjacent
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panels in position until the entire wall is erected. The top
member 23 is then positioned on the first panel and the member
` 25 23 is successively moved downwardly in an angular fashion to
progressively engage the flanges 24 of successive panels with
slots 15 in the top of the panels and the slots 14 in the
tubular load bearing members 11.
