Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO92/18726 21 0 ~17 ~ PCT/GB92/006~4
--1--
PANEL SYSTEM
This invention relates to a panel system and particularly
to non-permanent panel systems used at exhibitions and
ccnferences or for use as scener,v in television studios
and theatres or at point-of-sale locations to provide a
surface to create a scene or as a surface on which to
display pictures or graphics.
In exhibitions and conferences as well as in the theatre
and television t~ere is extensive use of temporary
structures to provide areas in which to display products
or to provide surfaces which are decorated to produce
scenery. There exists an extensive market for panel
systems, but these are generally constructed from various
strong materials such as timber, plastics and aluminium
extrusions. ;
Whilst there is little wrong with existing products and
methods, the cost of providing such structures on sale or
hire is relatively high. The systems currently available
tend to be bulky and heavy which means that transport-
ation and erection can be expensive.
.
WO92/l8726 PCT/GB92/00654
'Z~ 2-
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
panel system which is easy to make, easy to assemble,
lig~tweight and reasonably inexpensive.
The present invention provides a panel structur~
comprising panels of substantially rectangular sheets of - ~ .
cardboard or like material folded at least twice along -~ ;
fold axes adjacent to opposite edges thereof and joined
to ad~acent similarly constructed sheets by conn~ctins
elements adapted to fit into dovetail slots cut into said
edges of each panel.
.
In a typical installation several of said panels are
connected.to form a continuous wall and said connecting .
15 element extends t~rough the dovetail slots of said ~.
several panels.
,:.
Preferably more tban one of said dovetail slots is
provided on each edge, vertically spaced from one another
so tbat more than one connecting element may be employed
~: to improve the strength of the panel structure.
.~ In one preferred embodiment, it is the narrow dimension
of the dovetail slot which opens at the edge of the .-
panel, said connecting element being a first form thereof
and comprising a sheet of said cardboard or like material .
folded along a longitudinal fold line, and said element
,,
: '
.
WO92/18726 2 ~ O ~g 1 7 1 PCT/GB92/0065~
_3_ .
having line slots cut into its edges on either side of
said fold line, said line slots being of a width
approximately the same as two thicknasses of said panel,
the first connecting element being adapted to be inserted
through the opening of two adjacently disposed dovetail
slots, to engage said line slots about the base of said
dovetail slots so as to secure the edges of the panels
together, and to be unfolded as far as said dovetail ~ -;.
slots permit so as to retain said first connecting :~
10 element in the dovetail slots. .
Preferably, the depth of each line slot is such that the ;~
distance between the base of each line slot and the fold ~ ~:
line is substantially the same as the iepth of each ~ .
. 15 dovetail slot. Preferably the dovetail slots and said
line slots, and said fold axes and the width of said
first connecting element, are all arranged such that said
line slot is substantially the same length as the ~:-
. distance from the base of the dovetail slot, in the
direction of its diverqing edges, to said fold axes.
:; This ensures that when the first connecting element is in
position, the geometry of the arrangement provides a :~
~: secure location of the joining parts.
; ~, ' ' ' ~
Alternatively, however, it may be the wide dimension of
the dovetail slot which opens at the edge of the panel
and said connecting element is therefore in its second
' ' ' , ' ', '.' ~ ' ~ ' , !' , ' . . . ' ~ ' ,' . '
WO92/18726 ~ o~ PCT/GB92/00654
form in which it comprises a sheet of said cardboard or
like material folded along a longitudinal fold line, said .
second element having line slots cut into its edges on
either side of said fold line of a width approximately
the same as two thicXnesses of said panel, and a centre
aperture positioned across said fold line, said centre
aperture being of a width approximately the same as two
thicknesses of said panel, the second connecting element
being adapted to be inserted through the openings of an
adjacent palr of said dovetail slots engaging said
aperture about the base of the said dovetail slot so as
to secure together the edges of said panel. -~
Preferably, the edges of the dovetail slot have, between
its opening and its base, a return, and said connecting
element is adapted to be partially unfolded after
insertion thereof in said dovetail slots so as to engage
the base of each line slot with said return. This
secures the edges of said panel, and prevents it from .
20 further movement. : .
Preferably the extent of the centre aperture of said `
connecting element on either side of the fold line is
substantially the same as the distance from the base of
the dovetail slot of said panel to the fold axis of said
panel.
,,, . . ,: ~ .. , :
W092/~8726 2 ` Q ~ ~ 7 ~ PCT/GB92/00654
--5--
Prefera~ly, said dovetail slot has a base of sufficient
width to allow the connecting element to be partially
unfolded and lie flat against the edges of the dovetail
slot.
-
Preferably the centre aperture extends substantially
perpendicularly to said fold line. Moreover, it may be ~-
essentially rectangular. The centre aperture of said
second connecting element constitutes a slot when the ~
10 element is folded along its fold line, and the opening of :
said slot may be chamfered to ease introductian of the
connecting element over the bases of the dovetail slots
in adjacently disposed panels.
'
The second form of said connecting element i8 preferred
because it is stronger than the first form at the very
point where there is maximum stress on it from adjacent
panels attempting to separate by extraneous forces
imposed on them. This point is that part of the ~ :
connecting element closest, in an assembled wall
structure, to the fold axes of adjoining wall panels; and
in the case of said second connecting element, this is at
the centre of the centre aperture at the longitudinal
fold of the connecting element. In the case of the first
form of connecting element, this point is at the separate
ends of its line slots, which are not reinforced by a
fold.
; . . .. . " . . . ~ . . . .; .. . . ...... ~ < ~. . . . . . .
W O 92/18726 PC~r/GR92tO06~4
~ 6-
Preferably there are at least four dovetail slots in each
panel edge. These are preferably arran~ed in two pairs
near the t~p and bottom of each panel. Moreover, there
are preferably multiple line slots and centre aper~ures,
- as the case may be, spaced along said connecting element,
each line slot being separatPd firom the next by the
separation of said fold axes in said ~anels, or by
convenient fractions of said separation.
Thus, when several pan21s are connect2d tcgether by a
plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element
joins at le~st four panels together, the disposition of
said connecting elements in each pair of dovetail slots
15~ can be staggered with respect to one another so that each
joint between adjacent panels is stabilised by a
connecting elemer,t also joining panels on either side of
said adjacent panels.
Preferably each connecting element joins six panels.
Needless to say, connecting elements may be shortened
where the panel system ends or is formed into a corner.
The ends of a run of panel elements may be finished by
special end panels.
. . ... , ~ - ~ ....... . . . .
.- . - -: ~ , , . :
. ~ ; ;., . - ~ :: .
- ~. . . .
W O 92/18726 ~ t tl ~ PC~r/GB92tO0654 :~
An internal corner between adjoining wall systems does
not pose any difficulty. Whereas each panel is folded
back at right angles along said fold axes where a flat
wall system is required, at a corner one edge of one
panel will not be folded back ~t right angles but at some
greater angle. Where a perpendicular joint between panel -~
syste~s is required, the edge will not be folded back at
all, and may even be folded forwards when an acute
internal angle is re~uir~d b~tween a~joini~g sets of
panels.
Said special end panels may comprise doveta11 slots along
one edge, said dovetails opening at said edqe at their
wide di~ension, and dovetail c~ts in the other edge, said :
dovetail cuts opening at their narrow dimension and being
adapted to engage the back of a connecting element
received in the dovetail slots.
Preferably, said special end panels further comprise four
folds between said edges and parallel therewith to form
square corners when said dovetail slots engage a
connecting element and sald dovetail cuts engage the back
of said element. Each fold may be separated by a
dimension equal to the overall thickness of a panel when
a connecting element is inserted in its dovetail slots.
W O 92/18726 ~ ~rl ~ PC~r/GB92/00654
~ -8- :
It will be apparent that a wide variety of panel
structures are achievable by the present invention which
is nevertheless very inexpensive to manufacture. -
For example, two walls can be disposed back to back if a
modified connecting element is employed and when it is ~-
the wide dimension of the dovetail slots which open at
the edges of the panels. Here the modified connecting
element comprises merely two of said second form of
connecting elements joined edge to edge, and which is
folded into a diamond section configuration. Thus half ~
the modified connecting element connects one side of the -
double wall, while the other half of the element connects
the other side of the wall.
A further refinement of the present invention is the
construction of curved walls, of single ply, using
further modified connecting elements. In the case of
wall panels in which the dovetail slots open at the edge
of the panel in their narrow dimension, the connecting
element line slots which are separated from one another
along the length of the connecting element by an amount
equal to the separation of said fold axes are inclined
with respect to each other. In the case of wall panels
in which the dovetail slots open at the edge of the panel
in their wide dimension, the connecting element centre
apertures which are separated from one another along the
., ., . . .... - .. . ~ ..... - ~ .
- . - - - , . .
WO92/18726 2 ~ PCT/GB92/00654
length of the connecting element by an amount equal to
the separation of said fold axes are inclined with
respect to each other. In both cases, the effect of the
inclination of the line slots or centre apertures (as the
case may be) is that when two connecting elements are
used to connect two adjacent wall panels, one connecting
element being lock2d in the dovetail slots of two edges
of one panel and an adjacent edge of the other panel, and
th2 other connecting element being loc~ed in the dovetail
slots of two edges of said other panel and the adjacent
edge of said one panel, in both cases employing the
inclined line slots or centre apertures ~as the case may
be) to effect said locking, then the two wall panels are
connected at an angle with respect ~o each other, rather
15 than in line. If the same process is employed with -~
multiple panels, then a close approximation to a curved
surface can be achieved, particularly if the separation
of said fold axes is kept to a minimum.
,
An appropriate material for both the panels and
.
connecting elements is three ply cardboard having a
quality finish to one face. For most purposes the
cardboard will require a flame retardent finish in order
to meet regulations. Various other materials including
plastic laminates could also be employed.
WO92/18726 ~)~ PCT/GB92/006
q ~ 1 0 -
Thus a panel structure according to the present inventionis very simple and consequently light and inexpensive.
It has the necessary ridigity for most temp~rary purposes
and if constructed from substan~ial material could be
S used for more permanent strl~ctures. If construcl 2d from
cardboard, a structure according to the present
invention can be modified or profiled using a sharp ~nire
or fine saw.
The invention is further described hereinafter, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a panel structure
15 " according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;
Figure 2 is a perspective front view of a structure as
shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank for a panel element
forming part of the panel structure of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank for a first form of a
connecting element forming part of the panel structure OI
Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of part of a panel structure
as shown in Figure 1;
: . ' : . ~ ` j
WO 92/18726 ~ J 1 PCI/GB92/00654
--11--
Figure 6 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective rear view of a second preferred
embodiment of a panel structure according to the present
invention;
S Figure 8 is a plan view of a blan~ for a panel for the
structure of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank for a connecting
element in its second form for ths structure of Figure
7; - ~:.
Figure 10 is a top plan view of part of a panel structure
as shown in Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a section on the line ~-B of Figure 10; .. ,~.,
Figure 12 is a rear view of a multi-panel structure
according to the present invention;
lS Figure 13 is a top view of a typical corner joint;
Figure 14 is a plan view of a gusset for an internal
corner of a wall structure according to the present
invention;-
Figure lS is a rear persp~ctive view of an internal
corner joint using the gusset of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a plan view of a gusset for an external .
corner of a wall structure according to the present
. invention;
Figure 17 is a rear perspective view of an external
corner joint using the gusset of Figure 16;
. . ' ' '.
.
WO92/18726 ~ rl~ PCT/GB92/00654
-12-
Figure 18 is a perspective view of a double wall
employin~ the second embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 19 shows an alternative arrangement of the wall
structure of Figure 18;
Figures 20a and b are plan views of blanks for special
end panels;
Figure 21 is a plan view of a wall structure using th~
special end panel of Figure 20;
Figure 22 is a sectional view, similar to Flgures 6 and
11, or the wall structure of Figure 18;
Figure 23 is a plan view of a blank for a curve forming
connecting element, in its second form; and,
Figure 24 shows a curved wall structure achieved using
the connecting element of Figure 23.
.
In the drawings, a wall structure 10 comprises a series
of wall panels 12 joined by connecting elements 14. Each
element 12,14 is constructed from a sheet of three ply
cardboard or like material, preferably with a quality
finish on one face, and rendered fire retardent by
appropriate treatment. Alternatively appropriate
plastics laminates may be employed.
Each panel and connecting element is cut to blanks as
shown in Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. Each panel 12 is
provided with fold lines or axes 16 adjacent each long
WO92/18726 2 ~ 1 PCT/GB92/00654
-13-
edge 18,20 to form sides 50,s2 respectively. Four
dovetail slots 22,24, a,b,c,d are cut in the edges 18,20 :
at corresponding positions in two pairs a,b and c,d
adjacent to each end of the panel.
Each connecting element 14 is provided with a central
longditudinal fold line 30. Each long edge 32,34 is
, .. .. . - ..
provided with line slots 36,38 a,b,c,d separated by a
distance corresponding to the separation between the fold . -
axes 16 on the panel 12.
':
With reference also to Figure 6, the distance x between
the base of each line slot 36,38 and the central fold
line 30, is arra~ged to be approximately the same as the
lS depth y of the dovetail slots 22,24. Moreover, the depth - -
w of the line slots 36,38 is arranged to be approximately
the same as the radial distance z from the base of the : .
dovetail slots 22,24, in the direction of their side
edges, to the adjacent fold axes 16.
:
The width r of the line slots 36,38 is arranged to be - :.
approximately the same as two thicknesses of the panels
12. Also, the width s of the opening to each dovetail -
slot 22,24 is arranged to be larger than two thicknesses
of the connecting element 14 (equivalent to the
separation t of the fold line 30, which is arranged as a :
wos2/18726 PCT/GB92/00654
~ 14 ~~
pair of folds). This is achieved by parallel cuts 33 at
the opening of each dovetail slot.
The purpose of these dimensions is explained in the
following description although it should be understood
that these dimensions are merely preferable and are not
absolutely essential for the satis~actory operation of
a panel structure according to the invention.
To assemble a panel structure 10 as shown in ~igures 1
and~2 four panel elements are firs~ folded along th~ fold
axes 16 so that sides 50, 52 thereof are substantially at
right angles to face 54.
The edge 18 of one panel 12 is then aligned with the edge
20 of the next panel so that the dovetail slot~ 22,
a,b,c,d and 24 a,b,c,d of adjacent panels are aligned
with one another.
A connecting element 14 is then folded flat along its
longitudinal fold line pair 30 and inserted into the
mouths 33 formed by adjacent dovetail slot pairs 22,24a
(fold line 30 entering last). Further connecting
elements may be inserted in dovetail slot pairs 22,24,
b,c, and d.
.. : : ; , - . .: . .: -
W O 92/18726 2 ~ n ~ PC~r/GB92/00654
-15-
Each connecting element 14 is inserted so that each line
slot 36, now paired with adjacent line slots 38, are
engaged with the base of each dovetail slot pair until ;
the edges 32,34 abut the back face 54 of each panel 12.
The mouths 35 of the line slots 36,38 may be chamfered to
ease insertion. The connecting element 14 may then be
opened within t~e confines of the dovetail while being ~ -
coaxed further into engagement against the end face 54,
and until the position shown in the drawings i8 achieved.
To ease opening of the conne~ting element, thumb slots
are cut in its edqes. With the dimensions given as
above, this results in the fold lines 30 lying flush with ;
the edges 18,20 of the panels.
As shown in Figures 5 and 6 e~ch connecting element 14 is
retainèd in pogition by the dovetail slots 22,24 and, for
most practical purposes, the connecting elements are held
firmly in place. This is further aided by notches 39 in
each corner of the dovetail slots which catch and locate
20 the base of each line slot when the connecting elements -
~; are opened. More importantly however, éach panel 12 is
,, . :
~-~ now locked to the next by the line slots 36,38 in each
connecting element gripping adjoining sides 50,52 of
adjacent panels, hence the relative dimension r and the
thicknesses of two panels.
WO92/18726 ~ a~ -16- PCT/GB92/00654
The result is a panel structure 10 which has a satis-
factory frontal appearance and which can be extended by
as many panels 12 as required.
A preferred alternative embodiment of the present
invention is shown in Figures 7 to 11. This has a simi}ar
structur~ and assembly technique to the first ambodiment
described above. Consequently like parts are given the
same rePerer.ce numeral, except with an apostrophe where
they diff~r from the first embodiment.
For reasons explained further below, the dovetail slots
22',24' have been reversed from their orientation in the
first embodi~ent, so that their major dimension, rather
than their narrow dimension, now forms their mouth 33'.
Moreover, each dovetail slot is also provided with a
return 41. A modified form of connecting element 14' is
employed, which has line slots 36',38', as before, but
also centre apertures 37 a to j.
- With reference to Figures 9 and 11, the depth w' of each
line slot 36',38' is arranged to be the same as the width
z' of the return 41. Moreover, the depth p of the centre
aperture on either side of the fold line 30', which in
this case is merely a single fold, is arranged to be
approximately the same as the distance q from the base
45 of the dovetail slot, in the direction of its tapering
WO 92/18726 --7 1 PCl /GB92/~0654
--17--
edges, to the adjacent fold axes 16. Indeed, the -
tapering edges, if they did not terminate at the base
45, are so arranged that they would otherwise meet at the
fold axis 16.
In this e~bodiment, it is the centre apertures 37 which
have the width r' arranged to be approximately the same
as two thicknesses of the panels 12. ~he line slots ~ ~ -
36',38~ ~ay likewise have a width r" which is the same as
two thicXnesses of panels, but this is not critical as
will ~e apparent from the description below. ~;~
.'.
To ~-s~ible a panel structure 10', four p~nQis 12' are
first folded along their fold axes 16. As before, the
. . . .
edge 18' of one panel is then aligned with the edge 20'
of the next one. Next, a connecting el~nent 14' is
folded along its longditudinal fold llne 30' and inserted
into the mouths 33' of the dovetail slot pairs 22',24a
(fold line 30' first). Further connecting elements are ~ ;
inserte`d in the remaining slot pairs 22,24, b,c, and d.
Each connecting element 14~ is inserted so that each
centre aperture 37, which by virtue of the folding of the
element now forms a slot, is enqaged over the base 45 of
each dovetail sIot pair 22,24. By allowing the
connecting element 14 to partially unfold, the line slots
36',38' engage the return 41 so that the connecting
WO92/18726 ~s ~ 18- PCT~GB92/006~4
element 14 ' is locked in the dovetail slots 22 ', 24 ' . The
natural resilience of the material of the connecting
elements springs them apart so that they keep engaged
with the returns 41.
S
Thus, each panel element 12' is firmly locked to the next
by both the centre apertures 37 and the line slots
36',38'. Indeed, the connection is stonger than the
first embodiment because the centre apertures 37, when
lo they are folded in half, are much stronger than the line
apertures 36,38 of the first e~bodiment. In that
- embodiment, the line slots 36 and 38 worX independently
of one another, while here, the centre aperture forms two
slots which each support and reinforce the other.
Where more than four panel ele~ents are used (with either
embodiment) such as illustrated in Figure 12, further
connecting elements 60, 62, 64, 66 are employed and these
are disposed in staggered relation with respect to one
another so that each panel 12 is joined to one on either
side by at least two connecting elements. This ensures
that the resulting panel structure has the necessary -
stability.
If desired, a modified panel 80 (see Figure 13) may be
employed at strategic points and which has a central fold
line 82. When the modified panel is used, the sides
WO92/18726 2 ~ ~ ~1 71 PCT/GB92/00654
--19--
50',52' of the panels are inserted into otherwise vacant
line slots 36 ', 38 ' (and centre apertures 37 in this case
of the second embodiment shown in Figure 13). It is for
this purpose that the line slots and centre apertures are
located at spacings equal to half the separation between
the fold axes 16 on the panels 12, and not the full
separation as shown in Figures 1 to 6. On the other -
hand, this spacing, and the ~odified panel 80, are ~-
equally applicable to the first embo~i~ent. When these
mo~ified panel elements 80 are employed, the face of the
panel element projects from the surface of the panel
structure increasing the depth of the structure and thus
its stability.
Figure 13 also illustrates a joint between two walls
which is easily achieved by the joining method of the
present invention and which further improves the
stability of the panel structure.
20 Figures 14 to 17 show special corner units 112,112',
reinforced by gussets 90,100. With reference first to
Figures 14 and 15, the gusset 90 comprises a she~t of
cardboard or like material having two support edges 92,93
at an angle A with respect to one another. In this case
the angle A is a right angle. The support edges 92,93
are themselves supported by tab pairs 94,96 whose
function is explained further below. At an angle B
.
- ' . . ' . . ' ' . . ! , . ., ' . : '
WO92/18726 ~ PCT/GB92/00654
~ 20-
(which is always substantially a right angle) to the
edges 92,93 are abutment edges 95,98, which are each
provided with tongues 97. The tongues 97 have press-out
tabs 99 formed in them.
A panel.12 is then folded centrally a~out its fold line
82; in Figure 15, this is internally at the angle A. The
tab pairs 94,96 ari- th2n ,olded, one up, one down, on
each of four gusse~s 90. These are ofrered up to the
folded panel and tho tonsues 97 aro pressed through
apertures 23 providad for this purpose in each side 50,52
of the panels 12 (see also Figure 3). The length m of .
the slots 23 is slightly less than the width of the
tongues 97 so that barbs 101 on the tongues engage the
15 .. edges of the apertures 23 after being pu~hed through
them. Moreover, after insertion of the tongues 97 in the
apertures 23, the tabs 99 may be bent downwardly to
further ensure that the tongues remain firmly engaged in
the apertures 23.
The purpose of the tabs 94,96 can now be appreciated,
since they bear against and support the rear surface of
the panel 12, and so that the panel is constrained to the
angle A, which is of course the angle between the support
edges 92,93.
WO 92/18/26 2 .~ ) 1 7 l PCI/GB92/00654
- 2 1 -
: :
It will be appreciated that a corner unit 112 so-formed
can easily be connected to the end of a panel stucture
12a. This is achieved by pushing the tongues 97 through
the corresponding apertures 23 of the adjoining panel
12a. For this purpose the separation-d of the barbs 101
and the tabs 99 from the respective abutment edges 95,98 ~ -
are arranged to be twice the thic~ness of the panels 12. ~-
In any 2vent, the dovetail slots of the corner unit 112 ~-
and the adjoining panel 12a are or course aligned so that
connecting elements (not shown) can further secure the
two components together.
,
The arrangeoent of Figures 16 and 17 is essentially the
same, except that here it is an extern~l corner that is
: for-ed with the aid of the gussets 100.
... . .......................................................... .
Figures 18 and 19 show two possible arrangements employ-
ing the second embodiment of the present invention.
Referring also to Figure 22, a double-ply panel structure
10" is formed from two panels 12b and 12c arranged back-
to-back. The two panel plys are secured together by a
connecting element 14" which is in the form of two
connecting elements 14'a,14'b joined edge to edge at 85.
Needless to say, the parts 14'a and 14~b of the element
14" aiso secure together the individual panels in each
ply. The element 14" is, of course, a single component.
It adopts a diamond configuration when in use.
' ~:
': ' - . . . ' . ' ' ' ' .,, ~ ,:i: '., ., .' ., , ' . ' : ' ' : :.. , ,. " '' . . ' ' ' ' j, . . . : : :, . . - , ,
WO 92/18726 ~, PCl tGB92/00654
2 2
Figures 18 and 19 also show the use of special end panels
12d which enable wall ends and corners to be provided for
this double ply structure. Figure 20b is a plan view of
the blank for panel 12d, which has the same dimensions,
and has the same dovetail slots 22',24' and fold axes 16,
as the panel 12' of ~igure 8. However, it has extra fold
- lines 16~ and 16". The former, when employed, allow the
panel to be used as shown at 12d in Figures 18 and 19,
while the latter allow the panel to be used as shown at
80 in Figure 18, or indeed as panel 80 in Figure 13.
Figures 20a and 21 illustrate a furt~er special end panel
; 70, which is provided with one ~ide 72 shaped in an
identical fashion to sides 50',52' of the panel ele~ent
12' of Figure 8. Fold lines 74a,~, and c are posltioned
equidistant to éach other at a di~tance equal to the
; width of side 72. Fold line 76 is ideally positioned at
a distance from fold line 74c equal to the width of side -~
20 -72 less the thickness of one panel. Dovetail cuts ~ -
~ ~8a,b,c,d are provided along the edge of side 80 spaced :
to correspond to the final positions of connecting
elements 14' in a completed panel structure. The special
end panel element 70 lS attached to a panel structure 10'
;~ 25 by means of its dovetail slots 22' on side 72. Right
~ angle folds are made along fold lines 74a,b,c,d and side
; 80 is positioned adjacent to side 72. Dovetail cuts ~-
~ . ' -: '
: .~
' ' "' ' '
2 ~ , jJ ~ ,
92/18726 PCr/GB92/00654
-23- ~:
78a,~,c,d are positioned over the exposed edges of
connecting elements 14' which are temporarily sqeezed
together to allow insertion into mouths 82 of each
dovetail cut.
Finally, Figures 23 and 24 show a special connecting
e7e~ent 14", and a curYed panel structure lonl which is
cr~ated when the e~ecent 14 n is euployed in single ply
panel structures. The connecting ele~nt is used in
exactly the saoe way, but it is provided with inclined
centre ~pertures 37' ~t each end. Whcn folded along
centre fold 1ine 30", the inclined apertures 37' becoue
inclin~d slots. In Figure 23, they are inclined
inw~rdly, and form inwardly directed vall joints as showm
in Figure 24. Outwardly inclined slots ~ould form convex
w~ll structures. ~he connecting element 14" is long
enough to join only one panel 12' to a single nei~hbour
on either side. To form curves, each neighbour must
likewise be connected to their neighbours by the special
connecting elements 14". `
,
