JOINING MEANS AND METHOD FOR CAST PANELS

MOYENS ET PROCEDES D'ASSEMBLAGE DE PANNEAUX COULES

English Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a system (10) for joining first (12) and second (14) cast panels, including: first (20) and second (22) main
structural members, cast into and extending along opposing, spaced apart edges of the first and second panels, respectively, and defining
a cavity therebetween; a first locking member (90) engageable with upper portions of each of the first and second structural members to
secure the first and second panels against movement toward or away from one another, a second locking member (124) engageable with
medial portions of each of the first and second structural members; and a third locking member (120) extending between the first and second
locking members to draw the first and second locking members together and lock together the first and second panels.

French Abstract

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, un système (10) d'assemblage d'un premier (12) et d'un second (14) panneau coulé comprend: des premier (20) et second (22) éléments structuraux principaux, respectivement coulés dans les premier et second panneaux de façon à s'étendre le long de leurs bords espacés et opposés, et définissant une cavité intermédiaire; un premier élément de verrouillage (90) entrant en contact avec des parties supérieures de chacun des deux éléments structuraux afin d'empêcher tout mouvement des deux panneaux l'un vers l'autre ou dans le sens inverse; un deuxième élément de verrouillage (124) entrant en contact avec les parties médianes de chacun des deux éléments structuraux; et un troisième élément de verrouillage (120) s'étendant entre les premier et deuxième éléments de verrouillage afin de les attirer l'un vers l'autre et de verrouiller ensemble les deux panneaux.

Claims

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Claims
1. A system for joining first and second cast
panels, comprising:
(a) first and second main structural members, cast
into and extending along opposing, spaced apart edges of
said first and second panels, respectively, and defining a
cavity therebetween;
(b) a first locking member engagable with upper
portions of each of said first and second main structural
members to secure said first and second panels against
movement toward or away from one another;
(c) a second locking member engagable with medial
portions of each of said first and second main structural
members; and
(d) a third locking member extending between said
first and second locking members to draw said first and
second locking members together and lock together said
first and second panels.
2. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said second
locking member is disposed so as to secure said first and
second panels against movement toward each other.
3. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said first
and second main structural members have main anchoring
arms extending into said first and second cast panels,
respectively, and terminating well away from surfaces of
said first and second panels.
4. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said first
and second main structural members extend fully the
thickness of said first and second panels.

-9-
5. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said first
and second main structural members extend less than fully
the thickness of said first and second panels.
6. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said first
locking member is a locking cap including a plate portion
extending along and between said first and second main
structural members and having four flanges depending
therefrom to form first and second channels, said first
and second channels closely fitting around said upper
portions of said first and second main structural members,
respectively, said upper portions comprising
complementarily dimensioned flanges formed on said main
structural members.
7. A system, as defined in Claim 1, wherein: said second
locking member comprises a locking tab rotatable into
first and second channels formed in said first and second
main structural members, respectively, ends of said
locking tab engaging bottoms of said channels when said
locking tab is in place.
8. A system, as defined in Claim 7, wherein: said third
locking member comprises a threaded fastener extending
between said first locking member and said locking tab so
as to tighten said locking tab against walls of said first
and second channels.
9. A system, as defined in Claim 1, further comprising:
a first trim cap covering said cavity near said first
locking means and generally flush with first surfaces of
said first and second panels.
10. A system, as defined in Claim 9, further comprising:

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a second trim cap covering said cavity away from said
first locking means and generally flush with second
surfaces of said first and second panels.
11. A method for joining first and second cast panels,
comprising:
(a) providing first and second main structural
members, cast into and extending along opposing, spaced
apart edges of said first and second panels, respectively,
and defining a cavity therebetween;
(b) providing a first locking member engagable
with upper portions of each of said first and second main
structural members to secure said first and second panels
against movement toward or away from one another;
(c) providing a second locking member engagable
with medial portions of each of said first and second main
structural members;
(d) providing a third locking member extending
between said first and second locking members to draw said
first and second locking members together and lock
together said first and second panels; and
(e) inserting said first, second, and third
locking members into said cavity and drawing said first
and second locking members together to lock together said
first and second panels.
12. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
disposing said second locking member sa as to secure said
first and second panels against movement toward each
other.
13. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
providing said first and second main structural members
with main anchoring arms extending into said first and

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second cast panels, respectively, and terminating well
away from surfaces of said first and second panels.
14. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
providing said first and second main structural members
extending fully the thickness of said first and second
panels.
15. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
providing said first and second main structural members
extending less than fully the thickness of said first and
second panels.
16. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
providing said first locking member as a locking cap
including a plate portion extending along and between said
first and second main structural members and having four
flanges depending therefrom to form first and second
channels, said first and second channels closely fitting
around said upper portions of said first and second main
structural members, respectively, said upper portion being
provided as flanges formed on said main structural
members.
17. A method, as defined in Claim 11, further comprising:
providing said second locking member including a locking
tab rotatable into first and second channels formed in
said first and second main structural members,
respectively, ends of said locking tab engaging bottoms of
said channels when said locking tab is in place.
18. A method, as defined in Claim 17, further comprising:
providing said third locking member as a threaded fastener
extending between said first locking member and said

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locking tab so as to tighten said locking tab against
walls of said first and second channels.

Description

WO 95130806 ~ ~ ~ ~ PCTIUS95/05864
-1-
Description
Joining Means and Method for Cast Panels
Technical Field
~ The present invention relates to panels employed
in building construction generally and, more
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to novel
joining means and method for cast panels.
Background Art
Prefabricated or cast-in-place concrete or
composite-type panels are frequently used in building
construction to form floors or other horizontal
surfaces. Typically, such panels are adjacently placed
in abutting, or nearly abutting relationship, on a grid
of horizontal steel beams to form the horizontal
surfaces. The voids between adjacent edges surfaces of
panels are then partially, or wholly, filled with
caulking compound.
A substantial problem with such construction
methods is that one or more panels, having no positive
interlocking means, are free to move substantially with
respect to one or more other panels. Furthermore, the
bare upper corners of the edge surfaces are vulnerable
to spalling and breaking, thus creating an unaesthetic
appearance.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the
present invention to provide means and method for
joining cast panels that furnish positive interlocking
of adjacent panels.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
such means and method that furnish an aesthetic
appearance.

R'O 95/30806 21 g 9 9 J L pCT~S95/05864
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It is another object of the invention to provide
such means and method that prevents the spalling or
cracking of upper corners of edge surfaces of the
panels.
It is an additional object of the invention to
provide such means that is economically manufactured.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as
particular features, elements, and advantages thereof,
will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the
following description and the accompanying drawing
figures.
Disclosure of-Zrivention
The present invention achieves the above objects,
among others, by providing in a preferred embodiment, a
system for joining first and second castpanels,
comprising: first and second main structural members,
cast into and extending along opposing, spaced apart
edges of said first and second panels, respectively, and
defining a cavity therebetween; a first locking member
engagable with upper portions of each of said first and
second structural members to secure said first and
second panels against movement toward oraway from one
another; a second locking member engagable with medial
portions of each of said first-and second structural
members; and a third locking member extending between
said first and second locking members to draw said first
and second locking members together and lock together
said first and second panels.
-
BriefDescription of Drawings
Understanding of the present invention and the ,
various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference
to the accompanying drawing figures, submitted for

CA 02189952 2005-O1-28 '
' _3.
purposes of illustration only and not intended to define
the scope of the invention, on which:
Fjg,~re 1 js a fragTnentary iscr~etric view,
partjel~ly cut-av.~ay, of s panel joining system sccordi~g
to s first e-nbod-:ent~ of the present jnvent;on.
F9 cure 2 is a frcc-:rentary, explodEd 3scmetrie view
illustrating the Iockzng neaps of the panel jcir~ing
syetem applied to a~ second e:r~od.:~n~ent of the prefent
ipventi~on.
F~cure 3 is an end eleva,tic:~a1 vl.ew of t3-~e second'
en~cdin~ent of tae panel j~oi~ing system. . '
Figure 4 3s an end eleveticnsl view of the first '
e.-nboci.~ent of the panel joining system.
fic~-~ure 5 is an end elel:atio pal. view of the second
err~cd~.a:ent of the panel joining system. .
FSgure 6 is sn enlarged, end elevet3cr.~a1 view, in
cross-section, of s retail of the panel joining system.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention .
Reference should now be :~~ade to the. drEV.~ing
fvcuxes, on which similar or adent~cal elements axe
' given consistent ldent~fyir.g r.~urr~erals throughout the '
v~icus f3c-~res~ thereof, and oa ~~7hlch parenthetical
references to fjaure nu:,~ers direct the reader to the
views) on ~.th5ch the eler,:e:a(s) being deFCribed is (are)
best seen, slthc~~ch 'the elemerit(s) nay be seen also on
ether views, '
Figure I illustrates the panel joining system of .
the present 3nve.nt,ioa, cenexally indicated by the
reference numeral 10, shc~~n joining first and second
panels 12 and 14. Peaels 12 and 34 may be cent cenczete
panels o= other composite-type panels. Panel joining
system 10 znclndes two mirror-gage, main structural
ele:,~ents, oenerelly ind;ceted by t:he reference numerals

wo ssisoso6
218 9 9 5 2 PCT~S951o5864
-4-
20 and 22, cast into, and extending along opposing,
spaced apart edges of panels 12 and 14, respectively.
Structural elements 20 and 22 include, respectively,
medial vertical walls 30 and 32, upper vertical walls 34
and 36, and lower vertical walls 38 and 40. Medial
vertical walls 30 and 32 and upper vertical walls 34 and
36 are joined, respectively, by upwardly and outwardly
extending joining walls 42 and 44. Two flanges 46 and
48 are formed, respectively, as vertical extensions of
medial vertical walls 30 and 32 and extend somewhat
above the upper surfaces of joining walls 42 and 44.
Medial vertical walls 30 and 32 and lower vertical walls
38 and 40 are joined, respectively, by channels 50 and
52 formed therebetween and extending into panels 12 and
14.
Extending downwardly and outwardly, respectively,
from the junctions of joining walls 42 and 44 and upper
walls 34 and 36 are two, main anchoring arms 60 and 62.
The distal ends of main anchoring arms 60 and 62 have,
respectively, flanges 64 and 66 extending upwardly at 90
degrees from the edges thereof. Extending downwardly
and outwardly, respectively, from the lower, external
distal edges of channels 50 and 52 are two, secondary
anchoring arms 70 and 72, having, respectively, flanges
74 and 76 extending upwardly at 90 degrees from the
distal edges thereof. Anchoring arms 60, 62, 70, and 72
extend into panels 12 and 14 well away from the surfaces
thereof to minimize the possibility of fracturing of the
panels. Anchoring arms 60 and 62 have a plurality of
apertures, as at 80, defined therethrough, and anchoring
arms 70 and 72 have a plurality of apertures, as at 82,
defined therethrough, the purpose of the apertures being ,
to ensure that the anchoring arms are well locked into

CA 02189952 2005-O1-28
_5_
the material of panels 12 and 14 and become integral
elements thereof.
A horj2cntally extending locking cap 90 has four,
spaced spurt vertical flanges 92 which engage flanges 46
and 48, thus locking together panels i2 and 14. A
horizontally extending, upper sealing cap 95, gen~eral3y~
flush with the upper.surfaces of panels 12 and 14.
extends over the upper space defined between structural
r~en~ers 20 and 22 and 3s held therein by the engagement
of two flanges 98 cepending from the distal edges of-the . .
sealing cap and engeging the inner surfaces of upper
vertical walls 34 and 36. Saving upper vertical walls
34 and 36 extend to the Lpper surfaces of panels 12 end v
14 protects the upper corners of the panels from
spelling or cracking.
Ribs, as at 100, formed on vertical walls 30 and
32, as illustrated in Figure 2, offer some structural rig-
idity and/or anchoring enhancement; however, their pres-
ence is due primarily to conventional considerations in de-
signing the structural members for manufacture by extrusion.
Figure 2 illustrates a variation of panel joining
system 10 (Figure lj, here generally indicated by the
reference .numeral 10' . System 10' varies. froQt system 10 .
in that lower.vertical walls 38~ and 40' of structural ...
members 20' and 22" extend to the lower surfeces of
panels 12 and 14. This protects the lower corners of
p8nels 12 and 14 and pexmits the insertion therebetk'een
of a lower sealing cap 110 v~Thich is held in place by the ..
engagement of upwardly extending flznges.lla with the
inner surfaces of lok9er vertical walls 38~ and 40'.
This arrangement is desirable in installations in which
the lov:ex surfaces of panels 12 and 14 are exposed.

CA 02189952 2005-O1-28
F3g~,ize 2 also° illustxates the means by which
locking cap 90 fs secured in place. ,A plurality of
threaded.scxews~120 extend through holes 123 defined
through locking cap 90 to threadingly engage locking
lL~gs 126:. After insertion of the aforementioned .
el.err~ents_ between structur al .rr,e:r~ers 20' and 22',a locking
lL~gs 124 are rotGted .,90 cegrees to the pcsitions shc~~n
on F3gvre_3 and screws 120 further..advenced through
threaded inserts 130 etteched to the lo~,er surfaces of
the locking Iugs'to tightly ascots locking cap 90 to.
flanges 46 8nd ~~ End join together the.structural_
members.
Ficure 4 illustrates a technique fo= sealing the
lok~er portion of the cavity cefir~ed between panels l2
and 14 ~~?:en joining system 10 (Figure 1) is employed.
~-:ere, a bond breaker X50 is'inserted tuts the cavity
ser,ewhat 'inwardly 'from the lower surfaces of panels l2
end J9. Then, a bead cf cEUlk::ng ~:~ater,ial 152 3s pieced
between tree loo=er surfs.ces of -panels 12. end 14 and bond
breaker 150. Feeling the cavity.
Figure_5 3l3ustrstes a technigue fo= seali.ng the
lever portion of the cavity defined between panels l2
End ld when joining system l0' (Firn:re 2} is employed.
~~ere, both lower trim cap 110 end bend breaker 150 with
cEUlking Ih2 are e:r,ployed to.provide both sealing and an
aesthetic eppearance. Siriilarly, caulking znsy be placed
in the upper portscn of the cavity defined between
panels 12 and 14 underneath upper Ee83ing cep 96.
Figure 6 illustrates the means by which lo~.~er trim
cap 110 is held in the lok~er portion of the cavity
cefined between panels 12 end 14. Fcr-r.~ed on the distal
ends of flanges 1.12 are outwaxdly facing ridges 160
which engEge complen,ent~rily formed grooves defined in
. the inner Furf~ces of lower vertical walls 38' and 40°
(only 38' shown).

W095130806 218 9 9 5 2 p~~595105864
_7_
With a grid of panels 12 and 14 locked together
according to the present invention, the grid behaves as
a single panel and relative movement between panels is
greatly limited. The locking system compensates, to
some extent, for imprecisely placed supporting steel
. members. The finished margins of the panels have an
aesthetic appearance and the edge corners of the panels
are protected against spalling and cracking.
Structural members 20, 20', 22
and 22' are
,
preferably formed from a suitable metallic material by
conventional extrusion techniques.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth
above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from,
the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,
since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in
the above description or shown on the accompanying
drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative
only and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following
claims are intended to cover all of the generic and
specific features of the invention herein described and
all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a
matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
35

Representative Drawing