Patent Application
20090293395
The present invention relates to building structures incorporating magnesium oxide structural insulated panels and junctures for same.
Magnesium oxide and (non-wood) cementitious faced structural insulated panels (SIPs) are in demand in areas where termites and rot are common. However, the current approach to making these panels with plastic foam core is to use dimensional lumber (sometimes treated) for junctures, plates and blocking. A problem is that the use of wood in a product that is rot and termite resistant like magnesium oxide or fiber reinforced cement does not make sense and defeats the purpose, since wood is basically not a rot and termite resistant material that is going to last as long as magnesium oxide and cement. Yet this practice continues.
In one aspect of the present invention, a juncture system for joining structural insulated panels includes a plurality of connecting junctures including molded reinforced cementitious material shapes configured to connect adjacently-positioned ones of the structural insulated panels.
In another aspect of the present invention, a building construction includes a plurality of structural insulated panels arranged adjacently to form joints, and a plurality of connecting junctures including molded shapes made of cementitious material and connecting adjacently-positioned ones of the structural insulated panels at the joints.
The present invention includes the use of magnesium oxide for components of the juncture system, the material being well adapted to join structural insulated panels (i.e., “SIP panels”) with inorganic faces. Also, a minimum of “standard” shapes are used to make for a minimum of parts in the system.
In one form, connecting shapes are made of magnesium oxide reinforced with the fiberglass, with the material strength allowing a thickness of the shapes to approximately the same thickness as the outside face used on the magnesium oxide SIP. It is contemplated that other cementitious materials may be substituted for the magnesium oxide shapes, though it is noted that some of these shapes may have flanges that are much thinner than the outer sheet on the SIP panels, thus potentially complicating construction and assembly.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The present concept includes the use of magnesium oxide (or other cementitious material) and fiberglass reinforcement for the juncture system that joins the SIP panels with inorganic faces. “Standard” shapes are used to make for a minimum of parts. Connecting shapes (also called “connecting junctures”) are made of magnesium oxide that is reinforced with the fiberglass for optimal strength, with a thickness of the shape being approximately the same thickness as the outside face used on the magnesium oxide SIP. It is contemplated that other cementitious materials may be substituted for the magnesium oxide shapes except the shapes may have thinner flanges, which can complicate construction. It is also contemplated that the reinforcement can be materials other than fiberglass, including metal, virgin plastic, plastic composite, recycled plastic, and/or recycled carpet.
Typical thickness for the magnesium oxide panel and connecting shape might be 8 mm (or 0.314 inches) and if the shape were to be of material much stronger, it would probably be less thick such as about 18 gauge (or 0.048 inches) thick.
The shapes provided will be a series of different shapes and sizes, such as:
Shapes for typical SIP construction are rectangular, while organic faces are a variety of different materials.
A first issue in determining how to make an acceptable SIP panel is to determine the appropriate thickness. The thickness is determined by strength requirements of the structure and fire code. For structure, a 12 mm thick magnesium oxide panel is stronger than a 7/16″ OSB (oriented strand board), and 7/16″ OSB is stronger than stick construction (i.e. building constructions using 2×4 and 2×6 wood studs and boards). It is appropriate to use thinner gauge to avoid “overkill” and the associated “wasted extra cost.” Generally, 6, 8, or 10 mm magnesium oxide panel will work if they both have the same amount of fiberglass as in the 12 mm magnesium oxide panels.
Junctures and materials are particularly important for meeting fire codes. Specifically, part of the fire test, especially in the use of SIP panels, is what type of junctures and materials are appropriate and produce optimal results. Customers who want magnesium oxide board SIPs probably do not want dimensional lumber for junctures for the reasons noted above in the background discussion. The present components “re-invent” the junctures of “stick-like” constructions with rot and insect resistant materials. Exemplary components include molded magnesium oxide shapes having a same thickness and reinforcement as at the panel faces. Alternatively, they can be made of cementitious material and/or with other reinforced material, preferably at a thickness of at least about 18 gauge.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/057,236, filed May 30, 2008, entitled MAGNESIUM OXIDE SIP PANEL JUNCTURES, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61057236 | May 2008 | US |
