Patent Application
20180266113
This invention relates to panels which interlock to form self-supporting roofs of buildings, in particular large span roofs supported only by the walls of the building.
Interlocking panels for large span roofs have been in use for some time. One of the most successful such panels is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,159 as having a pair of upstanding flanges at opposite longitudinal sides, a male rib supported by one flange and a female rib supported by the other flange, both the male and female ribs extending wholly to one side of their supporting flanges, the male rib engageable with the female rib of an adjacent panel to form an arcuate self supporting roof section for a building.
The female rib is defined as being of generally inverted U-shape form in transverse cross-section having a first leg comprising an extension of said supporting flange and a second leg spaced from said first leg, said second leg having a at its free end, an inwardly directed first deformation and there being provided a second deformation in the region of the junction between said first leg and said supporting flange.
The male rib is defined as being generally of an inverted U-shape form in transverse cross-section having a first leg comprising an extension of said supporting flange and a second leg spaced from said first leg and inclined outwardly away from said first leg, and there being an inwardly directed projection defining a recess in the region of the junction between said first leg and said supporting flange being complementary to said second deformation such that when interlocked said male rib is located within said female rib, said first legs of said male and female ribs are juxtaposed, said second leg of said male rib resiliently engages said second leg of said female rib rearward of said first deformation and said second deformation nests within said recess.
These known panels are formed in longitudinally curved sections and erected and joined to form self supporting roofs as shown in
The present invention provides, an interlocking structural panel including a channel cross-section including a base and first and second side wall forming the sides of the channel,
In a first embodiment, the present invention provides, an interlocking structural panel including:
Preferably, the section curving in an arc of from 180° to 330° terminates in a hook section.
Preferably, the channel includes longitudinal depressions.
In a second embodiment, the present invention provides an interlockerable structural panel for forming roofs with a channel cross-section including:
Preferably, the second arc is arranged to nest within the first arc on an adjacent interlockerable structural panel so that the two are locked together.
Preferably, the first side wall includes a first section angled at from 0° to 45° to the horizontal connecting to a second section angled at from 30° to 90° connecting to the first arc.
Preferably, the second side wall includes a third section angled at from 135° to 180° to the horizontal connecting to a fourth section angled at from 90° to 150° connecting to the second arc.
Preferably, the first arc is an arc of between 180° to 330°.
Preferably, the second arc is an arc of between 90° to 180°.
Preferably, the first arc terminates in a hook section.
Preferably, the straight section extending from the second arc in one interlockerable structural panel is arranged to engage the ridge of the first side wall on a second interlockerable structural panel that the second arc is nested with.
Preferably, the channel has longitudinal depressions.
Preferably, the base of the channel has a waved profile.
Preferably, reinforcing ribs run are located on the side walls.
Preferably, the reinforcing ribs run the length of the panels.
In a third embodiment the present invention provides a roofing section comprising a plurality of the interlockerable structural panels wherein the second arc of a first panel is nested into the first arc of an adjacent panel to lock the panels together.
In a third embodiment the present invention provides an interlocking structural panel comprising a plurality of the interlockerable structural panels.
Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
With reference to
With reference to
The first side wall 52 includes a base extension 1 that extends from the base 3. A first section 11 extends from the base extension 1 at an angle closer to the horizontal than the base extension 1. In one embodiment the first section is at an angle between 0° and 45° to the horizontal. A second section 12 extends from the first section 11 and is at an angle closer to the vertical than the first section 11. In one embodiment the second section is at an angle of between 30° and 90° to the horizontal. The first side wall 52 extends generally straight from the base 3 as illustrated in the Figures.
Extending from the second section 12 is a first arc 13 that is curved away from the center of the channel of panel 4. The end of the arc 13 is arranged as a hook that includes a projection at its distal tip that extends towards the first side wall 52.
In an alternative embodiment the end of the arc 13 includes an alternative arrangement to hook 14 that still projects towards the first side wall 52. This can be a folded straight section or otherwise as understood by the skilled addressee.
The second side wall 51 extends from the base 3 opposite first wall 52. The second side wall 51 includes a second base extension 2. A third section 21 extends from the second base extension 2. In one embodiment the third section is angled from the horizontal between 135° and 180°. A fourth section 22 extends from the third section 21 and is at an angle closer to the vertical than the third section 21. In one embodiment the fourth section is at an angle of between 90° and 150° to the horizontal. The second side wall 51 extends generally straight from the base 3 as illustrated in the Figures.
Extending from the fourth section 22 is a second arc 23 that is curved towards the center of the channel of panel 4. The end of the arc 23 is arranged as a straight section 24 running approximately parallel to the fourth section 22. The straight section 24 is of a length to be received within the first arc 13. The end of the straight section 24 is arranged to abut and be restrained by the hook 14 at the end of arc 13 when the second arc 23 is nested into a first arc 13 of an adjacent panel 4.
Also as detailed in
With reference to
Interlockerable panel 44 includes a base 43 in place of base 4 for panel 4. The base 43 is of a waved profile to strengthen the base 43.
In an alternative embodiment, ridges or fluting runs along the length of the first and second side walls for reinforcement. The ridges or fluting can be located along the first or second base extensions 1, 2, or the second or fourth sections 12, 22.
It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
It will be realised that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.
The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the scope of the above described invention.
In the specification the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015903545 | Aug 2015 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2016/050812 | 8/30/2016 | WO | 00 |
