AU2007200607A1 - A panel component for a wall - Google Patents

Description

12/02 2007 17:39 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 0 0

SAUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 SCOMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

NO

SStandard Patent ci o;I Applicant: HOXIN TRADING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Invention Title: A PANEL DOMPONENT FOR A WALL -IPAUSTRALIA @004 The following invention, inc to me/us: 3tatement is a full description of this Luding the best method for performing it known COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:40 FAX 61 3 92438333 1 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA oo RELATED I This app2 the prio May 2002, reference FIELD OF The prese and is pp buildings

BACKGROT

An earth previousl which is tiles.

2 A PANEL COMPONENT FOR A WALL

PPLICATION

ication is divided from and claims the benefit of ity date of AU application no. 44387/02 filed 24 the content of which is incorporated herein by in its entirety.

THE INVENTION nt invention relates to the construction industry rticularly concerned with earth quake resistant D OF THE INVENTION quake resistant brick and rail system has y been developed which incorporates a metal rail adapted to receive a series of brick facing The metal rails consist of a long narrow sheet of metal with one of its long side edges bent at 90° away from one of the major faces of the sheet of metal and then downwardly at 90° to form a narrow ledge with a skirting.

The rail as described above is nailed at each end to respective vertical posts of a building. Brick facing tiles having a groove along one side are then placed on the ledge so that the skirting fits into the groove.

A series of similar brick facing tiles are then located o the ledge of the rail in the same fashion.

By connecting a series of rails together side to side to fgrm a series of horizontally extending rails, the side of a building may be formed with brick facing tiles which are then fixed in position by providing mortar between ajacent side faces of each of the brick facing tiles.

Because the brick facing tiles are located and supportedl in respective rails the rails are able to act as reinforcing should twisting forces be applied to the COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:40 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK -)IPAUSTRALIA 2006 S3 facing tiles in the event of an earthquake.

The above described brick and rail system suffers from prollems such as corrosion of the rail system and damage to the brick facing tiles due to residual water trapped Jn each rail.

In colder climates the water can freeze and this can causq breakage of brick facing tiles.

ID IFurthermore chemical erosion such as corrosion of oD the rail system can lead to serious damage and (N 10 conseque tly impaired structural stability.

oAnother problem with the existing brick and rail 0 system lies with the amount of labour required to connect ci a series ,f rails together.

This is because adjacent rails must be correctly aligned s that a channel is formed with a skirt for insertiom in the groove of a facing brick and a ledge for supporting the opposite side of the brick facing tile.

European patent application 01/90377 discloses an earlier sstem for constructing buildings in earthquake regions uilising support plates for tiles. The invention disclosed in this patent has several drawbacks including the follo~ing; Each support plate consists of a series of windows with associated ledges. Eventually the weight of building Ilocks placed on these ledges leads to bending of the ledgeh. Furthermore moisture typically builds up behind thl building blocks and there no where for this moisture tLo escape.

iTo deal with the issue of moisture build-up behind th building blocks, typically a waterproof sheet is placed between the building blocks and the support plate. TLe problem with this solution is that the waterproot sheet needs to be placed completely flat against the support plate without any crease. This requires a significant degree of skilled workmanship.

In addition to the above each of the ledges must be horizon tally aligned otherwise adjacent building blocks COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:40 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA 0007 will not forming is requil aligned a S space bel moisture.

only have and repal for a til shown in It likewi 4 be aligned and this will cause huge problems with secure wall. Typically very skilled workmanship 'ed to ensure building blocks are correctly nd they are also located to minimise any air Ind the mortar which may allow build up of Typically the support plates described above a life span of 10 years before problems occur r work must take place.

British patent GB2231890 discloses an invention a cladding system which is very similar to that the above-referenced European patent application.

Re suffers from the same drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingl to the present invention there is provided a panel component for a wall of a building, comprising a pluralityof panels each connected together along adjacent side edges prior to connection to a building, each panel having a generally planar major face, an upper and lower side edge with at least one side connected to an adjacent side of 1 other panel of the panel component and a supporting surface for supporting building blocks and having openings for drainage of water.

kccording to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel component for a wall of a builing, comprising a plurality of panel portions, each panel portion having a generally planar major face, an upper skd lower side edge with at least one side integrall formed with an adjacent side of another panel section of the panel component and a supporting surface for supporLing building blocks and having openings for drainage o1 water.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel having a generally planar majcr face, an upper and lower side edge with at least one side edge adapted to be connected to an adjacent side edge of another panel, the panel component further COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:40 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK -4 IPAUSTRALIA 1008 comprisil blocks a inventioz Comprisiz a plural located I surface 1I blocks ar outwardly 5 1g a supporting surface for supporting building id having openings for drainage of water.

According to another aspect of the present Sthere is provided a panel component for a wall Sa plurality of generally planar major faces and ty of supporting surfaces with one major face 'etween two supporting surfaces, each supporting 'cing adapted to support one or more building d having openings for drainage of water.

Preferably the supporting surfaces extend from a lower side of each planar major face.

Preferably the upper and/or lower extent of each e is bordered by a respective supporting surface.

The supporting surface is preferably in the form major fac of a ledg.

Preferably the openings are located in the supportin surface.

According to another embodiment the openings are located on another part of the panel separate from the supporting surface.

Preferably the supporting surface comprises a ledge at lower side of each panel.

It is noted that for convenience the panel component will be described primarily when used in a horizontal disposition with its major sides serving as upper and lower edges.

Preferably each ledge extends at substantially right ang es to the major face.

It is preferred that each ledge is adapted to be narrower than the width of a building block which it is to support, Each panel or panel component may have a spacer section b etween the major face and the supporting surface.

rhe spacer section may comprise a narrow ledge separated from the support surface by a spacer wall.

rhe spacer wall preferably has an abutment face adjacent-wkich, building blocks are adapted to abut.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:41 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 12022071741FX 1 24833GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA I[No Preferably the spacer wall is substantially parallel to the major face.

The spacer wall may be offset laterally with respect o the major face.

The narrow ledge may prevent building blocks from abutting against the major face.

Preferably the lower side edge includes a mortar face which is adapted to have mortar placed thereagainst to thereby interconnect adjacent building blocks.

The mortar face preferably extends downwardly from the support surface.

The mortar face may extend downwardly from the outer edge of the support surface.

It is preferred that the openings each adjoin with a co rner section interposing the support surface and the spacer wall.

The openings may be slots.

Preferably the mortar face extends at substantially right angles to the support surface.

The lower edge of the mortar face may be adapted to fit into a groove in a top face of a building block.

It is preferred that "building block" includes tiles, brL cks, Besser blocks, beams of wood, metal or any other material which is able to act as a wall of a building.

abuts a bi thereto.

by crimpi comprises component configural panels.

The upper side edge of the major face preferably tck face of a spacer wall and is connected Preferably adjacent panels are connected together tg or welding or crinching.

It is preferred that the panel component a plurality of similar panels.

According to another embodiment the panel includes at least one panel of a different -ion to the other panels.

Preferably a panel component comprises three like COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:41 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 21010 7 The words "comprising, having, including" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additionkl features may also be added.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In order'lthat the invention may be more clearly ascertained, embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows an angled view of a wall of a building formed from a panel component in accordance with the presint invention; Figure 2 shows an angled view of a panel of the panel component of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a side view of the panel shown in Figure 2 Figure 4 shows a side view of a top panel of a panel component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a bottom panel of a panel component in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a front angled view of a panel component according to another embodiment of the present inventioA; F Figure 7 shows a side view of the panel shown in Figure 6i I Figure 8 shows a front angled view of a panel accordin* to a further embodiment of the present invention; SFigure 9Sa shows a front view of a panel component according to a second embodiment of the present invention; I Figure 9b shows a side view of part of a panel shown in Figure 9a; Figure 10 shows an angled view of a panel of the panel coiponent shown in Figure 9a; Figure 11 shows a side view of the panel shown in COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:41 FAX 61 3 92438333 I Figure I1; D Fic Spanel coL on 2 Fig a panel ompc Fig component she D Fig a buildi4g bi 1 10 Figure 94.

GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA @011 8 rure 12 shows a side view of a top panel of th rnt shown in Figure 9a; ure 13 shows a side view of a bottom panel of nent shown in Figure 9a; rure 14 shows an angled side view of the panel nwn in Figure 9a; and rare 15 shows an angled front and side view of .ock for use with the panel component shown in a DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in Figure 1 a panel component 10 according to the present invention consists of a series of panels 11 which are connected together, typically by welding or crimping prior to attachment to building support structures.

Figure 2 shows one panel 11 which is part of the series of panels which together form a panel component Each panel 11 is formed from a generally rectangua r sheet of metal which is galvanised Zincalum (a registered trademark of BHP Pty Ltd A51397) for corrosion resistance. In Figure 2 the panel is shown in a horizonta. disposition ready for connection between two vertical beams of a building.

The panel 11 has an upper side edge 12, a lower side edge 13 and a right end edge 14.

The panel 11 has a major planar face 15 extending from the pper side edge 12 to a first bend 16 extending at right angles to the face 15 and forming a narrow ledge 17.

outer edg which is approxima The narrow ledge 17 extends downwardly from its S18 at right angles forming a planar spacer wall parallel to planar face The vertical length of the spacer face 19 is :ely one quarter of the length of the major face The lower end of the spacer face 19 extends COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:42 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA [012 outwardly at right angles to form a wide ledge 20. The wide led e 20 is provided with a series of drainage holes 21 which Irre in the form of slots which have their inner side edge co-terminus with the corner created between fare 19 and lelge The outer edge of ledge 20 extends downwardly at right ang es forming a guide rail wall 22.

0 As shown in Figure 1 a series of panels 11 are connected together by placing the upper side wall 12 of one panel behind spacer wall 19 of another panel so that the upper side edge 12 abuts underneath ledge 16.

OA weld 23 is then created as shown in Figure 2 to connect the abutting faces 15 and 19 together.

A preformed panel component can then be formed with two c r more panels as shown in Figure 1 and this panel cor onent can be connected to a building structure by fixing the ends of the panel component to vertical posts. Brick tiles 24 may then be located on each ledge of the panel component so that slot 25 in their upper side 26 sli des under the lower side edge 13 of guide rail wall 22.

.dJacent pairs of panels 11 thus form a channel which hous's a series of brick tiles 24. Because the panels are already connected together no further connection by nailing, riveting or any other means is required.

c nce all brick tiles have been located in their respective channels a series of horizontal brick tiles is provided and these brick tiles are connected together by providing r]ortar 27 between adjacent horizontal rows of brick tiles.

Py having panels connected together to form a panel comp1nent prior to fixing to a building support structure, labour, time and costs can be significantly reduced because a larger overall panel is created which does not r quire individual panels to be separately aligned and connected as in the prior art.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:42 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 1T]013 -00 0 The narrow ledge 17 and spacer wall 19 prevent the rear face 28 of a block tile from abutting the major face 15 cif the panel on which it is supported.

This has an advantage by preventing any moisture build upD n the surface of the major face 15 from being in constant contact with the inner face 28 of the block tile 24.

Furthermore any water on the major face 15 is able to d ain along ledge 17 down wall 19 and through drainage slots 21.

This prevents any build up of moisture on the panels thls reducing corrosion problems as well as mould and milde problems. Furthermore damage to brick tiles 24 is reduce I as expansion and contraction of water due to freezing r vaporisation is mitigated.

khe spacer wall 19 and ledge 17 also enable the abutting Jf adjacent panels so that a weld can be provided by overlarping adjacent panels but providing a generally planar suface for connection to a building structure.

igure 4 shows a different type of panel 30 which is used to act as the uppermost panel in a panel component. This uppermost panel 30 has a generally planar major face 31 with its upper edge 23 bent outwardly at to form an overhanging wall 33 which at its outermost end 34 bends downwardly at 90* to form a skirting wall Panel 30 may be used as a separate panel which is added to the uppermost panel component 10 to complete a side wall of a building. The lower end of the panel is connected to the upper side wall edge 12 of a panel component y nailing, riveting or any other suitable means, and the coz figuration of the upper end enables the skirting w11 35 to locate in a slot of brick tiles.

Ala an alternative a panel component may be created which combines the panel 30 with one or more panels 11 to form a panel component specifically designed for use as the uppermost panel in a building structure.

F gure 5 shows an alternative panel 40 which is COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:42 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA I 014 I- I 11 0hused as Ie lowermost panel in a building structure.

i Panel 40 consists of a major face 41 which at its lower enI is bent at right angles to form a horizontal c-i wall 43 4ith a series of drainage slots 42 along its inner edge in similar fashion to those described in relation to Figure 2.

.Panel 40 may be connected at its upper end to the lowermostI in a panel component or alternatively may be part of panel component which is specifically for use as c- 10 the loweost panel component in a building.

o The surface 41 is used to support a brick tile which is located at the bottom of a wall created by utilisinI panels of the type described above.

According to a variation to the present invention instead of connecting panels together to form a panel component a panel component may be formed by a single panel wiqa supporting surfaces added thereto as a series of ledges or shelves. Alternatively the panel and shelves may be fokmed as a single sheet by pressing and folding the panel at spaced intervals to form a series of supporting surfaces.

It should be noted that different embodiments of the invention in which optional features are described in relation to panels which are connected together to form a panel component are optional features which are also applicable to a panel component which is formed from a single sh at of material.

As shown in Figure 6 a panel component 50 may be formed frIm a single sheet of metal with ledges 51 and guide rail walls 52.

lccording to one method of forming the above panel comIonent 50, planar metal mandrels may be used to form wall sections perpendicular to the planar major faces 53 and thea a folding step may be utilised to form guide rail wall 152.

he number of mandrels used will determine the number of Xedges 51/guide rail walls 52 which are formed COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:42 FAX 61 3 924 38333GRFIhHC *IASAIAIO1 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA U015 for the I and mc rail wall position invention together essential Figures 1 described to earth C but which required t the affect brick wall be reduced with drain structure adjacent p if any mis.

removed amL of panels of fec tive1i 3 0 invention i -ledge 61 hi rail walls the length

T

hand side c extends vex second guid 12 anal component s0.I Figure 7 shows a side view of the panel component re clearly indicates how the ledges 51 and guide o 52 are oriented at right angles to each other.

Slots 54 are formed in the ledges 51 in a similar to that described for the previous embodiments.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the in which a series of six panels are connected :o form a panel component The features of the panel component 60 are -y the same as those described in relation to and 2.

By utilising panels and panel components as above buildings can be created having resistance nakes or other structurally challenging forces at the same time shortens the labour time o build walls for this purpose as well as reduce of damage caused by moisture build-np behind u. Build up of mould, mildew and mass can also .thus reducing damage to bricks and mortar.

Et is also noted that if each panel was created age holes and then connected to a building It would be a significant problem lining xnale so that drainage holes were also aligned.

;akes are made then all fixings need to be I realignment initiated. By preforming a series is a panel component alignment issues ,disappear.

.ccording to the second embodiment of the panel shown in Figure 10 is provided with a ving upwardly and downwardly extending guide 63, 62 extending in a progressive pattern along of the ledge 61.

la as shown in Figure 10 starting at the right f the panel a first guide rail segment 62 4Acally downwardly and this is followed by a rail segment 63 which extends vertically COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:43 GRIFFITH RACK 12> IPAUSTRALIA 0 016 by an until series oj connected previous1l upwardly 62 extend grooves 68 slide bet i that the 1 lower ledj extending 68.

67 is suff guide rail length ofl guide raill ledges of rail segme other on a, the assocjj ledge becal segment.

is coupled provide al: COmponents block compc

E

ledge by ur stability 1 panel comp 13 This is again followed by a downwardly guide rail segment 62 which in turn is followed 'ardly extending guide rail segment 63 and so on opposite end of the panel 64.

The ledge 61 as in the first embodiment has a drainage holes As shown in Figure 9a a series of panels 64 are together in a similar fashion to that described V to form a panel component 66 having a series of Ind downwardly extending guide rail segments 63, Lng from the outer edge of each of the ledges 61.

As shown in Figure 15 a building block 67 with 1 69 in upper and lower edges thereof is able to een adjacent ledges 61 as shown in Figure 9b so pwardly extending guide rail segments 63 of a re fit into the groove 69 and the downwardly guide rail segment 62 fit into the upper groove rypically the length of a building block segment icient to span twice the length of one of the segments. It follows therefore that the whole each of the grooves 68, 69 is not filled with a segment when positioned on part of one of the the panel component 66. Therefore where guide its extend in opposite directions from each Ijacent ledges, building blocks extending across ated parts of the ledge are not retained on the tie they do not couple with a guide rail [owever approximately half of each groove 68, 69 a guide rail segment and this is sufficient to *gnment between adjacent building block and provide a method of retaining the building nents on the ledges in addition to mortar.

ecause each building block is retained on a per and lower guide rail segments, additional s provided to a structure formed using the tents particularly during an earthquake.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:43 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA [?]017 S 14c-i Without t 1 y guide rail segments there could be a tendency for the tlilding blocks to move away from the ledges, thus requiring major repair to the building structure formed by c-i the panel components and building blocks. Instead with the guide rail segments the building block components tend to be ret ined in the same position thus minimising damage and thus epair work required in the event of an NO earthquake.

o earAs shown in Figure 11 a middle panel 70 may have c-i 10 a first bend 71 which is angled upwardly at 80" with orespect to the major panel face 72, instead of at right angles as in the first embodiment shown in Figure 3. As shown in tigures 12 and 13 the uppermost and lowermost panels ar essentially the same as those of the first ezbodimene of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5. It is noted dowever that in Figure 13 the outermost edge of the surface 43 may be provided with a series of upwardly extending guide rail segments 63 to fit into corresponding shaped grcoves of a building block as shown in Figure rn advantage of at least one of the above embodiments of the invention is that it is possible to make walls without any mortar being required to connect building blocks together. Therefore a panel may be provided with building blocks on each ledge without mortar. TZis obviously reduces the time and cost required to construct a wall. Furthermore there is no problem with cracking oK mortar in the event of an earthquake.

ithout mortar being used it is also noted that it is possible to replace cracked building blocks.

rt is to be understood that, if any prior art publicatioli is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the cos nn general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any ther country.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12

Claims (23)

1. A panel component for a wall comprising a plurality of generally planar major faces and a plurality of supporting surfaces with one major face located between two suppo ting surfaces, each supporting surface being adapted t support one or more building blocks and having openings for drainage of water. i

2. IA panel component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting surfaces extend outwardly from a lower side of each planar major face.

3. 2, whereir face is be

4. the suppoz A panel component as claimed in either claim 1 or the upper and/or lower extent of each major rdered by a respective supporting surface. panel component as claimed in claim 3 wherein ting surface is in the form of a ledge. ae U I S. panel component as claimed in claim 4 wherein the openings are slots located in the supporting surface. 3

6. panel component as claimed in claim 5 including a spacer s ction between the major face and the supporting surface.

7. the the I spacer suppori panel component as claimed in claim 6 wherein section comprises a narrow ledge separated from surface by a spacer wall. panel component as claimed in claim 1 a plurality of panels each having at least one ,lanar major face, an upper and lower side edge ,st one side edge adapted to be connected to an de edge of another panel. comprising generally 1 with at lee adjacent si COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:44 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK -)IPAUSTRALIA 0 019 16

9. each pane surface.

10. comprisim portion Il an upper integrall section a

11. each suppq

12. comprisinc along adj building, an upper s connected panel comp building h

13. each panel the suppor A panel component as :1 component comprises claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one supporting A panel component as claimed in claim 9 g a plurality of panel portions each panel aving at least one generally planar major face, and lower side edge with at least one side r formed with an adjacent side of another panel E the panel component. A panel component as claimed in claim 10 wherein rting surface is formed by a mandrel. A panel component for a wall of a building a plurality of panels each connected together [cent side edges prior to connection to a each panel having a generally planar major face, nd lower side edge with at least one side to an adjacent side of another panel of the 3nent and a supporting surface for supporting locks and having openings for drainage of water. A. panel component as claimed in claim 12 wherein has a spacer section between the major face and [ing surface. panel component as claimed in claim 13 wherein section comprises a narrow ledge separated from surface by a spacer wall. panel component as claimed in claim 14 wherein wall has an abutment face adjacent which ocks are adapted to abut. panel component as claimed in claim 15 wherein all is substantially parallel to the major

14. the the spacer supper the spacer building b]

16. the A spacer COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:44 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA @020 I face.

17. the space major fac

18. the lower adapted t interconn 17 A panel component as claimed in claim 16 wherein c wall is offset laterally with respect to the A panel component as claimed in claim 17 wherein side edge includes a mortar face which is have mortar placed thereagainst to thereby bct adjacent building blocks. A panel component as claimed in claim 18 wherein Lgs each adjoin with a corner section interposing t surface and the spacer wall. panel component as claimed in claim 19 wherein gs are slots. panel component as claimed in claim 19 wherein face has a lower edge which is adapted to fit ove in a top face of a building block.

19. the the openi suppo; the openir

21. the mortar into a gro

22. A panel component as claimed in claim 21 wherein the upper 3ide edge of the major face of at least one panel abut a back face of one spacer wall of an adjacent panel and Ls connected thereto.

23. A panel component as claimed in claim 22 wherein adjacent pinelu are connected together by crinching.

24. at least panels of panel component as claimed in claim 23 wherein e panel has a different configuration to other he panel Component.

25. supporting therefrom, panel as claimed in claim 12 surface has a series of guide which guide rails are adapted wherein the rails extending to be received in COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12 12/02 2007 17:44 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK -IPAUSTRALIA 021 18 corresponding grooves of building blocks.

26. rails com downward]

27. described A panel as claimed in claim 25 wherein the guide prise a series of alternating upwardly and Y extending wall portions. A panel component substantially as hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings. COMS ID No: SBMI-06222218 Received by IP Australia: Time 17:47 Date 2007-02-12