GB2180277A

GB2180277A - Constructional panel

Info

Publication number: GB2180277A
Application number: GB08522771A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Whillock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-14
Filing date: 1985-09-14
Publication date: 1987-03-25
Also published as: GB8522771D0

Abstract

To provide a range of visible locations where fixings may be made and also to strengthen the panel, a plurality of insert strips (12), preferably of metal, are provided between a central non-metallic core (10) and a respective overlying facing layer (28) at one of the opposing sides of the core (10). The thickness of each strip (12) diminishing to a minimum at the longitudinal edges (14, 16) of the strip (12) and the presence of each strip (12) is visible as an elongate bulge on the relevant surface of the panel. The strips (12) are preferably of hollow configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Constructional panel This invention concerns constructional panels for use in the construction of various structures, for example the bodies of goods-carrying vehicles such as vans, freight containers, and the like.

The use of composite panels in the construction of vehicle bodies, freight containers has become increasingly popular over recent years. Such panels are generally of sandwich-like construction, comprising a central core, for instance of a non-metallic material, such as plywood or plastics fdam, carrying, on its two opposite surfaces, respective facing layers, for example of glass-fibre-reinforced plastics or sheet metal such as aluminium.

One ofthe problems arising from the use of such composite panels lies in thefactthat it is difficu It to make secure fastenings thereto, for instance for so-called "lashing rails" and other accessories which may be required to be present in the basic container construction or as accessories thereto. Various proposals have been put forward to deal with this problem.

For instance it has been proposed to provide various formsofbush orthelifeforanchorageinto respective bores formed in the panel (e.g. by means of a setting adhesive or by expansion), such bushes providing predetermined achorage points to which fixings can be made. Obviously such proposals suffer from the disadvantages that they involve significant expense in relation to the bushes and the equipment necessary for installing them, they usually require skilled labour fortheirfitting, and once fitted the fixing points they provide are set once and for all so that there is little room for inaccuracies. Another proposal suggests the incorporation, into the panel, in preselected positions in the core, of inserts of metal. These inserts, which are present between the facing layers, are available for making fixings as desired.They can be bored and trapped to receive screws and bolts, and because they are,for instance, square in configuration,they allow a certain amount of latitude in the selected fixing positions. A particular disadvantage ofthis proposal, however, lies in the fact that in the finished composite panels all ofthe inserts are overlaid by the facing layers ofthe panel. Accordingly unless some special provision is made, in the production of the panels,for indicating the location of each insert, such locations may not readily be discernible in the finished panel.

Thus, it is possible with this proposal for mistakes to be made, and unsatisfactoryfixingsto be made to the core and not to the inserts.

An abject of the present invention is to provide an improved form of constructional panel which does not possess the disadvantages above discussed, the form ofthe panel enabling fixings to be made over a wide range of locations and providing also for effective strengthening ofthe panel.

With this object in view, the present invention provides aconstructional panel comprising a central core of a non-metallic material having, on its two opposite surfaces, respective facing layers of sheet material, characterised by the provision against one of the surfaces of the core, so asto be between the latter and the respective facing layer, of a plurality of insert StripS, preferably of metal, the cross-section of which is such that the thickness ofthe strip diminishes to a minimum at the longitudinal edges of said strips so that the presence of each said insert strips is visible as an elongate bulge on the corresponding surface of the panel.

The insert stripes can, of course, be incorporated in any desired configuration or pattern according to the use to which the panel is to be put. Naturally, for aesthetic reasons it is appropriate for the pattern to be regular or symmetrical. For use in relation, for example, to the construction of motor vehicle bodies, the insert strips are preferably parallel to one another, extending for instance between two opposite edges of the panel, conveniently, but not essentially, with equal spacings between the strips.

Each insert strip is preferably of hollow configu ra- tion, being,for instance, an aluminium extrusion. The cross-section ofthe strip is then advantageously such as to provide a broad web for abutting the core, a narrow web spaced from and substantially parallel to the broad web, and inclined side webs connecting between the corresponding edges of the broad and narrow webs and providing forthe diminution of the strip thickness. Naturally, the disposition ofthe narrow web is preferably substantially central relative to the broad web, so thatthe strip cross-section is symmetrical aboutthe longitudinal medium line ofthe strip.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. lisa fragmentary cross-sectional pian view illustrating a portion of a practical embodiment of the constructional panel of the invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating how panels of the invention, such as that shown in Fig. 1, may be used in the construction of afreight vehicle body.

The preferred em bodiment of the constructional panel ofthe invention, ofwhich a portion is illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises a basic core 10 of a non-metallic material such as plywood, chipboard, rigid plastics foam or the like, which is relativelythick. Abutting against one surface of the core 10, at spaced intervals, are a plurality of metal insert strips 12, these being disposed in the illustrated case at regular spacings apart and extending substantially parallel to one another from end to end ofthe panel.As can be seen from Fig. 1 each such insert strip 12 is a hollow sectioned metal strip, e.g. an aluminium extrusion, the cross-section ofwhich is such that the overall The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

thickness ofthe strip (considered in cross-section as shown) diminishesto a minimum at longitudinal edges 14, 16 of the strip.

In the illustrated case,this requirementforthe cross-section ofthe strip 12 is achieved by it being shaped to provide a broad web 18 abutting the core 10, a narrow web 20 spaced from and substantially parallel to the broad web 18, being in a substantially central disposition relative to the latter, as well as two inclined side webs 22 and 24 which connect between the corresponding edges ofthe broad web 1 and the narrow web 20 thereby providing the diminution of the strip thickness towards its edges 14, 16. The strip 12 is, accordingly, substantially symmetrical with respectto its longitudinal medium line.

The panel further includes two facing layers or skins 26 and 28 ofglassfibre reinforced plastics or aluminium. The layer 26 overlyingthe core surface opposite to that on which the metal insert strips 12 are provided is substantially planar. On the other hand, the layer 28 overlying the surface on which the strips 12 are provided are disposed so astp overlie such strips 12 also. Th us, the strips 12 are between the core 10, and the layer28 andappear in thefinished layer as longitudinal bulges 30 at spaced intervals along the respective surface of the panel swill be understood from Fig. 2 which illustrates such a panel as having been used in the construction of body 32 of a goods-carrying vehicle.

The metal insert strips 12 serve, of course, to reinforce the panels and in the case illustrated in Fig. 2 where the strips 12 are vertically disposed they ensure thatthe sidewalls ofthevehicle body are sufficiently strong to support roof 34 ofthevehicle. More importantly, however, the bulges 30 each provide a visual indication ofthe locations ofthe insert strips 12, so that fixings can be made to these, e.g. for lashing rails, shelving andfor any other desired internal fittingsforthevehicle body, as may be desired.

The invention is not confined to the precise details oftheforegoing example and variations may be made thereto. Thus, for instance it is notessential that the insert strips 12 shou Id be symmetrical in cross-section as illustrated, not need they be hollow. They could be of wood or plywood e.g. of similar external shape to the described example. Furthermore, such strips are not limited in their dispositions to the spaced-apart parallel arrangement as shown. They can be incorporated in any desired configuration or pattern, for example providing squares or a quadrilateral lattice, or ever in angular or radiating arrays.

Othervariations are, ofcourse, possibie.

Claims

1. A constructional panel comprising a central core of a non-metallic material having, on its two opposite surfaces, respective facing layers of sheet material, characterised by the provision against one of the surfaces ofthe core, so as to be between the latter and the respective-facing layer, of a plurality of insert strips,the cross-section of which is such that the thickness of each strip diminishes to a minimum atthe longitudinal edges of said strip so thatthe presence of each of said insert strips is visible as an elongate bulge on the corresponding surface of the panel.

2. A panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the insert strips extend between two opposing edges ofthe panel.

3. A panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the insert strips are arranged parallel to one another.

4. A panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the strips are arranged with equal spacings therebetween.

5. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insert strips are of metal.

6. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insertstrips are in theform of aluminium extrusions.

7. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insert strips are of hollow configuration.

8. A panel as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cross-section of each insert strip is such as to provide a broad web for abutting the core, a narrow web spaced from and substantially parallel to the broad web, and inclined side webs connecting between the corresponding edges ofthe broad and narrow webs and providing for diminution ofthe strip thickness.

9. A panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the narrow web of each insertstrip is disposed substan tially centrally relative to the broad web, so that the strip cross-section is symmetrical a bout the longitudinal medium line ofthe strip.

10. A constructional panel substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

11. Avehicle body incorporating a constructional panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9

12. Avehicle body incorporating a constructional panel substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe accompanying drawing.