GB2236774A

GB2236774A - Laminated panels

Info

Publication number: GB2236774A
Application number: GB8922378A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael L Ford
Original assignee: EUROBOND LAMINATES Ltd
Current assignee: EUROBOND LAMINATES Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-04
Filing date: 1989-10-04
Publication date: 1991-04-17
Also published as: GB8922378D0

Abstract

A laminated panel comprises a foam plastics core layer (10) and a sheet metal skin (12) bonded to each of its opposite sides, each of the opposite edges of the core (10) having rebates (11) adjacent its opposite major surfaces, and each metal skin having margins (14) along its opposite edges, which margins are bent over into the rebates (11) of the core edges. when two panels are abutted edge-to-edge a diamond-shaped gap (16) is left between the turned-in margins (14) of the skins of the adjoining panels. The gap (16) is intended to be fitted with a silicon sealant (not shown), but subsequently displacement of the sealant either inwards or outwards is resisted by the shape of the gap. <IMAGE>

Description

Laminated Panels This invention relates to laminated panels and more particularly to panels which can be effectively sealed when mounted edge-to-edge.

It is known to mount laminated panels edge-toedge for example to form a wall, the panels comprising a polystyrene core with sheet metal skins bonded to its opposite sides and each metal skin having its edges rolled over into rebated edges of the panel. When the panels are mounted edge to edge, there is a small gap left between the rolled-over margins of the adjoining panels and this gap is filled with a silicone sealant. However, because the rolled-over margins extend substantially perpendicular to the major surfaces of the panels, the gap has parallel edges and the sealant can emerge from the gap.

We have now devised a laminated panel which, when mounted edge-to-edge with like panels, provides a gap which can be filled with sealant but will resist emergence of the sealant.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a laminated panel which comprises a core layer and sheet metal skins bonded to opposite surfaces of the core, each metal skin having turned-in margins which project inwardly over opposite edges of the core, each margin extending firstly both away from the respective major surface of the panel and inwardly of the respective edge of the core, and then both further away from the respective major surface of the panel and outwardly of the respective edge of the core.

When two of these panels are mounted with their edges abutting, a gap is left between the turned-in-margins of the adjoining metal skins: this gap has a relatively narrow entrance throat, then widens out behind this and thereafter narrows again. Thus when the gap filled with sealant, emergence of the sealant from the gap is resisted because the sealant has to pass through the narrow entrance throat from the wider portion of the gap. Also, there is resistance to the sealant being pushed inwardly, because the gap narrows towards its rear.

Preferably the gap is generally of diamond shape, for which purpose each margin has a first flat portion bent through greater than 900 from the major surface of the metal skin, then a second flat portion bent to lie at an angle less than 900 to the major surface of the metal skin.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a crosssection through a wall at the junction between two laminated panels in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a wall constructed from a number of laminated panels abutting edge-toedge. Each panel comprises a foam plastics core layer 10 (e.g.

polystyrene) having a sheet metal skin 12 bonded to its opposite sides. Each of the opposite edges of the core 10 has margins 11 adjacent its opposite major surfaces, which margins are rebated as shown. Each metal skin has margins 14 along its opposite edges, which margins are bent over into the rebates 11 of the core edges. When two panels are abutted edge-to-edge, the edges of the cores abut as shown, but a gap 16 is left (on each side of the wall) between the turned-in margins 14 of the skins 12 of the adjoining panels. For securing the panels together edgeto-edge, the core of each panel is formed along its opposite edges with a groove 18 and a connector strip 20 is received as an interference fit into the grooves 18 of the two abutting panels.

In accordance with this invention, each gap 16 has an entrance throat then widens out behind this, and then narrows again. In particular in the example shown the gap is generally diamond-shaped in cross-section. Thus, each turned-in margin of each metal skin comprises a first portion 22 which extends both inwardly away from the major surface of the respective skin and inwardly with respect to the edge of the panel, then a second portion 23 which extends both further away from the major surface of the skin and outwardly with respect to the edge of the panel. In the example shown, first portion 22 is flat and is turned in through greater than 900 and second portion 23 is flat and lies at an angle less than 900 to the major surface of the skin. Also, there is a third portion 24 at 900 to the major surface of the skin, preferably as shown still inset from the outer edge 26 of the core 10. The turned-in margins may exhibit alternative profiles, provided the gap 16 first widens out behind the entrance throat and then narrows again The metal skins are formed with their turned-in margins by passing flat metal strip through a rolling machine.

The rebates 11 and grooves 18 are cut in the edges of the polystyrene coves before the roll-formed metal skins are bonded to these.

Once the panels have been mounted edge-to-edge, the gaps 16 are filled with silicone sealant by injection. When this sealant is set, the profile of the gap 16 provides resistance against the sealant either emerging from the gap or being pressed inwardly, because the gap 16 narrows in each of these directions.

Claims

1. A laminated panel comprising a core layer and sheet metal skins bonded to opposite surfaces of the core. Each metal skin having turned-in margins which project inwardly over opposite edges of the core, each margin extending firstly both away from the respective major surface of the panel and inwardly of the respective edge of the core and then both further away from the respective major surface of the panel and outwardly of the respective edge of the core.

2. A laminated panel as claimed in claim 1, in which each margin has a first flat portion bent through greater than 900 from the major surface of the metal skin.

3. A laminated panel as claimed in claim 2, in which each margin has a second flat portion bent to lie at an angle less than 900 to the major surface of the metal skin.

4. A laminated panel as claimed in any preceding claim which when mounted edge to edge with a like panel, leaves a gap between the turned in margins of the adjoining metal skins.

5. A laminated panel as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.