GB2262791A

GB2262791A - Connection for the edges of facing panels

Info

Publication number: GB2262791A
Application number: GB9224160A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martinez Joaquin Lozano
Original assignee: Perfil en Frio SA
Current assignee: Arcelormittal Tubular Products Berrioplano SL
Priority date: 1991-12-27
Filing date: 1992-11-18
Publication date: 1993-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-18
Also published as: ES1019770Y; GB2262791B; ES1019770U; BE1007102A3; GB9224160D0; NL9202038A; FR2685717A1; FR2685717B1

Abstract

An attachment plate (6) is secured by bolts (7) to inserts (8) located in the panel extension (14, 24), and is provided with a bevelled edge flange (62) which engages in a slot (26) formed in a perpendicular wall (23), 50 that the edge of the plate (6) opposite the flange (63) is co-planar with the edges of the panels (1, 2). Seals (4, 5) are mounted between flanges (11, 21 and 15, 25). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED CONNECTION/ATTACHMENT FOR THE EDGES OF FACING PANELS This invention relates to a connection/attachment device for prefabricated panels, in particular for facing panels.

The panels are of the type comprising generally metal sheets between which filling materials having thermal and acoustic insulating properties are located.

The concept of constructing panels of this type is disclosed in Spanish patent 313,883, a pioneer in the field, which describes panels of the type mentioned above.

Subsequent to this patent, panels of this type have been used and constructed from sheets conforming thereto which are wholly smooth or have a general conformation defined by an irregular surface with successive alternating recesses and projections in the form of low isosceles trapezia, which considerably increase the possibilities for their application.

This type of panel is used in light structures.

In this conventional technology the finish offered by these light structures does not make them suitable for certain applications where a light structure has to offer a more perfect or at least a more aesthetic finish.

With this object new designs of panels for cladding applications have appeared and these are improved in comparison with the conventional panels in such a way that they have structural and functional characteristics which make them especially suitable for the purpose for which they are intended, with an advantage over conventional panels of the same type in that they clearly overcome the disadvantages of the latter.

There is therefore a need for new connections/attachments for fitting these types of facing panels together.

Spanish Utility Models 9000490 and 9001898 by the same applicant relate to connections/attachments for facing panels comprising two sheets between which a filling of insulating material is provided, and which comprise, in transverse crosssection, in Utility Model 9000490: a) in one of the sheets two asymmetrical surface members located in different planes joined together by a third slightly inclined surface member at right angles, which end in terminal angled members, b) in the other sheet, two asymmetrical members opposite the above, located in different planes, joined together by a third surface member at right angles provided with a central reentrant which also ends in terminal angled members, c) sealing joints mounted between the said pairs of opposite angled members which are located in different planes and of which at least one mates frontally with the connecting edge of the panel so as to abut against the adjacent panel to join therewith, d) at least one attachment plate provided with means for anchorage to one of the thin portions of the panel which projects with respect thereto and engages the central reentrant in the adjacent panel.

In this Utility Model 9000490, in particular: a) the said attachment means in the plate and the thin portion of the panel are through holes into which anchorage bolts are inserted, b) the through holes in the thin portion of the panel have plastic cap inserts.

Utility Model 9001898 introduces improvements into connections/attachments of the type described, characterised in that they include at least one attachment plate constructed as a single body of transverse U-shaped cross-section provided with means of anchorage to one of the thin portions of the panel and a flange which projects beyond the latter on one side thereof engaging the central re-entrant in the adjacent panel.

In any event this technique, although effective, is incomplete as far as the edges of the panel are concerned because either the attachment plate cannot be located precisely on the edges, or the attachment plate projects from the edge of the panels (because there is a certain distance between the securing hole and the edge of the plate, greater than the distance between the hole and the edge of the panel itself).

In order to overcome this limitation this invention, which relates to an improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels, is characterised in that it includes at least one attachment plate constructed as a single base member which is quadrangular in plan, with one angled wall which emerges from one of its longer sides, provided with means for anchorage to one of the thin portions of the panel, a bevelled flange which projects frontally with respect to the body engaging the central re-entrant in the adjacent panel and leaving the edge opposite that which defines the angled wall coplanar with the edges of the panels being joined.

It is also characterised in that these means of attachment have through holes which are offset and opposite each other in the plate and thin portion of the panel into which anchorage bolts are inserted.

Thus the improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels comprises a new invention which implies an inventive step and is capable of industrial application.

In order to gain a better understanding of the object of this invention, a preferred embodiment thereof to which additional changes may be made without adversely affecting its fundamental nature, is illustrated in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section in elevation of a connection constructed in accordance with the invention - cross-section A:A in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows a view in plan corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatical view in perspective of the attachment plate (6) corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 above.

Figure 4 shows a plan view from above of the attachment plate (6) and the shape and features thereof, Figure 5 shows a cross-section in elevation along the line B:B in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a frontal view corresponding to Figure 4.

A non-restrictive example embodiment of this invention is described below. Other embodiments which introduce additional changes which do not detract from its fundamental nature are not ruled out; and on the contrary, this invention also includes all its variants.

This invention relates to an improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels.

The facing panels are those comprising sheets (1), (2) between which a filling (3) of insulating material such as polyurethane or the like is provided.

In these facing panels: a) one of the sheets (1) forms successively from one end, depending on the width of the panel: - a terminal U-shaped angled member (11), - a flat member (12) of great width, - a member at right angles (13) which is slightly inclined (at an angle a with respect to the vertical), - a flat member (14) of lesser width than flat member (12), - a terminal U-shaped angled member (15), b) the other sheet (2) has in succession from one end, depending on the width of the panel: - a first terminal U-shaped angled member (21), - a flat member (22), - a member at right angles (23), - a flat member (24) of much greater width than flat member (22), - a terminal U-shaped angled member (25). The member at right angles (23) forms an extensive central re-entrant (26).

In the structural arrangement of the panel angled members (11), (21) and (15), (25) are opposite each other and sealing joints (4), (5) are placed between them respectively.

One of the thin portions of the facing panel includes through holes into which caps (8), in particular plastic caps, with an axial opening (81) are inserted.

It includes a plate (6) which is also provided with holes (61).

In accordance with the invention and in accordance with the embodiment illustrated, plate (6) is an integral body which in addition to the holes already mentioned (61) incorporates: a) a stiffening wing (63) which emerges at an angle from one of the sides, b) a flange (62) which projects frontally with respect to the body and ends in a bevel (61), c) holes (61) are offset in the flat base member.

In making the connection, holes (61), (81), are placed opposite each other and anchorage bolts (7) are inserted. The projecting fLange (62) of plate (6) engages the re-entrant (26) in the adjacent panel to which it is to be joined, and the wing (63) stiffens the joint.

On the side opposite wing (63) plate (6) and panels (1), (2) are coplanar, see Figure 2.

Materials, dimensions, proportions and in general those other subsidiary or secondary details which do not alter, change or modify the essential nature of the invention may be varied.

The terms in which this description has been drawn up are a true and accurate reflection of the object described, and are to be taken in their widest sense and not in any way restrictively.

Claims

1. An improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels of the type comprising two sheets between which a filling of insulating material is provided and which in transverse cross-section comprise in one of the sheets two asymmetrical surface members located in different planes connected together by a third surface member at right angles which is slightly inclined and which terminate in angled end members, and in the other sheet two asymmetrical members opposite the above which are located on different planes and are connected together by a third surface member at right angles which is provided with a central re-entrant and which also end in terminal angled members and sealing joints, mounted between the said pairs of opposite angled members which are located in different planes and at least one of which lies adjacent frontally to the connecting edge of the panel, abutting against the adjacent panel to which it is to be connected, characterised in that it includes at least one attachment plate constructed as an integral base body which is rectangular in plan with one angled wall which emerges from one of its long sides, provided with means of attachment to one of the thin portions of the panel, a bevelled flange which projects frontally with respect to the body engaging the central re-entrant in the adjacent panel and leaving the edge opposite the one forming the angled wall coplanar with the edges of the panels which are to be joined.

2. An improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels according to the foregoing claim, characterised in that the said means of attachment have through holes which are offset and opposite each other, into which anchorage bolts are inserted, in the plate and in the thin portion of the panel.

3. An improved connection/attachment for the edges of facing panels substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.