Wall Panel

This invention relates to a wall structure and the method of forming the same and more particularly to a building panel which is prefabricated and which may be assembled at the job site to create a wall structure.

Many types of prefabricated building panels have been previously described but the building panels of the prior art are either difficult to assemble, expensive to manufacture, or lack the necessary inherent strength.

Therefore, it is a principle object of the invention to provide an improved building panel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wall structure and the method of forming the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a building panel wherein stiffener members extend between a pair of side members on opposite sides of sheet members to form an enclosed compartment along the adjacent edges of the adjacent sheet members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wall structure which has improved strength.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wall structure and the method of forming the same which is easily erected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a building panel having stiffener elements provided thereon which are designed to prevent material from lodging thereon when the panel is in a vertical position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a building panel which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the building panel:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view as seen on lines 2--2 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the building panel:

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view as seen on lines 4--4 of FIG. 1:

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the building panel is secured to a foundation base:

FIG. 6 is a view as seen on lines 6--6 of FIG. 5:

FIG. 7 is a sectional view seen on lines 7--7 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to that seen in FIG. 7 except that the web portions do not have openings provided therein which communicate with the stiffener members.

The building panel of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and generally comprises U-shaped side members or channels 12 and 14 having a plurality of sheet members 16 secured thereto and extending therebetween.

Side member 12 comprises a web portion 18 having outwardly disposed spaced apart flange members 20 and 22 extending therefrom as seen in the drawings. Likewise, side member 14 comprises a web portion 24 and outwardly disposed spaced apart flange members 26 and 28. As seen in FIG. 3 the sheet members 16 dwell in the same plane and have their adjacent edges spaced apart at 30. Stiffener members 32 and 34 are secured to and extend between side members 12 and 14 on opposite sides of the sheet members 16 and cover the adjacent edges of the adjacent sheet members as seen in the lower portion of FIG. 3. Stiffener members 32 and 34 are provided with outer beveled surfaces 36 and 38 respectively so that particulate material will not lodge thereon when the panel is in a vertical position. It can also be seen that the stiffener members at the lower portion of FIG. 3 form an enclosed compartment along the adjacent edges of the adjacent sheet members 16 and which will be referred to generally by the reference numeral 40.

Preferably, the side members 12 and 14 are provided with openings 42 formed in the web portions thereof which communicate with the ends of the stiffener elements and compartment 40 as illustrated in FIG. 3. If desired, auxiliary stiffener elements 32' and 34' may be secured to opposite sides of the sheet member 16 between the upper and lower edges thereof to add further strength and rigidity to the building panel. If the auxiliary stiffener members 32' and 34' are utilized, it is preferred that the side members 12 and 14 have openings 42' formed therein which communicate with the interior of the stiffener members 32' and 34' which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 40'.

Ordinarily, the building panels 10 are prefabricated at the factory and are transported to the job site by any convenient means. At the building or job site, a foundation base 44 is provided and which has a plurality of spaced apart sleeves 46 embedded therein. After the prefabrication of the building panels 10, 10A and 10B, the adjacent side members of adjacent panels are mounted over the sleeve 46 and a suitable reinforcing rod 48 is mounted in the sleeve so as to extend upwardly into the enclosed compartment 50 formed by the abutting side members 14 of one panel and side member 12 of the adjacent panel. FIG. 4 illustrates an extra reinforcing bar 52 which is secured to the inner surface of each outside column flange. The flanges of the abutting side members or channels are welded together and the resulting compartment 50 is filled with concrete. The filling of the compartment 50 with concrete also causes the concrete to move laterally outwardly into the compartments 40 and 40' defined by the stiffener elements if the openings 42 and 42' have been formed in the side members are channels. The operation is repeated until all of the building panels 10 have been installed to complete the enclosure.

Thus it can be seen that a novel building panel has been provided which may be prefabricated and which may be secured to identical building panels at the job site to form the building structure. The meeting or abbuting channels of the adjacent building panels are secured together and are filled with concrete to provide the necessary strength to the structure. The reinforcing rods mounted in the concrete in the compartments 50 also further strenthen the structure. The fact that the adjacent edges of adjacent sheet member 16 in the building panel 10 are spaced permits variation in the adjacent edges which makes the assembly of the building panel 10 a much easier operation. The beveled surfaces on the stiffeners prevent grain from being lodged thereon and also prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt. Building panels of the type herein disclosed are used in the hybrid seed corn business. Residue of grain in an empty bin cannot be tolerated because it would contaminate the next batch of corn placed therein if the second batch were of a different variety from the first. Further, the collection of dust and dirt in a bin invites the presence of parasites which is also detrimental to the processing of seed corn and the like. The tapered or beveled surfaces of the stiffeners eliminates the problem of grain residue or dust collection which makes the instant building panels very suitable for use in grain storage buildings. Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.