Insulated Building Construction

This invention relates to a building construction and, more particularly, to a construction utilizing prefabricated, modular insulated panels in conjunction with items such as stud posts, which maintain an insulation barrier along a wall and fastening mechanisms which provide for minimization of thermal shorts from the exterior of the building to the interior.

It has long been recognized that buildings stay warmer in cool climates and cooler in warm climates when certain materials having thermal insulating properties are used in the walls, ceiling and floor of the building. It is common practice to build the frame of a building, attach one wall, and then fasten an insultive material to the first wall and frame before attaching the second wall thereby sandwiching the insulative material. When various energy sources become more and more scarce, it became more and more common to increase the distance between the walls and also increase the amount of insulative material therebetween. As construction costs increased, it became more common for builders to rely on prefabricated components.

A number of patents show various types of building constructions which use various prefabricated, insulated panels. U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,145 is illustrative of a prefabricated, modular home construction. Panels having interior and exterior skins with a central core of insulation material are shown. In addition, there is disclosure of formed metallic mechanism for attaching the panels to a cement slab floor and formed metallic mechanism for attaching the wall panels to roof panels. The roof panels are shown to come together at a central metal beam in order to provide a vaulted ceiling.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,720 shows a prefabricated building with interfitting stud splines. Prefabricated panels with outer skins and an insulating filler have edges in the form of metal sockets to receive box-type, metal stud splines. In some cases, the wall panels wrap sufficiently about the stud splines so that some insulation is located on all sides of the stud spline. As well as providing structural strength, the stud splines also form conduits for electrical wiring. Additionally, a formed metallic mechanism for attaching roof panels is shown.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,349 also discloses insulated building panels with interior and exterior skins and an insulated core. A corner construction more applicable to the usual frame house is shown. A square wood stud is received between the exterior and interior skins at a vertical edge of a corner panel. A second rectangular stud is attached adjacent the corner to the interior skin. The mating corner panel from a second wall receives the second stud between its interior and exterior skins such that the interior skin butts against the interior skin of the first panel and the exterior skin reaches across to cover both studs and butt against the exterior skin of the first panel.

Despite these and other various attempts of builders, construction engineers, and inventors to enhance the thermal properties of a building construction, there continues to be substantial cost and performance considerations. Most constructions have, for example, a number of areas which qualify as "thermal shorts". That is, most of a wall of panel is well insulated; however, an adjacent element includes a path having good thermal conduction characteristics or includes a crack allowing a convection current to pass through which in either case provides for the passage of heat. For example, both U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,641,720 and 3,203,145 utilize various metal structural components which include cavities. Metal has very good thermal conduction characteristics and, consequently, is a "thermal short". The various cavities provide excellent channels for convection currents. Furthermore, the ordinarily large number of metal components around the walls and ceiling of a building creates a large number of "thermal shorts" and, consequently, much of the cost which has gone into expensive insulated panels may well be wasted. Additionally, the various metal studs and other structural members are themselves very expensive. Even U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,349 which utilizes wood studs provides for greater thermal conduction across the wood stud than is otherwise the case through the insulated panel. Thus, a certain pressure continues within the industry to provide building construction having better thermal characteristics while maintaining or reducing cost.

The present application is directed to building construction apparatus which includes first and second spaced-apart post mechanisms for supporting a load and a plurality of panels. At least one intermediate panel is attached between the first and second post mechanisms and defines an opening with vertical and horizontal dimensions. A first wall panel is attached to the first post mechanism on a side opposite the intermediate panel and a second wall panel is attached to the second post mechanism on a side opposite the intermediate panel. A panel filler mechanism is used in the opening for decreasing one of the vertical or horizontal dimensions so that standard wall panels and intermediate panels may be used for the construction, as well as standard windows and doors, with any nonstandard dimensions being overcome by use of the panel filler mechanisms.

In a more general sense, the present building construction is directed to walls, floor, roof and mechanism for joining them. The walls, for example, include panels having interior and exterior skins with an insulating core fastened between the skins. A mechanism for bearing a load, such as a roof, includes a post made from interior and exterior support members with an insulating layer therebetween. The post is fastened between adjacent panels such that the insulating layer is aligned with the insulating cores of the panels. Such alignment advantageously provides a continuous thermal insulation barrier from one panel to another across said post. In this fashion, the heretofore previously present "thermal short" of a stud or other connective member is eliminated.

It is cost effective to construct panels and posts of predetermined dimensions. Provision is made for doors and windows by using standard panels up to a pair of spaced-apart posts. At least one intermediate panel is used between upper portions of the posts. Then, In order to obtain an appropriate sized opening for a standard window or door, filler panels of a type which maintain the insulative characteristics of the construction are used. Vertical filler panels are located along each post and have horizontal dimension sufficient so that any resulting opening between them has the correct width for a standard door. If a window opening is desired, a second intermediate panel is installed along the sill plate between the two posts. Vertical filler panels may then again be used along each post to reduce horizontal dimension. If the vertical dimension is too great for a standard window, a horizontally extending filler panel may be used.

The present building construction provides for a thermal barrier up to and around window and door frames. "Thermal shorts" are also prevented at corner joints between walls. A bearing post is received between the interior and exterior skins of one panel of a corner. An insulating strip is attached adjacent to the end of the panel for being received between the interior and exterior skins of the abutting panel of the corner. The insulating layer has greater width than the bearing post. Therefore, there exists an insulating layer about the interior sides of the bearing post which itself offers good insulating characteristics. Thus, the corner joint in combination with the various bearing posts having an insulating layer form a walled closure having essentially no "thermal shorts" but allowing for windows and doors as appropriate.

Gable panels extend above end walls. A bearing post rising from the sill plate of the first floor supports a center beam. Roof panels are advantageously fastened to one another above the center beam to thereby eliminate any "thermal shorts" at that joint. Additionally, the lower ends of the roof panels rest on header plates which have abutting triangular insulating strips. Thus, again, an insulation barrier is formed between the wall panels, the triangular strip and the roof panels.

In buildings having basements, panels similar to the first floor wall panels but having more structural support are used. Additionally, for buildings having a crawl space underneath the floor or where a floor is located over a garage or other open, cold space, floor panels somewhat similar to the basement wall panels having the additional structural support are used. In any case, the present building concept provides for a completely insulated enclosure. Each panel of the present building construction includes a horizontal passageway through the insulating core at an approximate height of the bottom of electrical outlet boxes, a height which is commonly dictated by building codes. Furthermore, the bearing post includes a similar passageway at a similar height. In this way, electrical wiring may be routed along a wall between various outlet boxes. It is further advantageous for each panel to include a vertical passageway in the insulating core extending from the bottom of the panel to the horizontal passageway. This allows for the routing of the electrical wiring into the basement and for running between various walls.

Further flexibility in wiring the present building construction is possible by providing a groove along the vertical edge of panels adjacent to one or both sides of a door. Such grooves may extend from the floor to the ceiling thereby allowing switch boxes to be placed at an appropriate height and also providing for wiring to extend to the ceiling panels. Similar grooves are used along the edges of ceiling panels. For special design situations, an additional passage is easily bored from a groove toward the interior of any panel for placement of a light or electrical switch or outlet as desired. Thus, the present invention provides for building walls or ceilings which eliminate "thermal shorts" while yet providing for versatile and standardized electrical wire routing.

It is apparent, therefore, that the present building construction with its many innovations for minimizing or completely eliminating "thermal shorts" significantly enhances the thermal characteristics of a structure as compared to the structures of the prior art, especially those which use metal structural members. At the same time, the present building construction is not prohibitively expensive. The present invention is truly a way for the common house buyer and builders of other buildings to participate in the national priority of conserving energy in an affordable fashion.

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a partially completed building utilizing the basement, first floor, gable and roof panels of the present invention;

FIGS. 2b and 2c are exploded perspective views of panel sections utilized in typical first floor construction;

FIG. 2d is a perspective view of a typical panel used in basement construction;

FIG. 2e is a view in top plan of the panel of FIG. 2d;

FIG. 2f is a horizontal section as seen from the line 2f--2f of FIG. 2c showing the panels in an assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a typical basement wall structure utilizing the panels of FIG. 2d, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in exploded perspective illustrating a typical corner construction of the first floor panels illustrated in FIG. 2a (this FIG. illustrates the top plate construction also);

FIG. 4a is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale as seen generally from the line 4a--4a of FIG. 1 illustrating the panels of FIG. 4 in their assembled condition;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a wall with a gable panel and supporting beam;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view in perspective from a different angle showing a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of the structure of FIG. 5 with the gables and beam assembled and with the addition of a roof panel just prior to assembly;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view in perspective illustrating relative parts of gable and beam support structure;

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of the structure of FIG. 8 in an assembled condition with the addition of a roof panel;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary detailed view in section showing a detail of nailing the roof panels to the support beam structure;

FIG. 11 is a view in perspective illustrating the securing of roof panel sections to supporting wall structure and each other;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the adjoining of roof panel to each other and to a supporting beam structure on each side of the pitch of the roof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detailed sectional view as seen generally from the line 13--13 of FIG. 12 illustrating the nailing pattern for securing the roof structure of FIG. 12 to each other and to the supporting beam structure;

FIG. 14 is a detailed view in section as seen generally from the line 14--14 of FIG. 12 illustrating further securement of roof panel sections to each other;

FIG. 15 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scale as seen generally along the line 15--15 of FIG. 1 illustrating typical assembly of various panels of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an insulated floor structure typically used over an unheated tuck-under garage portion of the structure, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a typical panel illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a view in top plan thereof;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view as seen generally from the line 19--19 of FIG. 16, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 20 is a view in vertical section as seen generally along line 20--20 of FIG. 11 illustrating passageways for electrical wiring from a wall panel to a roof panel;

FIG. 21 is a view in perspective of a roof panel having a passageway for electrical wiring; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, detailed sectional view of a portion of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of panels, including filler panels, defining a window opening;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of panels, including filler panels, defining a door opening; and

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the end of a filler panel.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a building in the form of a house utilizing the construction of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 30. House 30 includes footings 32 which support basement wall panels 34. First floor wall panels 36 rise above the floor 38. Wall panels 36 may be constructed in a variety of standard sizes to be described hereinafter so that various length walls may be constructed, and, with the use of filler panels, openings for standard size windows 40 and doors 42 may be provided. Gable panels 44 rise above appropriate end walls and help support roof panels 46.

As shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, wall panels and the various joining mechanisms for abutting panels typically of a first floor construction are shown. Most wall panels 36 are a standard width, commonly four feet. Smaller one or two foot panels 48 may be used as well. Other panels, such as a lower panel 50 and an upper panel 52 are used below and above a window opening, and panel 54 is used above a door opening.

Each various wall panel is constructed to include an interior skin 56, an exterior skin 58 and an insulating core 60 therebetween. The interior and exterior skins may be made from various materials, but commonly waferboard or plywood is used. Also, various insulating materials may be used for insulating core 60, but expanded polystyrene is preferable. For most wall panels, the interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58 extend beyond the insulating core 60 along all edges In the case of the smaller wall panels 48 (see FIGS. 2c and 2f), it is often desirable to have insulating core 60 extend beyond interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 along at least one vertical edge. In such circumstance, an adhesive caulking (see FIG. 2f) is applied to the exposed surfaces of the extension of insulating core 60, and it is inserted into the space between interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 to abut against the insulating core 60 of the adjacent panel 48.

A more common joint mechanism utilizes a stud post 62. Post 62 includes interior and exterior support members 64 with an insulating layer 66 therebetween. Interior and exterior support members 64 are typically wood of a type commonly used for studs in buildings while insulating layer 66 is preferably a polystyrene of a type more dense than that used in the various wall panels.

As indicated, a bearing post 62 is the usual joining member between adjacent wall panels. Considering, for example, adjacent wall panels 36, an adhesive caulking (see FIG. 4a) is preferably applied to all sides of post 62. Post 62 is then inserted into the space between the interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58 of one of panels 36. The other panel 36 is then slid against post 62 so that post 62 is similarly received between interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58. The insulating layer 66 of post 62 is aligned with the insulating cores 60 of panels 36 and abuts the cores 60. Therefore, a continuous thermal barrier is formed across the support joint. The interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58 of each panel 36 extends approximately one half the distance across post 62.

A post 62 is used on both sides of door spaces 42 and window spaces 40. Either the type of joint as just described for post 62 is used as shown in FIG. 2a with respect to panel 50 or the type of joint wherein the insulating core 60 protrudes from the interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58 may be used as shown with respect to panel 52. In the latter case, posts 36 are necessarily shorter than when they reach to the top of a wall. Note that a frame plate 68 rests on the upper edge of core 60 in lower panel 50, and frame plate 70 is fastened beneath core 60 of upper panel 52. In this fashion, window 40 is formed by spaced apart posts 62 and lower frame plate 68 and upper frame plate 70.

Panel 54 above door space 42 shown in FIG. 2B, rests on spaced apart posts 62 in a somewhat different fashion than just described for panel 52 for window space 40. Posts 62 are cut into upper portion 72 and lower portion 74. Frame plate 76 is fastened beneath core 60 of panel 54 and extends between upper portion 72 and lower portion 74 of each post 62. Posts 62 are otherwise joined to adjoining wall panels 36 in a fashion as described hereinbefore. It is understood that this method is appropriate also for a panel 50 above a window opening 40 as shown in FIG. 23.

Since it is commercially desirable to make panels 50 and 52 of the type which fit beneath and above a window space 40 and panel 54 of the type which fits above a door space 42 of a standard length and width, it is not uncommon that the resulting window and door spaces 40 and 42 do not match commercially standard windows and doors. Hence, a filler panel mechanism is available for use with the present construction apparatus to solve the indicated problem. A window space 40 similar to that shown in FIG. 2A is shown in FIG. 23. Although a lower panel 50 such as shown in FIG. 2A may be used, it is also possible to use a lower panel 51 having at its upper end a post 53 of the same construction as post 62 and oriented so that the insulating layer aligns with the insulating layers 66 of side posts 62. Post 63 is received between the interior and exterior skins 56 and 58 in the usual fashion and appropriately held with caulk and nails. Post 53 extends between the lower portions 74 of the spaced-apart post 62. A horizontal filler panel 55 also extends between spaced-apart posts 62. Horizontal filler panel 55 fits onto post 53 and includes a lower frame plate 57 similar to frame plate 68 in FIG. 2A. Horizontal filler member 55 functions to reduce the vertical dimension of window space 40. It is understood that a panel 51 could replace panel 52 and a filler panel, similar to panel 55, could as well be installed along the upper end of window space 40 to further reduce the vertical dimension or to effectively lower the window space with respect to the rest of the construction.

Vertical filler panels 59 are useful as well to reduce the horizontal dimension of a window space, or as shown in FIG. 24, of a door space. Vertical filler panels 59 receive a post 62 in the fashion hereinbefore described on one side and have a vertical frame plate 61 on the other side to form a part of the frame of the window or door space. A vertical filler panel 59 may be installed on each side of the window space. Vertical 57 to an upper frame plate, not shown in FIG. 23, but shown in FIG. 2A as item 70. With respect to a door space 42 as shown in FIG. 24, filler panels 69 extend from the sill plate to frame plate 26 and pillow blocks 71.

A filler panel, for example, a panel 59, is shown in greater detail in FIG. 25. Panel 59 includes interior and exterior skins 63 and 65. A frame plate 61 is fastened between skins 63 and 65 flush with one of the vertical edges. Insulating core 67 is sandwiched as indicated hereinbefore between the skins. Although frame plate 61 extends from the upper to the lower horizontal edges of skins 63 and 65, preferably core 67 extends a short distance beyond the skins. In this way, core 67 must be compressed between lower and upper frame plates 57 and 70 thereby forming a gasket-like seal and preventing air leakage from the window space into the wall. In the fashion described hereinbefore, skins 63 and 65 extend in the horizontal dimension beyond core 67 sufficiently to receive approximately half of vertical post 62 therebetween.

Horizontal filler panel 55 is constructed in the same fashion as vertical filler 59, except skins 63 and 65 extend sufficiently beyond the ends of plate 61 to receive approximately one half the depth of post 62. In this way, post 62 and post 53 are received to the extent necessary between skins 63 and 65 of the various filler panels.

The use of vertical filler panels 69, similar to vertical filler panels 59, are shown in FIG. 24 with respect to a door space. A panel 54 is shown fitting on a pair of spaced-apart posts 62 in the fashion described with respect to a similar door space in FIG. 2B. Panel 54 in FIG. 24, however, includes a pair of pillow blocks 71 just inward of each of lower portions 74 of post 62. As with post 59, cores 67 extend beyond vertical plate 61. Thus, cores 67 are compressed at sill plate 90 and at pillow block 71 to form a gasket-like seal. Vertical frame panel 61 extends between sill plate 90 and pillow block 71. Interior and exterior skins 63 and 65 at the top and bottom ends extend beyond frame plate 61 to receive sill plate 90 on the bottom and pillow block 71 on the top. Also, skins 63 and 65 extend in the horizontal dimension beyond core 67 in order to receive about half the depth of a post 62 as described hereinbefore. In this way, filler panels 69 may be used to decrease the horizontal dimension of a door so that a standard door may be used, without requiring the need for non-standard panels.

Just as the various joints between two of the various wall panels whether or not a post 62 is used to preserve an insulating barrier along the wall, so too does a corner joint of the present invention preserve the insulating barrier As shown in FIGS. 2a, 4, and 4a, a corner joint is formed by the abutment of a standard panel 36 with a corner panel 78. The corner edge of insulating core 60 of panel 36 is removed to a somewhat greater depth so that the entire width of a post 62 may be received between the interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58 of panel 36. An insulating strip 80 is fastened to the corner end of the interior skin 56 of panel 36. With panel 36 approximately in place in its wall, corner panel 78 at the end opposite the corner may be moved into place to join in the usual fashion with a post 62 (not shown) while at the same time swinging so that insulating core 60 of panel 78 abuts a modified post 80. Modified post 80 is similar to a post 62 except it is shorter in one dimension. Alternatively, modified post 80 could be replaced by an insulation strip. As indicated previously, adhesive caulking (see FIG. 4a) is used between abutting surfaces. The exterior skin 58 of corner panel 78 extends well beyond core 60 of panel 78 so as to cover post 62 and abut against exterior skin 58 of panel 36. Interior skin 56 of panel 78 has a removable portion 82 which when removed allows panel 78 to easily swing into place as described previously. With panel 78 in place, removable portion 82 may be placed against core 60 of panel 78 and modified post 80 and fastened thereto to completely cover them both. It is noted that modified post 80 is wider that post 62 and, therefore, an insulating barrier is formed about corner post 62 and, therefore, an insulating barrier is formed about corner post 62 by cores 60 of panels 36 and 78 in combination with modified post 80. Modified post 80 has the same width as core 60 of corner panel 78 so that the interior surfaces of removable portion 82 and interior skin 56 of panel 78 form a plane when removable portion 82 is fastened as described.

A basement panel 34 is shown in FIG. 2d. Panel 34 similarly includes an interior skin 56 and an exterior skin 58 separated by an insulating core 60. Interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 ordinarily extend beyond core 60 along all edges. A support member 86, commonly of wood, is used more frequently than is the case with supporting members for panels 36. If panels 34 are approximately four feet in width as preferred, then a support member 86 is fastened at the center of the width of panel 34. Additional support members 94 are used at the vertical edges of panel 34 and attached in a fashion similar to that described with respect to posts 62. Nails 88 are used in addition to an adhesive to fasten interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 to the various support members 86. The spacing of nails 88 varies depending on the depth at which basement panel 84 is located beneath the surface of the ground

FIG. 3 shows a basement construction in accordance with the present invention. Resting on footing 32 is sill plate 90. As indicated previously, interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 of basement panel 34 extend beneath insulating core 60 and therefore fit over sill plate 90. Adhesive caulking (not shown) is applied to sill plate 90 before basement panels 34 are embraced. Adjacent basement panels are joined at a post 94 in a fashion similar to that described with respect to post 62. Also, the corner joint is similar to that described with respect to FIG. 2a. Header plates 96 are fitted within the space between interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 of basement panels 34. It is preferable that the abutting contact line of the upper set of header plates 96 is not located directly above the abutting line of the lower set of header plates 96. Interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 of basement panels 34 extend upwardly sufficiently to be approximately flush with the upper surface of the upper set of header plates 96.

In FIG. 4, a typical first floor construction in accordance with the present invention is shown. Primary support for the construction is provided by basement wall 98 which may be constructed in accordance with the present invention as described with respect to FIG. 3 or may be of a conventional cement block or other type construction. Resting on the basement wall 98 is a header or sill plate 100. The floor joists 102 run in one direction with a cap plate 103 extending perpendicularly thereto. A sill plate 104 is attached to flooring 106 resting on joists 102. As described with respect to basement panels 34, the various first floor panels including wall panel 36 and corner panel 78 slip onto caulked sill plate 104 since the interior skins 56 and exterior skins 58 extend beneath central cores 60. The joint between adjacent panels and the corner joint are formed as described hereinbefore. Also, header plates 108 are located and attached as described with respect to header plates 96 in FIG. 3. With respect to first floor construction, however, the lower header plate along walls on which gable panels will be supported is an insulating strip filler 110. The reason for filler 110 will become apparent hereinafter.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the addition of gable panels 112 and 114 to an end wall 118. A further header plate 116 is attached to end wall 118 to rest on earlier attached header plate 108. Since plate 116 is needed to mate with gable panels 112 and 114, filler 110 is used to increase the height of insulation along wall 118 and to avoid a triple header thickness. The end of header plate 116 is spaced inwardly from the corner since the tip of gable panel 112 includes a pair of strips 120 and 122 forming a wedge which protects the corner of core 60 of panel 112. Thus, header plate 116 is spaced from the end of wall 118 sufficiently far so as to mate with strip 120. Although gable panel 112 is shaped in the form of a triangle and gable panel 114 in the shape of a trapezoid, panels 112 and 114 are otherwise constructed similarly to earlier described panels which include an interior skin 56, an exterior skin 58 and a core 60 therebetween. Gable panels 112 and 114 fit over header plate 116 and are joined at posts 124 and 126 in accordance with earlier described procedures.

A header plate 134 rests in the space between interior skin 56 and exterior skin 58 at the top of gable panels 112 and 114.

Beam support post 126 rises from first floor sill plate 104 and does not quite extend to the top of gable panels 114 which are joined by post 126. With appropriate portions cut from interior skins 56 of panels 114 (see FIG. 8), central beam 128 is then able to rest on post 126. The opposite end of beam 128 may rest on a similar post in a wall opposite wall 118, or it may rest on an interior frame 130 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7-10 further show beam 128 and the addition of roof panels 46 to the construction. Beam 128 includes a plurality of straps 132 which are sandwiched between a pair of members which make up beam 128 (see also FIG. 13). Straps 132 extend above beam 128 and include a pattern of openings used for nail placement when attaching a roof panel 46. Alternatively, beam 128 may be the upper stringer of an interior wall. In any case, straps 132 would extend above the particular embodiment of beam 128.

Atop the panels of sidewall 136, there are fastened to header plate 108 a plurality of straps 138. To conform to the shape of the wedge formed by strips 120 and 122 of panel 112, an insulating strip 140 and a trapezoidal support member 142 are also fastened to header plate 108 to sandwich therebetween the strips 138. Insulating strip 140 functions to preserve the thermal barrier in the transition region between cores 60 of the panels in wall 136 and core 60 of the roof panels 46.

Roof panels 46, as with the other panels, have an interior skin 56 and an exterior skin 58 with an insulating core 60 therebetween A side plate 144 is fastened along each longer edge of panel 46. Similarly, an end plate 146 (see FIG. 9) is attached to the top end of panel 46 The ends of panel 46 are generally vertical regardless of the slope of the roof. In this fashion, end plate 146 fits flush against one of straps 132 and may be nailed in place. As shown in FIG. 10, as each roof panel 46 is added to a roof, the uncovered side is toe nailed with a nail 148 to beam 128. It is noted that the upper side of beam 128 slopes downwardly on each side of an apex running through straps 132. The downward slope conforms to the slope of roof panels 46. Roof panel 46 is further fastened to the building construction by nailing upwardly through straps 138 into interior skin 56 of panel 130. When all panels 46 are in place on one side of a roof, an end plate 150 (see FIG. 11) is attached along the length of the roof. As further shown in FIG. 11, each roof panel is further fastened by inserting an angle bracket 152 into slots 154 of adjacent roof panels. Slot 154 is aligned with the outer surface of the side wall 136 so that the lower portion of bracket 152 may be nailed to the side wall while the upper portion may be nailed to the top of each of the adjacent roof panels 46.

When a first roof panel 46 is emplaced, a panel 46 on the opposite side of beam 128 from the first panel is added to alleviate undue side stress on beam 128. Also, the order of consecutive panel pairs is alternated so that strap 132 is attached to a panel 46 on one side of beam 128 for one pair, and the next strap 132 is attached to a panel on the other side of beam 128 for the next pair. The upper end of roof panels 46 from the second side must be toenailed into the abutting roof panel 46 from the first side as shown in FIG. 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, apex straps 158 are positioned over the apex of the roof along a crack between adjoining roof panels and nailed to the four such panels 46. Note that the advantageous use of straps 132 allow the two sides of the roof to abut thereby vastly improving insulting efficiency as compared to art structures having a metal beam therebetween, for example. The various straps and brackets 132, 138, 152 and 158 attach the various roof panels 46 to each other to form a strong roof unit and, at the same time, attach the roof unit to central beam 128 and to the building sidewalls. The fastening mechanisms very simply yet with substantial fastening strength prevent any one panel or the roof unit as a whole from loosening or sailing in a wind storm.

Although not always shown, it is understood that nails are frequently used throughout the construction. For example, panels 36 are nailed to posts 62 through both the interior skin 56 and the exterior skin 58. Nails are used similarly in the basement construction, the gable construction, and other places. Nail spacing, type and coating are commonly defined and required by area building codes. It is understood, therefore, that nail fastening is designed and engineered to meet such building code requirements.

As indicated previously, a building in accordance with the present construction may utilize a conventional floor or, floor panels 160, recommended especially for over crawl spaces and unheated garages. As shown in FIGS. 16-19, a floor panel is substantially the same as a basement wall panel in that it includes skins 56 and 58 with an insulating core 60 therebetween and a support member 86 centered between the longer edges of core 60. An additional support member 86 is used between adjacent panels 160 in a fashion similar to the joints between adjacent basement panels 84. Floor panels 160 are supported on header plates 100 as described with respect to FIG. 4 and if the span is too long for a panel 160 to extend from one side of the building to the other, then a central support 162 is provided. Cap plates 103 are fastened perpendicular to support members 86. An interior connecting plate 163 is fastened between facing floor panels 160.

In addition to minimizing "thermal shorts" with the hereinbefore described features, the present invention further includes an advantageous mechanism for wiring a building. As shown in FIG. 2a, each first floor panel such as 36, 48, 50 and 78 includes a first passageway 170 which extends horizontally between opposite side edges of core 60 of each such panel. Passageway 170 is centered in the thickness of core 60. Passageway 170 is located at approximately the bottom of conventional electrical outlet boxes which have a minimum height above the floor as usually required by building codes. A second passageway 172 rises vertically from the lower edge of core 60 to first passageway 170. Passageway 172 is centered in the thickness of and between the side edges of core 60. All passageways are one inch in diameter or larger and are, therefore, large enough to route several electrical wires therethrough.

Post 62 similarly has a passageway 174 at the same distance from the bottom of post 62 as passageway 170 is from the bottom of core 60. Therefore, passageways 170 align with passageways 174 and electrical wire may be routed along an entire wall.

As shown in FIG. 4a, passageways 170 do not meet at the corner of two walls. Even if they did, it would be difficult to bend stiff electrical wire around such a corner. Consequently, it is preferable for electrical wiring to pass downwardly through a passageway 172 and through an opening in the floor for routing along the underside of the floor to a passageway 172 on the adjacent wall.

As shown in FIG. 2b in panels 36 adjacent to door 42, it is preferable to include grooves 176 in the vertical edge of core 60 of panels 36 which abut posts 62 forming a part of the frame of door 42. Groove 176 extends from top to bottom of core 60. In this fashion, electrical wiring may be routed upwardly to a switch box commonly located several feet above the floor near a door as well as upwardly to the ceiling. Basement panels 34 have vertical passageways 177 (see FIG. 2d), too, but they are located next to the support member 86 located centrally in panels 34.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, openings 178, 180 and 182 are bored through header plates 108 and insulating strip 140 to match with a groove formed along the edge of core 60 of roof panel 46. Passageway 184 has a vertical portion half the distance of the thickness of a wall panel 36 from slot 154. Passageway 184 then extends along the edge of core 60 to approximately the center of what is to be the interior ceiling of the building. In many cases, it may be preferable to extend passageway 184 the entire length of panel 46. Depending on where a light is to be located and hung from panel 46, a further passageway 186 may be bored horizontally in core 60 as shown in FIG. 21.

As shown in FIG. 22, rather than form a passageway horizontally or vertically in insulating strip 140, it is sometimes preferable to simply space apart insulating strip 140 from supporting member 142 to provide a further passage 188 for electrical wiring.

In use, various panels such as 36, 50, 52, 54, 78, 84, 112, 114, 130 and possibly others in addition to posts 62 and beam 128 and possibly other components are constructed at a manufacturing site and thereafter transported to a construction site. As shown in FIG. 15, a basement is constructed firstly by pouring the various footings 32 and installing sill plate 90. In a basement wherein basement panels 34 in accordance with the present invention are used, such panels 34 are then emplaced using the joining mechanisms including adhesive caulking and nails as described hereinbefore. The cement slab 194 is then poured to fill in against panels 34. In this fashion slab 194 holds panels 34 against the force of outside dirt.

Header plates 96 are fastened in place, and a floor 38 is installed. Floor 38 may be of the conventional type which is actually preferable when the basement is insulated with panels 34 or floor 38 may be formed from floor panels 160 in accordance with the present invention. In any case, a first floor sill plate 104 is attached to floor 38. The various first floor wall panels such as 36, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 78 and filler panels 55, 59 and 69 are emplaced and joined as described hereinbefore thereby creating walls 118, 136. Header plates 108 and insulating strip 110 are then fastened in place the gable panels 112 and 114 installed and joined as described hereinbefore. The roof is fastened in place using beam 128 and triangular insulating strip 140 and supporting member 142 to support roof panels 46. Various miscellaneous members and fastening devices are attached as appropriate and the building completed in a usual fashion.

The various panels of the present invention offer the usual advantages of prefabrication as compared to conventional construction methods. Distinctly advantageous, however, are the mechanisms for eliminating "thermal shorts" along the roof and between the two sides of the roof. Additionally, such thermal efficiency is possible and maintainable while yet providing for efficient electrical wiring of the building. Furthermore, since the wall panels are limited in width, they may be handled by workers without the need for a crane or other mechanized lifting tool. Consequently, building costs are minimized and a truly thermally efficient building results.

Thus, a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth with particularity. Despite the numerous characteristics and advantages of this invention set forth, together with detail of structure and function, however, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative only. Changes made, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement, to the full extent extended by the general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed, are fully contemplated to be within the principle of this invention.