Patent ID: 8448387
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: E04G

Abstract:
1. A modular, pre-assembled wall panel element configured as a load bearing structure for supporting vertical loading in a building, the wall panel element comprising: a box frame having a generally rectangular shape, the box frame including: wherein each set of side rails includes two side rail members extending parallel to one another and defining a gap therebetween, said gaps being aligned along the length of the wall panel and in communication to form a passageway through the wall panel, said passageway adapted for accommodating conduits or pipes extending through the wall panel when the wall panel is installed in the building, wherein each side rail pair is welded to the top rail and to the bottom rail to form an integral structure; a plurality of vertical supports disposed parallel to one another and to the two side rails between the top and bottom rails, each vertical support including two vertical support members extending parallel to one another and defining an additional gap therebetween that is substantially aligned along the length of the wall panel and in communication with the gaps defined the side rail pairs; and an interconnection device adapted to interconnect each wall panel with an additional wall panel, wherein the interconnection device includes two blocks, each block being connected to the top rail and having a hole extending through said block, the two blocks disposed on top of two ends of the top rail, wherein each block has a height that spaces the wall panels apart to permit the pouring of a floor slab therebetween, wherein each hole extends through a top side wall of each block to accommodate a fastener therethrough for connecting the additional panel on top of the wall panel; wherein the top rail is configured to distribute loading applied vertically from above the top rail substantially evenly along the length of the bottom rail, and wherein the wall panel is connectable to additional wall panels disposed at least one of vertically above the top rail, such that a bottom rail of an additional wall panel is connected to the top rail of the wall panel, and below the bottom rail, such that a top rail of a second additional wall panel is connected to the bottom rail of the wall panel, to form a wall of the building.