Patent ID: 6474029
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: E01C,E04C,E04H

Abstract:
A panel construction comprising:a plurality of flexible, adjacent panels secured to each other, each panel having a substantially planar configuration comprising two generally parallel surfaces separated by at least one edge surface; protruding from the at least one edge surface is a projection engageable with a complementary recess in an edge surface of the adjacent panel; wherein a joint defined by the projection and recess permits the adjacent panels to flex relative to each other, such that the panel construction is flexible as a whole to permit adaptation of the panel construction to contours on which the panel construction rests; a first set of adjacent panels forming a first unitary length of panels and a second set of adjacent panels forming a second unitary length of panels; the first unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a first compression member for securing the first unitary length of panels; the second unitary length of panels having extending through the entire length a second compression member for securing the second unitary length of panels; the first and second compression members each passing through the at least one edge surface of the panels and each compression member having at least one end that is threaded for receiving a tensioning nut; and wherein the first unitary length of panels has a coupling device for connecting to a coupling device on the second unitary length of panels.