Patent ID: 6412243
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: B29C,B32B,B60P,E04B,E04C,Y10T

Abstract:
A lightweight, wall panel component for a modular building, said wall panel component comprising:an elongated membrane configured, in cross-section, as a series of flat sections and alternate hollow tubular sections interconnected in series and extending continuously from one end of the wall panel component to the other end of the wall panel component; and a structural foam bonded to, encapsulating and laterally bracing said elongated membrane, said elongated membrane, laterally braced by said structural foam forming a primary support structure operable for carrying a vertical load of a building, wherein said hollow tubular sections of the elongated membrane enhance the membrane's resistance to buckling under vertical load, said tubular sections being mutually spaced in a relationship which is approximately the thickness of the wall panel and said tubular sections being operable to become utility chases for at least one of pipes, wires, and air conditioning ductwork functions following component assembly, in the field, of a building frame.