Patent ID: 6044603
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: E04C

Abstract:
A load-bearing, lightweight, insulating panel building component comprising:a rigid insulation core having an interior face, an exterior face, opposing first and second side edges each having a vertical length, and a top edge and a bottom edge each having a width;a first pair of grooves with one groove being in said interior face and with another groove in said exterior face, both being substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said first side edge;a second pair of grooves in said interior face and in said exterior face substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said second side edge;first and second vertical members each having a web portion with web portion longitudinal edges, a flange portion at each said web portion longitudinal edge, said flange portions each having a flange portion longitudinal edge, a ledge at each said flange portion longitudinal edge, and a vertical length substantially equal to the vertical length of the first and second side edges of the rigid insulation core, said first and second vertical members being disposed in engaging relationship with the pairs of grooves and substantially covering the first and second side edges of the rigid insulation core, thereby forming first and second integral composite columns of great strength;a foot member having a web portion with two longitudinal edges, a flange portion at each said web portion longitudinal edge, and an opening, said foot member being substantially the width of the bottom edge of the rigid insulation core and disposed at the opening over the bottom edge of the rigid insulation core;a cap member having a web portion with two longitudinal edges, a flange portion at each said web portion longitudinal edge, and an opening, said cap member being substantially the width of the top edge of the rigid insulation core and disposed at the opening over the top edge thereof; andfastening means fixedly attaching the integral composite columns, cap member, and foot member to each other about the rigid insulation core.