FLAME RESISTANT WALL PANEL CONNECTIONS

Abstract: Panel members (10) each have a panel body (20) which is disposed between a pair of planar facing members (22). The panel members (10) are secured together edge-to-edge by means of first and second channel members (30, 32) each of which has a pair of arms joined by means of a web. The arms of each channel member (30, 32) engage in troughs (24) formed along the edges of the facing members of each of two adjacent panel members. The assembly is secured by fastening means (38) which extend between the panel members (10) to fasten together the channel members (30, 32). The resulting joint is rigid and fire-resistant.

Description: FLAME RESISTANT WALL PANEL CONNECTIONS This invention relates to a panel system comprising a plurality of panel members each of which comprises a panel body disposed between and secured to a pair of planar facing members, and means for securing adjacent panel members together edge-to-edge. The system is particularly suitable for the connection of soft-cored, sandwich-construction, fire-resistant insulation ' panels. The system permits assembly when access is available from cne side only of the finished partition. The panel system of the invention is characterised in that each of the facing members is shaped so as to define a trough extending along at least one edge of the panel body and opening towards the face of the panel body to which the facing member is secured, and in that the means for securing the panel members includes first and second channel members each having a pair of arms joined by means of a web and fastening means engageable with the first and second channel members to fasten them together, the arms of each channel member, in use, engaging one in each of the troughs formed along the adjacent edges of a pair of neighbouring panel members and the fastening means extending between neighbouring panel members to fasten together the channel members on opposite sides thereof. The connection has been designed to achieve the following aims with the fewest separate components: a) maintenance of a virtually flush surface, b) a clamping action to assist in holding the panel faces in position both laterally and transversely under all conditions, but most particularly during a fire, and c) minimal cold-bridging. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view showing some components of the panel system of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the panel system of the invention, partially assembled; Figure 3 is a further sectional view analogous to figure 2; Figure 4 shows, in section, the fully assembled panel joint; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the panel joint of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a partial view of a modified panel joint in accordance with the invention. As shown in the drawings, the system comprises a plurality of panels 10 which are held in position by means of channel members 30 and 32. Each panel 10 is a composite sandwich which consists of a flat block 20 of insulating core material having, on each of its two faces, metal sheets 22. The sheet metal 22 on each face of the composite sandwich panel 10 is cold-formed around the edge corners of the core material 20 to provide both protection and integral edge stiffening, in a manner which is well-known. The sheet metal 22 is further shaped to form integral troughs 24 shown in figure 1 which extend longitudinally along the full length of the panel edges which are to be joined. The troughs 24 provide lateral stiffening to the edge of the panel and form part of the jointing system. Two cold-formed, zinc coated steel channel members 30 and 32 form, continuously along the joint, other elements of the jointing system. The channel members 30 and 32 have flange stiffeners and are located in the adjoining troughs 24 of neighbouring panels 10 as shown in figures 2 to 4. The webs of the channels 30 and 32 are punch-countersunk at fixed centres 34,36 to take countersunk head screws. The channels 30 which are to be mounted on what will be the inaccessible face of the panel assembly are prepared with countersunk head screws 38 passed through the web of the channel members, with locking nuts 40 inside the channel 30 to hold the screws 38 in place. Steel screws are used so as to provide sustained strength during a fire. Use of stainless steel screws will reduce heat transfer through the insulation due to cold bridging, but scherardized screws may also be used. If insulated capping is required on the inaccessible face of the panel assembly, the capping 42 is also located on the channel prior to its installation, as shown in Figure 2. The panel 10 last assembled is eased away from its support to position the channel member 30 on the inaccessible face of the partition, as shown in figure 2. The channel member 30 will then span between panel supports and one of the four troughs 24 will be engaged around the channel flange. Any required fixture of the channel member 30 to supporting rails should be made at this stage. Once the channel member 30 has been fixed, a spacer 50 is located around each screw 38 and the remaining space between panels is packed with core material 52. The next panel 10 is then offered up to the channel member 30, and the second trough 24 is engaged as shown in figure 3. If the panels 10 are vertical, temporary support may need to be provided for them until completion of the joint assembly. The channel member 32 at the accessible face of the assembly is then positioned with its flanges in the third and fourth troughs 24, and the projecting screw threads 38 are located in its punched holes 36. This is most easily achieved by locating one end screw 38 first and loosely fixing it with a nut 39. As the channel member 32 is rotated into position along its length, successive screws 38 can be located through their respective holes 36. The nuts 39 are tightened to complete the structural part of the joint system. Excess screw thread can be cropped. The panels 10 are now firmly restrained both transversely because of the clamping action of the bolted channel members 30 and 32, and laterally because of the interlocking of the panel troughs 24 with the channel members 30 and 32. If the channel members 32 at the accessible face of the panels 10 requires an insulated capping 56, this is pushed over the channel 32, as shown in figure 4. The dimensions of the channel members 30 and 32 and troughs 24 are such that the assembled channels are recessed sufficiently for the inserted capping 56 to finish flush with the panel faces. Sealant will often be required in the four spaces between the capping 56 and panel edges, but this has been omitted from figure 4 for clarity. If the panels 10 are to form a ceiling, it is unlikely that the top (accessible) face will require capping. Provision for the support of additional panels is made by using a female-threaded ring eye 60 (see figure 6) in place of the final assembly nut 56 described above. This ring eye 60 and the associated screw form a tie through the panels which enables the supporting tensile forces to be transmitted through the jointing system to the remote face. These tensile forces cause delamination of soft-cored insulation panels if transmitted through the panels themselves.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A panel system comprising a plurality of panel members (10) each of which comprises a panel body (20) disposed between and secured to a pair of planar facing members (22), and means for securing adjacent panel members together edge-to-edge, the system being characterised in that each of the facing members (22) is shaped so as to define a trough (24) extending along at least one edge of the panel body (20) and opening towards the face of the panel body (20) to which the facing member (22) is secured, and in that the means for securing the panel members (10) includes first and second channel members (30,32) each having a pair of arms joined by means of a web and fastening means engageable with the first and second channel members to fasten them together, the arms of each channel member, in use, engaging one in each of the troughs (24) formed along the adjacent edges of a pair of neighbouring panel members (10) and the fastening means extending between neighbouring panel members (10) to fasten together the channel members (30,32) on opposite sides thereof. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the troughs (24) are substantially rigid, extending along substantially the whole edge of each facing member (22), and serve to stiffen the edges of the panel members along which they extend. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the panel, body (20) is relatively soft and is secured on opposite faces thereof metallic sheets which form the facing members (22); the troughs being formed by suitably shaped portions of the said sheets, which extend beyond the panel body (20). 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the panel body (20) is of thermally-insulating material. 5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which at least one channel member (30,32) is so shaped that, in use, the portion of the channel member joining the arms thereof extends substantially flush with the faces of the neighbouring panel members (10) the channel member serves to join. 6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising an elongate capping member adapted to fit, in use, over one of the first and second channel members (30,32) so as to extend substantially flush with the faces of the neighbouring panel members (10) the channel member serves to join. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the apparatus comprising at least one insulating member which, in use, is located between the first and second channel members (30,32) in a gap defined by the adjacent edges of neighbouring panel members (10). 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the fastening means includes an elongate tie which, in use, passes through openings formed in the first and second channel members (30,32), at least one end portion of the said tie being threaded for engagement with a retaining nut.

Inventors: JOLLY COLIN KENNETH, JOLLY, COLIN, KENNETH
Applicants: FLAMEGUARD INSULATIONS LTD, FLAMEGUARD INSULATIONS LIMITED
Application year: 1991
Main classification: F16B5
IPC codes: F16B5