CONNECTING ELEMENT FOR INSULATING PANELS

Abstract: Connecting element for the mutual assembly of building elements, in particular insulating panels, for roof, wall and/or floor, wherein said connecting element (2) is composed of a flexible synthetic material. Building wall comprising at least two insulating panels (10, 10') and a connecting element (2) for the mutual connection thereof wherein said connecting element (2) is arranged connectively between two mutual opposite sides (11 to 14) of adjacent panels (10, 10'), and wherein said connecting element has a peripheral surface (5) which is completely enclosed by said building element (10, 10') connected herewith.

Description: Connecting element for insulating panels This invention relates to a profiled connecting element for the mutual assembly of building elements, in particular insulating panels, for roof, wall and/or floor. In order to interconnect building elements, in particular those made of wood, it is already known to use wooden connecting elements, for example laths and the like, as the connection. However, the disadvantage of wooden laths is that they do not bend readily, and are thus fairly brittle, and that in a humid environment they absorb moisture and consequently begin to swell. Wooden laths thus lose their original structure and shape and are also fairly suscep- tible to damage on a building site. As a result of this, material is obtained which, on the one hand, is going to be unfit for further use in building and, on the other hand, begins to lose its properties only when fitted, and in so doing makes the connection between the building elements or building panels thus connected unstable after a certain time. The latter forms a great drawback. The object of the present invention is to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks. To this end, the connecting element is composed of a flexible plastic material. Due to the flexibility of the plastic material, the connecting element according to the invention is much less fragile, and it is easier to handle. Said plastic material is preferably insensitive to moisture. This means that the connecting element can be less affected by the ambient conditions where it is stored, and it consequently retains its original shape and dimensions. The result of this is that the connecting element can be used much more reliably as a coupling means for building panels. This applies in particular to places and rooms where humidity is generally high, such as swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms and kitchens, and also roofs. An advantageous plastic material for this purpose is polyethylene. For this material has excellent insulating properties, so that the connecting element does not constitute a weak link as regards the insulation formed in the wall by a series of interconnected building elements or building panels. This connecting element is also extremely flexible, and therefore has the advantage of being substantially unbreakable, with the result that even rough handling on site has no adverse consequences. The invention also relates to a wall which is composed of a set of insulating panels interconnected by the abovementioned connecting element. Further features of the invention are defined in the further subclaims 4 to 22. Further advantages and particularities are explained in greater detail below with reference to the description of an exemplary embodiment illustrated by means of the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a panel wall composed of two panel elements interconnected by means of a connecting element according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a view of the connecting element according to the invention. Insulating panels which are ready for use are being used to an increasing extent both in the case of roof panels and for use in rooms where there is a high degree of humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms and swimming pools. For fitting large areas and in the case of a modular structure thereof, various panel elements are intercon¬ nected by means of connecting elements to form a panel wall. Figure 1 therefore shows a part of a panel wall 1 in which a connecting element 2 is accommodated between two adjacent panel elements 10, 10'. The illustrated panel elements 10, 10' are composite, and in this case consist of various materials superimposed in a layered structure. Said structure comprises an insulating inner layer 18, on either side of which a first and a second outer layer 17, 19 respectively, for example made of wood, is provided as a sandwich panel. The inner layer 18 forms an insulating core and is made of, for example, extruded polystyrene and polyurethane foam having a closed cell structure. The connecting element is made of a readily flexible plastic material, preferably of polyethylene. Due to its greater suppleness, the connecting element 2 is easy to handle and not susceptible to breaking. Furthermore, the chosen plastic material is extremely insensitive to moisture, so that the connecting element 2 cannot be affected in its structure by the humidity prevailing in the surrounding environment. This makes the connecting element 2 very reliable, and guarantees the durability of the connection between the panel elements 10, 10'. In order to guarantee the insulating function of the panel in its entirety, the connecting element 2 is made of a material with good insulating properties, which is why the above material was selected. As a result of this, the connecting element 2 does not constitute a weak link as regards insulation value in the insulating wall 1. The composite plastic material is advantageously extruded in this case, and the connecting element 2 profiled in this way also has a completely closed cell structure. This ensures that no capillary openings are present in the connecting element 2, as a result of which the connecting element is insensitive to moisture and has a very good insulation value. The selected plastic material can also be of the high density type, so that very high wear resistance can be obtained for the connecting element. In particular, the connecting element can be made of a cross-linked plastic material, as a result of which the wear resistance is optimised. Such a connecting element also has considerable temperature resistance, which, in addition, allows easy milling out of the connecting element 2. The connecting element 2 is also of homogeneous composition and has an elongated bar shape, in such a way that it extends over substantially the full length of the opposite sides 11, 12 of mutually adjacent panel elements 10, 10' . In each of the abovementioned opposite sides 11, 12 of the panel elements 10, 10' to be connected, corre¬ sponding grooves 21, 22 are provided for the accommoda¬ tion therein of the connecting element 2, with dimensions adapted to the connecting element 2. When fitted, the connecting element 2 is peripherally substantially completely enclosed by the two panel elements 10, 10' connected thereby, in a substantially perfectly intermeshing connection between said elements 10, 2, 10'. The complete internal accommodation of the connecting element 2 in the panel elements 10, 10' means that the fitted panel wall 1 is ready for use or ready for painting, including the possible fitting of an aluminium vapour screen at the so-called warm side of the insulating wall, in particular including an inner layer 18 of rock wool. A particular advantage of the invention here is in the production of a self-supporting connection between adjacent insulating panels or building elements 10. The building wall according to the invention is consequently particularly suitable for fitting in roofs, both sloping and flat roofs. Furthermore, it is advantageous for the connecting element 2 in each case to be accommodated in such a way that it is substantially uniformly distributed over the two connected panel elements 10, 10'. This means that when a pressure or external force is exerted on one of the connected panel elements 10 or 10 * , a corresponding counterpressure is exerted by way of the connecting element 2 on the other connected panel element 10' or 10 respectively. The two opposite grooves 21, 22 are preferably substantially the same shape and have substantially the same dimensions, and both fit closely around the enclosed connecting element 2, in such a way that the connecting element 2 is accommodated so that it is distributed substantially uniformly over the two grooves. As a result of this, the stability of the longitudinal connection between the two panel elements 10, 10' is excellent. A particularly suitable shape for the connecting element 2 in this case is the bar type with a substantially rectangular cross-section, preferably in a profiled constant cross-section. U-shaped grooves 21, 22 of substantially the same depths then correspond thereto in a suitable manner. This shape ensures a sturdy connection between the panel elements, and this means that, for example, an internal movement through a transverse rotation relative to the longitudinal axis I of the connecting element is made impossible through the counteracting interaction between the steep flanks 25, 26 of the longitudinal grooves 21, 22 and the peripheral outer surface of the connecting element 2. As shown in Figure 2, the longitudinal ribs of the bar- shaped connecting element are advantageously truncated 4, so that the insertion of the elongated connecting element into the grooves 21, 22 is facilitated. However, said ribs can also be rounded. Through a suitable dimensioning of the longitudinal grooves 21, 22, to give a good fit, relative to the connecting element, the panel elements 10, 10' can be brought together substantially against each other, so that the panel 1 in its entirety can have a perfect insulating effect and forms a draught-free wall. In particular, the connecting element can be fixed in the rebate in situ, on site, for example stuck on with a polyurethane adhesive. Moreover, if rock wool, which is also extremely suitable for absorbing air sound waves, is used for the inner layer 18 of the insulating panels, a perfect acoustically insulating panel can be obtained, due to the fact that the connecting element 2 is completely enclosed by acoustically insulating layers 18, and through the interconnection of the acoustically insulating panel elements 10, 10' . In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 the connection is shown between respective longitudinal sides 11, 12 of adjacent panel elements 10, 10', in particular over substantially the full length thereof. For this purpose, the abovementioned longitudinal grooves 21, 22 are provided over the entire length of the respective panel elements 10, 10' . An extremely stable connection is consequently produced over the longitudinal dimension of the panel elements, which further increases the stability of the connection. However, it is also easily possible to provide similar grooves in the end faces 13, 14 of the panel elements 10, 10', in such a way that they can be fitted in a bidimensional manner with a connection according to the invention on each side in each case, namely both the longitudinal side and the end face. This further signifi- cantly increases the stability of the entire panel surface, for example in the case of a roof panel, in which the panel elements 10 are fitted according to a bidimensional grid. The ratio of the density of the connecting element to that of each panel element advantageously lies between 0.8 and 1.2. Therefore the risk of damage to the soft insulating central layer 18 of the panel elements during the fitting of the connecting element 2 is completely eliminated, and optimum use is made of the bearing capacity of the former relative to the latter. The connecting element can also be slightly compressible, and the mutual interaction between 10, 2, 10' is improved. The ratio of the transverse dimension of the connecting element 2 to that of the building element 10, 10' is in each case measured transversely to the axis I of the connecting element, and in the plane of the building element is, for example, no greater than 0.1, even no greater than 0.07. The unit 10, 2, 10' is fitted by, for example, first sliding or inserting the connecting element 2 into one panel element 10, and then pushing the other panel element 10' onto the connecting element 2. This fitting is extremely convenient, simple and quick, and produces an extremely efficient connection, in particular as regards sturdiness, stability and durability. The connecting element according to the invention ensures that moisture will not affect the insulation value of the insulating panel, not even after a long time. The system according to the invention is also extremely user- friendly. Provided that at least one of the external layers 17, 19 of the insulating panels 10, 10' is in a finished form and the connection according to the invention between adjacent panel elements is also internal and self- supporting, plastering work is no longer required, at least for the inside areas. In this way building elements which are extremely easy to handle for assembling a well insulated and sturdy panel wall 1, including its connect¬ ing zones 11, 21; 12, 22; 2, are obtained, with very rapid finishing and fitting in situ. A considerable saving is obtained as a result of the extremely quick fitting with these elements. The connecting element can be cut out of a plastic material panel. By this method, the bar-shaped or elongated bar structure of the connecting element can be obtained in a simple manner from available production panels. This also provides an extremely rapid and cheap production method for obtaining a large number of con¬ necting elements starting from easily storable production panels.

Claims: CLAIMS 1.- Connecting element for the mutual assembly of building elements, in particular insulating panels, for roof, wall and/or floor, characterised in that said connecting element (2) is composed of a flexible synthetic material. 2.- Connecting element according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said synthetic material is insensitive to moisture. 3. - Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said synthetic material is insulating. 4. - Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said synthetic material is formed by polyethylene. 5. - Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said synthetic material is extruded. 6. - Connecting element according to one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said synthetic material has a substantially completely closed cell structure. 7.- Connecting element according to one of the Claims 1 of 5, characterised in that said synthetic material is a high density plastic material. 8. - Connecting element according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said synthetic material is cross-linked. 9.- Connecting element according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said connecting element (2) has a homogeneous composition. 10.- Connecting element according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said connecting element (2) has an elongated bar shape with a substantially rectangular cross-section. 11.- Connecting element according to one of the Claims 9 or 10, characterised in that said connection element (2) has truncated longitudinal ribs (4) . 12.- Building wall comprising at least two mutual adjacent building elements and a connecting element (2) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 11, for the mutual assembly of said building elements according to mutual adjacent boundary sides (11, 12) respectively (13, 14) , wherein said building elements (10, 10') are formed by insulating panels for roof, wall and/or floor, characterised in that said connecting element (2) is arranged connectively between two mutual opposite sides (11, 12; 13; 14) of two mutual adjacent building elements (10, 10') , and in that said connecting element (2) has a peripheral outer surface (5) which can be substantially completely enclosed by said building element (10, 10') connected herewith. 13. - Building wall according to the preceding Claim characterised in that said opposite sides (11, 12; 13; 14) have respectively a groove (21, 22) extending according to the longitudinal direction of the side (11, 12; 13; 14) and are mutually adjacent, wherein both adjacent grooves (21, 22) have such dimensions that they enclose together, the corresponding connecting element (2) in a substantial fitting manner. 14.- Building wall according to the preceding Claim, particularly made out of a composite material having a layer structure with an insulated middle layer (18) and at least one outer layer (17, 19) , characterised in that said grooves (21, 22) are arranged in longitudinal sides (11, 12) of adjacent building elements (10, 10') completely in the respective insulating middle layer (18) thereof . 15.- Building wall according to the Claims 12 or 13, characterised in that a narrow space (3) is provided as interference fit between each connecting element (2) and the building elements (10, 10') connected herewith. 16.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 11 to 15, characterised in that each connecting element (2) extends over substantially the entire length of said sides (11, 12; 13; 14) . 17.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 11 to 16, characterised in that adjacent first, respectively second grooves (21, 22) have substantially the same shape in dimensions, in particular a U-shape. 18. - Building wall according to one of the Claims 12 to 17, characterised in that the first, respectively second groove (21, 22) are provided substantially at half height of the side (11, 12; 13, 14) . 19.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 14 to 18, characterised in that the rate of the density of the connecting element (2) to one of the enclosing middle layer (18) of each building element is comprised between 0.8 and 1.2. 20.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 12 to 19, characterised in that the ratio of the transverse dimension of the connecting element (2) to the one of the building element (10, 10') respectively measured transversely to the longitudinal axis ( t ) of said connecting element and in the plane of the building element is no greater than 0.1, preferably no greater than 0.07. 21.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 12 to 20, characterised in that the connecting building elements (10) are self-supporting with the connecting element . 22.- Building wall according to one of the Claims 12 to 21, wherein the composing building element (10, 10') are arranged according to a bidimensional grid, characterised in that there is provided a set of connecting elements (2) forming a grid, wherein said building elements (10, 10') are connected bidimensionally correspondingly with each adjacent peripheral side, on longitudinal side and tip side (11, 12) respectively (13; 14) .

Applicants: COSPI NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP, COSPI, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
Application year: 1996
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1, E04B7, E04C2