Reinforced foam building components and structures made therefrom

Abstract

The instant invention features reinforced foam building components, and methods to form affordable, energy efficient structures assembled from a plurality of panel assemblies with common features. The structures are anchored to the foundation by straps passing through the panel assemblies and attached to the foundation. The structure, the panel assemblies, the anchoring system and the assembly methods, comprise a building system for dwellings and other structures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:[0001] 1. Field of Invention[0002] This invention relates to static structures, specifically to improved components and methods to build advantageous dwellings or other enclosures.[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art[0004] Building structures with foam panels have been developed by others as an alternative to wood methods to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency. For example, the wall panels in patents 5,279,089 to Gulur, 1994 Jan. 18, in 5,787,665 to Carlin et al., 1998 Aug. 4, and in 4,641,468 to Slater, 1987 Feb. 10, use metal framing elements to strengthen and for assembly into structures. The metal framing adds complexity to the design and creates thermal paths that circumvent the benefits of the insulating foam. Other panels in 4,628,650 to Parker, 1986 Dec. 16, introduce wood framing elements to the foam. These walls are complex, heavy and expensive to construct. The thermal performance, while better than metal framing, is degraded.[0005] Other w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0009] The present invention provides an inexpensive, easily constructed, energy efficient dwelling unit. Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

0010] (a) to provide a reinforced foam panel as a fundamental construction unit that is simple to fabricate, contains a strengthening element and a multipurpose passageway for advantageous purposes;

0011] (b) to provide low cost by using common materials, features and methods for floor,

Problems solved by technology

The metal framing adds complexity to the design and creates thermal paths that circumvent the benefits of the insulating foam.

These walls are complex, heavy and expensive to construct.

These joints require complex means to fabricate the unique shapes and increase costs.

These metal joints create thermal shunt paths that deteriorate the energy efficiency of the structure.

The application is limited to wall panels.

In summary, the prior art demonstrates numerous attempts to use foam to build energy efficient structures that are inherently complex in design, complex in assembly methods and costly.

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