A building panel

Abstract

A quadrilateral building panel (1) has a major plane, and two major side surfaces (2) which are at least substantially parallel to the major plane, the thickness (t) of the panel (1) being between the major side surfaces (2), the panel (1) having four major edge surfaces (3, 4, 5, 6) substantially forming a perimeter of the panel (1). The building panel (1) has at least one engager first portion (7), the engager first portion (7) having a latch catch member (22) and an axis of rotation (23) for the latch catch member (22). The building panel (1) also has at least one engager second portion (8), the engager second portion (8) comprising first and second parts (32, 41) situated respectively at the two major side surfaces (2) and a third part (28) situated at the said major edge surface (5, 6), the third part being adjacent to the first and second parts. Each of the first, second and third parts of the engager second portion (8) has a latching surface (36,37) configured to be engaged by a latch catch member (22) of an engager first portion (7) of an adjacent like building panel. Each major edge surface (3, 4, 5, 6) has either at least one engager first portion (7) or at least one engager second portion (8), at least one major edge surface (3, 4) having at least one engager first portion (7) and at least one other major edge surface (5, 6) having at least one engager second portion (8). One major edge surface (3) is spaced from the axis of rotation (23) of the closest engager first portion (7) or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of an adjacent major edge surface (4) by a distance being the sum of a predetermined distance and the panel thickness (a + t). The opposite major edge surface (5) is spaced from the axis of rotation of the closest engager first portion (7) or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of the said adjacent major edge surface (4) by a distance being the sum of the predetermined distance and double the panel thickness (a + 2t). The axis of rotation (23) of the at least one engager first portion (7) or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion at each of two adjacent said major edge surfaces (3, 4) are aligned with the axis of rotation of the at least one engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion (8) at the respective opposite major edge surfaces (5, 6), where each major edge surface (3, 4) has the same number of engager portions as the major edge surface (5, 6) it is opposite to.

Description

[0001] A BUILDING PANEL

[0002] The present invention relates to a building panel.

[0003] EP 1977053 discloses a quadrilateral building panel having inwardly and outwardly stepped portions along its outer edges. Each inwardly stepped portion is dimensioned to receive an outwardly stepped portion on the edge of an adjacent like panel and each inwardly stepped portion has a cam lock mechanism to latch ingly engage a pin in the outwardly stepped portion of the like panel enabling the two panels to be held parallel or perpendicular to each other.

[0004] The stepped portions of the building panel give it a complex shape making it expensive to manufacture.

[0005] Such building panels are sized so that their outwardly stepped portions on opposite outer edges of the panel extend beyond a standard distance between two successive construction or building gridlines or building primary gridlines or floor plan gridlines and their inwardly stepped portions on opposite outer edges are accordingly within the standard distance. This makes such building panels expensive to transport since when they are stacked on top of each other and side by side they are unable to fit in a standard sized container having an internal width corresponding to a standard distance between two successive construction gridlines since the outwardly stepped portions on opposite outer edges causes the panel to extend beyond this.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a building panel which overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned problems of the building panel.

[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a quadrilateral building panel having a major plane, the panel having: two major side surfaces which are at least substantially parallel to the major plane, the thickness (t) of the panel being between the major side surfaces, and the panel having four major edge surfaces substantially forming a perimeter of the panel; at least one engager first portion, the engager first portion having a latch catch member and an axis of rotation for the latch catch member; at least one engager second portion, the engager second portion comprising first and second parts situated respectively atthe two major side surfaces and a third part situated at the said major edge surface, the third part being adjacent to the first and second parts, each of the first, second and third parts of the engager second portion having a latching surface configured to be engaged by a latch catch member of an engager first portion of an adjacent like building panel; each major edge surface having either at least one engager first portion or at least one engager second portion, at least one major edge surface having at least one engager first portion and at least one other major edge surface having at least one engager second portion; wherein one major edge surface is spaced from the axis of rotation of the closest engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of an adjacent major edge surface by a distance being the sum of a predetermined distance and the panel thickness (a + t), the distance being perpendicular to the one major edge surface, and the opposite major edge surface is spaced from the axis of rotation of the closest engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of the said adjacent major edge surface by a distance being the sum of the predetermined distance and double the panel thickness (a + 2t), the distance being perpendicular to the opposite major edge surface, and wherein the axis of rotation of the at least one engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion at each of two adjacent said major edge surfaces are aligned with the axis of rotation of the at least one engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion at the respective opposite major edge surfaces, each major edge surface having the same number of engager portions as the major edge surface it is opposite to.

[0008] The axis of rotation that a said first engager portion has may be beneath or at said major edge surface.

[0009] The latch catch member may comprise a latch or a hook for engaging the latching surface.

[0010] Each major edge surface may have at least one of either the engager first or second portions, and the opposite major edge surface has the same number of the other of the engager first and second portions.When a said major edge surface has a plurality of either engager first or second portions, adjacent engager first portions are spaced such that the distance between the axes of rotation of the adjacent engager first portions may be the sum of treble the panel thickness and double a predetermined distance (3t + 2a), and adjacent engager second portions are spaced such that the distance between the centres of the latching surfaces of the adjacent engager second portions may be the sum of treble the panel thickness and double a predetermined distance (3t + 2a).

[0011] The building panel may be configured to interengage with at least one other adjacent building panel having said engager first and second portions, the latch catch member of a said engager first portion of the building panel being latchingly engagable with the latching surface of any one of the engager second portion parts of a said engager second portion of the adjacent building panel so that the major planes of the two panels, when interengaged, are selectively substantially parallel and coincident or coplanar or substantially perpendicular, and / or the latching surface of any one of the engager second portion parts of a said engager second portion of the building panel being configured to be latchingly engaged by the latch catch member of a said engager first portion of the adjacent building panel so that the major planes of the two panels, when interengaged, are selectively substantially parallel and coincident or coplanar or substantially perpendicular. The adjacent building panel may be a like building panel.

[0012] The building panel may have a width (w), and the predetermined distance (a) may be a quarter of the sum of the width minus six times the thickness of the building panel ((w - 6t) / 4).

[0013] A width / length of the building panel may be equal to a standard distance or a multiple of a standard distance. The standard distance may be the distance between two successive construction gridlines. The multiple may be a fraction, such as a half, of a standard distance between two successive construction gridlines. The standard distance may be 0.61 metres, 1 metre, 1.2 metres or 1.22 metres. By the building panel having this width / length, this enables thebuilding panels to be easily stacked within a standard sized container making them economical to transport.

[0014] The building panel may have a length (I). The length (I) may be an integer multiple of the width (w) of the building panel.

[0015] When a said major edge surface has either at least one engager first portion or at least one engager second portion, and one adjacent major edge surface has the same engager portion, the distance between the axis of rotation of the engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion of the said major edge surface closest to the one adjacent major edge surface and the one adjacent major edge surface may be the same as the distance between the axis of rotation of the engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion of the one adjacent major edge surface closest to the said major edge surface and the said major edge surface. The distances may be the shortest distances. The distances may be perpendicular to the respective major edge surfaces.

[0016] Each said part of the engager second portion may comprise an opening or recess in said major edge surface or said major side surface. The opening in each major side surface may be a slot parallel to the major edge surface. The longitudinal centre line of the slot may be spaced a distance of half the building panel thickness from the major edge surface. The opening in the major edge surface may be a slot parallel to the major side surfaces and the longitudinal centre line of the slot may be coincident with the longitudinal centre line of the major edge surface. The latching surface of each engager second portion part may be in the opening of the engager second portion part. The latching surface may be accessible through each said opening to enable an engager first portion of a like building panel to latching ly engage the latching surface.

[0017] Each engager second portion may have at least one latching member, the latching member having one or more of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion. The latching member may define a separate said latching surface in each opening. At least one said engager second portion may have a latching member having all the latching surfaces of the engager second portion parts. Thelatching surfaces of the engager second portion parts may together form a continuous surface. The latching member may comprise a plate. The latching member may comprise a rod or bolt or strike which may be U-shaped. The U-shaped rod or bolt has two arm portions and a base portion, each said portion forming a separate latching surface. Each latching surface of the engager second portion may be of a separate latching member or rod or bolt or strike. The latching surfaces may form the centre of the engager second portion. A plane perpendicular to the major edge surface where the third part of the engager second portion is situated and the major side surfaces may pass through the centre of the at least one latching member. The plane may form the centre of the engager second portion.

[0018] The latch catch member of the engager first portion may be arranged to extend from or may be retractably extendable from said major edge surface. The latch catch members of the engager first portions spaced along a said major edge surface may be arranged to rotate in the same direction relative to or about the axis of rotation when they are extended from said major edge surface.

[0019] The engager first portion may comprise a cam lock or hook and cam mechanism or clamping mechanism comprising the latch catch member. The camlock mechanism or clamping mechanism may be configured to latchingly engage a latching surface of any one of the engager second portion parts of an engager second portion of an adjacent building panel. The cam lock mechanism or clamping mechanism may include the axis of rotation for the latch catch member. The cam lock mechanism may have a cam. The cam lock mechanism may be an over-centre cam lock mechanism.

[0020] The building panel may have at least two degree rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis extending perpendicularly to said major plane.

[0021] One major side surface of the building panel may have access means for providing access for a tool to operate the engager first portion. The access means may comprise an opening or hole or aperture.

[0022] The building panel may include insulation or a layer of insulation.There may be provided a computer model of at least one building panel as described above. The computer model may, for example, be at least part of a CAD model. The computer model may be in the Metaverse.

[0023] A building system may comprise at least one building panel as described above and a similar building panel which is substantially triangular in plan.

[0024] A structure may comprise a plurality of the building panels as described above.

[0025] Like building panels may be used as wall panels in a building structure and the wall building panels may be rotated through 180 degrees enabling other like building panels to be used as floor or ceiling panels in the building structure.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building panel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the building panel;

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lock block of the building panel;

[0029] Figures 4 and 5 are side and top views, respectively, of the lock block; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the lock block taken along lines 6 - 6 shown on Figure 5;

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cam lock mechanism for the building panel;

[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a strike block of the building panel;

[0032] Figures 9, 10 and 11 are bottom, side and top views, respectively, of the strike block;

[0033] Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12 - 12 shown on Figure 11;

[0034] Figure 13 is a plan view of the building panel showing the location of the lock and strike blocks;

[0035] Figures 14 and 15 are perspective and side views, respectively, of two like building panels being interengaged so as to be parallel, coplanar and adjoining;Figure 16 is a sectional view showing a latch catch member of a lock block of one of the building panels of Figures 14 and 15 engaging a strike block of the other building panel;

[0036] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing like building panels forming a corner of a cube structure;

[0037] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the cube structure;

[0038] Figure 19 is a sectional view showing a latch catch member of a lock block of one of the building panels of a floor unit of the cube structure engaging a strike block of a wall unit of the cube structure;

[0039] Figure 20 are views of various types of building panels and other units; and

[0040] Figures 21 to 31 show perspective views of various stages of constructing a building using the various types of building panels shown in Figure 20.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the quadrilateral building panel 1 is rectangular in plan and has a major plane. The building panel 1 has two major side surfaces 2 which are parallel to the major plane. The thickness t of the building panel 1 is the perpendicular distance between the two major side surfaces 2. The building panel 1 has first, second third and fourth major edge surfaces 3, 4, 5, 6 defining a perimeter edge of the building panel 1. The first and third major edge surfaces 3, 5 are opposed major end edge surfaces and the second and fourth major edge surfaces 4, 6 are opposed major side edge surfaces wherein the opposed major end edge surfaces 3, 5 are interconnected by the opposed major side edge surfaces 4, 6. The first and second major edge surfaces 3, 4 have a plurality of lock blocks or engager first portions 7 spaced along a central longitudinal line of the major edge surface 3, 4. The third and fourth major edge surfaces 5, 6 have a plurality of strike blocks or engager second portions 8 spaced along a central longitudinal line of the major edge surface 5, 6.

[0042] The building panel 1 comprise first and second rectangular panels or boards 9, 10 that face each other. An outer face of each board facing away from the other board forms a said major side surface 11, 12 of the building panel 1,and the boards 9, 10 are spaced apart from each other by the lock blocks 7 and strike blocks 8. A rectangular insulation layer 13 is sandwiched between the pair of boards 9, 10 and between the lock and strike blocks 7, 8.

[0043] Referring to Figures 3 to 7, each lock block 7 has a rectangular top face 14 that forms part of the first or second major edge surfaces 3, 4 and has a slot or recess 15 extending longitudinally along the top face 14 wherein the slot 15 is aligned with the central longitudinal line 16 of the major edge surface 3, 4. The rectangular top face 14 is between two rectangular side faces 17, 18 of the lock block 7. Each lock block 7 has a fastener or hook and cam or cam lock mechanism 19 (see Figure 7), and the camlock mechanism 19 has a casing 20 with a U-shaped mounting flange 21 at one end that is mounted in shallow recesses 89 in the top face 14 on either side of the slot 15 so that the mounting flange 21 is flush with the top face 14. A pair of mounting flanges may be used instead of the U-shaped mounting flange 21. The camlock mechanism 7 has a latch catch member 22 rotatably mounted in the casing 20 and has an axis of rotation 23. The first and second boards 9, 10 have apertures or holes 24 extending through them (see Figures 1 and 2) and each hole 24 in one of the boards is aligned with the aperture or hole 25 in one side face 17 of the lock block 7 wherein the aligned apertures 24, 25 provide access for a suitable tool, such as an Allen key or slotted bit, to rotate the latch catch member 22 about the casing 20. The slot 15 is of a sufficient size so as to fully contain the latch catch member 22 when the latch catch member 22 is rotated by the tool so as to be unlocked and fully retracted ensuring that personnel and other panels cannot be damaged by a protruding latch catch member 22. The camlock mechanism 19 may be an over-centre cam lock mechanism such as that disclosed in GB 2618306 and the axis of rotation 23 may be of a cam 26 of the cam lock mechanism 19 having an eccentric disc which is fitted into the latch catch member 22 wherein rotation of the cam 26 rotates and moves the latch catch member 22.

[0044] Referring to Figures 8 to 12, each strike block 8 has a rectangular top face 27 that forms part of the third or fourth major edge surfaces 5, 6 and has athird part comprising a first vertical slot or recess 28 extending longitudinally along the top face 27 wherein the slot 28 is aligned with the central longitudinal line 29 of the major edge surface 5, 6. The rectangular top face 27 is between two rectangular side faces 30, 31 of the strike block 8, The strike block 8 has a horizontal slot or recess 32 extending between the side faces 30, 31. The strike block 8 has first and second parts, wherein the first part comprises the part of the horizontal slot 32 extending from the one side face, and the second part comprises the part of the horizontal slot extending from the other side face. The horizontal slot 32 extends longitudinally along the side faces 30, 31, the first vertical slot 28 extending down to meet the horizontal slot 32. The longitudinal centre line 33 of the horizontal slot 32 is spaced a distance of half the panel thickness (t / 2) from the top face 27. The top face 27 also has a second vertical slot or recess 34 extending between the two side faces 30, 31 and being perpendicular to the first vertical slot 28. The second vertical slot 34 is shallower than the first vertical slot 28 and does not extend to the horizontal slot 32. The slots 28, 32, 34 are all centred midway along the length of the strike block 8. A U-shaped bolt or strike 35 extends into the first and second vertical slots 28, 34 and horizontal slot 32 and is recessed from the top and side faces 27, 30, 31. The two side portions 36 of the U-shaped bolt 35 extend through the horizonal slot 32 and the end portion 37 of the U-shaped bolt 35, which is between the two side portions 36, extends along the bottom of the second vertical slot 34 with the U-shaped bolt 35 being located midway along the length of the strike block 8 and being centred on a plane perpendicular to the top face 27 and extending across the middle of the strike block 8. The two side portions 36 and the end portion 37 of the U-shape bolt 35 each form a latching surface. The latch catch member 22 of a lock block 7 of another building panel 1 can latch to any of these three latching surfaces. The side portions 36 form parts of the first and second parts, respectively, of the strike block 8, and the end portion 37 form part of the third part of the strike block 8. The distal ends of the U-shaped bolt 35 are held by nuts 38 and a clamp 39 to a base 40 of the strike block 8. The first and second boards 9, 10 have slots 41 extending through them (see Figures 1 and 2) whichare aligned with the horizontal slots 32 extending between the side faces 30, 31 of the strike blocks 8 and effectively form part of each horizontal slot 32.

[0045] Referring to Figure 13, the lock blocks 7 are spaced longitudinally along the first and second major edge surfaces 3, 4, wherein the latch catch members 22 are arranged to rotate in the same direction about their axes of rotation 23 when they are extended from the major edge surfaces 3, 4. The distance between the axis of rotation 23 of adjacent lock blocks 7 along each of these major edge surfaces 3, 4 is

[0046] 3t + 2a

[0047] wherein “t” is the thickness of the building panel 1 as mentioned earlier, and “a” is a predetermined distance.

[0048] The distance between the axis of rotation 23 of the lock block 7 on the first major edge surface 3 closest to the adjacent second major edge surface 4 and the second major edge surface 4, and the distance between the axis of rotation 23 of the lock block 7 on the second major edge surface 4 closest to the adjacent first major edge surface 3 and the first major edge surface 3 are both

[0049] t + a.

[0050] The distance between the axis of rotation 23 of the lock block 7 on the first major edge surface 3 closest to the adjacent fourth major edge surface 6 and the fourth major edge surface 6, and the distance between the axis of rotation 23 of the lock block 7 on the second major edge surface 4 closest to the adjacent third major edge surface 5 and the third major edge surface 5 are both

[0051] 2t + a.

[0052] Similarly, the strike blocks 8 are spaced longitudinally along the third and fourth major edge surfaces 5, 6, wherein the distance between the centres of adjacent strike blocks 8 along each of these major edge surfaces 5, 6 being

[0053] 3t + 2a

[0054] wherein the centre of each strike block 8 is the plane passing through the centre of the U-shaped bolt 35.

[0055] The distance between the centre of the strike block 8 on the third major edge surface 5 closest to the adjacent second major edge surface 4 and thesecond major edge surface 4, and the distance between the centre of the strike block 8 on the fourth major edge surface 6 closest to the adjacent first major edge surface 3 and the first major edge surface 3 are both

[0056] t + a.

[0057] The distance between the centre of the strike block 8 on the third major edge surface 5 closest to the adjacent fourth major edge surface 6 and the fourth major edge surface 6, and the distance between the centre of the strike block 8 on the fourth major edge surface 6 closest to the adjacent third major edge surface 5 and the third major edge surface 5 are both

[0058] 2t + a.

[0059] The predetermined distance a is defined as follows wherein

[0060] a = (w - 6t) / 4

[0061] where “w” is the width of the building panel 1.

[0062] The length of the building panel 1 is 2w. The length of the building panel 1 can be other multiples of “w”.

[0063] To form the quadrilateral building panel 1, the lock blocks 7 and strike blocks 8 are positioned on the first board 9 and held by adhesive with the holes 25 in the side faces 17 of the lock blocks 7 adjacent the first board 9 being aligned with the respective holes 24 in the first board 9, and the slots 32 in the side faces 30 of the strike block 8 adjacent the first board 9 being aligned with the respective slots 41 in the first board 9. The second board 10 is then fixed by adhesive to the opposite side of the lock blocks 7 and strike blocks 8 with the holes 25 in the side faces 18 of the lock blocks 7 adjacent the second board 10 being aligned with the respective holes 24 in the second board 10, and the slots 32 in the side faces 31 of the strike block 8 adjacent the second board 10 being aligned with the respective slots 41 in the second board 10. Screws (not shown) are then used to further secure the boards 9, 10 to the lock blocks 7 and strike blocks 8.

[0064] Polyurethane is then injected between the first and second boards 9, 10 to form the insulation layer 13, or an insulation slab is positioned between the first and second boards 9, 10 to form the insulation layer 13.The building panel 1 may be formed though in different ways, and any suitable materials may be used.

[0065] Referring to Figures 14 to 16, a first building panel 1a is shown having a like second building panel 1b attached so as to be coplanar and adjoining with the second major edge surface 4 of the first building panel 1a abutting the fourth major edge surface 6 of the second building panel 1b. A tool (not shown) is inserted through the hole 25 in one of the lock blocks 7 on the second major edge surface 4 via the aligned hole 24 in the first board 9 of the panel 1a and into the camlock mechanism 19 of the lock block 7. The tool is rotated in a first direction to cause the latch catch member 22 of the camlock mechanism 19 to rotate and extend from the second major edge surface 4 of the building panel 1a. The latch catch member 22 is rotated and enters the vertical slot 28 in the top face 27 of an aligned strike block 8 in the fourth major edge surface 6 of the second building panel 1b, the vertical slot 28 being of a sufficient size to receive the latch catch member 22. The latch catch member 22 is continued to be rotated until it engages the end portion 37 of the U-shaped bolt 35 of the strike block 8 which forms a latching surface with a hook 42 at a distal end of the latch catch member 22 being beyond the U-shaped bolt 35. Final travel of the tool operates the over-centre cam 26 within the mechanism 19, pulling the two panels 1a, 1b together with significant force ensuring that they cannot come together without application of the tool wherein the hook 42 is hooked around the U-shaped bolt 35. In the same way, the latch catch member 22 of the overcentre cam lock mechanisms in the other lock blocks 7 of the first building panel 1a are rotated so that they hook around the U-shaped bolts 35 in the strike blocks 8 of the second building panel 1b.

[0066] The horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 and the corresponding slots 41 in the first and second boards 9, 10 of the building panels 1a, 1b are aligned with construction gridlines 43 wherein the gridlines 43 are spaced a standard distance apart. The gridlines 43 form the longitudinal centrelines of any walls of a structure. The gridlines 43 may, for example, be spaced w in one directions and 2w in the perpendicular direction where w may be 1220mm.If the first building panel 1a is to be disconnected from the second building panel 1b then the tool is inserted into the cam lock mechanisms 19 and rotated in a second opposite direction so that each latch catch member 22 is disengaged from its respective latching surface of the U-shaped bolt 35 and is retracted into the first building panel 1a. The latch catch member 22 may be retained in a fully retracted position inside the building panel 1a by friction, such as by that caused by a washer spring between the latch catch member 22 and the casing 20 of the camlock mechanism 19.

[0067] Referring to Figures 17 to 19, a cube structure 44 is formed comprising six pairs of interengaged coplanar building panels 1a, 1b. Four pairs of interengaged coplanar building panels 1a, 1b form four wall units 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, one pair of interengaged coplanar building panels 1a, 1b forms a floor unit 46, and another pair of interengaged coplanar building panels 1a, 1b forms a ceiling unit 47.

[0068] The latch catch member 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels 1a, 1b of the floor unit 46 are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels 1a, 1b of a first of the wall units 45 (via the aligned slot 41 in the board 9). The latch catch members 22 are rotated until they latchingly engage the U-shaped bolts 35 of the strike blocks 8 so that the floor unit 46 and the first wall unit 45a are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the floor unit 46 and of the first wall unit 45a being perpendicular. Latch catch member 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the second major edge surface 4 of the second building panel 1b of the floor unit 46 are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels of a second of the wall units 45 so that the floor unit 46 and the second wall unit 45b are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the floor unit 46 and of the second wall unit 45b being perpendicular. Also, latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the second major edge surface 4 of the second building panel 1b of the first wall unit 45a are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the fourth major edge surfaces 6 of the firstbuilding panel 1a of the second wall unit 45b so that the first and second wall units 45a, 45b are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the first and second wall units 45a, 45b being perpendicular.

[0069] The third and fourth wall units 45c, 45d are rotated through 180 degrees to the first and second wall units 45a, 45b.

[0070] Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels of the third wall unit 45c are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels of the floor unit 46 so that the third wall unit 45c and the floor unit 46 are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the floor unit 46 and of the third wall unit 45c being perpendicular. Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the second major edge surface 4 of the second building panel 1 b of the second wall unit 45b are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the fourth major edge surface 6 of the first building panel 1a of the third wall unit 45c so that the second and third wall units 45b, 45c are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the second and third wall units 45b, 45c being perpendicular.

[0071] Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels of the fourth wall unit 45d are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the fourth major edge surface 6 of the first building panel 1a of the floor unit 46 so that the fourth wall unit 45d and the floor unit 46 are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the fourth wall unit 45d and of the floor wall unit 46 being perpendicular. Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the second major edge surface 4 of the second building panel 1b of the fourth wall unit 45d are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the fourth major edge surface 6 of the first building panel 1a of the first wall unit 45a so that the fourth and first wall units 45d, 45a are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the fourth and first wall units 45d, 45a being perpendicular.

[0072] The ceiling unit 47 is rotated through 180 degrees to the floor unit 46.Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels of the ceiling unit 47 are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels of the third wall unit 45c, and latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the second major edge surface 4 of the second building panel 1b of the ceiling unit 47 are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels of the fourth wall unit 45d. Latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels of the first wall unit 45a are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the third major edge surfaces 5 of the building panels of the ceiling unit 47, and latch catch members 22 of the lock blocks 7 of the first major edge surfaces 3 of the building panels of the second wall unit 45b are rotated into the horizontal slots 32 of the strike blocks 8 of the fourth major edge surface 6 of the first building panel 1 a of the ceiling unit 47. Thus, the ceiling unit 47 and the four wall units 45a-d are interengaged with the major planes of the building panels of the ceiling unit 47 and the four wall units 45a-d being perpendicular.

[0073] The longitudinal centrelines of the wall, floor and ceiling units of the cube structure 44 are on construction gridlines.

[0074] The structure 44 shows that a building panel 1 is able to lock with adjacent like building panels in three dimensions or is able to latchingly engage an adjacent like building panel in the same plane as well as either of the two planes perpendicular to the said plane.

[0075] Referring to Figures 20 to 31, a two storey building 48 having a rectangular plan is constructed using various types of building panels and other units, wherein Figure 20 illustrates these building panels and other units. The lock blocks 7 and / or strike blocks 8 of the various building panels and other units interengage with strike blocks 8 and / or lock blocks 7 of adjacent building panels / units.

[0076] Referring to Figure 21, several parallel rows of beams 49, 50, 51 are laid out wherein each row comprises beams 49, 50, 51 of different length whereineach beam comprises a plurality of lock blocks 7 spaced along an upper major edge surface of the beam.

[0077] Referring to Figure 22, different sized building panels 1, 52, 53, 54, 55 engage with each other to form a floor and the lock blocks 7 of the beams beneath engage with strike blocks 8 in the building panels. Modified building panels 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 are used to form two of the outer walls of a ground floor and internal walls wherein the modified building panels have a height of 2w - t. One of the modified building panels 56 has lock blocks 7 along one major side edge surface, a single lock block 7 on each major end edge surface, and strike blocks 8 along the other major side edge surface. Two of the modified building panels 57, 58 have lock blocks 7 along both major end edge surfaces and one major side edge surface and strike blocks 8 on the other major side edge surface wherein modified building panel 58 has an opening for a window. Modified building panel 59 has an opening for a door that extends to a lower major edge surface and consequently there are not any lock or strike blocks along this major edge surface. One of the modified building panels 60 has lock blocks 7 along both the major side edge surfaces and a single lock block 7 on each major end edge surface.

[0078] Referring to Figure 23, building panels 1, 62, 63 are used to form the other two outer walls wherein building panels 62 have openings for windows, and building panels 63 have a half width (w / 2) with a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface and a single strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface. Building panels 1, 53, 54, 55 of different lengths and a couple of the modified building panels 64, 65 of different lengths are used to form the ceiling.

[0079] Referring to Figure 24, various joists 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72 of different lengths are placed on top of the ceiling panels. One joist 66 has lock blocks 7 on each of the major side edge surfaces and a single lock block 7 on each of the major end edge surface. Some joists 67, 69 have lock blocks 7 on the each of the major side edge surfaces 4, 6 and a single lock block 7 on one of the major end edge surface and a strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface. Some joists 68, 70, 71 have lock blocks 7 on one major side edge surface and asingle lock block 7 on one major end edge surface and strike blocks 8 on the other major side edge surface and a single strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface. One joist 72 has lock blocks 7 on one major side edge surface, a single lock block 7 on each of the major end edge surfaces and strike blocks 8 on the other major side edge surface.

[0080] Referring to Figure 25, building panels 1 , 53, 54, 55 of different lengths are used to form a floor.

[0081] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, various building panels 1 , 53, 62, 63 and modified building panels 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 are used to form the walls of the first floor in a similar manner to the walls of the ground floor. Various building panels 1 , 54, 55, 63, 73 are used to form the ceiling.

[0082] Referring to Figure 28, various joists 67, 68, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 of different lengths are placed on top of the ceiling panels 1 , 54, 55, 63, 73 of the first floor. Some joists 74, 76 have lock blocks 7 on both major side edge surfaces and a single lock block 7 on each major end edge surface. One joist 75 has lock blocks 7 on the major side edge surfaces, a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface and a strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface. One joist 77 has a single lock block 7 on each major side edge surfaces, a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface and a strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface. One joist 78 has a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface and one major side edge surface, and a single strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface and the other major side edge surface.

[0083] Referring to Figure 29, gables are formed using gable panels 79, 80, 81 which are building panels that are substantially triangular in plan. Gable panels 79, 80 have strike blocks 8 on a bottom horizontal major edge and a vertical major edge and lock blocks 7 on the diagonal major edge. Gable panel 81 has strike blocks 8 on a bottom horizontal major edge and lock blocks 7 on the two diagonal major edges. Gable panels 79, 80 are placed on joists 67, 68, 74, 75, 76 which cross the building 48, and each end gable is formed from a pair of gable panels 79, 80 with a building panel 57 in between and a gable panel 81 above the building panel 57.Referring to Figure 30, building panels 54, 73, 82, 83 are placed on the gables to form the two slopes of the roof of the building 48 wherein building panel 82 has a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface, lock blocks 7 on one major side edge surface, and a single strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface, and building panel 83 has a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface, strike blocks 8 on one major side edge surface, and a single strike block 8 on the other major end edge surface.

[0084] Referring to Figure 31, building panels 82, 84, 85 of various lengths are connected to the lower edge of each slope of the roof wherein building panel 84 has a single lock block 7 on one major end edge surface, and lock blocks 7 on one major side edge surface, and building panel 85 has lock blocks 7 on one major side edge surface, and a single strike block 8 on one major end edge surface. Apex beams 86, 87 of various length are placed on the ridge of the roof. On top of the roof are parallel rows of beams 51 , 88 wherein each row runs along the width of each slope of the roof and the rows are parallel to the gables. The beams have lock blocks 7 for engaging strike blocks in the roof panels 54, 73, 83 beneath.

[0085] Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. CLAIMS:

1. A quadrilateral building panel having a major plane, the panel having:two major side surfaces which are at least substantially parallel to the major plane, the thickness (t) of the panel being between the major side surfaces, and the panel having four major edge surfaces substantially forming a perimeter of the panel;at least one engager first portion, the engager first portion having a latch catch member and an axis of rotation for the latch catch member;at least one engager second portion, the engager second portion comprising first and second parts situated respectively at the two major side surfaces and a third part situated at the said major edge surface, the third part being adjacent to the first and second parts, each of the first, second and third parts of the engager second portion having a latching surface configured to be engaged by a latch catch member of an engager first portion of an adjacent like building panel;each major edge surface having either at least one engager first portion or at least one engager second portion, at least one major edge surface having at least one engager first portion and at least one other major edge surface having at least one engager second portion;wherein one major edge surface is spaced from the axis of rotation of the closest engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of an adjacent major edge surface by a distance being the sum of a predetermined distance and the panel thickness (a + t), and the opposite major edge surface is spaced from the axis of rotation of the closest engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the closest engager second portion of the said adjacent major edge surface by a distance being the sum of the predetermined distance and double the panel thickness (a + 2t), andwherein the axis of rotation of the at least one engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion at each of two adjacent said major edge surfaces are aligned with the axis of rotation of theat least one engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the at least one engager second portion at the respective opposite major edge surfaces, each major edge surface having the same number of engager portions as the major edge surface it is opposite to.

2. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a said major edge surface has a plurality of either engager first or second portions, adjacent engager first portions are spaced such that the distance between the axes of rotation of the adjacent engager first portions being the sum of treble the panel thickness and double a predetermined distance (3t + 2a), and adjacent engager second portions are spaced such that the distance between the centres of the latching surfaces of the adjacent engager second portions being the sum of treble the panel thickness and double a predetermined distance (3t + 2a).

3. The building panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the building panel is configured to interengage with at least one other adjacent building panel having said engager first and second portions, the latch catch member of a said engager first portion of the building panel being latchingly engagable with the latching surface of any one of the engager second portion parts of a said engager second portion of the adjacent building panel so that the major planes of the two panels, when interengaged, are selectively substantially parallel and coincident or substantially perpendicular, or the latching surface of any one of the engager second portion parts of a said engager second portion of the building panel being configured to be latchingly engaged by the latch catch member of a said engager first portion of the adjacent building panel so that the major planes of the two panels, when interengaged, are selectively substantially parallel and coincident or substantially perpendicular.

4. The building panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adjacent building panel is a like building panel.

5. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the building panel has a width (w), and the predetermined distance (a) is a quarter of the sum of the width minus six times the thickness of the building panel ((w - 6t) / 4).

6. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when a said major edge surface has either at least one engager first portion or at least one engager second portion, and one adjacent major edge surface has the same engager portion, the distance between the axis of rotation of the engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion of the said major edge surface closest to the one adjacent major edge surface and the one adjacent major edge surface is the same as the distance between the axis of rotation of the engager first portion or the centre of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion of the one adjacent major edge surface closest to the said major edge surface and the said major edge surface.

7. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each said part of the engager second portion comprises an opening in said major edge surface or said major side surface.

8. The building panel as claimed in claim 7, wherein the opening in each major side surface is a slot parallel to the major edge surface and the longitudinal centre line of the slot is spaced a distance of half the building panel thickness from the major edge surface.

9. The building panel as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the opening in the major edge surface is a slot parallel to the major side surfaces and the longitudinal centre line of the slot is coincident with the longitudinal centre line of the major edge surface.

10. The building panel as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the latching surface of each engager second portion part is in the opening of the engagersecond portion part.

11. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each engager second portion has at least one latching member, the latching member having one or more of the latching surfaces of the engager second portion.

12. The building panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein a plane perpendicular to the major edge surface and the major side surfaces passes through the centre of the at least one latching member.

13. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch catch member of the engager first portion is retractably extendable from said major edge surface.

14. The building panel as claimed in claim 13 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the latch catch members of the engager first portions spaced along a said major edge surface are arranged to rotate in the same direction about the axis of rotation when they are extended from said major edge surface.

15. The building panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the engager first portion comprises a camlock mechanism comprising the latch catch member.

16. A computer model of at least one building panel as claimed in any preceding claim.

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