Building panel

Abstract

A quadrilateral building panel ( 1 ) has a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being an integral number of panel widths. The panel has at least two degree rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis ( 8 ) extending perpendicularly to a plane containing a major surface ( 9 ) of the panel ( 1 ). Each edge ( 2,3 ) of the panel includes at least one inwardly stepped portion ( 5 ) and at least one outwardly stepped portion ( 6 ) and each inwardly stepped portion ( 5 ) is dimensioned to receive an outwardly stepped portion ( 6 ) on the edge of an adjacent panel, each outwardly stepped portion ( 6 ) projecting a distance corresponding to the panel thickness beyond the inwardly stepped portion ( 5 ). This enables the panel to be assembled in an interengaging manner with other like panels to form a three-dimensional structure so that their major planes are generally parallel and coincident or perpendicular.

1 . A quadrilateral building panel having a length, a width, and a thickness, the panel being arranged to be assembled in an interengaging manner with other like panels to form a three-dimensional structure, the panel having stepped portions along its four edges and having at least two degree rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis extending perpendicularly to a plane containing a major surface of the panel, the length of the panel being an integral number of panel widths.  
   
   
       2 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured to interengage an adjacent like panel so that their major planes are substantially parallel and coincident.  
   
   
       3 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured to interengage an adjacent like panel so that their major planes are substantially perpendicular.  
   
   
       4 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each edged of the panel includes at least one inwardly stepped portion and at least one outwardly stepped portion and each inwardly stepped portion is dimensioned to receive an outwardly stepped portion on the edge of an adjacent panel.  
   
   
       5 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein along each edge of the panel the at least one outwardly stepped portion projects a distance substantially corresponding to the panel thickness beyond the at least one inwardly stepped portion.  
   
   
       6 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , including at least one rounded edge enabling the panel to interengage an adjacent panel at an angle which is not a multiple of 90°.  
   
   
       7 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the rounded edge is along at least part of the distal edge of at least one of the outwardly stepped portions.  
   
   
       8 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one stepped portion includes means for securing adjacent panels to each other.  
   
   
       9 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the securing means includes elongate holes extending through the outwardly stepped portions for the receipt of elongate members which extend through the aligned elongate holes of adjacent interengaged panels.  
   
   
       10 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the elongate member comprises a sliding bolt.  
   
   
       11 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the securing means comprises a locking cam and/or a push fit configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a pair of complementary tray-like members connected to each other around peripheries thereof to provide a double-skinned panel.  
   
   
       13 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each tray-like member includes edge portions, each defining half of one of the outwardly stepped portions and substantially semi-circular recesses which clamp around a tubular member used to define one of the elongate holes when the pair of tray like members are brought together.  
   
   
       14 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , including insulation within the panel.  
   
   
       15 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least one tray-like member has an aperture for injection of said insulation into the panel.  
   
   
       16 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least one elongate hole is provided for injection of said insulation into the panel.  
   
   
       17 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel has two degree rotational symmetry.  
   
   
       18 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel has four degree rotational symmetry.  
   
   
       19 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel is cut from one flat plate.  
   
   
       20 . The building panel as claimed in  claim 1 , including ribs extending along a said major surface of the panel.  
   
   
       21 . A structure comprising a plurality of said building panels as claimed in  claim 1  and assembled in an interengaging manner.