Panel

Abstract

A panel formed from sheet material and suitable for roofing and other cladding type applications is described. The panel has opposite longitudinal edges and incorporates a plurality of longitudinally extending formations. The formations are generally of common shape but have at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel. The panel in at least one form is formed from sheet steel and may be galvanized and/or have other outer protective coatings or finishes.

1 . A cladding panel formed from sheet material having opposite longitudinal edges and being profiled to incorporate a plurality of longitudinally extending formations, the formations being of generally common shape but having at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel.  
   
   
       2 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein in one direction across the panel, the size of the at least one formation increases along a first part of the panel, and decreases along a second part of the panel.  
   
   
       3 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least three different sizes of the at least one portion across the panel.  
   
   
       4 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion has at least a component of its length that extends in the plane of the panel.  
   
   
       5 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the formation has a surface defining a major portion of the formation, the surface incorporating at least one discontinuity in that surface.  
   
   
       6 . A panel according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one discontinuity delineates respective minor formations within the major portion.  
   
   
       7 . A panel according to  claim 6  wherein respective of the minor formations differ from one another.  
   
   
       8 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the formation includes a gradually sloped surface and an abruptly sloped surface, the surfaces being mutually inclined so that the panel has a saw tooth profile.  
   
   
       9 . A panel according to  claim 8 , wherein the width of the gradually sloped surface of the formations is not constant across the panel.  
   
   
       10 . A panel according to  claim 8 , wherein the width of the abruptly sloped surface of the formations is constant across the panel.  
   
   
       11 . A panel according to  claim 8 , wherein respective of the gradually sloped surfaces include at least one discontinuity in that surface.  
   
   
       12 . A panel according to  claim 11  wherein the gradually sloped surface defines a major portion of the formation and the discontinuities delineate respective minor formations within the major portion.  
   
   
       13 . A panel according to  claim 12  wherein respective of the minor formations differ from one another.  
   
   
       14 . A panel according to  claim 13  wherein the minor formations differ in size.  
   
   
       15 . A panel according to  claim 12 , wherein respective of the minor formations are individually selected from the group consisting of sawtooth shaped formations, pans, and troughs.  
   
   
       16 . A panel according to  claim 11 , wherein respective of the discontinuities provide a junction from which the slope of the gradually sloping surface across the formation alters.  
   
   
       17 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the formations produce a plurality of crests and troughs across the panel.  
   
   
       18 . A panel according to  claim 17 , wherein the spacing of the crests from a notional centre plane of the panel is constant across the panel.  
   
   
       19 . A panel according to  claim 17 , wherein the spacing of the troughs from a notional centre plane of the panel is constant across the panel.  
   
   
       20 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein in one direction across the panel width, the spacings between adjacent crests increases along a first portion of the panel width and decreases along a second portion of the panel width.  
   
   
       21 . A panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is formed from a plurality of panel members, each panel member having opposite longitudinal edges and being profiled to include at least one of the longitudinal extending formations, the panel members being arranged in side by side relation with the longitudinal edges of adjacent panel members overlapping, wherein the formations of the panel members are of generally common shape but have at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel.  
   
   
       22 . A panel having a profile of repeated crests and troughs across the width of the panel, the profile being non-constant and having three or more different spacings between adjacent crests across the panel width.  
   
   
       23 . A panel according to  claim 1  being fabricated from sheet steel.  
   
   
       24 . A fence comprising infill elements disposed between spaced apart fence posts, wherein the infill elements include a plurality of panels as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       25 . A roof structure incorporating a panel formed from sheet material having opposite longitudinal edges and being profiled to incorporate a plurality of longitudinally extending formations, the formations being of generally common shape but having at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel.  
   
   
       26 . A wall or barrier incorporating a panel formed from sheet material having opposite longitudinal edges and being profiled to incorporate a plurality of longitudinally extending formations, the formations being of generally common shape but having at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus for fabricating a cladding panel, the apparatus comprising forming rolls for modifying the shape of sheet material passing through the nip of one or more sets of the rolls, the forming rolls being collectively adapted to shape the sheet material to form a panel having opposite longitudinal edges and being profiled to incorporate a plurality of longitudinally extending formations, the formations being of generally common shape but having at least one portion which is not of constant size across the panel.  
   
   
       28 . A panel according to  claim 21  being fabricated from sheet steel.