Modular building system

Abstract

There is provided a panel for use in the construction of a structure. The panel includes a panel body defining a panel body periphery. The panel body additionally includes a panel body front surface and an opposing panel body back surface. A flange extends along the panel body periphery. The panel further includes an elongate rib having first and second rib walls and a rib channel. The first and second ribs walls extend from and along the panel body back surface. The rib channel is disposed between and along the first and second ribs walls and extends toward the panel body back surface. The rib channel defines a rib longitudinal axis generally parallel to the adjacent panel body back surface. The panel is cuttable along the rib channel to form a structural element. A plurality of structural elements may be combined to form the structure.

1 . A panel for use in the construction of a structure, the structure being formed of a plurality of structural elements, the panel comprising:
 a panel body defining a panel body periphery, the panel body including a panel body front surface and an opposing panel body back surface;   a flange extending along the panel body periphery; and   an elongate rib having first and second rib walls and a rib channel, the first and second ribs walls extending from and along the panel body back surface, the rib channel disposed between and along the first and second ribs walls and extending toward the panel body back surface, the rib channel defining a rib longitudinal axis generally parallel to the adjacent panel body back surface, the panel being cuttable along the rib channel to form a respective one of the plurality of structural elements.   
   
   
       2 . The panel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first rib wall extends from the panel body back surface a first rib wall distance, the second rib wall extends from the panel body back surface a second rib wall distance, and the rib channel extends toward the panel body back surface to define a rib channel depth. 
   
   
       3 . The panel as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first rib wall distance, the second rib wall distance and the channel depth are equal. 
   
   
       4 . The panel as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first rib wall distance is equal to the second rib wall distance, and the rib channel depth is less than the first and second rib wall distances. 
   
   
       5 . The panel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel is formed of structural foam. 
   
   
       6 . The panel as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the structural foam includes at least one polymer. 
   
   
       7 . The panel as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the polymer is a recycled polymer. 
   
   
       8 . The panel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the panel is formed of a plastic material. 
   
   
       9 . The panel as recited in  claim 1  further comprises a plurality of elongate ribs. 
   
   
       10 . The panel as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the plurality of elongate ribs intersect. 
   
   
       11 . The panel as recited in  claim 1  wherein the panel is rectangular. 
   
   
       12 . A panel assembly for use in the construction of a structure, the panel assembly comprising:
 at least two panels, each of the at least two panels comprising:
 a panel body defining a panel body periphery, the panel body including a panel body front surface and an opposing panel body back surface; 
 a flange extending along the panel body periphery; and 
 an elongate rib having first and second rib walls and a rib channel, the first and second ribs walls extending from and along the panel body back surface, the rib channel disposed between and along the first and second ribs walls and extending toward the panel body back surface, the rib channel defining a rib longitudinal axis generally parallel to the adjacent panel body back surface, the panel being cuttable along the rib channel to form a respective one of the plurality of structural elements; and 
   a connecting rail disposed between the at least two panels, the connecting rail having a first connector channel and a second connector channel, the first and second connector channels each being configured to engage with the flange of a respective panel.   
   
   
       13 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein each of the at least two panels define a panel plane disposed parallel with respect to each other. 
   
   
       14 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein each of the at least two panel panels define a panel plane disposed angularly with respect to each other. 
   
   
       15 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12  further comprising a fastener configured to attach the flange of a respective panel to the connecting rail. 
   
   
       16 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of the at least two panels is formed of structural foam. 
   
   
       17 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the structural foam includes at least one polymer. 
   
   
       18 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the polymer is a recycled polymer. 
   
   
       19 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of the at least two panels is formed of a plastic material. 
   
   
       20 . The panel assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each of the at least two panels further comprises a plurality of elongate ribs.