Ventilated structural panels and method of construction with ventilated structural panels

Abstract

A single plenum structural panel comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet and the bottom sheet being parallel to one another. A plurality of spacing structural elements fixedly attach the top sheet to the bottom sheet, such that a yield strength of an assembled single plenum structural panel is greater than a sum of individual yield strengths of the top sheet and the bottom sheet. A plenum is defined by a spacing between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The plurality of spacing structural elements are formed such that a first plurality of spaced apart unobstructed pathways are created in the plenum for air to move in a first direction from at least one edge of the single plenum structural panel to at least one of an opposite and an adjacent edge of the single plenum structural panel.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A ventilated panel fastener comprising one of a toothed screw, a double-head screw, and a coupling block. 
     
     
         22 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 21  wherein the fastener is a toothed screw. 
     
     
         23 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 22  wherein the toothed screw further comprises a enlarged flat head with cutting teeth fixedly attached to and extending downward from the head parallel to and in a same direction as a shank. 
     
     
         24 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 23  wherein the cutting teeth attach to an outer perimeter of the flat head. 
     
     
         25 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 23  wherein the cutting teeth are between 2 and 16 in number 
     
     
         26 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 23  wherein the cutting teeth are between 2 to 4 in number 
     
     
         27 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 23  wherein the cutting teeth extend a length equal to a thickness of sheet of ventilated panel to be fastened. 
     
     
         28 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 23  wherein the cutting teeth extend a length equal to a thickness of two sheets of a ventilated panel to be fastened 
     
     
         29 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 21  wherein the fastener is double head screw. 
     
     
         30 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 29  wherein the double-head screw has a larger diameter top head at a terminal end of the double head screw and has an smaller diameter intermediate head spaced at a distance from the top head  14   
     
     
         31 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 30  wherein the intermediate head having a twisted bit base. 
     
     
         32 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 21  wherein the fastener is a coupling block. 
     
     
         33 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 32  wherein the coupling block has a has a raised center guide to aid in centering the coupling block, with respect to length, so equal lengths of the coupling block is in adjacent panels, when securing the coupling block in respective panels. 
     
     
         34 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 32  wherein the coupling block has a plurality of raised protrusions disposed on an exterior surface. 
     
     
         35 . The ventilated panel fastener of  claim 32  wherein the coupling block has a plurality of cleats disposed on an exterior surface. 
     
     
         36 . A method of fastening a ventilated panel to one of another ventilated panel and a supporting structure comprising:
 inserting one of a toothed screw, a double-head screw, and a coupling block into both the ventilated panel and the one of another ventilated panel and supporting structure.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the toothed screw is inserted into both the ventilated panel and the supporting structure. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the double-head screw is inserted into both the ventilated panel and the supporting structure. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the coupling block is inserted into both the ventilated panel and the another ventilated panel. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the coupling block has one of cleats and raised protrusions disposed on an exterior surface of the coupling block.