GB2441603A

GB2441603A - Structural insulated panel

Info

Publication number: GB2441603A
Application number: GB0707854A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tommy Studer; Brian Bengry
Original assignee: Kingspan Holdings IRL Ltd
Current assignee: Kingspan Holdings IRL Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2007-04-23
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-23
Also published as: GB0707854D0; GB2441603B; IE20070295A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a structural insulated panel (SIP) (1 figure 1) and comprises a core of insulation material 2 sandwiched between an inner sheet 3 and an outer sheet 4. The insulation material is preferably rigid polyurethane foam and the inner and outer sheets oriented strand board. At least one of the sheets has or defines a recess or void 15 for reception of services conduits such as cables or pipes. Preferably the facing edges of the inner sheet 3 at a joint between adjacent panels may also be spaced-apart to define a recess 15 for reception of the services conduits. A channel or track 20 may be fitted into the recess 15 and services led long the track 20.

Description

"A Structural Insulated Panel" The invention relates to buildings

systems using structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a prefabricated building panel comprising s an outer sheet and an inner sheet with a core of insulating material therebetween, at least one of the sheets having or defining a recess or void therein for reception of a services conduit.

in one embodiment the inner sheet has a cut-out to at least partially define the recess.

The conduit may comprise a pipe or a cable.

In one embodiment the recess contains a protector or track for the conduit. The track may be a cable track.

The protector may comprise a shroud.

In one case the recess or void is provided at a joint between adjacent panels.

In another embodiment the inner or the outer sheet has a recess or void for reception of an electrical fitting such as an electrical socket or an electrical switch.

In one case the sheets are of the same material. The sheets may be of different material.

In one embodiment, the or each sheet is of a material selected from oriented strand board, fibreboard, plasterboard, waferboard, plywood, paperboard and particle board.

In one case the or each sheet is of oriented strand board.

In one embodiment the insulating material is of a foam material such as polyurethane.

In one embodiment the panel comprises reinforcing splines for reinforcing the joint between adjacent panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a cross-sectional view illustrating the joint between adjacent panels of the invention, prior to assembly of the joint; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled joint between the panels of the invention; Fig. 3 is and enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint between the panels of the invention; is Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the joint between other panels of the invention; Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the assembled panels of the invention; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of the panel of Fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs I to 3 thereof, there is illustrated the joint between two like panels according to the invention. Each of the panels I is a structural insulating panel (SIP) comprising high-performance rigid polyurethane insulation 2 sandwiched between an inner sheet 3 and an outer sheet 4, both of which are of oriented strand board (OSB). Adjacent panels are jointed together using inner and outer splines 5, 6 of OSB at the internal faces of the sheets 3, 4 respectively. Nails 9 are used to secure the sheets 3, 4 and the associated splines 5, 6. A steel plate 10 may be used on the exposed face of the inner sheet 3 to provide a protective cover to the recess.

In the invention, the inner sheets 3 at the joint between adjacent panels have or define a recess or void 15 for reception of services such as pipes or cables. In this case, the facing edges of adjacent front sheet 3 are spaced-apart to define the recess 15.

In more detail, and referring to Fig. 3, the recess 15 may be used to house a track or channel 20, which may be used to house cables 21. The cable channel 20 may, for example, be a friction fit in the recess. In this case, the inner sheets 3 may be faced with a further sheet of plasterboard 25.

Referring to Fig. 4, the insulating core 2 may also has a recess or void to receive a services conduit. In this case the services conduit is defined by a metal shroud 30 housing pipes 35 such as copper water pipes.

Referring to Fig. 5 and 6, the inner sheets 3 may additionally or alternatively be provided with service recesses at appropriate locations such as lower recesses 50 to accommodate a standard twin point electrical socket and/or upper recesses 5 I to accommodate a light switch.

The invention ensures that services can be safely and easily installed within the overall structural thickness of the wall. The preformed recesses allow for a faster installation of services on site. The conduits can be readily incorporated within an off-site manufacturing process. There is no need for battening of the panel to create a service void. In general, the use of a joint in accordance with the invention that functions as both a connector and a service zone provides a highly efficient building system.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, which may be varied in detail.

Claims

Claims I. A prefabricated structural insulated panel comprises an outer

sheet and an inner sheet with a core of insulating material therebetween, at least one of the sheets having or defining a recess or void therein for reception of a services conduit.
2. A panel as claimed in claim I wherein the inner sheet has a cut-out to at least partially define the recess.
3. A panel as claimed in any of claims I to 3 wherein the conduit comprises a pipe.
4. A panel as claimed in any of claims I to 3 wherein the conduit comprises a cable.
5. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the recess contains a protector or track for the conduit.
6. A panel as claimed in claim 6 wherein the track is a cable track.
7. A panel as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the protector comprises a shroud.
8. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the recess or void is provided at a joint between adjacent panels.
9. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner or the outer sheet has a recess or void for reception of an electrical fitting such as an electrical socket or an electrical switch.
10. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheets are of the same material.
11. A panel as claimed in any of claims Ito 10 wherein the sheets are of different material.
12. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each sheet is of a material selected from oriented strand board, fibreboard, plasterboard, waferboard, plywood, paperboard and particle board.
13. A panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the or each sheet is of oriented strand board.
14. A panel as claimed any preceding claim wherein the insulating material is of a foam material.
15. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulating material is a P0 Iyureth ane.
16. A panel as claimed in any preceding claim comprising reinforcing splines for reinforcing the joint between adjacent panels.
17. A prefabricated building panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.