GB2501883A

GB2501883A - Multi part insulating panel for use in a beamed floor or ceiling.

Info

Publication number: GB2501883A
Application number: GB1208021.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Tidy
Original assignee: JABLITE Ltd
Current assignee: JABLITE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-08
Filing date: 2012-05-08
Publication date: 2013-11-13
Also published as: GB201208021D0

Abstract

The insulating panel 105 comprises two sides the first of which is shaped to engage with a correspondingly shaped portion on another panel 106, the second panel being a similar shape or different to the first panel. The panels are designed to be located between beams of a floor or ceiling. The first side may incorporate a recess to engage with a projection or tongue on the second side. Also claimed is a construction comprising beams and at least two panels. The beams containing mounting portions and the panel shaped to be located upon the mounting portion. The construction may comprise at least three panels wherein the first 105 and third 105 panels are broadly similar, perhaps arranged in a mirror image of the other, and a second panel 106 is held in place by the first and third panels only and located in between the two. Also claimed is a method of construction on a structural element on a building using the panels.

Description

An insulating panel

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an insulating panel for use in a construction on a structural element of a building such as a floor, ceiling or the like. The invention also concerns constructinns incorporating the insulating panels, and methods of making constructions using the insulating panels.

Background of the Invention

A known insulated floor construction 1 for a suspended floor is shown in Figure 1. The floor construction 1 comprises a plurality of concrete beams 2, which provide load-bearing support for the floor 3. The floor 3 will comprise multiple layers including for example a moisture-proof membrane, concrete screed, supporting mesh, carpet and the like, together providing the usable surface of the floor 3.

The floor construction 1 further comprises insulating panels 4, arranged underneath the floor 3. The panels 4 are made of expanded polystyrene. As can be seen in Figure 1, the beams 2 are shaped in such a way as to have a flange extending from each bottom edge, giving them an inverted T-shape. The panels 4 are shaped correspondingly with a flange extending from each top edge, so that each panel 4 is held in place between two adjacent beams 2 with the flanges of the panel 4 resting upon the "inner" flanges of the beams 2. (The "inner" flanges are the flanges on the sides of the beams 3 that face the panel 4 when it is in place.) As can again be seen from Figure 1, the panels 4 have a portion that extends beneath one of the beams 2 when in place. The panels 4 thus together form a complete insulating layer between and underneath the beams 2.

However, the configuration of a floor construction, for example the placement and shape of the beams as reguired by the floor space, may be such that a complete insulating layer cannot be provided using only the panels 4. Such a floor construction 10 is shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that in the floor construction 10, the panels 4a on the left sides of the central beam 2a are arranged so that the portion that extends beneath the beams 2 covers the beam 2 to the left of a pane: 4a. In contrast, the panels 4b on the right side of the central beam 2a are arranged so that the portion that extends beneath the beams 2 covers the beam 2 to the right of a panel 4b. Such an arrangement of the panels 4 may occur for example because the panels 4 nearest the walls surrounding the floor 3 are required to be arranged in such a way due to the position of the outermost beams 2 with respect to those walls.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the arrangement of the panels 4a and 4b resuts in neither of the panels adjacent to the central beam 2a having their extending portion extending beneath the central beam 2a. Instead, the floor construction 10 includes an infill panel 5 made of expanded polystyrene positioned underneath the central beam 2a.

However, as the infill panel 5 is positioned beneath the central beam 2a, it can be seen that a fixing is required to keep the infill panel in place. To this end, push-fix pins 6, shown in more detail in Figure 3, are pushed from above through the panels 4a and 4b adjacent to the central beam 2a and into the infill panel 5.

It would be advantageous to be able to provide an insulated flooring system that did not require the use of additional elements such as push-fix pins to keep elements of the insulation in place.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively and/or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an insulated floor construction which removes the need for additional fixings.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an insulating panel for a construction on a structural element of a building, the structural element comprising a plurality of beams between which insulating panels are positioned, wherein: at least one side of the panel is shaped to engage with a correspondingly shaped side of a second panel, to hold the panels together relative to each other; and wherein the panel is made from an insulating material.

As the shaped sides of the panels hold them together relative to eaoh other, a panel oan be held in plaoe by its adjaoent panels. Therefore, for example, in a construction in which most panels are held in place by positioning them on the beams in the oonstruction, if an "infill" panel is required that cannot be positioned on a beam, the infill panel can be fixed to the adjacent panels by virtue of Its shaped sides. The shaped sides of the panels hold the infill panel in place relative to the adjacent panels, and so no additional fixing means such as push-fix pins are required.

The struotural clement may be a floor or a ceiling, for example. The structural element may be a suspended floor.

The beams may be concrete beams. The surface of the structural element on which the holder is mounted may be the interior surface of a room.

Advantageously, the panel is made of an insulating polymer. Preferably, the panel is made of expanded polystyrene. The panel may be profile cut from a block of expanded polystyrene or shape moulded. Alternatively, the panel may be made of any material from the group of extruded polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. The material may have a thermal conductivity of 0.050W/mK or below. The material may have a thermal conductivity of 0.040W/mK or below. Preferably, the material has a thermal conductivity of 0.036W/mK or below. Advantageously, the material has a thermal conductivity of 0.031W/mR or below. The material may have a thermal conductivity of 0.021W/mK or below.

The panel may be arranged to be mounted between adjacent beams in the structural element. The panel can then be engaged with a second panel that is not mounted between adjacent beams, and so can hold the seccnd panels in place within the structural element. The panel may have a first portion arranged to be between two adjacent beams, and a second portion arranged to extend beneath one of the beams. In that case, the side of the extended portion may be shaped to engage with the second panel.

Preferably, the panel is for a construction with beams comprising mounting portions, and the panel is shaped to be mounted upon the mounting pcrtions of the adjacent beams.

The side of the panel may be shaped with a protruding portion arranged to engage with a recess in the side of the second panel. Alternatively, the side of the panel may be shaped with a recess arranged to engage with a protruding portion of the side of the seccnd panel. These alternatives provide a convenient way to engage the panels without any extra fixing elements being reguired. The protruding portion may have an enlarged end, arranged to fit within an enlarged bottom of the recess. This allows the panels to be snapped" together and helps prevent them becoming disengaged.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a constructicn cn a structural element of a building, comprising: a plurality of beams; a plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams; wherein at least a first of the plurality of insulating panels is as described above; and wherein the construction comprises at least a second insulating panel with a correspondingly shaped side engaged with the shaped side of the first panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.

Preferably, the beams comprising mounting portions, and at least the first panel is shaped to be mounted upon the mounting portions of the adjacent beams.

Advantageously, the second panel has a second correspondingly shaped side engaged with the shaped side of a third panel from the plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams to hold the panels together relative to each other. This allows the second panel to be held securely in place by the first and third panels. Advantageously, the second panel is arranged to be held in position only by engagement with the first and third panels. This allows the second panel to be used in a position within the structural element where it is not possible for the second panel to be positioned between adjacent beams. In this case, the second panel may be a flat sheet.

Alternatively, the second panel is a panel from the plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams. In this case, the engaging of the panels helps keep them in place within the structural element, in addition to the support provided by the beams.

The side of the first panel may be shaped with a protruding portion arranged to engage with a recess in the side of the second panel. Alternatively, the side of the first panel may be shaped with a recess arranged to engage with a protruding portion of the side of the second panel.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a construction on a structural element of a building, the structural element comprising a plurality of beams, comprising the steps of: obtaining a first insulating panel as described above; positioning the first panel between adjacent beams; obtaining a second insulating panel with a correspondingly shaped side to the shaped side of the first panel; and engaging the shaped side of the first panel with the shaped side of the second panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.

Advantageously, the method further comprises the steps of: obtaining a third insulating panel as described above; positioning the third panel between adjacent beams; engaging the shaped side of the third panel with a second correspondingly shaped side of the second panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.

Advantageously, the second panel is arranged to be held in position only by engagement with the first and third panels.

In this case, the second panel may be a flat sheet.

Alternatively, the method may further comprise the step of positioning the seoond panel between adjacent beams.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an insulating panel substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a construction on a structural element of a building substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a construction on a structural element of a building substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a first known insulated floor construction for a suspended floor; Figure 2 shows a second known insulated floor constructicn for a suspended floor; Figure 3 shows in more detail the push-fix pin of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an insulating panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a first infill insulating panel in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a second infill insulating panel in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows an insulated floor construction for a suspended floor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows an insulated floor construction for a suspended floor in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

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Detailed Description

P. first insulating panel 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in cross-section in Figure 4. The first panel 105 comprises a main body portion with flanges 110 on either side. Below the main body portion is a flat extended portion that extends out below the body portion on one side. The sides of the flat extended portion are angled relative to the vertical axis cf the panel, and are parallel to each other. The sides of the flat extended porticn have respective recesses llla and lllb. Each recess llla, lllb has an enlarged bottom.

A second insulating panel 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in cross-section in Figure 5. The second panel 106 is a flat infill sheet. The sides of the second panel are angled relative to the vertical axis of the panel, with the sides being angled inwardly when moving from the bottom to the top of the second panel 106. The angle of the sides to the vertical is the same as that of the sides of the first panel 105. The sides have respective protruding portions ll2a and ll2b.

Each protruding portion 112a, 112b has an enlarged end.

A third insulating panel 107 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in cross-section in Figure 5. The third panel 107 is a flat infill sheet similar to the second panel 106, having angled sides with respective protruding portions 113a and 113b with enlarged -11 -ends. However, the sides of the third panel 107 are angled outwardly when moving from the bottom to the top of the third panel 107.

The panels 105, 106, 107 are formed from expanded polystyrene. The panels 105, 106, 107 may, for example, be profile cut from a standard-size block of expanded polystyrene of rectangular cross-section.

A floor construction 100 in which first panels 105 and a second panel 106 are used is show in Figure 7. As in the known floor construction 1 of Figure 1, the floor construction 100 comprises concrete beams 2 and a floor 3.

The first panels 105 are positioned between adjacent beams 2, with the flanges 100 of the first panels 105 resting on the corresponding "inner" flanges of the concrete beams 2.

The flat extended portions of the first panels 105 then extend beneath the beams 2.

However, as can be seen from Figure 7, the first panels to the left and right of the central beam 2a are oriented in different directions, so that the underneath of the central beam 2a is not covered by the extended portion of either adjacent first panel 105. Instead, a second panel 106 is positioned beneath the central beam 2a.

The second panel 106 is engaged with the adjacent first panels 105 so that the protruding portion ll2a of the second panel 106 is positioned within the recess lila of the first panel 105 to its right, and the protruding portion ll2b of the second panel 106 is positioned within the recess lila of the first panel 105 to its left. The enlarged end of each protruding portion 112a, 112b fits within the enlarged -12 -bottom of each recess lila, so the panels "snap" together and are prevented from becoming disengaged. It can be seen that the angles of sides of the second panel 106 will match the angles of the sides of the two adjacent first panels 105.

In a similar way, a third panel 107 would be used when the recesses of the adjacent first panels 105 were both the recesses lllb. in this case, the protruding portion 113a of the third panei 107 is positioned within the recess illb of the first panel 105 to its right, while the protruding portion ii3b of the third panel i07 is positioned within the recess ilib of the first panel 105 to its left. Again it can be seen that the angles of sides of the third panel 107 will match the angles of the sides of the two adjacent first panels 105.

Thus, it can be seen that the second panel 106 or third panel 107 can be used in a position in which a flat sheet wouid be used in the known floor construction 1. However, as both panels 106, 107 have protruding portions that engage with the recesses in the sides of the first panel 105, these act to hold the second panel 106 or third panel 107 in place, without any fixings such as push-fix pins being required.

A floor construction 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 8. The floor construction 200 again comprises concrete beams 2 and a floor 3. The floor construction 200 further comprises insulating panels 201, similar to the first panels 105 of the previous embodiment, except that the panels 201 have a -13 -protruding portion on a first side and a reoess on a seoond side, rather than a reoess on both sides, and the sides are not angled. As can be seen from Figure 8, this allows the panels 101 to be "snapped" securely together by positioning the protruding portion of one panel 201 in the reoess of the adjacent panel 201. The floor construction 200 further comprises an infill panel 202. The infill panel 202 has recess on each side, in which are positioned the protruding portions of the adjacent panels 201, to hold the infill panel 202 in place.

Again it will be appreciated that an infili panel with protruding portions on each side could be used in a position in which the sides of the adjacent panels 201 both have recesses.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. The skilled person will in particular appreciate that the sides of the panels could be shaped in any way and still be in accordance with the invention, as long as the side of an infill panel engages with a correspondingly shaped side of an adjacent panel so as to hold the infill panel in place. Such shapes include, but are not limited to, rounded shapes, rectangular shapes, triangular shapes, or any other suitable shapes, combinations of such shapes, and combinations of protrusions and recesses on the side of a panel. The skilled person will also appreciate that panels in accordance with the -14 -invention could be used in combination with known panels; for example, panels in accordance with the invention could be used only in positions in which an infill panel is required (i.e. the infill panel and adjacent panels would be in accordance with the invention) , with known panels being used in all other positions.

Claims

-15 -Cia iris 1. An insulating panel for a construction on a structural element of a building, the structural element comprising a plurality of beams between which insulating panels are positioned, wherein: at least one side of the panel is shaped to engage with a correspondingly shaped side of a second panel, to hold the panels together relative to each other; and wherein the panel is made from an insulating material.
2. A panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel is arranged to be mounted between adjacent beams in the structural element.
3. A panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the panel is for a construction with beams comprising mounting portions, and wherein the panel is shaped to be mounted upon the mounting portions of the adjacent beams.
4. A panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side of the panel is shaped with a protruding portion arranged to engage with a recess in the side of the second panel.
5. A panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side of the panel is shaped with a recess arranged to engage with a protruding portion of the side of the second panel.

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6. A construction on a structural element of a building, comprising: a plurality of beams; a plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams; wherein at least a first of the plurality of insulating panels is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5; and wherein the construction comprises at least a second insulating panel with a correspondingly shaped side engaged with the shaped side of the first panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.
7. A construction as claimed in claim 6, wherein the beams comprising mounting portions, and at least the first panel is shaped to be mounted upon the mounting portions of the adjacent beams.
8. A construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second panel has a second correspondingly shaped side engaged with the shaped side of a third panel from the plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams to hold the panels together relative to each other.
9. A construction as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second panel is arranged to be held in position only by engagement with the first and third panels.
10. A construction as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second panel is a flat sheet.

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11. A construction as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second panel is a panel from the plurality of insulating panels positioned between adjacent beams.
12. A panel as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the side of the first panel is shaped with a protruding portion arranged to engage with a recess in the side of the second panel.
13. A panel as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the side of the first panel is shaped with a recess arranged to engage with a protruding portion of the side of the second panel.
14. A method of making a construction on a structural element of a building, the structural element comprising a plurality of beams, comprising the steps of: obtaining a first insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6; positioning the first panel between adjacent beams; obtaining a second insulating panel with a correspondingly shaped side to the shaped side of the first panel; and engaging the shaped side of the first panel with the shaped side of the second panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the beams comprising mounting portions, and at least the first panel -18 -is shaped to be mounted upon the mounting portions of the adjaoent beams.
16. A method as olaimed in olaim 14 or 15, further oomprising the steps of: obtaining a third insulating panel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6; positioning the third panel between adjacent beams; engaging the shaped side of the third panel with a second correspondingly shaped side of the second panel to hold the panels together relative to each other.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second panel is arranged to be held in position only by engagement with the first and third panels.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second panel is a flat sheet.
19. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, further comprising the step of positioning the second panel between adjacent beams.
20. A panel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the side of the first panel is shaped with a protruding portion arranged to engage with a recess in the side of the second panel.
21. A panel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the side of the first panel is shaped with a recess arranged -19 -to engage with a protruding portion of the side of the second panel.
22. An insulating panel substantially as herein described with reference to any of Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A construction on a structural element of a building substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of making a construction on a structural element of a building substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 or B of the accompanying drawings.