阅读说明：本技术 模块化建筑物构造 (Modular building construction ) 是由 克劳斯·哈默肖特·汉森 安德鲁·大卫·亨特 于 2019-07-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：建筑板由波纹材料构造。板可以折叠成U形配置。连续的折叠板可以使用互补形状的波纹耦接在一起以将板相对于彼此固定在位。被定形状的连接器可以用于将一个平面中的建筑板连接至另一个平面中的建筑板。(The building panels are constructed from a corrugated material. The panels may be folded into a U-shaped configuration. Successive folded sheets may be coupled together using complementary shaped corrugations to secure the sheets in position relative to each other. Shaped connectors may be used to connect building panels in one plane to building panels in another plane.)

1. A panel for use in a modular building, the panel comprising a first side wall, a second side wall and a base portion; the plate is movable between a first position and a second position; whereby the first and second sidewalls are angled with respect to each other when the panel is in the first position and the first sidewall is substantially parallel to and opposite the second sidewall when the panel is in the second position.

2. The plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second side walls is joined to said base portion along a longitudinally extending bend whereby movement of said plate between its first and second positions is effected by rotation of at least one of said first and second side walls relative to said base portion about the corresponding longitudinally extending bend.

3. The plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second side walls is joined to the base portion at a hinge such that movement of the plate between its first and second positions can be effected by rotation of at least one of the first and second side walls relative to the base portion about the corresponding hinge.

4. The plate of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a first base portion joined to a second base portion along a longitudinally extending bend, whereby movement of the plate between its first and second positions is effected by movement of the first base portion relative to the second base portion about the longitudinally extending bend.

5. The panel of claim 4, wherein the first base portion is connected to the first sidewall at an approximately 90 ° bend and the second base is connected to the second sidewall at an approximately 90 ° bend.

6. The panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion is located inwardly of the side wall when in its first position.

7. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is constructed from a corrugated material, the panel having ridges and grooves extending in a longitudinal direction.

8. The panel of claim 7, wherein the corrugations are angled using a plurality of straight sections.

9. The panel of claim 7, wherein the corrugations are curvilinear.

10. The plate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate comprises a further longitudinally extending bend on the first and/or second side wall.

11. The panel of claim 10, wherein movement of at least one sidewall portion about an additional longitudinally extending bend allows the panel to move into a third position in which the panel is closed at an outer end away from the base portion.

12. The panel of claim 11, wherein movement of at least one sidewall portion about an additional longitudinally extending bend allows the panel to move into a fourth position in which an outer portion of the sidewall extends away from the panel in a direction parallel to the base portion.

13. A method of forming a portion of a building element, the method comprising the steps of:

providing first and second plates, each plate having first and second sidewalls, the sidewalls constructed of a corrugated material;

moving the panels into an assembled position with the first side wall of each panel parallel to the respective second side wall; and

positioning the second panel at least partially within the first panel such that a portion of the first sidewall of the second panel overlaps a portion of the first sidewall of the first panel, the overlapping portions being complementary in shape.

14. A method of forming part of a building element according to claim 13, wherein the overlapping portions are represented as a single corrugated wave form.

15. A method of forming part of a building element according to claim 13, wherein the overlapping portions are represented as two or more corrugated waveforms.

16. A method of forming part of a building element according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the panel is associated with a plurality of coupling members, each coupling member having: a first face shaped to complement an interior portion of the first sidewall; a second face shaped to complement a respective interior portion of the second sidewall; and an outer surface shaped to complement the adjoining panel.

17. The method of forming a portion of a building element according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface of each coupling member has a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface and the concave surface each being perpendicular to the first face and the second face.

18. The method of forming a portion of a building element according to claim 16, wherein an outer surface of at least one coupling member includes a portion that is angled at an obtuse angle with respect to at least one of the first and second faces.

19. The method of forming a part of a building element according to claim 18, wherein the obtuse angle is about 72 °.

20. A method of forming part of a building element according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the building element comprises at least one channel member arranged to engage with the panel.

21. A method of forming part of a building element according to claim 20, wherein the channel member has a side wall arranged to be located internally of the panel side wall.

22. A method of forming part of a building element according to claim 21, wherein the method includes the further step of nailing the panel side walls to the channel member side walls.

23. A connecting member for engaging with a building panel having a side wall formed from a corrugated material;

the connecting member having an outer surface comprising a convex planar surface, a concave planar surface, and an inclined planar surface connecting the convex planar surface with the concave planar surface, the inclined planar surface being substantially rectangular; said convex planar surface being parallel to said concave planar surface, the junction between said inclined planar surface and said convex planar surface defining the orientation direction of said connecting member;

the connecting member has four sidewalls, each sidewall shaped to engage the corrugated material;

the connecting member has a first orientation in which the connecting member is oriented parallel to the side wall of the building panel and a second orientation in which the connecting member is oriented perpendicular to the side wall of the building panel.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the modular construction of buildings from component parts.

Background

International patent publication No. WO 2005/124049 describes a building system comprising walls constructed from overlying corrugated sheets. Each panel is formed of two L-shaped corrugated sheets arranged to form a U-shaped panel having a base including an overlap region between the corrugated sheets and the single thickness side walls. The side walls are held in relative positions by support members.

Tests on the building system of WO 2005/124049 have demonstrated a high degree of strength and stability, particularly in comparison with the relatively light weight structures so assembled. The building system requires a certain degree of expertise to assemble, particularly in the case of correctly mounted panels of support members. Furthermore, the stacking of L-shaped corrugated sheets for shipping can be cumbersome.

The present invention seeks to provide a system for constructing a building in a modular manner which achieves some of the advantages of the system of WO 2005/124049 and avoids some of the disadvantages which have been identified.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a panel for use in a modular building, the panel comprising a first side wall, a second side wall and a base portion; the plate is movable between a first position and a second position; whereby the first and second sidewalls are angled with respect to each other when the panel is in the first position and the first sidewall is substantially parallel to and opposite the second sidewall when the panel is in the second position. It will be understood that the first position represents a position where a plurality of plates can be easily stacked for transport; and the second position represents an assembled position in which the panels can be used to form a wall of a building.

The panels may be wall panels, floor panels, roof panels or other desired building panels.

In the first position, the first and second side walls will be disposed opposite each other at an angle of less than 180 °. This may be an angle of zero degrees, wherein the first sidewall, the base portion and the second sidewall are generally in the same plane, up to an angle of 90 degrees and even higher.

In other words, it will be understood that the plate may be flat or approximately flat when in its first position.

Preferably, at least one of the first and second side walls is joined to the base portion along a longitudinally extending bend, whereby movement of the plate between its first and second positions is achieved by rotation of the at least one of the first and second side walls relative to the base portion about the corresponding longitudinally extending bend.

The bend may be formed by thinning the material in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the bend may be formed by a perforation in the body of the plate.

In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second side walls may be joined to the base portion at a hinge such that movement of the plate between its first and second positions may be achieved by rotation of the at least one of the first and second side walls relative to the base portion about the corresponding hinge.

In an alternative embodiment, the base portion comprises a first base portion joined to a second base portion along the longitudinally extending bend, whereby movement of the plate between its first and second positions is achieved by movement of the first base portion relative to the second base portion about the longitudinally extending bend.

In this embodiment, the first base portion is connected to the first sidewall at an approximately 90 ° bend, and the second base is connected to the second sidewall at an approximately 90 ° bend. In this embodiment, the first position of the plate may be represented by the first substrate portion being bent at an angle between about 60 ° and about 150 ° relative to the second substrate portion; and the second position of the plate is represented by the first base portion being parallel to the second base portion.

Preferably, the base portion is located inwardly of the side wall when in its first position.

The plate is preferably constructed of a corrugated material, with ridges and grooves extending in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment, the corrugations may be angled using straight sections. Alternatively, the corrugations may be curvilinear. It will be understood that where the plate is described as 'flat' in its first position, this does not exclude the plate being formed from corrugated material: which refers to the state of the first and second curved portions.

The plate may comprise further longitudinally extending bends on the first and/or second side wall. Movement of the side wall portion about the further longitudinally extending bend preferably allows the panel to move into a third position in which the panel is closed at the outer end away from the base portion, or movement of the side wall portion about the further longitudinally extending bend preferably allows the panel to move into a fourth position in which the outer portion of the side wall extends away from the panel in a direction parallel to the base portion.

It will be appreciated that in the third position, the plate effectively becomes a single box girder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming part of a building element, the method comprising the steps of:

providing first and second plates, each plate having first and second sidewalls, the sidewalls constructed of a corrugated material;

moving the panels into an assembled position, wherein the first side wall of each panel is parallel to the respective second side wall; and

the second panel is positioned at least partially within the first panel such that a portion of the first sidewall of the second panel overlaps a portion of the first sidewall of the first panel, the overlapping portions being complementary in shape.

The building element is preferably a building wall. Alternatively, it may be a floor, ceiling, roof or other component element.

The overlapping portion may be represented as a single ripple waveform. Alternatively, the overlapping portion may be represented as two or more ripple waveforms.

The plate may be associated with a plurality of coupling members. In a preferred embodiment, each coupling member has a first face shaped to complement an interior portion of the first sidewall; a second face shaped to complement a corresponding interior portion of the second sidewall; and an outer surface shaped to complement the adjoining panel.

The outer surface of each coupling member preferably has a convex surface and a concave surface, both of which are perpendicular to the first and second faces.

Alternatively, the outer surface of the coupling member may include a portion angled at an obtuse angle with respect to at least one of the first face and the second face. In a preferred embodiment, the obtuse angle is about 72 °. In use, this allows a roof panel to be attached to the outer surface, the roof panel having an inclination of 18 °.

The building wall may comprise at least one channel member arranged to engage with the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the channel member has side walls arranged to be located inside the side walls of the panel. The channel member may have a detent in which the base portion of the plate may be positioned.

The method may comprise the further step of nailing the side walls of the plate to the side walls of the channel member. This may be achieved by using deformable fasteners.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling member for engagement with a building panel, the building panel having a side wall formed from a corrugated material;

the connecting member has an outer surface comprising a convex planar surface, a concave planar surface, and an inclined planar surface connecting the convex planar surface with the concave planar surface, the inclined planar surface being substantially rectangular; the convex planar surface is parallel to the concave planar surface, and the joint between the inclined planar surface and the convex planar surface defines the orientation direction of the connecting member;

the connecting member has four sidewalls, each sidewall shaped to engage the corrugated material;

the connecting member has a first orientation in which the direction of orientation of the connecting member is parallel to the side wall of the building panel and a second orientation in which the direction of orientation of the connecting member is perpendicular to the side wall of the building panel.

Drawings

It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to its preferred embodiments. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG.1 is a cross-section of a wall panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a first position;

FIG.2 is a perspective view of an end of the wall panel of FIG. 1;

FIG.3 is a schematic cross-section of the wall panel of FIG.1 shown in a second position;

FIG.4 is a perspective view of an end of the wall panel of FIG. 3;

FIG.5 is a schematic cross-section of the wall panel of FIG.1 shown in a third position;

FIG.6 is a schematic cross-section of the wall panel of FIG.1 shown in a fourth position;

FIG.7 is a schematic cross-section of the wall panel of FIG.1 shown in a fifth position;

FIG.8 is a schematic cross-section of a wall section constructed from wall panels such as those of FIG. 1;

FIG.9 is a perspective view of the wall portion of FIG. 8;

FIG.10 is a schematic cross section of a wall corner using panels such as those of FIG. 1;

FIG.11 is a first perspective view of a connecting member for use with the wall portion of FIG. 8;

FIG.12 is a second perspective view of the connecting member of FIG. 11;

FIG.13 is a third perspective view of the connecting member of FIG. 11;

FIG.14 is a plan view of the connecting member of FIG. 11;

FIG.15 is a perspective view of a portion of a building formed from a panel such as that of FIG.1 and a panel such as those of FIG. 11;

FIG.16 is a perspective view of a roof connecting member for use with the wall portion of FIG. 8;

FIG.17 is a first perspective view of an alternative connecting member for use with the wall portion of FIG. 8;

FIG.18 is a second perspective view of the connecting member of FIG. 17;

FIG.19 is a first side view of the connecting member of FIG. 17;

FIG.20 is a second side elevational view of the connecting member of FIG. 17;

FIG.21 is a plan view of the attachment member of FIG.17 preassembled;

FIG.22 is a perspective view of an alternative roof connecting member for use with the wall portion of FIG. 8;

FIG.23 is a plan view of the roof connecting member of FIG. 22;

FIG.24 is a side view of the roof connecting member of FIG. 22;

FIG.25 is an end view of the roof connecting member of FIG. 22;

FIG.26 is a first perspective view of a fastener for use with the panel of FIG. 1;

FIG.27 is a second perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 26;

FIG.28 is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 26;

FIG.29 is a schematic cross-section of a wall portion constructed from wall panels in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG.30 is a cross-section of a wall panel according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in a first position;

FIG.31 is a perspective view of an end of the wall panel of FIG. 30;

FIG.32 is a cross-section of the wall panel of FIG.30 shown in a second position;

FIG.33 is a perspective view of an end of the wall panel of FIG. 32;

FIG.34 is a cross-section of a first embodiment of a wall section formed from a plurality of wall panels, such as those of FIG. 32;

FIG.35 is a perspective view of an end of the wall portion of FIG. 34;

FIG.36 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of a wall section formed from a plurality of wall panels, such as those of FIG. 32;

FIG.37 is a perspective view of an end of the wall portion of FIG. 36;

FIG.38 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of a wall section formed from a plurality of wall panels, such as those of FIG. 32;

FIG.39 is a perspective view of an end of the wall portion of FIG. 38;

FIG.40 is a cross-section of a wall panel stack, such as the wall panel of FIG. 30;

fig.41 is a perspective view of the wall plate stack of fig. 40;

FIG.42 is a perspective view of the channel member shown in a second position for use in conjunction with the wall panel of FIG. 32;

FIG.43 is a cross-section of a channel member stack, such as those of FIG.42, shown in a first position;

FIG.44 is a perspective view of the channel member stack of FIG. 43;

FIG.45 is a perspective view of a fastener used in conjunction with the channel member of FIG. 42;

FIG.46 is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 45; and

fig.47 is a schematic view of a portion of a building constructed from wall panels, such as those of fig. 32.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wall panel 10 formed from an angled corrugated material. The wall panel 10 has a first side wall 12, a second side wall 14, and a base 16.

In the embodiment of fig.1, each sidewall 12, 14 extends about 340mm away from the base 16. The substrate 16 has a width of about 150 mm. Each plate extends about 2400mm in the longitudinal direction.

The plate 10 is oriented such that the corrugations extend in the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 12 represents approximately 3.5 corrugation wavelengths, with the substrate 16 representing approximately 1 corrugation wavelength.

The arrangement is such that: first sidewall 12 is connected to base 16 along a first bend 22, first bend 22 extending longitudinally along sheet 10. Similarly, second sidewall 14 is connected to base 16 along a second bend 24, second bend 24 extending longitudinally along sheet 10.

In the embodiment shown in fig.3 and 4, the first bend 22 is a 90 ° bend. The second curved portion 24 is movable from a straight configuration, wherein the cross-section of the plate 10 is substantially L-shaped.

The bends 22, 24 are configured so as to form a natural bending point for the panel 10. This may be accomplished by thinning the material along the bends 22, 24, or by providing perforations, or other means. The arrangement is such that: applying a small degree of pressure to the side walls 12, 14 will move the plate 10 from the second position shown in fig.3 and 4 to the first position shown in fig.1 and 2, where the second side wall 14 has rotated about the second bend 24 into a 90 ° bend relative to the base 16. It will be appreciated that such movement moves the first and second sidewalls 12, 14 into a parallel configuration spaced apart by the base 16. The plate 10 thus forms a generally "U-shaped" configuration when viewed in cross-section, as in fig. 1. The plate 10 has a base 16 at an inner end and an open space 28 at an outer end.

The first position shown in fig.1 and 2 represents an assembled configuration, as will be described below. The second position shown in fig.3 and 4 represents a possible storage configuration.

Fig.5 to 7 show the plate 10 of fig.1 to 4 with a further bend, a third bend 30 and a fourth bend 32. The third bend 30 is located on the first sidewall 12 at about a half wavelength from the outer end of the first sidewall 12. The fourth bend 32 is located on the second sidewall 14 at about a half wavelength from the outer end of the second sidewall 14.

Fig.5 shows the panel 10 in a third position in which each of the third and fourth bends 30, 32 has been folded 90 ° inwardly so as to close the open space 28.

Fig.6 shows the panel 10 in a fourth position, referred to as the 'left joint', in which the third bend 30 has been folded out by 90 °.

Fig.7 shows the panel 10 in a fifth position, referred to as the 'right joint', in which the fourth bend 32 has been folded 90 ° outwards.

Fig.8 and 9 show the assembly of a wall section 50 using a plurality of panels 10, each panel 10 being in the assembled configuration of fig.1 and 2. The wall portion 50 has a first wall plate 10a positioned such that its base 16a is indicated as the inner end of the wall portion 50 and its open space 28a faces the outer end of the wall portion 50.

The second plate 10b is introduced into the open space 28a of the first plate 10 a. The second plate 10b faces in the same direction as the first plate 10a with its open space 28b facing the outer end of the wall section 50.

The second plate 10b is located within the first plate 10a at a wavelength of about 0.75 a. In other words, the corrugation wave of the first sheet 10a immediately following the open space 28a is located outside and adjacent to the corrugation wave of the second sheet 10b immediately following the substrate 16b until about 0.75 wavelength has passed. It should be understood that the waves are complementary in shape.

It can be seen that the wall portion 50 has side walls 52, 54, each of the side walls 52, 54 being the thickness of one side wall 12, 14 from the inner end through its first three corrugations, and then the thickness of both side walls 12, 14 through the other 0.75 wavelengths. When adding successive sheets 10, it will be understood that the thickness of the sidewalls 52, 54 alternates between one thickness and two thicknesses.

It will be appreciated that the outer end of the wall 50 may be formed by joining the final plate 10 in the third position of figure 5.

Alternatively, the outer end of the wall 50 may be formed by incorporating the final plate 10 in the fourth position of fig.6 or the fifth position of fig. 7. This allows the wall 50 to be connected to another wall 50 at a right angle (left or right). This arrangement is shown schematically in figure 10.

In the arrangement of fig.10, it can be seen that the outer end of the first side wall 12 (beyond the third bend 30) is located alongside the base 16 of the abutment plate 10, with the bent outer end of the second side wall 14 being located partially along the side walls 12, 14 of the abutment plate 10. In both cases, the outer ends of the side walls 12, 14 are complementary in shape to the corresponding regions of the adjoining panel 10.

The plate 10 is preferably used in conjunction with a connecting member or block 60 as shown in fig. 11-14.

The connecting block 60 has an outer surface 62 defined by four side edges: a first side edge 64, a second side edge 66, a third side edge 68, and a fourth side edge 70.

The outer surface 62 has a substantially flat convex surface 72 extending from the first side edge 64 toward the third side edge 68 and a substantially flat concave surface 74 extending from the third side edge 68 toward the first side edge 64. The convex surface 72 and the concave surface 74 are parallel to each other and each extend across about 45% of the path of the outer surface 62.

A substantially flat inclined surface 76 connects the convex surface 72 and the concave surface 74. The inclined surface 76 is generally rectangular and extends from the second side edge 66 to the fourth side edge 70. The inclined surface 76 is connected to the raised surface 72 along a first line of connection 78, the first line of connection 78 being substantially parallel to the first edge 64 and the third edge 68. The inclined surface 76 connects to the recessed surface 74 along a second line of connection 80, the second line of connection 80 being parallel to the first line of connection 78. The inclined surfaces are angled at about 65 deg. relative to each of the convex surfaces 72 and the concave surfaces 74.

Each of the four side edges 64, 66, 68, 70 is shaped to be positioned within a single wave of the corrugations of the panel 10. They each have a concave surface 82 and a convex surface 84, the concave and convex surfaces 82, 84 being arranged to locate against 'convex' and 'concave' portions of the wave form of the plate 10. Concave surface 82 and convex surface 84 are both perpendicular to convex surface 72 and concave surface 74.

The third side edge 68 has an outwardly extending extension 86 on its convex surface 84. The extension 86 extends above the lower concave surface 74 to an upper edge 88, the upper edge 88 having a height corresponding to the height of the convex surface 72. The inner face 90 extends from the upper edge 88 to the recessed surface 74 and meets the recessed surface 74 at an angle of about 65.

The first side edge 64 has a cut-out portion 92 on its convex surface 84, the cut-out portion 92 being complementary in shape to the extension portion 86 on the third side edge 68.

The connection block 60 may be positioned in the plate 10 in two different configurations. In the first configuration, the connection block 60 may be positioned in an orientation whereby the connection lines 78, 80 are perpendicular to the direction of the side walls 12, 14. This creates a stepped configuration along either the upper or lower edge of the plate 10. The connecting block 60 is arranged to be inserted into the plate 10 such that the concave surface 74 is flush with the outer edge of the plate 10, with the convex surface 72 extending outside the edge of the plate 10. The resulting stepped configuration is complementary in shape to the side walls 12, 14 of the second plate 10, the second plate 10 being oriented at 90 ° to the first plate 10. This allows wall-to-wall or wall-to-floor 90 ° joints to be easily created within the building. This can be seen in fig. 15.

In the second configuration, the connection block 60 may be positioned in an orientation whereby the connection lines 78, 80 are parallel to the direction of the side walls 12, 14. The convex surfaces 72 of the junction blocks 60 are aligned to form a continuous convex surface, with the concave surfaces 74 forming a continuous concave surface. The resulting configuration is complementary in shape to the longitudinal edges of the second plate 10, which second plate 10 is oriented at 90 ° to the first plate 10. This allows the connection of the wall to the floor, wherein the direction of the corrugations of the floor is the same as the direction of the wall.

Fig.16 shows a roof connector block 94. Roof connector block 94 has a first side edge 96 similar to first side edge 64 of connecting block 60 and a third side edge 98 similar to third side edge 68 of connecting block 60. The roof connector block 94 has a second side edge 100 and a fourth side edge 102 each extending through the three corrugated wave forms.

The roof connector block 94 has an outer surface 104, the outer surface 104 having a first portion 106 extending from the second side edge 100 towards the fourth side edge 102 and a second portion 108 extending from the fourth side edge 102 towards the second side edge 100. The first portion 106 and the second portion 108 meet along a centerline 110. The first portion 106 and the second portion 108 each slope upward toward the centerline 110 at an angle of about 18. The arrangement is such that: when roof connector block 94 is inserted on top of wall panel 10, a roof panel (not shown) may then be attached to the wall panel, with the roof having an inclination of 18 °.

An alternative connection block 120 is shown in fig. 17-21. The alternative connection block 120 has the same principle features as the connection block 60: an outer surface 62 defined by four side edges 64, 66, 68, 70; a substantially flat raised surface 72; a substantially flat recessed surface 74; a substantially flat inclined surface 76 and first and second connection lines 78, 80.

As with the connector block 60, each of the four side edges 64, 66, 68, 70 of the alternative connector block 120 is shaped to lie within a single wave of the corrugations of the plate 10, having a concave face 82 and a convex face 84. The third side edge 68 has an outwardly extending extension 86 on its convex surface 84.

The difference between the connector block 60 and the alternative connector block 120 is that the former is molded into the desired shape, while the latter is formed from a single cut piece 122 arranged to be folded into shape. Thus, the concave and convex surfaces 82, 84 of the alternative junction block 120 are not joined by interconnecting webs as in junction block 60.

Similarly, an alternative roof connector block 124 is shown in fig. 22-25. The alternative roof connector piece 124 has all the main features of the roof connector piece 94 except that it is formed from a single slice rather than molded. Alternative roof connector blocks 124 have a plurality of centrally located holes 126. Centrally located hole 126 both reduces the volume of material required to form alternative roof connector block 124 and provides internal access to panel 10, for example for inserting insulation.

It will be appreciated that the connector block may be formed similarly to the roof connector block 124, with the outer surface 104 perpendicular to the side edges 96, 98, 100, 102. Such connector blocks may be used in place of the connector blocks 60, 120 to cover panels, such as for wall to floor connections and the like. It is also contemplated that at least one connector block may be located on the interior of panel 10 to provide reinforcement when desired.

The panels 10 may be locked to each other and/or to the connecting blocks 60, 120 or roof connector blocks 94, 124 by means of apertures 130, the apertures 130 being located within each of the concave corrugations of the first and second side walls 12, 14. In use, these apertures 130 are arranged to align with associated apertures 132 in the connection blocks 60, 120 or associated apertures 134 in the roof connector blocks 94, 124.

Locking the plates 10 to each other or to the connecting blocks 60, 120 is achieved by using fasteners 140 as shown in fig.26 to 28. Each fastener 140 has a shaft 142 extending from an annular head 144, with the shaft 142 having a wide thread 146 around its periphery. The threads 146 are arranged to engage the apertures 130, 132, 134. The fastener 140 has a single actuating socket 148 within the head 144, the single actuating socket 148 being arranged to be operated by an Allen key or hex key, a screwdriver or similar tool.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apertures 130, 132, 134 may be associated with a female portion of the associated body. It is contemplated that this will facilitate alignment of apertures 130, 132, 134 and facilitate easy positioning of fastener 140 within apertures 130, 132, 134.

The above-described panel 10 is envisaged to be transported in the L-shaped second position of figures 3 and 4, or as a flat panel which requires bending around the first and second bends 22 and 24 to obtain the assembled configuration of figures 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that other shipping and storage arrangements are possible, particularly with some bends less than a 90 ° bend around the first bend 22 and/or the second bend 24.

It will be appreciated that although the wall portions 50 are straight, it is possible to form the curved wall portions 150 with little variation in the geometry of each plate 10. An enlarged example of such an arcuate wall section 150 is shown in fig. 29.

Another alternative wall panel 210 is shown in fig. 30-33. Wall plate 210 is formed from a curved corrugated material and has a first sidewall 212, a second sidewall 214, and a base 216. The substrate 216 has a first substrate portion 218 and a second substrate portion 220.

In the embodiment of fig.32, each sidewall 212, 214 extends about 340mm away from the base 216. The base 216 has a width of about 150 mm. Each plate extends about 2400mm in the longitudinal direction.

The plate 210 is oriented such that the corrugations extend in the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 212 represents about 4.5 corrugation wavelengths, with the substrate 216 representing about 2 corrugation wavelengths.

The arrangement is such that: first sidewall 212 is connected to first base portion 218 along a first bend 222, first bend 222 extending longitudinally along plate 210. Similarly, second sidewall 212 is connected to second base portion 220 along a second bend 224, second bend 224 extending longitudinally along plate 210. The first bend 222 and the second bend 224 are both 90 ° bends.

The first base portion 218 is connected to the second base portion 220 along a central bend 226. The central bend 226 is also about 90 °, but on the opposite face of the plate 210 from the first bend 222 and the second bend 224. Thus, the plate 210 forms a substantially "W-shaped" configuration when viewed in cross-section as in fig. 30.

Central bend 226 is configured to form a natural bending point for plate 210. This may be accomplished by thinning the material along the central bend 226, or by providing perforations, or other means. The arrangement is such that: applying a small degree of pressure to the sidewalls 212, 214 will move the plate 210 from the first position shown in fig.30 and 31 to the second position shown in fig.32 and 33, wherein the first and second base portions 218, 220 have been rotated relative to each other about the central bend 226 into their parallel configuration, forming a straight base 216. It will be appreciated that such movement moves the first sidewall 212 and the second sidewall 214 into a parallel configuration spaced apart by the base 216. Thus, when viewed in cross-section, as in fig.32, the plate 210 forms a substantially "U-shaped" configuration. The plate 210 has a base 216 at an inner end and an open space 228 at an outer end.

The first position shown in fig.30 and 31 represents the storage configuration. The second position shown in fig.32 and 33 represents the assembled configuration.

Figures 34 to 39 show various ways of assembling the wall sections using a plurality of panels 210, each in an assembled configuration. In each case, the assembly between the first plate 210a and the second plate 210b will be described, but it will be understood that successive plates may be added in the same manner.

Fig.34 and 35 show a wall portion 240 having a minimum wall thickness of one sheet. In this embodiment, the first plate 210a is positioned such that its base 216a represents the inner end of the wall portion 240 and its open space 228a faces the outer end of the wall portion 240.

The second plate 210b is introduced into the open space 228a of the first plate 210 a. The second plate 210b faces in the same direction as the first plate 210a with its open space 228b facing the outer end of the wall portion 240.

The second plate 210b is located within the first plate 210a at about 1.5 wavelength. In other words, the corrugation wave of the first plate 210a immediately adjacent to the open space 228a is located outside and adjacent to the corrugation wave of the second plate 210b immediately adjacent to the substrate 216b until about 1.5 wavelengths have passed. It will be appreciated that the waves are complementary in shape.

It can be seen that the wall portion 240 has side walls 242, 244, each of which is the thickness of one side wall 212, 214 from the inner end through its first three corrugations, and then the thickness of both side walls 212, 214 through the other 1.5 wavelengths. When a continuous sheet 210 is added, it will be understood that the thickness of the sidewalls 242, 244 alternates between one thickness and two thicknesses every 1.5 wavelengths.

It will be appreciated that the outer end of the wall 240 may be formed by inverting the final plate 210 such that its base 216 forms the outer end of the wall 240.

Fig.36 and 37 show a wall portion 250 having a minimum wall thickness along most of its two sheets. In this embodiment, the second plate 210b is located within the first plate 210a at about 2.5 wavelength waves.

It can be seen that the wall portion 250 has side walls 252, 254, the side walls 252, 254 each being the thickness of one side wall 212, 214 from the inner end through its first two corrugations, then the thickness of two side walls 212, 214 through the next 2 wavelengths, and the thickness of three side walls 212, 214 through the other half of the wavelengths. When a continuous plate 210 is added, it will be understood that the thickness of the sidewalls 252, 254 alternates between two thicknesses of 1.5 wavelengths and then three thicknesses of the next 0.5 wavelengths.

Fig.38 and 39 show a wall portion 260 having a minimum wall thickness along most of its four slices. In this embodiment, the second plate 210b is located within the first plate 210a at about 3.5 wavelength wavelengths.

It can be seen that the wall portion 260 has side walls 262, 264, each of the side walls 262, 264 being the thickness of one side wall 212, 214 through its previous corrugated wavelength from the inner end, then the thickness of two side walls 212, 214 through the next wavelength, the thickness of three side walls 212, 214 through the next wavelength, the thickness of four side walls 212, 214 through the next wavelength and the thickness of five side walls 212, 214 through the next wavelength. When successive plates 210 are added, it will be appreciated that the thickness of the sidewalls 252, 254 alternates between four and five thicknesses for each half wavelength.

It will be appreciated that the plates 210 in the first position of fig.30 can be easily stacked for transport and storage, and easily removed from such a stack. Fig.40 and 41 show a stack 270 of plates 210 ready for transport.

In use, the wall portions 240, 250, 260 may be constrained within at least one channel member 272, as shown in fig. 42. Each channel member 272 is generally U-shaped in cross-section having a central web 274 and two side flanges 276. The side flanges 276 each have an inner lip 278.

The arrangement is such that: the side flanges 276 are spaced around the width of the base 216 of the plate 210.

Each side flange 276 has a plurality of receiving apertures 280 spaced along its length.

As shown in fig.43 and 44, channel member 272 may have a longitudinal bend 286 along web 274, thereby dividing it into a first web portion 282 and a second web portion 284. As such, channel members 272 may be bent outwardly into a "W-shape" to facilitate stacking.

Fig.45 and 46 illustrate a deformable fastener 290, the deformable fastener 290 being arranged for driving the plate 210 into the channel member 272. Each fastener 290 has a shaft 292 extending from an annular base 294, where the shaft has a plurality of "one-way" snap-in tabs 296 disposed about its periphery. The fasteners 290 are arranged to be located within the receiving apertures 280 of the channel members and corresponding apertures in the side walls 212, 214 of the plate 210 and 'snap' into a locked position retaining the plate 210 relative to the channel members 272.

Figure 47 gives an example of how a building 200 may be constructed using plates 210 and channel members 272. It will be appreciated that a similar construction may be achieved using the plate 10 and connecting block 60 of the previously described embodiment.

It will also be appreciated that panels 10 constructed of corrugated material that is more inclined than panel 210 may be arranged in a similar manner to wall panels 240, 250, 260 to produce greater wall strength when desired.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.