Thermally insulating building wall structure

Abstract

An insulative building wall structure including parallel channel-bearing track and load plate structures with a plurality of spaced apart posts extending perpendicularly there between and a plurality of respective foam panels disposed between the posts. The panels are provided with a plurality of vertical slits such that width adjustment thereof can be accomplished on-site by removing an appropriate number of slitted strips from a panel. Each panel is maintained such that a void is formed between respective interior edges of the channels and the interior surfaces of the foam panels. A wall surface panel is secured to respective interior outer edges of the track and load plate structures to create an insulative dead air space, corresponding to the above-described void, between the interior surface of each foam panel and the wall surface panel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A building wall structure comprising: 
 a) an elongate track structure having an interior outer wall, an exterior outer wall, and an elongate first channel with a vertical depth dimension, a transverse depth dimension, an interior longitudinal edge, and an exterior longitudinal edge;    b) a plurality of parallel spaced apart posts each having a first end thereof disposed in the first elongate channel and a second end, with each said post substantially perpendicular to the track structure and having a transverse depth dimension;    c) a plurality of respective foam panels each disposed between two respective sequential posts, each said panel having a transverse depth dimension situated in the first channel which is less than the transverse depth dimension of the first channel, an interior surface, and an exterior surface;    d) a maintenance structure for maintaining the interior surface of each panel spaced from the interior longitudinal edge of the first channel, whereby a void is formed between the interior longitudinal edge of the first channel and the interior surface of each foam panel;    e) an elongate load plate structure having an interior outer wall, an exterior outer wall, and an elongate second channel with a vertical depth dimension, a transverse depth dimension, an interior longitudinal edge, and an exterior longitudinal edge, said load plate structure parallel to the track structure and housing within said second elongate channel the second end of each said post; and    f) a wall surface panel secured to the respective interior outer walls of the track structure and load plate structure, whereby a dead air space corresponding to said void exists between the interior surface of each foam panel and the wall surface panel.    
     
     
         2 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the foam panels are formed of polystyrene.  
     
     
         3 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each post comprises a generally flat-walled U-shape configuration forming a post channel with a channel entry thereto formed by opposing terminals of said U-shape and accessible from one lateral side in line with the elongate first channel, with each post positioned with respect to a sequentially-next post such that each channel entry faces the same direction.  
     
     
         4 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each foam panel is configured at at least one lateral end thereof as a tongue, whereby said at least one said tongue is disposed within the post channel.  
     
     
         5 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the maintenance structure is an extension of the exterior surface of each panel, whereby said extension bears against a respective outside surface site of the exterior outer walls of the track and load plate structures.  
     
     
         6 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the extension of one panel additionally extends toward an extension of an adjacent panel to meet at an outside site in an aligned relationship with a midpoint of the post disposed between said adjacent panels and behind said extensions.  
     
     
         7 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 6  additionally comprising at least one elongate fastener extending from an exterior site such that said at least one elongate fastener passes through extensions adjacent each other and is secured within said post.  
     
     
         8 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a plurality of fasteners extend from respective exterior sites through said extensions adjacent each other and are respectively secured within said post.  
     
     
         9 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each foam panel has a plurality of slits between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof and perpendicular to the track and load plate structures.  
     
     
         10 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the slits extend about 90% from said interior to said exterior surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the slits extend 100% from said interior to said exterior surfaces.  
     
     
         12 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 11  additionally comprising an adhesive film adhered to substantially the entire exterior surface of each foam panel.  
     
     
         13 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each foam panel has a plurality of slits between the interior and exterior surfaces thereof and perpendicular to the first and second load plate channel structures.  
     
     
         14 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the slits extend about 90% from said interior to said exterior surfaces.  
     
     
         15 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the slits extend 100% from said interior to said exterior surfaces.  
     
     
         16 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 15  additionally comprising an adhesive film adhered to substantially the entire exterior surface of each foam panel.  
     
     
         17 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 13  additionally comprising a thermal-resistant material adhered to substantially the entire interior surface of each foam panel.  
     
     
         18 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 9  additionally comprising a thermal-resistant material adhered to substantially the entire interior surface of each foam panel.  
     
     
         19 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 3  additionally comprising a thermal-resistant material adhered to substantially the entire interior surface of each foam panel.  
     
     
         20 . A building wall structure as claimed in  claim 1  additionally comprising a thermal-resistant material adhered to substantially the entire interior surface of each foam panel.