Building system

Abstract

A building system for securing a plurality of adjacent constructional elements to form a wall includes at least two opposed posts positioned in use to define a space therebetween and adapted to secure respective ends of the elements, such that element ends within the space are communicable with each other through the space. The constructional element includes a rectangular structural member; primary cladding for covering the structural member and extending around sides and edges of the structural member such that at least one end of the structural member protrudes beyond the edge of the cladding at the sides and edges of the structural member; and secondary cladding on one or more sides of the primary cladding. Cladding is formed about the structural member such that, on the rear face of the constructional element, at least an end portion of the structural member is exposed.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A building system for securing a plurality of adjacent constructional elements to form a wall, the system including: 
 at least two opposed posts positioned in use to define a space therebetween and adapted to secure respective ends of the elements, such that element ends within the space are communicable with each other through the space.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  including a base at which an end portion of each of the posts can be located.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the base includes an upstanding spacer on outer or inner sides of which the posts are mounted to define the space therebetween.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein each post includes a central channel extending along at least the end portion of its length.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the spacer includes a projection which is complementary to the central channel of the respective end portions of the posts.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system allows the formation of two or more walls extending from the posts.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  including three posts allowing a junction of three walls extending therefrom.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  including four posts allowing a junction of four walls extending therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the constructional element includes: 
 a structural member;  
 cladding formed about the structural member such that at least one end of the structural member protrudes beyond one part of the cladding perimeter; and  
 abutment means including protrusion means formed in and protruding from another part of the cladding perimeter for mutual abutment and alignment with abutment means on an adjacent constructional element; 
 wherein the at least one end is adapted for location between two of the posts.  
 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the constructional element includes: 
 a rectangular structural member;  
 cladding for covering the structural member and extending around sides and edges of the structural member such that at least one end of the structural member protrudes beyond the edge of the cladding at the sides and edges of the structural member; and  
 abutment means including protrusion means formed in and protruding from the cladding adjacent to an edge of the structural member for mutual abutment and alignment with abutment means on an adjacent constructional element; 
 wherein the at least one end is adapted for location between two of the posts.  
 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the structural member is elongate, with opposing ends of the structural member protruding beyond respective opposing ends of the cladding for location between two of the posts.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the structural member is hollow.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the constructional element includes utilities means including a utility service point on the element in communication with a utility supply conduit located within the structural member.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the utilities services includes any one of the following: electricity; telecommunications; gas; water; air conditioning; and vacuuming.  
     
     
         15 . A constructional element including: 
 a rectangular structural member;    primary cladding for covering the structural member and extending around sides and edges of the structural member such that at least one end of the structural member protrudes beyond the edge of the cladding at the sides and edges of the structural member; and    secondary cladding on one or more sides of the primary cladding.    
     
     
         16 . The constructional element of  claim 15  wherein the secondary cladding is located on opposing sides of the primary cladding.  
     
     
         17 . The constructional element of  claim 15  wherein the primary cladding is polymeric and the secondary cladding is glass reinforced concrete.  
     
     
         18 . The constructional element of  claim 15  further including abutment means including protrusion means formed in and protruding from the cladding adjacent to an edge of the structural member for mutual abutment and alignment with abutment means on an adjacent constructional element.  
     
     
         19 . A constructional element having a front face and an opposed rear face, the element including: 
 a structural member; and    cladding formed about the structural member such that, on the rear face of the constructional element, at least an end portion of the structural member is exposed.    
     
     
         20 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein only an end portion of the structural member is exposed on the rear face to allow attachment of the structural element to a support element at its end.  
     
     
         21 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein the structural member is exposed along the entire length of the rear face of the constructional element.  
     
     
         22 . A constructional element according to  claim 21 , wherein the rear face of the constructional element is substantially flat.  
     
     
         23 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein the cladding on the front face of the constructional element substantially entirely covers the structural member.  
     
     
         24 . A constructional element according to  claim 19  wherein the structural member includes an internal cavity.  
     
     
         25 . A constructional element according to  claim 24 , wherein the structural member is a rectangular box section.  
     
     
         26 . A constructional element according to  claim 24 , wherein the structural member is a rectangular C-section opening to the rear face of the constructional element and having inwardly turned edge portions exposed.  
     
     
         27 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , further including abutment means including protrusion means formed in and protruding from another part of the cladding perimeter for mutual abutment and alignment with abutment means on an adjacent constructional element.  
     
     
         28 . A constructional element according to  claim 27 , wherein the protrusion means includes a tongue formed along one cladding edge portion, with the abutment means further including a groove formed along the opposing cladding edge portion, the groove being adapted for receiving the tongue of an adjacent constructional element.  
     
     
         29 . A constructional element according to  claim 27 , wherein the abutment means includes complimentary step formations, the protrusion means being defined by a protruding step in a respective step formation.  
     
     
         30 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein the structural member is metallic, fibreglass, or carbon fibre.  
     
     
         31 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein the cladding is cement, concrete, fibre cement, fibreglass, cellulose, foamed polymeric material, ceramics or polystyrene.  
     
     
         32 . A constructional element according to  claim 19 , wherein the structural member is one of two structural members, wherein the cladding is formed about both of the structural members.  
     
     
         33 . A method of panel or wall construction including: 
 providing a plurality of constructional elements according to  claim 19  to form the panel or wall by the steps of:    mounting the constructional elements alongside one another such that they align, and adjacent constructional elements together form the panel or wall;    providing a support element; and    attaching each constructional element to the support element by attaching the exposed structural element at the rear face of the constructional element to the support element.    
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein the support element comprises a timber post and the constructional elements are attached to the timber post by means of intermediate fixing elements.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein the support element is a hollow metallic element such as a C-section and the constructional element is directly fixed to the support element by means of screw fasteners  
     
     
         36 . A building system including: 
 a plurality of spaced apart support elements;    a plurality of constructional elements according to  claim 19 , wherein the constructional elements are attachable to the support elements by attachment of the exposed portions of the structural elements to the support elements, and wherein the constructional elements are arrangeable in a side by side relationship.    
     
     
         37 . A building system according to  claim 36 , wherein the support element is a metallic post having one or more webs or flanges to which the structural element can be directly fixed.