Structural wall component

Abstract

A structural component for use in constructing a basement wall has two confronting panels of thermoplastic material joined together to form a closed chamber filled with a rigid structural foam. The width of the chamber is spanned by a plurality of indentations formed in the confronting panels and which are fused to one another to inhibit movement of the panels toward and away from one another. At the opposite sides of the component are joint-forming members which react with similar members of an adjacent component to secure the adjacent components to one another to form an upright wall section.

1 . A structural component adapted for use in constructing an upright wall, said component comprising a pair of thermoplastic sheets joined to one another and forming a closed chamber defined in part by spaced apart front and rear panels substantially parallel to each other, each of said panels having therein indentations extending inwardly of said chamber so that at least some of the indentations of one of said panels engage at least some of the indentations of the other of said panels and inhibit relative movement of said panels toward one another; and a rigid foam accommodated in and filling said chamber.  
   
   
       2 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein each of said components has securing means for securing such component to an adjacent component.  
   
   
       3 . The component according to  claim 2  wherein said securing means comprises a shiplap joint between adjacent components.  
   
   
       4 . The component according to  claim 2  wherein said securing means comprises a tongue and groove connection between adjacent components.  
   
   
       5 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein said some of the indentations of one of said panels are joined to the indentations of the other of said panels thereby inhibiting movement of said panels away from one another.  
   
   
       6 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein each of said panels is ribbed for rigidification.  
   
   
       7 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein each of said panels has recesses therein adjacent the sides thereof and openings extending through said recesses for the accommodation of fastening means adapted to fasten one of said components to an adjacent component.  
   
   
       8 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein each of said panels has side edges which confront and engage corresponding side edges of the other of said panels, said confronting side edges being adhered to each other.  
   
   
       9 . The component according to  claim 1  wherein each of said some of said indentations of one of said panels is fused to a corresponding indentation of the other of said panels, thereby inhibiting relative movement of said panels away from one another.  
   
   
       10 . A structural component adapted for use in constructing an upright wall, said component comprising a pair of thermoplastic sheets confronting one another and terminating at corresponding edges in flanges which extend toward and are joined together thereby forming a hollow chamber of selected width, each of said sheets having a plurality of indentations which are correspondingly located so that the indentations of one of said sheets engage the indentations of the other of said sheets, such engaged indentations having a combined length corresponding to the width of said chamber; and a rigid structural foam filling and occupying said chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The component according to  claim 10  wherein said component has two sections extending from a center in two different directions.  
   
   
       12 . The component according to  claim 10  wherein the engaged indentations are secured to one another so as to inhibit movements of said sheets toward and away from one another.  
   
   
       13 . The component according to  claim 12  wherein said engaged components are fused to one another.  
   
   
       14 . The component according to  claim 10  wherein said flanges are fused to one another.