Building panel

Abstract

A building panel is provided for affixing to above-grade exterior building surfaces, the building panel comprising: opposed front and back sides generally parallel to each other; opposed top and bottom edges generally parallel to each other; a generally horizontal groove in the top edge spaced from the front and back sides; and at least one generally vertical channel extending downwardly from the generally horizontal groove through the building panel to the bottom edge at a point on the bottom edge spaced from the front and back sides. The building panel is preferably for thermal insulation and for collection and drainage of moisture from water vapour, and is preferably used in conjunction with exterior insulated finish systems.

1 . An insulated building panel for affixing to exterior building surfaces in rows of the panels side by side and top to bottom to form an array of the panels, the building panel comprising: 
 a panel body formed of an insulating foam material, the panel body having: 
 opposed inside and outside surfaces generally parallel to each other;  
 opposed top and bottom horizontal sides arranged for butting engagement with other similar panel bodies;  
 opposed left and right vertical sides arranged for butting engagement with other similar panel bodies;  
   the panel body having therein a plurality of conduits for transmission of water vapour through the array of panel bodies including at least one generally horizontal conduit spaced from the front and back surfaces and a series of transversely spaced generally vertical conduits spaced from the front and back surfaces;    the number of vertical conduits and the spacing between the vertical conduits being arranged such that water vapor migrating from the inside surface toward the outside surface is collected in the conduits prior to reaching the outside surface;    wherein the at least one horizontal conduit is defined by a groove located at one of the horizontal sides such that the conduit is defined by an open area defined between an adjacent surface of an adjacent panel on one side and a wall of the groove in the panel on the other side with the dimensions of the area so formed being sufficient to allow the passage of water vapor therethrough.    
   
   
       2 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the at least one horizontal conduit is defined by a groove located at one of the horizontal sides and which has an open mouth at the side and converges inwardly toward an apex as it extends into the panel body.  
   
   
       3 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the groove has a width at its mouth in the horizontal side of the panel in a direction at right angles to the inner and outer surfaces at least equal to a width in the same direction of the vertical conduits.  
   
   
       4 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the groove has a width at its mouth in the horizontal side of the panel in a direction at right angles to the inner and outer surfaces greater a width in the same direction of the vertical conduits.  
   
   
       5 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein that side of the groove which is adjacent the inner surface is substantially coincident with an adjacent side of the vertical conduits and that side which is adjacent the outer surface extends closer toward the outer surface than does the vertical conduit.  
   
   
       6 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein one half of the distance between one of the vertical conduits and the next is less than the distance between said one of the vertical conduits and the outer surface such that water vapor tends to migrate to the conduits in preference to the outer surface.  
   
   
       7 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the groove and the vertical conduits are closer to the inner surface than the outer surface.  
   
   
       8 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the groove is V-shaped in cross section.  
   
   
       9 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the vertical conduits are rectangular in cross section.  
   
   
       10 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the vertical conduits are formed by molding such that they are free from a wire cut connection to an external surface of the panel body.  
   
   
       11 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein each of the vertical sides includes a groove.  
   
   
       12 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the vertical and horizontal sides includes a stepped joint.  
   
   
       13 . The building panel of  claim 1  wherein the stepped joint also includes a groove.  
   
   
       14 . An insulated cladding system affixed to an exterior building surface comprising: 
 a plurality of insulated building panels affixed in rows of the panels side by side and top to bottom to form an array of the panels defining an exterior surface;    one or more exterior coating layers applied over the exterior surfaces of the panels to form an exterior finish of the building;    each building panel comprising a panel body formed of an insulating foam material, the panel body having: 
 opposed inside and outside surfaces generally parallel to each other;  
 opposed top and bottom horizontal sides arranged for butting engagement with other similar panel bodies;  
 opposed left and right vertical sides arranged for butting engagement with other similar panel bodies;  
   the panel body having therein a plurality of conduits for transmission of water vapour through the array of panel bodies including at least one generally horizontal conduit spaced from the front and back surfaces and a series of transversely spaced generally vertical conduits spaced from the front and back surfaces;    the number of vertical conduits and the spacing between the vertical conduits being arranged such that water vapor migrating from the inside surface toward the outside surface is collected in the conduits prior to reaching the outside surface;    wherein the at least one horizontal conduit is defined by a groove located at one of the horizontal sides such that the conduit is defined by an open area defined between an adjacent surface of an adjacent panel on one side and a wall of the groove in the panel on the other side with the dimensions of the area so formed being sufficient to allow the passage of water vapor therethrough.    
   
   
       15 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein the at least one horizontal conduit is defined by a groove located at one of the horizontal sides and which has an open mouth at the side and converges inwardly toward an apex as it extends into the panel body.  
   
   
       16 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein the groove has a width at its mouth in the horizontal side of the panel in a direction at right angles to the inner and outer surfaces at least equal to a width in the same direction of the vertical conduits.  
   
   
       17 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein the groove has a width at its mouth in the horizontal side of the panel in a direction at right angles to the inner and outer surfaces greater a width in the same direction of the vertical conduits.  
   
   
       18 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein that side of the groove which is adjacent the inner surface is substantially coincident with an adjacent side of the vertical conduits and that side which is adjacent the outer surface extends closer toward the outer surface than does the vertical conduit.  
   
   
       19 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein one half of the distance between one of the vertical conduits and the next is less than the distance between said one of the vertical conduits and the outer surface such that water vapor tends to migrate to the conduits in preference to the outer surface.  
   
   
       20 . The cladding system of  claim 14  wherein the groove and the vertical conduits are closer to the inner surface than the outer surface.