Pre-Fabricated Steel Wall Panel Assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system of pre fabricated steel panels and associated components. Panels may be locked together via a hem lock tongue of a second panel being inserted into a hem lock groove of a first panel. The second panel is then hinged within the hem lock groove, which automatically aligns the first and second panels. The panels may then be inserted into top and bottom tracks. The panels may have tabs on them that cooperate with formations in the top and bottom tracks to automatically lock the panels into the tracks.

1 . A construction panel system comprising:
 at least one construction panel, wherein each of the at least one construction panels includes:
 a main panel portion, 
 a hem lock tongue portion, 
 a hem lock groove portion, 
 a first side portion that is connected to a first end of the main panel at a first end of the first side panel and that is connected to the hem lock groove at a second end of the first side portion such that the hem lock groove portion is configured to initially receive a hem lock tongue of a second construction panel at an acute angle relative to the first side portion and is configured to then allow the second construction panel to hinge in the hem lock groove toward the first side portion of the first construction panel thereby locking the hem lock tongue of the second construction panel in the hem lock groove of the first construction panel, and 
 a second side portion that is connected to a second end of the main panel at a first end of the second side panel and that is connected to a hem lock tongue at a second end of the second side portion of the first construction panel; 
   a bottom track configured such that a bottom portion of the at least one construction panel fits into and can be fastened to the bottom track; and   a top track configured such that a top portion of the at least one construction panel fits into and can be fastened to the top track.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, once the hem lock tongue of the second construction panel is locked in the hem lock groove of the first construction panel, the hem lock tongue of the second construction panel abuts a first hem lock groove portion of the first construction panel. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, once the hem lock tongue of the second construction panel is locked in the hem lock groove of the first construction panel, the second side portion of the second construction panel abuts the first side portion of the first construction panel. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top track includes a first deadwood tracking ledge. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the top track includes second deadwood tracking ledge. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one construction panel includes tabs and the bottom track and the top track include formations that cooperate with the tabs to lock the at least one construction panel into the bottom track and into the top track. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus comprising: a top track configured such that a top portion of at least one construction panel fits into and can be fastened to the top track, wherein the top track includes a first deadwood tracking ledge. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the top track includes a second deadwood tracking ledge. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one construction panel includes tabs and the top track includes formations that cooperate with the tabs to lock the at least one construction panel into the top track. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus comprising: an interior wall coupler that fits into a construction panel and that provides solid corners and deadwood blocking for an interior wall.