High performance building panel

Abstract

The present invention discloses a building system comprising a first panel formed of expanded polystyrene with a front surface, a back surface, and an edge surface, and a second panel formed of expanded polystyrene with a front surface, a back surface, and an edge surface, wherein the first panel and the second panel are used to form a portion of a building. In some embodiments the first panel has a tongue, and the second panel has a groove, and the tongue and the groove are used to couple the first panel and the second panel together. In some embodiments the tongue and groove are coupled together with a latch mounted in the tongue of the first panel and a latch receiver mounted in the groove of the second panel. The first panel and the second panel can be formed by molding the expanded polystyrene.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building system comprising:
 a first panel having a front surface, a back surface, and an edge surface;   a tongue on one of the surfaces;   a second panel having a front surface, a back surface, and an edge surface;   a groove in the second panel for receiving the tongue of the first panel; and   a locking mechanism that couples the tongue to the groove, wherein the first and second panel are used to form a portion of a building.   
     
     
         2 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue of the first panel runs the length of the surface and the length of the groove of the second panel corresponds to the length of the tongue. 
     
     
         3 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panel are formed of expanded polystyrene. 
     
     
         4 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panel are molded or extruded. 
     
     
         5 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second panels includes a structural element integral with the panel, the structural element running substantially parallel with the edge surface. 
     
     
         6 . The building system of  claim 5 , wherein the structural element is made of light-gauge steel. 
     
     
         7 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second panels includes a plurality of structural elements set at predetermined intervals in the panel, the plurality of structural elements running substantially parallel to the edge surface. 
     
     
         8 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein an end cap encases the edge surface. 
     
     
         9 . The building system of  claim 8 , wherein the end cap is formed of light-gauge steel. 
     
     
         10 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the front surface and the back surface of at least one of the first and second panels define a cavity therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein a material is molded within the panel between the front surface and the back surface. 
     
     
         12 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel has two tongues on one of its surfaces and the second panel has two grooves on one of its surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The building system of  claim 12 , wherein the two tongues are parallel with one another and run the length of the surface, and the length of the grooves corresponds to the length of the tongues, the grooves being structured to receive the tongues upon the condition that the first panel is coupled to the second panel. 
     
     
         14 . The building system of  claim 1 , one of the surfaces is molded to appear like one of bricks, siding, wood, and stucco. 
     
     
         15 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel defines an opening in the front and back surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The building system of  claim 1 , the locking mechanism further comprising:
 a latch integral to the tongue; and   a latch receiver integral to the groove,   wherein the latch and the latch receiver are configured to repeatedly and releasably couple the tongue to the groove.   
     
     
         17 . The building system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an exterior coating covering each of the panels,   wherein under the condition that the panels are coupled together to form a building, the exterior coating of the respective panels contacts one another to substantially cover the complete exterior surface of the building.   
     
     
         18 . A building system, comprising:
 a plurality of panels configured to be assembled together to construct a building;   each of the plurality of panels having a front surface, a back surface, and two sets of opposing edge surfaces;   each of the plurality of panels having a tongue on one of the surfaces and a groove on another of the surfaces;   each of the plurality of panels having identifying features to identify the panel as at least a floor panel, a wall panel, or a roof panel,   wherein the identified panels are labeled within the system to assist the user in releasably coupling the appropriate panels to one another to form the building.   
     
     
         19 . The building system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of panels includes a plurality of structural elements integral to the panel and set at predetermined intervals in the panel, the plurality of structural elements running substantially parallel to one of the edge surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . The building system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of panels is formed of expanded polystyrene and each of the plurality of structural elements is formed of light-gauge steel.