Building structure using interconnected panels

Abstract

A building is assembled from an array of rectangular panels where the side edges are connected so that in the array each set of four panels meet at a junction location containing the corners of the panels to form an array of the junction locations. Each building panel is divided along a main axis into two separate triangular panel portions with channel shaped overlapping connecting members which form a beam of double thickness. Each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface covering the junction location with female channel shaped recesses receiving the marginal edges of the panels at the corner and a central recess receiving the beam. A corresponding male shaped inner cap is located under the junction and clamps to the outer cap to form a seal over the corner location.

1 . A building structure comprising:
 a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;   each building panel having:   a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;   the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners;   the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the other of the first corners;   the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges intersecting at the first corners at equal first angles;   the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges intersecting at the second corners at equal second angles;   each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respective margin portion extending therealong;   the margin portions being adapted to co-operate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;   the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner of each of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels;   each building panel being divided along a main axis connecting the first corners into two separate panel portions each defining a respective one of a cooperating pair of similar triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;   each panel portion having a straight edge along the main axis with a connecting member integrally formed along the straight edge;   the connecting member of the edge of one panel portion of the pair being arranged to engage underneath the connecting member of the other of the pair so at least parts of the connecting members overlap to form a double thickness;   such that when fastened thereto the engaged connecting members provide interconnection between the pair of panel portions along the main axis and provide a beam along the pair at the main axis defined by the interconnected overlapping connecting members.   
     
     
         2 . The building structure according to  claim 1  wherein the engaged overlapping connecting members are bolted together. 
     
     
         3 . The building structure according to  claim 1  wherein the engaged connecting members are generally channel shaped so as to form the beam which stands upwardly from the panel portions at the main axis. 
     
     
         4 . The building structure according to  claim 1  wherein the margin portions include overlapping connecting portions which engage one inside the other to form an exterior rib on the panels. 
     
     
         5 . The building structure according to  claim 1  wherein the margin portions are arranged so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly, wherein each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location. 
     
     
         6 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location. 
     
     
         7 . The building structure according to  claim 6  wherein the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portion cooperate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location. 
     
     
         8 . The building structure according to  claim 7  wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location. 
     
     
         9 . The building structure according to  claim 6  wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location. 
     
     
         10 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receive the raised rib portions. 
     
     
         11 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location. 
     
     
         12 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The building structure according to  claim 12  wherein the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the first and second panels. 
     
     
         14 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The building structure according to  claim 5  wherein the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plastics material. 
     
     
         16 . A building structure comprising:
 a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;   each building panel having:   a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;   the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners;   the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the other of the first corners;   the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges meeting at the first corners at equal first angles;   the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges meeting at the second corners at equal second angles;   each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respective margin portion extending therealong;   each building panel defining a main axis connecting the first corners and defining a junction between two triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;   the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;   the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner of each of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels;   so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly;   each junction location including an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location;   the outer cover cap portion including cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.   
     
     
         17 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location. 
     
     
         18 . The building structure according to  claim 17  wherein the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portion co-operate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location. 
     
     
         19 . The building structure according to  claim 17  wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location. 
     
     
         20 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location. 
     
     
         21 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receive the raised rib portions. 
     
     
         22 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location. 
     
     
         23 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The building structure according to  claim 17  wherein the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the first and second panels. 
     
     
         25 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The building structure according to  claim 16  wherein the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plastics material.