Laying and mechanically joining building panels or construction elements

Abstract

There is disclosed apparatus, method and system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements having a first split tongue located at one end of the connector and a second split tongue located at the other end of the connector. The first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship. In an embodiment the grooves in said construction elements are formed into auxiliary groove containing members adapted to be integrated into an edge or face surface of the construction elements.

1 . A connector for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprising:
 a first split tongue located at one end of said connector; and   a second split tongue located at the other end of said connector;   wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said grooves in said construction elements are formed into auxiliary groove containing members adapted to be integrated into an edge or face surface of said construction elements. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said split tongues have catches for engaging steps located in said grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3  wherein a plurality of vertical support struts are located between said first and second split tongues. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 3  wherein said first split tongue projects upward and is located on one side of said connector; and said second split tongue projects upward and is located on the same one side of said connector that said first split tongue is located. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said first and second split tongues each include flexible sub tongues. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves which are located on a side and in from an edge of the construction elements for holding the construction elements in abutting relationship. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein a clearance channel is located between the groove and the edge of each panel for receiving a portion of the support member that extends between adjacent panels. 
     
     
         9 . A method for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprises:
 providing a first split tongue located at one end of said connector; and   providing a second split tongue located at the other end of said connector;   wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said grooves in said construction elements are formed into auxiliary groove containing members adapted to be integrated into an edge or face surface of said construction elements. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said split tongues have catches for engaging steps located in said grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of vertical support struts are located between said first and second split tongues. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said first split tongue projects upward and is located on one side of said connector; and said second split tongue projects upward and is located on the same one side of said connector that said first split tongue is located. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said first and second split tongues act as spring elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves which are located on a side and in from an edge of the construction elements for holding the construction elements in abutting relationship. 
     
     
         16 . A system for mechanically joining abutting construction elements comprising:
 a first split tongue located at one end of said connector; and   a second split tongue located at the other end of said connector;   wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves in abutting construction elements for holding the adjacent construction elements in abutting relationship.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said grooves in said construction elements are formed into auxiliary groove containing members adapted to be integrated into an edge or face surface of said construction elements. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said split tongues have catches for engaging steps located in said grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said first split tongue projects upward and is located on one side of said connector; and said second split tongue projects upward and is located on the same one side of said connector that said first split tongue is located. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said first and second split tongues are adapted to be inserted into and locked onto grooves which are located on a side and in from an edge of the construction elements for holding the construction elements in abutting relationship.