Interlocking Building Panel

Abstract

A rigid rectangular construction panel, such as a floor panel, has quick release connections along its edges. The panel is made from composite materials in a single work piece. The base of the panel is made up of pillars to separate the body of the panel from the underlying construction surface, such as a concrete slab or wall. The base defines a fluid flow field to permit drainage and drying of the underlying construction surface. An impermeable moisture barrier may be provided to prevent migration of moisture into or through the panel. The panel may be provided with an added, removable surface layer which may be selectively removed and replaced without removing the underlying panel from an installation area. The core of the panel may be provided with a temperature modification element which may interconnect with similar elements in neighboring panels.

1 . A composite construction panel made as a single work piece defining a planar support surface extending along a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, for interlocking connection to a second construction panel, the composite construction panel comprising:
 a first pair of opposed connector edges parallel to the longitudinal axis;   a second pair of opposed connector edges parallel to the transverse axis;   a core supporting the planar surface;   a plurality of pillars projecting away from the core;   the pillars defining a base to separate the core of the panel from a construction surface; and   the base defining a fluid flow field selected from the group consisting of a drainage field, an airflow field, and a combined drainage and airflow field.   
     
     
         2 . The composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1  is selected from the group consisting of a wall panel, a ceiling panel, a subfloor panel, and a decorative flooring panel. 
     
     
         3 . The composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1 , the panel defining a base surface comprising a moisture barrier to inhibit migration of moisture from the construction surface into the composite construction panel. 
     
     
         4 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1 , the core defining a low density load bearing zone selected from the group consisting of a foamed core, a zone comprising a plurality of empty cavities, and a zone comprising a plurality of filled cavities. 
     
     
         5 . A decorative construction panel comprising the composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1  and a decorative surface layer applied to the planar support surface. 
     
     
         6 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1 , the core defines a plurality of channels extending along a second plane, parallel to the planar support surface. 
     
     
         7 . The composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1  housing a temperature modification element for interconnection with a second temperature modification element in the second construction panel. 
     
     
         8 . In the composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1 , the base is configured to encourage fluid flow in a preselected direction. 
     
     
         9 . In the composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1 , the pillars define a first set of fluid flow channels along the longitudinal axis and a second set of fluid flow channels transverse to the first set of fluid flow channels. 
     
     
         10 . The composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1 , connected to the second construction panel, in a flooring area comprising a plurality of like interconnected composite construction panels. 
     
     
         11 . The composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising an insulating material within the low density core. 
     
     
         12 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1 , the core defining a plurality of internal arcuate channels providing alternative pathways for securing a tubular fluid conduit for connecting flow through the second composite construction panel. 
     
     
         13 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1 , the first pair of opposed connector edges comprising a first pair of releasable quick-connect elements. 
     
     
         14 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 13 , the second pair of opposed connector edges comprising a second pair of releasable quick-connect elements. 
     
     
         15 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 14 , the first pair of opposed connector edges comprising interlocking tongue and groove configurations. 
     
     
         16 . In the composite construction panel claimed in  claim 15 , the second pair of opposed connector edges defining a slide-fit tongue and groove configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The composite construction panel claimed in  claim 1  comprising an impermeable barrier to inhibit migration of moisture through the planar support surface, toward the core. 
     
     
         18 . An assembled construction panel comprising:
 the composite construction panel as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the planar support surface is a first planar support surface defined by a plurality of supports extending away from the base, the supports defining parallel channels extending along the longitudinal axis; and   a second planar support surface interlocking with a latch defined by the composite construction panel, adjacent the first planar surface.   
     
     
         19 . The assembled construction panel claimed in  claim 18 , comprising a temperature modification element selected from the group consisting of a cooling tube, a heating tube, an electrical heating element, and an electrically powered cooling element. 
     
     
         20 . In the assembled construction panel claimed in  claim 19 , the temperature modification element is nested in at least one of the plurality of parallel channels defined by the plurality of supports.