Panel and a method for building panels

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a construction panel comprising the steps of laying a plurality of rigid support members on a preformed assembly jig, each rigid support member having two main planar surfaces with perimeter surfaces extending between these main planar surfaces, laying the plurality of rigid support members so that each rigid support member has at least one perimeter surface in an abutting relationship with the perimeter surface of an adjacent rigid support member, bridging at least part of the length of abutting perimeter surfaces with at least one connector means for connecting the plurality of rigid support members together into a predetermined shape and size of modular rigid panel member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a construction panel, comprising the steps of laying a plurality of rigid support members together, each rigid support member having two main planar surfaces with perimeter surfaces extending between the main planar surfaces, laying the plurality of rigid support members so that each rigid support member has at least one perimeter surface in an abutting relationship with the perimeter surface of an adjacent rigid support member, and bridging at least part of a length of the abutting perimeter surfaces with at least one connector member for connecting the plurality of rigid support members together into a predetermined shape and size of a modular rigid panel member. 
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of manufacturing a sandwich type construction panel comprising the steps of forming a second similar shape and size of the modular rigid panel member and placing an insulation material in a gap between the modular rigid panel members. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of placing a spacer member on at least one of the modular rigid panel members for supporting the two modular rigid panel members in a spaced apart relationship defining the gap there between. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of connecting the rigid support members by metal connector plates. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing the connector member on at least one surface of the modular rigid panel members. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of pre-stressing the connector member. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed  claim 1 , further comprising the step of fixing the connector member onto the planar surfaces of two adjacent rigid support members. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising the step of bonding or mechanically fixing the insulation material onto an internal facing surface of at least one of the modular rigid panel members or blowing the insulation material into the gap between two mutually opposing internal facing surfaces of the two modular rigid panel members. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a reinforcing member in operable engagement with at least one rigid support member. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of pre-stressing the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         11 . A sandwich type construction panel, comprising a plurality of rigid outer support members, each rigid outer support member having two main planar surfaces with perimeter surfaces extending between the main planar surfaces, the plurality of rigid outer support members being assembled so that each rigid outer support member has at least one perimeter surface in an abutting relationship with the perimeter surface of an adjacent rigid outer support member, at least one connector member bridging at least part of a length of abutting perimeter surfaces for connecting the plurality of rigid outer support members together into a predetermined shape and size of modular rigid outer panel member, a second similar shape and size of modular rigid outer panel member having substantially the same configuration and an insulation member disposed in a gap between spaced apart modular rigid outer panel members. 
     
     
         12 . The sandwich type construction panel as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a spacer member located on at least one of the modular rigid outer panel members for supporting the two modular rigid outer panels members in a spaced apart relationship defining the gap between them. 
     
     
         13 . The sandwich type construction panel as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the connector member is provided by metal connector plates. 
     
     
         14 . The sandwich type construction panel as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a reinforcing member in operable engagement with at least one rigid outer support member. 
     
     
         15 . The sandwich type construction panel as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the metal connector plates or the reinforcing member are pre-stressed.