Panel member

Abstract

A panel member ( 110 ) is provided for a wall structure ( 105 ) including a first surface ( 112 ) and a second surface ( 114 ) spaced from the first surface, at least one rib member ( 116 ) extending between the first and second surfaces, a first end member ( 120 ) and a second end member ( 122 ) each extending between the first and second surfaces, substantially parallel with the at least one rib member, so as to form at least two channels ( 118 ) between the first and second surfaces. The first end member has a male connector ( 150 ) extending therefrom and the second end member has a female connector ( 152 ) formed therein. The male and female connectors are each configured to be complementary, such that the male connector of the panel member is able to be received within a female connector of another panel member to facilitate connection of adjacent panel members to form the wall structure.

1 . A panel member for a wall structure comprising:
 a first surface;   a second surface spaced from said first surface;   at least one rib member extending between said first surface and said second surface;   a first end member and a second end member, each of said first end member and said second end member extending between said first surface and said second surface substantially parallel with the at least one rib member so as to form at least two channels between said first surface and said second surface; wherein   the first end member has a male connector member extending therefrom and the second end member has a female connector formed therein, the male connector member and the female connector being configured to be complementary such that the male connector member of the panel member is able to be received within a female connector of an adjacent panel member to facilitate connection of adjacent panel members to form said wall structure.   
     
     
         2 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the male connector member and the female connector extend substantially longitudinally along a length of the first end member and the second end member. 
     
     
         3 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the male connector member is configured so as to be inserted into said female connector so as to engage therewith. 
     
     
         4 . A panel member according to  claim 3 , wherein the male connector member comprises at least one ridge member that projects laterally from at least one side thereof, the at least one ridge member being configured to create an interference fit with an opening of the female connector to facilitate engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . A panel member according to  claim 4 , wherein the engagement created between the opening of the female connector and the ridge member of the male connector member substantially prevents withdrawal of the male connector member from the female connector upon the application of a lateral removal force applied transverse to the longitudinal length of the panel members. 
     
     
         6 . A panel member according to  claim 3 , wherein the male connector member comprises at least one wing member that projects laterally from at least one side thereof, the at least one ring member being configured to create an interference fit with an opening of the female connector to facilitate engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . A panel member according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one wing member is slidingly received within the opening of the female connector, such that the engagement between the at least one wing member and the opening of the female connector substantially prevents withdrawal of the male connector member from the female connector upon the application of a lateral removal force applied transverse to the longitudinal length of the panel members. 
     
     
         8 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces are substantially planar and have a corrugation formed thereon defining a series of interconnected peaks and troughs. 
     
     
         9 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel member is made from an extrusion process. 
     
     
         10 . A panel member according to  claim 9 , wherein the panel is made from high density polyethylene (HPDE). 
     
     
         11 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein two channels are formed between the first surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         12 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure forms part of a building structure. 
     
     
         13 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure is a retaining wall. 
     
     
         14 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure is a water wall capable of receiving and retaining water in the at least two channels. 
     
     
         15 . A panel member according to  claim 14 , wherein the water wall comprises a plurality of panel members fluidly interconnected to facilitate flow of water between the at least two channels of adjacent panel members. 
     
     
         16 . A panel member according to  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the panel members of the water wall is configured to receive water from a water source. 
     
     
         17 . A panel member according to  claim 16 , wherein the water source is a rainwater or wastewater collection reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . A panel member for a building structure comprising:
 a first substantially planar surface;   a second substantially planar surface; and   a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending between the first and second substantially planar surfaces to form a plurality of longitudinally extending channels therebetween;   wherein the first and second substantially planar surfaces and the plurality of longitudinal ribs are formed integrally by an extrusion process.   
     
     
         19 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second substantially planar surfaces have a corrugation formed thereon defining a series of interconnected peaks and troughs across the surfaces thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A panel member according to  claim 2 , wherein the ribs extend in a parallel manner across a width of the first and second planar surfaces and the corrugation formed on the surface of the first and second planar surfaces extends perpendicular with respect to the ribs. 
     
     
         21 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein each channel has a substantially rectangular cross section formed between adjacent ribs and opposing inner surfaces of the first and second substantially planar surfaces. 
     
     
         22 . A panel member according to  claim 4 , wherein each channel extends between an upper end and a lower end of the panel member. 
     
     
         23 . A panel member according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of longitudinally extending channels extend between opposing lateral edges of the panel member. 
     
     
         24 . A panel member according to  claim 5 , wherein the opposing lateral edges of the panel member are configured to facilitate engagement or connection with a corresponding lateral edge of an adjacent panel member. 
     
     
         25 . A panel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the opposing lateral edges of the panel member are configured to facilitate interengagement between adjacent panel members to form a wall structure. 
     
     
         26 . A panel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the wall structure forms part of a building structure. 
     
     
         27 . A panel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the wall structure is a retaining wall. 
     
     
         28 . A panel member according to  claim 7 , wherein the wall structure is a water wall capable of receiving and retaining water. 
     
     
         29 . A panel member according to  claim 11 , wherein the water wall comprises a plurality of panel members fluidly interconnected to facilitate flow of water between panel members. 
     
     
         30 . A panel member according to  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the panel members of the water wall is configured to receive water from a water source. 
     
     
         31 . A panel member according to  claim 13 , wherein the water source is a rainwater or wastewater collection reservoir. 
     
     
         32 . A panel member according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is made from high density polyethylene (HPDE). 
     
     
         33 . A wall structure comprising at least two of the panel members according to  claim 1 .