Panels and panel systems for building construction

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a kit for producing a panel assembly. The kit comprises first and second panels and a joiner. The panels and the joiner are co-operatively configured for establishing a joined configuration, wherein, in the joined configuration, the first panel is joined to the second panel by the joiner. While the joined configuration is established, the joiner is disposed for receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the first panel, and is also disposed for receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the first panel. While the joined configuration is established, the joiner is disposed for receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the second panel, and is also disposed for receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the second panel.

1 .- 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . A kit for producing a panel assembly comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel; and   a joiner;   wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured for establishing a joined configuration, wherein, in the joined configuration, the first panel is joined to the second panel by the joiner; 
 the joiner and the first panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, the joiner is disposed for receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the first panel, and is also disposed for receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the first panel; and 
 the joiner and the second panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, the joiner is disposed for receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the second panel, and is also disposed for receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the second panel. 
   
     
     
         82 . The kit as claimed in  claim 81 ;
 wherein:
 the joiner and the first panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established and the joiner is receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the first panel, the joiner is disposed in compression;
 the joiner and the first panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established and the joiner is receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the first panel, the joiner is disposed in tension; 
 the joiner and the second panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established and the joiner is receiving application of a compressive force being transmitted by the second panel, the joiner is disposed in compression; and 
 the joiner and the second panel are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established and the joiner is receiving application of a tensile force being transmitted by the second panel, the joiner is disposed in tension. 
 
   
     
     
         83 . The kit as claimed in  claim 81 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, and the first panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the second panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of displacement of the first panel relative to the second panel; and 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, and the second panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the first panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of displacement of the second panel relative to the first panel. 
   
     
     
         84 . The kit as claimed in  claim 81 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, and the first panel is applying a compressive force to the joiner, there is an absence of application of compressive force to the second panel, by the joiner, that is sufficient to effect buckling of the second panel; and 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, and the second panel is applying a compressive force to the joiner, there is an absence of application of compressive force to the first panel, by the joiner, that is sufficient to effect buckling of the first panel. 
   
     
     
         85 . The kit as claimed in  claim 81 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, the joiner and the first panel are disposed in a form fit relationship, and the joiner and the second panel are disposed in a form fit relationship. 
   
     
     
         86 . A kit for producing a panel assembly comprising:
 a first panel including a respective at least one channel, such that a first panel channel configuration is defined, by the at least one channel that is respective to the first panel, within a rear-facing surface of the first panel;   a second panel including a respective at least one channel, such that a second panel channel configuration is defined, by the at least one channel that is respective to the second panel, within a rear-facing surface of the second panel;   a joiner including:
 at least one first panel co-operating protrusion, such that a first panel co-operating protrusion configuration is defined by the at least one first panel co-operating protrusion; and 
 at least one second panel co-operating protrusion, such that a second panel co-operating protrusion configuration is defined by the at least one second panel co-operating protrusion; 
   wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured for establishing a joined configuration, wherein, in the joined configuration, the first panel is joined to the second panel by the joiner, and, while the joined configuration is established, the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration is disposed within the first panel channel configuration, and the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration is disposed within the second panel channel configuration, with effect that:
 the joiner and the first panel are disposed in a form fit relationship; and 
 the joiner and the second panel are disposed in a form fit relationship. 
 
   
     
     
         87 . The kit as claimed in  claim 86 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the second panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the form fit relationship is defined by a dovetail joint, wherein:
 a tail, of the dovetail joint, is defined by the joiner; 
 a pin, of the dovetail joint, is defined by a co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts; and 
 the dovetail joint is defined by a co-operating configuration of the tail and the pin. 
 
   
     
     
         88 . The kit as claimed in  claim 87 ;
 wherein:
 the first and second panel connection counterparts are co-operatively configured such that, while the co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts is established, the first and second panel connection counterparts are disposed in an abutting engagement between the first and second panel surfaces. 
   
     
     
         89 . The kit as claimed in  claim 88 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the first panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the second panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the first panel relative to the second panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement; and 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the second panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the first panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the second panel relative to the first panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement. 
   
     
     
         90 . A kit for producing a panel assembly comprising:
 a first panel, wherein the first panel includes a respective longitudinal axis and a respective lateral axis;   a second panel, wherein the second panel includes a respective longitudinal axis and a respective lateral axis;   a joiner;   wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured for establishing a joined configuration, wherein, in the joined configuration, the first panel is joined to the second panel by the joiner, with effect that:
 the joiner and the first panel are disposed in a form fit relationship; and 
 the joiner and the second panel are disposed in a form fit relationship; 
 
 the form fit relationship, between the joiner and the first panel, is defeatable in response to relative displacement, between the joiner and the first panel, along the lateral axis that is respective to the first panel, only; and 
 the form fit relationship, between the joiner and the second panel, is defeatable in response to relative displacement, between the joiner and the second panel, along the lateral axis that is respective to the second panel, only. 
   
     
     
         91 . The kit as claimed in  claim 90 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the second panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the form fit relationship is defined by a dovetail joint, wherein:
 a tail, of the dovetail joint, is defined by the joiner; 
 a pin, of the dovetail joint, is defined by a co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts; and 
 the dovetail joint is defined by a co-operating configuration of the tail and the pin. 
 
   
     
     
         92 . The kit as claimed in  claim 91 ;
 wherein:
 the first and second panel connection counterparts are co-operatively configured such that, while the co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts is established, the first and second panel connection counterparts are disposed in an abutting engagement between the first and second panel surfaces; 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the first panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the second panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the first panel relative to the second panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement; and 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the second panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the first panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the second panel relative to the first panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement. 
   
     
     
         93 . The kit as claimed in  claim 91 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration is configured for insertion into the first panel channel configuration, such that the disposition, of the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration within the first panel channel configuration, is established in response to the insertion of the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration into the first panel channel configuration; and 
 the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration is configured for insertion into the second panel channel configuration, such that the disposition, of the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration within the second panel channel configuration, is established in response to the insertion of the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration into the second panel channel configuration. 
   
     
     
         94 . The kit as claimed in  claim 93 ;
 wherein:
 the insertion, of the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration into the first panel channel configuration, is a slidable insertion; and 
 the insertion, of the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration into the second panel channel configuration, is a slidable insertion. 
   
     
     
         95 . The kit as claimed in  claim 94 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established:
 the form fit relationship, between the joiner and the first panel, is defeatable in response to a slidable retraction of the first panel co-operating protrusion configuration from the first panel channel configuration, only; and 
 the defeating, of the form fit relationship, between the joiner and the second panel, is effected in response to a slidable retraction of the second panel co-operating protrusion configuration from the second panel channel configuration, only. 
 
   
     
     
         96 . A kit for producing a panel assembly comprising:
 a first panel, wherein the first panel includes a respective longitudinal axis;   a second panel, wherein the second panel includes a respective longitudinal axis;   a joiner;   wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured for establishing a joined configuration, wherein, in the joined configuration, the first panel is joined to the second panel by the joiner, such that:
 displacement of the first panel, relative to the second panel, along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first panel, is prevented, and displacement of the second panel, relative to the first panel, along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second panel, is prevented; 
 displacement of the first panel, relative to the second panel, along an axis that is parallel to the normal axis of the first panel, is prevented, and displacement of the second panel, relative to the first panel, along an axis that is parallel to the normal axis of the second panel, is prevented; 
 angular displacement of the first panel, relative to the second panel, along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first panel is prevented, and angular displacement of the second panel, relative to the first panel, along an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second panel, is prevented; 
 angular displacement of the first panel, relative to the second panel, along an axis that is parallel to the lateral axis of the first panel, is prevented, and angular displacement of the second panel, relative to the first panel, along an axis that is parallel to the lateral axis of the second panel, is prevented; and 
 angular displacement of the first panel, relative to the second panel, along an axis that is parallel to the normal axis of the first panel, is prevented, and angular displacement of the second panel, relative to the first panel, along an axis that is parallel to the normal axis of the second panel, is prevented. 
 
   
     
     
         97 . The kit as claimed in  claim 96   wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while the joined configuration is established, the joiner and the first panel are disposed in a form fit relationship, and the joiner and the second panel are disposed in a form fit relationship. 
   
     
     
         98 . The kit as claimed in  claim 97 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the second panel defines a first panel surface and a first panel connection counterpart; 
 the form fit relationship is defined by a dovetail joint, wherein:
 a tail, of the dovetail joint, is defined by the joiner; 
 a pin, of the dovetail joint, is defined by a co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts; and 
 the dovetail joint is defined by a co-operating configuration of the tail and the pin. 
 
   
     
     
         99 . The kit as claimed in  claim 98 ;
 wherein:
 the first and second panel connection counterparts are co-operatively configured such that, while the co-operating configuration of the first and second panel connection counterparts is established, the first and second panel connection counterparts are disposed in an abutting engagement between the first and second panel surfaces. 
   
     
     
         100 . The kit as claimed in  claim 99 ;
 wherein:
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the first panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the second panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the first panel relative to the second panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement; and 
 the first panel, the second panel, and the joiner are co-operatively configured such that, while each one of the first and second panels, independently, is mounted to the building structure, the joined configuration is established, and the second panel is applying a tensile force to the joiner, the applied tensile force is transmitted to the first panel, by the joiner, with effect that there is an absence of sufficient displacement of the second panel relative to the first panel for effecting defeating of the abutting engagement.