U.S. patent application number 11/351451 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for in-fill wall system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENOVESE, Donald R.. Invention is credited to Donald L. Burkett, Donald R. Genovese.
Application Number | 20070186497 11/351451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38366872 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070186497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burkett; Donald L. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2007 |
In-fill wall system
Abstract
An in-fill wall system for use in building construction
including substantially horizontal floors and ceilings held in
substantially parallel relationship relative to each other by a
plurality of substantially vertical support columns comprising a
plurality of multi-layer panels secured between adjacent
substantially vertical support columns, each multi-layer panel
comprises an inner panel core including a pair of panel surfaces or
sides at least the major portion of which is covered by an outer
panel member wherein the lower edge portions of multi-layer panels
are held in place by a substantially C or U-shaped channel or lower
attached member affixed to the floor and held vertically in place
by a pair of substantially L-shaped upper attachment members
affixed to the ceiling on opposite sides of the upper edge portion
of the multi-layer panels together with a pair of substantially
L-shaped side attachment members affixed to a corresponding
substantially vertical support column disposed on opposite sides of
each side edge portion of the multi-layer panels.
Inventors: |
Burkett; Donald L.; (Lutz,
FL) ; Genovese; Donald R.; (Lutz, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arthur W. Fisher, III
Ste 316
5553 W Waters Ave.
Tampa
FL
33634
US
|
Assignee: |
GENOVESE, Donald R.
|
Family ID: |
38366872 |
Appl. No.: |
11/351451 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/6125 20130101;
E04B 2/7401 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/259 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/00 20060101
E04B001/00 |
Claims
1. An in-fill wall system for use in building construction
including substantially horizontal floors and ceilings held in
substantially parallel relationship relative to each other by a
plurality of substantially vertical support columns comprising a
plurality of multi-layer panels secured between adjacent
substantially vertical support columns, each said multi-layer panel
comprises an inner panel core including a pair of panel surfaces at
least the major portion of at least one of said panel surfaces is
covered by an outer panel member wherein the lower edge portions of
said multi-layer panels are held in place by a channel affixed to
the floor and held vertically in place by a pair of upper
attachment members affixed to the ceiling on opposite sides of the
upper edge portion of said multi-layer panels together with a pair
of side attachment members affixed to a corresponding substantially
vertical support column disposed on opposite sides of each side
edge portion of said multi-layer panels.
2. A in-fill wall system for use in building construction including
substantially horizontal floors and ceilings held in parallel
relationship relative to each other by a plurality of substantially
vertical support columns comprising at least one panel having an
inner surface and an outer surface held in a substantially vertical
position by a peripheral frame system; said peripheral frame system
comprises an upper and lower panel retaining structure affixed to
the ceiling and floor respectively to engage the upper and lower
portions of said panel to secure said panel in place.
3. The in-fill wall system of claim 2 wherein said upper panel
retaining structure comprises a first upper retaining member and a
second upper retaining member disposed on opposite panel surfaces
and said lower panel retaining structure comprises a first lower
retaining member and a second lower retaining member disposed on
opposite panel surfaces.
4. The in-fill wall system of claim 3 wherein said first upper
retaining member and said second upper retaining member each
comprises a first upper retainer element and a second upper
retainer element and a first upper attachment element and a second
upper attachment element to engage the upper portions of the outer
and inner surface of the in-fill wall respectively and the ceiling;
said first lower retaining member and said second lower retaining
member and comprise a first lower retainer element and second lower
retainer element interconnected by a lower attachment element to
engage the lower portions of the outer and inner surface of said
in-fill wall respectively and the floor.
5. The in-fill wall system of claim 4 wherein said first upper
retainer element and said second upper retainer element and first
upper attachment element and second upper attachment element form a
right angle relative to each other to cooperatively form an L or V
shaped configuration; and said first lower retainer element and
said second lower retainer element are interconnected by said lower
attachment element to cooperatively form a substantially C or U
shaped configuration.
6. The in-fill wall system of claim 2 wherein said peripheral frame
further includes a side panel retaining structure affixed to the
corresponding substantially vertical support column disposed on
opposite sides of said in-fill wall system to engage the side
portions of said panel to secure said panel in place.
7. The in-fill wall system of claim 6 wherein each said side panel
retaining structure comprises a first retaining member and a second
side retainer member disposed on opposite panel surfaces.
8. The in-fill wall system of claim 7 wherein said first side
retaining member and said second side retaining member each
comprises a first side retainer element and a second said retainer
element and a first side attachment element and a second side
attachment element to engage the upper portions of said outer
surface and said inner surface of the in-fill wall respectively and
the ceiling.
9. The in-fill wall system of claim 8 wherein said first side
retainer element and said second said retainer element and a first
side attachment element and a second side attachment element
disposed at a right angle relative to each other to cooperatively
form a L or V shaped configuration.
10. The in-fill wall system of claim 2 wherein said panel comprises
an inner panel core having at least the major portion of one of
said panel surfaces covered by an outer panel member.
11. The in-fill wall system of claim 10 wherein a plurality of said
panels are interlocked by an interlocking element.
12. The in-fill wall system of claim 6 wherein said upper panel
retaining structure comprises a first upper retaining member and a
second upper retaining member disposed on opposite panel surfaces
and said lower panel retaining structure comprises a first lower
retaining member and a second lower retaining member disposed on
opposite panel surfaces and each said side panel retaining
structure comprises a first retaining member and a second side
retainer member disposed on opposite panel surfaces.
13. The in-fill wall system of claim 12 wherein said first upper
retaining member and said second upper retaining member each
comprises a first upper retainer element and a second upper
retainer element and a first upper attachment element and a second
upper attachment element to engage the upper portions of the outer
and inner surface of the in-fill wall respectively and the ceiling;
said first lower retaining member and said second lower retaining
member and comprise a first lower retainer element and second lower
retainer element interconnected by a lower attachment element to
engage the lower portions of the outer and inner surface of said
in-fill wall respectively and the floor and said first side
retaining member and said second side retaining member each
comprises a first side retainer element and a second said retainer
element and a first side attachment element and a second side
attachment element to engage the upper portions of said outer
surface and said inner surface of the in-fill wall respectively and
the ceiling.
14. The in-fill wall system of claim 13 wherein said first upper
retainer element and said second upper retainer element and first
upper attachment element and second upper attachment element form a
right angle relative to each other to cooperatively form an L or V
shaped configuration; and said first lower retainer element and
said second lower retainer element are interconnected by said lower
attachment element to cooperatively form a substantially C or U
shaped configuration and said first side retainer element and said
second said retainer element and a first side attachment element
and a second side attachment element disposed at a right angle
relative to each other to cooperatively form a L or V shaped
configuration.
15. The in-fill wall system of claim 14 wherein said panel
comprises an inner panel core having at least the major portion of
one of said panel surfaces covered by an outer panel member.
16. The in-fill wall system of claim 15 wherein a plurality of said
panels are interlocked by an interlocking element.
17. The in-fill wall system of claim 2 wherein said panel includes
at least one opening and further including a reinforcing member
secured to said panel to reinforce said panel adjacent the
opening.
18. The in-fill wall system of claim 17 wherein said reinforcing
member comprises a substantially L or V shaped member disposed
adjacent the corners of said panels formed around an opening.
19. The in-fill wall system of claim 17 wherein said reinforcing
member comprises a substantially arrow shaped member disposed
adjacent the corners of said panels formed around an opening.
20. The in-fill wall system of claim 17 wherein said reinforcing
member comprises a substantially L or V shaped member embedded
adjacent the corners of said panels formed around an opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] An in-fill wall system comprising a plurality of multi-layer
panels secured vertically in place by a frame system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Building building construction of multiple stories typically
comprise block or metal stud framing in-fill. Metal stud and block
in-fill walls, however, have several disadvantages. Each type of
such construction is expensive because of the significant time,
labor and material required to construct such in-fill walls.
[0005] In contrast, the present invention employs multi-layer
panels of known fabrication secured in place in building
construction by a frame system affixed thereto. There are a number
of existing multi-layer panel systems as disclosed below.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,489 relates to a monocoque concrete
structure including a core structure of foam panels. A layer of
concrete is applied to opposite sides of the core structure to form
a double monocoque concrete structure having a load bearing
concrete shell on each of the opposite sides of the core
structure.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,685 describes an outside polystyrene
plastic wall or fence constructed by anchoring each of at least two
styrofoam H-columns to a concrete base in the ground supporting a
steel reinforcing bar which extends up into a hollow of the column
by filling the hollows with concrete.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,472 relates to a reinforced concrete
building having vertical walls formed of prefabricated modules that
may be assembled off site and then transported to the construction
site for installation and application of concrete. The
prefabricated modules are supported between lower and upper support
members and spaced from each other a sufficient distance for a
concrete column therebetween. A backing member is secured between
adjacent modules and vertical reinforcing rods are provided
adjacent backing member in the space between the modules for the
concrete columns. Concrete is applied pneumatically against the
backing member to fill the space between the modules to form the
concrete column.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,248 describes a reinforced concrete
building constructed from a plurality of prefabricated modules
which may be assembled off site and then transported or shipped to
the building construction site for installation and application of
concrete. Each prefabricated module includes a rectangular frame
having channel-shaped frame members which form the ends and sides
of the frame. An insulation layer is mounted within the frame in
spaced relation to one side frame member. A channel-shaped concrete
column form is secured between the insulation layer and the
adjacent side frame member to close the frame. A wire mesh layer is
secured to the outer surface of the frame with an overhanging side
portion. The prefabricated module when shipped to a construction
site receives reinforcing bars and concrete is pneumatically
applied for forming a reinforced concrete wall. A drywall panel is
then mounted on modules for the interior of the building.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,659 teaches a building system for wall
construction including a prefabricated panel having two layers of
foamed insulating sheets sandwiched around a layer of concrete or
other cementitious material. Channels are cut into an interior face
of one of the panels. The channels receive cement which provides a
reinforcing structure when hardened. Steel vertical channel studs
encase the sandwiched layers on two sides of the panel. The
vertical channel studs have a vertical surface which is fastened to
a similar, opposing vertical channel stud of an adjoining panel to
effectively create a vertical I-beam support when the panels are
assembled together. The panels of the invention can be readily
transported to a worksite, assembled, and finished on-site with a
stress-skin to yield a wall which is extremely rigid, insulative,
and resistant to forces such as fire, water, termites, and
impact.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,530 shows a method of making a sandwich
type insulation wall having internal framework formed by channel
bars and transverse members bridging two adjacent channel bars. A
plurality of channel bars having lateral wings are erected to form
the main skeleton with insulating material inserted into the
channels of the bars to secure them in place. Transverse members
are positioned to cover the wall spaced from the insulating board
by the wings and transverse members. Both sides of the structure
are grouted with a grouting cement or vermiculite.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,686 describes a structural building
system including a structural-load-bearing building component, such
as a building panel, having front and back sections, an insulating
core, integral symmetrical joinery, a thermal break, and at least
one shear resistance connector. The panel is asymmetrical about one
axis, and is designed to be directionally positioned with respect
to the maximum anticipated force. A shear resistance connector
array may be positioned between the front and back sections or may
be integral to the front or back section. A face sheet may span one
or more than one building panel, and provides structural support to
the building system.
[0013] Additional examples of the prior art are found in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,297,820 and Publication 2002/0189182.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention relates to an in-fill wall system
comprising at least one multi-layer panel secured in place by a
frame system.
[0015] Each multi-layer panel comprises a panel core that may be at
least partially covered on at least one side by an outer member or
layer of material.
[0016] The frame system comprises at least one lower attachment
member and at least one upper attachment member affixed to the
floor and ceiling respectively and at least one side attachment
member affixed to a support column disposed on each side of the
multi-layer panel
[0017] When assembled and constructed, a plurality of multi-layer
panels may be secured together to extend across an extended opening
or space between adjacent support columns. In turn, the exterior
surfaces of the multi-layer panel and attachment members of the
frame system may be coated or surfaced to finish and protect the
in-fill wall system.
[0018] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set
forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of the in-fill wall system of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate configuration of the
in-fill wall system of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of another alternate configuration of
the in-fill wall system of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a front view of yet another alternate
configuration of the in-fill wall system of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of still another alternate
configuration of the in-fill wall system of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the in-fill wall
system of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional top view of the in-fill
wall system of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the frame system of the
in-fill-wall system of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a partial view of the in-fill wall system of the
present invention with a reinforcing structure.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a partial view of the in-fill wall system of the
present invention with an alternate embodiment of the reinforcing
structure.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a partial view of the in-fill wall system of the
present invention with another alternate embodiment of the
reinforcing structure.
[0031] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention relates
to an in-fill wall system generally indicated as 10 for use in
building construction including substantially horizontal floors and
ceilings indicated as 12 and 14 respectively held in substantially
parallel relationship relative to each other by a plurality of
substantially vertical support columns each indicated as 16. The
in-fill wall system 10 comprises a plurality of multi-layer panels
each generally indicated as 18 held in a substantially vertical
position by a peripheral frame system as described hereinafter.
[0033] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each multi-layer panel 18
comprises an inner panel core 20 including a pair of panel surfaces
22 at least the major portion of which is covered by an outer panel
member 24. Adjacent multi-layer panels 18 can be coupled or
interlocked together by an interlocking element generally indicated
as 26 or similar attachment or fastening device on the adjacent
sides 28 of adjacent multi-layer panels 18.
[0034] As best shown in FIG. 8, the peripheral frame comprises an
upper and lower panel retaining structure generally indicated as 30
and 32 respectively affixed to the ceiling 14 and floor 12
respectively to engage the upper and lower portions of the
multi-layer panels 18 to secure the multi-layer panels 18 in place.
In addition, the peripheral frame may include a side panel
retaining structure generally indicated as 34 affixed to the
corresponding substantially vertical support column 16 disposed on
opposite sides of the in-fill wall system 10 to engage the side
portions of the outermost multi-layer panels 18 to secure the
multi-layer panels 18 in place.
[0035] The upper panel retaining structure 30 comprises a first or
outer upper retaining member and a second or inner upper retaining
member generally indicated as 36 and 38 respectively. The first or
outer upper retaining member 36 and the second or inner upper
retaining member 38 each comprises a first or outer upper retainer
element 40 and a second or inner upper retainer element 42 and a
first or outer upper attachment element 44 and a second or inner
upper attachment element 46 formed at a substantially right angle
relative to each other respectively to cooperatively form a
substantially L or V shaped configuration to engage the upper
portions of the outer and inner surface of the in-fill wall 10
espectively and the ceiling 14.
[0036] The lower panel retaining structure 32 comprises a first or
outer lower retaining member and a second or inner lower retaining
member generally indicated as 48 and 50 respectively. The first or
outer lower retaining member 48 and the second or inner lower
retaining member 50 each comprises a first or outer lower retainer
element 52 and a second or inner lower retainer element 54
interconnected by a lower attachment element 56 to cooperatively
form a substantially C or U shaped configuration to engage the
lower portions of the outer and inner surface of the in-fill wall
10 respectively and the floor 12.
[0037] Each side panel retaining structure 34 comprises a first or
outer side retaining member and a second or inner side retaining
member generally indicated as 58 and 60 respectively. The first or
outer side retaining member 58 and the second or inner side
retaining member 60 each comprises a first or outer side retainer
element 62 and a second or inner side retainer element 64 and a
first or outer side attachment element 66 and a second or inner
side attachment element 68 formed at a substantially right angle
relative to each other respectively to cooperatively form a
substantially L or V shaped configuration to engage the upper
portions of the outer and inner surface of the in-fill wall
respectively and the ceiling 14.
[0038] When fully assembled, the various retaining structures 30,
32 and 34 are secured in place by a plurality of fasteners each
indicated as 70 extending through retainer elements 40, 42, 44, 46,
62, 64, 66 and 68, and through attachment element 56 into the
substantially horizontal floor 12, substantially horizontal ceiling
14 and substantially vertical support columns 16.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows a reinforcing structure 74 affixed to at least
one side of the multi-layer panel 18 by a plurality of fasteners
each indicated as 70. The reinforcing structure 74 comprises a
substantially L or V shaped member disposed adjacent the corners of
the multi-layer panels 18 formed around a portal in the wall.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a reinforcing structure 76 affixed to at least
one side of the multi-layer panel 18 by a plurality of fasteners
each indicated as 70. The reinforcing structure 76 comprises a
substantially arrow shaped member disposed adjacent the corners of
the multi-layer panels 18 formed around a portal in the wall.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows a reinforcing structure 78 embedded inside of
the multi-layer panel 18 and secured by a plurality of fasteners
each indicated as 70. The reinforcing structure 78 comprises a
substantially L or V shaped member disposed adjacent the corners of
the multi-layer panels 18 formed around a portal in the wall.
[0042] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently
attained and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0043] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
[0044] Now that the invention has been described,
* * * * *