GB2049008A

GB2049008A - Panel systems

Info

Publication number: GB2049008A
Application number: GB7915440A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: British Aluminum Co Ltd
Current assignee: British Aluminum Co Ltd
Priority date: 1979-05-03
Filing date: 1979-05-03
Publication date: 1980-12-17

Abstract

A metallic panel system comprises first and second panels having rolled formations at their co- operating edges to detachably interlock and constitute a supporting rib for the system. The formations are disposed wholly on one side of the system, the first formation having two locking parts 6 and 9 each of which is engaged with a locking part 11 and 14 of the second element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to panel systems This invention relates to metallic panel systems which may be used for example for van bodies, for containers or for cladding purposes.

Most such systems comprise a framework to which individual sheets are secured or alternatively the panels are extruded with interlocking edge formations. It is a disadvantage to provide a separate supporting framework and it is impractical to extrude wide sheet material.

Accordingly it is known to have interengageable rolled formations on cooperating edges of adjoining panels and to join these formations by bolting or rivetting. Frequently a separate framework is also provided.

According to the present invention there is provided a metallic panel system comprising first and second panels detachably joined together by first and second rolled formations at co-operating edges thereof, the first formations having two locking parts each engaged with a locking element formed one on each of two relatively distortable links of the second formation, the formations being disposed wholly on one side of the system and constituting a structural supporting rib therefor.

The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel system join and Fig. 2 and 3 are modifications thereof.

Referring to Fig. 1 a metallic panel system has a pair of aluminium alloy panels 1 and 2 respectively formed with detachably interiocking rolled formations 3 and 4 at cooperating edges. The formation 3 has a limb 5 extending at right angles to the body of the panel 1 and is bent to form a locking part 6 thereafter continuing at 5a and being further bent at right angles at 7 to continue at a limb 8 the outer end of which is folded over to form a locking part 9. The formation 4 has a limb 10 extending at right angles to the body of the panel 2 and is bent to form a locking element 11 embracing the part 6, thereafter continuing at 1 Oa to lie closely alongside the limb 5a.The limb 10, 1 Oa is then bent at 12 and continues as a limb 13 lying closely alongside the limb 8; the outer end of the limb 1 3 being bent to constitute a locking element 14 embracing the part 9.

In this arrangement the panels are interengaged by first locating the element 14 over the part 9 and then rotating the panel 2 relative to the panel 1 until distortion of the limbs 13, 10 and 1 Oa permits the element 11 to 'snap' over the part 6. It will be appreciated that some distortion of the limbs 5, 5a and 8 may also occur. The construction of Fig. 1 permits the limbs 5a, 1 ova and 8, 1 3 to be drilled to receive bolts and rivets for securing the system to other members.

The interengaged formations 3 and 4 constitute a structural support rib for the system so that, for example a van body can be built up without the use of an additional framework for its side walls.

Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the limbs 5a and 8 have been merged together into a single limb 1 5 to provide a box structure of triangular formation and Fig. 3 shows another arrangement presenting a square section box structure. In both cases the rib constituted by the formation is of greater strength than the arrangement of Fig. 1 although blind fastening techniques need to be used to fasten other members thereto.

It will also be understood that in the constructions of Figs. 1 and 2 the body parts 1 and 2 of the panels may extend at an angle to one another and the system may be used to fabricate a ciosed container.

1. A metallic panel system comprising first and second panels detachably joined together on first and second rolled formations at cooperating edges thereof, the first formations having two locking parts each engaged with a locking element formed one on each of two relatively distortable links of the second formation, the formations being disposed wholly on one side of the system and constituting a structural supporting rib therefor.

2. A metallic panel system substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawing.

New claims filed on 24th April, 1 980 Superseded claims 1 and 2.

New or amended claims: 1-4.

1. A metallic panel system comprising first and second panels detachably joined together on first and second rolled formations at cooperating edges thereof, the first formations having two locking parts each engaged with a locking element formed one on each of two relatively distortable limbs of the second formation a hollow space enclosed by said limbs and the first formation extending longitudinally of said edges to constitute a box structure supporting rib disposed wholly on one side of the system.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which the box structure is of triangular formation.

3. A system according to claim 1 in which the box structure is of generaliy rectangular formation.

4. A metallic panel system substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to panel systems This invention relates to metallic panel systems which may be used for example for van bodies, for containers or for cladding purposes. Most such systems comprise a framework to which individual sheets are secured or alternatively the panels are extruded with interlocking edge formations. It is a disadvantage to provide a separate supporting framework and it is impractical to extrude wide sheet material. Accordingly it is known to have interengageable rolled formations on cooperating edges of adjoining panels and to join these formations by bolting or rivetting. Frequently a separate framework is also provided. According to the present invention there is provided a metallic panel system comprising first and second panels detachably joined together by first and second rolled formations at co-operating edges thereof, the first formations having two locking parts each engaged with a locking element formed one on each of two relatively distortable links of the second formation, the formations being disposed wholly on one side of the system and constituting a structural supporting rib therefor. The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a panel system join and Fig. 2 and 3 are modifications thereof. Referring to Fig. 1 a metallic panel system has a pair of aluminium alloy panels 1 and 2 respectively formed with detachably interiocking rolled formations 3 and 4 at cooperating edges. The formation 3 has a limb 5 extending at right angles to the body of the panel 1 and is bent to form a locking part 6 thereafter continuing at 5a and being further bent at right angles at 7 to continue at a limb 8 the outer end of which is folded over to form a locking part 9. The formation 4 has a limb 10 extending at right angles to the body of the panel 2 and is bent to form a locking element 11 embracing the part 6, thereafter continuing at 1 Oa to lie closely alongside the limb 5a.The limb 10, 1 Oa is then bent at 12 and continues as a limb 13 lying closely alongside the limb 8; the outer end of the limb 1 3 being bent to constitute a locking element 14 embracing the part 9. In this arrangement the panels are interengaged by first locating the element 14 over the part 9 and then rotating the panel 2 relative to the panel 1 until distortion of the limbs 13, 10 and 1 Oa permits the element 11 to 'snap' over the part 6. It will be appreciated that some distortion of the limbs 5, 5a and 8 may also occur. The construction of Fig. 1 permits the limbs 5a, 1 ova and 8, 1 3 to be drilled to receive bolts and rivets for securing the system to other members. The interengaged formations 3 and 4 constitute a structural support rib for the system so that, for example a van body can be built up without the use of an additional framework for its side walls. Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the limbs 5a and 8 have been merged together into a single limb 1 5 to provide a box structure of triangular formation and Fig. 3 shows another arrangement presenting a square section box structure. In both cases the rib constituted by the formation is of greater strength than the arrangement of Fig. 1 although blind fastening techniques need to be used to fasten other members thereto. It will also be understood that in the constructions of Figs. 1 and 2 the body parts 1 and 2 of the panels may extend at an angle to one another and the system may be used to fabricate a ciosed container. CLAIMS 1. A metallic panel system comprising first and second panels detachably joined together on first and second rolled formations at cooperating edges thereof, the first formations having two locking parts each engaged with a locking element formed one on each of two relatively distortable links of the second formation, the formations being disposed wholly on one side of the system and constituting a structural supporting rib therefor. 2. A metallic panel system substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawing. New claims filed on 24th April, 1 980 Superseded claims 1 and 2. New or amended claims: 1-4.