Reinforced structural panel with integral solar energy collecting array and method of producing and assembling same

A structural panel suitable for rapid assembly to form a portion of a structure including spaced-apart supports for receiving end portions of a plurality of the structural panels, each of the panels having a length suitable for spanning the space between the support members of the structure, the reinforced panel comprising an upper skin member and a lower skin member with a flexible member arranged in the form of an arch therebetween, means securing the ends of the flexible member to the lower skin member, wedged shaped members being arranged between the adjacent end portions of the flexible arched member and lower skin member while being intimately secured thereto, end blocks also being secured to the ends of the lower skin member and securing the ends of the flexible arched member to assist in maintaining the flexible member in its arched configuration, structural grade polymeric foam intimately contacting and adhering to both sides of the flexible arched member and completely filling the spaces between the flexible arched member and the upper and lower skin members.

A structural panel suitable for rapid assembly to form a portion of a structure including spaced-apart supports for receiving end portions of a plurality of the structural panels, each of the panels having a length suitable for spanning the space between the support members of the structure, the reinforced panel comprising an upper skin member and a lower skin member with a flexible member arranged in the form of an arch therebetween, means securing the ends of the flexible member to the lower skin member, structural grade polymeric foam intimately contacting and adhering to both sides of the flexible arched member and completely filling the spaces between the flexible arched member and the upper and lower skin members, each panel including joint means comprising an edge block associated with each panel, the edges of the upper and lower skin members for adjacent panels being arranged to overlap each of the edge blocks, the overlapping portions of the upper and lower skin members being secured to the edge block in order to secure the panels together, a weatherproofing molding being arranged above the upper skin member to provide weatherproofing for the space between the adjacent panels.

A composite reinforced structural panel suitable for rapid assembly to form the roof of a structure including spaced-apart supports for receiving end portions of a plurality of the structural panels, each of the panels comprising

• a reinforced structural panel having a length suitable for spanning the space between the support members of the structure, the reinforced panel comprising an upper skin member and a lower skin member with a flexible member arranged in the form of an arch therebetween and secured at its ends to the lower skin member, adhesive polymeric foam insulating material intimately contacting both sides of the flexible arched member and completely filling the spaces between the flexible arched member and the upper and lower skin members, wedge shaped members being arranged between the adjacent end portions of the flexible arched member and lower skin member while being securely connected thereto, end blocks also being secured to the ends of the lower skin member and overlapping the ends of the flexible arched member, and joint means for securing each of the panels to an adjacent panel.

A composite reinforced structural panel suitable for rapid assembly to form the roof of a structure including spaced-apart supports for receiving end portions of a plurality of the structural panels, each of the panels comprising

• a reinforced structural panel having a length suitable for spanning the space between the support members of the structure, the reinforced panel comprising an upper skin member and a lower skin member with a flexible member arranged in the form of an arch therebetween and secured at its ends to the lower skin member, adhesive polymeric foam insulating material intimately contacting both sides of the flexible arched member and completely filling the spaces between the flexible arched member and the upper and lower skin members,
• joint means for securing each of the panels to an adjacent panel, the joint means comprising an edge block associated with each panel, the edges of the upper and lower skin members for adjacent panels being arranged to overlap each of the edge blocks, the overlapping portions of the upper and lower skin members being secured to the edge block in order to secure the panels together, a weatherproofing molding being arranged above the upper skin member to provide weatherproofing for the space between the adjacent panels.

A structural panel suitable for rapid assembly to form a portion of a structure including spaced-apart supports for receiving end portions of a plurality of the structural panels, each of the panels having a length suitable for spanning the space between the support members of the structure, the reinforced panel comprising an upper skin member and a lower skin member with a relatively longer flexible member arranged in the form of an arch therebetween, means securing the ends of the flexible member to the lower skin member so that the flexible member is caused to assume an arched form, the upper and lower skin members being spaced-apart from all portions of the flexible member between its ends which are secured to the lower skin member, adhesive and insulating polymeric foam intimately contacting and adhering to both sides of the flexible arched member along its entire length between the ends secured to the lower skin member and completely filling the spaces between the flexible arched member and the upper and lower skin members in order to cause the flexible arched member to act as a series of short columns while also preventing distortion or buckling of the arched members.