Modular building panel having an improved offset thermal barrier joint

A channel member assembly for use in the construction of a building panel of the type having a pair of identically formed facing sheets arranged with adjacent edges extending parallel and spaced apart to one another to define a space therebetween and an insulating core in the space between the central planar surfaces of said two facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the space therebetween, said channel member assembly comprising:

• (a) at least one pair of opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for receiving the adjacent edges of said sheets and forming a joint between said sheets for interconnecting said sheets with one another;
• (b) a web portion extending between for interconnecting the opposing legs, said web portion defining a noncontinuous space;
• and
• (c) wherein said web portion further includes a pair of structural elements offset with respect to one another and aligned along opposite edges of said noncontinuous space, at least one of said elements being adapted to abut the edge portion of said insulating core, thereby eliminating a substantial portion of said noncontinuous space to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through said space.

A channel member assembly for use in the construction of a building panel of the type having a pair of identically formed facing sheets arranged with adjacent edges extending parallel and spaced apart to one another to define a space therebetween and an insulating core in the space between the central planar surfaces of said two facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the space therebetween, said channel member assembly comprising:

• (a) at least one pair of opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for receiving the adjacent edges of said sheets and forming a joint between said sheets for interconnecting said sheets with one another;
• (b) a web portion extending between for interconnecting the opposing legs;
• and
• (c) means for retaining a sealant on the surface of said pair of opposing legs adjacent to said sheets, thereby providing a substantially air tight seal between said facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through said space.

A prefabricated building panel, comprising:

• (a) a pair of identically formed facing sheets arranged with adjacent edges extending parallel and spaced apart to one another to define a space therebetween;
• (b) an insulating core in the space between the central planar surfaces of said two facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the space therebetween;
• and
• (c) a channel member assembly for receiving the adjacent edges of said sheets and forming a joint between said sheets, said assembly including at least one pair of opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for interconnecting said sheets with one another and a web portion extending between for interconnecting the opposing legs, said web portion including an insulating bridge member positioned between the opposing legs adjoining said pair of facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through said web portion, said insulating bridge member defining a noncontinuous space;
• (d) wherein said web portion further includes a pair of structural elements offset with respect to one another and aligned along diagonally opposite edges of said insulating bridge member, at least one of said elements being adapted to abut the edge portion of said insulating core, thereby eliminating a substantial portion of said noncontinuous space to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through said space.

A building construction comprising:

• (a) a pair of building panels, each panel including:
• (i) a pair of identically formed facing sheets arranged with adjacent edges extending parallel and spaced apart to one another to define a space therebetween;
• and (ii) an insulating core in the space between the central planar surfaces of said two facing sheets to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through the space therebetween;
• (b) a channel member assembly extending between for receiving the adjacent edges of said panels and forming a joint between said panels, said assembly including pairs of opposing legs extending parallel and spaced apart to one another for interconnecting said panels with one another and a web portion extending between for interconnecting the opposing legs, said web portion defining a noncontinuous space;
• (d) wherein said web portion further includes a pair of structural elements offset with respect to one another and aligned along opposite edges of said noncontinuous space, at least one of said elements being adapted to abut the edge portion of said insulating core, thereby eliminating a substantial portion of said noncontinuous space to minimize the transfer of heat from one facing sheet to the other through said space.