Metal-faced angled spline for use with structural insulated panels

Abstract

A spline for joining two adjacent structural insulated panels each having an insulating core disposed between and joined to first and second outer facings includes a backer member attached to a metal strip by a conventional coupler such as an adhesive. The backer member and metal strip form an elongated, linear combination, and the outer surface of the backer member may be provided with a groove or slot extending the length thereof. The backer member slot facilitates bending or folding the backer plate and metal strip combination along the length thereof into two connected sections for use as a spline. The angled spline is used for connecting adjacent panels which may be oriented at a relative angle α, where α>0°, by placing each section of the spline in intimate contact with a respective panel along the lengths thereof. Conventional connectors such as screws or nails are inserted through each panel and its associated spline section to connect adjacent panels. In one embodiment, the angled spline is positioned in abutting contact with and attached to each of the inner and outer facings of a pair of connected panels to increase the strength of the joint. The backer member may be comprised of any of the more common building materials such as wood or a gypsum or cement composite.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.