# US 8,769,898 B2 · Structural infill wall panel module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,769,898 B2 - Document ID: US8769898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/699,501 - Filed: 2011-06-08 - Published: 2013-05-02 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-06-08 - Assignees: Kingspan Research and Developments Limited - Applicants: James Carolan; Gregory Flynn - Inventors: James Carolan; Gregory Flynn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769898B2 ## CPC - E04B 2/08: by interlocking of projections or inserts with indentations, e.g. of tongues, grooves, dovetails - E04B 2/90: comprising panels directly attached to the structure {(E04B2/885 takes precedence)} - E04F 13/0803: {with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements} - E04F 13/0819: {inserted into grooves in the back side of the covering elements} - E04F 13/0876: {the covering layer comprising mutual alignment or interlocking means} - E06B 1/04: Frames for doors, windows, or the like to be fixed in openings ({of curvilinear outline E06B1/006; } special adaptations for fixing in base frames E06B1/02; features relating solely to the mounting of glass panes or other sheets E06B3/00) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A facade/wall system comprises a number of modules. Each module comprises a plurality of insulating panels which have connection means on opposite sides thereof for interengaging the panels together at joints between the panels. Reinforcing elements in the form of top hat sections bridge the joints between adjacent panels. The top hat reinforcement elements used to interconnect adjacent panels in a module ensure that the composite panels act together as monolithic structure that creates a diaphragm while providing a surface to which cladding can be fixed and also providing a cavity between the panels and the cladding attached to the modules. They stiffen the panels and thereby enhance resistance to deflection. The system is cost effective and relatively easy and quick to install. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural infill wall panel module for mounting to a frame of a building, the module comprising:— a plurality of composite insulating panels; the panels comprising an external sheet, an internal lining sheet, and an insulating core between the external sheet and the internal sheet, the external sheet and the internal sheet having profiled connection parts, the profiled connection parts of the external sheets of adjacent panels being interengagable and the connection parts of the internal sheets of adjacent panels being interengagable at the joint between adjacent panels; external reinforcing elements mounted to the external sheets and bridging the joint between adjacent panels; internal reinforcing elements mounted to the internal sheets and bridging the joint between adjacent panels; and mounting brackets for attachment to an element of a building; wherein the mounting brackets comprise an upper mounting bracket and a lower mounting bracket for attachment to upper and lower elements of a building. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the external reinforcing elements are of substantially top hat shape having side flanges mounted to the external sheets of adjacent panels forming a joint. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal reinforcing elements are of substantially top hat shape having side flanges mounted to the internal sheets of adjacent panels forming a joint. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The panel module as claimed in claim 2 comprising additional reinforcing elements mounted to the panels intermediate the sides thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The panel module as claimed in claim 4 wherein the additional reinforcing elements are mounted to the external sheets of the panels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The panel module as claimed in claim 5 wherein a single additional reinforcing element is mounted to the external sheet of a panel intermediate the sides thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The panel module as claimed in claim 4 wherein the additional reinforcing elements are of substantially top hat shape having side flanges mounted to the sheet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panels are approximately 1200 mm in width. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The panel module as claimed in claim 8 wherein the external reinforcing elements are spaced apart by a distance of about 600 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower elements of the building to which the brackets are attached are slotted to accommodate movement of the panel module relative to the upper and lower elements of the building to which it is attached. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting brackets are mounted to the internal sheet of the panel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The panel module as claimed in claim 11 comprising panel fixings extending through the panel and into the brackets. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 comprising a support member extending longitudinally between the brackets. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The panel module as claimed in claim 13 comprising panel fixings extending through the panel and into the longitudinal support member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 comprising a flexible seal system at one end of the module for sealing the joint between adjacent modules, on assembly of the module to another like module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The panel module as claimed in claim 15 wherein the flexible seal comprises a flexible membrane and a block of a compressible material carried by the membrane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 comprising an integral window or door and a frame comprising vertical and horizontal framing system for framing the window or door. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The panel module as claimed in claim 17 wherein the framing system comprises a pair of interengagable frame members. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The panel module as claimed in claim 18 wherein one frame member is of channel shape and the other frame member is of C-section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The panel module as claimed in claim 18 wherein the frame members are fixed together, for example by rivets. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The panel module as claimed in claim 18 wherein the vertical and horizontal framing systems are fixed together at a joint therebetween. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The panel module as claimed in claim 21 wherein the horizontal and vertical framing systems are fixed together using an L-shaped bracket. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The panel module as claimed in claim 18 wherein the vertical framing system extends for the full height of the facade system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the external sheet is of metal such as galvanised steel. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The panel module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal liner sheet is of metal such as galvanised steel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) A facade system comprising at least one panel module as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The facade system as claimed in claim 26 comprising support elements mounted to the external reinforcing bridging elements. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The facade system as claimed in claim 27 comprising cladding elements mounted to the support elements.