A device concerning a wind-proof, water-repellent panel open to diffusion

Abstract

 A windproof, water-repellent panel (1) open to diffusion, preferably in doubled solid cardboard for building purposes. By means of folding directions (4), the panel has been divided into a number of parallel squares (5) and folded with the flat sides of the squares laid against each other into a long, relatively rigid unit (7). Preferably, the squares are folded in a zig-zag fashion, and the folding is made so deep that the panel is flat or approximately flat when hanging attached by its upper edge. To facilitate assembly, the two outer squares (5) may be provided with a hole (8) in the middle of the length and near their free longitudinal edge, so that the panels may be hung on inserted nails attached to the top sleeper above alternate poles.
For use as a distance element in insulated roofs, the panel may be provided with folding directions (14,15) across the first folding directions (4), near the opposite side edges of the panel (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention discloses a device concerning a windproof, water-repellent panel open to diffusion, preferably in doubled solid cardboard for building purposes.

[0002] Panels of the above type are used for roof boarding and under the outer cladding of walls. Other materials for the same purposes are asphalt-impregnated wood fibre panels and plaster panels. The structural function of said panels requires them to be water-repellent on the outside, windproof and open to diffusion. They should provide the structure with a certain rigidity in the horisontal direction.

[0003] All the known products are supplied in formats of approx, 1.25 m x 2.74 m. Such panels are unwieldy on crowded building-sites. This is especially true when they are no more than 2-3 mm thick and most particularly when it is windy.

[0004] When the known panels are used as roof boarding, non-supported joints occur, which are to some extent open and constitute a risk with regard to water and snow being blown in.

[0005] The same problem of joints entails an even greater risk of drawbacks when the panels are used as wind barriers over the insulation in parallel roofs (insulated inclined roofs without a cold loft). Here the whole intended function of the roof may be poorer than expected as a result of badly sealed joints.

[0006] The intention of the present invention is to give directions for a device concerning panels of the above kind with a view to avoiding the above-mentioned drawbacks and securing several advantages.

[0007] According to the invention, this is achieved by a device concerning a panel of the type mentioned initially, characterized in that the panel, by means of folding directions, is divided into a number of parallel squares and folded so that the side surfaces of the squares are laid against each other to form a long, relatively rigid unit. A preferred embodiment is characterized by the squares being folded in a zig-zag manner. In another preferred embodiment, the folding directions are made so deep that the panel is flat or approximately flat when hanging, attached by itsupper edge.

[0008] A further development of the invention is characterized in that the two outer areas, in the middle of the length, have been provided with a hole near their free longitudinal edge.

[0009] Even though zigzag folding has proved a favourable embodiment of the invention, the invention may also be embodied using other forms of folding. Thus, an alternative embodiment of the invention is characterized by the panel being folded into a tubular shape, each external field being of a width identical to the field to the inside of it plus twice the thickness of the panel. When performing said folding, it is advantageous to position the folding directions on the same side of the panel.

[0010] A further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that folding directions have been provided across the previous folding directions, near two of the facing side edges of the panel. Further features and details of the invention will be apparent from the description below in connection with the drawing, which shows embodiment examples of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a panel according to the invention seen towards one of the flat sides,

figure 1a shows the panel in fig- 1 in a folded state,

figure 2 shows a section along the line II-II in fig. 1,

figure 3 shows an example of the use of the panel according to the invention,.

figure 4 shows manual transport of the panel according to the invention on the building site.

figure 5 shows a different use of a panel according to the invention,

figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a panel according to the invention,

figure 7 shows a first step in the assembly of the panel according to Figure 6,

figure 8 shows the panel according to fig. 6 in a fully assembled state,

figure 9 shows the panel according to figure 6 assembled in connection with a different construction from the one shown in figure 8,

figure 10 shows an embodiment of a panel where all the folding directions have been made on one side of the panel,

figure 11 shows the panel according to figure 10 folded into a tubular shape, and

figure 12 shows the folded tube of figure 10 when it is laid flat so as to reduce the volume for freight and transport.

[0011] The panel 1 preferably consists of solid cardboard 2, for instance recycled paper, which is doubled at least on one side, that is, the side facing outwards in the building structure. This doubling may consist of a plastic sheet 3, which has been treated, for instance by electroerosion, to render it open to diffusion. The panel will thus be windproof, water-repellent and open to diffusion, hence it is suitable sheathing in a building. The panel in figure 1 has been provided with a number of folding directions 4, preferably with the same mutual interspacing, forming a number of parallel squares 5 of identical width. The panel in figure 1 is meant to be attached on the outside of a wall of timber placed endwise in a wooden house, said panel being 2.7 m long and 1.25 m wide. Thus, it is adapted to a building module of 60 cm and a normal roof height. The folding direction or folding 6 is very deep, as will be apparent from figure 2, resulting in a good hinge effect between the parts 5. The folding directions are preferably executed so as to be situated on alternate sides. When the panel is folded, the parts 5 will be lying on top of each other in a zig-zag pattern forming a flat, relatively rigid, elongated unit 7, as shown in figure 1a. A number of such folded panels may be packed as a unit 8, handy for carrying by one single man, as shown in figure 4.

[0012] To facilitate assembly, each of the outer squares 5 on the panel 1 has been provided with a hole 8 near the free longitudinal edge of the square. Thus, when the panels 1 are to be assembled on the timber placed endwise 9 of figure 3, a nail is put in the top sleeper 10 just above the center of alternate poles 11. The panels may then be hung on the nails by means of one of the holes 8. During assembly, a unit 7 may be placed on the floor near the wall, and the workman will grip the upper square 5, stretching the panel up along the wall, so that the folds of the panel straighten out until it hangs straight down along the wall. After the panels have been hung in place, they are stapled in the normal way to poles and sleepers. The panels may be of a dimension so as to be joined butt-to-butt, or so as to be joined by overlapping. As will be apparent, both transport on the building site and the assembly of the panels are very advantageous compared to the panels previously in use.

[0013] Figure 5 shows how the panels according to the invention may be used as roof boarding on a conventional gable roof. The folded units are placed by the eaves, and are stapled to the rafters 12 and optionally to a ridge-board (not shown). The doubling layer 3 must then be armoured, for instance by means of a nylon web, and in their unfolded state, the panels should be as long as the roof area from eaves to ridge. Armouring is also advantageous with respect to the panels used for the outer wall, as the panels will then be allowed to absorb forces directed sideways in the structure.

[0014] Armouring on the panels of the roof boarding will prevent treading through the panels. When the panel 1 is attached by the templet, the rest of the unit is pushed up along the rafters during the unfolding of the panel. The panel is then attached upwards along the rafters. Battens are then laid on from the bottom and upwards, ensuring safe treading on the roof when the next panel is laid sequentially above.

[0015] A different area of application for the panel according to the invention is shown in the figures 6 - 9. The panel 13 in figure 6 has a width measurement of approx. 60 cm and a length measurement equalling the area of the roof from the eaves to the ridge, and, as in the case of panel 1, the said panel 13 has been divided into squares 5 by means of folding instructions 4. Furthermore, the panel is provided with a folding direction 14, 15 parallel to the longitudinal edges, leaving 55 cm between the folds in question, which is the usual distance between the rafters of a normal roof. The panel may be provided with one or more further folding directions 16 parallel to the folding directions 14 or 15, to be adaptable to other measurements between the rafters. The panel 13 is to act as a distance-keeper for insulation in a so-called warm roof, that is, where the insulation material is placed between the rafters. In such cases, a louvre must be provided between the roof boarding and the insulation. At present, small elements of kraft material are used, having, by means of folding lines near two opposite sides, two side squares which may be nailed firmly to the the vertical sides of the rafters. The panel 13 is assembled as shown in figure 7. One of the side edges is attached at the correct distance from the top of the rafter 12, the panel being gradually unfolded as the nailing takes place. The panel can be of a length to cover the the full length of the rafter. After the stapling is completed, the panel 13 will thus be hanging vertically along the rafter. It is then bent up, allowing the main area to run horisontally between two rafters. The attached side. square will then run along the upper edge of the rafter, and the side square will function as a distance element. The second side square is preferably folded the opposite way to the first, as the nailing usually takes place from below.

[0016] Figure 9 shows how the panel 13 is used in connection with I-section rafters 17. In this case, the edge squares are not folded, but are nailed under the upper flange. The thickness of the flange then acts as a distance piece against the roof boarding. The panel 13, which is used as a distance piece for insulation of a warm roof, does not need armouring.

[0017] As previously mentioned, the greatest advantage achieved by the invention is that the panel according'to the invention becomes easy to transport on the building site. A man can easily carry several folded panels, even on crowded building sites, up steps and on scaffolding. The panel is easily assembled on a wall. When the panel is used as roof boarding the further advantage is achieved of avoiding joints between panels in the direction of the slope. As mentioned above, such joints entail the risk of water and snow blowing in. Obviously, it is also easy to transport on the building site. A man can easily carry several folded panels, even on crowded building sites, up steps and on scaffolding. The panel is easily assembled on a wall. When the panel is used as roof boarding the further advantage is achieved of avoiding joints between panels in the direction of the slope. As mentioned above, such joints entail the risk of water and snow blowing in. Obviously, it is also more labour-intensive and material-intensive making the roof boarding by using several overlapping panels in the direction of the slope. The same is achieved when using the panel according to the invention as a wind barrier over insulation in parallel roofs (insulated inclined roof without a cold loft). Here, quite small panel elements have been used previously, measuring no more than 50-60 cm in the direction of the slope. The reason for this is that larger panels are very difficult to handle. Thus a great number of joints result, with the risk of water from condensation or possibly leakage water from the roof running through.

[0018] Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a different embodiment of the invention, in which the panel is folded into a tubular shape as shown in figure 11.

[0019] As the panel is of a certain thickness, such as 3 mm, the fields 20 on the outside of the layer inside must be of a width identical to the width of the inside layer plus twice the thickness of the panel. As is apparent from figure 12, a tube as shown in figure 11 can to a certain extent be laid flat.

[0020] The advantage of a panel folded into a tubular shape is that the panel may be rolled out. This is especially advantageous if the panel is to be used as roof boarding. A tube or a roll as shown in figure 11 may then be rolled down the roof slope from the ridge, where oneedge of the panel is attached to the rafters.

[0021] The invention has proved of special value in connection with parallel roofs, that is roofs having no cold loft, and hence where a heated room inside the house comes right up under the roof. In these roof constructions there should be an air space over the insulation under the external roof covering. At present, the normal construction is the one in figure 8, where roof boarding is laid on top of the rafters with the roof covering on top. By means of the invention, a continuous, unjointed panel from the ridge down to the eaves is obtained, as shown in figure 5. The gap between the rafters 12 of this drawing is filled with insulation and a ceiling is attached under the rafters. On the panels 1 over the rafters, battens are attached of a dimension corresponding to the height of the prescribed air space, for instance 50 mm. Tile laths are then placed on the'battens in the normal manner. In this way, a satisfactory construction is obtained, where the panel 1 forms the roof boarding. Because the panels run continuously from the ridge to the eaves, the construction does not need the protection of further covering, such as tar paper. From the point of view of materials, it is thus a cheap construction, and the panels 1 are rapidly assembled. The invention is not limited to the embodiment examples described above and shown in the drawings. Thus, the folding directions, for instance, in the example according to figures 10, 11,and 12, may have the same interdistance. The distance must then be relatively small, such as 5 cm, so that the panel may be rolled with the fields resting against each other more or less haphazardly.

Claims

1. A windproof, water-repellent panel open to diffusion, preferably in doubled solid cardboard for building purposes, having a cross measurement adapted to a building module, characterized in that the panel (1) has been divided, by means of folding directions (4), into a number of parallel squares (5) and folded with the flat surfaces of the squares laid against each other to a long, relatively rigid unit (7).

2. A device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the squares (5) are folded in a zig-zag manner.

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that the folds (4) are made so deep that the panel is flat or approximately flat when hanging attached by its upper edge.

4. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two outer squares (5) have been provided with a hole in the middle of the length near their free longitudinal edge.

5. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that folding directions (14,15) have been provided across the first folding directions (4) near the opposite side edges of the panel (2).

6. A device according to claim 5,
characterized in that the folding has been performed from opposite sides.

7. A device according to claims 5 and 6,
characterized in that two or more parallel folding directions (15,16) are provided close together near one of the side edges of the panel.

8. A device according to claim 1, characte- ized in that the panel is folded into a tubular shape. each of the external fields (20) being of a width identical to the inside field plus twice the thickness of the panel.

9. A device according to claim 8, character- ized in that the folding directions (6) are placed on the same side of the panel (1).

Drawing