DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an operator 20 of lift 22 is shown performing the operation of placing a prefabricated wall panel 24 on a structural or nonstructural support wall 26. Support wall 26 is preferably an exterior building wall that includes a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel elongated thin metal framing members 28 for supporting wall panel 24. Metal framing members 28 can be any thin metal member such as, for example, C-shaped metal studs, C-shaped purlins, or Z-shaped purlins. The orientation of metal framing members 28 can be either vertical (typical for metal studs) or horizontal (typical for C/Z purlins). Wall panel 24 generally includes a lightweight precast concrete slab 30 and a plurality of channels 32. Channels 32 are partially embedded in concrete slab 30 and are used to attach wall panel 24 to support wall 26, as described in detail below. Slab 30 is preferably formed of concrete that is predominately reinforced by steel reinforcement members (i.e., not fiberglass reinforced concrete). Wall panel 24 further includes a pair of handles 34 to which a cable 36 can be attached in order to allow lift 22 to manipulate wall panel 24 proximate support wall 26.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, elongated channels 32 of wall panel 24 are illustrated as extending generally parallel to one another, substantially the full width of slab 30. Channels 32 are rigidly coupled to slab 30 by partial embedding of channels 32 in slab 30. Channels 32 project outwardly from a substantially flat inside surface 36 of slab 30. Each of channels 32 presents a generally flat outer channel surface 38 that is spaced from and extends substantially parallel to inside surface 36 of slab 30. Outer channel surfaces 38 of all channels 32 are preferably substantially coplanar.

[0033] The shape, size, and weight of wall panel 24 can vary greatly depending on the particular application for which wall panel 24 is used. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concrete wall panel that is significantly lighter than traditional concrete wall panels. Thus, it is preferred for wall panel 24 to have a weight in the range of from about 5 to about 30 pounds per square foot, more preferably in the range of from about 10 to about 20 pounds per square foot, and most preferably in the range of from 12 to 18 pounds per square foot. It is further preferred for the thickness of slab 30 to be in the range of from about 1 to about 4 inches, more preferably in the range of from about 1.25 to about 3 inches, and most preferably in the range of from 1.5 to 2 inches. Although the length and width of slab 30 can vary greatly depending on the specific application for which slab 30 is fabricated, it is preferred for slab 30 to have a length in the range of from about 4 to about 20 feet and a width in the range of from about 4 to about 15 feet, more preferably a length in the range of from 8 to 16 feet and a width in the range of from 6 to 12 feet. The spacing between generally parallel channels 32 is preferably in the range of from about 0.5 to about 5 feet, more preferably in the range of from about 1 to about 3 feet, and most preferably in the range of from 1.5 to 2.5 feet. Channels 32 preferably have a continuous length that is at least 75 percent of the width of slab 30, more preferably at least 90 percent of the width of slab 30. Most preferably, channels 32 have a continuous length that is approximately 100 percent of the width of slab 30, thereby providing channels 32 that continuously extend entirely across slab 30. Because channels 32 provide the means for which wall panel 24 is coupled to support wall 26 (shown in FIG. 1), it is important that channels 32 are embedded in slab 30 in a manner which prevents “pull out” of channels 32 from slab 30. Thus, each channel preferably has a pull out strength of at least 250 pounds per linear foot. Preferably, each channel 32 has a pull out strength in the range of from about 500 to about 1,000 pounds per foot, and most preferably in the range of from 1,000 to 3,000 pounds per foot. Each channel 32 is preferably formed of a single piece of bent sheet metal. Preferably, the sheet metal used to form channels 32 is a 14 to 26 gauge sheet metal, most preferably an 18 to 22 gauge sheet metal.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, a wall system 42 is illustrated as generally comprising wall panel 24, support wall 26, and an interior wall 44. Channel 32 of wall panel 24 is coupled to thin metal framing member 28 (illustrated as a C-shaped metal stud) of support wall 26 at an attachment location 46 where channel 32 crosses metal framing member 28. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, when wall panel 24 is placed adjacent support wall 26, it is preferred for the direction of elongation of spaced-apart channels 32 to be substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation of spaced-apart metal framing members 28 so that a plurality of attachment locations 46 are available at points where channels 32 cross metal framing members 28. Referring again to FIG. 3, it is preferred for wall panel 24 to be attached to thin metal framing members 28 at each attachment location 46 via a self-tapping screw 48 that extends through metal framing member 28 and channel 32. As used herein, the term “self-tapping screw” shall denote a screw having a threaded shaft and an unthreaded tip that is configured similar to the tip of a standard drill bit. The tip of the self-tapping screw is operable to create a hole in sheet metal or another relatively thin material. The hole created by the tip has a sufficient diameter to allow the threaded shaft to be threaded therethrough, thereby firmly attaching the self-tapping screw to the sheet metal or other thin member. A variety of self-tapping screws suitable for use in the present invention are commercially available from various suppliers.

[0035] The use of self-tapping screws 48 as the primary means for attaching wall panel 24 to support wall 26 and supporting wall panel 24 on support wall 26 provides numerous advantages. For example, the alignment of wall panel 24 relative to support wall 26 can be readily adjusted because a proper attachment location 46 can be formed at any location where channel 32 crosses thin metal framing member 28. Further, it is not necessary for the outer channel surface 38 of each channel 32 to fit flushly with the outer framing member surface 50 of each metal framing member 28 because a shim 52 can readily be placed between outer channel surface 38 of channel 32 and outer framing member surface 50 of metal framing member 28 to fill any gap between thin metal framing member 28 and channel 32 prior to extending self-tapping screw 48 through metal framing member 28, shim 52, and channel 32. Further, this configuration for attaching wall panel 24 to support wall 26 allows thermal insulation 54 to be placed between outer channel surface 38 and outer framing member surface 50 at each attachment location 46. Such thermal insulation 54 can enhance the thermal efficiency of wall system 42 by inhibiting thermal conduction between channel 32 and metal framing member 28.

[0036] Because self-tapping screw 48 is the preferred means for coupling channel 32 to metal framing member 28, metal framing member 28 and channel 32 must be configured to allow self-tapping screw 48 to extend therethrough. Thus, it is preferred for both metal framing member 28 and channel 32 to be formed of thin metal. Preferably, the thickness of metal framing member 28 and channel 32 at attachment location 46 is in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.2 inches, more preferably in the range of from about 0.02 to about 0.1 inches, and most preferably in the range of from 0.03 to 0.05 inches. This thickness of metal framing member 28 and channel 32 is thin enough to allow self-tapping screw 48 to readily create a hole in metal framing member 28 and metallic channel 32, but is thick enough to allow formation of a suitably strong connection between metal framing member 28 and metallic channel 32 via self-tapping screw 48.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, the configuration of channel 32 is an important aspect of one embodiment of the present invention. Each channel 32 preferably includes a substantially flat cross member 56 and a pair of side members 58 extending from generally opposite edges of cross member 56. Referring again to FIG. 3, self-tapping screw 48 is extended through metal framing member 28 and cross member. 56 in order to attach wall panel 24 to support wall 26. In order to provide sufficient space for self-tapping screw 48 to extend through cross member 56, a gap 60 must exist between cross member 56 and inside surface 36 of slab 30. Gap 60 allows self-tapping screw 48 to be extended through thin metal framing member 28 and cross member 56 without contacting slab 30. It is preferred for gap 60 (defined between cross member 56 and inside surface 36 of slab 30) to be in the range of from about 0.25 to about 4 inches, more preferably in the range of from about 0.5 to about 3 inches, and most preferably in the range of from 1 to 2 inches. Referring to FIG. 6, it is preferred for cross member 56 to have a width in the range of from about 0.5 to about 4 inches, more preferably in the range of from 0.75 to 2 inches. It is further preferred for each side member 58 to have a length in the range of from about 1 to about 5 inches, more preferably in the range of from 1.5 to 3.5 inches. Referring again to FIG. 6, it is preferred for side members 58 of each channel 32 to diverge from one another as they extend from cross member 56. A divergence angle D is defined between each side member 58 and an imaginary plane extending perpendicular to cross member 56 along the junction of side member 58 and cross member 56. Preferably, divergence angle D is in the range of from about 10 to about 60 degrees, more preferably in the range of from about 15 to about 45 degrees, and most preferably in the range of from 25 to 35 degrees.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 3, each side member 58 is partially embedded in slab 30. Thus, each side member 58 includes an embedded portion (embedded in slab 30) and an exposed portion (not embedded in slab 30). Preferably, 20 to 80 percent of each side member 58 is embedded in slab 30. Most preferably, 30 to 50 percent of each side member 58 is embedded in slab 30. Preferably, the embedded portion of each side member 58 extends below inside surface 36 of slab 30 a distance in the range of from about 0.25 inches to about 2 inches, most preferably in the range of from 0.5 to about 1 inch. Preferably, the exposed portion of each side member 58 extends outwardly from inside surface 36 of slab 30 a distance in the range of from about 0.5 to about 4 inches, more preferably in the range of from about 0.75 to about 3 inches, and most preferably in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 inches.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, each side member 58 includes a plurality of projections 62 defined between a plurality of notches 64. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, projections 62 of each side member 58 are preferably spaced on 1 to 4 inch centers, more preferably on 1.5 to 2.5 inch centers. Preferably, each notch 64 extends into the side member 58 a distance in the range of from about 0.25 to 2 inches, most preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 1 inch.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, each projection 62 is embedded in slab 30 and defines a holding surface 66 adapted to prevent pull out of channel 32 from slab 30. Preferably, holding surface 66 faces generally towards inside surface 36 of slab 30 and is defined along a plane that is generally transverse to the plane along which the exposed portion of corresponding side member 58 is defined. It is preferred for each holding surface 66 of each projection 62 to present an area in the range of from about 0.05 to about 1 inch, most preferably in the range of from 0.2 to 0.5 inches. Referring to FIGS. 3-7, each projection 62 preferably includes a leg 68 and a foot 70. Leg 68 is embedded in slab 30 and is substantially coplanar with the exposed portion of side member 58. Foot 70 is embedded in slab 30 and presents holding surface 66. Foot 70 is defined along a plane that extends generally transverse to the plane along which the exposed portion of side member 58 is defined. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, it is preferred for each channel 32 to be formed of a single piece of bent sheet metal. Thus, two substantially parallel top bend lines 72 define the junction between cross member 56 and side members 58, and two series of substantially parallel bottom bend lines 74 define the junction between leg 68 and foot 70 of each projection 62.

[0041] The configuration of each channel 32, described herein, allows each channel 32 to be quickly and inexpensively made out of standard sheet metal. Referring now to FIG. 8, a single piece of substantially flat sheet metal 76 is illustrated with dashed lines to show the locations at which sheet metal 76 will be cut and bent to form channels 32. In order to form channel 32, a first, second, third, and fourth series of openings 78, 80, 82, 84 are stamped in sheet metal 76 using conventional metal stamping techniques. Next, metal sheet 76 is formed into individual elongated pieces 86 by cutting along cut lines 88. Each individual elongated piece 86 is then bent along top and bottom bend lines 72, 74, to thereby form channels 32 having the generally hat-shaped orthogonal cross section shown in FIG. 6. As used herein, the term “orthogonal cross section” shall denote a view cut along a plane generally orthogonal to the direction of elongation of a member. As used herein, the term “hat-shaped” shall denote a shape including a top cross member, two spaced-apart side members extending generally downward from opposite edges of the top cross member, and two foot members extending generally outward from respective ends of the side members.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, once channels 32 have been manufactured, as described above, channels 32 can be fixed in a concrete form 90 via clamps 92. It is preferred for steel reinforcing members 94 (e.g., steel mesh or rebar) to be placed in form 90 prior to placement of channels 32 in form 90. Referring to FIG. 10, notches 64 in channel 32 provide openings through which steel reinforcing members 94 can extend. FIG. 10 also illustrates a dashed fill line 96 up to which concrete can be placed in form 90.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 11, an alternative channel 100 is illustrated as generally including a cross member 102 and a pair of side members 104 extending and diverging from opposite edges of cross member 102. Each side member 104 includes a plurality of projections 106 defined between a plurality of notches 108. Each projection includes an opening 110 extending therethrough. Each opening 110 presents a holding surface 112. Channel 100 is configured to be partially embedded in a concrete slab up to embedding line 114 so that projections 106 and openings 110 are embedded in the concrete slab. Notches 108 allow steel reinforcement members to be extended therethrough. When channel 100 is embedded in concrete, openings 110 are filled with concrete and holding surfaces 112 resist pull out of channel 100 from the concrete slab.

[0044] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting sense to interpret the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.