NZ577139A - Spacing member for a building panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A spacing member for a building panel comprising: an elongate web configured to extend at least partially between a pair of spaced facing members, the web having longitudinal edges each being attachable to a respective one of the pair of spaced facing members, the web including a plurality of holes 20 spaced along its length, each hole having a conformation to receive extending there through and to locate in position at least two elongated reinforcement bars 22 for providing reinforcement to the building panel, the conformation of each hole comprising a peripheral shape of the hole which provides: ! in a first upright orientation of the spacing member two concavities 21 in a lower edge of the peripheral shape. of the hole which are arranged to receive, locate and support respective reinforcement bars 22 so that they are maintained separated from each other, and in a second upright orientation of the spacing member which is an inversion of the first upright orientation a single concavity in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which is arranged to receive, locate and support a single reinforcement bar so that it is maintained ill a desired position between the facing members.

Description

22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 06/27 *10057513241* 577,39 No.: Date: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SPACING member FOR a BUILDING panel RONALD JAMES ARKCOLL and PETER DAVID ARKCOLL of PO Box 899, Seven Hills, NSW 1730, Australia, hereby declare that an hereby declare(s) the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 07/27 SPACING MEMBER FOR A BUILDING PANEL Field of the Invention The present application relates to building panels for use in building construction, and in particular, to spacing members for a hollow building panel that can be filled with a filler such as concrete, Background of the Invention Prefabricated building components, which are manufactured at one site and then transported to a construction site to be assembled, have proven useful to the building and construction industry.

Prefabricated building components, in the form of prefabricated, reinforced concrete panels made to specific sizes and dimensions, provide relatively quick and simple assembly and construction, thereby contributing to earlier building project completion. The use of prefabricated building components can also provide a substantial reduction in labour costs in both the manufacturing and assembly processes, as the panels 15 are typically mass produced at a manufacturing site and transported to the construction site where they are assembled. In this regard, there is no requirement for a large number of tradesmen and labourers to assemble individual blocks or bricks to form the walls of the building.

One issue with using prefabricated reinforced concrete panels is that, due to their 20 typical large size and weight, they are relatively difficult to handle and transport. Tn this regard, dedicated lifting equipment in the form of cranes and the like, is often required to handle the panels, which can significantly add to transport and handling costs. There are also safety issues associated with handling such panels at both the manufacturing and the construction site, which require adherence to stringent safety requirements and 25 procedures in order to ensure a safe work environment For this reason, building components that are not completely prefabricated but which are finished at the construction site upon, or immediately prior to, assembly have been proposed. Such components are typically assembled off-site in a form that is more easily handled and transported to the construction site where they can be readily erected 30 and filled with concrete, without the need for cranes and other such dedicated equipment. One such building component is described in Australian Innovation Patent Nos. 2 INTELLECTUAL PROPER™ OFFICE OF N.Z- 2 2 MAY 2009 received 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 0S/27 2004100393 and 2007100210, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference fot further background technical information.

The panel described j,n the above referenced patent applications comprises a pair of facing sheets, such as fibre cement sheets, spaced apart and connected by a plurality of 5 studs or spacer members. The studs or spacer members are in the form of steel stud frames extending longitudinally between the facing sheets in a spaced array. Following assembly of the facing sheets and the studs, each panel can be easily stacked for transportation to the construction site, where they can be relatively quickly and easily hand erected into position. The panels are then reinforced as required, typically by 10 feeding steel bars through the aligned holes in the studs separating the facing sheets, and then the panels arc core-fitted with concrete by pouring concrete into the internal cavity or space provided between the facing sheets to achieve the desired structural strength of the panel. Due to the simplicity of the design of the panels, panels can be made in a variety of sizes and thicknesses to suit a variety of architectural and engineering design \5 requirements. Further, the panels are able to meet structural strength, thermal-barrier and acoustic-barrier standards.

Depending upon the particular application of the panel and the structural requirements of the construction to which it is used, the reinforcement requirements of the panel may differ between applications. Typically, the studs of the panel have holes 20 formed therein to facilitate the flow of concrete between the studs of the panel tp ensure that the poured concrete is evenly distributed throughout the internal space of the panel.

The holes formed in the studs also typically function to accommodate and locate the reinforcing bars. In this regard, upon erecting the panels and prior to pouring the concrete, reinforcing bars are inserted through the holes formed in the studs to provide 25 horizontal reinforcement. Typically, the holes are round or oval in shape and readily accommodate a single reinforcing bar. However, in instances where greater horizontal reinforcement is required, it is not possible to readily insert two or more reinforcing bars through the holes in the studs such that the bars are separated from one another and arc securely located in position. In such instances it is necessary for alternative means such 30 as wire ties to be provided to locate and separate the bars, requiring additional labour and tools.

Thus, there is a need to provide a building panel of the type that is core-filled with concrete which provides for a variety of horizontal reinforcement options. 3 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ 2 2 MAY 2009 ECEIVED 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 09/27 The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products ate not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art.

Summafy of the Invention According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a spacing member for a building panel comprising: an elongate web configured to extend at least partially between a pair of spaced. facing members; the web having longitudinal edges each being attachable to a respective one of the pair of spaced facing members, the web including a plurality of holes spaced along its length, each hole having a conformation to receive extending therethrough and to locate in position at least two elongated reinforcement bars for providing reinforcement to the building panel, the conformation of each hole comprising a peripheral shape of the hole which provides: * in a first upright orientation of the spacing member two concavities in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which are arranged to receive, locate and support respective reinforcement bars so that they are maintained separated from each other, and • in a second upright orientation of the spacing member which is an inversion of the first upright orientation a single concavity in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which is arranged to receive, locate and support a single reinforcement bar so that it is maintained in a desired position between the facing members.

When the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the conformation is preferably operative to locate and maintain the reinforcement bars separated horizontally from each other.

When the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the reinforcement bars are preferably received, located, supported and maintained spaced inwardly from the feeing members of the building panel by predetermined distances to receive filler material between each reinforcement bar and the respective facing member.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 4 OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 10/27 In a preferred embodiment, when the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the two concavities in the lower edge of each hole are preferably spaced apart by a raised convex region of the peripheral shape of the hole, the convex region functioning to assist 5 in locating and maintaining the reinforcement bars in their respective concavities.

Each hole in peripheral shape may comprise arcuate portion which defines the single concavity for receiving the single reinforcement bar and a laterally extending linking portion which provides the two concavities for receiving the two reinforcement bars. In io this embodiment, the two concavities in the laterally extending linking portion may be separated by a convex region which is operative to assist in locating and maintaining the two reinforcement bars in the respective concavities.

Preferably the single reinforcement bar received and located in the hole when the spacing 15 member is in the second upright orientation is maintained centred between the spaced facing members of the panel.

Each hole preferably has been formed by cutting or punching the hole in the web between its longitudinal edges. The peripheral shape of the hole preferably includes a 20 stiffening flange formed by bending a portion of the web around the peripheral edge of the hole out of the plane of the web. In one embodiment, part of the conformation of the hole may comprise an upwardly extending convexity between the two spaced concavities for receiving respective reinforcement bars and the convexity may include a differently profiled stiffening flange compared to the flange at the two concavities.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a building panel comprising: a pair of spaced facing members so as to define a cavity therebetween; a plurality of spacing members, each of the spacing members comprising an 30 elongate web extending at least partially between the pair of spaced facing members the web having longitudinal edges attached to respective ones of the pair of spaced facing members, the web including a plurality of holes spaced along its length, each bole having a conformation to receive extending therethrough and to locate in position at least two intellectual property office of n.z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received! 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERU PAGE 11/27 elongated reinforcement bars for providing reinforcement to the building panel, the conformation including a peripheral shape of the hole which provides: • in a first upright orientation of the building panel two concavities in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which are arranged to receive, locate and support respective reinforcement bars so that they are maintained separated from each other, and • in a second upright orientation of the building panel which is an inversion of the first upright orientation a single concavity in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which is arranged to receive, locate and support a single reinforcement bar so that it is maintained in a desired position between the facing members; and a filler of concrete or other filler material substantially filling the cavity between the facing members including continuously extending through the holes and encapsulating the reinforcement bars.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of erecting and installing a building panel in a building structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a building panel comprising a plurality of spacing members, each spacing member being according to any one of claims I to 11, and arranging the spacing members in parallel spaccd relationship to each other so that the holes of cach spacing member are substantially aligned with corresponding holes in all of the other spacing members, providing a pair of spaced facing members attached to all of the plurality of spacing members at the respective longitudinal edges of each spacing member so as to define a cavity between the spaced facing members, erecting the building panel in a selected one of first upright and second upright orientations depending upon whether two spaced reinforcement bars are to be provided extending through aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members or whether a single reinforcing bar is to be provided extending through aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members, inserting reinforcing bars through the aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members so that they are located and supported by the concavities in the lower edges of the peripheral shapes of the aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members with the intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 20(19 received 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 12/27 reinforcing bars having the desired spacing from the spaced facing members of the building panel, and substantially filling with concrete or other filler material the cavity between the facing members including continuously extending through the holes m the spacing 5 members and encapsulating the reinforcement bars.

Brief Description of the Drawings Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood 10 that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a building panel in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 shows schematically & front view of the stud of the building panel, of FIG. 15 1 in a first orientation; FIG. 3 shows a front view of the stud of the building panel of FIG. 1 in a second orientation; FIG. 4 shows a front view of an alternative configuration of hole in the stud; FTG. 5 shows a fragmentary, part sectional view of a further configuration of hole 20 in the stud; F1G.6 shows a front view of a production version of a stud similar to FIG. 2; and FIG. 7 shows the stud of FIG. 6 in use.

Detailed Description of an Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention Whilst the panels of the present invention will be described in relation to their application as a permanent form work structural walling system, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be employed in relation to a variety of structural elements, such as flooring systems and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a building panel 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the 30 present invention is shown. The panel 10 comprises a pair of facing members shown as sheets 12 spaced apart by a plurality of spacer members shown as studs 14 to define an internal space 13 therebetween. The facing sheets 12 are generally rigid, and may be in the form of fibre cement sheets, plasterboard sheets, or sheets made from any suitable 7 intellectual property office of n.z. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-989S1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 13/27 material The facing sheets 12 form the external surfaces of the panel 10 and may be configured to have one or more skins attached thereto, where required.

The studs 14 are arranged to extend in a substantially vertical and parallel array within the space 13 so as to define a plurality of chambers 15 therein. Each stud 14 is in 5 the form of an elongate frame member having a U-channel shaped cross section and being made from a galvanised sheet steel or any other suitable material. Each stud 14 comprises a web 16 that has along its longitudinal edges a pair of flanges 18. The flanges 18 extend substantially perpendicular from the web 16 and provide a means for attachment of the facing sheets 12 to the stud 14. Such attachment .may be achieved by 10 applying a suitable adhesi ve to the outer surfaces of the flanges 18, which adheres to the inner surface of the corresponding facing sheet 12. It will be appreciated that in addition to, or instead of, such an adhesive attachment, one or more screws or similar mechanical fasteners may be provided to secure the facing sheets 12 to the flanges 18 of the studs.

As shown, a plurality of holes 20 are provided in the web 16 of each stud 14 at \5 regular intervals along the length thereof. Each of the holes 20 is preferably formed by punching the desired shape of the hole from the web 16 in a known manner, although other means for forming the holes 20 are also envisaged. The holes 20 enable communication between the adjacent individual chambers 15, such that when concrete is poured into the spacc 13, the concrete is able to flow between the individual chambers 15 20 facilitating even distribution of the concrete throughout the space 13 of the panel 10.

The holes 20 formed in the web 16 of the studs 14 also function to receive and locate horizontal reinforcing bars 22, as shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, as the assembly of studs 14 and facing sheets 12 is formed, the studs are positioned such that the holes 20 formal in adjacent studs substantially align. This enables the reinforcing bars 22 to be 25 inserted through the holes 20 from one end of the panel 10, prior to pouring the concrete, such that they are supported in position by the studs 14. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. two reinforcement bars 22 are inserted through a series of aligned holes 20, however it will be appreciated that the number of bars 22 may vary depending upon the structural load requirements of the panel.

The manner in which the studs 14 function to receive and locate the reinforcing bars 22 can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Each hole 20 has a peripheral shape that is generally semi-circular or semi-oval, comprising an arcuate portion 24 connected by a laterally extending linking portion 26 8 intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received 22/05/2009 17:10 SI-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 14/27 that extends in the direction across the web 16, As is shown in FTG. 2, the linking portion 26 forms a base or lower portion of the hole 20. whilst in FIG. 3, the laterally extending portion 26 forms the upper portion of the hole 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the laterally extending linking portion 26 comprises a pair of 5 concavities or troughs 25 with an intermediate a peaked or convex region 27. As is shown, the troughs 25 are located at opposing ends of the linking portion 26. The troughs 25 provide a means for locating two reinforcing bars 22 such that the bars 22 are spaced apart from each other. In this arrangement, two bars 22 can be inserted from an open end of the panel 10 through aligned holes 20 in the studs 14 of the panel 10 to 10 provide horizontal reinforcement of the panel 10 when filled with concrete. The two bars 22 are retained separated by the function of the shape of the holes as the bars naturally locate themselves in the troughs 25 provided in the linking portion 26. By spacing apart the reinforcing bars 22, concrete flow within the space 13 of the panel 10 and around the bars 22 is improved, thereby achieving the desired structural characteristics of the panel 15 10. The spacing between the troughs 25 and the depth of the troughs within the panel 10, i.e. the spacing of each trough 25 from its nearest facing sheet 12, can be chosen so that the panel 10 and final concrete filled structural element can comply with the relevant building standards.

It will also be appreciated that the automatic locating function of the shape of the 20 holes 20. in particular, the provision of the spaced apart troughs 25 for receiving the bars 22, does not require significant manual manipulation to position the bars 22 within the panel 10. As the bars 22 are naturally received and located in the troughs 25, the bars can be relatively simply inserted into position, on site. There is also no need for wire tiles to maintain the bars 22 at their required spacing as is a known practice at present. 25 Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative arrangement of the stud 14 is shown. In this arrangement, the stud 14 is provided for use with a panel 10 that requires only a single horizontal reinforcing bar 22. In this arrangement, the studs 14 of the panel 10 are attached to the facing sheets 20 in an inverted orientation, with respect to the arrangement of FTG. 2. As can be seen, the laterally extending linking portion 26 forms 30 the upper portion of the hole 20. Therefore, the single reinforcing bar 22 is received and supported on the arcuate portion 24 of the hole 20, resting at the lowest point thereof. As the lowest point of the arcuate region 24 is located laterally in the centre of the hole 16.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received 22/05/2009 17:10 Gl-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 15/27 the single reinforcing bars is located substantially in the centre of tine panel 10 when inserted.

Similarly, with such an arrangement as shown m FIG. 3, the process of inserting the reinforcing rods 22 into die panel 10 is relatively simple. The rods 22 are merely 5 inserted from an open end of the panel 10 through aligned holes in. the studs 14 of the panel and they naturally locate in positions at the centre of the arcuate portions 24, namely the lowest points of the holes 20. The concrete can then be poured into the space 13 encapsulating the rods 22 therein and providing the desired horizontal reinforcement to the panel 10.

It will be appreciated that the studs 14 of the present invention provide a means for facilitating the flow of concrete within the space 13 of the panel 10, as well as provide a unique means for receiving and locating reinforcing bars 22 within the panel to achieve the desired strength of the panel 10, The studs 14 can be simply adapted to allow for a variety of structural specifications of the panel 10 to be satisfied, in particular, 15 whether single or dual horizontal reinforcement bars are required, by merely changing the orientation of the studs by inversion during assembly. As such, there is no need to supply two different types of studs 14 such different construction needs or use wire ties where two horizontally spaced rods are required.

It will be appreciated that whilst the embodiment of the studs 14 as shown is able 20 to cater for single and double horizontal reinforcement, the shape of the holes can be adapted to cater for other multiple reinforcement needs. To this regard, the arcuate portion 24 and/or the laterally extending linking portion 26 may comprise additional troughs 25 formed therein to provide additional reinforcement options for the panel 10.

Referring to Fig. 4, one variation of the spacing member construction is 25 illustrated. In this embodiment, a further concavity or trough 35 and/or 36 is formed in the peripheral edge of the hole 20 so that a further reinforcement bar can be received and located therein. This trough 35 may be above the dual concavities 25 or, when inverted, may be at 36 above the single concavity 24. This configuration is probably not preferred because a bar can more readily be dislodged from the tough 35 or 36 and fall to the 30 lower portion of the hole 20 where it may not be located spaced from the bar or bars located in the troughs 25 or 24. Nevertheless this embodiment falls within the scope of the present invention.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE IB/27 In Fig. 5 there is shown a portion of a web sectioned longitudinally at 16A to show the conformation at trough 25 and at 16B to show the conformation of the edge of the hole 20 where it extends up into the arcuate portion 24, In this embodiment, the edges of the hole 20 are bent out of the plane of the web 16 to form stiffening flanges 21. 5 In the convex portion 27 the material of the web is not bent, or is not bent to the same extent, out of the plane of the web 16 so that this differing shaping of the hole edges helps to define convex region 27 separating the troughs 25 which receive the reinforcement bars.

Tn Figs, 6 and 7, the stud and its use is shown in a practical embodiment compared 10 to the schematic illustration of Figs. 2 and 3 for example. The reinforcement bars 22 for example are shown resting on and supported by the concavities 25 so that they are located exactly where required by building specifications. For example, the bars 22 can be spaced 30mm from the outside face sheet (distance "S" in Fig. 6) as required in some building construction standards for reinforced concrete structural walls. The 15 reinforcement bars 22 can be of any required standard diameter, and the illustrated stud can accommodate and loeate reinforcement bars 22 with diameters in the range 12mm-28mm. The open or large area of the hole 20 enables reinforcement bars to be very easily and efficiently fed through aligned holes in adjacent studs over substantial distances. With this illustrated stud construction, reinforcing rods of 6 metres length 20 have been readily fed through aligned holes in spaced studs erected along a wall width of 6 metres.

Figs. 6 and 7 also show stiffening flanges 21 formed by bending or flaring the peripheral edge of each hole 20 so that the flange extends around the entire circumference of the hole, including the concavity 24, the troughs 25 and the linking 25 portion 26 defining the convexity 27 separating the troughs 25. The flared shape of the hole edges or flange 21 stiffens the stud against forces that might distort the stud particularly when concrete is being introduced to fill the cavity 13.

Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary view, or a view during the erection process before all the required reinforcement bars are inserted. Vertical reinforcement bars 23 are shown -30 these can be positioned at an end of a building wall section or can, if desired, be inserted between adjacent pahs of studs at spaced intervals along the width of the wall as required by engineering specifications. 11. ■ intellectual property office of n.z. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED] 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 17/27 The stud construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 can of course be inverted if a single centred reinforcing bar 11 is required. Such a bar will be automatically located and supported centrally between the facing sheets 12 by resting on the lowest point of the trough formed by the arcuate portion 24.

It can be seen that the preferred embodiments of the invention described herein and illustrated can be very easy to use, particularly the ready insertion of reinforcement bars, accurate location and automatic maintenance of reinforcement bars in precise positions as required. By inversion of the studs, or of panels in which the studs are used, either horizontally spaced reinforcement bars having the required separation and depth 10 within the wall beneath the surface can be installed, or single accurately centre reinforcement bars can be installed. During filling of the panels with concrete, the concrete flows freely through the large openings between adjacent studs so as to completely encapsulate the studs and the reinforcement bars. The stiffening flanges or flaring surrounding each hole strengthens the stud particularly during the concrete pour 15 when considerable forces on the studs and facing sheets can be experienced due to the mass of flowing concrete.

The invention provides a method of erecting a wall within a building structure and from the preceding description of the construction of the studs and wall panels, the implementation steps of the building construction method will be really understood. 20 It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the features of the possible and preferred embodiments) of the invention as herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 12 intellectual property office of n.2. 2 2 MAY 2009 Ireoeived PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 18/27

Claims (13)

WE CLAIM:

1. A spacing member for a building panel comprising: an elongate web configured to extend at least partially between a pair of Spaced 5 facing members; the web having longitudinal edges each being attachable to a respective one of the pair of spaccd facing members, the web including a plurality of holes spaccd along its length, each, hole having a conformation to receive extending therethrough and to locate in position at least two 10 elongated reinforcement bars for providing reinforcement to the building panel, the conformation of each hole comprising a peripheral shape of the hole which provides: • in a first upright orientation of the spacing member two concavities in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which are arranged to receive, locate and support respective rein Forcement bars so that they are maintained separated 15 from each other, and • in a second upright orientation of the spacing member which is an inversion of the first upright orientation a single concavity in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which is arranged to receive, locate and support a single reinforcement bar so that it is maintained in a desired position between the 20 facing members.

2. A spacing member according to claim 1 wherein, when the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the conformation is operative to locate and maintain the reinforcement bat's separated horizontally from each other. 25

3. A spacing member according to claim 1 or 2 wherein, when the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the reinforcement bars are received, located, supported and maintained spaced inwardly from the facing members of the building panel by predetermined distances to receive filler material between each reinforcement bar and the 30 respective facing member.

4. A spacing member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein when the spacing member is in its first upright orientation, the two concavities in the lower edge of 13 intellectual property office of n.2. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 22/05/2009 17:10 . 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 19/27 each hole are spaced apart by a raised convex region of the peripheral shape of the hole, the convex region functioning to assist in locating and maintaining the reinforcement bars in their respective concavities,

5. 5 5. A spacing member according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein each hole in peripheral shape comprises an arcuate portion which defines the single concavity for receiving the single reinforcement bar and a laterally extending linking portion which provides the two concavities for receiving the two reinforcement bars. 10

6. A spacing member according to claim 5 wherein the two concavities in tlie laterally extending linking portion are separated by a convex region which is operative to assist in locating and maintaining the two reinforcement bars in the respective concavities.

7. A spacing member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the single 15 reinforcement bar received and located in the hole when the spacing member is in the second upright orientation is maintained centrcd between the spaced facing members of the panel.

8. A spacing member according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each hole 20 has been formed by cutting or punching the hole in the web between its longitudinal edges.

9. A spacing member according to claim 8 wherein the peripheral shape of the hole includes a stiffening flange formed by bending a portion of the web around the peripheral 25 edge of the hole out of the plane of the web.

10. A spacing member according to claim 9 wherein part of the conformation of the hole comprises an upwardly extending convexity between the two spaced concavities tor receiving respective reinforcement bars and wherein the convexity includes a differently 30 profiled stiffening flange compared to the flange at the two concavities.

11. A spacing member for a braiding panel substantially as herein before described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. intellectual property 14 office of n.z. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 22/05/2909 17:IB 61-3-989B1337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 23/27

12. 12- A building panel comprising: a pair of spaced facing members so as to define a cavity therebetween; a plurality of spacing members, each of the spacing members comprising an 5 elongate web extending at least partially between the pair of spaced facing members the web having longitudinal edges attached to respective ones of the pair of spaced facing members, the web including a plurality of holes spaced along its length, each hole having a conformation to receive extending therethrough and to locate in position at least two elongated reinforcement bars for providing reinforcement to the building panel, the l o conformation including a peripheral shape of the hole which provides: • in a first upright orientation of the building panel two concavities in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which are arranged to receive, locate and support respective reinforcement bars so that they are maintained separated from each other, and 15 " in a second upright orientation of the building panel which is an inversion of the first upright orientation a single concavity in a lower edge of the peripheral shape of the hole which is arranged to receive, .locate and support a single reinforcement bar so that it is maintained in a desired position between the facing members; and a filler of concrete or other filler material substantially filling the cavity between 20 tbe facing members including continuously extending through the holes and. encapsulating the reinforcement bars.

13. A method of erecting and installing a building panel in a building structure, the method comprising the steps of: 25 providing a building panel comprising a plurality of spacing members, each spacing member being according to any one of claims 1 to 115 and arranging the spacing members in parallel spaced relationship to each other so that the holes of each spacing member are substantially aligned with corresponding holes in all of the other spacing members, 3 0 providing a pair of spaced facing members attached to all of the plurality of spacing members at the respective longitudinal edges of each spacing member so as to define a cavity between the spaccd facing members, intellectual property j 5 office of n.z. 2 2 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 21/27 erecting the building panel in a selected one of first upright Mid second upright orientations depending upon whether two spaced reinforcement bars are to be provided extending through aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members or whether a single reinforcing bar is to be provided extending through aligned holes in the plurality of 5 spacing members, inserting reinforcing bars through the aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members so that they are located and supported by the concavities in the lower edges of the peripheral shapes of the aligned holes in the plurality of spacing members with the reinforcing bars having the desired spacing from the spaced facing members of the 10 building panel, and substantially filling with concrete or other filler material the cavity between the facing members including continuously extending through the holes in the spacing members and encapsulating the reinforcement bars. 16 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 may received 22/05/2009 17:10 61-3-98901337 PATENT ATTORNEY SERV PAGE 22/27 ABSTRACT The spacing stud member (14) for a building panel (10) has an elongate web (16) configured to extend at least partially between a pair of facing sheet members (12), A pair of flanges (18) extend from opposing sides of the web (16) at an angle substantially 5 perpendicular to the web (16). Each flange (18) is attachable to one of the pair of facing sheet members (20). The web (16) includes a plurality of holes (20) spaced along its length. Each hole (20) is configured to receive and locate in position at least two reinforcement bars (22) for providing reinforcement to the building panel (10), the bars (22) being spaced apart. Upon inversion of the stud member or panel in which it is used, 10 a single reinforcement bar can be centrally located and supported by each hole 17 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 2 MAY 2009 received