CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM INCLUDING A CONSTRUCTION MEMBER AND APPARATUS SEALING APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING EDGE SEALS AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

摘要

A construction system is disclosed utilizing a prefabricated plank which can be assembled in contiguous, aligned relationship with other similar planks to form a construction section. The individual planks are of varying geometric shapes and are of a composite construction having a structural core with a flexible membrane covering. The core may be formed from foamed plastic, concrete or the like and the membrane a flexible plastic or light gauge metal. The membrane covering includes an edge flap portion adapted to overlie the marginal edge of the next adjacent plank to provide a continuous weatherproof seal between planks. The flaps are sealable by flexible fasteners carried on the membrane flap and marginal portion in the form of interlocking rib and groove elements. The groove and ribs may take various shapes such as a barb and socket and may also include provision for a marginal expansion joint to facilitate assembly of the membrane covering and eliminate expansion and contraction problems caused by temperature changes. In the corner area between adjacent planks, a compressive fastener seals between the converging edge seals to effect a weatherproof exterior. Another form of the edge seal is heat and pressure bonded to weatherproof the system. The interlocking flexible structure is also adaptable to seal overlapping corrugated metal building panels. The individual planks can be assembled to form a roof, wall or any construction section. The present invention also discloses the construction of a geodesic dome using the planks of the present invention.