Title of Invention	"HOLLOW ELONGATED BUILDING WALL ELEMENT"
Abstract	An elongated building element (14) to form a series of walls (10) to (13). The elements (14) each have longitudinally extending flanges (21) that snap engage with longitudinally extending grooves (19) in the next adjacent element (14). Accordingly the wall (10) is constructed by joining the elements (14) in a direction transverse their general direction of extension. If so required the elements (14) may be filled with concrete.

Title of Invention

"HOLLOW ELONGATED BUILDING WALL ELEMENT"

Abstract

An elongated building element (14) to form a series of walls (10) to (13). The elements (14) each have longitudinally extending flanges (21) that snap engage with longitudinally extending grooves (19) in the next adjacent element (14). Accordingly the wall (10) is constructed by joining the elements (14) in a direction transverse their general direction of extension. If so required the elements (14) may be filled with concrete.

Full Text	Technical Field The present invention relates to hollow elongated building wall elements and more particularly but not exclusively to building elements which are joined to form walls of a building. Background of the Invention It is known to form walls from building elements which are vertically extended extruded hollow members. Adjacent members are connected by cooperating flanges and grooves with the elements joined by longitudinal sliding relative movement. The elements are hollow and are subsequently filled with concrete to provide them with strength and rigidity. Typically, the building elements are formed of extruded plastics material. USA Patent 6212845 discloses a building element typically as described above. A wall is constructed by connecting adjacent elements by first connecting one element to a floor and then coupling subsequent elements thereto by vertically sliding relative motion. A similar construction is also disclosed in USA Patents 6189269,5974751, 5953880, 5729944 and 5706620. US 4104837 entitled "Wall constructing method and wall constructed thereby" to Naito et. al. describes a process for constructing a wall by providing plurality of partition units of substantially U-like cross-sectional shape. Further, as shown in figures 4 and 5 of cited art a plurality of partitions members 1 to 7 are nested until use (column 3, line 22). When the partition members are to be installed, they are moved to an expanded configuration by moving the partition members away from each other until the extremities 13 on the arms 11 and 12 engage within the recesses 13 of the next adjacent partition member. It should be particularly noted that extremities 13 slidably engage within the recesses 14, with this occurring as a result of the partition members moving away from each other. The partition members are then secured in this assembled condition by transverse connecting member 16, also slidably moved into engagement with the arms 11 and 12. WO 94/19552 describes a system for constructing a dismantleable prefabricated modular building. The construction is carried out by a plurality of interlocking panels each composed of two cladding layers of rigid material spaced by an internal framework of spacing frame members. In which at least one edge portion of each panel has a longitudinal channel defined by edge portions of the cladding layers projecting beyond an elongate spacing frame member extending generally parallel to the edge portion, and an opposite edge portion of each panel has a tongue extending parallel to said edge portion but projecting there from for cooperating engagement in said longitudinal channel of another said panels to interconnect the panels, the tongues of at least some of the panels projecting orthogonally of the edge portions defining the longitudinal channels to enable the respective panels to be used as corner members of the building. FR 2710676A1 describes building element consists of a hollow profile made from plastic material having approximately U-shaped transverse section, comprising, at least, two large walls which are parallel to each and one transverse end wall at one end and open at other end forming a lateral end for butt assembly of this element to at least one juxtaposed element of the same type, the inner cavity of each element is intended to receive the concrete of the wall and any reinforcement before the concrete is poured. In view thereof it discloses building elements that are secured together by a longitudinal (or vertical) sliding movement of the elements. The above discussed elements have a disadvantage in that their sliding relative movement for coupling purposes hinders their assembly. Their lengths makes them difficult to handle when being placed in position to form a wall. A further disadvantage is that each element has either two male or two female coupling portions. Thus there is the need to manufacture and stock a variety of different elements. Less relevant structures are described in USA Patents 3440785,3555751, 3815311, 3828502, 5274975,5293728, 5404686 and 6247280. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage. Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a hollow elongated building element including: a pair of longitudinally extending spaced side walls which are generally parallel and coextensive; transverse webs joining the side walls ; and wherein said element has at least one longitudinally extending groove and at least one longitudinally extending flange, with the flange and groove being positioned and configured to engage a respective groove or flange of a like element to secure the elements together by snap engagement of the flange within its respective groove by movement transverse of the element. Preferably, the element has a pair of grooves and a pair of flanges, with each groove being formed in a respective one of the side walls, and each flange being an extension of a respective one of the side walls. Preferably, the grooves extend transversely inwardly from their respective side walls. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a building element; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a further building element to be used in conjunction with the building element of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of a series of building walls formed with building elements such as the building elements of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged view of the portion 4 of the walls depicted in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged top plan view of the junction 5 of the walls of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged top plan view of the corner 6 of the walls of Figure 3. Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a modification of the building element of Figure 2; and Figure 8 is a schematic end elevation of a coupling element employed with the building elements of Figures 1 to 7. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a series of walls 10 to 13 of a building. Each of the walls 10 to 13 is formed of a plurality of building elements 14. In this respect it should be appreciated that each of the building elements 14 is elongated, but can be of any required transverse width. For example, in Figure 1 there is schematically depicted a modified element 14 which is wider. The element 14 has two generally parallel coextensive side walls 15 joined by transverse webs 16. Typically, the webs 16 would have apertures 17. The elements 14 are hollow and receive concrete 18. Accordingly, the elements 14 provide a permanent formwork to receive the concrete 18. Typically, high slump concrete is poured into the assembled elements 14. Preferably, the elements 14 would be formed of extruded plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride so as to provide a permanent waterproof finish. Each of the side walls 15 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 19 adjacent a longitudinal edge 20 of the respective side wall 15. Extending from each side wall 15 is a longitudinally extending flange 21, the flanges 21 being generally parallel and coextensive with respect to the grooves 19. Each flange 21 includes a longitudinally extending lip 22 which is received within the grooves 19 of the next adjacent element 14. Extending to each groove 19 is a ramp surface 23. When assembling the elements 14 adjacent elements 14 are moved in a transverse direction relative to each other, with the flanges 21 being resiliently urged apart by means of the surfaces 23. When the lips 22 are aligned with the grooves 19 they snap engage within the grooves 19 to retain adjacent elements 14 together. Accordingly, the flanges 21 extend between adjacent elements 14. Typically, the walls 10 to 13 would be provided with end caps, such as the end caps 24. At junctions such as those illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, adjacent elements 14 not secured together by flanges 21 and associated grooves 19 may be secured together by other means such as adhesives and/or fasteners if so required. It should further be appreciated that the elements 14 may include bends such as the element 25 shown in Figure 3. When constructing the walls 10 to 13 an installer would secure guide channels to associated floor and ceiling surfaces by means of adhesives or fasteners. The elements 14 are then placed in the tracks and transversely moved into engagement. Thereafter, the elements 14 may be filled with the concrete 18. In the case of site concrete filled elements 14, the walls 10 to 13 can be poured either with the slab above or prior to the slab formwork of the level above. The walls 10 to 13 may be load bearing or non-load bearing as required. Still further, if so required, reinforcing elements may pass longitudinally through the elements 14. In Figure 7 there is schematically depicted a modification of the building elements 14. In this embodiment a transverse web 25 is provided to aid in stiffening the longitudinal side walls 15. More particularly the transverse web 25 has a central flange 26 joined to the walls 15 by means of diverging end flanges 27. The end flanges 27 diverge fiom the flange 26 toward the walls 15. The transverse web 25 enables the flanges of walls 15 to be decreased relative to previous similar elements. In Figure 7 the longitudinally extending recesses 28 can be used to duct service items such as electrical and communication cables. In Figure 8 there is schematically depicted a coupling member 28. The coupling member 28 enables adjacent elements to be coupled in which the adjacent elements have adjacent grooves 19 as opposed to grooves 19 and flanges 21. The member 28 has a central elongated web 29 and flanges 30 to snap engage in the grooves 19. As can be seen from the element 14 of Figure 7, the aperture 17 maybe of an alternative configuration such as circular. We Claim: 1. A hollow elongated building wall element (14) into which concrete is to be poured, said element comprises: a pair of longitudinally extending spaced side walls (15) which are generally parallel and co-extensive; transverse webs (16) joining the side walls (15); and characterized in that each side wall having a longitudinally extending groove (19) and a longitudinally extending flange (21), with each flange (21) and groove (19) being positioned and configured to engage a respective groove (19) or flange (21) of a like element (14) to secure adjacent elements (14) together by snap engagement of the flange (21) within its respective adjacent groove (19) by movement of the groove (19) and flange (21) relative to each other and transverse of the element (14), with each groove (19) being formed in a respective one of the side walls (15) and each flange (21) extending from a respective side wall (15) so that the like element (14) is locatable between the flanges (21) to provide for engagement of the flanges (21) and grooves (19). 2. The element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flange (21) is an extension of a respective one of the sidewalls (15). 3. The element as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein each groove (19) extends transversely inwardly from the respective side wall (15). 4. The element as claimed in any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said transverse web (16) is a first web, and the element (14) further includes a second transverse web (25), the second transverse web (25) extending between the side walls (15) to aide in stiffening the side walls (15). 5. The element as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second transverse web (25) includes a central flange (26) joined to the side walls by means of pairs of end flanges (27) that diverge from the central flange (26) to the side walls (15).

Full Text

Technical Field
The present invention relates to hollow elongated building wall elements and more particularly but not exclusively to building elements which are joined to form walls of a building.
Background of the Invention
It is known to form walls from building elements which are vertically extended extruded hollow members. Adjacent members are connected by cooperating flanges and grooves with the elements joined by longitudinal sliding relative movement. The elements are hollow and are subsequently filled with concrete to provide them with strength and rigidity. Typically, the building elements are formed of extruded plastics material.
USA Patent 6212845 discloses a building element typically as described above. A wall is constructed by connecting adjacent elements by first connecting one element to a floor and then coupling subsequent elements thereto by vertically sliding relative motion.
A similar construction is also disclosed in USA Patents 6189269,5974751, 5953880, 5729944 and 5706620.
US 4104837 entitled "Wall constructing method and wall constructed thereby" to Naito et. al. describes a process for constructing a wall by providing plurality of partition units of substantially U-like cross-sectional shape. Further, as shown in figures 4 and 5 of cited art a plurality of partitions members 1 to 7 are nested until use (column 3, line 22). When the partition members are to be installed, they are moved to an expanded configuration by moving the partition members away from each other until the extremities 13 on the arms 11 and 12 engage within the recesses 13 of the next adjacent partition member. It should be particularly noted that extremities 13 slidably engage within the recesses 14, with this occurring as a result of the partition members moving away from each other. The partition members are then secured in this assembled condition by transverse connecting member 16, also slidably moved into engagement with the arms 11 and 12.
WO 94/19552 describes a system for constructing a dismantleable prefabricated modular building. The construction is carried out by a plurality of interlocking panels each composed of two cladding layers of rigid material spaced by an internal framework of spacing frame members. In which at least one edge portion of each panel has a longitudinal channel defined by edge portions of the cladding layers projecting beyond an elongate spacing frame member extending generally parallel to the edge portion, and an opposite edge portion of each panel has a tongue extending parallel to said edge portion but projecting there from for cooperating engagement in said longitudinal channel of another said panels to
interconnect the panels, the tongues of at least some of the panels projecting orthogonally of the edge portions defining the longitudinal channels to enable the respective panels to be used as corner members of the building.
FR 2710676A1 describes building element consists of a hollow profile made from plastic material having approximately U-shaped transverse section, comprising, at least, two large walls which are parallel to each and one transverse end wall at one end and open at other end forming a lateral end for butt assembly of this element to at least one juxtaposed element of the same type, the inner cavity of each element is intended to receive the concrete of the wall and any reinforcement before the concrete is poured. In view thereof it discloses building elements that are secured together by a longitudinal (or vertical) sliding movement of the elements.
The above discussed elements have a disadvantage in that their sliding relative movement for coupling purposes hinders their assembly. Their lengths makes them difficult to handle when being placed in position to form a wall.
A further disadvantage is that each element has either two male or two female coupling portions. Thus there is the need to manufacture and stock a variety of different elements.
Less relevant structures are described in USA Patents 3440785,3555751, 3815311, 3828502, 5274975,5293728, 5404686 and 6247280.
Object of the Invention
It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.
Summary of the Invention
There is disclosed herein a hollow elongated building element including:
a pair of longitudinally extending spaced side walls which are generally parallel and coextensive;
transverse webs joining the side walls ; and wherein
said element has at least one longitudinally extending groove and at least one longitudinally extending flange, with the flange and groove being positioned and configured to engage a respective groove or flange of a like element to secure the elements together by

snap engagement of the flange within its respective groove by movement transverse of the
element.
Preferably, the element has a pair of grooves and a pair of flanges, with each groove being formed in a respective one of the side walls, and each flange being an extension of a respective one of the side walls.
Preferably, the grooves extend transversely inwardly from their respective side walls.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a building element;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a further building element to be used in conjunction with the building element of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic top plan view of a series of building walls formed with building elements such as the building elements of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged view of the portion 4 of the walls depicted in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a schematic enlarged top plan view of the junction 5 of the walls of Figure 3; and
Figure 6 is a schematic enlarged top plan view of the corner 6 of the walls of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a modification of the building element of Figure 2; and
Figure 8 is a schematic end elevation of a coupling element employed with the building elements of Figures 1 to 7.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a series of walls 10 to 13 of a building. Each of the walls 10 to 13 is formed of a plurality of building elements 14. In this respect it should be appreciated that each of the building elements 14

is elongated, but can be of any required transverse width. For example, in Figure 1 there is schematically depicted a modified element 14 which is wider.
The element 14 has two generally parallel coextensive side walls 15 joined by transverse webs 16. Typically, the webs 16 would have apertures 17. The elements 14 are hollow and receive concrete 18. Accordingly, the elements 14 provide a permanent formwork to receive the concrete 18. Typically, high slump concrete is poured into the assembled elements 14. Preferably, the elements 14 would be formed of extruded plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride so as to provide a permanent waterproof finish.
Each of the side walls 15 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 19 adjacent a longitudinal edge 20 of the respective side wall 15. Extending from each side wall 15 is a longitudinally extending flange 21, the flanges 21 being generally parallel and coextensive with respect to the grooves 19. Each flange 21 includes a longitudinally extending lip 22 which is received within the grooves 19 of the next adjacent element 14. Extending to each groove 19 is a ramp surface 23.
When assembling the elements 14 adjacent elements 14 are moved in a transverse direction relative to each other, with the flanges 21 being resiliently urged apart by means of the surfaces 23. When the lips 22 are aligned with the grooves 19 they snap engage within the grooves 19 to retain adjacent elements 14 together. Accordingly, the flanges 21 extend between adjacent elements 14.
Typically, the walls 10 to 13 would be provided with end caps, such as the end caps 24. At junctions such as those illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, adjacent elements 14 not secured together by flanges 21 and associated grooves 19 may be secured together by other means such as adhesives and/or fasteners if so required. It should further be appreciated that the elements 14 may include bends such as the element 25 shown in Figure 3.
When constructing the walls 10 to 13 an installer would secure guide channels to associated floor and ceiling surfaces by means of adhesives or fasteners. The elements 14 are then placed in the tracks and transversely moved into engagement. Thereafter, the elements 14 may be filled with the concrete 18.
In the case of site concrete filled elements 14, the walls 10 to 13 can be poured either with the slab above or prior to the slab formwork of the level above.
The walls 10 to 13 may be load bearing or non-load bearing as required. Still further, if so required, reinforcing elements may pass longitudinally through the elements 14.
In Figure 7 there is schematically depicted a modification of the building elements 14. In this embodiment a transverse web 25 is provided to aid in stiffening the longitudinal side walls 15. More particularly the transverse web 25 has a central flange 26 joined to the walls

15 by means of diverging end flanges 27. The end flanges 27 diverge fiom the flange 26 toward the walls 15. The transverse web 25 enables the flanges of walls 15 to be decreased relative to previous similar elements.
In Figure 7 the longitudinally extending recesses 28 can be used to duct service items such as electrical and communication cables.
In Figure 8 there is schematically depicted a coupling member 28. The coupling member 28 enables adjacent elements to be coupled in which the adjacent elements have adjacent grooves 19 as opposed to grooves 19 and flanges 21. The member 28 has a central elongated web 29 and flanges 30 to snap engage in the grooves 19.
As can be seen from the element 14 of Figure 7, the aperture 17 maybe of an alternative configuration such as circular.

We Claim:
1. A hollow elongated building wall element (14) into which concrete is to be
poured, said element comprises:
a pair of longitudinally extending spaced side walls (15) which are generally parallel and co-extensive;
transverse webs (16) joining the side walls (15); and
characterized in that each side wall having a longitudinally extending groove (19) and a longitudinally extending flange (21), with each flange (21) and groove (19) being positioned and configured to engage a respective groove (19) or flange (21) of a like element (14) to secure adjacent elements (14) together by snap engagement of the flange (21) within its respective adjacent groove (19) by movement of the groove (19) and flange (21) relative to each other and transverse of the element (14), with each groove (19) being formed in a respective one of the side walls (15) and each flange (21) extending from a respective side wall (15) so that the like element (14) is locatable between the flanges (21) to provide for engagement of the flanges (21) and grooves (19).
2. The element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flange (21) is an extension of a respective one of the sidewalls (15).
3. The element as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein each groove (19) extends transversely inwardly from the respective side wall (15).
4. The element as claimed in any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said transverse web (16) is a first web, and the element (14) further includes a second transverse web (25), the second transverse web (25) extending between the side walls (15) to aide in stiffening the side walls (15).
5. The element as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second transverse web (25) includes a central flange (26) joined to the side walls by means of pairs of end flanges (27) that diverge from the central flange (26) to the side walls (15).

"HOLLOW ELONGATED BUILDING WALL ELEMENT"

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