US 2007/0175158 A1 · Timber end-joint

Abstract

A timber end-joint for end-joining two structural timber segments. The timber end-joint invention is capable of providing stability in axial, lateral, and transverse directions of the joined timber segments, while also concealing the joint such that the appearance of the joined timber segments simulates a single continuous wood timber. The timber end-joint includes generally a tongue, a groove, and a registration device. The tongue extends axially outwardly from the first timber segment. The groove defines a first leg and a second leg protruding axially outwardly from the second timber segment, keyed to receive the tongue. The first leg and the second leg cooperatively define a relief channel positioned transversely along an interface between the first and second legs. The registration device includes a plurality of pegs and peg openings configured along the tongue and groove to provide an aligned fit between the first and second timber segments.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A timber end-joint for joining a first timber segment to a second timber segment, said timber end-joint comprising:

a groove defining a first leg and a second leg, said first and second legs extending axially outwardly from the first timber segment, said first leg and said second leg cooperatively defining a relief channel, said groove defining a first non-planar contact surface, said groove further defining a plurality of peg openings configured along an interface between said first leg and said second leg;
a tongue extending axially outwardly from the second timber segment, said tongue defining a second non-planar contact surface, said tongue further defining a plurality of peg openings along said second non-planar contact surface such that each peg opening defined by said tongue registers to each peg opening defined by said groove, wherein said tongue is keyed to said groove.

A method for producing a timber end-joint operable to connect a first axially extending wood segment to a second axially extending wood segment, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a groove defining a first leg and a second leg extending axially outwardly from the first timber segment, each of the first and second legs having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the proximal ends of the first and second legs cooperatively defining a relief channel, each of the distal ends of the first and second legs defining a first non-planar contact surface, the groove further defining a plurality of peg openings configured along the first non-planar contact surface;
(b) forming a tongue that extends axially outwardly from the second timber segment so as to define a second non-planar contact surface, the tongue having a plurality of peg openings along the second non-planar contact surface such that each peg opening defined by the tongue registers to each peg opening defined by the groove;
(c) forming a plurality of pegs keyed to the plurality of peg openings defined by the tongue and the plurality of peg openings defined by the groove;
and,
(d) connecting the plurality of pegs to the inner surface of the plurality of peg openings defined by the tongue and the plurality of peg openings defined by the groove.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Timber end-joint

Life of this patent

Timber end-joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20