Plank-type building system
OwnerLarry W. Laramoreinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plank-type building system uses longitudinal splines and transverse tie bars to provide a solid wood wall building structure having increased structural rigidity. Planks having a longitudinal groove extending along each side surface of a plank are used to form the floor, walls, and roof of a building. The planks are connected together by a separate spline that is inserted into the grooves of adjacent planks. A transverse slot is formed on a main surface of each plank to receive a tie bar that prevents relative displacement of adjacent planks. The tie bar also prevents insect and element infiltration through gaps formed between adjacent planks.
Claims14
A plank-type building system, comprising:
- at least two planks, each plank having first and second opposing major surfaces, first and second side surfaces joining said major surfaces, and first and second end surfaces joining said major and said side surfaces, said first and said second side surfaces each having a longitudinal groove formed therein, said second major surface having a slot oriented transversely to said second major surface, said slot extending to said first and said second side surfaces and having a depth sufficient to intersect said longitudinal grooves therein, said slot being positioned proximate one of said first and said second end surfaces for abutment with an underlying member of the building system;
- a spline for engaging said longitudinal grooves of said planks when said planks are arranged with said first side surface of one plank in abutment with said second side surface of the other plank;
- and,
- connecting means for engaging said slots of said planks and preventing longitudinal displacement thereof.
A plank-type building system, comprising:
- at least two planks, each plank having first and second opposing major surfaces, first and second side surfaces joining said major surfaces, and first and second end surfaces joining said major and side surfaces, said first and second side surfaces each having a longitudinal groove formed therein, said longitudinal groove in said first side surface having a stepped configuration when viewed in a transverse section defined by a first recessed surface extending substantially normal to said first and second major surfaces and spaced inwardly from said first side surface and by a second recessed surface extending substantially parallel to said first recessed surface and spaced further inwardly from said first side surface, said longitudinal groove in said second side surface having a stepped configuration that is the mirror image of the stepped configuration of said longitudinal groove and said first side surface;
- and,
- a spline for engaging said longitudinal grooves of said planks when said planks are arranged with said first side surface of one plank in abutment with said second side surface of the other plank, said spline having a stepped configuration when viewed in a transverse section that is complementary to the stepped configurations of said longitudinal grooves in said first and second side surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.