Hollow veneered pole
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorRobert W. Erickson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hollow light weight pole like structure suitable for use as a utility pole, column or log building member is made of a plurality of wood strips glued edge to edge forming a hollow interior core, with at least one layer of high strength veneer material glued to the exterior of the wood strips with the veneer grain running parallel to the length. The layer of veneer increases the strength, distributes bending stresses uniformly, provides greater decay resistance than ordinary glued hollow poles, and increases the service life. The veneer can be made in several layers forming a continuous overwrap without longitudinally extending gaps that expose the interior wood strips to weather or splitting.
Claims11
A hollow elongated member comprising a plurality of elongated wood strips having generally trapezoidal cross sections with outer surfaces and side edge surfaces formed at an angle relative to each other so that when the plurality of strips are placed side to side, a hollow core is formed with a substantially continuous outer surface;
- an adhesive for holding the wood strips in an assembled condition forming the hollow core;
- and
- at least one substantially continuous layer of high strength veneer material on the exterior of the formed hollow core extending throughout the length and periphery of the core to provide a high strength outer layer intimately, permanently secured on the core.
A pole like structure having an elongated axis forming a length, said structure being generated about an axis and having a hollow interior, the structure further comprising a plurality of generally trapezoidal cross section elongated wood strips glued side to side to form a core around the longitudinal axis;
- the outer periphery of the wood strips forming the core having an exterior peripheral surface;
- and
- at least one layer of a high strength material bendable around a peripheral surface of the core and intimately adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the core to provide a high strength, thin, outer layer that protects the interfaces of the side surface of the wood strips and adds bending strength to the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.