Joint for connecting wood members
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsGary J. Lichtenberg, John R. Erickson, Robert Ross, Dwight Flach
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-centering and self-aligning joint is presented for bonding a first and second wood segment, wherein the joint includes a single tenon extending from the end face of the first segment, and a void disposed within the end face of the second segment. And adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the tenon, or to the inner surface of the void to join the two segments.
Claims13
A joint for bonding a first axially extending wood segment presenting a first end face to a second axially extending wood segment presenting a second end face, the joint comprising:
- a single protrusion extending axially outwardly from the first end face and centered on the first end face, said protrusion having a smooth surface;
- a single void defined by an inner wall of the second wood segment, wherein the void has a smooth surface, extends axially inwardly from the second end face and is centered with respect to the second end face, and wherein the void is sized to receive the protrusion therein;
- and
- an adhesive disposed at an interface between the protrusion and the inner wall of the second wood segment to join the first and second wood segments together.
A method for producing a joint operable to bond a first axially extending wood segment presenting a first end face to a second axially extending wood segment presenting a second end face, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a single protrusion with a smooth surface that extends axially outwardly from the first end face and centered on the first end face;
- (b) forming a single void defined by an inner wall of the second wood segment, wherein the void has a smooth surface and extends axially inwardly from second end face and is centered with respect to the second end face, and wherein the void is sized to receive the protrusion therein;
- and
- (c) depositing an adhesive at an interface between the protrusion and the inner wall of the second wood segment to join the first and second wood segments together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.