US 7,841,154 B2 · Assembly of a structural component having keyed surfaces

Abstract

Systems and methods for assembling multi-piece structural components, such as architectural columns, capitals, and bases, are disclosed. In one embodiment a column assembly is disclosed, comprising a first column portion and a second column portion. The first column portion includes a flange having a first keyed surface on which predetermined surface features are defined. The second column portion includes a second keyed surface that is configured to engage the first keyed surface. The second keyed surface includes a keying material having surface features that intermesh with the predetermined surface feature such that the first and second column portions are desirably aligned when mated. The surfaces features of the second keyed surface are defined in the keying material as a result of compressive engagement between the keying material and the predetermined surface features of the first keyed surface when the column portions are mated.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A multi-piece structural component, comprising:

a first structural portion and a second structural portion that together define an interface, the first structural portion including at least one predetermined surface feature on a flange;
a second structural portion that includes a backing member and a mating surface, the mating surface including a keying material that defines at least one surface feature, the at least one surface feature being defined as a result of compressive engagement of the keying material with the at least one predetermined surface feature, the surface features cooperatively intermeshing with one another when the first and second structural portions are mated with ends of the first and second structural portions abutting against each other to form the interface, the backing member conforming to inner surfaces of the first and second structural portions and spanning the interface from the first structural portion to the second structural portion such that a desired alignment between the first and second structural portions is achieved.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Assembly of a structural component having keyed surfaces

Life of this patent

Assembly of a structural component having keyed surfaces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13