Abstract: A method for fabricating bamboo blind slats is disclosed. The steps include splitting a selected bamboo stem into several bamboo strips, removing the skins and joints from the bamboo strips before being disinfected and dried and then trimming them to fine bamboo strips. Further at least two bamboo strips are indented or truncated to joint with the corresponding ends, and then is trimmed to a fine jointed bamboo strip. A bamboo plate is obtained by joining fine jointed bamboo strips and/or the fine bamboo strips together in conjunction with a pneumatic press, and then is trimmed and polished. After slicing the bamboo plate into several bamboo slats, the bamboo slats need to be polished before covering a base coating, polished again before covering a face coating. Finally the bamboo slats are punched two cord holes to be used for making a Venetian blind.

Abstract: A composite wood product manufactured from waney lumber and a method for making the composite wood product. The method utilizes lumber that has been cut from a log such that the piece has a length substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a width substantially tangential to the growth rings and a thickness substantially perpendicular to the growth rings. The wane on the lumber is removed to create a complementary side surface for joining in alternating growth ring orientation to the adjoining piece across the joined profiled side surfaces.

Abstract: A method of forming a watertight plank section including sawing green planks and securing a plurality of these planks in such a way that when dried, the planks shrink together in a fashion that forms a watertight seal.

Abstract: A finger joint architecture method and formation apparatus are disclosed, the finger joint architecture characterized by an array of interspersed projections and cavities formed at an end face of a first wood product. The projections are spaced from one another in both first and second dimensions defining the end face and are formed by the cavities which are bored through the end face. A mating array of projections and cavities is formed at an end of another wood product to be secured to the first wood product. The projections and cavities thus formed are preferably tapered.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method that is timesaving, more economical and facilitates the handling and processing of short solid wood planks. Tongue-and-groove joints are machined on the short sides of the short green planks enabling their releasable tight assembly in rows for the seasoning process in the kiln dryer. This temporary attachment between adjacent planks prevents exposition of the short sides to the drying air thus avoiding the usual end grain checking on the latter during kiln drying, and eliminates the need of performing any subsequent machining and trimming steps after the expensive kiln drying step. This process then also improves the saving opportunities by increasing the volume of wood drying capacity and by increasing the production of reusable green wood shavings as opposed to unusable wood shavings following the kiln drying operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the manufacturing of a glued block made of triangular cross-sectioned elongated staves of wood. The staves of wood are laid beside each other with alternate staves with their base sides downwards and alternate ones with their base sides upwards, and adhesive applied between adjoining surfaces between the staves. A press (13, 14, 21-33) applies main pressure force to glue the staves firmly together is transverse to the base sides of the staves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sawing a log in order to provide a high yield of vertical-grained pieces of lumber. According to the invention, this is achieved by sawing from the log not only pieces of lumber which are triangular or sector-shaped in cross-section but also essentially plane-parallel boards between adjacent pairs of the pieces which are triangular or sector-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: The subject basic method and its modifications are used to provide logs reconstituted from smaller diameter trees up to 12 inches diameter at their bases. The basic method is practiced using the following steps: 1. Cutting felled trees at cutting points into a plurality of segments which, naturally, are tapered, each segment having a length, a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end, the length being in a range of random lengths such that the larger end diameter is in a range of 0.2 to 2.0 inches larger than the smaller end diameter, with 0.2 inch preferred; 2. selecting from the plurality of segments cut from one or more trees, a plurality of groups of segments which have smaller end diameters no more than ½ inch different; 3. joining segments from each group end-to-end to form reconstituted logs of optimum lengths for processing into wooden structural units. In one modification of the basic method, flawed portions are removed from the logs prior to cutting them into segments.

Abstract: A method of making two wood products using a single attaching or laminating step. A cut is made only partially through a first piece of wood. A second piece of wood is laminated or otherwise attached to the first piece of wood to make a composite piece of wood. The composite piece of wood is then cut to create the two wood products. The method may be used to create two wood products having substantially identical cross-sections.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wood veneer surfaced furniture top with a profiled edge, utilizing a special tool and process, which when used collectively, eliminates the need for certain relatively costly machinery and manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Veneer tape for temporarily joining pieces of veneer to be bonded to a substrate, for example, core board. The present invention also provides a method of forming a veneer assembly.

Abstract: A countertop is made having a laminate or veneer horizontal upper surface and a laminate or veneer vertical face, has a corner element with an arcuate surface that smoothly fairs into both the upper surface and the vertical face. The countertop is made by leaving the vertical edge of a deck unfinished and placing a vertical veneer strip on an edge piece which is then attached to the edge of the deck. The edge piece is made from a block having the vertical veneer strip attached to one of its sides. Diagonal cuts are made at the top and bottom of the face side of the block and rectangularly cross-sectioned strips, from which the corner elements will be formed, are glued to these cuts. The strips are then machined to form the smooth arcuate surfaces which will fair into the laminate surfaces. The back of the block is then machined to create the end piece which mates with the countertop deck.

Abstract: Procedure for producing elongated wooden objects, such as, for example, posts (10) used for frames, and elongated objects (10) produced according to the procedure. Rounded timber (1), preferably in the form of a log, is divided down its length along at least one cleaved cut (2), after which the two semi-circular sectional pieces of timber (4) are each bevelled (5) to an isosceles trapezium with its base comprising the cleaved cut (2) and with a nose angle that can be imagined to be 90.degree.. Four such planed pieces of timber (4) are glued together with their bevelled sides against each other and the trapezium's short sides facing the middle of the elongated object (10) formed.

Abstract: A wood member comprises first and second opposed members made of wood and secured together. Each of the first and second members has spaced sides and a surface extending between the sides. The surfaces include a first portion contoured to define a contact surface which extends in more than one plane, the first portions defining a space therebetween for receiving an adhesive for securing the first and second members together; a second portion contoured to restrict the flow of the adhesive to a position outward from the sides when the first and second members are brought into engagement; and, opposed engagement members configured to lockingly engage without substantial deformation of the engagement members and secure the first and second members together as the adhesive dries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dovetailing and assembly machine that forms a groove on the planar surface of a first workpiece and inserts a preformed tenon on one end of a second workpiece into the groove. In one embodiment the groove is dovetail-shaped. The present invention also provides for a method to manufacture a dovetailing and assembly machine. In one embodiment the machine comprises: (1) a frame, (2) a jig coupled to the frame and adapted to hold a first workpiece, (3) a router coupled to the frame and adapted to move relative to a planar surface on the first workpiece and to cut a groove thereon, (4) a mount coupled to the frame to hold the tenon in substantial alignment with the groove and (5) a press coupled to the frame adapted to press the tenon into the groove.

Abstract: An automated finger jointer for milling finger joint profiles into the ends of short blocks of wood, assembling the blocks and compressing the blocks together to provide a long pieces of wood.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a multi-panel door. The method includes the steps of fashioning a plurality of rails; fashioning a plurality of panels; fashioning a plurality of mullions; fashioning a plurality of stiles; and preassembling selected rails, selected panels, and selected mullions into sub-assemblies of the door. The sub-assemblies are positioned intermediate a first stile and a second stile in a pre-assembly orientation with the first stile and second stile generally coplanar with the sub-assemblies. The sub-assemblies, the first stile, and the second stile are compressively urged together in two substantially perpendicular axes to create a squared assembly with respect to the two axes. The sub-assemblies are intermediate the first stile and the second stile and are affixed to the first stile along at least a portion of the first stile, and are affixed to the second stile along at least a portion of the second stile.

Abstract: An automated system and process for managing building materials which requires a minimal amount of manual labor and supervision. The automated system and method are especially suited for precutting lumber used for building trusses and frames having predetermined specifications.

Abstract: A method of making two wood products using a single attaching or laminating step. A cut is made only partially through a first piece of wood. A second piece of wood is laminated or otherwise attached to the first piece of wood to make a composite piece of wood. The composite piece of wood is then cut to create the two wood products. The method may be used to create two wood products having substantially identical cross-sections.

Abstract: The process for making a wood board comprises the steps of: a) providing elongated pieces of wood each from a coniferous wood and each having a rectangular cross section; b) detecting an average fiber density of each of the pieces of wood; c) selecting among the pieces of wood those having an average fiber density at least equal to a predetermined fiber density; d) planing off edges of the pieces of wood selected in step c); and e) bonding side by side the pieces of wood planed off in step d) by means of their edges to form the wood board. The board produced thereby shows excellent mechanical characteristics. An advantage of the present invention is to provide a process for making high strength lumber products from coniferous trees which are traditionally considered as nonstructural wood.

Abstract: A door machine is provided for the production of a raised-panel door product of the type having a central panel framed in a sash of left and right stiles and upper and lower rails. In this type of raised panel door, the stiles and rails are joined by four butt joints to form the sash which features four inner edges that join the four edges of the central panel in edge joints. Preferably, the rails extend between and space apart the stiles and as such, these rails have opposite "butt" edges. The door machine includes a stand and a table on the stand formed with openings. The table and stand support a power and drive assembly which includes at least driven three spindles. Each spindle has a head for mounting a knife, and this head protrudes through an opening in the table as slightly above a plane of the table.

Abstract: A matched pair of two rotatable cutting tools (bits) is adapted to be individually chucked into a common router. Each of these two cutting tools includes a shaft with a removable nut, two or three cutters, one or two bearings, and suitable shims. A first bit has cutters shaped to remove material from the edge of a planar wooden article such as plywood that requires a finished appearance, to form a preferably rounded concave dado in the plywood edge. A second bit has cutters shaped to form a mating wood insert having a preferably rounded convex shape that matches the contour of the concave dado in the plywood edge. The mating wood insert is glued into the dado in the plywood to complete the finished edging.

Abstract: An automated system and process for managing building materials which requires a minimal amount of manual labor and supervision. The automated system and method are especially suited for precutting lumber used for building trusses and frames having predetermined specifications.

Abstract: A system and method is designed to recover and recycle waste lumber wood scrap products from construction sites and process this waste scrap lumber into lengths of recycled, usable lumber. The system processes "2.times.4" and to "2.times.6" lumber scraps from one or more construction sites and processes such material into recycled construction material in the form of finger jointed "2.times.4" and "2.times.6" lumber. The method and system accepts and utilizes random lengths of different species with different moisture contents. After the construction waste wood scrap products are delivered to a recovery site, unusable wood scrap products are removed. The usable products are processed by squaring the ends and cutting out defects; and the "2.times.4" sizes are separated from the "2.times.6" sizes.

Abstract: One or a plurality of machined timber elements of complimentary first and second configuration wherein each element is characterized by having at least one face surface (1,2) and one abutment surface (3,4) wherein said abutment surface incorporates in said first configuration an elongate undercut slot or female dovetail (5) and in said second configuration incorporates a correspondingly shaped, undercut elongate protuberance or male dovetail (8) and said abutment surface is not orthogonal in relation to said face surface such that said first timber element configuration and said second timber element configuration are adapted for co-operative engagement to effect the joining together of a first timber element incorporating said first timber element configuration with a second timber element incorporating said second timber element configuration whereby the undercut slot of said first timber element interengages with the protuberance of said second timber element to form a self locking joint.

Abstract: The process for making a wood board comprises the steps of: a) providing elongated pieces of wood each from a coniferous wood and each having a rectangular cross section; b) detecting an average fiber density of each of the pieces of wood; c) selecting among the pieces of wood those having an average fiber density at least equal to a predetermined fiber density; d) planing off edges of the pieces of wood selected in step c); and e) bonding side by side the pieces of wood planed off in step d) by means of their edges to form the wood board. The board produced thereby shows excellent mechanical characteristics. An advantage of the present invention is to provide a process for making high strength lumber products from coniferous trees which are traditionally considered as nonstructural wood.

Abstract: A wooden tube made up of tubular layers of wood veneer and the method of making it in which the various tubular layers are made from flat sheets of wood veneer having the grain in one layer extending longitudinally and the grain in an adjacent layer extending circumferentially of the tube so that the grain in adjacent layers extend transversely of each other with all joints extending in the direction of the wood grain being edge to edge butt joints and all joints extending transversely to the wood grain being interlocking finger joints and with adjoining tubular layers being bonded to each other to form a unitary tube.

Abstract: The invention is a method of building structures from tapered logs which have been manufactured in an industrial setting. The logs are stacked crosswise by fitting a notch in a first log, where the notch has a standardized size and shape, over an end of a second log, where the end of the second log has a predetermined size and shape, allowing it to fit into the notch in the first log. Structures built using this method strongly handcrafted structures built from natural logs.

Abstract: A template for use with a jig having a workpiece positioning member. The template supports and guides a cutting tool used to cut joint members in two workpieces and comprises a support surface and at least one set of guides formed on the support surface for guiding the cutting tool. The support surface is movable with respect to the workpiece positioning member a predetermined distance between a first position to cut joint members in one workpiece and a second position to cut complementary joint members in another workpiece. This arrangement permits accurate routing of rounded or square finger joints or other types of uniform, spaced joints as determined by the template being used. Moving the template with respect to fixed workpiece positioning members means that no adjustment of the positioning members or workpieces is necessary between cutting of complementary joint members on separate workpieces which tends to result in more accurate cutting of the joints.

Abstract: A template for use in preparing additional templates to be used in the fabrication of dovetail joints comprises a single planar member having a pair of sides in which the member defines a first and second plurality of elongated openings of a particular shape. The first plurality of elongated openings have enlarged circular ends through which started holes are drilled into an underlying blank. A router is then inserted into the started hole and guided by the sides of the first elongated openings defines a pattern in the underlying form. Similarly, the second plurality of elongated openings provide a guide to a router for forming a pattern on the other side of the form. The form then becomes a template for use in the fabrication of both the dovetails and pins of a dovetail joint.

Abstract: An improved method of constructing a cabinet drawer comprises joining the drawer end panels to the back of the drawer front panel and attaching a one piece unitary folded paperboard blank that defines both the bottom panel of the drawer and the back panel of the drawer. The bottom panel slides into a race defined by dado grooves in the drawer sides and front and the paperboard blank defining both the bottom panel and back panel is attached to the drawer by driving staples or other fasteners through the back panel into the back edges of the drawer sides.

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams wherein a pair of grooved flanges are conveyed along opposite left and right sides of a train of web members and converged so that the web longitudinal edges are inserted into the flange grooves is disclosed. The flanges are moved along left and right hand chutes of the assembly machine with plural vertical flange drive rolls engaging the wider flange faces for improved traction. These flange drive rolls and the chutes are mounted to the machine base with a lateral adjustment mechanism permitting center justified adjusting movement relative to the machine center line. The lateral adjustment mechanism utilizes a series of lead screws each formed with left and right handed threaded portions engageable with a threaded nut attached to each chute. A pair of web bottom rails are vertically adjustable in elevation with plural vertical column screws connected between the machine base and the support rails.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for joining pieces of unseasoned or undr wood, by finger jointing or other joining technique. The wood may have a moisture content above the fibre saturation point of the wood, and as high as 50% to 100% or higher moisture content. An adhesive having a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity to avoid adhesive degradation or migration due to moisture in the wood during forming and curing of the joint, or which will cure to achieve such a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity during forming and curing of the joint is employed. Optionally a cure promotor or chemical which increases the rate of cure of the adhesive may be used. Preferred adhesives are formaldehyde based adhesives. Preferred cure promotor or chemicals are ammonia or amine compounds, organic acids including low molecular weight carboxylic acids, and Lewis or Bronsted class acids.

Abstract: A tenonizer apparatus has a motor and a circular cutting blade assembly mounted on a pivotable platform. A radius shoulder support shaft is pivotably mounted perpendicular to the circular cutting blade. The operator pushes and rotates the log along the shafts to create the tenon. Only one tenon can be cut at a time. A minimal set up time is required to switch between tenon types. The pivotable platform allows variable length tenons to be cut. The apparatus is portable.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for joining structural wood members. A plurality of slits is formed in the end portions of members to be joined, and the end portions are brought into proximity with slits in alignment. The members are temporarily fixed in the desired orientation and adhesive is applied into the slits. Connecting plates are coated with the adhesive, inserted into the aligned slits and the adhesive is hardened.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic lug loader to place blocks on each lug on a lug conveyor in a finger jointing machine. The lug loader includes a support structure with a control station and a feed table. A powered loading conveyor overlies the support structure with an infeed end disposed over the control station. The loading conveyor extends downstream to an outfeed end which is disposed over the upstream end of the lug conveyor. A powered adjuster is connected to the loading conveyor and shifts the loading conveyor toward and away from the control station to selectively grip a block. The invention also encompasses an automatic cornering apparatus to transfer blocks from a side-to-side relationship on the lug conveyor to an end-to-end arrangement on a transverse conveyor. The cornering apparatus includes a first conveyor with an upstream end and a downstream end.

Abstract: A method of making a veneered door with a raised central panel that is elongated and vertically oriented in which only three pieces need to be assembled. A suitable wood or wood-like stock is machined to form first and second elongated, generally rectangular substrates and then a flexible veneer with a simulated or real wood grain is affixed to each of these substrates. In the finished door, the grain of the veneer applied to the first substrate and to the second substrate runs, respectively, generally parallel to and generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the central panel. At least one single, unitary piece defining the central panel and two vertically-oriented framing members is fabricated from the veneered first substrate.

Abstract: Improved procedure for the preparation of borders of elements in wood particles, particularly for the formation of small doors, and panels so obtained, characterized by the fact of:being firstly milled lengthwise in correspondence to at least one of the four external sides, said milling consisting of a groove that concerns only the intermediate zone formed by an agglomeration of large chip particles:being spread with glue in the interior of said sites so obtained;finally, proceeding with the insertion inside the site of an insert of wood, pseudo wood or plastic material, conforming to the same section:then the said panel so obtained could be subjected to a finishing cycle essentially including, firstly the shaping of the borders concerned and lastly conveniently covering with melamine paper, PVC, laminates and derivatives.

Abstract: A technique is provided for joining wood members. A plurality of slits are formed on the end portions of wood pieces desired to be joined, and the end portions are abutted with corresponding slits in alignment to form a common surface. Each of the abutted wood end portions is fixed by temporary fixing means to a desired joining state. Thereafter, an adhesive agent is applied into the interior surfaces of the slits. Connecting plates, e.g., made of a reinforced plastic material coated with the adhesive agent, are inserted into the aligned slits. The adhesive agent is then hardened.

Abstract: A thin plate cutting/joining apparatus includes a cutting apparatus for pressing the front end of a following thin plate and the rear end of a preceding thin plate together and cutting the pressed front and rear ends of the thin plates in stepped scarf shapes; an adhesive coating apparatus for coating an adhesive on the cut surfaces of the end portions of the thin plates; and a joining apparatus for pushing the thin plates coated with the adhesive against each other and vertically pressing them, so as to joining the end portions of the thin plates.

Abstract: An edge treatment for solid surfacing is provided which is attachable to a cantilevered margin (60) of the solid surfacing (50). The edge treatment may have a curved contour on a top (12) for finishing the cantilevered margin (60) of the solid surfacing (50). Angles in the cantilevered margin (60) are covered with corner edge treatments (10) having an inner cylindrical surface (16) and an outer cylindrical surface (18). A groove (20) is carved into the corner edge treatment (10) on a side thereof adjacent the cantilevered margin (60). The cantilevered margin (60) is provided with a tongue (62) having a complemental cross-section to that of the groove (20). The corner edge treatment (10) connects to the tongue (62) of the cantilevered margin (60) with adhesive interposed therebetween to form a secure and easily assembled edge for the solid surfacing (50).

Abstract: A method by which many identical wooden necks for solid-body electric guitars are manufactured, these being of the conventional type wherein the inner neck ends are connected to the solid bodies by screws. Edge regions of the undersides of at least some of the necks are then routed-out to form a tongue on each routed neck, the tongue extending longitudinally of the neck. Solid wooden bodies are provided for the routed necks, and there are formed in such bodies tongue pockets that correspond generally to the tongues and are shaped to receive them. The tongues are then mounted in the respective tongue pockets and adhesively secured there.

Abstract: Converted log structural products are produced from conventionally unusable or marginally useful sections of logs transversely cut into suitable lengths and then cut longitudinally by perpendicular cuts into log parts of either right-angled sector or right triangle cross-section. Four log parts matching in size and shape, and positioned so that their right angles form the corners of a rectangle, are assembled into a converted log, the interior space between the four log parts being filled selectively with braces, supports, insulation, concrete for various applications.

Abstract: Improved methods of fabricating at least partially curved staircases include a first method in which preformed step structures have treads with curved slots formed in the underside of the ends which define a path for insertion of top edge segments of thin starter strips. The slots are collectively configured to laterally deflect the inserted starter strips in a manner longitudinally conforming them to at least partially curved paths of the overall stringer structures in the completed staircase. The stringers are then laterally built up and completed by securing reinforcing structures to the side surfaces of the laterally deflected strips. A second method uses preformed cooperating treads and risers themselves as a form which defines an at least partially curved path for the stringers.

Abstract: A dovetail jointing press for the manufacture of dovetail joints of boards, having respective dovetailings at their faces that are pasted with glue, is provided. The press comprises two tables that are disposed on common tracks and receive continuously fed boards. The tables are slidable on the tracks towards one another and away from one another via respective working cylinders. The respective presses that are disposed above each one of the tables are closed by working cylinders and released when the tables are moved away from one another. All the moving functions of the dovetail jointing press may be performed by working cylinders or by threaded spindles driven by electric motors. Computer programming may be used to coordinate the individual movements, so that the press may be operated automatically.

Abstract: The method of converting logs involves cutting each log longitudinally and diametrically at right angles into equal quarter-log segments, the rearranging the quarter-logs so that the arcuate surfaces of the segments face inwardly toward each other, while their cut flat surfaces are positioned to form a rectangle in cross-section. The segments so positioned may be joined together as such, rigid foam plastic insulation may be introduced into the space remaining between the segments, or support bracing and other insulation may take the place of the rigid foam. The resultant converted logs may be used as beams, joists or bearing-wall members; devices for aligning, registering and sealing the converted logs together are provided.

Abstract: An interlocking joint for joining two panels together has curved jigsaw shaped indents and protrusions on edges of both panels that fit together and cannot pull apart. The indents and protrusions are cut by a router with a straight sided cutter. A template is provided for guiding a bushing on a cutter shaft of a router and the template takes into account the bushing having a larger diameter than the cutter. There is also a jig provided that has fingers that are asembled to cut out the interlocking joint with a router.

Abstract: A dovetail cutting device and a method for the manufacture of dovetailings on the faces or ends of boards that are to be jointed face to face, in a continuous manner or individually, is provided. The dovetail cutting device comprises two tables that are facing one another and are slidable relative to one another for receiving and transporting boards that are stacked on edge. A pivotable abutment for aligning the boards when the tables are moved toward one another is disposed at each one of the tables on a side facing one another. A dovetail cutter is mounted between the tables in a slidable manner in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the tables. It comprises, for example, a circular saw for cutting to size the faces or ends of the boards, a cutter for cutting the dovetailings, and a pasting device for providing the dovetailings with glue. Hydraulic working cylinders are provided for moving the tables and the dovetail cutter.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated plate comprises the steps of (a) preparing a pair of blocks in each of which a plurality of plate elements overlap each other in an inclined position such that the plate elements have one end portions appearing stepwise at predetermined intervals on one surface of the block and the other end portions appearing flat on the other surface of the block, and (b) interlocking and bonding the two blocks to each other such that the one end portions of the plate elements in one of the blocks and the one end portions of the plate elements in the other block oppose each other in a predetermined positional relationship, whereby a laminated plate opposite major surfaces of which are flat is produced.

Abstract: Converted log structural products are produced from conventionally unusable or marginally useful sections of logs transversely cut into suitable lengths and then cut longitudinally by perpendicular cuts into log parts of either right-angled sector or right triangle cross-section. Four log parts matching in size and shape, and positioned so that their right angles form the corners of a rectangle, are assembled into a converted log, the interior space between the four log parts being filled selectively with braces, supports, insulation, concrete for various applications.