By Separate Mechanical Fastener Patents (Class 144/353)
  • Patent number: 9598892
    Abstract: Disclosed is quick-release removable cladding for interior fenestration frames, such as the interior frames of doors, window, skylights, or curtain walls. The cladding is held flush against the frame by a pair of brackets or alternatively by a bracket attached to frame and a shaped cavity within the cladding. In one aspect, the pair of brackets can be shaped and arranged so that when engaged, a downward force on the cladding causes the cladding to move flush against the frame. In another aspect, the cladding can be held securely in place to the frame by a keeper bar. The keeper bar can be configured to prevent upward movement of the cladding against the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory Header
  • Patent number: 9403285
    Abstract: A pocket-cutting/screw-insertion system is configured for cutting screw pockets in a work piece and inserting screws therein. The system includes a clamp assembly, a router assembly, a drill assembly, and a delivery/insertion assembly including a screw delivery tube for delivering a screw, a stop block for arresting forward motion of the screw, an insertion rod for pushing the screw into the screw pocket and screw bore, and a screw channel for supporting the screw as it is inserted into the screw pocket and screw bore, wherein the stop block is positioned above the insertion rod and the screw channel such the screw first falls from the stop block onto the insertion rod once the stop block arrests forward motion of the screw and then falls from the insertion rod onto the screw channel. A method of using the system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Max Durney
  • Publication number: 20140363606
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an apparatus (1) for the fabrication of an endless band (300) containing fiber material, in particular wood, comprising at least the following method steps: providing at least one fiber material block, the fiber material block having a face side; cutting off a plate element (31) from the face side of a fiber material block, the plate element (31) having a cutting surface from the fiber material block, a main surface facing the cutting surface, and an edge surface connecting the cutting surface and the main surface; arranging in relation to each other the cutting surface of the plate element (31) and a fiber material block such that the main surface of the plate element (31) follows the face surface of the fiber material block, wherein said face surface forms the main surface of a further plate element; connecting the plate element and the further plate element by a connecting means; cutting off the further plate element from the face side of the fiber material block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: PADANA AG
    Inventors: Achim Moeller, Christian Korn, Andreas Knauff
  • Publication number: 20140130430
    Abstract: A stair tread overlay and a riser overlay made from solid wood for fitting over a conventional, exposed wooden stair having a generally rounded nose like those found in most residential general construction staircases and prefabricated staircases. The tread overlay and riser overlay cover the exterior surface of a conventional wooden stair from stringer to stringer to hide a construction grade stair tread and riser below that are made from a composite material or unsalvageable hardwood to present an attractive, solid wood surface that is finishable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: James M. McCool
  • Patent number: 8407965
    Abstract: A multi-layer wood panel comprises a core segment, made up of a plurality of layers, and two external finishing layers. Each layer is comprised of several boards, joined at the edges with interlocking fingers or tongues and grooves. The layers of the core segment are joined using wood pegs at specified intervals, with the pegs penetrating all the board layers of the core segment at an angle other than perpendicular to the layers. The core segment and the external finishing layers of the panel are joined using key and groove mortise connections, where the key shape corresponds to the shape of the mortise grooves made in the outer surfaces of the boards of the core segment and in the inner surfaces of the outer finishing layer, which are oriented perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the board fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: Sergey Evgenyevich Dorozhkin, Anton Yuryevich Chenzov
  • Patent number: 8074358
    Abstract: A method for the production of panel-type components having at least three layers of boards disposed parallel to the plane of the component, with the boards being connected to one another without glue by dowels extending substantially transversely to the plane of the component, includes disposing a plurality of layers of boards on top of each other in different orientations, providing a plurality of bores in these boards which penetrate the layers, and pressing dowels into the bores. An especially high strength is achieved by tensioning layers of the boards during drilling and insertion of the dowels, the tensioning including applying compressive forces. Also, the dowels are preferably compacted in a radial direction before insertion in the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Erwin Thoma
  • Patent number: 8066447
    Abstract: A wood mat has a first layer of timbers extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction and a second layer timbers spanning across the first timbers parallel to one another and transversely to the first timbers such that each second timber intersects a plurality of the first timbers at respective intersecting locations of the mat; and a plurality of pressed fasteners mounted at selected intersecting locations through drilled holes formed by either a rivet fastener or a press fit fastener having opposed ends compressively joining the timbers therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Randel Brandstrom
  • Publication number: 20110099935
    Abstract: A multi-layer wood panel comprises a core segment, made up of a plurality of layers, and two external finishing layers. Each layer is comprised of several boards, joined at the edges with interlocking fingers or tongues and grooves. The layers of the core segment are joined using wood pegs at specified intervals, with the pegs penetrating all the board layers of the core segment at an angle other than perpendicular to the layers. The core segment and the external finishing layers of the panel are joined using key and groove mortise connections, where the key shape corresponds to the shape of the mortise grooves made in the outer surfaces of the boards of the core segment and in the inner surfaces of the outer finishing layer, which are oriented perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the board fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sergey Evgenyevich Dorozhkin, Anton Yuryevich Chenzov
  • Patent number: 7806155
    Abstract: A process for treating wooden logs to prevent cracking and increase durability includes the steps of cutting a longitudinal slot along the length of the log, forming a generally V-shaped notch by drying the log to a desired moisture content, charring the log to a desired coloration, bathing the log in a protective solution, and drying the log. The slot is cut to a point less than or equal to the radius of the log. The charring of the log can be accomplished by the use of a blowtorch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Lawrence K. Lee
  • Publication number: 20100028589
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing bamboo mats which also relates to the use of such bamboo mats including bamboo mats and products manufactured from such bamboo mats. This method is found to produce bamboo mats with an improved form-retention and durability compared to known bamboo mats made of strips obtained directly from the ‘wet’ bamboo stem. The bamboo mats can be used in interior construction, for instance for furniture or the covering of floors, walls and ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Moso International B.V.
    Inventors: Edwin Van Houten, Ireneus Alexis Wilhelmus Zaal
  • Patent number: 6871681
    Abstract: An embodiment of the connection system is for connecting a plurality of components together. One embodiment of a method of the system provides a dowel having first and second portions. Each of the portions has first and second ends, the first and second portions being connected to one another at their second ends. At least one portion of the first and second portions has at least three dowel sections of successively decreasing diameters. One of these dowel sections has a side wall and an end wall that forms the first end of the at least one portion and each of the other dowel sections has a side wall and step wall. A first component has a first opening configured to substantially fit the first portion, and a second component has a second opening configured to substantially fit the second portion. An adhesive material is then applied on at least part of the first portion, and the first portion is inserted into the first opening in the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Miller Dowel Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040146374
    Abstract: A device (41) for positioning a joinery fastener (74) in a joinery member (33) for later use in forming a joinery assembly. The fastener positioning device (41) includes a feed magazine (82) formed for feeding joinery fasteners (74) to a gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus (83) is positioned to receive the fasteners (74) and is further adapted to releasably grip individual fasteners (74) at a position (103) below the fastener head (86) to hold the fasteners (74) in a known and controlled, indexed relation to the gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus is movable between a fastener gripping position to a fastener placement position while the pointed end (88) of the fastener (74) remains in indexed relation, and a placement arm (92) is formed to urge the fastener (74) from the gripping apparatus (83) and into interference fit with the joinery member (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Max W. Durney
  • Patent number: 6742558
    Abstract: A holding device for holding a tool includes a holding block having a central opening formed from a stack of laminated members secured together. The block includes holes extending away from the central opening. A pair of support plates are secured to the block and are secured at right angles to one another. Key hole slots are in one of the support members and have a first bore containing a slug and a second bore at right angles thereto. A threaded member extends through the other of the support members, through the second bore, and is threaded into the slug within the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Witt Family Partnership, L.P.
    Inventor: Bradley R. Witt
  • Publication number: 20040099339
    Abstract: An embodiment of the connection system is for connecting a plurality of components together. One embodiment of a method of the system provides a dowel having first and second portions. Each of the portions has first and second ends, the first and second portions being connected to one another at their second ends. At least one portion of the first and second portions has at least three dowel sections of successively decreasing diameters. One of these dowel sections has a side wall and an end wall that forms the first end of the at least one portion and each of the other dowel sections has a side wall and step wall. A first component has a first opening configured to substantially fit the first portion, and a second component has a second opening configured to substantially fit the second portion. An adhesive material is then applied on at least part of the first portion, and the first portion is inserted into the first opening in the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6704982
    Abstract: The machine comprises two independent fastening stations. The first station (2), designed to assembly the corners of the frame separately and successively, is provided with two cutting heads (3, 7) for cutting the mouldings (5, 9) forming the corner of the frame, as well as with a fastening head (11) and devices with stops (6, 10) and jaws (14) for holding mouldings in position. The second station (15), designed for final assembly of the frame, is provided with two fastening heads (19, 20) installed facing each other along the diagonal of the frame to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Societe Cassese S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Cassese, Alain Cassese, Jean Cassese, Philippe Cassese
  • Patent number: 6635141
    Abstract: The invention is a wane-free engineered wood product and the method of its manufacture. Lumber having wane along one or more edges is first milled to produce rectangular notches along each of the four edges. The notches are sized to remove all or most of the wane. The notched piece is then ripped lengthwise to produce two strips. These are rotated 180° and placed adjacently so that the notched edges face each other and form longitudinal channels. Strips of oriented strand board or a similar material are then affixed into the channels, preferably by gluing, reuniting then again into a unitary wane-free structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Horsfield, Gerald A. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6595252
    Abstract: A method of producing the floor-bridging units, which increases production rate of the floor-bridging units. First rough lumber beams are fed through a planer, which planes the lumber to the required consistent size tolerance. The planed lumber is transferred to a cut-off saw to cut the legs. The legs are transferred to a dado machine and a dado slot is cut into the lumber. The legs are transferred to a joining station to form the X member, where the dado slots are joined into a dado joint by gluing and stapling the joint. The X member is transferred to a trimming station to be trimmed. At the same time flanges are being made by cutting sheet lumber in strips and then into rectangles to form the flanges. The flanges are transferred to a nailing jig, while glue is applied to the trimmed ends of the legs of the X members. The X members with the applied glue are transferred to the nailing jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne L. Bassett, Darwin R. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6533005
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a hybrid wood product that includes a void-free contact surface for abutment to another surface, for example a glass sheet. First, composite wood products are laminated to, and encompass, a solid-sawn lumber key. After cutting through the key and composite wood products, the resulting segments are milled to produce a hybrid wood product with a residual key contributing the void-free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20030019544
    Abstract: A device (41) for positioning a joinery fastener (74) in a joinery member (33) for later use in forming a joinery assembly. The fastener positioning device (41) includes a feed magazine (82) formed for feeding joinery fasteners (74) to a gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus (83) is positioned to receive the fasteners (74) and is further adapted to releasably grip individual fasteners (74) at a position (103) below the fastener head (86) to hold the fasteners (74) in a known and controlled, indexed relation to the gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus is movable between a fastener gripping position to a fastener placement position while the pointed end (88) of the fastener (74) remains in indexed relation, and a placement arm (92) is formed to urge the fastener (74) from the gripping apparatus (83) and into interference fit with the joinery member (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Max W. Durney
  • Patent number: 6499269
    Abstract: The prefabrication of a window ledge is described in sequential steps. The method of prefabricating a window ledge includes preparing two portions, a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is appropriately profiled in a block, while the top portion is appropriately cut to provide a rounded front edge. After the bottom block has been appropriately cut to provide the desired profile, and a determination of the width of the window in which the window ledge will be installed has been made, the two portions are appropriately cut to size, with the bottom portion having its ends cut to provide the same profile as the front side and the two portions are appropriately secured together, ready for finish coating/painting and installation at the appropriate window frame location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Theo S. Beutler
  • Patent number: 6382279
    Abstract: A cylindrical hollow blank 1 is separated longitudinally from inside an elongate block of wood by axial boring, the blank is dried and its outer and inner surfaces finished, eg by milling, turning and sanding, and a bottom piece (2, FIG. 2) and, if required, a lid (3, FIG. 2) are then added to form a container. A plurality of cylindrical blanks of different diameters may be produced from a single block. Two concentric core bits of different diameters may be used to bore a blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Juhani Väisänen
  • Patent number: 6374880
    Abstract: The invention is an edge densified lumber product of improved strength and stiffness and the method of its manufacture. The method is based on the parallel lamination of multiple plies of wood veneer. Narrow longitudinal reinforcing strips are laid along each edge of the veneer assembly between at least some of the veneer plies. Additional spaced apart veneer strips, about twice the width of the edge strips, are laid up at preselected locations in the mid-portion of the veneer assembly. These strips in the mid-portion are preferably spaced so that the distance between their centerlines corresponds to standard lumber widths. Appropriate adhesives are used to bond the assembly. The assembly is pressed to a uniform thickness so that the areas along the narrow veneer strips are densified relative to the adjacent portions. Longitudinal saw cuts are then made along the centerlines of the interior veneer strips to separate the assembly into multiple units of lumber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Gerald N. Macpherson, Kendall H. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6336484
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Gilles Grenier
  • Publication number: 20010032683
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a hybrid wood product that includes a void-free contact surface for abutment to another surface, for example a glass sheet. First, composite wood products are laminated to, and encompass, a solid-sawn lumber key. After cutting through the key and composite wood products, the resulting segments are milled to produce a hybrid wood product with a residual key contributing the void-free surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: David A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20010027829
    Abstract: Decking boards 2 are secured to timber joists 1. The opposing side faces of the boards are provided with longitudinally-extending recesses 7 which include slots 8 into which T-shaped spacers 11 are inserted at intervals to ensure uniform spacing between the boards. During laying the exposed front edge of each board is fastened by nails 10 inserted through the inclined face 9, the rear edge of the boards being held by the spacers 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Brian Richard Crout
  • Patent number: 6158487
    Abstract: A keying system for a miter joint with a work holder for engaging the outer surfaces of the boards when assembled. A flat planar tool guide is fixed to the work holder and has a slot that receives and guides a router tool to cut a slot through both boards triangularly shaped in its longitudinal direction and shaped in cross section as the cutting tool. Keys having a shape complementary to the slots in both directions are fixed in the slots to both decorate and support the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph P. S. Licari
  • Patent number: 6148883
    Abstract: Door frames, window frames, baseboards, corner mouldings, etc are trimmed with solid wood, eg oak, trim pieces. The trim pieces are fitted over splines which are screwed to the wall. A jig enables the splines to be located accurately in position. The spline includes no beads, snaps, or other features that would require the oak trim section to flex; instead, the trim is secured by the friction arising from the fit of the spline into a groove cut into the rear face of the trim section. In a variation, a pair of parallel grooves are provided, together with a corresponding pair of splines, which are mounted on a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Bryan Alexander Wilson
  • Patent number: 6006803
    Abstract: A special jointing metal device for advanced framework construction method includes a flat plate section having a rectangular shape and cylindrical sections which are provided to the flat plate section in one body along opposite edges of the flat plate section, so that wooden members are jointed to one another by inserting the special jointing metal device into holes each of which is formed in the corresponding wooden member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nakanishi Koumuten Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Nakanishi, Eiji Furuta, Masao Yanagihara
  • Patent number: 5868183
    Abstract: A machine for routing end portions of frame pieces produces a channel that extends with increasing spacing from the bevelled face of the frame piece. Structure on the machine supports the frame piece in a plane that converges toward the plane in which the router bit lies, and cutting is carried out by effecting either curvilinear or rectilinear relative movement of the router and the frame piece or pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey, Wayne Hawk
  • Patent number: 5860758
    Abstract: A frame for pictures and the like is assembled from pieces that are routed to have divergent channels in mutual communication. The divergent paths produce increasing levels of force upon the parallel engagement portions of the fastening peg as it is inserted more deeply into the common recess, and thereby generate increasing levels of compressive force across the joint between the frame pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey
  • Patent number: 5807033
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved loose tenon joint with multiple arculate mortise surfaces and similarly configured loose tenon member for woodworking applications. A jig is provided arranged to be secured to a workpiece where the jig axially guides a drill bit for boring a series of adjoining holes forming a mortise. The first jig embodiment manipulates a slidable guide bar maintaining longitudinally spaced drill guide holes and two index holes. A hand held drill is used to bore a series of holes (fixtured by the drill guide holes) into the workpiece. A second series of holes are bored (completing the mortise) after the drill guide is translated and secured to the second index hole. A second embodiment is provided including a stationary jig body arranged to be secured to a workpiece. An elongated opening in the jig body supports a drill guide with longitudinally spaced drill guide holes. A hand held drill is used to bore a series of holes (fixtured by the drill guide holes) into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Randy E. Benway
  • Patent number: 5738461
    Abstract: A frame for pictures and the like is assembled from pieces that are routed to have divergent channels in mutual communication. The divergent paths produce increasing levels of force upon the parallel engagement portions of the fastening peg as it is inserted more deeply into the common recess, and thereby generate increasing levels of compressive force across the joint between the frame pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Terry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey
  • Patent number: 5697415
    Abstract: A machine for routing end portions of frame pieces produces a channel that extends with increasing spacing from the bevelled face of the frame piece. Structure on the machine supports the frame piece in a plane that converges toward the plane in which the router bit lies, and cutting is carried out by effecting either curvilinear or rectilinear relative movement of the router and the frame piece or pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Fletcher-Perry Company
    Inventors: Vincent T. Kozyrski, William Hursey, Wayne Hawk
  • Patent number: 5675952
    Abstract: This relates to a workpiece particularly a simulated raised panel door as used on furniture and kitchen cabinets. Such doors are fabricated from a single sheet of core material and have a panel section machined into its face. In certain specific instances it is desired that the corners of the machined panel section be square and at best of very low radii. Because of this corner design it is virtually impossible and definitely time consuming to machine such corners in volume. The problem is solved by using preformed corner plugs inconjunction with a machined core. The core is composed of standard fiberboard material with a panel section machined into its face and plug housings machined into the face of the core at the panel section's proposed square corners. The corner plug is composed of a plastic material formed in part to that of a typical woodworking plug of cylindrical shape and a square inside corner section formed into the face and edge of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Nicholas A. French
  • Patent number: 5650210
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujii, Atsushi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 5607005
    Abstract: In a method of fastening an attachment member (1) in a prefabricated borehole (2) in a wooden component (B), the inside surface of the borehole is provided with a profiled surface (2a) by a threadformer (4) which compacts the inside surface of the borehole (2). The borehole (2) is filled with a hardenable mass before the attachment member is inserted into the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erich Leibhard
  • Patent number: 5507331
    Abstract: A drilling/cutting bit for forming joints in wooden members to be connected together by a coupling. The bit simultaneously forms a smaller width slot, a larger width slot, and a curved transition between the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Nakanishi Construction Company
    Inventor: Teruo Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 5505238
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a composite wood product from split and disrupted pieces of a raw material such as cedar, willow or bamboo. The composite may be employed as a thick plate of wood, pillar wood, beam wood and the like used for furniture, buildings, and structural objects. The composite is formed by roughly splitting and disrupting a fibrous raw material lengthwise. The roughly split and disrupted material is then finely split and disrupted, and then dried. A single layer is formed by laterally arranging and adhering the finely split and disrupted wood pieces. The single layers are then formed into a pile and heated and pressure tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: The Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujii, Atsushi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 5499667
    Abstract: A drill/cutting tool for making joints in wooden members for receiving a metal plate connector. The drill/cutting tool can bore a hole, and then simultaneously cut a smaller width groove and larger width groove from the hole to complete forming the joint. Also, a method of making a joint in wood members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Nakanishi Construction Company
    Inventor: Teruo Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 5458433
    Abstract: A biscuit having an octagonal outer periphery is used to form a joint between first and second workpieces. The biscuit fits within arcuate slots formed in the workpieces, with glue placed in the slots and/or on the biscuit before the joint is put together. The biscuit is made of an anhydrous compressed wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: James M. Stastny
  • Patent number: 5440977
    Abstract: A method for production of a trussed rafter, wherein the nail plates are affixed to timber members in conjunction with cutting of the timber members and before they are transported to an assembly station. The assembly station can be any type of a rafter jig but can also be a levelled surface, e.g., a factory floor, thereby eliminating the need for an assembly jig. The labor and force required in timber member jointing are substantially reduced, because the nail plates are already affixed to the timber members and assembly can be largely limited to affixing of upper nail plates (8). The assembly surface has a grid pattern (1) thereon, enabling the positioning of side quides (2) required for assembling. Markings indicating prefixed platings and/or nail plates positions are used to provide quality control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Tuomo T. Poutanen
  • Patent number: 5433805
    Abstract: A method for preventing cracks in bamboo canes subjected to drying comprises longitudinally cutting open the bamboo cane along its entire length, allowing the cut cane to dry to a desired residual moisture content, and sealing the resulting longitudinal gap by adhesively bonding into the longitudinal gap a multi-section filler strip. The longitudinal gap may be milled out to produce desired dimensioning and shaping. The strip may also be mechanically attached to the cane by clips, screws or dowels. The cane may be optionally chemically pretreated before drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Alexander Schmidmeier
  • Patent number: 5400845
    Abstract: A technique for fastening together logs and a fastener therefor is directed to a self-drilling/tapping fastener which allows the fastener to be driven through the log to be secured without pre-drilling a bore. Counter-bore fins on the fastener head also form a counter-bore for the head. A lubricious coating applied to a portion of the shank accommodates settling of the logs and facilitates installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Olympic Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley W. Choiniere, Hubert T. McGovern, Robert W. Chauvin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5380119
    Abstract: A resiliently yieldable picture frame corner insert for use with a picture frame corner construction. The corner construction includes first and second elongate frame parts extending at right angles to each other and having juxtaposed end portions and longitudinal axes. Each of the end portions has a hole therein extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame part and a slot extending from the hole and through the end portion. The corner insert is secured to the juxtaposed end portions for retaining them in contact with each other. The corner insert is formed as one piece and has first and second web portions disposed in the slots and first and second outer portions disposed in the holes. The web portions are resiliently yieldable with respect to each other and serve to apply yieldable forces tending to urge the juxtaposed end portions into engagement with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: David M. Hadden
  • Patent number: 5377732
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Fujii, Atsushi Miyatake
  • Patent number: 5371992
    Abstract: At least one scored screw is driven into the squeak area with a specialized driving bit and an alignment and depth control fixture. The alignment and depth control fixture is used to direct the scored screw to the proper point into the floor so that the scored area is at or beneath the surface of the floor. The driving bit can stop driving the screw at the desired position. After the alignment and depth control fixture is removed, a gripping tool is used to apply force to the screw and break the screw at the prescored position. The barrel of the screw being left in the floor locks the floor or the step to the desired support. One screw or series of these screws in usually an arcuate or a radial fashion around the squeak area, can eliminate the squeak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jon L. O'Berry
  • Patent number: 5372466
    Abstract: Squeaks in a floor or stair are eliminated by driving screws in the area. At least one scored screw to be driven into the squeak area combines with a specialized driving bit and a alignment and depth control fixture to eliminate the squeak. The alignment and depth control fixture can be used to direct the scored screw to the proper point while the driving bit can stop driving the screw at the desired position. After the alignment and depth control fixture is removed, the screw is broken at the prescored position. To minimize damage to an in place carpet, a tape is wrapped around the threads of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jon L. O'Berry
  • Patent number: 5351731
    Abstract: The sequential forming of a wood product from lumber including the steps of and a system for sawing the lumber into lengths, sawing the lengths into elongate units, applying glue to the units and overlying the units in groups of at least two units to each group with the glue therebetween, stacking the groups, banding the stack of groups to preclude movement between the units in the groups, and drying the banded groups and curing the glue between the units in the individual groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Traform AB
    Inventors: Jerker Brandt, Lennart Hellberg
  • Patent number: 5348066
    Abstract: Door frames, window frames, baseboards etc are trimmed with solid weed, e.g. oak, trim pieces. The trim pieces are fitted over splines which are screwed to the wall. A jig enables the splines to be located accurately in position. The spline includes no beads, snaps, or other features that would require the oak trim section to flex; instead, the trim is secured by the friction arising from the fit of the spline into a groove cut into the rear face of the trim section. In a variation, a pair of parallel grooves are provided, together with a corresponding pair of splines, which are mounted on a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: Bryan A. Wilson
  • Patent number: RE35327
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Sing