Abstract: A modular plank is provided. The modular plank includes a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of protrusions extending outward from a first end of the body portion in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of protrusions each include a cross-section that changes size as the cross-section extends outwardly from the body portion in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the cross-section includes an upper end that is sized differently than a lower end.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a column for construction using bundled tube are provided. The column having a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion. Each portion consists of a bundle of individual pillars, comprising a center pillar, a plurality of corner pillars, and a plurality of middle pillars. From the bottom portion of the column, addition pillars can be affixed on top of the pillars of the bottom portion, thus forming the middle and the top portion of the column. Each pillar can be secured to another component using a thread stepped dowel comprising of a base section, at least one middle section, and a tip section, with each section being progressively smaller in circumference than the last. The at least one middle section of the threaded stepped dowel further comprises thread spiraling around the outer surface of the at least one middle section.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing a crush strength of a panel. The system having a panel being made from side-grain wood, a bore that extends partly or completely through the panel, and a plug made from end-grain wood. Because end-grain wood has a significantly higher crush strength per square inch than side-grain wood, a topical crush strength of the panel can be increased through the use of the plug. The plug can further be provided with a hollow portion to be used with a thread stepped dowel comprising of a base section, at least one middle section, and a tip section, with each section being progressively smaller in circumference than the last. The at least one middle section of the threaded stepped dowel further comprises thread spiraling around the outer surface of the at least one middle section.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a column for construction using bundled tube are provided. The column having a bottom portion, a middle portion, and a top portion. Each portion consists of a bundle of individual pillars, comprising a center pillar, a plurality of corner pillars, and a plurality of middle pillars. From the bottom portion of the column, addition pillars can be affixed on top of the pillars of the bottom portion, thus forming the middle and the top portion of the column. Each pillar can be secured to another component using a thread stepped dowel comprising of a base section, at least one middle section, and a tip section, with each section being progressively smaller in circumference than the last. The at least one middle section of the threaded stepped dowel further comprises thread spiraling around the outer surface of the at least one middle section.

Abstract: An apparatus guides first and second assembly components into a predetermined configuration, each assembly component including an opening. When the assembly components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, their openings align to define a cavity for receiving a stepped dowel to fasten the components together. The guiding apparatus includes a stepped dowel member having successively-smaller dowel sections, and a collar member floating around the base of the stepped dowel member. The stepped dowel member tip can be passed through the first assembly component opening and inserted into the second assembly component opening, drawing the components into the predetermined configuration. When the components are aligned into the predetermined configuration, the collar member engages the first assembly component opening and the stepped dowel member engages the second assembly component opening.

Abstract: A drill bit for use with construction using cross laminated timbers (CLT) is provided. The bit has both sharpened and dull portions of the cutting element of the bit, so that it can clean-out an opening in the CLT that has been partially obscured by shifts in the laminated constituents of the CLT, without elongating or otherwise changing the shape of the fastener opening. The use of the bit is made at the construction site in fastener openings previously made and otherwise obscured, thereby allowing the quick assembly and construction of a structure made of CLT.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating assembly components into desired configurations and a method for using same, where the assembly component includes a first and second bore set at a first and second transverse angles, for receiving attaching members. The apparatus includes a pair of attaching members that engage the bores to extend toward each other, and a manipulating member securing the base portions of the attaching members to each other. The attaching members may include side struts that relieve side pressure on the bores and may also include internal air passageways. The manipulating member has a length that prevents the secured attaching members from disengaging from their bores, and provides a location for a moving device to indirectly connect to the assembly component. The moving device can move the assembly component in a different directions to achieve different configurations.

Abstract: Dowels harvested from wood including portions from adjacent growth rings that are oriented so that the dowels expand in a horizontal direction, relative to its longitudinal axis, when exposed to moisture. Assembly systems can incorporate the dowels as fasteners, dowels and the assembly systems marked to allow for orienting the dowels for expansion in a predetermined direction relative to the assembly system. Wall systems made of contiguous wall panels assembled with dowels, where the dowel paths are arranged in configurations for stabilizing the assembled wall system. The wall panel tops can include pairs of dowel paths angled toward each other. The central wall panel bottoms can include a dowel path along a longitudinal axis, while the flanking wall panel bottoms can include dowel paths extending toward the central wall panel. The wall system can include the markings for orienting marked and directionally-expanding dowels.

Abstract: An improved pallet that is easy to assemble and disassemble. In particular, the pallet includes a plurality of stringers with bores, a plurality of deck boards with openings, and a plurality of dowels that attach the stringers and boards at an acute angle. The dowels can have protruding portions for aligning with dimples in the bottoms of neighboring pallets, thus vertically orienting stacked pallets with respect to each other, for efficient and secure stacking of the pallets. The protruding portions can be configured so as to deflect random blows and to minimize damage to the pallets when stacked. The dowels can also be positioned so as to reduce the likelihood of stress fractures to the pallets when the pallets sustain potentially damaging forces.

Abstract: A half pallet that is capable of easy assembly, functionally adequate for some situations and capable of easy disassembly in an environmentally acceptable manner. In one form of the pallet, a half pallet is provided that is made of all wood. In one embodiment, the half pallet may be comprised of a plurality of stringers with bores, a plurality of deck boards with openings, and a plurality of wooden dowels disposed in the bores and openings to connect the stringers and deck boards.

Abstract: A bone dowel is disclosed that may be used for connecting two or more bone components. The bone dowel may have three dowel sections positioned between a base and a tip with a conical upper section. Each bone dowel section may be positioned in axial alignment adjacent at least one other bone dowel section wherein the diameters decrease over the length of the bone dowel from the base to the tip.

Abstract: An improved pallet that is capable of easy assembly, functionally adequate for some situations and capable of easy disassembly. In one form of the invention, a pallet is provided that is made of all wood. In one embodiment, the pallet may be comprised of a plurality of stringers with bores, a plurality of deck boards with openings, and a plurality of wooden dowels disposed in the bores and openings to connect the stringers and deck boards.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wooden pallet secured by glue and dowels is disclosed. The method comprises preparing and arranging the pallet components; drilling dowel holes in the pallet components; applying glue to the dowels and the pallet components; assembling the pallet components to form assembled components; securing the assembled components together with dowels and glue; and clamping the assembled components for a period of time sufficient to allow the glue to cure and form an assembled wooden pallet.

Abstract: A beveled block pallet is disclosed, the pallet being stringers supporting blocks, the blocks supporting stringers. The blocks are tapered to form a trapezoid shape to permit more strength with less weight.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a flush cut saw that is capable of safely making a flush cut. The saw has a handle with a thin, flexible blade extending therefrom. The blade has two elongated extensions running away from the handle. The extensions can each have external and internal edges, and are mounted in a spaced, opposed relation. The internal edges can be provided with teeth preferably oriented to allow for a pull cut. The external edges are dull, and may be curved to prevent injury.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a flush cut saw that is capable of safely making a flush cut. The saw comprises a handle having a thin, flexible blade extending therefrom. The blade comprises two elongated extensions running away from the handle. The extensions can each have external and internal edges, and are mounted in a spaced, opposed relation. The internal edges can be provided with teeth preferably oriented to allow for a pull cut. The external edges are dull, and may be curved to prevent injury.

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.

Abstract: The hinge system has a hinge pin having a plurality of cylinders. Each of the cylinders has at least one section having a predetermined diameter, a first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders having a first diameter with every succeeding cylinder having one of a diameter equal to or less than a diameter of a preceding cylinder. The cylinders are arranged end-to-end on a common axis. A first leaf of the hinge systems includes an attachment portion and at least one elongated knuckle portion located on one edge of the attachment portion. The knuckle portion of the first leaf is axially continuous and has an axial extending bore having at least one section having a predetermined diameter. A second leaf of the hinge system includes an attachment portion and at least one knuckle portion along one edge of the attachment portion.