Member for timber products

Abstract

[Problem] To enable fixation between members by fitting and provide a member for timber product in which joining with more flexibility is achieved. [Means for Resolution] In a sort of square timber having a predetermined shape and a given length, a groove 12 in the longitudinal direction and having a substantially concave shape in lateral cross section is provided and the width of the groove 12 and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove 12 are a constant value A, so that fixation and fixing are achieved by fitting a member 11 to the groove 12 on the other member 11.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to member for timber products, which is a sort of square timber having a predetermined shape and a given length.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, a shelve, a simple-shaped chair or table is often selected as a subject of do-it-yourself work. However, special machining work is required for joint portions, and hence it is difficult for general people to manufacture a satisfactory product. Although a commercially available manufacturing kit, in which required machining is already done, helps non-experts assemble, it is significantly difficult for those non-experts to achieve to change the predetermined position or shape.

The form of the member used for such a timberwork can be a square timber or a board, and the special machining work is required for joining or the like. In order to cope with such a circumstance, an improved technology proposed in this field regarding the subject described above is disclosed in JP-A-8-155912, or in JP-A-11-172807. Although these technologies have a convexo-concave fitting structure, the fitting structure contributes simply to positioning, but does not help fixation between members.

[Patent Document 1] JP-A-8-155912

[Patent Document 2] JP-A-11-172807

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

In view of such a point described above, it is an object of the present invention to enable fixation by fitting between members in the field of timberwork and realize more various joint. It is another object of the present invention to provide a member for timber products, which can be formed into various intended structures by combining the same types of members, is easy to work with, and can be adjusted and arranged easily.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

In order to solve the above-described object, the present invention provides a sort of square timber of a predetermined shape and a given length including a groove in the longitudinal direction and having a substantially concave shape in lateral cross section, wherein the width of the groove and the thickness in the direction of the depth of the groove are a constant value so that fixation and fixing are achieved by fitting a member to the groove on the other member (the invention stated in claim 1).

In the present invention, the term “timber products” simply represents a product manufactured by using timber materials. Therefore, the above-described shelve, chair and table are included. Also, in the present invention, the term “square timber” represents a timber having a square shape, as used conventionally. The length of the member is not limited at all.

The member for timber products according to the present invention includes a groove along the longitudinal direction, and hence has a concave shape in lateral cross section in a broad meaning. The width of the groove and the outer dimension of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove, that is, the thickness of the member are a constant value of A, for example. Accordingly, one member can be fitted into and fixed to the groove of the other member. Although the position and the size of the groove or the member can be modified variously under a certain constraint as described later, the member for timber products according to the present invention is composed of an assembly of such various members.

In addition to the fact that the width of the groove and the thickness of the member are the constant value A, the dimension from the edge of the groove to the side edge of the member preferably is the constant value A (the invention stated in claim 2, as referred to in FIG. 3). The dimension from the edge of the groove to the side edge of the member (hereinafter, referred to as “groove-edge width”) may be the shortest length, that is, the dimension from the edge of groove to the side edge of the member which extend in parallel may be half the constant value A. In the latter case, since ½A plus ½A equals A, two members disposed side-by-side can be fitted to and integrally combined with a third member.

In addition to the fact that the groove-edge width is the constant value A or ½A, the depth of the groove is preferably half the constant value A (the invention stated in claim 3, as referred to in FIG. 4). In this case, when the two members are combined so that two grooves define one cavity, a bearing structure, in which a shaft, for example, is inserted therein to enable rotation thereof, can be provided. The fact that the depth of the groove is ½A means that when the member having a length of ½A is fitted in the groove on the other member, a force required for fixing the members can be obtained.

Although it is preferable that the groove-edge width is the constant value A or half the constant value A as described above, it is also preferable that this dimension is applied not only on one side of the groove, but also on the other side of the groove. When the groove-edge width is a constant value A, and this groove-edge width is applied to both of the left and right sides of the groove, the dimension from one side edge to the other side edge of the member is three times the constant value A, and in this case, the groove is positioned at the center of the member (the invention as stated in claim 4, as referred to in FIG. 5).

The number of grooves formed on one member is not limited to one. Although the member of this type is desired to be formed as simple as possible, a plurality of grooves can freely be provided thereon (as referred to in FIG. 9). By combining a member having only one groove with a member having a plurality of grooves, flexibility of combination of the members increases. It is not necessary to provide the plurality of grooves always on the same surface, and may be formed on the different surfaces, such as the opposite surface.

Since the concave and the convex cannot be fitted to each other when the dimension of the concave and the dimension of the convex to be fitted to each other are the same constant value A, it is necessary to provide a room for fitting therebetween. In other words, fitting in the present invention corresponds to transition fit or interference fit in fitting modes in the engineering terminology, and is preferably achieved a state in which the fitted members are fixed without moving.

The member for timber products according to the present invention is formed of natural wood, laminated wood, synthetic member, or plastic, and is machined by a cutting tool, a tool, a machine, or an apparatus for timber work to form a member for an intended structure. In addition to the members in the present invention, the components of the intended structure may include auxiliary members, and requires securing means such as bolts, nut, nails or adhesive agent.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION

Since the present invention is configured and operated as described above, fixation between the members are achieved by fitting and fixation at important spots can be done easily and reliably in the process of assembly, whereby, advantageously, various intended structure can be worked up by persons who do not have special skill for timberwork with little trouble and adjustment or arrangement during manufacture can easily be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 1 of a member for timber products according to the present invention, and an example of usage thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 2 of the present invention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of an example of usage.

FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 3 of the present invention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of an example of usage.

FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 4 of the present invention, a front view (a), a bottom view (b) and a plan view (c) of an example of usage.

FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 5 of the present invention, and perspective views (a) and (b) showing two examples of usage thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of Example 6, a perspective view (a) of a principal portion, a side view (b), a plan view (c), and a front view (d) of a principal portion thereof showing an example of usage thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of combination according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing four examples (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the combination according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is explanatory drawings showing three examples (a), (b), and (c) of modifications and combination according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

• 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, 91 member
• 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92 groove
• 13, 23, 33, 43 structure
• 24, 34 groove edge
• 25, 35, 55-1, 55-2 side edge
• 26, 36, 46 table top

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention will be described further in detail below. FIG. 1 shows an example of a member for timber products having a groove 12 on one side surface of a square timber member 11 along the longitudinal direction. The width of the groove 12 and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove 12 each are a constant value A. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the one member 11 can be fitted into the groove 12 of the other member 11 in the direction of the depth of the other member 11 so as to coincide with the groove width, whereby the members 11, 11 are fixed to each other.

A product shown in FIG. 1 in perspective view is a tower-shaped structure 13 formed by disposing four columns 11-1, 11-2, 11-3. 11-4 with the direction of the depth oriented in the direction of groove width, fitting left and right beam members 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 thereto, and a set of the plurality of lateral beam members 11-9 are fitted to the left and right beam members 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 with the direction of the depth thereof oriented to the direction of groove width for upper and lower levels. Although the members constituting the structure 13 in FIG. 1 are differentiated by different numerals from 11-1 to 11-9 for the sake of convenience, these members are all the same member 11 and are used in combination. The same member 11 means one type of member 11.

FIG. 2 shows Example 2 in which the dimension from one groove edge 24 to side edge 25 of member 21 is the constant value A, in addition to the conditions in Example 1 such that the groove width and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove are the constant value A. The dimension from one side edge to the other side edge of the member 21 is shown in the drawing to be within the range from twice to three times the constant value A. In Example 2 as well, one member may be fitted into the groove 22 of the other member 21 with the direction of the depth oriented so as to coincide with the groove width, whereby both members 21, 21 are fixed to each other.

A table-shaped structure 23 shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b), and (c) is formed by fitting and fixing four legs 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4 into/to both ends of the grooves of two beam members 21-5, 21-6, which all correspond to the above-described member 21, fitting and fixing both ends of the beam members 21-5, 21-6 into the grooves 22 of intersecting beam members 21-7, 21-8, and disposing a member 21-9 with the grooves faced downward between the intersecting beams 21-7, 21-8 and on the beam members 21-5, 21-6. When fitting the respective members 21-1 to 21-9, the direction of the depth is oriented in the direction of groove width as in the case of Example 1 described above. In the case of Example 2, since the dimension from one groove edge 24 to the side edge 25 of the member is the constant value A, spaces having a depth of the constant value A can be secured on the beam members 21-5, 21-6 fitted into the intersecting beams 21-7, 21-8. Therefore, the space can be filled by utilizing the members 21 having the same constant value A to form a table top 26. The reference numerals 29-1 and 29-2 designate beam members between the legs.

FIG. 3 shows Example 3, in which a member 31 has a groove 32, and the dimension from one groove edge 34 to one side edge 35 is half the constant value A, in addition to the conditions in Example 1, such that the groove width and the dimension of the groove in the direction of the depth thereof are the constant value A. FIG. 3 also shows an example combined with Example 2 in which the above-described dimension is the constant value A.

A table-shaped structure 33 shown in FIGS. 3(a), (b), (c) has a structure similar to Example 2, and the structure including four legs 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4 and two beam members 31-5, 31-6 to be fitted thereto, which all correspond to the above-described members 31, is common. However, both ends of the two beam members 31-5, 31-6 are fitted to the grooves 32 of intersecting beam members 31-7, 31-8 employing the members in Example 3 with the direction of the depth thereof oriented in the direction of the groove width, whereby the depth of the spaces on the beam members 31-5, 31-6 is half the constant value A. Therefore, the members 39-4 disposed on the spaces above the beam members 31-5, 31-6 to form a table top 36 is suitably those having a thickness of half the constant value A. Reference numerals 39-1, 39-2 designate beam members between the legs.

FIG. 4 shows Example 4 in which the depth of groove 42 is half the constant value A, in addition to the conditions in Example 1 such that the groove width and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove are the constant value A. Furthermore, the structure shown in the drawing also satisfies conditions in Example 3, such that the dimension from a groove edge 44 to a side edge 45 of a member 41 is half the constant value A. The depth of the groove 42 being half the constant value A is the most suitable for obtaining a desired fixing force by fitting between members, and is also suitable as a whole because the thickness of the member 41 may be the predetermined value A and hence may be prevented from being excessive.

A table-shaped structure 43 shown in FIG. 4(a), (b), (c) also has a structure similar to Example 2, and includes four legs 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, 41-4 and beam members 41-5, 41-6 providing the grooves 42 to which the ends of the legs are fitted, which all correspond to the above-described member 41. Both ends of the bridge members 49-1, 49-2 are fitted into and fixed to the grooves 42 between the front two legs 41-1, 41-2 and between the rear two legs 41-3, 41-4, of the four legs respectively, and the both bridge members 49-1, 49-2 are joined by a third bridge member 49-3 fitted into and fixed to the grooves 42 thereof. In Example 4, second beam members 41-7, 41-8 are fitted to the outer edges of the beam members 41-5, 41-6, and members 49-4 for forming the table top 46 are disposed side-by-side between the second beam members 41-7, 41-8.

FIG. 5 shows Example 5 in which the dimension from one side edge 55-1 to the other side edge 55-2 of a member 51 are three times the constant value A, and a groove 52 is positioned at the center, in addition to the conditions in Example 1 such that the groove width and the thickness of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove are the constant value A. Since the groove 52 and left and right portions thereof 57-1, 57-2 have the same dimension so as to be fitted to each other, the members 51 can be connected and joined to each other both in the longitudinal direction and in the widthwise direction by utilizing the groove 52 as the concave and the left and right portions 57-1, 57-2 as the convexes.

FIGS. 5(a), (b) illustrate a characteristic fitting structure in Example 5, showing that a staircase pattern can be obtained by fitting the grooves 52 and the left and right portions 57-1, 57-2 (FIG. 5(a)) of the members 51 to each other. By utilizing the staircase pattern and disposing additional members 58 in the intersecting direction, the staircase pattern can be converted into the steps (FIG. 5(b)). Example 5 shows that fixation can be achieved by fitting the left and right portions 57-1, 57-2 of the groove 52 into the grooves 52 without using the value A in thickness of the member 51. However, it is clear that the ends of the member 51 can be fitted into the groove 52 utilizing the thickness A of the member 51 in the direction of the depth of the groove in Example 5 as well.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the form of utilization of a member 61 having a depth of a groove 62 of half the constant value A (the same as in Example 4). In this case, the two members 61, 61 are disposed so that the respective grooves 62 face each other, and a space defined by the two grooves 62, 62 is used as a bearing groove, whereby a shaft 60 can be inserted therein. With such a bearing mechanism, for example a foldable chair can be manufactured.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a member 71 in which the dimension of a groove 72 and of left and right portions 75-1, 75-2 thereof are the constant value A, the depth of the groove 72 is the constant value A, and the depth of the groove 72 is half the constant value A. Characteristic of Example 7 as described above is that when the both sides of the member 71 are fitted into the grooves 72 of the members 71 disposed on the left and right sides thereof, the distance between the left and right members 71, 72 corresponds to 3A−(½A×2)=2A, which is equal to twice the thickness of the member. FIG. 7 shows an example in which such a characteristic is utilized and a shelf-shaped structure 73 is formed by allowing intersecting members 74 having double the thickness to be retained in the longitudinal direction of column members 70 having H-shaped cross-section, and fitting shelf boards 76 into the grooves 72 of the intersecting members 74.

FIG. 8 shows that the members 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 shown above are configured so that not only the same type of members can be combined with each other as a matter of course, but also different types of the members can be combined freely, and fitted and fixed to obtain the intended product. FIG. 8(a) shows an example of a longitudinal pair in which the side edge of one member 81-2 is fitted into the groove 82 on the other member 81-1 of the same type as in Example 5 to form a T-shape in cross section, and FIG. 8(b) shows an example in which a third member 81-4 is adhered to the back surface of the T-shaped intersecting member 81-2 which can be used as the table top or the wall surface of the shelf. FIG. 8(c) shows an example in which a member 81-5 having the dimension from the groove edge to the side edge of the member being the constant value A as Example 2, and the dimension from the other groove edge to the other side edge being larger is combined as a T-shaped intersecting member, and FIG. 8(d) shows an example in which the above-described member 81-5 is combined as the T-shaped intersected member.

FIG. 9 shows a member 91 having a plurality of grooves 92 and the example of usage thereof. This member also have to satisfy the condition 1 such that the width of the groove 92 and the dimension of the member in the direction of the depth of the groove 92, that is, the thickness of the member are the constant value A absolutely, and have to selectively satisfy the condition 2 such that the dimension from the groove edge to the side edge of the member is the constant value A or half the constant value A, or the condition 3 such that the depth of the groove 92 is half the constant value A. Separate members X1 may be fitted respectively into the plurality of grooves 92 (FIG. 9(a)), and still other members Y1 can be fitted into grooves X2 of the fitted members X1. Furthermore, FIG. 9(c) illustrates an example in which a plurality of grooves Z2, Z2 do not have to be on the same level as a member Z1. Since the lateral cross section of the member Z1 presents an S-shape or a Z-shape in the latest example, stepped or staggered arrangement can also be employed.

Claims

1. A member for timber products which is a sort of square timber having a predetermined shape and a given length comprising: a groove in the longitudinal direction and having a substantially concave shape in lateral cross section, wherein the width of the groove and the thickness in the direction of the depth of the member are a constant value so that fixation and fixing are achieved by fitting a member to the groove on the other member.

2. A member for timber products according to claim 1, wherein the dimension from the edge of the groove to the side edge of the member is a constant value or half the constant value.

3. A member for timber products according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the groove is half the constant value.

4. A member for timber products according to claim 1, wherein the dimension from one side edge to the other side edge of the member is three times the constant value, and the groove is positioned at the center of the member.