Abstract: A method for producing a skin of a leading edge for an aircraft wing element, including an assembly of resistive heating elements designed to form an integral part of a system for de-icing and/or anti-icing of the leading edge. The method includes curing a stack in a mold between two molding surfaces facing each other. The stack includes the resistive heating elements assembly, two adhesive films arranged respectively on either side of the assembly so that the heating elements adhere to each of these two adhesive films, two layers of electrically insulating pre-impregnated fibers adhering respectively to the two adhesive films on the sides opposite those receiving the heating elements, and a plurality of layers of pre-impregnated carbon fibers.

Abstract: A method for making a decorative multilaminar veneer with accentuated curvilinear shapes consists of the steps of: obtaining sheets of wood from a log of wood or from a block of multilaminar wood; superimposing and permanently sticking the sheets of wood on top of one another to form a plurality of packets of sheets of wood; providing a plurality of male molds and at least one female countermold, wherein each male mold has a convex curvilinear profile with different curvature radiuses of one mold with respect to the other and wherein the female countermold has a concave curvilinear profile; arranging, pressing and permanently sticking together several packets, in sequence and superimposed, between the female countermold and in sequence the male molds to deform in a curvilinear manner the packets, replacing in sequence, upon the reaching of a preset height of the superimposed, joined and deformed packets a male mold with a profile with a greater curvature radius with a successive male mold with a profile with

Abstract: A core layer is formed by bonding a plurality of wooden plates together by using an adhesive. The core layer is cut into a predetermined shape having notches. The core layer is placed on a die of a pressing machine by being positioned by using the notches and pins placed on the die. The core layer is press molded to firmly hold the pin by the outer edge of the notch and to harden the adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making bamboo-surfaced layered Venetian blind slats having a curved cross-section comprising (1) selecting bamboo slices each having a length slightly longer than the slats to be made, each having a width which equals the total width of the slats to be made; (2) selecting filling slices, each having a length and width identical to the bamboo slices; (3) selecting an adhesive to adhere a bamboo slice, a filling slice and a bamboo slice to form a layered slat piece; (4) placing the layered slat piece into a mold and compressing the layered slat piece to form a curved plate; (5) cutting along the length of the curved plate to obtain blank slats; (6) trimming the remains of the cutting surfaces and the two end surfaces of the blank slats to obtain the final product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for producing fire rated doors having added strength, better finishing and low cost manufacturing flexibility. The fire rated doors are made from two panels “sandwiched” together. An optional interior layer (e.g., fire resistant material, lead sheeting, steel or Kevlar) can be added between the door panels for various purposes. Splines, stiles or sticks are inserted in longitudinal channels in the door panels to provide assistance in aligning the door panels and greater hardware holding strength. An intumescent banding material concealed by a banding material around the perimeter of the door seals the door within its frame during a fire. The door design and the automated manufacturing process provide greater design choice, reduced cost and faster fabrication.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A method for producing a formed wooden article by cutting out a primary blank member from a raw wood and forming the same into a final three-dimensional shape having a substantially uniform thickness, comprises: a primary compression step in which the primary blank member is compressed by primary molding dies, and the primary blank member is processed into a primary compressed article having a high compression portion in a vicinity of portions of the primary blank member corresponding to a die surface; a secondary blank processing step in which the primary compressed article is cut and processed into a secondary blank member; and a secondary compression step in which the secondary blank member is compressed by using secondary molding dies and the final three-dimensional shape is transferred onto the secondary blank member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for bevelling an edge of a wood-chip board (1) or a board of similar material, and the bevelled board thereby obtained. The process includes the operative steps of: making at least two grooves (5) along a whole area to be bevelled of the edge of the board (1), the grooves (5) being substantially parallel to each other and to the faces (2, 3) of the board (1) and having a thickness increasing toward the exterior of the board (1); introducing into each groove (5) an insert (6) of uniform thickness equal to a minimum thickness of the same groove (5); and pressing and gluing the walls of the grooves (5) on inserts (6).

Abstract: A process for increasing the strength of plywood. The process includes pressing the piece of plywood between two hard faces which have parallel ridges contacting the two outer sides of the plywood to be strengthened. The plywood is subjected to pressure which permanently impresses a series of parallel grooves in the two outer faces of the piece of plywood. This strengthens the piece of plywood so that it takes more force to break it than the same piece of plywood without such parallel grooves.

Abstract: A method for forming a curved surface in a decorated board which enables a woodworking process to be easily performed on a peripheral edge of a curved decorated board. A base board 1 and a decorating material 2, which eventually construct a headboard A as a decorated board, are each prepared by cutting a woody material into a preset configuration. After that, they are painted. With the base board 1 and the decorating material 2 remaining flat, the respective peripheral edges thereof are formed with chamfered portions 3, 4 through a woodworking process. Thus, such wood working can be performed without complex control. The base board 1 and the decorating material 2 thus worked are integrally laminated to each other, and then the headboard A thus obtained is bent, using a press machine or the like.

Abstract: Wood is bent using a unit and a method in which a continuous and uninterrupted curved path is defined over a workpiece-supporting surface and form and clamp blocks are electromagnetically attached to the workpiece-supporting surface adjacent to the path. The form and clamp blocks engage a wood workpiece to force that workpiece into a shape that matches the path defined over the workpiece-supporting surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a curved surface in a decorated board which enables a woodworking process to be easily performed on a peripheral edge of a curved decorated board. A base board 1 and a decorating material 2, which eventually construct a headboard A as a decorated board, are each prepared by cutting a woody material into a preset configuration. After that, they are painted. With the base board 1 and the decorating material 2 remaining flat, the respective peripheral edges thereof are formed with chamfered portions 3, 4 through a woodworking process. Thus, such wood working can be performed without complex control. The base board 1 and the decorating material 2 thus worked are integrally laminated to each other, and then the headboard A thus obtained is bent, using a press machine or the like.

Abstract: A corrugated skateboard deck and method of corrugating skateboard decks in the skateboard deck manufacturing process. The corrugated skateboard deck has elongated corrugations embossed into at least one of its top and bottom surfaces and generally extending between first and second ends of the skateboard deck. The elongated corrugations are made up of ridges and grooves which are pressure-formed in a method of corrugating the surfaces of skateboard decks. This method utilizes a high-density corrugated template to emboss corrugations under high pressures.

Abstract: A corrugated skateboard deck and method of corrugating skateboard decks in the skateboard deck manufacturing process. The corrugated skateboard deck has elongated corrugations embossed into at least one of its top and bottom surfaces and generally extending between first and second ends of the skateboard deck. The elongated corrugations are made up of ridges and grooves which are pressure-formed in a method of corrugating the surfaces of skateboard decks. This method utilizes a high-density corrugated template to emboss corrugations under high pressures.

Abstract: A method for bending a sheet of wood with a plastic laminate applied to its outside face to form a rounded corner on the sheet includes first making a cut across the sheet which is configured to completely wrap around a dowel when the sheet is bent to the desired angle. The laminate is heated prior to bending if heating is required to make it bendable. Adhesive is applied to the dowel, and the dowel is placed on the cutout. The sheet is then bent around the dowel and is held in place until the adhesive has cured and the laminate cooled down. An apparatus attaches to both portions of the sheet and causes it to be bent around the dowel without causing the laminate to stretch or contract.

Abstract: The invention is a method for producing flitches prepared from roundwood logs, a method for the manufacture of wood slices or slats from the flitches, and methods of combining the strips into composite lumber products. The methods are based in part on the concept of preparing flitches that retain the sweep or natural longitudinal curvature of the log and slicing or sawing around the sweep to prepare the slats for further conversion into composite lumber products. An opening cut is made in the log essentially following or parallel to the curve of any sweep to divide it into two approximately equal volume pieces. An opposing surfaces is machined parallel to the surface generated by the opening cut to produce a flitch. The flitches are then flattened so that the sweep curvature is made planar. They are then sliced or sawn parallel to the now planar surface to produce slats. The natural surface of the log is preferably retained on the sides of the flitches.

Abstract: A curved panel for use in furniture. The curved panel includes a sheet which in a free state is flat. A plurality of pins are secured to opposite ends of the sheet. One or more members are provided for engaging the pins to maintain the sheet in a curved state. The curved panel can include two spaced apart sheets and a frame defined by a plurality of curvable rails or spaced apart blocks and non-curvable rails that extend about a perimeter of the sheets. The frame is positioned between the sheets so that the curvable rails or spaced apart blocks and sheets are curved about an axis of curvature. Each curvable rail includes a slotted rail having a plurality of ribs defining slots therebetween. A plurality of pins are secured to the non-curvable rails and pass through holes defined in one of the sheets so as to maintain the sheets in a curved state. The curved panel can also be formed by a sheet having pins secured thereto, where the pins are received by template guides to maintain the sheet in a curved state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of applying a veneer to a substrate having edges with a compound curve. The invention includes the steps of trimming the veneer to provide a peripheral margin and applying a stretchable releasable adhesive tape to the margin, applying an adhesive to the surfaces of the substrate, positioning the veneer over the substrate and securing the veneer in position, and subjecting the veneer to a substantially uniform pressure over the substrate. An embodiment for convex edges provides the further steps of providing one or more v-shaped relief cuts converging where the curved edge surface meets the main surface and applying a releasable adhesive tape to retain a butt joint between the edges of each relief cut. An embodiment for concave edges provides the further steps of providing one or more slits extending into the margin of the veneer parallel to the direction of the grain and applying a releasable adhesive tape over the relief cuts.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming a variety of predetermined shapes of curved laminations formed from a plurality of individual laminates bonded together by an adhesive. The laminating machine comprises a support frame, a rotating RF-conducting capstan mounted in the support frame, and an RF-conducting anvil supported by the support frame in opposing relation to the capstan. An RF energy source is operatively connected to the capstan, and a ground terminal is operatively connected to the anvil. Custom template flanges serve both as determinants of a particular lamination's curved shape and also preferably as components of the completed laminated structure, which includes the curved lamination. Each template flange includes a laminate retainer, preferably an elongated groove, which holds a foundation laminate in a predetermined curved shape.

Abstract: A bowing press apparatus which includes a subassembly. The subassembly comprises a housing, a mandrel supported by the housing, a wiper plate connected to said housing and capable of pivoting with respect to said mandrel, and an actuator that exerts a force against the wiper plate, causing the wiper plate to pivot. An overbender capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel and the wiper plate may be connected to the wiper plate. An actuating device that exerts a force against the overbender and causes it to pivot also may be included.

Abstract: A variable radius bowing press including a mandrel, a mandrel support and a subassembly. The subassembly comprises a housing, a wiper plate capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel, and an actuator that exerts a force against the wiper plate, causing the wiper plate to pivot. An overbender capable of pivoting with respect to the mandrel may be connected to the wiper plate. An actuating device may be provided that exerts a force against the overbender and causes the over bender to pivot. The apparatus may include two substantially similar subassemblies capable of synchronized operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating arched wooden structures such as headers for window and door jambs, said apparatus comprising a mandrel table having a planar bed from which a plurality of rigid arms upwardly extend. Each of the arms is movable on the bed so that the arms can be positioned to define and form in conjunction with each other an arcuate shaped mandrel about which wooden planks are to be bent into arched structures. A clamp secures a long work piece at its center to the mandrel intermediate the ends of the mandrel and a flexible steel band is wrapped tightly and progressively about the mandrel on either side of the clamp to bend each end section of the work piece about and conform it to the shape of the mandrel.

Abstract: A veneer profile wrapping process employs a water-base polyvinylacetate glue system which is activated before application with an acid catalyst. The glue is applied to the veneer by a roller applicator. The veneer is transported on a vacuum belt which prevents the veneer from warping while the glue is dried with fans and infrared radiation. The process employs a porous substrate, such as particle board, which is heated by infrared radiation on all sides. Polyvinylacetate glue is applied to the surface of the substrate, which will be wrapped with veneer and the heat of the substrate plus additional infrared radiation and fans evaporates and dries the glue. The glue on the substrate is dried for approximately 60 to 90 seconds and on the veneer for approximately 10-15 seconds on cross feed drying lines. The veneer is inverted on a side belt changer and forced into intimate contact with the substrate by heated metal rollers.

Abstract: A device for shaping an optionally pressing curved components, such as curved beams of glued laminated girders, is provided which, in a modular type of construction, comprises at least two clamping devices on a base, which are movable. Each clamping device has, as a foundation, a slide that is movable along guides which, for example, are movable with rollers along a pair of rails as guides. In the central part of the slide, a rotary table is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the slide, on which at least two adjustable clamping elements, symmetrical to the axis of rotation, are provided. To adjust these clamping elements, which can be formed by tighteners, an adjusting device is placed centered on the slide. With this adjusting device, the tighteners are moved toward, and away from, each other symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation in their opposite arrangement. A manual control or a computer-aided control can be used to control the device.

Abstract: This relates to a panel of the type which includes a core covered by veneer and generally relates to a furniture panel. Such panels have a front edge which is contoured and is generally rounded. The panel in question has a generally rounded edge which terminates at the bottom thereof in a low radius portion, i.e., on the order of 2 mm. Because of this very low radius it is virtually impossible to take a single sheet of veneer and wrap it around such a radius. The problem is solved by using two separate veneers, an upper and a lower, and where the low radius edge portion is, machining a channel in the core and filling the channel with a projecting plug which then has the projecting portion thereof machined to provide a smooth continuous surface. Additionally, in order that there may be no demarcation of materials, the plug is formed of the same material as the veneers.

Abstract: A wooden hanger having a shoulder-shaped frame, a hook and a cross bar fixed between both ends of the frame, which is cut from a shoulder-shaped plywood plate formed into such a shape by compressing it in a mold with heat in a press.

Abstract: A method of making a drum shell or other such circumferential component from a single piece of wood which serves as a starting blank. This method comprises the steps of steam heating the blank a first time to a predetermined temperature and, thereafter, while the steam heated blank is still at approximately that temperature, forming it into a circumferential shape approximating the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component such that its opposite ends remain unconnected with one another. The blank is then allowed to cool, whereby to provide a circumferentially shaped blank having unconnected opposite ends. This circumferentially shaped blank is placed into a mold which more accurately defines the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component so that the opposite ends of the blank engage one another. It is again steam heated to a predetermined temperature while remaining in the mold and is thereafter dried and its opposite ends are glued together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating arcuate structural members is disclosed, the apparatus including a frame structure (12) having a mandrel (26) mounted thereto, the mandrel having a variable radius. A resilient band (80) is provided for compressing the arcuate member against the mandrel. The method involves the steps of placing adhesive between individual lamina 91 and then progressively applying pressure against the laminae while they are in place adjacent the mandrel progressively from one end of the assembled laminae to the opposite end, utilizing the resilient band.

Abstract: A furniture frame part or the like is made from a first, planar laminate of wood or other material. This laminate is bent so as to form a shaped member of single curvature. The shaped member is cut into slices in a direction transverse to the generatrices of the curvature, and from these slices a second laminate is made. This second laminate is bent in a direction so as to form another curvature with generatrices extending generally transversely to the first mentioned generatrices, whereby a furniture frame part or another composite body of double curvature may be made.

Abstract: An on-site fabrication method has been devised for compound bending of laminated wooden beam members into a handrail for curved or spiral stairways in which upstanding supports are positioned at intervals along the path of intended curvature on the stairway, the strips are assembled together in juxtaposed relation to one another and retained by leveling brackets on the support members whereby to prevent twisting of the beam members when a lateral force is applied, clamping the beam members together against each support member and permitting the beam members to be cured into a unitary rail section.

Abstract: The construction and installation of a curved, laminated wooden bending rail used as a hand rail on a spiral staircase or the like is significantly facilitated utilizing a series of contoured clamp structures which circumscribe the rail and uniformly engage it, at each clamp location, around its entire periphery. Each clamp structure includes a pair of bolt-connected clamping blocks which may be drawn into circumbscribing abutment with and tightened around the rail. When the clamp structure is fully tightened, the surfaces of cutout portions in the two clamping blocks each closely conform to and uniformly engage a lateral half of the rail periphery and laterally clamp the rail laminae together with a clamping force which is very evenly distributed along the nonplanar opposite lateral side surfaces of the clamped rail section, thereby essentially eliminating marring and deformation of the rail caused by clamping force concentrations on circumferentially spaced portions thereof.

Abstract: This application relates to composite structures and, more particularly, to a composite or sandwich structure employing sheets of wood veneer.

Abstract: A structure on which stringers for a free-standing circular staircase are formed in accordance with a time-saving method is disclosed. The structure comprises upper and lower metal patterns connected by vertical beams. The patterns have a plurality of rays attached to a central hub. The beams are attached to equidistant rays at a given distance from the center of the respective pattern. Clamps are affixed at successively higher positions along the perimeter of the circle formed by the beams that hold the stringer while it is being laminated with epoxy resin, until it has become rigid.Separate sets of beams may be used to form inner and outer stringers for a staircase, or the outer stringer may be formed on the same set of beams after the inner stringer has become rigid.

Abstract: A split bending molding assembly is provided for finishing operations for buildings, such as crown molding for curved or straight walled building structures. The molding includes a plurality of molding strips which are assembled in place on the building structure to form a crown molding or other molding of desired decorative configuration, each molding strip forming a decorative surface segment. The molding strips are provided with cooperative cam surfaces enabling workmen to apply a prying force to a molding strip being installed to thus cause precision alignment of the molding strips as applied. When installed, the joints of the molding strips will intersect the decorative surface segments at an abrupt angle and will be almost invisible and only minimal surface preparation will be required to finish the molding assembly.

Abstract: A pallet (10) comprising a top deck consisting of planks (20, 22, 24, 26) to the undersides of which blocks (28, 30, 32) are secured. The entire pallet is deformed to a convex form so that its length and width are reduced with respect to its undeformed dimensions. The lower faces of the blocks are joined by chordally extending strip material (18) which is tensioned by the pallet. Tensioning of the strips (18) ensures that these lie flat on the floor out of the way of the tines of a forklift truck when these are inserted below the planks to lift the pallet.

Abstract: A light-weight contourable core of high strength for inclusion in boat hulls in which the core is sandwiched between facing sheets of resin-reinforced fiberglass. The core is formed by a planar array of block-like modules made of end-grain balsa wood or other material having acceptable properties whose adjacent edges are held together by flexible adhesive joints that have a short elastic limit, such that when the planar core is pressed against a contoured surface for lamination thereto, the resultant stresses cause the joints to stretch beyond their elastic limit to an extent necessary to permit the modules to conform to this surface. There is no spring back when the pressure is released, and the modules, therefore, maintain their conformed positions.

Abstract: A wooden wind turbine blade is formed by laminating wood veneer in a compression mold having the exact curvature needed for one side of the blade, following which the other side of the blade is ground flat along its length but twisted with respect to the blade axis.

Abstract: The process for the gluing together of free form wood shapes in which individually pre-cut pieces are drawn into position, and correct, even, gluing pressure is applied by tension taken on a cable which has been routed internally through passages pre-drilled in component members of the finished shape and then connected at each end to take-up mechanisms which rest against the surface of the finished product.