Abstract: A converted wood article for use in combination with other converted wood articles to form composite wood products for use in general construction such as in the construction of posts, flooring, walls and support beams.

Abstract: A method of making composite strips of millwork components, including the steps of providing a plurality of elongate strips of wood and a support sheet, adhering the strips of wood together in parallel with each other and to the support sheet to form an elongate composite sheet, and machining the composite sheet to a desired contour to form a molding strip. The method may also include the step of removing the support sheet after the machining step by machine, or by peeling, or otherwise as desired. Typically the strips of wood are of differing widths and heights. A composite molding strip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and fixture for placing a permanent bend into a wooden pole. In the preferred embodiment, a fixture includes a center block receiving the center portion of a pole having the opposite ends of the pole extending through the opposite ends of the fixture. A pair of cylindrical tubes are forced downwardly against the opposite ends of the pole by an external cylinder motor and, in turn, forces the opposite ends of the pole against the bottom wall of the fixture, thereby bending the pole. A pair of wedge shaped members are extended through the fixture and into the cylindrical tubes, thereby holding the cylindrical tubes downwardly against the pole in a bent configuration while the external force is removed. The method of permanently bending a green pole includes harvesting a tree during the warm growing season and then removing the limbs to produce a wooden pole. The pole is then heated to kill living things within the pole and stored for future use and/or bending.

Abstract: A novel arcuate wooden cummerbund with or without associated accessories. Two methods for making the wooden cummerbund are disclosed. When accessories are included, they may comprise coordinating wooden ties, matching cuff links. A storing and carrying case is disclosed for the wooden cummerbund and accessories, if any.

Abstract: A method and fixture for placing a permanent bend into a wooden pole. A channel shaped fixture receives the opposite ends of a wooden pole inserted therein and positions the pole above the bottom wall of the fixture. A cylindrical tube is forced downwardly against the pole by an external cylinder motor and in turn forces the pole against the bottom wall of the fixture thereby bending the pole. A pair of wedge shaped members are extended through the fixture and into the intermediate member thereby holding the intermediate member downwardly against the pole in a bent configuration while the external force is removed. The method of permanently bending a green pole includes positioning a green wooden pole shortly after harvesting in the holding fixture and then bending the pole to a bent configuration with the intermediate member. The fixture with pole in the bent configuration is then inserted into a dry kiln and heated.

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: A device for planing and/or molding surface textures in wood boards is provided with two planing heads (44,46) arranged one behind the other, the movement of which can be selectively cycled both in the vertical direction and transversely to the feed direction of the wood boards to be planed, thus permitting production of a variety of surface textures in the wood boards being planed.

Abstract: Decorative panels having the appearance of tongue-in-groove construction and the method of making such panels. The panels are made from a composite structure including a base member and a decorative surface veneer on such member. A portion of the base member is removed. The removed portion includes a segment to a first depth less than the total depth of the base member measured from the surface of the base member opposite the veneer, and spaced segments to a total depth of the base member. This leaves an intermediate part of the base member connected to the veneer between the removed spaced segments. The sides of the base member opposite the removed portion are urged toward one another; and the intermediate part is substantially simultaneously urged toward the surface of the base member opposite the veneer. The intermediate part is then secured to such sides of the base member to complete the panel.

Abstract: A shower pan which forms a base of a shower stall has a one piece drain surface and is capable of being built in various sloping configurations. The shower pan is constructed of a top drain panel supported by graduated shims and perimeter strips which are in turn mounted on a planar foundation. Perimeter strips and graduated shims are secured to the foundation, concentrically spaced apart surrounding a variably located drain opening. The top drain panel is cut to the same contour and size as the foundation and has a rear member, side members, and threshold members to provide lateral water barriers. Kerfed break lines in the top drain panel permit the panel to bend to form a basin like drain surface. The kerfed relief lines are in the form of at least two concentric, straight lined, polygonal cuts which are substantially identical in shape and have their corresponding vertices connected by radial relief lines.

Abstract: A pyrographic iron for sculpting fine feather barbs on a realistic wooden bird carving uses interchangeable tips slide fitting on the irons. The tips have a head with a flat surface tapered toward one or two outer edges, the surface having from 3 to 100 serrations per inch extending outwardly on the head to the outward edge or edges. The serrations form crests and valleys, the crests charring the barb lines and the valleys limiting the depth of charring.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing drawer sides in a continuous operation from a strip of wood. A machine with opposed edge cutters for shaping the outer edges of the strip, a slitting unit for cutting the strip into two strips and for cutting grooves in each strip, and opposed sanding units for smoothing the outer edges. A pair of slitting units with different saw blade settings for producing different drawer sides, and a mechanism for introducing one slitting unit or the other into the overall machine for rapid change of product configuration.