GB2370622A

GB2370622A - Woodjoint

Info

Publication number: GB2370622A
Application number: GB0129468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Quill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-22
Filing date: 2001-12-10
Publication date: 2002-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-10
Also published as: GB2370622B; IES20001078A2; GB0129468D0

Abstract

A joint for wood or timber comprises a first piece (20) having an end which includes a series of bifurcations or prongs (30). The prongs (30) fit into corresponding orifices (40) in a second piece.

Description

A WOOD JOINT

The present invention relates to a wood joint, a method of joining timber or wood and a method of manufacturing such joints.

There are many types of joints used in joining pieces of wood or timber articles, from simple butt joints to complex mortise and tenon joints. Butt joints are formed by placing two flat edges usually at a right angle and gluing, nailing or screwing the pieces of wood together.

There is no structure formed in the wood itself which adds any strength to the joint. On the other hand, a mortise and tenon joint is a complex structure in which the tenon element formed in one piece of wood fits into the mortise formed in another piece of wood. However, a skilled woodworker is required in order to make mortise and tenon joints which are difficult and time consuming to make.

It is the object of the invention to alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art joint with a new joint which forms a strong jointing structure and is relatively easy to manufacture.

The present invention provides a joint for use in timber and wood construction comprising one element formed into a bifurcated end and a second element having orifices which accommodate the bifurcations.

Advantageously, two or more bifurcations are formed in a series thereby providing a plurality of prongs for insertion into the corresponding orifices.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, several embodiments of timber joints according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a joint formed from a plurality of formed ends; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the other side of the joint shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a basic joint according to the invention with one piece of wood having a bifurcated end engaged in a second piece of wood ; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a joint similar to that of Figure 3 except that the bifurcated end is concealed; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of joint in which the joint is formed at an angle; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment similar to Figure 5, in which the bifurcated end is concealed and a third piece of wood is joined by a second joint to the first piece of wood; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment similar to Figure 6 expect that the first piece of wood is jointed into blind holes; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment, similar to Figure 5 in which the first piece of wood is jointed into blind holes; Figures 9 and 10 are a side view and an end view respectively of the timber joint shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figures 11 and 12 are a side view and an end view respectively of the timber joint shown in Figure 3; Figures 13 and 14 are a side view and an end view respectively of the timber joint shown in Figure 4; Figures 15 and 16 are side views of the timber joints shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively; Figures 17 and 18 are side and end views respectively of the joint of Figure 5; Figures 19,20, 21 are side and two end views respectively of the joint of Figure 6; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the first and third elements of the joint of Figure 6; Figures 23a and 24a are cross-sectional side views and end views of portions of the first element shown in Figure 22.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1,2, 9 and 10, the first embodiment of joint 10 comprises a first piece of wood 20 one end of which is formed into a series of bifurcations or prongs 30 each of which is engageable into corresponding orifices 40 formed on the second piece of wood 50. The bifurcations 30 are formed by a multi-spindle drill (not shown) drilling

holes 60 into the end of the piece of wood 20. The prongs 30 are then formed by using a hole saw which forms the cylindrical shape of the prongs 30. The orifices 40 in the second piece of wood 50 are formed by drilling using the same drilling machine, or one which is set at the same centres are used to drill the holes 60.

The second embodiment 110 is shown in Figures 3,11 and 12 and is an example of the most basic joint according to the invention. The first piece of wood 120 has a pair of bifurcations 130 formed on the end of the piece of wood in the same manner as with the first embodiment.

The second embodiment 210 is shown in Figures 4,13 and 14 and has a first piece of wood 220 and a pair of bifurcations 230 which when engaged with the second piece of wood 250 are concealed from view.

The third embodiment 310 is shown in Figures 5, 15, 17 and 18 comprises a first piece of wood 320 engaged with a second piece of wood 350 at an angle by means ofbifucations 330. The fourth embodiment 410 is shown in Figures 6,16, 20 21,22, 23 and 24 and comprising a first piece of wood 420 one end of which is engaged with a second piece of wood 450 by means of concealed bifucations 430 and the other end of which is engaged with a third piece of wood 455 by means of bifurcations or prongs 435 engaged into blind holes 458.

Further variations of the application of the further embodiment 410 and the third-embodiment

310 are shown in Figures 7 and 8 respectively in which the first piece of wood 420 and 320 are engaged with nails 451 and 351.

It will be appreciated that many variations of joints can be made using these basic joints. The joints of the invention can be utilized in many types of timber and wooden articles, including ZD indoor and outdoor furniture items. It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention. MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON, Applicant's Agents, 47 Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.

Claims

CLAIMS : 1. A joint for use in a timber and wood construction comprising one element formed into a bifurcated end and a second element having orifices which accommodate the bifurcations.

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2. A joint for use in a timber and wood construction as claimed in Claim 1 in which two or more bifurcations are formed in a series thereby providing a plurality of prongs for insertion into the corresponding orifices.
3. A joint for use in a timber and wood construction as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the or each bifurcation are formed by a multi-spindle drill drilling holes into the end of the first element, forming the prongs by means of a hole saw and drilling corresponding orifices in the second element using the same multi-spindle drilling machine or one which is set at the same centres as the multi-spindle drilling machine.
4. A joint for use in a timber or wood construction comprising a first element, one end of which is engaged with a second element by means of concealed bifurcations or prongs engaged into blind holes.
5. A joint for use in a timber or wood construction substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON, Applicant's Agents, 47 Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.