AU4094393A - Mitre joint - Google Patents

Description

"MITRE JOINT"

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to building jointing systems and has been devised particularly though not solely for use in making joints in buildings having roundwood or simulated logs as at least the exterior surface cladding thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

New Zealand Patent No. 142048 discloses a method of joining intersecting timber walls of a building where such walls are solid and made up of edge jointed horizontal planks. Splayed slots are provided on the ends of the planks and a vertical jointing member having dovetail shaped fins resides in cavity defined by the facing plank ends with the fins engaged in the end slots to tie the planks of the intersecting walls together. That method of jointing, while appropriate to planks of substantially rectangular profile, is not suitable for timber members having round, half round or partially round profiles.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a jointing system and/or buildings incorporating such jointing systems which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the invention consists in a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building comprising in each facing end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal slots each being normal to a respective mitre face, the planes of said faces and slots all being vertical, and one or more jointing means which slideably engage within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

In a second aspect the invention consists in a jointing means for facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building, comprising: an elongate member which in use is of a length substantially equal to the height of said walls, said member having four orthogonal connecting means running lengthwise on the exterior thereof and elongate retaining members having complementary lengthwise connecting means which slideably couple to a connecting means on said elongate member and having two lengthwise splayed flanges which in use slideably engage within matching slots provided in the timber ends to be joined. In a third aspect the invention consists in a method of making a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining walls in a building comprising the steps of: preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member by mitre cutting a first side of the end of said timber member to be joined, cutting a first slot parallel to said mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said first side, mitre cutting a second and opposite side of said end, and cutting a second slot parallel to said second mitre cut to a depth such that the cut finishes short of said second side, so as to form in the finished end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal slots each parallel to one said mitre face; arranging two or more timber members ends to be joined in face-to-face relationship; and inserting vertically in the interstice therebetween a jointing means which engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

In a fourth aspect the invention consists in a method of preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member, said method comprising the steps of mitre cutting a first side of the end of said timber member to be joined, cutting a first slot parallel to said mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said first side, mitre cutting a second and opposite side of said end, and cutting a second slot parallel to said second mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said second side, so as to form in the finished end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal grooves each parallel to one said mitre face.

In a fifth aspect the invention consists in a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building comprising in each facing end a right angled rebate of a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member and a slot penetrating said thickness to a greater depth lying in the plane of the transverse face of said rebate, and a jointing means which slideably engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

In a sixth aspect the invention consists in a jointing member for facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building, comprising: an elongate member which in use is of a length substantially equal to the height of said walls, said member having a cruciform transverse cross-section with four right angled flanges at the extremities thereof which in use slideably engage within matching slots provided in the timber ends to be joined.

In a seventh aspect the invention consists in a method of making a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining walls in a building comprising the steps of: preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member by cutting a right angled rebate in the end of said timber member to be joined to a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member, with the transverse face of the rebate being cut over depth to provide a slot which lies in the plane of the transverse face of the rebate; arranging two or more timber members ends to be joined in face-to-face relationship; and inserting vertically in the interstice therebetween a jointing means which engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

In an eighth aspect the invention consists in a method of preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member, said method comprising the steps of cutting a right angled rebate in the end of said timber member to be joined to a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member, with the transverse face of the rebate being cut over depth to provide a slot which lies in the plane of said transverse face.

In further aspects the invention envisages a building construction of walls consisting of timber members jointed as defined above and also timber members with ends prepared for jointing as defined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the invention and modifications, thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a joint between four timber members having mitred ends and a jointing means according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sketch drawing showing the manner in which mitre faces and parallel slots are cut in the members illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of jointing means;

Figure 4 shows a further alternative jointing means; Figures 5 and 6 show yet a further alternative jointing means;

Figures 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the mitre joint according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a part sectional view of the edge joint between two adjoining planks suitable for use in the invention; Figures 10 and 11 show a further alternative jointing means used in the joining of four walls and in an external corner respectively;

Figure 12 shows yet a further alternative jointing means;

Figure 13 is an exploded isometric view of timber members prepared to make the second type of mitre joint; Figure 14 is a plan view of the joint shown h Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an exploded isometric view of a half lap joint using the second mitre joint;

Figures 16 and 17 show joints between different thickness timber members;

Figure 18 shows cross sections of different thickness timber members and their edgewise jointing;

Figure 19 is a perspective sketch of a wall intersection according to the present invention;

Figure 20 is a cross section of a laminated timber member with thermal insulation; Figure 21 shows a mitre joint of the second type between two walls each of which uses insulated timber members; Figures 22 and 23 show alternative positions of spacers in insulated timber members prepared according to the first type of mitre joint;

Figure 24 shows a mitre joint of the first type between three walls using an alternative form of jointing means which allows for joining walls which intersect at other than 90° ;

Figure 25 is an enlarged view of a portion of the jointing means used in the joint shown in Figure 24;

Figures 26 to 28 show variations of the jointing means shown in Figures 24 and 25 used in three different wall intersections; Figure 29 is a plan view of a timber member having an end configuration for a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 30 and 31 show isometric views of two timber members arranged in end-to-end relationship prior to insertion of a jointing means;

Figure 32 is a cross section of a jointing member for use with joints according to the second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 33 is an isometric view of the jointing member shown in Figure 33, and

Figures 34 to 47 show joints according to the second embodiment of the invention for different wall intersections and using alternative forms of jointing members.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention has been devised particularly though not solely for use in making joints between intersecting walls in solid-wall buildings made from horizontal stacked timber members. These members preferably have flat parallel upper and lower surfaces and at least rounded exterior faces (or planks arranged to simulate such members) to give the appearance, in the finished building of a log cabin.

A first embodiment of the invention will now be described. Figure 1 shows a joint between four timber members 1, 2, 3 and 4 each representing one horizontal member of a respective wall formed from a plurality of such members. The ends of each member are cut with two intersecting mitred faces such as faces 28 and 29 for example. The mitring method is indicated in Figure 2. The timber member 1 has a mitre cut adjacent to the side 9 made by a saw cut using a saw blade 5 and at a later stage a mitre adjacent the side 6 made by a saw blade 7 to produce a mitred face 8. The saw 5 is carried on a spindle 10 which also carries a second saw blade 11 spaced apart from blade 5 which makes a saw cut groove or slot 12 parallel to face 17. The slots 12 and 16 are provided for the purpose of receiving joint retaining members.

Since the end of the timber member 1 will normally be square cut as shown in chained lines in Figure 2, the cuts made will produce waste timber comprising the piece 21, the piece 22 and the piece 23. The pieces 21 and 22 will normally be shed by the mitre cuts made by saw blades 5 and 7 and the piece 23 will be shed after the saws 7 and 9 have made their cuts. If desired dado chipper blades 24 may be positioned between the saws 5 and 12 to remove the part 23.

As shown in Figure 1 the timber members 1, 2, 3 and 4 are assembled with adjacent mitred faces butted together and as a result a cavity 34 is formed. This is used to accommodate a jointing means which ties the timber members together. In Figure 1 this means takes the form of an interconnecting member 35 which extends for the height of the wall at the joint and in cross-section assumes the shape of a cruciform with the extremity of each web being provided with splayed flanges 37 to form retaining means which engage within the grooves or slots 12 and 16 to retain the timber members being joined in position.

For ease of assembly the retaining means preferably are provided in short lengths, say to span 3 or 4 timber members, and are engaged with interconnecting member 35 during construction as the walls are built up. Engagement may be achieved by providing the webs of member 35 with C-shaped flanges and providing the retaining means with a complementary protuberance which slides within the C flange in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. A square section extrusion 38 is shown in Figure 3 while a round section extrusion is shown in Figure 4. In both cases the interconnecting member is provided with C flanges 41 and the retaining means with a complementary protuberance 42. In Figure 5 the members 1, 2 and 4 are jointed using a hollow square section interconnecting member 61 having scrolled lengthwise edges 62 engaging splayed retaining means 63 provided with complementary scroll shaped. The interconnecting members 61 may be a hollow square or rectangular as shown in Figure 5 or alternatively may comprise a cruciform member 65 having the scrolls 62 on the ends thereof as shown in Figure 6. In all cases the members 50, 61 and 65 may be extruded from a metal such as aluminium alloy or a suitable plastics material. In the case of the scrolled construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 the retaining means 63 may be provided in short lengths while the members 61 and 65 are preferably of a length equal to the wall height.

A second form of mitre joint is shown in Figures 7 and 8. As opposed to the first form where the cuts made by blades 12 and 16 overlap to result in the removal of the wedge or v-shaped portion of timber at the intersection of the mitred faces and the formation of two splayed or dovetailed slots, the cuts do not overlap in the second form of joint. Instead each mitre face is provided with a slot 5 in the face per se. When timber members 1 and 2 so prepared are butted together their respective slots 51 match up to allow interconnection or linking by flat strips 70 of metal, wood or plastic inserted in the slots 51. In this form of joint rebates must be provided at the mitre tips to provide a joint cavity or interstice 54. A tie rod 53 may be placed in the space 54. Where a corner is provided as shown on the right hand side of Figure 7 the members 1 and 3 may be jointed to a corner moulding 60, the corner moulding 60 being also nailed in place as is seen more clearly in Figure 8. In Figure 7 the jointing members 70 are formed from a suitable hardwood, for example tawa. Where the jointing members are of long length strip material, they may be twisted to a long helix so that the timber members can be placed in position vertically some distance above the final position and will return to the correct disposition as the timber member is slid downwardly into position. A capping member 71 may be formed as shown with web members 72 integral with the capping member to fit in grooves 73 in two opposite mitred faces. Additionally a weather shedding surface member 74 may be provided on the external surface of the capping member.

In Figure 8 a through joint (among other joints) is shown connecting timber members 1 and 3. Mouldings 80 having angled edges 81 slide in grooves 82 in the mitred faces of timber members 1 and 3. A tie rod 53 is shown in cavity 54. Additionally a door jamb 85 is shown held in position by jointing members 86 in appropriate grooves transverse to the mitred faces 87. A second form of door jamb is also shown with the door jamb 90 held in position by jointing members 91.

A fragmented cross-section of suitable boards 95 is shown in Figure 9. In this case the plank has rounded faces to simulate the desired appearance and planks edgewise interlock one above the other using tongue and groove joints.

In Figures 10 and 11 there is shown a further modification in which a cruciform member 96 is provided with T-heads 97 engaging in appropriate grooves 98. In Figure 11 corner members 99 are provided having appropriate hooked edges 100 to be engaged by the edges of the T-members 97. In Figure 12 the T-heads 97 are shown with a separate C-shaped member 101 slid onto the T bar and dimensioned to tightly engage the grooves in the timber to be joined.

In Figure 13 there are shown timber members arranged in exploded view to make a joint for an interconnection between a through member 152 and two transverse members 120 and 122. An extension 153 to member 152 is provided which projects beyond the wall formed by members 120 and 122. Additionally in Figure 14 a sketch plan view of a joint made using the members shown in Figure 13 is shown.

A modification of the joint shown in Figures 13 and 14 is shown in Figure 15 in which timber members 160 are cut to provide in effect a half lap joint in which there is a cutout 161 which fits into a cutout 162. This is particularly useful for "log cabin" type construction which is described further below.

In Figure 16 the forming of joints between varying thicknesses of wall are shown and in which a 43mm wall 165 is shown jointed to a 62mm wall 166 and an 81mm wall 167. Figure 17 shows two 62mm walls 166 jointed. In Figure 18 the 43mm cross section 166, 62mm cross section 167 and 81mm cross section 168 timber members are shown.

As stated above the invention is particularly applicable to "log cabin" constructions in which the exterior surface of the timber members are logs or are round wood or are rounded to simulate logs. Thus in Figure 19 a series of logs or simulated logs 170 and 171 are shown in cruciform form formation with a jointing member 172. In Figure 19 the timber members are shown as if they extended completely through the joint, using for example the half lap joint system of Figure 15. The timber members could equally be vertically staggered so that for example, the members 171 could be at one level and the members 170 at a staggered or offset level.

The invention also envisages joints between insulated timber members Referring to Figure 20 an insulated plank of the type envisaged is shown comprising two boards 175 and 176 separated by thermal insulation 177. The insulation 177 could be slabs of foamed polystyrene glued in position or could comprise a polyurethane material expanded in situ. In order to maintain the spacing of the boards 1 and 2 one or more spacers 180 are provided. In Figure 21 a joint is shown between an intermediate timber member 181 and a through timber member 182 and the through timber member has a spacer 183 disposed at the position of the joint to add strength. At the left of Figure 21 a smaller intermediate member 185 which does not include insulation is shown. The reduction of the thickness of member 182 due to this joint is not sufficient to warrant an intermediate spacer.

Insulated planks with ends prepared to effect the first form of joint are shown in Figures 22 and 23. Because of the layer of insulation 192 it is necessary to provide wood infills 186 to allow for the formation of dovetail jointing slots.

Figure 24 shows a joint in which one member 202 is held at an angle of 135° for architectural or convenience requirements. The retaining means are similar to those shown in Figure 4 but as may be seen the retaining members 40 have longer stems and the jointing member 203 has a plurality of extruded arms 204 having internally facing grooves 206 and 207. Weather strip shown diagrammatically at 208 may be inserted in selected arms where it is required to limit air movement. The joint of Figure 24 preferably has filler mouldings 210 and 211 inserted as shown between the mitred faces. With angles other than 90" these are necessary as the mitre faces cannot abut.

Figures 26 to 28 show how joints using jointing members of the type shown in Figure 24 are made at a right angled corner, a right angled intersection between an interior wall and an external wall, and a 135 ° corner respectively. Capping members 212 close the external openings in the corner joints and weather-seal straight joint exterior. These may be formed by alummium extrusions. Ribbed members 213 which engage with the vertical jointing members 203 in the same manner as the joint retaining members 40 are used to secure capping members 212.

A second embodiment of the invention has timber members prepared as shown in Figures 29 to 31 where a notch or groove 103 is provided at the end of a saw cut 104 and the timber between the saw cut 104 and the timber end 105 is removed by a longitudinal saw cut along a face 106 to produce a right-angled rebate. In addition if necessary a notch 107 is cut out of the timber end 105.

A joint of this type utilises several different types of joint retaining members now to be described. Figures 32 and 23 show a cruciform member 110 with T-flanges 111 on each web. The webs have notches or cutouts 150 arranged preferably in staggered formation along the length of the cmciform member 110. In this way full length members can be provided and the timber members placed in position from a notch downwardly. Preferably the timber members are positioned so that a joint between two adjacent timber members lie in the centre of the notches 150 and although this is not strictly necessary, it does provide additional strength. An intersection of four walls is shown in Figure 34 where four timber members having ends prepared as shown in Figure 29, (without notch 107), are shown assembled with the jointing member 110 in position. A co er joint is shown in Figure 35 with two timber members 120 and 121 jointed l>y member 110. The exterior rebate so formed is filled with a pair of comer members 125. One of these is shown separately in

Figure 32. These comer members have hooked projections 126 to engage the flanges

111 of the jointing member. In Figure 37 a T-joint is formed by three timber members 123, 120 and 121. This joint is finished using a single comer member 125.

In Figure 38 a through joint is shown in which the jointing member interconnects- timber members 123 and 121 and the gaps so resulting between the timber members are filled with inserts.130. In Figure 39 a similar joint is shown to that of Figure 34 but including an electrical power cable 131 or other services member in position in a cavity provided for it by short cutting ends 105 of two timber members. In Figure 40 a through joint similar to that shown in Figure 38 is shown but the cruciform jointing member 112 instead of having T-flanges is provided with a single L-flange 135. In addition the external cavities so formed are filled with wooden members 132 which provide an extemal batten appearance. In Figure 41 the joining of four members 120 to 123 is shown using the jointing member as shown in Figure 40. In Figure 42 intermediately located transverse webs 136 replace the use of end flanges 135 in the joint member. In Figure 43 there is shown a comer using the jointing member having the cruciform section 110 and T-flanges 111 using solid filler pieces 139, as compared with the extrusions used in the joint shown in Figure 35. In Figure 44 the filler members comprise hook ended extrusions 137 and cavities 138 can be used for electrical or other services. In Figure 45 a joint comprising timber members 120, 121 and 123 is shown using the solid filler piece 139.

Figure 46 shows the use of a shaped filler member 140 to provide a cavity for an electrical or other service 131. In Figure 47 a wood frame member 141 to accommodate an aluminium window is shown jointed to a horizontal timber member 120. With this joint a further solid filler piece 142 is provided to finish the joint In the constructions of Figures 43 to 47 either 34 or 35mm timber members (ex

150 by 40mm) timber are used. In Figure 47 a cavity 143 can be provided.

It will be seen that by the foregoing a building construction is describes which enables timber members to be jointed together and yet to simulate a "log cabin" rustic construction but in which the timber members can be factory prepared and thus sent out as kit set members to enable the building to be quickly and easily erected but giving the appearance of a handcrafted "log cabin". Furthermore by adopting the arrangement shown in Figure 20 an insulated construction is provided in a simple yet effective manner.

The present invention at least in the preferred form has particular advantages where the building is designed to a modular system, the ends of timber members prepared according to any one of the forms of the invention described together can be precut to predetermined modular lengths, the modular lengths being either single lengths or multiple lengths of the module so that the timber members can be quickly, easily and accurately cut in the factory to provide the timber construction which can be assembled on site quickly, economically and easily.

Claims (12)

1. A joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make np two or more joining solid walls in a building comprising in each facing end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal slots each being normal to a respective mitre face, the planes of said faces and slots all being vertical, and one or more jointing means which slideably engage within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

2. A jointing means for facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building, comprising: an elongate member which in use is of a length substantially equal to the height of said walls, said member having four orthogonal connecting means running lengthwise on the exterior thereof and elongate retaining members having complementary lengthwise connecting means which slideably couple to a connecting means on said elongate member and having two lengthwise splayed flanges which in use slideably engage within matching slots provided in the timber ends to be joined.

3. A method of making a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining walls in a building comprising the steps of: preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member by mitre cutting a first side of the end of said timber member to be joined, cutting a first slot parallel to said mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said first side, mitre cutting a second and opposite side of said end, and cutting a second slot parallel to said second mitre cut to a depth such that the cut finishes short of said second side, so as to form in the finished end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal slots each parallel to one said mitre face; arranging two or more timber members ends to be joined in face-to-face relationship; and inserting vertically in the interstice therebetween a jointing means which engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

4. A method of preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member, said method comprising the steps of mitre cutting a first side of the end of said timber member to be joined, cutting a first slot parallel to said mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said first side, mitre cutting a second and opposite side of said end, and cutting a second slot parallel to said second mitre cut to a depth such that the slot finishes short of said second side, so as to form in the finished end two orthogonal mitre faces and two orthogonal grooves each parallel to one said mitre face.

5. A joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building comprising in each facing end a right angled rebate of a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member and a slot penetrating said thickness to a greater depth lying in the plane of the transverse face of said rebate, and a jointing means which slideably engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

6. A jointing member for facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining solid walls in a building, comprising: an elongate member which in use is of a length substantially equal to the height of said walls, said member having a cruciform transverse cross-section with four right angled flanges at the extremities thereof which in use slideably engage within matching slots provided in the timber ends to be joined.

7. A method of making a joint between facing ends of horizontal timber members which respectively make up two or more joining walls in a building comprising the steps of: preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member by cutting a right angled rebate in the end of said timber member to be joined to a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member, with the transverse face of the rebate being cut over depth to provide a slot which lies in the plane of the transverse face of the rebate, arranging two or more timber members ends to be joined in face-to-face relationship; and inserting vertically in the interstice therebetween a jointing means which engages within the slots of two or more facing timber ends to thereby tie said ends together.

8. A method of preparing a timber member to be joined to a like prepared timber member, said method comprising the steps of cutting a right angled rebate in the end of said timber member to be joined to a depth equal to substantially half the horizontal thickness of the timber member, with the transverse face of the rebate being cut over depth to provide a slot which lies in the plane of said transverse face.

9. A building constructed of walls consisting of timber members jointed as claimed in either of claims 1 or 3.

10. Lengths of timber having ends prepared for jointing according to the method defined in claim 4.

11. A building constructed of walls consisting of timber members jointed as claimed in either of claims 5 or 7.

12. Lengths of timber having ends prepared for jointing according to the method defined in claim 8.