AU754955B2 - A hollow non load bearing substantially cylindrical column - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A DIVISIONAL STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: Eric BERGERVOET As above CULLEN

CO.,

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street, Brisbane, QId. 4000, Australia.

A Hollow Non Load Bearing Substantially Cylindrical Column The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: A Hollow Non Load Bearing Substantially Cylindrical Column FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a decorative column which is formed from a plurality of longitudinal slats which are attached to each other. The column can be used to conceal unsightly or ugly building features such as concrete columns, utility services for instance pipes, ducts and the like.

However, the column can also be used by itself as a decorative column.

BACKGROUND ART It is well known to clad unsightly building features with a variety of cladding material. For instance, bricks and tiles have been used to hide unsightly building features. It is known to use extruded painted metal sections to cover unsightly items such as power cables, water pipes and the like.

It is known to use decorative columns to cover unsightly building features. However, to date, the manufacture of such columns has been 15 difficult making these decorative columns unsuitable for general use.

One known manufacturing method for wooden columns is to manufacture the column using a stacking system of annular wooden rings which are stacked on top of each other to form the column. The rings are glued together and, if necessary, the outer wall of the column is shaped.

Once formed, the column is cut into two longitudinal halves such that it can be fitted about an unsightly elongate member such as a concrete column, a steel post, a duct and the like. It is apparent that this manufacturing method is *-.quite laborious.

It is also known to clad unsightly building elements with flat 25 plates of decorative material which are press fitted to a backing member S" which is attached to the building elements. This does not form a circular aesthetically pleasing column.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a column which is manufactured from elongate members (for instance slats) which can be attached to each other adjacent longitudinal edges to provide a decorative column.

It is an object of the invention to provide a column which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a elongate tubular member, such as a column, which is formed from elongate members which are attached to each other to form the tubular member.

In a more particular form, the invention resides in a hollow nonload bearing decorative substantially cylindrical column, formed from elongate members which are attached to each other to form the column, the elongate members having a cross-sectional area which is tapered from a wider outer face to a narrower inter face, and having side edges which are joined to the side edges of adjacent members, the side edges being planar, the column not containing any outer covering member such as a layer of veneer.

The elongate members may comprise slats which have a slat width which is 15 at least twice the thickness of that slat.

o It is preferred that the elongate members are attached to each other adjacent longitudinal edges. However, other types of attachment means are also envisaged.

The elongate members may be substantially rectangular The 20 elongate members may be of varying length depending on the required length of the formed column. A typical length may be between 2-5m, although this can vary. The elongate members may be of varying width. The width will depend in part on the diameter or cross section size of the column. A typical width may be between 30-200mm, although this can vary. The elongate 25 members may be of varying thickness. The thickness will depend in part of *•*the size of the column and the choice of material. A typical thickness may be between 10-50 mm, although this can vary.

The elongate members typically have opposed longitudinal edges. The edges may be parallel with respect to each other or may slightly taper such that the column increases or decreases in diameter or cross section size along the length of the column.

The elongate members may be formed of wood, wood 4 composites, particleboard, as these can provide a decorative finish. However, it is envisaged that certain other materials can also be used to provide a decorative column. These materials may include profiled plastic slats, extruded or roll formed metals imitation wood grain, veneer, laminates and the like. The elongate members may be formed from a laminate of thinner elongate members, or may comprise a single solid piece of material.

The elongate members may have a decorative or profiled finish especially on the outer surface which is visible. The profiled finish may include fluting, grooves, and other types of finishes. The outer surface may be curved or flat.

The opposed longitudinal edges of the elongate members may be tapered or angled such that when adjacent longitudinal edges are abutted together, a curved arrangement results.

It is preferred that the width of the slats and the number of slats 15 which form part of the column are such that the column has a substantially o cylindrical appearance. This can be achieved by having a relatively large number of narrow width slats. If desired, the slats may have a curved outer wall. However, if a relatively large number of narrow width slats are used, a substantially cylindrical column can be obtained without requiring any 20 machining or curving of the outer wall of each slats.

In order to provide a substantially cylindrical or circular hollow column using slats which have a non curved outer face, a ratio of column diameter to slat width of between 6-12 times is preferred. For instance, a column having an outer diameter of 540mm can be formed from 26 slats, 25 each slat having a width of between 60-70mm.

Suitably, the slats are dimensioned such that the slat width is approximately twice that of the thickness of the slat. For instance, a slat having a width of approximately 40 mm, will preferably have a thickness of approximately 19 mm. This provides a column which is lightweight, has an aesthetic appeal, and is suitable for the purpose.

A formed column may be temporarily held together by one or more external band members, for instance until the adhesive has set. The band members may extend adjacent ends of the formed column, or at any position along the column. The band members may comprise tape, bands, elasticized material, other types of line members and the like.

In another form, the invention resides in an apparatus to manufacture a hollow column formed from a number of elongate members which are attached to each other to form the column, the apparatus comprising a first cradle member having an inner surface which is shaped to conform with at least part of the outer surface of the formed column, and a second cradle member having an inner surface which is shaped to conform with at least part of another part of the outer surface of the formed column, one said cradle member being moveable relative to the other said cradle member from a first position where both cradle members can be lined with elongate members, to a second position where one said cradle member overlies the other said cradle member.

15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS o An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. Illustrates a hollow column formed from a plurality of elongate slats.

20 Figure 2. Illustrates a plan view of the column of Figure 1.

Figure 3. Illustrates a side view of the column of figure 1 Figure 4. Illustrates an elongate member having a curved outer face.

o "Figure 5. Illustrates an elongate member having a flat outer face.

Figure 6. Illustrates a laminated elongate member having a curved outer 25 face.

Figure 7. Illustrates a section view of an elongate member according to an embodiment of the invention and illustrating a desired width to thickness ratio of approximately 2: 1.

Figure 8. Illustrates a perspective view of the elongate member of figure 8.

Figure 9. Illustrates a formed column held together temporarily by a pair of external bands until the adhesive has set.

Figure 10. Illustrates an apparatus for manufacturing a hollow column formed from a plurality of slats which are glued together.

BEST MODE Referring to figures 1-3 there is illustrated a wooden column Column 10 is manufactured from a plurality of elongate substantially rectangular wooden slats 11. In the embodiment, the column has a diameter of 340mm and a length of 3m. This can of course vary depending on the particular requirements. The column is relatively light weight, and a 3m column can be easily carried and fixed in place by two men.

In the embodiment, 27 slats are used to manufacture a column of a desired diameter. Each slat is substantially identical to each other slat which reduces manufacturing cost. Each slat 11 has a substantially flat outer face and inner face, although the outer face may be profiled with flutes, grooves, a decorative grain finish and the like to provide an aesthetically pleasing outer surface to the column. In order to provide a substantially 15 smoothly curved column using slats which have a substantially planar outer face, it is preferred that a relatively large number of slats are used. A formula S.can be used to calculate the number of required slats. The formula is that the diameter of the column is between 8-9 times the width of a slat. Thus, a column having a diameter of 340mm can be made from slats having a width 20 of about "Each slat 11 has opposed longitudinal edges 12, 13 which are tapered in such a manner that the outer face 14 of each slat is slightly wider 0, than the inner face 15 of each slat The slats are aligned longitudinal edge to longitudinal edge and are glued together along the longitudinal edges to form 25 the column By having the edges tapered, a good abutment and therefore a good gluing surface can be obtained between the slats.

A column can be formed as two longitudinal halves, such that the column can be fitted about a post and the like. The column halves can then be glued together along the slat longitudinal edge to form an invisible join.

Of course, the column does not need to extend about a post and can be simply freestanding to function as a purely decorative column.

Figures 4-6 illustrate various slats designs. In figure 4 slat has an outer face 21 which is partially curved, with the angle of the curved being such that when the slats are attached to form the column, the column has a substantially cylindrical outer surface. The curved angle 21 will depend upon the number of slats used to form the column. With a greater number of slats, the angle will be smaller.

Figure 5 illustrates an elongate slat 22 which has a flat top face 23. This type of slat can be manufactured more quickly and easily. It is found that if a fairly large number of slats are used to form the column (see figure 2), the column will have a substantially cylindrical appearance notwithstanding that each slat has a flat outer face.

Figure 6 illustrates a slat 24 which is formed from a laminate of two pieces of wood which comprises an inner piece 25 which may be similar to the slat described in figure 5 in that it has a flat top surface 26, and an outer piece 27 which has a curved top wall 28.

Figures 7-8 illustrates a particularly desirable width to thickness ratio. It is found that quality columns can be made if the width of each slat W is approximately twice the thickness T of that slat. This is illustrated in figure 7 and figure 8. For instance, a slat having a width of approximately 40 mm 20 will have a thickness of approximately 19 mm. The length L of the slat has no bearing on the width or thickness of the slat.

Figure 9 illustrates a column according to an embodiment of the invention. Column 30 is formed from 24 elongate slats. Each slat can be approximately 2.4 m long, although this can vary. Each slat has a width of 0. 25 approximately 40 mm and a thickness of approximately 19 mm. Column 30 is being temporarily held together by a pair of band members 31, 32 which may be elasticized and which are placed around the column until the glue has set.

Once the glue has set, the band members can be removed.

Figure 10 illustrates an apparatus which can be used to manufacture the column is described above. Apparatus 14 comprises a pair of cradle members 41, 42. The apparatus is not very wide and can have a width of between 50-200 mm and functions to support part of the slats which are to form the column. Therefore, it is typical to have a pair of these apparatus which are spaced apart to support the slats in a substantially horizontal manner. Of course, if the column is extremely long, it may be necessary to have three or more spaced apart apparatus to prevent the slats from sagging. Alternatively, if the column is quite short (for instance 50 cm to form a pedestal) a single apparatus may be sufficient. This will allow columns to be manufactured with various lengths. Each cradle has a semicircular internal surface 43, 44 the internal surface 43, 44 provides a guide against which elongate slats can be laid. In figure 10, internal surface 44 is illustrated as being partially lined with six elongate slats 45. Each internal surface 43, 44 is lined with the slats. The slats can be temporarily held in place by a semicircular band and the like which may extend between the slats 45 and internal surface 44. The longitudinal edges of the slats are then glued together in each cradle member. When the glue is dry, cradle member 41 can be pivoted about hinge 46 to overlie cradle member 42. Just prior to this pivoting action, the outermost surfaces of the slats are coated with a glue such that when the two cradle members overlie each other, the two halves of the column join together to form the completed column. The cradle members can then be separated, the column can be removed from one of the cradle 20 members, and the temporary band members 31, 32 can be placed around the column until the glue has properly set.

The cradle as illustrated has an internal surface which is semicircular which allows a circular column to be manufactured. If different configurations are required, the shape or curvature of the internal surface can S 25 be changed to suit. Alternatively, it is envisaged that an insert can be .:provided the insert having the required shape to form the column having the required shape. Various different inserts can be made and used when required.

Each cradle member is supported above the ground surface at a comfortable height by a stand arrangement 47 which comprises a horizontal foot member 48 and an upright post or wall member 49. Cradle member 41 has a handle 50 to allow it to be pivoted over the top of cradle member 42. Of course, cradle member 42 may be pivoted over the top of cradle member 41.

The column according to the invention can be manufactured relatively inexpensively and with little wastage of wood or other materials Columns of various lengths can be manufactured fairly quickly and easily making this type of column favoured by architects. Columns of various diameters can also be manufactured fairly quickly. The columns can be assembled on-site which is something which is not been previously possible with known columns.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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Claims (16)

1. A hollow non-load bearing decorative substantially cylindrical column, formed from elongate members which are attached to each other to form the column, the elongate members having a cross-sectional area which is tapered from a wider outer face to a narrower inter face, and having side edges which are joined to the side edges of adjacent members, the side edges being planar, the column not containing any outer covering member such as a layer of veneer.

2. The column of claim 1, wherein the elongate members are slats which have a slat width which is at least twice the thickness of that slat.

3. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slats have a curved outer face.

4. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slats have a flat outer face. 15

5. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slats are formed from a laminated or veneer material.

6. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the .°:column is formed in two halves which are attached together to form the column. 20

7. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column extends about an existing structure to hide the structure.

8. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column has a diameter of about 240 mm, and is manufactured from 19 slats, each slat having a width of about 40 mm, and a thickness of about 19 mm. 25

9. The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the column has a length of between 0.5-6 m.

The column of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slats are attached to each other using a glue.

11. The column of claim 10, wherein the column is temporarily provided with at least one external band member until the glue has set.

12. A method of manufacturing a column as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of providing a pair of 11 cradle members, each cradle member having a curved inner surface, laying a plurality of slats along the curved inner surface to form part of the column, connecting the slats together in each cradle member, overlying one cradle member with the other cradle member to form the completed column, moving the cradle members apart, and removing the formed column from the cradle member.

13. An apparatus for the manufacture of a hollow column containing a plurality of elongate slats as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising a first cradle member having an inner surface which is shaped to conform with at least part of the outer surface of the formed column, and a second cradle member having an inner surface which is shaped to conform with at least part of another part of the outer surface of the formed column, one said cradle member being moveable relative to the other said cradle member from a first position where both cradle members can be 15 lined with elongate members, to a second position where one said cradle member overlies the other said cradle member.

14. A column substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A method for the manufacture of a column substantially as 20 hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. An apparatus for the manufacture of a column substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 24 th day of July 2001 Eric BERGERVOET By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.