EP0096121B1 - Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material - Google Patents
Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0096121B1 EP0096121B1 EP82302882A EP82302882A EP0096121B1 EP 0096121 B1 EP0096121 B1 EP 0096121B1 EP 82302882 A EP82302882 A EP 82302882A EP 82302882 A EP82302882 A EP 82302882A EP 0096121 B1 EP0096121 B1 EP 0096121B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- elongate
- panels
- structural member
- flakes
- wood
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/02—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces
- E04C3/29—Joists; Girders, trusses, or trusslike structures, e.g. prefabricated; Lintels; Transoms; Braces built-up from parts of different material, i.e. composite structures
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/30—Columns; Pillars; Struts
- E04C3/36—Columns; Pillars; Struts of materials not covered by groups E04C3/32 or E04C3/34; of a combination of two or more materials
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
- E04H12/04—Structures made of specified materials of wood
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an elongate structural member comprising a plurality of elongate, planar panels having faces forming the longitudinal edges of each panel which are inclined to each other, the longitudinal edges of adjacent panels being adhesively bonded together in abutting relationship to define an elongate central cavity.
- elongate structural members may be used as utility poles, pilings, cross-ties and cross-arms.
- Such an elongate structural member is disclosed in WO-A-8 002 709.
- the panels are solid wooden or laminated stave elements which have their longitudinal edges held together by adhesive and a tongue and groove connection.
- the present invention is characterised in that the panels are formed of elongate wood.flakes each having a longitudinal axis, the grain direction of said wood flakes being aligned substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of the wood flakes, and wherein a substantial majority of said wood flakes are longitudinally aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongate structural member, the flakes being intermixed with a suitable binder and compressed to form a densified product, and in that said elongate panels have a uniformly tapered thickness, the thickness of each of said elongate panels being greater at one end of said member than the thickness of said panels at the opposite end of said member.
- the invention is alternatively characterised in that the panels are formed of elongate wood flakes each having a longitudinal axis, the grain direction of said wood flakes being aligned substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of the wood flakes, and wherein a substantial majority of said wood flakes are longitudinally aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongate structural member, the flakes being intermixed with a suitable binder and compressed to form a densified product, and in that the member is formed longitudinally of sections which are secured together in a telescopic relationship.
- One of the advantages of the invention is that it provides a source of wood poles or other elongate structural members independent of a supply of high strength solid wood.
- Another of the advantages of the invention is that it can provide a suitable product at less cost.
- a 40-foot (12.2 metres) utility pole produced in accordance of the invention may cost 30% less than a similar solid wood pole, and that the cost differentiation increases with the length of the pole required such that an eighty foot (24.4 metres) composite wood utility pole may cost 55% less than a similar solid wood pole.
- a further advantage of the invention is that it permits use of wood species which are otherwise of little commercial value. Although solid wood of different species exhibits vastly different strength properties, it has been found that the composite wood material products of the invention and made from lower strength wood species are not necessarily weaker than those produced from stronger wood species. Accordingly, wood species which would normally have little structural importance can be used advantageously.
- FIG. 1 is an elongate structural member 10 comprised of composite wood material and defining an elongate hollow tapered pole of the type used as a utility pole, piling, or in another similar application.
- the elongate structural member 10 is constructed of a plurality of elongate component panels 14, the panels 14 being comprised of composite wood material.
- the panels 14 are illustrated as each being comprised of a plurality of planar layers 18 of composite wood material laminated together, the layers 18 being secured together by an interface adhesive.
- the panels 14 so formed are mitered or otherwise cut to shape and combined to form a composite wood pole.
- the respective elongate lateral edges 20 of the panels 14 are joined together by an interface adhesive to thereby join the panels 14 in an octagonal shape as illustrated in Figure 4.
- the construction of the composite wood pole 10 is further shown in Figure 5, wherein the panels 14 are shown as being comprised of a plurality of planar composite wood material layers 18 of successively increasing lengths such that the thickness of each of the panels 14 tapers from the base portion of the pole 10 toward the upper end of the pole, the portions of the elongate panels 14 at the base portion of the illustrated pole 10 having a thickness of six layers 18 of composite material and the upper portions of the panels 14 being comprised of a single layer 18 of composite wood material.
- the layers 18 of the panels 14 are comprised of composite wood material formed from wood flakes 22 ( Figure 6) intermixed with a suitable binder material and compressed in a suitable press.
- the compressed product is formed by constructing a loosely felted mat of wood flakes having been mixed with a binder material and may be constructed using the operating conditions used in the manufacture of conventional particle board. More particularly, the mat is formed by disposing the wood flakes 22 such that the planes of the flakes 22 are generally parallel to the plane of the mat and with substantially all of the flakes being aligned as illustrated in Figure 6 such that the longitudinal axes of the flakes are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structural component to be formed.
- the wood flakes 22 are to be aligned so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate panel 14 of the layer 18 being formed.
- the flakes 22 each have a grain direction extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flakes. Alignment of the flakes thus results in alignment of the wood grain of the flakes with the longitudinal axis of the structural member or pole 10 in a manner similar to a solid wood pole.
- the pole 10 may have a more uniform grain direction than that of a solid wood pole, since such wood has innate grain inconsistencies such as knots and the like.
- Wood flakes 22 of the type forming the layers 18 are conveniently formed using a conventional ring flaker or a round wood flaker to commutate small logs, branches, or rough pulp wood and form suitably shaped flakes 22.
- the wood flakes 22 have a length of from 0.5 to 3.5 inches (1.27 to 8.89 cms), a width of 0.1 to 0.5 inches (0.25 to 1.27 cms), and a thickness of 0.01 to 0.5 inches (0.025 to 0.127 cms). Additionally it is preferred that the ratio of the average length of the flakes to the average width of the flakes be from about 4:1 to about 10: 1.
- An example of a convenient flake geometry is the use of flakes having a length of approximately 1.6 inches (4.06 cms), a thickness of approximately 0.02 inches (0.05 cms) and a width of 0.2 to 0.5 inches (0.5 to 1.27 cms).
- a convenient binder for use in the manufacture of the panels 14 can comprise phenol-formaldehyde or an isocyanate adhesive. It has been found that an 8% resin solids composition of such binder, based on oven-dry flake weight gives satisfactory strength properties to the resultant elongate structure. To maximize coverage of the flakes, the binder may be applied by spraying droplets of the binder in liquid form on to the flakes.
- the wood flakes may also be treated or mixed with a suitable biocide.
- suitable biocides include pentachlorophenol, creosote, chromated copper arsenate and ammoniacal copper arsenate.
- the elongate pole 10 is shown as having an octagonal cross-sectional configuration, it should be understood that the pole could alternatively have a circular cross-sectional configuration as illustrated in Figure 9 or a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration as shown in Figure 10.
- a circular configuration could be produced by constructing the pole from a plurality of elongate panels 30, each of the panels 30 being formed to have an arcuate cross-sectional configuration. The panels 30 could then be arranged such that their edges could be adhesively joined to adjacent edges of adjacent similar panels 30, the panels thus forming an elongate central cavity.
- the respective panels 14 of the elongate pole 10 are conveniently fixedly joined together by any high strength adhesive such as resorcinol, an isocyanate adhesive, or other adhesives suitable for bonding wood products, it is contemplated that the panels 14 could also be joined together by splines 32 as illustrated in Figure 11 or by a combination of splines 32 and an adhesive.
- any high strength adhesive such as resorcinol, an isocyanate adhesive, or other adhesives suitable for bonding wood products
- FIG 7 illustrates an embodiment of an elongate structural member 34 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- the elongate structure member or pole 34 is shown therein is constructed in the same manner as the elongate structural member 10 shown in Figures 1 and 4-5 except that the elongate panels 36 of the pole 34 are monolithic one-piece composite wood panels rather than laminated panels 14 and that their thickness is uniformly tapered.
- the elongate panels 36 forming the elongate pole 34 are similar to panels 14 in that they are comprised of composite wood material formed of elongate wood flakes 22 defining parallel planes and having longitudinal axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the panels 36.
- the elongate pole 34 further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart rigid planar octagonal diaphragms 38 housed in the elongate central cavity 39 of the pole 34 and intended to increase the strength of the pole.
- the octagonal diaphragms 38 could be comprised of a plurality of materials, in a preferred form of the invention, the octagonal diaphragms 38 are comprised of composite wood material such as that comprising the panels 36.
- the elongate structural member 40 shown therein comprises a hollow elongate cross arm of the type commonly employed with utility poles and used to support telephone lines or power lines. More particularly, the cross beam 40 is comprised of four planar elongate panels 42 each comprised of composite wood material produced in the manner described above. The elongate panels 42 are arranged in the manner shown in cross section in Figure 3 and are fixedly joined together by a suitable interface adhesive 44 of the type previously described. It should be understood that the panels 42 could also be secured together by other suitable joining means.
- the elongate panels 42 of the structural member 40 are comprised of elongate wood flakes aligned such that substantially all of the flakes are positioned with their longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate panels and with the ftakes oriented so as to define planes substantially parallel to the plane of the elongate panel defined by the flakes.
- FIG 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an elongate structural member according to the invention, the elongate structural member 50 shown therein being comprised of a plurality of longitudinal section 52, 54 and 56 mutually arranged in telescoping relationship.
- Each of the telescoping sections 52, 54 and 56 is comprised of a plurality of elongate panels 58, the panels 58 being fixedly joined together in such a manner as to form an elongate central cavity.
- the panels 58 are also comprised of elongate wood flakes aligned such that substantially all of the flakes of the panels are positioned with their longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate panels and the longitudinal axis of the elongate structural member 50.
- Figure 13 illustrates a further elongate structural member, similar to that of Figure 5 but which includes means for providing structural reinforcement for the panels 14 forming the pole and for further bonding the panels 14 together.
- This means comprises a foam material 24 poured or injected into the central elongate cavity 26 formed by the panels, the foam material 24 filling at least a portion of the elongate cavity 26.
- the foam material 24 can conveniently comprise a foam-in-place rigid polyurethane foam which can be poured into the elongate central cavity 26 as a pourable liquid and which will then foam so as to form a rigid core filling the pole.
- the rigidity of the polyurethane foam core provides structural support for the elongate structure formed by the panels 14, and the polyurethane foam will also form an adhesive bond with the inner planar surfaces 28 of the panels 14 and will thus act as an additional means for bonding the panels 14 together and for preventing them from separating.
- An example of a suitable polyurethane foam is BAYTHERM 851 (registered Trade Mark) produced by Mobay Chemical Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- the polyurethane foam is made by mixing two liquid components, whereupon the liquid material foams and cures at room temperature to form a rigid foam 24.
- the density of the resultant rigid polyurethane foam can be varied in a conventional manner by varying the quantities of the two components combined, it has been found that a suitable density is 2 Ibs/ft 3 (32 kg/m 3 ).
- the rigidity of the foam and the reinforcing strength of the foam can be increased by increasing the density of the foam used.
- a pole having increased strength may be produced by employing foam having a density of 5 Ibs/ft 3 (80 kg/m 3 ), but the expense of the pole increases due to the increase in the amount of foam material used.
- polyurethane foam material in the elongate cavity 26 has a closed cell structure and thereby does not readily absorb moisture and provides an effective barrier to movement of moisture in the pole interior.
- the foam material 24 has been described as comprising polyurethane, in other embodiments, the foam material could comprise other suitable foam-in-place materials. It is preferred, however, that the material have the properties of inhibiting the movement of moisture into the pole, and that it so form a bond with the panels to thereby provide structural rigidity or reinforcement to the pole. It is also preferred that the foam material be a rigid foam rather than a flexible foam so that the rigid foam provides structural support for the pole. In a preferred form of the invention it is also desirable that the foam material selected have the property of curing at room temperature. Though other foam materials can be used, manufacturing costs can be reduced if heating of the foam material to effect curing can be avoided. In other alternative forms, filler materials such as wood chips, saw dust, wood strands or the like could also be mixed into the liquid material poured into the cavity 26 to form the rigid foam.
- filler materials such as wood chips, saw dust, wood strands or the like could also be mixed into the liquid material poured into the cavity 26 to form the rigid foam.
- foam material 24 in the lower end of the pole 10 will be particularly effective for inhibiting movement of moisture into the pole.
- the foam material 24 in the upper end of the pole 10 provides reinforcement of that end of the pole which is intended to support utility pole cross-arms or the like.
- means can also be provided for filling at least a portion of the elongate central cavity 46 of the cross-arm, the means for filling also functioning to provide structure reinforcement or support for the elongate panels 42 forming the cross-arm and to provide means for further bonding the panels 42 together.
- the means for filling includes a rigid foam material 48 which can be poured or injected into the central elongate cavity 46 defined by the elongate panels. It is preferred that the foam material 48 have the property of forming an adhesive bond with the internal surfaces 50 of the panels as previously described so that the internal foam material 48 will bond the panels together. As previously described, one preferred foam material having this property and also providing structural rigidity is a rigid polyurethane foam.
- the rigid foam material is placed in the cross-arm by positioning the cross-arm vertically, whereupon the polyurethane foam can be poured in its liquid state into the cross-arm. This material will then foam-in-place to fill the elongate central cavity of the cross-arm and will cure to form a rigid core for the cross-arm.
- the polyurethane could also be injected into the cavity 46 using a conventional foam injection nozzle arrangement.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an elongate structural member comprising a plurality of elongate, planar panels having faces forming the longitudinal edges of each panel which are inclined to each other, the longitudinal edges of adjacent panels being adhesively bonded together in abutting relationship to define an elongate central cavity. Such elongate structural members may be used as utility poles, pilings, cross-ties and cross-arms.
- Such an elongate structural member is disclosed in WO-A-8 002 709. In that member the panels are solid wooden or laminated stave elements which have their longitudinal edges held together by adhesive and a tongue and groove connection.
- Various proposals including US-A-3 956 555 have been made for the production of structural members from comminuted wood materials. Such structural members can possess strength properties as good as or better than similar structures comprised of high-grade solid wood and can be manufactured at a cost making them competitive with such solid wood structures.
- The present invention is characterised in that the panels are formed of elongate wood.flakes each having a longitudinal axis, the grain direction of said wood flakes being aligned substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of the wood flakes, and wherein a substantial majority of said wood flakes are longitudinally aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongate structural member, the flakes being intermixed with a suitable binder and compressed to form a densified product, and in that said elongate panels have a uniformly tapered thickness, the thickness of each of said elongate panels being greater at one end of said member than the thickness of said panels at the opposite end of said member.
- The invention is alternatively characterised in that the panels are formed of elongate wood flakes each having a longitudinal axis, the grain direction of said wood flakes being aligned substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis of the wood flakes, and wherein a substantial majority of said wood flakes are longitudinally aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongate structural member, the flakes being intermixed with a suitable binder and compressed to form a densified product, and in that the member is formed longitudinally of sections which are secured together in a telescopic relationship.
- One of the advantages of the invention is that it provides a source of wood poles or other elongate structural members independent of a supply of high strength solid wood.
- Another of the advantages of the invention is that it can provide a suitable product at less cost. For example, it is estimated that a 40-foot (12.2 metres) utility pole produced in accordance of the invention may cost 30% less than a similar solid wood pole, and that the cost differentiation increases with the length of the pole required such that an eighty foot (24.4 metres) composite wood utility pole may cost 55% less than a similar solid wood pole.
- A further advantage of the invention is that it permits use of wood species which are otherwise of little commercial value. Although solid wood of different species exhibits vastly different strength properties, it has been found that the composite wood material products of the invention and made from lower strength wood species are not necessarily weaker than those produced from stronger wood species. Accordingly, wood species which would normally have little structural importance can be used advantageously.
- Elongate structural members disclosed in our EP-A-0 062 139,a document comprised in the state of the air according to Article 54(3) of The EPC, will now be described together with the new embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is an elevation view of an elongate structural member as shown in EP-A-0 062 139;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of another elongate structural member as shown in EP-A-0 062 139;
- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of an end of the elongate structural member shown in Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a cross section view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 1;
- Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross section through an elongate structural member as shown in Figure 1 and comprised of laminated sections;
- Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a cross-section of the laminated composite wood material comprising the elongate structure member of Figure 1;
- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but shows an elongate structural member in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating composite wood material comprising the elongate structural member of Figure 7;
- Figures 9-11 are cross sectional views of elongate structural members as in Figure 4 but illustrating alternative constructions suitable for use in the present invention;
- Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing another alternative embodiment of an elongate structural member according to the invention, and
- Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing another elongate structural member as shown in EP-A-0 062 139.
- The example illustrated in Figure 1 is an elongate
structural member 10 comprised of composite wood material and defining an elongate hollow tapered pole of the type used as a utility pole, piling, or in another similar application. - The elongate
structural member 10 is constructed of a plurality ofelongate component panels 14, thepanels 14 being comprised of composite wood material. In the specific construction shown in Figures 4-6, thepanels 14 are illustrated as each being comprised of a plurality ofplanar layers 18 of composite wood material laminated together, thelayers 18 being secured together by an interface adhesive. Thepanels 14 so formed are mitered or otherwise cut to shape and combined to form a composite wood pole. In the illustrated construction, the respective elongatelateral edges 20 of thepanels 14 are joined together by an interface adhesive to thereby join thepanels 14 in an octagonal shape as illustrated in Figure 4. - The construction of the
composite wood pole 10 is further shown in Figure 5, wherein thepanels 14 are shown as being comprised of a plurality of planar compositewood material layers 18 of successively increasing lengths such that the thickness of each of thepanels 14 tapers from the base portion of thepole 10 toward the upper end of the pole, the portions of theelongate panels 14 at the base portion of the illustratedpole 10 having a thickness of sixlayers 18 of composite material and the upper portions of thepanels 14 being comprised of asingle layer 18 of composite wood material. - Referring more specifically to the material composition of the
layers 18 of thepanels 14, they are comprised of composite wood material formed from wood flakes 22 (Figure 6) intermixed with a suitable binder material and compressed in a suitable press. In particular, the compressed product is formed by constructing a loosely felted mat of wood flakes having been mixed with a binder material and may be constructed using the operating conditions used in the manufacture of conventional particle board. More particularly, the mat is formed by disposing thewood flakes 22 such that the planes of theflakes 22 are generally parallel to the plane of the mat and with substantially all of the flakes being aligned as illustrated in Figure 6 such that the longitudinal axes of the flakes are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structural component to be formed. - In a preferred form at least 90% of the
wood flakes 22 are to be aligned so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of theelongate panel 14 of thelayer 18 being formed. Theflakes 22 each have a grain direction extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flakes. Alignment of the flakes thus results in alignment of the wood grain of the flakes with the longitudinal axis of the structural member orpole 10 in a manner similar to a solid wood pole. In fact, thepole 10 may have a more uniform grain direction than that of a solid wood pole, since such wood has innate grain inconsistencies such as knots and the like. -
Wood flakes 22 of the type forming thelayers 18 are conveniently formed using a conventional ring flaker or a round wood flaker to commutate small logs, branches, or rough pulp wood and form suitably shapedflakes 22. - In the production of the
elongated panels 14, it is preferred that thewood flakes 22 have a length of from 0.5 to 3.5 inches (1.27 to 8.89 cms), a width of 0.1 to 0.5 inches (0.25 to 1.27 cms), and a thickness of 0.01 to 0.5 inches (0.025 to 0.127 cms). Additionally it is preferred that the ratio of the average length of the flakes to the average width of the flakes be from about 4:1 to about 10: 1. An example of a convenient flake geometry is the use of flakes having a length of approximately 1.6 inches (4.06 cms), a thickness of approximately 0.02 inches (0.05 cms) and a width of 0.2 to 0.5 inches (0.5 to 1.27 cms). - A convenient binder for use in the manufacture of the
panels 14 can comprise phenol-formaldehyde or an isocyanate adhesive. It has been found that an 8% resin solids composition of such binder, based on oven-dry flake weight gives satisfactory strength properties to the resultant elongate structure. To maximize coverage of the flakes, the binder may be applied by spraying droplets of the binder in liquid form on to the flakes. - To preserve the elongate structural members from decay due to decay fungi and insects it is also desirable to further include a suitable fungicide in the composite wood mat. Accordingly, the wood flakes may also be treated or mixed with a suitable biocide. Such suitable biocides include pentachlorophenol, creosote, chromated copper arsenate and ammoniacal copper arsenate.
- While the
elongate pole 10 is shown as having an octagonal cross-sectional configuration, it should be understood that the pole could alternatively have a circular cross-sectional configuration as illustrated in Figure 9 or a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration as shown in Figure 10. A circular configuration could be produced by constructing the pole from a plurality of elongate panels 30, each of the panels 30 being formed to have an arcuate cross-sectional configuration. The panels 30 could then be arranged such that their edges could be adhesively joined to adjacent edges of adjacent similar panels 30, the panels thus forming an elongate central cavity. - While the
respective panels 14 of theelongate pole 10 are conveniently fixedly joined together by any high strength adhesive such as resorcinol, an isocyanate adhesive, or other adhesives suitable for bonding wood products, it is contemplated that thepanels 14 could also be joined together bysplines 32 as illustrated in Figure 11 or by a combination ofsplines 32 and an adhesive. - The above-described features are already disclosed in EP-A-0 062 139.
- Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of an elongate
structural member 34 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The elongate structure member orpole 34 is shown therein is constructed in the same manner as the elongatestructural member 10 shown in Figures 1 and 4-5 except that theelongate panels 36 of thepole 34 are monolithic one-piece composite wood panels rather than laminatedpanels 14 and that their thickness is uniformly tapered. As illustrated in Figure 8, theelongate panels 36 forming theelongate pole 34 are similar topanels 14 in that they are comprised of composite wood material formed ofelongate wood flakes 22 defining parallel planes and having longitudinal axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of thepanels 36. Theelongate pole 34 further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart rigid planaroctagonal diaphragms 38 housed in the elongatecentral cavity 39 of thepole 34 and intended to increase the strength of the pole. Whilst theoctagonal diaphragms 38 could be comprised of a plurality of materials, in a preferred form of the invention, theoctagonal diaphragms 38 are comprised of composite wood material such as that comprising thepanels 36. - Illustrated in Figure 2 is another elongate structural member. The elongate
structural member 40 shown therein comprises a hollow elongate cross arm of the type commonly employed with utility poles and used to support telephone lines or power lines. More particularly, thecross beam 40 is comprised of four planarelongate panels 42 each comprised of composite wood material produced in the manner described above. Theelongate panels 42 are arranged in the manner shown in cross section in Figure 3 and are fixedly joined together by a suitable interface adhesive 44 of the type previously described. It should be understood that thepanels 42 could also be secured together by other suitable joining means. - As in the case of the elongate hollow pole shown in Figures 1 and 4-6, the
elongate panels 42 of thestructural member 40 are comprised of elongate wood flakes aligned such that substantially all of the flakes are positioned with their longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate panels and with the ftakes oriented so as to define planes substantially parallel to the plane of the elongate panel defined by the flakes. - Figure 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an elongate structural member according to the invention, the elongate
structural member 50 shown therein being comprised of a plurality oflongitudinal section telescoping sections structural member 50. - Figure 13 illustrates a further elongate structural member, similar to that of Figure 5 but which includes means for providing structural reinforcement for the
panels 14 forming the pole and for further bonding thepanels 14 together. This means comprises afoam material 24 poured or injected into the centralelongate cavity 26 formed by the panels, thefoam material 24 filling at least a portion of theelongate cavity 26. In a preferred form, thefoam material 24 can conveniently comprise a foam-in-place rigid polyurethane foam which can be poured into the elongatecentral cavity 26 as a pourable liquid and which will then foam so as to form a rigid core filling the pole. The rigidity of the polyurethane foam core provides structural support for the elongate structure formed by thepanels 14, and the polyurethane foam will also form an adhesive bond with the innerplanar surfaces 28 of thepanels 14 and will thus act as an additional means for bonding thepanels 14 together and for preventing them from separating. An example of a suitable polyurethane foam is BAYTHERM 851 (registered Trade Mark) produced by Mobay Chemical Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As is conventional, the polyurethane foam is made by mixing two liquid components, whereupon the liquid material foams and cures at room temperature to form arigid foam 24. While the density of the resultant rigid polyurethane foam can be varied in a conventional manner by varying the quantities of the two components combined, it has been found that a suitable density is 2 Ibs/ft3 (32 kg/m3). On the other hand, the rigidity of the foam and the reinforcing strength of the foam can be increased by increasing the density of the foam used. For example, a pole having increased strength may be produced by employing foam having a density of 5 Ibs/ft3 (80 kg/m3), but the expense of the pole increases due to the increase in the amount of foam material used. - One of the features of the employment of polyurethane foam material in the
elongate cavity 26 is that it has a closed cell structure and thereby does not readily absorb moisture and provides an effective barrier to movement of moisture in the pole interior. - While the
rigid foam material 24 has been described as comprising polyurethane, in other embodiments, the foam material could comprise other suitable foam-in-place materials. It is preferred, however, that the material have the properties of inhibiting the movement of moisture into the pole, and that it so form a bond with the panels to thereby provide structural rigidity or reinforcement to the pole. It is also preferred that the foam material be a rigid foam rather than a flexible foam so that the rigid foam provides structural support for the pole. In a preferred form of the invention it is also desirable that the foam material selected have the property of curing at room temperature. Though other foam materials can be used, manufacturing costs can be reduced if heating of the foam material to effect curing can be avoided. In other alternative forms, filler materials such as wood chips, saw dust, wood strands or the like could also be mixed into the liquid material poured into thecavity 26 to form the rigid foam. - While in the illustrated embodiment the foam material fills only the upper and lower ends of the elongated central cavity, in other arrangements the foam material could fill the entire central
elongated cavity 26. In the illustrated construction,foam material 24 in the lower end of thepole 10 will be particularly effective for inhibiting movement of moisture into the pole. Thefoam material 24 in the upper end of thepole 10 provides reinforcement of that end of the pole which is intended to support utility pole cross-arms or the like. - As in the case of the
elongate pole 10, means can also be provided for filling at least a portion of the elongate central cavity 46 of the cross-arm, the means for filling also functioning to provide structure reinforcement or support for theelongate panels 42 forming the cross-arm and to provide means for further bonding thepanels 42 together. The means for filling includes a rigid foam material 48 which can be poured or injected into the central elongate cavity 46 defined by the elongate panels. It is preferred that the foam material 48 have the property of forming an adhesive bond with theinternal surfaces 50 of the panels as previously described so that the internal foam material 48 will bond the panels together. As previously described, one preferred foam material having this property and also providing structural rigidity is a rigid polyurethane foam. - The rigid foam material is placed in the cross-arm by positioning the cross-arm vertically, whereupon the polyurethane foam can be poured in its liquid state into the cross-arm. This material will then foam-in-place to fill the elongate central cavity of the cross-arm and will cure to form a rigid core for the cross-arm. The polyurethane could also be injected into the cavity 46 using a conventional foam injection nozzle arrangement.
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP82302882A EP0096121B1 (en) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-06-04 | Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material |
AT82302882T ATE25414T1 (en) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-06-04 | LONG STRUCTURE MADE OF MIXED WOOD MATERIAL. |
DE8282302882T DE3275395D1 (en) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-06-04 | Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP82302882A EP0096121B1 (en) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-06-04 | Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0096121A1 EP0096121A1 (en) | 1983-12-21 |
EP0096121B1 true EP0096121B1 (en) | 1987-02-04 |
Family
ID=8189691
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP82302882A Expired EP0096121B1 (en) | 1982-06-04 | 1982-06-04 | Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0096121B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE25414T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3275395D1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202012100412U1 (en) * | 2011-09-01 | 2012-12-05 | Induo Gesellschaft Zur Verwertung Von Schutzrechten Mbh & Co. Kg | mast assembly |
DE102014119610A1 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Paul Reichartz | Segmented mast or prop |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3518483A1 (en) * | 1985-05-23 | 1986-11-27 | Basf Ag, 6700 Ludwigshafen | GLUE-BASED Plywood BEAM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF |
RU2484221C1 (en) * | 2012-01-25 | 2013-06-10 | Антон Викторович Хрипко | Method to manufacture tower structure of light type |
SE1330098A1 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2014-02-25 | Forsnaes Form Ab | POST |
EP3056635B1 (en) * | 2015-02-11 | 2017-05-17 | MERK Timber GmbH | Tower for a wind power assembly and method for producing the same |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE867907C (en) * | 1950-09-16 | 1954-03-15 | Gerhard Freiherr Von Poelnitz | Mast for power line purposes |
DE950237C (en) * | 1952-02-14 | 1956-10-04 | Hermann Gewecke Dr Ing | Wooden mast, especially for electric outside lines |
GB745540A (en) * | 1953-03-12 | 1956-02-29 | Thomas John Ebdon | Improvements in or relating to lamp standards or lamp posts for use in street, road or similar lighting |
US2824342A (en) * | 1953-06-16 | 1958-02-25 | Timber Engineering Co | Fabricated pole |
US3956555A (en) * | 1974-09-23 | 1976-05-11 | Potlatch Corporation | Load carrying member constructed of oriented wood strands and process for making same |
FR2348345A1 (en) * | 1976-04-16 | 1977-11-10 | Chambriard Ets Paul | Hollow post fitted and stuck together - is made of four wooden planks with zigzag grooved and notched edges |
US4255477A (en) * | 1978-10-24 | 1981-03-10 | Holman John A | Artificial board of lumber |
NO150525C (en) * | 1979-05-31 | 1992-02-11 | Hallvard Berge | TREE PILE FOR POWER LINES OR LIKE, AND MACHINE PREPARATION OF SAME |
SE437391B (en) * | 1979-08-23 | 1985-02-25 | Larsson Bertil | PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURE OF TREE RULE |
DE3010141A1 (en) * | 1980-03-15 | 1981-09-24 | Bison element Bähre & Greten GmbH & Co KG, 3454 Bevern | Layered wood chip or fibre building component - has organically bonded cellular particles coatings on pressed layers cemented together |
CH634624A5 (en) * | 1980-04-03 | 1983-02-15 | Golay Roger Scierie Sa | Composite plank for the construction of chalets |
EP0062139B1 (en) * | 1981-04-03 | 1985-06-26 | Board Of Control Of Michigan Technological University | Elongate structural members comprised of composite wood material |
-
1982
- 1982-06-04 AT AT82302882T patent/ATE25414T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1982-06-04 EP EP82302882A patent/EP0096121B1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-06-04 DE DE8282302882T patent/DE3275395D1/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202012100412U1 (en) * | 2011-09-01 | 2012-12-05 | Induo Gesellschaft Zur Verwertung Von Schutzrechten Mbh & Co. Kg | mast assembly |
DE102014119610A1 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-23 | Paul Reichartz | Segmented mast or prop |
EP3037602A1 (en) | 2014-12-23 | 2016-06-29 | Paul Reichartz | Segmented mast or support |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0096121A1 (en) | 1983-12-21 |
DE3275395D1 (en) | 1987-03-12 |
ATE25414T1 (en) | 1987-02-15 |
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