EP2894271A1

EP2894271A1 - Enhanced support structure

Info

Publication number: EP2894271A1
Application number: EP14172857.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frenk Kovac; Simon Merkac; Srecko Merkac
Original assignee: GGP Gozdno Gospodarstvo Postojna d o o
Current assignee: GGP Gozdno Gospodarstvo Postojna d o o
Priority date: 2014-01-08
Filing date: 2014-06-18
Publication date: 2015-07-15
Also published as: SI24604A

Abstract

The present invention refers to an enhanced support structure (1) in a form of a beam, girder or similar, preferably to a wooden support structure (1). According to the present invention, said structure (1) comprises a plurality of at least three toothed longitudinal component parts (2) being mutually interconnected in a sense of mortise and tenon joint.

Description

The present invention refers to an enhanced support structure in a form of a beam, girder or similar, preferably to a wooden support structure.
A support structure in a form of a beam for instance is produced of a blank, such as a wooden log for instance, in a manner to machine it from all sides, thus obtaining a desired cross-section. A drawback of described solution reflects in a relatively weak wood efficiency and a weak resistance of the outer surface of the beam defined by a cross-section over the annual ring surfaces of the tree trunk. In addition, to produce such a beam a wooden log of an oversized diameter is required which is cost ineffective and is rather difficult to apply an artificial (kiln) seasoning thereto. Since the wood is not artificially seasoned, with the high temperature for instance, insects and micro organisms remain in the wood destroying the wood. In addition, unseasoned wood is prone to cracking and warping. Another possibility of a support structure provides for sawing of a log to smaller elements and assembling them by adhesive to form a beam having a desired cross-section by means of an adhesive lamination. A drawback of such a production is a relatively long adhesion time, an intricate preparation of individual segments, visible layers of segments and as a result, rather high possibility of a slow rupture and split and decay of the wood due to influence of the outer climate factors.
It is the object of the present invention to create an enhanced support structure in a form of a beam, girder and similar which remedies drawbacks of known solutions.
The object as set above is solved by characteristics disclosed in claim 1. Details of the invention are disclosed in sub-claims.
The invention is further described in detail by way of non-limiting embodiment, and with a reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1: shows a three dimensional view of an enhanced support structure according to the invention,
Fig. 2: shows a front view of an embodiment of a component part of a structure of Fig. 1.

An enhanced support structure 1 according to the invention, preferably a longitudinal support structure, is formed of a plurality of at least three toothed longitudinal component parts 2 being mutually interconnected in a sense of mortise and tenon joint. Said support structure 1 with the present embodiment is formed of four identical component parts 2 being mutually interconnected in a sense of mortise and tenon joint. Therefore, in the foregoing only one of said component parts 2 is described in detail.
Said longitudinal component part 2 resembles in a cross-section essentially a form of a polygon, an irregular quadrilateral polygon in a present embodiment that is. At least one side 3; 4 of said polygon facing the neighbouring component part 2, and preferably each side 3; 4 facing the neighbouring component part 2 is provided in a comb-like manner with at least one tooth 5; 6 and at least one space 7; 8 (Fig. 2). Each tooth 5; 6 is of course identical in shape to each space 7; 8. When assembling two neighbouring parts 2 each tooth 5; 6 of each side 3; 4 of the first component part 2 mates with each space 7; 8 of the opposite side 3; 4 of the neighbouring component part 2. It is provided for according to the preferred embodiment of the invention that each tooth 5; 6 as well as each space 7; 8 are formed in a manner that the angle α between each two flanks thereof equals to or is less than the self-locking angle.
The plurality of said parts 2 is assembled to a support structure 1, such as a beam, a girder or similar, in a manner that the teeth 5 of the first side 3 of the first part 2 mate with spaces 8 of the second side 4 of the neighbouring part 2, and the teeth 6 of the second side 4 of the first part 2 mate with the spaces 7 of the first side 3 of the neighbouring part 2. The component part 2 assembled in a described manner are pressed against each other so as the teeth 5; 6 firmly mate with spaces 7; 8 and ensure due to said self-locking a reliable mutual force fit.
Furthermore, it is provided for according to the present invention that a layer of an adhesive means is inserted between each tooth 5; 6 and each space 7; 8, thus, additionally enhancing the strength of said force fit by means of said additional adhesive joint. Said adhesive joint is carried out by means of adhesion means at the ambient temperature or by means of applying heat.
After component parts 2 being mutually jointed said structure 1 resembles the final form, a quadrilateral in the present embodiment. Said structure 1 is formed in its central area, when seeing from each front side, and over its entire length with a hole 9 being closed on both front sides with a spigot 10. In addition, each front end of said structure is optionally protected by means of a shield 11, the connection between said front end of the structure 1 and the shield 11 being either an adhesive joint and/or a force fit.
Although the present embodiment of the structure 1 is based on component parts 2 made of wood, it is provided for according to the invention that said part 2 can be made of an arbitrary material, such as plastic, metal an similar. Also said shield 11 can be made of an arbitrary material, such as plastic, metal an similar, and arranged on said front end of the structure 1 either by plugging on, shrinking on, moulding on and similar. Said shield 11 is optionally secured against unwanted removal from the fron end of the structure 1 by means of an adhesive means and/or mechanical protection such as a pin, a screw and similar.

Claims

Enhanced support structure (1) in a form of a beam, girder or similar, characterized in that said structure (1) comprises a plurality of at least three toothed longitudinal component parts (2) being mutually interconnected in a sense of mortise and tenon joint.
Enhanced support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinal component part (2) resembles in a cross-section a form of a polygon wherein at least one side (3; 4) thereof facing the neighbouring component part (2) is provided in a comb-like manner with at least one tooth (5; 6) and at least one space (7; 8).
Enhanced support structure according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said mutual joint in a sense of mortise and tenon is formed as a force fit and adhesive joint.
Enhanced support structure according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each tooth (5; 6) is identical to each space (7; 8), wherein each tooth (5; 6) of each side (3; 4) of the first component part (2) mates with each space (7; 8) of the opposite side (3; 4) of the neighbouring component part (2).
Enhanced support structure according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both each (5; 6) and each space (7; 8) are formed in a manner that an angle (α) between each flanks thereof equals to or is less than a self-locking angle.
Enhanced support structure according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each front end of the structure (1) is protected by a shield (11), wherein the connection between said structure and said shield is provided as an adhesive joint and/or a force fit.