US2525009A - Wooden building block - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1950 N. R. ALENIUS 2,525,009 WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK Filed July 26, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 10, 1950 Filed July 26, 1947 N. R. ALENIUS WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK 2 Shgets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WOODEN BUILDING BLOCK Nils" Robert Alenius, Stockholm, Sweden Application July 26, 1947, Serial No. 763,993 In Sweden May 29, 1947 My present invention has for its object a wooden building block of rectangular, for example square, shape to be used as construction element for various purposes, for instance, as wall-, floor-, roofand door-blocks for housebuilding, as wooden slabs for flooring, wall panels, walls of concrete casting moulds etc., said block comprising at least two frame beams extending along two opposite edges of the block and sup porting covering secured thereto of boards passing in crossor oblique direction of the frame beams.

Depending on their desired mechanical strength, breadth or purpose, the elements can also be provided with reinforcing beams, running parallelly with the frame beams or cross-wise thereto.

All the elements of the kind set forth hitherto known in the art have one characteristic common to all of them: the covering boards are secured to the beams by nailing.

These nailed blocks are inherent of manydisadvantages. Their diagonal stiffening is bad. Under the influence of variations in moisture and temperature the board coverings often become uneven and warp, because nails do not afford any satisfactory resistance against such stress-es. Since the beams in order to give sufficient strength must be. relatively high, the blocks will be unnecessarily thick, because their height is determined by the height of the beam added by the thickness of the covering boards.

The last-named disadvantage, viz. the thickness, could partly be eliminated by excavations made in a manner known per se at the ends of the boards and also at the places where the reinforcing beams, if such exist, pass them, the

covering boards thus extending over the frame beams and the reinforcing beams with a thinner portion, whereas they with their other parts in their normal thickness extend between the said beams. the nailing remain, and these arethe most perceptible ones. It is very difficult to produce nailed blocks in large quantities and still less'possible to make them in fully automatic manufacture. Machine nailing will ofcourse permit a certain automatization, but the technical disadvantages of nailed joining remain and the advantages obtained by the machine nailing are not counterbalanced by the costs of the machines.

The best jointing means would consist in glueing, because all the disadvantages set forth could be eliminated. The diagonal stiffening would become good, the joints would become strong, the manufacturing could be made exact and its speed However, the disadvantages inherent to 7 Claims. (CI. 2091) 2 much accelerated, and totally automaticiz'ed machines could be used. 7

In practice it has, however, proved highly diflicult to adapt glueing. The glued joint between wood pieces, the fibres of which cross each other, and which are of such a thickness as in the present case, would not be strong enough to Withstand such large stresses as are caused by the shrinkage or swelling of the wood pieces because of changes in the atmosphere. Only if at least the one Wooden piece could be so thin as to make the glued joint stronger than the wood proper, the joint should, in theory, resist the stress. But

' even when using covering boards with excavations of the kind mentioned above and moreover by making the end portions and other crossing portions as thin as ever possible, the joints would break nevertheless, because the working of the wood in the thick portions of the boards between the beams would become too straining for the glued joint.

My present invention has for its object to bring about such a new structure of the block that enables the glued joint to withstand all stresses.

' My invention starts from the use of such covering boards extending over or into the frame beams by end flanges formed at both ends of the covering boards and secured to the frame beams by glueing, said covering boards to their other parts extending with their full strength between the frame beams.

My invention is substantially characterized by the feature that the said end flanges between their base and the glued joint comprise a free intermediate portion of so thin a dimension that it because of its elasticity or by deformation, but without breaking of the glued joint, takes up the stresses in the boards and beams caused by the Variations of moisture and temperature.

My invention is by way of examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings which represent some embodiments thereof. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment, and Figs. 2 and 3 show on an enlarged scale a modified shape of the covering boards as shown in the Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a second embodiment of my invention, and Fig, 5 shows on an enlarged scale and in section a modified detail of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment, and Figs. '7 and 8 show modified details thereof on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment, and Fig. 10 represents on an enlarged scale a modification of a detail part belonging thereto.

In all figures the reference nuberal l designates 3 frame beams and the reference numeral 2 covering boards. 4 designates the end flanges, L the glued joints and F the free intermediate portion of the end flanges 4 between the base of said flanges and their glued joint L.

The Figs. 1-5 show box-shaped blocks, i. e. blocks with two coverings of boards 3, whereas the Figs. 6-10 show one-sheeted elements.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the free intermediate portion F has been accomplished in the most simple way by removing all wooden material from below the end flanges 4. The portion of the covering boards 3 extending betweenthe frame beams I are supported, as is evident from the Fig. 1, by a shoulder of the frame beams l, i. e. at a right angle inwards relatively to theoutside of the block. The Figs. 2 and 3 show the end portion of a modified covering board 3 for the block according to Fig. l, seen from the side and from below, respectively. In the last-named figures the end flanges l are provided, in order still to increase the elasticity of the free intermediate portion F, with longitudinal, through-passing incisions extending vertically towards the outer surface of the block. These incisions can also be of non-through-passing shape.

In the embodiment of my invention according to the Figs. 4-8,v the free intermediate portion F has been realized byincisions substantially parallel with the plane of the end flanges 4 in the ends of the covering board portions extending between the frame beams i. The inner end portions of'the boards 3 are inserted either directly see Fig. 4-01 by projecting portions 8see Figs. 5-8-into grooves extending longitudinally along the inner surface of the frame beams l, whereby the ends of the covering boards are effectively stayed vertically outwards as well as inwards with respect to the sides of the block as well as in their longitudinal direction.

In the modification according to Fig. 5 the grooves for the projecting portions 8 of the upper covering boards 3 are situated so much downwards in relation to the upper edge of the frame beam i that the portion of the end flanges 4 which corresponds to the glued joint L is forced to a higher level than that of the other part of the covering boards 3. This modification is especially advantageous when e. g. a cover of cardboard or paper is applied to the outer surface of the block. In such a case the said cover is glued to the end flanges 4 only on that portion which forms the glued joint L, but otherwise it is not glued to the surface of the block. Any possible working of the wood in the block will thus be prevented from becoming perceptible in the cover of cardboard or paper.

According to the Fig. 6, the frame beams are on both sides bordered by end flanges 4, but in the modification according to the Fig. 7, only one end flange 4 is placed in the centre and inserted between the two beam portions l of a frame beam divided up into said two portions. This modification has the advantage of preventing all possible working of the wood in the flanges 4 from becoming visible outwards.

The ends or pre'ecting portions of the covering boards entering the frame beams need not-as in the Figs. 4-'7--have rectangular profile. They may for instance be dovetail-shaped which makes necessary to give the grooves in the frame beams a corresponding dovetail-shape. This modification, which is presented in the Fig. 8, is particularly suitable when the frame beams in the way indicated in the Fig, 7 are longi- 4 tudinally divided up into two or more sections with the dividing line at the dovetail-shaped grooves so that the dovetail-shaped end flanges need not be inserted from the end of each groove, but the longitudinal sections of the frame beams are secured together over the dovetail-shaped end flanges. Moreover, the Fig. 8 shows a further modification in that the incisions below the flanges '4 are filled with a suitable material 8, such as for example cardboard, veneer or the like, which is not glued to the end flanges but 'by its presence protects the portion F from breaking because of exterior stresses, such as blows, shocks or pressure.

It is evident that 1' can use, instead of continuous grooves to be entered from the ends of the covering boards, even discontinuous ones, provided that the covering boards are not entered from the ends of the grooves. Instead of grooves I also can use continuous or discontinuous shoulders projecting from the inside of the frame beams.

The Fig- 4 also illustrates the principle of embodying my invention when using reinforcing intermediate beams 2. The covering boards 3 are fastened unto said intermediate beams 2 by using the same principle as I adapt for-the securing of the end flanges of the covering boards to the frame beams. Of course, it is understood that the end flanges here actually also consist of that thinner inner portion of one continuous covering board which from both sides abuts against the intermediate beam 2.

The modification illustrated in the Figs. 9 and 10 differs from the earlier described'ones by the intermediate portion F directly abutting against the frame beams l, but without being secured to them by glueing. The effect obtained is the same as in the other embodiments of my invention. In order to facilitate the control of the breadth of the glued joint L, the end flanges 4 can be provided with grooves, Fig. 10, bordering the portion to be covered with glue. This modification eliminates, in the same effective manner as the modification presented in the Fig. 8, any danger of the portion F being pressed inwards.

The intermediate portion F which according to my invention is applied to all modifications thereof prevents every possible stress from being transmitted from the covering boards to the beams and vice versa. The covering boards are permitted to move in the longitudinal direction of the beams. Therefor the glued joint L will remain undamaged even if the atmospheric conditions change considerably.

The joint according to my invention is easy to make. The profile of the covering boards is formed to size in one single working procedure. The covering boards and the beams can easily be carried automatically into a uniting machine, whereby a continuous production 'is rendered possible. Because of the feeble dimensions of the end flanges of the covering boards and their portions on the intermediate beams, a glue hardening in the heat can be used, thus reducing considerably the durance of the glueing process.

A further advantage with my invention consists therein that because of the stable securing of the covering boards to the frame beams no tongues and grooves are in most cases required in the covering boards, which means a considerable saving in wood material.

Another important advantage consists in the obtaining of 'plane outer surfaces in spite of variations in the thickness of the boards. The manufacturing according to my invention permits to form the board from that side which will form the outer surface of the block. Thus an even surface can be brought about even if the thickness of the individual boards differs to some extent from each other. This feature embodies a considerable saving, since any sizing and flnisln ing planing off of the boards is avoided.

I claim:

1. A construction element'for wood structures, comprising in combination, a wooden beam; a wooden plate substantially at right angles to said beam having a bulk portion and an end flange having smaller thickness than said bulk portion; a glued joint between said beam and the end portion of said flange; and an intermediate portion of said flan e between said glued joint and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portion forming a free connection between said end portion and said bulk portion of said plate.

2. A construction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, a wooden beam having a step-like profile including an upper part and a lower part; a wooden plate having a bulk 1,

portion and an end flange having smaller thick ness than said bulk portion; the end portion of said flange being arranged in contact with said upper part; the end of said bulk portion being arranged in contact with the end of said lower part; a glued joint between said upper part of said step-like profile of said beam and the end portion of said flange; and an intermediate portion of said flange between said glued joint and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate 3 part; said second flange being arranged parallel to said first flange and having a greater length than said first flange; a glued joint between said outer portion of said beam and said end portion of said second flange; and an intermediate portion of said second flange between said glued joint and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portion forming a free connection between said end portion and said bulk portion of said plate.

4. A construction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, a U-shaped wooden beam having a central longitudinal groove and two outer parts; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two end flanges having their end portions arranged in contact, respectively, with said outer parts of said beam; a central flange formthe end portions of said end flanges, respectively, and intermediate portions of said end flanges, respectively, arranged between said glued joints, respectively, and said bulk portions of said plate; said intermediate portions forming free connections, respectively, between said end portion and said bulk portion of said plate.

5. A construction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, a U-shaped wooden beam having a central longitudinal groove and two outer parts; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two end flanges having their end portions arranged in contact, respectively, with said outer parts of said beam; a central flange forming part of said plate and projecting between said end flanges; a projection of said central flange engaging said longitudinal groove of said beam; glued joints between said outer parts of said beam and the end portions of said end flanges, respectively; and intermediate portions of said end flanges, respectively, arranged between said glued joints, respectively, and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portions forming free connections, respectively, between said end portion and said bulk portion of said plate.

6. A construction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, a wooden beam having tapering sides; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two tapering end flanges being arranged in contact, respectively, with said tapering sides of said beam; end portions forming part of said flanges, respectively; glued joints between said beam and said end portions of said flanges, respectively; and intermediate portions of said end flanges arranged, respectively, between said glued joints and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portions forming free connections between said end portions, re-

I spectively, and said bulk portion of said plate.

ing part of said plate and projecting between v 7 Number '7. A construction element for wood structures, comprising in combination, a wooden beam having tapering sides; longitudinal grooves in said tapering sides of said beam; a wooden plate having a bulk portion and two tapering end flanges being arranged in contact, respectively, with said tapering sides-10f said beam; end portions forming part of said flanges, respectively; glued joints between the base portion of said beams limited by said grooves and said end portions of said flanges, respectively; and intermediate portions of said end flanges arranged, respectively, between said glued joints and said bulk portion of said plate; said intermediate portions forming free connections between said end portions, re-

spectively, and said bulk portions of said plate.

NILS ROBERT ALENIUS.

REFERENflES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date 444,218 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1936

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