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Timber end-jointTimber end-joint description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070175158, Timber end-joint. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of Invention [0004] This invention pertains to joints used in construction. More particularly, this invention pertains to a timber end-joint for connecting a first and second wood segment to produce a finished unitary timber simulating a single-piece wood timber. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] Structural end-jointed wood products, such as dimensional lumber, are gaining greater acceptance for a wide variety of applications in the building and construction industry. Recognition that efficient utilization of wood resources will continue to be necessary and that reduction of flow to local landfills is priority in many locations has continued to fuel the desire to design better methods for end-joining structural timber. Additionally, cost and reliability concerns have inspired the search for more efficient means of accomplishing end-joining. [0007] Often in the building and construction industry, aesthetic principles govern the use of end-jointed wood timbers. When end-joining two segments of timber to produce a finished unitary timber, it is often desirable to provide stability in axial, lateral, and transverse directions of the joined timber segments, while also concealing the joint such that the appearance of the joined timber segments simulates a single continuous wood timber. When end-joining two wood timber segments having substantially flat end faces, often the seam between the two segments is readily visible. Hence, in the building and construction industry, it is often desirable to apply complimentary three-dimensional geometric shaping to the end faces of end-joined timbers. [0008] Structural timbers to be end-joined for use in the building and construction industry are often large and cumbersome. For this reason, it is often desirable to fashion an end joint from the end faces of two structural timber segments without having to rotate the structural timber segments to gain access to more than one perspective of the end faces. Furthermore, traditional wood adhesives are often water soluble and will degrade when exposed to environmental conditions. Hence, when end-joining structural timbers for use in an outdoor setting, it is often desirable to accomplish the end-joint without leaving an adhesive seam exposed on the finished timber product. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention is a timber end-joint for end-joining two structural timber segments. The timber end-joint invention is capable of providing stability in axial, lateral, and transverse directions of the joined timber segments, while also concealing the joint such that the appearance of the joined timber segments simulates a single continuous wood timber. The timber end-joint includes generally a tongue, a groove, and a registration device. The tongue is a protrusion extending axially outwardly from the first timber segment. The groove defines a first leg and a second leg protruding axially outwardly from the second timber segment keyed to receive the tongue. The first leg and the second leg cooperatively define a relief channel positioned transversely along an interface between the first and second legs. [0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the registration device comprises a plurality of pegs and cooperating openings. The first timber segment defines a plurality of peg openings along the tongue. Each peg opening is centered on the longitudinal axis of the first non-planar contact surface. The second timber segment defines a plurality of peg openings along the interface between the first and second legs. Each peg opening in the second timber segment is registered to a peg opening in the first timber segment. [0011] Each registered set of peg openings is keyed to at least one peg having a first end and a second end. The first end of the peg is received by the cooperative peg opening of the first timber segment, and the second end of the peg is received by the cooperative peg opening of the second timber segment. Each peg is held in place within the registered set of peg openings by a fastener such as adhesive or by a frictional connection. When in place, the pegs serve to register the tongue to the groove, providing an aligned fit between the first and second timber segments. [0012] In another embodiment, the registration device further defines a first pin opening in the first timber segment, positioned substantially orthogonal to the peg openings in the first timber segment. The first pin opening intersects at least one peg opening in the first timber segment. Similarly, the registration device further defines a second pin opening in the second timber segment, positioned substantially orthogonal to the plurality of peg openings in the second timber segment. The second pin opening intersects at least one of the corresponding peg openings in the second timber segment. [0013] Each peg adapted to be received by an intersected peg opening proximate the first timber segment defines a connection opening proximate the first end of the peg. The connection opening is registered to the pin opening of the first timber segment. Each peg adapted to be received by an intersected peg opening proximate the second timber segment defines a connection opening proximate the second end of the peg. The connection opening is registered to the pin opening of the second timber segment. Each set of cooperatively aligned pin and connection openings proximate the first and second timber segments is keyed to receive a pin. When in place, the various pins secure the pegs within the corresponding timber segments and limit axial and transverse movement of the affected pegs relative the corresponding timber segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two wooden timber segments to be joined using one embodiment of a timber end-joint in accordance with several features of the present invention, showing a front view of the tongue on one wooden timber segment and with the parts of the groove shown in phantom on the other wooden timber segment; [0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of two wooden timber segments to be joined using the timber end-joint of FIG. 1, including first and second timber segments presenting tongue and groove mating features; [0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation view of two wooden timber segments to be joined using the timber end-joint of FIG. 1, including first and second timber segments presenting tongue features and with groove mating features shown in phantom; [0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two wooden timber segments to be joined using the timber end-joint of FIG. 1, showing the wooden timber segments oriented for use in horizontal timber segments. [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two wooden timber segments to be joined using a further alternate embodiment of a timber end-joint constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention, showing a front view of the groove on one wooden timber segment and with the parts of the tongue shown in phantom on the other wooden timber segment. Continue reading about Timber end-joint... Full patent description for Timber end-joint Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Timber end-joint patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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