Joints and connections – Member ends joined by inserted section – Laterally inserted section
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-20
2003-12-30
Binda, Gregory J. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Member ends joined by inserted section
Laterally inserted section
C403S230000, C403S292000, C403S300000, C403S234000, C411S387600, C411S387700, C029S428000, C029S525010, C029S525110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06669396
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a connecting element with a substantially rod-like shank for joining at least two wooden structural members and at least one joint plate, especially of the type that can be inserted into one or more slot(s) of the wooden structural members, and preferably made of metal.
1. Field of the Invention
2. Prior Art
In truss or frame constructions, the wooden structural members used are usually connected by joint plates made of metal. The joint plates are inserted in central slots at the ends of the wooden structural members. In the wooden structural members and the joint plates there are provided holes in a coinciding pattern, in which holes there are usually inserted plain dowels. These plain metal dowels fix the joint plate in the wooden structural member in question. To ensure that the plain dowel can transmit the forces specified according to standards between the wooden structural members and the joint plate, and that a joint which is as rigid as possible and prevents mutual displacement can be formed, the holes in both the wooden structural members and in the joint plate must be matched relatively closely and fittingly to each other.
Since two different materials are used here, namely wood on the one hand and the metal joint plate on the other hand, special problems arise in making the holes. The usual practice heretofore—in order to be able to meet drilling tolerances—has been to drill the holes in the wooden structural members first. The joint plate is then inserted into the slot of the wooden structural members, whereupon the holes are made in the joint plate, so that the already completed holes in the wooden structural members form a kind of hole gauge, as it were. The holes in the joint plate are now made with a suitable drill, and the plain dowels for mutually joining the wooden structural members and joint plate are hammered in. On the one hand this working principle is very laborious, and on the other hand a rigid and load-bearing joint cannot be achieved therewith, since the accuracy of fit is not optimal.
In another known working principle, the holes are made first of all in the joint plate. This joint plate is then used as a template for drilling the holes in the wooden structural members. Since in such a case the ultimate position of the joint plate is axially offset relative to the drilling process, corresponding inaccuracies can be introduced here also, and so dimensional tolerances may not necessarily be met. Furthermore, this working principle is also very cumbersome and time-consuming.
According to yet another known method (German Patent C-43 15 101), the joint plate is first inserted in the appropriate slot in the wooden structural member. While this condition of insertion in correct position is maintained, the holes are made through the wooden structural members and the joint plate by means of a drilling jig. For this purpose there is used a kind of variable-speed drill, in order to be able to cope with the different conditions of drilling in wood and in metal. After the hole has been completed, the plain dowels can be appropriately hammered in.
A special holder for the drilling jig is needed even in such a known embodiment, since it is also necessary to ensure that the joint plate inserted into an appropriate slot in the wooden structural member cannot shift.
Precisely for working on the construction site itself does such an arrangement cause problems, because the use of particularly large and bulky jigs on the building is associated with cumbersome handling. Furthermore, accessibility for such a drilling jig is not available everywhere.
From German Patent Application A-41 24 553 there is also known a connector for covered beam joints, with the purpose of avoiding exact measuring and drilling work. Nails are hammered in to join the wooden structural member and the joint plate, without making holes beforehand. For this purpose, however, the joint plate must have a very special construction, in order to permit it to be penetrated at all by nails. Thus it must be ensured that the joint plate region through which nails will be driven comprises thin sheet metal. Providing this special region introduces the risk that the nails will bend or that cracking will occur, since such joint plates are usually inserted at the end faces of wooden structural members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a connecting element of the type cited in the introduction, with which wooden structural members and joint plates can be joined with accurate fit and, in fact, with simple handling regardless of the type of wooden structural members and joint plates.
According to the invention, this is achieved in that the rod-like shank is provided at least at one of its ends with a boring part and at its other end with a tool drive for rotary motion, the diameter of the shank corresponding at least approximately to the boring diameter of the boring part at least over one or more partial regions of its length, and in that means for securing against axial displacement in the inserted condition are formed on the shank.
By means of the invention, the hole at least in the joint plate or if necessary both in the joint plate and in the wooden structural member can be made in one working step, specifically by the rod-like connecting element, which ultimately brings about mutual connection of joint plate and wooden structural member in this hole. Since the connecting element therefore makes the hole in the joint plate and simultaneously forms the connection between these two parts in one working operation, the holes in the joint plate and in the wooden structural member always match with accurate fit. Thereby there is achieved an exact and displacement-proof joint between the joint plate and the wooden structural member. In this respect it is inherently immaterial whether, in the case of arrangement of a plurality of connecting elements to be inserted parallel to each other, these are now oriented exactly parallel to each other or include an acute angle therebetween. Each connecting element in itself establishes between the wooden structural members and the joint plate an optimal fastening with exact fit and layout.
The connecting element is held interlockingly and/or frictionally in the hole of the joint plate and/or in the wooden structural member in such a way that it is secured against axial displacement. Precisely by virtue of the chips produced during the drilling process, an additional intimate connection is created between the connecting element and the joint plate or the wooden structural member, so that the mere action of driving in the connecting element can secure it interlockingly and/or frictionally against axial displacement. Of course, other additional means can certainly also be used to bring about an interlocking and/or frictional and captive holding relationship.
By the use of the connecting element according to the invention, it is also possible to push into one another or place against one another a wooden structural member with predrilled holes and a joint plate, after which a connecting element is introduced into the predrilled hole in the wooden structural member and thereafter the hole in the joint plate itself is made. In this way it is possible to use holes already drilled in the factory as a kind of gauge for subsequently drilling through the joint plate. Even in such a sequence of the method, the hole in the joint plate itself is made by the connecting element, which simultaneously brings about mutual connection of the wooden structural member and the joint plate. In this case also an exact fit is achieved between the holes in the wooden structural member and in the joint plate, and so the connecting element joins the wooden structural member and the joint plate to one another in firmly seated relationship.
The connecting element does not even have to pass completely through the wooden structural member. The setting process for the connecting element can therefore be ende
Binda Gregory J.
Garcia Ernesto
SFS Industrie Holding AG
Volpe and Koenig P.C.
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