Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Frangible section or means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2001-05-15
Chilcot, Richard (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Frangible section or means
C052S126100, C248S188200, C016S017100, C428S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230446
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to shims utilized for adjusting spacing of construction elements. More specifically, the invention sets forth wedge shaped shims which are driven between two adjacent construction elements. A principal application of the invention is in the field of construction, both new and remedial or rehabilitative. However, the invention could also be utilized in industrial, institutional, and other settings wherein large or heavy objects must be adjusted as to position on the ground or other supporting surface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When buildings are constructed, construction elements such as beams, casings, joists, and other structural members may be installed out of alignment with horizontal or other desired orientations. This may occur as a result of warped configuration of one or more structural members, of inappropriate dimensions, shifting of foundations, and other causes. It is frequently neither economical nor feasible to demolish and rebuild the objectionable construction. Placement of shims to take up gaps and otherwise adjust structural elements has answered the need in many cases.
Load bearing functions of shims must be balanced with esthetic and other considerations. A shim driven between two structural members may protrude objectionably from the building. The protruding portion is usually cut or broken off so that the finished surface may be made flush. It is desirable to score a shim so that sections may be broken off at predetermined points or intervals, and so that the break occurs along a straight line.
The prior art has proposed toothed wedges or shims for construction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,514, issued to James Oliver et al. on Mar. 18, 1997, shows an adjustable pipe pier having toothed wedges. Unlike the wedges of Oliver et al., the novel shims have a first solid section and a second relieved or partially hollow section. The novel shims thereby provide an extremely thin or sharp pointed end having a significant degree of strength. The pointed end of the wedge of Oliver et al. either cannot be formed to be as thin or sharp as that of the present invention, or alternatively, if formed as thin as the novel shim, would be weaker than the pointed edge of the novel shim.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,489, issued to Ulrich Bögle on Dec. 2, 1986, shows a wedge having cleats formed therein. Unlike the present invention, the wedge of Bögle is formed from sheet metal, and is not frangible as is the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,250, issued to Robert E. Foss on Oct. 8, 1991, sets forth flexible shim. Being flexible, the shim of Foss is not frangible, as is the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,992, issued to Raymond Wells et al. on Oct. 6, 1998, shows a stepped shim which lacks the two sections of the novel shim, wherein one surface of the shim has scores for breaking.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,838, issued to Stanley J. Siems et al. on Dec. 29, 1998, shows a wedge shaped shim wherein one side is flat and devoid of recesses or teeth found in the present invention. There is no zone of relatively constant minimum thickness, as seen in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,862, issued to Levitt D. Earhart et al. on Sep. 21, 1999, describes a shim having grooves or other recesses located on each of the two broad faces of the shim. However, unlike the present invention, there is no zone of constant minimum thickness formed between the upper and lower grooves or recesses, as seen in the present invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a frangible, wedge shaped shim having scores formed along the entire length of the first one of the two broad faces of the shim, and recesses formed along part of the length of the second broad face. The shim is demarcated into two sections by the second broad face. One section is characterized by grooves or recesses formed in the second broad face. In this section, scores of the first face overlie grooves or recesses formed in the second broad face. The second section is characterized by a flat, unrelieved surface of the second broad face. In the second section, scores of the first face overlie the flat surface of the second broad face.
The scores enable sections of the shim to be broken off by impact. Illustratively, when the shim is driven between two solid objects such as adjacent pieces of lumber and the wider end of the shim protrudes from between these pieces of lumber, the exposed end may be broken off by striking it with a tool such as a hammer. The scores are straight and parallel, so that an even break results.
The thin, pointed end of the wedge shaped shim has reasonable strength for resisting unintended breaking when being driven between two pieces of lumber. The thicker end is weakened by the grooves or recesses formed in the second broad face. This feature limits strength of the shim, thereby enabling the thicker end to be broken off by hammer blows.
The shim has a zone of constituent material of relatively constant minimum thickness along the second section. This characteristic imparts relatively constant strength of the upper surface of the shim, thereby promoting breakage at a desired point along the length of the shim when struck by a hammer. The desired point is in most cases that point wherein the shim protrudes from a supporting surface. Alternatively stated, that portion which overhangs a board or other surface which provides support to part of the shim is readily broken away by a hammer blow. If the upper surface of the shim were of variable thickness, as is typical of a solid wedge shaped shim, the point of breakage would not necessarily coincide with the scores formed on the first broad face of the shim.
Preferably, the scores form pointed teeth configured to interengage similar teeth of a second shim placed in inverted relation on a first shim. This characteristic enables the novel shim to be utilized in pairs to form a support having parallel upper and lower surfaces. Overall height of the pair of shims is adjustable within limits imposed by dimensions of the teeth.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the recesses formed on the second section of the shim form cleats which prevent the shim from slipping or otherwise being displaced when driven between two structural members such as pieces of lumber. Teeth formed by the break scores provide corresponding cleats on the other side of the shim, so that both sides are provided with structure for engaging the surfaces of surrounding solid objects.
The novel shim is formed from any suitable strong, rigid material which enables the shim to be driven between two objects and broken off by striking. A preferred constituent material is recycled plastic. This material finds use for a material which is potentially a waste product if not recycled. Also, plastic is impervious to water, insects, mildew, and other deleterious natural influences which plague traditional wooden shims.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a frangible wedge which can be broken off flush after being driven between two solid objects.
It is another object of the invention that the shim break along a straight line when struck.
It is a further object of the invention to assure that the sharp, pointed end of the shim have adequate strength to resist unintended breakage when being driven between two solid objects.
Still another object of the invention is to provide break scores at constant spacing intervals.
An additional object of the invention is to provide cleats on one side of the shim which, together with the scores, enable the shim to engage surfaces of two surrounding solid objects.
Yet another object of the invention is that the novel shim be impervious to water and deterioration by insects, mildew, and other natural influences.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an app
Chilcot Richard
Siemens Patent Services, L.C.
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