Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – With indicia
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-11-20
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
With indicia
C052S653100, C052S656900, C052S749100, C052S749100, C144S003100, C144S004800, C144S367000, C144S368000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318029
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wall frame system of framework construction for a building, in which the frame components of the wall frame are joined together via splayed notch joints and in which each frame component is provided with markings to facilitate installation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In prior art, roughed-out framing systems for wooden buildings are known in which, to facilitate installation, the various parts of the framework are prefabricated prior to being transported to the building site. DE specification 35 12 306 A1 presents a lattice-like frame structure in which the vertical components of each wall frame are joined to a top or bottom stringer via a mortise and tenon joint in which both the horizontal top and bottom stringers and the vertical component are provided with round holes into which separate round tenons are fitted. In joints connecting adjacent wall frames at right angles to each other, mortise and tenon joints are used in the top stringers in which e.g. a central mortise of a rectangular cross-section is made in the top side of the top stringer and the end of the wall component to be joined with it is then fitted into this mortise. The task of joining individual components together can be facilitated by providing them with markings allowing the right components to be joined to each other. This prior-art solution has the drawback of being complex and slow. Drilling small holes for the mortise and tenon joints at exactly the correct positions requires great precision and plenty of time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,600 presents a prefabricated housing addition in which dovetail joints are used to connect wall frame components to each other and also to other parts of the wall frame. A drawback with this solution is difficult installation, because adapting the dovetail joint so that it will be set in the correct position at both ends of the component at installation time is very difficult. Moreover, both of the aforementioned solutions are only used for rectangular joints in which the frame components are at right angles to each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of prior-art solutions and to achieve a new type of wall frame system in which the marking on each frame component is an identifying code printed on its surface that identifies the frame component in accordance with the construction plan, and in which the notch joint consists of a notch tapering toward its bottom and a main piece fitted into it.
The apparatus of the invention comprises a conveyor for conveying the frame component between different machining stages, a cutting station wherein the wooden parts are cut by machine to predetermined dimensions according to the construction plan, as well as a control unit for controlling the machining operations. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention comprises a computer which can be connected to the control unit and which determines for each frame component an individual code based on the basic data for the building, a printing device, such as an ink jet printer, for printing the code on the surface of the frame component, and a milling apparatus for making the notches tapering towards the bottom as well as the main pieces to be fitted into them.
The system of the invention enables industrial fabrication of diversiform buildings. The building method does not impose any restrictions on architecture. The system of the invention allows easy construction of stepped structures and structures of changing height.
Using the system of the invention, the installation of a wooden framework for a building can be made significantly easier and faster. The markings on the frame components give a detailed definition of the type and properties of the component in question. Moreover, the notches in the component and the notch markings exactly and unambiguously define the position of the component to be joined in a particular notch. The notches, being made in exactly the right positions, add to the rigidity of the wall structure. In addition, the system of the invention allows the making of diagonal joints. As the measurements are defined relative to the centre of the notch, no measurement errors can occur even in the case of diagonal joints.
Moreover, the apparatus of the invention provides a better possibility than prior-art techniques to fabricate the wooden framework of a building from premachined frame components cut to size and provided with the required markings using a single apparatus directly on the building site, thus reducing storage costs and space requirements.
The dimensioning of the wooden frame can be effected e.g. using CAD software to control an automatic machining line that cuts all components and provides them with precise markings and notches so as to make them ready for installation, taking the requirements of frame post spacing, insulation and panelling into account.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2902733 (1959-09-01), Justus
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patent: 5170600 (1992-12-01), Terrell
patent: 5323584 (1994-06-01), Scarlett
patent: 5375381 (1994-12-01), Park et al.
patent: 5562134 (1996-10-01), Sato
patent: 6012262 (2000-01-01), Irving
patent: 4416075 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 4447080 (1996-07-01), None
patent: 3512306 A1 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 86/02398 (1986-04-01), None
Dorsey Dennis L.
Rosenman & Colin LLP
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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