US4391077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of constructing a building system
Assignee: FLETCHER TIMBER Ltd
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Filing: 1981-07-14
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Granted: 1983-07-05
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Expires: 2001-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of building which uses lengthwise stackable plank-like members of various materials or configurations each of which has at least one wholly extending transverse hole which when included in the building structure aligns with a similar hole of the other plank-like components. Joining members are applied in holes with adjacent slots to initially hold components together and serve as guides for assembly. A measure of racking resistance is provided to the building by shear resisting members such as a dowel or the equivalent being driven from each subsequent plank-like component into the aligned hole of a previously located component, the abutment between the components ocurring prior to the location of the shear resisting member. Other related methods including the use of modularly spaced holes, some only of which are used for racking resistance are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans J. Giess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:50
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/38; E04B1/61; E04B1/6108; E04B1/612; E04B1/6145; E04B1/6158; E04B1/6125; E04B1/6137; E04B2/00; E04B2/56; E04B2/70; E04B2/701; E04B2/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 words
A method of constructing an essentially one component thick structure of substantially planar walls from contiguous lengths of plank-like building components comprising the steps of producing a plurality of equally spaced parallel holes through each said component, producing slots through each component parallel to said holes and extending from an outer surface of said component where a contiguous component is to be joined to the hole adjacent thereto, placing at least one of said components in position for construction, providing an elongated joining member having the cross-sectional shape of a straight shank with elongated bulbous ends, the dimensions of said shank and bulbous ends being such as to provide a snug sliding fit in said slot and holes respectively, inserting said joining member into at least one of said holes and slot with said shank and one bulbous end in said slot and hole respectively, said joining member also being dimensioned so that when inserted into said hole and slot substantially half of the cross-section of said joining member extends from said component and the length of said joining member extends substantially parallel to the central axis of said hole for a distance comparable to at least one-half the length of said hole, positioning another component with respect to said construction position with the hole and slot thereof in aligned engagement with the extending end of said joining member, sliding said another component into abutting engagement with said first positioned component using said joining member as a guide, inserting wooden dowels into said holes in said another component which are aligned with said holes in previously positioned adjacent components, said dowels having a diameter to provide a snug fit with said holes and a length no greater than the length of a hole, driving said dowels into said aligned holes to effectively provide shear resistance in the finished structure, and continuing said process of assembling and connecting said components until said structure is completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
324 words
A method of constructing an essentially one component thick structure of substantially planar walls from contiguous lengths of plank-like building components comprising the steps of producing a plurality of equally spaced parallel holes through each said component, producing slots through each component parallel to said holes and extending from an outer surface of said component where a contiguous component is to be joined to the hole adjacent thereto, placing at least one of said components in position for construction, providing an elongated joining member having the cross-sectional shape of a straight shank with elongated bulbous ends, the dimensions of said shank and bulbous ends being such as to provide a snug sliding fit in said slot and holes respectively, inserting said joining member into at least one of said holes and slot with said shank and one bulbous end in said slot and hole respectively, said joining member also being dimensioned so that when inserted into said hole and slot substantially half of the cross-section of said joining member extends from said component and the length of said joining member extends substantially parallel to the central axis of said hole for a distance comparable to at least one-half the length of said hole, positioning another component with respect to said construction position with the hole and slot thereof in aligned engagement with the extending end of said joining member, sliding said another component into abutting engagement with said first positioned component using said joining member as a guide, inserting wooden dowels into said holes in said another component which are aligned with said holes in previously positioned adjacent components, said dowels having a diameter to provide a snug fit with said holes and a length no greater than the length of a hole, driving said dowels into said aligned holes to effectively provide shear resistance in the finished structure, and continuing said process of assembling and connecting said components until said structure is completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said component is the end of said component and said hole into which said joining member is inserted is an end hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said plank-like components have mutually parallel outer faces, said equally spaced holes are parallel to and equally spaced from said outer faces, and further comprising spacing said holes a distance X apart with respect to each other and a distance substantially 1/2X with respect to said parallel faces and to said outer surface so that when assembled a distance of substantially X is maintained between the closest holes of two like components that have been joined together by said joining members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising providing each length-wise abutment between said components with a tongue and groove type engagement and joining said tongue and groove together prior to inserting said dowels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2225612A
Cited
US2392551A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |