Patent Application
20090151289
The present invention relates to a joint for connecting members. More particularly, the present invention relates to a joint for connecting members wherein the joint seam is curvilinear, obscuring the presence of the joint.
The joining of members utilizing an end joint dates back millennia and joint types are voluminous in the art. When joining members using an end joint it is desirable to produce a joint that exhibits both strength and aesthetic value. While many joints provide strength to the finished product, their designs lack aesthetic value. Most conventional end joints have seams creating unnatural lines detracting from the look of the joint.
The present invention recognizes the need to provide a joint of sufficient strength for a variety of applications while also providing an aesthetic quality desired by consumers.
The present invention is a joint for connecting members having a grain pattern. The end of the first member may have a first scalloped surface. The first scalloped surface has a series of peaks and troughs. A second scalloped surface is located at the end of a second member. The second scalloped surface also includes a series of peaks and troughs; however, the pattern of the peaks and troughs on the second scalloped surface has a complimentary relationship to the peaks and troughs of the first scalloped surface. The angles of the scalloped surfaces also have a complimentary relationship to each other. The peaks and troughs may be formed by a plurality of router bits of varying dimension or other similar technique. The members may be cut manually or by machine. The members may be any material having a grain pattern; including but not limited to, various species of wood or wood composites having a grain pattern.
The scalloped surfaces are then brought into fitted relation with each other. The peaks of one scalloped surface nestle into the troughs of the other scalloped surface and vice versa. The scalloped surfaces may then be affixed to one another using a number of methods; including but not limited to, adhesives or nailing. The resulting joint provides greater surface area over traditional mitered joints and the nestling of the peaks and corresponding troughs provides additional strength to the joint.
The joining of the scalloped surfaces produces a scalloped joint seam. The scalloped joint seam is the result of fitting the two scalloped surfaces together. The scalloped joint seam visually minimizes the joint by removing the angled edges and distinct harsh transitions normally found in conventional joints. Because of the removal of the angled edges and distinct transitions in the joint seam, the grain patterns of each member seemingly blend together, thereby obscuring the presence of the joint. The joint may be utilized in a variety of applications; including but not limited to, rails, furniture, windows, doors, cabinets, and other applications requiring the joining of members to achieve a desired length member.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention are, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
The pattern of the scalloped edges 216 and 218 and the corresponding number of peaks and troughs 218 and 220 of the second member 200 are complimentary to the pattern of the scalloped edges 116 and 118 and the corresponding number of peaks and troughs 218 and 220 of the first member 100. The complimentary pattern allows the number of peaks 118 of the first member 100 to nestle into the number of troughs 220 of the second member 200 and vice versa as the scalloped surface 112 of the first member 100 and scalloped surface 212 of the second member 200 are brought into engagement.
The members 100 and 200 have an exposed grain pattern specific to the type or species of wood used in the construction of the members 100 and 200. To maintain the aesthetic quality of the joint, members 100 and 200 may be the same type of wood. The grain pattern of members 100 and 200 may include a series of lines and swirls. A router bit (or blade) is one appropriate tool for forming the scalloped surfaces 112 and 212 producing the scalloped edges 114, 116, 214, and 216. The shape of the scalloped edges 114, 116, 214, and 216 is determined by the exposed grain pattern of members 100 and 200. For example, multiple router bits each having a different height, width and blade design may be used to cut different scalloped edges 114, 116, 214, and 216 based on the exposed grain pattern of the members 100 and 200. Furthermore, scalloped edges 114 and 214 may be offset from the associated scalloped edges 116 and 216 such that the peaks and troughs traverse the scalloped surface at an angle across, rather than down, the scalloped surface.
In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first and second members 100 and 200 may be replaced with a wood composite having an exposed grain pattern.
This complimentary design is further illustrated in
In other exemplary embodiments, the scalloped edges 114, 116, 214, and 216 are adjusted to aid in disguising the joint. The scalloped edges 114, 116, 214, and 216 may be adjusted by increasing/decreasing the amplitude of the curves and/or increasing/decreasing the frequency of the curves (see
The scalloped surface 112 intersects the top surface 102 at an angle β1 with the intersection labeled as 114; and intersects the bottom surface 104 at an angle α1. The sum of angles α1 and β1 is approximately 180°, wherein the angle α1 is not equal to the angle β1. The angle of the scalloped surface 112 provides increased surface area over conventional butt joints, with or without a scalloped feature. The angle also allows the scalloped surface 112 of the first member 100 to complimentary engage the scalloped surface 212 of the second member 200.
The scalloped surface 212 intersects the top surface 202 at an angle β2, with the intersection labeled as 214; and intersects the bottom surface 204 at an angle α2. The sum of angles α2 and β2 is approximately 180°, wherein the angle α2 is not equal to the angle β2. The angle of the scalloped surface 212 provides increased surface area over conventional butt joints. The angle also allows the scalloped surface 212 of the second member 200 to complimentary engage the scalloped surface 112 of the first member 100. Further, the sum of angles α1 and β2 is approximately 180°. Likewise, the sum of angles α2 and β1 is approximately 180°. The relationship between the angles allows for a complimentary fit between the scalloped surfaces 112 and 212 of the first and second members 100 and 200.
Both curvilinear seams 600a and 600b are examples of the shape the joint may take.
The scalloped surfaces 112 and 212 may then be secured to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive may be applied to the interfacing scalloped surfaces 112 and 212. The increased surface area of the scalloped surfaces 112 and 212 allows a greater amount of adhesive to be used resulting in a stronger joint as compared to a traditional butt joint. In other exemplary embodiments, a mechanical fastener may be employed. The mechanical fastener would traverse the scalloped surfaces 112 and 212, securing the first and second members 100 and 200 to one another.
The scalloped edges 114 and 116 are brought into complimentary communication with one another forming a curvilinear seam 600a. The curvilinear seam 600a may have either a sinusoidal shape or an irregular shape, based upon the exposed grain patterns 800a and 800b found on the first and second members 100 and 200. The curvilinear seam 600a removes the angled edges and distinct transitions in the joint seam. The curvilinear seam 600a further blends the grain patterns 800a and 800b of the first member 100 and second member 200, thereby obscuring the presence of the joint. The curvature of the curvilinear seam 600a may help to minimize the visual impact of the different exposed grain patterns 800a and 800b.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
