Separable wood shim assembly and method of making the same

Abstract

A separable wood shim assembly for providing wood shims of selectable width is provided. The assembly has two wedge-shaped wood shims superposed so that they taper along a same direction. A breakable connector, such as a thin strip of wood, joins the contiguous surfaces of both shims. In this manner, the assembly my be used easily as either a simple or double-width shim. There are also provided a bundle of wood shim assemblies, a convenient bag to wrap this bundle and an advantageous method to make the wood shim assemblies.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to shims, and more particularly to separable double-width shims and to a method for making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, shims are wedge-shaped strips of wood with a thick edge and an opposite tapered edge. Shims are commonly used in the construction industry during installation of fixtures, for example, for levering windows or doors.

[0003] It is known in the art to make bundles of shims that are connected together side by side such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,879 (CARR). CARR discloses that during manufacture of the shims, a small strip of wood can be left between adjacent shims in order to keep the shims together during transport. This small strip of wood is easily breakable by a user when shims are needed.

[0004] It is also known to make bundles of stacked shims connected together by a strip of wood extending along opposite upper and lower faces of two shims. Such stacked shims are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,163,255 and 4,909,294, both to GAMBA. GAMBA's bundles of shims are stacked in alternate opposite directions so that each neighbouring shim is complementary to its neighbour. Accordingly, the thick edge of a shim is oriented towards the tapered edge of another shim so that the two connected shims together form a rectangular shape.

[0005] A drawback with the bundles of shims disclosed in the above-mentioned patents is that in practice, the user must first separate, then stack, and finally align properly together two shims to obtain a double-width shim for use to tighten, secure and/or lever a fixture. There is therefore a need for wood shims having a selectable thickness to alleviate this drawback.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide separable wood shims which may be easily used in single or double-width.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a bundle of such separable shims.

[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for making said separable shims.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a separable wood shim assembly including first and second wedge-shaped wood shims. Each of these wood shims has a bottom face and a top face extending between thick and tapered opposite ends. The first wood shim is superposed to the second wood shim so that they are tapering along a same direction. The assembly also includes a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bundle of wood shims, including at least one row of separable wood shim assemblies. Each assembly has first and second wedge-shaped wood shims, each having a bottom face and a top face extending between thick and tapered opposite ends, the first wood shim being superposed to the second wood shim tapering along a same direction. Each assembly further includes a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim. The row of wood shim assemblies is arranged with the wood shims of neighbouring assemblies tapering in opposite directions.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for making separable wood shim assemblies, including the steps of:

[0012] a) providing a rectangular piece of wood;

[0013] b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cuts obliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and

[0014] c) making a full cut obliquely across the length of the rectangular piece of wood between the two partial cuts, thereby separating the rectangular piece of wood in two separable wood shim assemblies.

[0015] Finally, in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided another method for making separable wood shim assemblies, comprising the steps of:

[0016] a) providing a rectangular piece of wood;

[0017] b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cuts obliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and

[0018] c) making an additional partial cut obliquely across the length of the rectangular piece of wood between said partial cuts, said additional partial cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving an additional thin strip of wood therein, said separable wood shim assemblies extending on either side of said additional thin strip of wood.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective side elevational view showing a rectangular piece of wood from which two pairs of shims according to the present invention are to be made.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective side elevational view showing cuts made in the piece of wood of FIG. 1 to obtain shims according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective side elevational view showing two sets of superposed separable shims pointing in opposite directions.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective side elevational view showing one of the two pairs of superposed separable shims of FIG. 3 with one of the shims being separated.

[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective side elevational and rear elevational views showing the cuts made in the piece of wood of FIG. 1 to obtain shims according to the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective side elevational view showing a small bundle of shims comprising eight sets of stacked shims as shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective side elevational view showing a package comprising twelve small bundles of shims as shown in FIG. 7.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective side elevational view showing a bag for packaging shims.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective side elevational view showing the bag of FIG. 9 in use.

[0029] The same reference numerals have been used in all the figures to denote the same or similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] As aforesaid, the present invention relates to separable shims, to a method of making the same and to a bundle of separable shims.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a separable wood shim assembly (18) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly includes a first and a second wedge-shaped wood shim (10,12). Each of these shims (10,12) has a bottom face (16) and a top face (14), which extends between thick and tapered opposite ends (17,19). When assembled, as shown in FIG. 3, the first wood shim (10) is superposed to the second wood shim (12) tapering along the same direction, that is, that the thick ends (17) of both wood shims (10,12) are aligned together. Similarly, the tapered ends (19) of the first and second wood shims (10,12) are also in alignment. In practice, the two wood shims (10,12) of a same assembly are not of equal length and thickness, as a result of the imprecision of the manufacturing process. It is understood that the precise and relative dimensions of the two wood shims (10,12) are not material to the present invention, which simply requires that the two shims are wedge-shaped and taper in the same direction.

[0032] The assembly (18) also includes a breakable connector (15), preferably embodied by a thin strip of wood. Although shown here as extending centrally along the entire length of the wood shims, it is understood it could also be provided off the central axis or be differently shaped, as long as it accomplishes the function of joining both shims together. In this way, a pair of shims can be used together to form a double-width shim (18), or be separated to define two single-width shims (10) and (12), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] It is understood that the present invention may easily be extended to wood shim assemblies having more than two superposed wood shims, to give a larger choice of thickness obtainable from a single assembly.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 there is illustrated a method to make separable shim assemblies according to another aspect of the present invention. In accordance with this method, a rectangular piece of wood (20) is provided from which two separable wood shim assemblies (18) are to be made. Two partial cuts (22,24), substantially parallel to each other, are made across the length of the piece of wood (20). These cuts extend partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood, preferably by two superposed saws, so that they leave parallel strips (15) of wood extending along the middle of the piece of wood (20). Each partial cut (22,24) preferably extends from the mid-point of the width of the piece of wood at one end of a corner of the opposite end, as better seen in FIG. 5. However, a great precision in the cutting operations is not necessary for the purposes of the present invention. Afterwards, another oblique cut (26) is made, between the two oblique cuts (22,24), from one corner of the piece of wood (20) to the opposite oblique corner of the same piece for completely separating the piece of wood (20) into two halves. The result is two sets of double shims as explained before. Of course, one could choose to not completely separate the piece of wood (20) into two halves by making the second cut (26) in such a way that it extends only partially through the piece of wood (20) for leaving therein a strip of wood (21).

[0035] Preferably, the pieces of wood (20) which are used for making the shims are small pieces of wood measuring 11½×1¼×⅞ inches. The remaining strips (15) of wood are preferably {fraction (1/64)} inch thick. Preferably also, the piece of wood (20) is made of cedar but other species of wood may also be used such as fir and spruce.

[0036] Once made, the double-width shims (18) are stacked upon each other for packaging, forming a bundle (28) according to another aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the separable wood shim assemblies are assembled in rows (34), each row (34) being arranged with the wood shims of neighbouring assemblies tapering in opposite directions thereby forming together a bundle (28) of a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, a row (34) of bundle (28) includes eight separable shim assemblies (18), as shown in FIG. 7. The shims assemblies (18) of one row (34) are also preferably held together using an adhesive tape (30). Even more preferably, the shims (18) are shipped in packages of several rows (34) assembled together with a sticking strap (32), as shown in FIG. 8. Typically, bundles of twelve rows are for example packaged in this manner.

[0037] Advantageously, the bundles of the present invention may be wrapped in a plastic bag (50). As better shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bag (50) is preferably generally rectangular in shape and has a top portion (52) which remains empty when the bag is filled with the bundle of wood shim assemblies. Preferably, the top portion (52) can be torn so as to be open and then hinge on one of its sides (56). The top portion (52) preferably has a hole (54) made therein, which can be provided prior to packaging or after opening of the bag (50). The hole (54) is usable as a hook to hang the bag (50) from a construction belt (60), as best shown in FIG. 10. In this manner, the user can easily remove individual shims (10) from the bag (50) hanging at his belt (60).

[0038] Preferably, the bag (50) is dimensioned for receiving a large bundle (28) of shims according to the present invention and shown in FIG. 7. Typically, the “storage” portion of the bag measures 11½×3×2½ inches. It is made of material that is sufficiently resistant so that the shim does not tear it. Preferably, the bag is made of a transparent plastic material such as polyethylene.

[0039] Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the embodiments above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A separable wood shim assembly, comprising: first and second wedge-shaped wood shims, each having a bottom face and a top face extending between thick and tapered opposite ends, said first wood shim being superposed to said second wood shim tapering along a same direction; and a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim.

2. The separable wood shim assembly according to claim 1, wherein said breakable connector comprises a thin strip of wood extending along said bottom face of the first wood shim and top face of the second wood shim.

3. The separable wood shim assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second wood shims are made of a species of wood selected from the group consisting of cedar, fir and spruce.

4. A bundle of wood shims, comprising: at least one row of separable wood shim assemblies, each assembly comprising first and second wedge-shaped wood shims, each having a bottom face and a top face extending between thick and tapered opposite ends, said first wood shim being superposed to said second wood shim tapering along a same direction, each assembly further comprising a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim, said row being arranged with the wood shims of neighbouring assemblies tapering in opposite directions.

5. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4, wherein the breakable connector of each wood shim assembly comprises a thin strip of wood extending along the bottom face of the first wood shim and top face of the second wood shim.

6. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4, further comprising a piece of adhesive tape attaching the wood shim assemblies of a row together.

7. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of said rows of wood shims disposed laterally adjacent to each other.

8. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 7, comprising a piece of sticking strap attaching said rows of wood shims together.

9. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4, further comprising a bag wrapping said rows of separable wood shim assemblies.

10. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 9, wherein said bag is made of plastic.

11. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 9, wherein said bag is rectangular-shaped.

12. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 11, wherein said bag has an empty top portion when the rows of separable wood shim assemblies are wrapped therein, the empty top portion being partially tearable to access said shim assemblies.

13. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 12, wherein said top panel has a hooking hole therein.

14. A method for making separable wood shim assemblies, comprising the steps of: a) providing a rectangular piece of wood; b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cuts obliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and c) making a full cut obliquely across the length of the rectangular piece of wood between said partial cuts, thereby separating the rectangular piece of wood into two separable wood shim assemblies.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the rectangular piece of wood provided in step a) measures 11½×1¼×⅞ inches.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein step b) comprises making said partial cuts with two superposed saws.

17. A method for making separable wood shim assemblies, comprising the steps of: a) providing a rectangular piece of wood; b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cuts obliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and c) making an additional partial cut obliquely across the length of the rectangular piece of wood between said partial cuts, said additional partial cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving an additional thin strip of wood therein, said separable wood shim assemblies extending on either side of said additional thin strip of wood.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rectangular piece of wood provided in step a) measures 11½×1¼×⅞ inches.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein steps b) and c) comprises making said partial cuts with two superposed saws.