Composite structural member

Abstract

A timber structural member includes: a first timber round having a first cooperating surface, a second timber round having second and third cooperating surfaces, and a third timber round having a fourth cooperating surface. The first cooperating surface is shaped to cooperate with the second cooperating surface, and the third cooperating surface is shaped to cooperate with the fourth cooperating surface. The first, second and third timber rounds are secured together to form a structurally integral unit, wherein the first cooperating surface contacts the second cooperating surface, and the third cooperating surface contacts the fourth cooperating surface, and the first, second and third timber rounds are substantially parallel to each other. Fasteners spaced along the length of the structural member at both acute and obtuse angles from its longitudinal axis secure the first, second and third timber rounds together. The fasteners extend through the first, second and third timber rounds.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to the field of construction, and in particular building construction. Included within the present invention are structural timber members capable of bearing loads required in applications such as bearers, floor joists, roof rafters, beams, columns and the like.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Timber is a renewable natural resource useful in the construction of buildings and other structures. When trees are harvested there is significant wastage of woody material. Typically this material is used in relatively low value applications such as fuel for heat generation, wood chips, landscaping products, the production of bio fuels and the like. While these are effective uses of waste products they do not add value to the product, and merely minimise economic loss on the cost of timber production.[0003]Timber products act to sequester carbon dioxide for decades, thereby assisting in limiting climate change. This is a practical ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a structural member that has multiple holes designed to hold various fasteners. These holes can be at various angles and can have different shapes to accommodate different types of fasteners. The fasteners are secured in the holes with an adhesive, and the holes are sized to allow for proper encapsulation of the fasteners. This helps prevent the fasteners from touching the sides of the holes and also keeps them away from environmental exposure. The technical effect of this patent is that it provides a simple and effective solution for attaching various components to a structural member.

Problems solved by technology

When trees are harvested there is significant wastage of woody material.

While these are effective uses of waste products they do not add value to the product, and merely minimise economic loss on the cost of timber production.

However, these advantages are diminished or lost where woody waste material is combusted or otherwise transformed to release carbon dioxide.

Many current uses for wood waste release significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby exacerbating climate change and undermining the carbon sequestration advantages of timber products.

A further problem in the art is the significant time taken for a tree to be ready for harvest.

While effective in structural applications, these prior art beams are formed from timbers that are implicated in some of the problems referred to supra in so far as the component timbers are necessarily harvested in a wasteful manner Furthermore, these prior art beams are formed from relatively expensive timbers and for some applications are excessive in weight or moisture content.

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