A joint for wall panels made of cross laminated timber

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wall corner panel joint comprising a first corner panel (40) and a second corner panel (60). The first corner panel (40) comprises a protrusion (46) extending thereof, a groove (47) adjacent to the protrusion (46), and a flange (48) at the end of the protrusion (46). The second corner panel (60) comprises a first side protrusion (66) and a second side protrusion (67) so that upon assembly of the first corner panel (40) with the second corner panel (60) a wedge space (93) is formed. The corner panel joint further comprises a set of two wedges (30). Upon assembly of the two corner panels (40; 60) both wedges (30) can be inserted into the wedge space (93) forming an interference fit between the wedges (30) and the corner panels (40; 60). The wall panels made of a cross laminated timber.

Description

A JOINT FOR WALL PANELS MADE OF CROSS LAMINATED TIMBERDESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to wall panel joints, especially to the wall panels made of a cross laminated timber (CLT).Background of the invention

[0002] The prior art discloses various wall panel joints. One of such wall panel joints is disclosed in the Chinese utility model registration No. CN211229019 describing the wall comprising a wall body and a wall surface, a groove, which is dug in the right end of the wall body, a left wood plate, arranged on the left side of the interior of the wall surface, connecting blocks, riveted to the upper side and the lower side of the right end of the left wood plate, right wood plates, riveted to the right ends of the connecting blocks, and a hollow layer, formed between the left wood plate and the right wood plates. The following solution uses rivets as joint elements. US patent application publication No. 2021 / 0095479 discloses a Cross -Laminated Timber (CLT) used to connect two CLT components such as CLT panels. The CLT joint includes a first CLT component and a second CLT component. The first CLT component includes a recessed channel. The second CLT component includes a grooved extension. The grooved extension and the recessed channel have complimentary patterns. The grooved extension is configured to nest within the recessed channel. The CLT panel includes a first CLT side and a second CLT side. The first CLT side includes a recessed channel. The second CLT side may be opposite the first CLT side and includes a grooved extension.

[0003] European patent publication No. EP1929103 discloses a joint for panels having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being provided with a distal edge and a downwards protruding heel. The distal edge is further provided with an upper joint edge beneath which a groove is arranged. The second edge is provided with lower cheek having a distal end at which an upwards protruding lower cheek heel is arranged. The second edge is further provided with an upper joining edge beneath which an undercut is arranged. A moveable locking element is arranged in the space created by the undercut. The moveable locking element have a locking tongue, a locking tongue leg and a manoeuvring leg. International application publication No. WO2019 / 038268 discloses a construction system for walls, slabs and supporting elements, in which a first construction element has a joint surface providedwith a tongue, and a second construction element has a joint surface provided with a groove. The tongue can be inserted into the groove with play, when the two construction elements are assembled to form a joint at said joint surfaces. The system further comprises a spline inserted between a first side surface of the tongue and a first side surface of the groove, so as to push the joint surface of said first construction element, in the direction of the height of the tongue, against said joint surface of said second construction element. International application publication No. W02013 / 060871 discloses a foam blade that is connectable to a blade of the same type by a tongue and groove system in which the blade includes two major opposite surfaces and four edges connecting said surfaces, a first and a second opposite parallel edge each having a section forming a tongue type profile and a groove type profile, each one of said first and second edges having a recess over the entire length of the tongue type profile thereof, the opening of the recess being oriented toward the median plane between the tongue and the respective groove, the shape of the second edge being complementary to the shape of the second edge except at the recesses, and the position of each one of the recesses being such that said recesses are suitable for forming together a cavity during the connections of two blades of the same type.

[0004] Japanese patent application publication No. JP2006183377A discloses a connection structure of wooden building where the wood panels are joint together by the wedge. Similar structure is described in the Japanese patent application publication No. JP2013019219A.

[0005] Aim of the invention is to design an easy to manufacture and assemble wall panel structure.Summary of the invention

[0006] The aim is reached by a design of a wall corner panel joint comprising two wall corner panels interconnected to each other by means of locking features at the edges of said wall comer panels and by means of wedges, particularly a set of two wedges. The wall corner panels are made of CLT. CLT panel is a wood panel product made from gluing together layers of solid-sawn lumber, i.e., lumber cut from a single log. Each layer of boards is oriented generally perpendicular to adjacent layers and glued on the wide faces of each board, usually in a symmetric way so that the outer layers have the same orientation. An odd number of layers or configurations with even numbers may be used. Regular timber is an anisotropic material, meaning that the physical properties change depending on the direction at which the force is applied. By gluing layers of wood at right angles, the panel is able to achieve better structural rigidity in both directions. It is similar to plywood but with distinctively thickerlaminations or lamellae. CLT wall panels may comprise three to seven layers, preferably five layers.

[0007] The wall comer panel joint comprises a first comer panel and a second corner panel. Both corner panels are elongated, rectangular wall comer panels.

[0008] The first comer panel has a two side faces, spaced apart from each other, a first side edges and a corner side edge, and a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein each side edge extends between two side faces. The side faces are the widest faces compared to the first side edges, the comer side edge, the top and the bottom edge. The bottom edge is the edge, on which the first comer panel is supported, for example, on the base of the building to be made. The top edge is the edge, on which the roof or ceiling may be supported.

[0009] The second corner panel has a two side faces, spaced apart from each other, a first side edges and a corner side edge, and a top edge and a bottom edge. Each side edge extends between two side faces. The side faces are the widest faces compared to the first side edges, the comer side edge, the top and the bottom edge. The bottom edge is the edge, on which the second comer panel is supported, for example, on the base of the building to be made. The top edge is the edge, on which the roof or ceiling may be supported.

[0010] The corner side edge of the first corner panel comprises a protrusion extending thereof and a groove adjacent to the protrusion. At the end of the protrusion a flange is formed. The comer side edge of the second corner panel comprises a first side protmsion and a second side protmsion so that upon assembly of the first corner panel with the second comer panel the first side protrusion of the second comer panel bears against the flange of the first comer panel and the second side protmsion of second corner panel is inserted into the groove of the first comer panel and both assembled panels form a wedge space defined by the protrusion and the flange of the first corner panel and protmsions and the corner side edge of the second comer panel,[Oi l] The comer panel joint further comprises a set of two wedges. Each wedge is in the form of elongated bar. One side edge of the wedge is inclined and the inclined one side edges of both wedges are opposed to each other so that upon assembly of the two corner panels both wedges can be inserted into the wedge space forming an interference fit between both wedges and both comer panels.

[0012] Upon assembly upon assembly of the first corner panel with the second comer panel the first side protrusion of the second comer panel bears against the flange of the first comer panel and the second side protmsion of second corner panel is inserted into the groove of the first comer panel and both assembled panels form a wedge space defined by the protrusionand the flange of the first corner panel and protrusions and the corner side edge of the second comer panel. The two wedges are inserted into the wedge space so that the interference fit is formed between both wedges and both comer panels securing thereof. In other words, two wedges are inserted into the wedge space in such a tightly fit manner with the part of the heels and the part of the protrusions of both assembled wall panels that no empty space is left. Aforementioned features allow to assemble wall panels without lifting any of said wall panel. No lifting of one of the wall panels in necessary, which considerably decreases a complexity of assembly. Hence, dangerous and work consuming lifting operations are avoided.

[0013] The wedge has a first end with a first end cross section and a second end with a second end cross section. The first end cross section of the wedge is smaller than the second end cross section of the same wedge, in result of which one side edge of the wedge is inclined in relation to opposed side edge, wherein all other edges are straight. Upon insertion of the wedges into the wedge space both wedges are opposed to each other with its inclined edges. The wedge comprises four side edges and two ends - a first end and a second end. The cross section of the second end of the wedge is in the form of a square and the cross section of the first end of the same wedge is in the form of a rectangle. The longest side of the rectangle of the cross section of the first end of the wedge is equal to the one side of the square of the cross section of the second end of the same wedge. The shortest side of the rectangle of the first end cross section of the first end is one third from the one side of the square of the cross section of the second end of the same wedge.

[0014] The set of two wedges inserted into the wedge space are so tightly fit with the part of the protrusion and the flange of the first comer panel and protrusions and the comer side edge of the second comer panel that no empty space is left in the wedge space.

[0015] In addition the first side edge of the corner panel may comprise a protrusion extending thereof and a groove adjacent to the protrusion. At the end or tip of the protmsion a heel is formed. The protmsion as well as the groove are formed along entire side edge of the wall panel. The heel extends from the protrusion generally orthogonal forming a hook-like feature. The heel is formed along entire protrusion of the wall panel and the lip is formed along entire heel of the wall panel. Upon assembly of the comer panel having aforementioned features and a wall panel having the same features, both assembled panels for a wedge space. This wedge space is defined by the heels and protmsions of both assembled panels - the comer panel and the wall panel. The two wedges are inserted into the wedge space so that the interference fit is formed between both wedges and the comer panel, and the wall panel securing thereof.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the heel comprises a lip extending from said heel and in the direction away from the side edge of the wall panel.

[0017] The wall panels and wedges are processed to obtain certain moisture content. The moisture content of the first wall panel and the second wall panel is in the range of 10% to 16%, preferably 12%. The moisture content of the wedge (30) is in the range of 5% to 9%, preferably 7%.Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments of the invention.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first corner panel (40) and a second corner panel (60) as well as a set of two wedges (30) ready to be inserted in a wedge space (93).

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the wall corner panel joint as seen in Fig. 1 where the set of two wedges (30) is partly inserted into the wedge space (93).

[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective upper view of a wall panel joint wherein both corner panels (40 and 60) are joined and a set of two wedges (30) is ready to be inserted into a wedge space (93).

[0022] Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a first corner panel (40), a second corner panel (60) and a set of wedges (30) before their assembly.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a side view of a set of wedges (30).

[0024] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a set of wedges (30) as seen in Fig. 5 A-A.

[0025] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of assembly of comer panels (40 and 60) and wall panels (1), wherein both corner panels (40 and 60) are joined and a set of two wedges (30) is inserted into a wedge space (93) and to each comer panel (40 and 60) a respective wall panel (1) is joined using the set of two wedges (30).

[0026] Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the assembly as seen in Fig. 7.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the first wall panel (1) as seen in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0028] Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a wall panel joint comprising two assembled first wall panels (1) with a set of two wedges (30) inserted in a wedge space (39) with an interference fit.

[0029] Fig. 11 is a perspective upper view of a building assembled from first wall panels (1) and corner panels (40 and 60).Detailed description of the embodiments

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the figures to illustrate objectives, advantages, and efficiency of the present invention.

[0031] Figs. 1 to 4 illustrates a wall corner panel joint as well as its assembly process, where a first corner panel (40) is joined with a second panel (60) followed by insertion of a set of two wedges (30) in a wedge space (93) formed by said corner panels (40; 60). The first corner panel (40) having two side faces (41) spaced apart from each other, a first side edge (42) and a corner side edge (43). Each side edge (42; 43) of the first corner panel (40) extends between two side faces (41) of the first comer panel (40). The first corner panel (40) also has a top edge (44) and a bottom edge (45). The second corner panel (60) having two side faces (61) spaced apart from each other, a first side edge (62) and a corner side edge (63). Each side edge (62; 63) of the second corner panel (60) extends between two side faces (61) of second comer panel (60). The second corner panel (60) also has a top edge (64) and a bottom edge (65). The corner side edge (43) of the first comer panel (40) comprises a protrusion (46) extending thereof and a groove (47) adjacent to the protrusion (46). At the end of the protrusion (46) the first corner panel (40) a flange (48) is formed. The comer side edge (63) of the second comer panel (60) comprises a first side protrusion (66) and a second side protrusion (67) so that upon assembly of the first corner panel (40) with the second comer panel (60) the first side protrusion (66) of the second comer panel (60) bears against the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and the second side protrusion (67) of second corner panel (60) is inserted into the groove (47) of the first corner panel (40) and both assembled panels (40 and 60) form a wedge space (93) defined by the protmsion (46) and the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and protrusions (66 and 67) and the comer side edge (63) of the second comer panel (60). The corner panel joint further comprises a set of two wedges (30), wherein both wedges (30) are insertable into the wedge space (93) forming an interference fit between both wedges (30) and both comer panels (40 and 60). Two wedges (30) are inserted into the wedge space (93) are so tightly fit with the part of the protrusion (46) and the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and protrusions (66 and 67) and the corner side edge (63) of the second comer panel (60) that no empty space is left in the wedge space (93).

[0032] Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate wedges (30). Each wedge (30) is in the form of elongated bar and one side edge (31) of the wedge (30) is inclined and the inclined one side edges (31) of both wedges (30) are opposed to each other so that upon assembly of the two corner panels (40 and 60) both wedges (30) can be inserted into the wedge space (93) forming an interference fit between both wedges (30) and both corner panels (40 and 60). The wedge(30) has a first end (35) with a first end cross section and a second end (36) with a second end cross section, wherein the first end cross section is smaller than the second end cross section, in result of which one side edge (31) of the wedge (30) is inclined in relation to opposed side edge (32). the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the wedge (30) is in the form of a square and the first end cross section of the first end (35) of the same wedge (30) is in the form of a rectangle. The longest side of the rectangle of the first end cross section of the first end (35) of the wedge (30) is equal to the one side of the square of the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the same wedge (30). The shortest side of the rectangle of the first end cross section of the first end (35) is one third from the one side of the square of the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the same wedge (30). that two wedges (30) inserted into the wedge space (93) are so tightly fit with the part of the protrusion (46) and the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and protrusions (66 and 67) and the corner side edge (63) of the second comer panel (60) that no empty space is left in the wedge space (93).

[0033] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of assembly of corner panels (40 and 60) and wall panels (1), wherein both corner panels (40 and 60) are joined and a set of two wedges (30) is inserted into a wedge space (93) and to each comer panel (40 and 60) a respective wall panel (1) is joined using the set of two wedges (30). Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the assembly as seen in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the first wall panel (1) as seen in Figs. 7 and 8. The first wall panel (1) has a front face (3) and a back face (4), two side edges (5), wherein each side edge (5) extends between the front face (3) and the back face (4) on each respective side of the faces (3; 4), and a top edge (6) and a bottom edge (7). Each side edge (5) of the first wall panel (1) comprises a protmsion (51) extending thereof and each side edge (5) of the first panel (1) comprises a groove (52) adjacent to the protmsion (51) At the end of the protmsion (51) a heel (53) is formed so that upon assembly of two adjacent first wall panels (1) the heel (53) on one first wall panel (1) is inserted into the groove (52) of the another adjacent first wall panel (1) and both assembled first wall panels (1) form a wedge space (39) defined by the heels (53) and protmsions (51) of both assembled first wall panels (1). The two wedges (30) are inserted into the wedge space (39) so that the interference fit is formed between both wedges (30) and both first wall panels (1) as seen in Fig. 11. Similar features comprises the corner panel (40 and 60) on its first side edge (42 and 62). Each side edge (42 and 62) of respective cornel panel (40 and 60) comprises the protrusion (51) extending thereof and the groove (52) adjacent to the protrusion (51) At the end of the protrusion (51) a heel (53) is formed so that upon assembly to adjacent first wall panel (1) theheel (53) on one first wall panel (1) is inserted into the groove (52) of the comer panel (40 or 60) and both assembled panels (1 and 40; 1 and 60) form the wedge space (39) defined by the heels (53) and protrusions (51) of both assembled panels (1 and 40; 1 and 60). Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a wall panel joint comprising two assembled first wall panels (1) with a set of two wedges (30) inserted in a wedge space (39) with an interference fit.

[0034] The first corner panel (40), the second corner panel (60) and the wall panel (1) are made of cross laminated timber (CLT) panels having five layers as seen in Figs.4, 8 to 10.

[0035] In result of joining said panels (40; 60, 1) in aforementioned manner a building can be made as illustrated in Fig. 11. Ease of assembly the panels (40; 60, 1) allows to considerably shorten assembly process as well as allow to assemble the panels without a use of cranes or any other lifting mechanisms.

[0036] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been shown by way of example in the figures and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wall corner panel joint comprising: a first corner panel (40) having two side faces (41) spaced apart from each other, a first side edge (42) and a comer side edge (43), wherein each side edge (42; 43) extends between two side faces (41), and a top edge (44) and a bottom edge (45); a second corner panel (60) having two side faces (61) spaced apart from each other, a first side edge (62) and a corner side edge (63), wherein each side edge (62; 63) extends between two side faces (61), and a top edge (64) and a bottom edge (65); wherein the corner side edge (43) of the first comer panel (40) comprises a protmsion(46) extending thereof and a groove (47) adjacent to the protrusion (46), wherein at the end of the protrusion (46) a flange (48) is formed, wherein the corner side edge (63) of the second corner panel (60) comprises a first side protrusion (66) and a second side protmsion (67) so that upon assembly of the first comer panel (40) with the second corner panel (60) the first side protrusion (66) of the second corner panel (60) bears against the flange (48) of the first comer panel (40) and the second side protmsion (67) of second corner panel (60) is inserted into the groove(47) of the first corner panel (40) and both assembled panels (40 and 60) form a wedge space (93) defined by the protrusion (46) and the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and the protrusions (66 and 67) and the comer side edge (63) of the second corner panel (60), wherein the corner panel joint further comprises a set of two wedges (30), wherein each wedge (30) is in the form of elongated bar and one side edge (31) of the wedge (30) is inclined and the inclined one side edges (31) of both wedges (30) are opposed to each other so that upon assembly of the two corner panels (40 and 60) both wedges (30) can be inserted into the wedge space (93) forming an interference fit between both wedges (30) and both comer panels (40 and 60); and wherein the corner panels (40 and 60) are made of cross laminated timber (CLT) panel.

2. The wall panel joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedge (30) having a first end (35) with a first end cross section and a second end (36) with a second end cross section, wherein the first end cross section is smaller than the second end cross section, in result of which one side edge (31) of the wedge (30) is inclined in relation to opposed side edge (32).

3. The wall panel joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the wedge (30) is in the form of a square and the first end cross section of the first end (35) of the same wedge (30) is in the form of a rectangle, wherein the longest side of the rectangle of the first end cross section of the first end (35) of the wedge (30) is equal to the one side of the square of the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the same wedge (30), and wherein the shortest side of the rectangle of the first end cross section of the first end (35) is one third from the one side of the square of the second end cross section of the second end (36) of the same wedge (30).

4. The wall panel joint according to any of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the moisture content of the first wall panel (1) is in the range of 10% to 16%, preferably 12% and the moisture content of the wedge (30) is in the range of 5% to 9%, preferably 7%.

5. The wall panel joint according to any of claim 1 to 4, characterized in that two wedges (30) inserted into the wedge space (93) are so tightly fit with the part of the protrusion (46) and the flange (48) of the first corner panel (40) and protrusions (66 and 67) and the corner side edge (63) of the second comer panel (60) that no empty space is left in the wedge space (93).

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