GB2361734A

GB2361734A - Board assembly with bracing members accommodated in grooves

Info

Publication number: GB2361734A
Application number: GB0008418A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Roger Wilkinson
Original assignee: MARK WILKINSON FURNITURE Ltd
Current assignee: MARK WILKINSON FURNITURE Ltd
Priority date: 2000-04-05
Filing date: 2000-04-05
Publication date: 2001-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-05
Also published as: GB2361734B; GB0008418D0

Abstract

The assembly comprises a plurality of boards 10, 12, 14 positioned adjacent each other, each board having one or more slots aligned to form one or more transverse grooves 16-19 across the boards, into which grooves are received one or more bracing members 20, 22, 24, 26. The slots and resulting grooves may be tapered so that the mouth is narrower than the base, and the bracing member may likewise be tapered to fit. The grooves and bracing members may also be tapered along their length. The bracing members may be slid into place from the side edge of the assembly. The assembly may be used as a door and the bracing members may be used to mount hinges.

Description

2361734 BOARD ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a method of

assembling boards, and to an assembly of boards produced by such a method. It is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with assembling a plurality of boards to form a door.

It is well known to form a door for a cabinet, cupboard etc, by positioning a plurality of boards adjacent each other, and then attaching a bracing member thereto, to extend transversely across the boards. Attaching each board to the bracing member, the boards are then held in place and the resulting assembly is strong. It is also known in such an arrangement for the edges of the boards to be linked by tongue and groove arrangements, to prevent gaps appearing between the boards.

In such an arrangement, the strength of the resulting assembly depends on the strength of the attachment of the boards to the bracing member. If glue and/or pins are used, as often is the case on cabinet doors, then the stresses on the door may result in the boards and bracing members becoming detached. Whilst the tongue and groove arrangements may still hold the door together, the door is weakened.

The present invention seeks to improve the known arrangements of assemblies of boards having one or more transverse bracing members, and proposes that the bracing 2 members are inset into respective one or more transverse grooves in the boards.

Thus, the present invention may provide an assembly of boards for eg a door, comprising a plurality of elongate boards positioned adjacent each other, having one or more slots in each board, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the boards, into which the bracing mernber(s) are received.

Preferably, the slots in each board, and hence the resulting groove, are inwardly tapered, so the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base. The bracing member(s) are then tapered in a matching way, so that when the bracing member(s) are slid into the groove from the side, they are held in place. In such an arrangement, although glue may then be used to fix the or each bracing member to the boards, the boards are still held on the bracing member(s) due to the matching tapering even if the glue should fail.

Preferably, the groove(s) are tapered along their length, so that the transverse width of the mouth of the or each groove at one end of the groove (s) is wider than the transverse width of the mouth at the other. The corresponding bracing member(s) are similarly tapered along their length, so that a wedge-like arrangement is formed along the length of the or each groove and the corresponding bracing member (s). In such an arrangement, when the or each 3 bracing members are inserted into the corresponding groove or grooves the frictional forces of the wedging will tend to hold the boards onto the bracing member (s) Moreover, since transverse movement of the boards relative to the bracing member(s) is possibly in one direction only, if the board at the narrowest end of the or each groove is firmly fixed to the bracing member(s), the other boards cannot move.

Whilst it is possible for one or more bracing members to be provided on one side only of the boards, it is preferable for bracing members to be provided on both sides. Indeed, it is then better if each bracing members on one side of the boards is aligned with a bracing member on the other side. This means that the forces exerted by the bracing members on the boards perpendicular to the plane of the boards are in opposite directions.

Whilst it is preferable for the bracing members to extend substantially perpendicularly to the direction of elongation of the boards, this is not essential and it would be possible for the bracing members to be inclined. In practice, however, this is a less strong arrangement and produces a less pleasing appearance.

The depth of the bracing members may be the same as the depth of the grooves, or be greater. The latter has the advantage of increased strength, and a more rustic appearance, but it is often important for the surface of a door to be f lush.

4 Normally, where the present invention is used to form a door, the bracing members are positioned so that at least one is near the top of the door, and at least one is near the bottom. The bracing members may then be used as 5 attachment points for hinges.

Whilst the invention has been described above primarily in connection with the assembly of a door, the present invention is not limited to that purpose, and an assembly of boards and bracing members(s) according to the present invention may be used in other situations, particularly where structural strength is needed. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Fig 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a door, being an embodiment of the invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of the door of Fig 1; Figs 3a and 3b are a front elevation view and a crosssectional view respectively of the door; and 20 Fig 4 is a perspective view of the door with the additions of hinges and a handle. Fig 1 shows the first step in the assembly of a door being an embodiment. In the first step, five boards of wood are fitted together. The three middle boards 10 have a tongue lla along one edge and a groove llb along the other edge. One of the end boards 14 just has a groove 15 along one edge, but no tongue. The other end board 12 has a tongue 13 along one edge, but no groove. When the boards are placed side by side the tongue on each plank fits into the groove on the adjacent board and so the assembled boards 5 slot neatly together.

The boards are loosely placed together as described above and put on a CNC router bed. The CNC is used to carve out the transverse grooves 16 and 18 on one face of the board assembly and two transverse grooves, 17 and 19, respectively opposite these on the other face of the board assembly. Grooves 16 and 17 are near one edge of the assembly, grooves 18 and 19 are near the other edge. The grooves 16 to 18 are wedge sloped, so that the transverse width of each groove is greatest at board 14 and gradually becomes narrower along its length towards the end of the groove at the edge of board 12. This is /illustrated in Fig 3a. The grooves are also tapered so that their cross sections increase with depth into the boards, as shown in Fig 3b.

Bracing members 20, 24, 22 and 26 are then inserted respectively into grooves 16, 18, 17 and 19 to secure the boards together and provide structural integrity. The bracing members are then glued in place. The bracing members are of a similar shape and tapered similarly to the wedge shape grooves into which they are inserted, so as to make a tight fit. Bracing members 22 and 26 are a perfect 6 fit with grooves 17 and 19 on the lower face of the assembly and lie flush with the surface of the assembly once inserted. Bracing members 20 and 24 fit tightly with grooves 16 and 18, on the upper face of the assembly, but are thicker than the depth of the grooves and so extend beyond the surface of the assembly once inserted, as shown in Figs 2 and 3b.

An assembly manufactured as described above can be used in construction of a door as shown in Fig 4. A handle 28 and hinges 30 and 32 are attached. The hinges 30 and 32 are attached by use of screws. Additional decorative panels 35, 36 may be mounted on the bracing members 20, 24 by screws 34 to give the appearance of a large wooden hinge.

Claims

-1 Claims

1. A board assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards positioned adjacent to each other, having one or more slots in each board, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the boards, and one or more bracing members which are received into the or each transverse groove.

2. A board assembly according to claim 1 wherein the slot (s) of the boards and the resulting groove(s) are tapered such that the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base.

3. A board assembly according to claim 2 wherein the bracing member(s) are tapered such that the taper of the or each bracing member conforms to the taper of the corresponding groove(s).

4. A board assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the groove (s) are tapered along their length so that the transverse width of the mouth of the or each groove at one end of the groove is wider than the transverse width of the mouth of the or each groove at the other end.

5. A board assembly according to claim 4 where said bracing member(s) are tapered along their length such that a wedgelike arrangement is formed along the length of the or each groove and the corresponding bracing member(s).

6. A board assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said bracing members is provided on each side of said boards.

7. A board assembly according to claim 6 where at least one said bracing member on one side of the boards is aligned with at least one said bracing member on the other side of the boards.

8. A board assembly according to claim 1 where depth of the or each bracing member is not less than the depth of the or each groove.

9. A door assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards positioned adjacent to each other, having one or more slots in each board, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the boards, and one or more bracing members which are received into the or each transverse groove.

10. A door assembly according to claim 9, having a plurality of bracing members positioned such that at least one is near the top of said door assembly and at least one is near the bottom.

11. A door assembly according to claim 9 or claim where said bracing members are used as attachment points for hinges.

12. A board assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of making a board assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards and one or more bracing members, wherein said boards are positioned adjacent to each other, each board having one or more slots, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the said boards such that the or each transverse groove receives the or each bracing member.

14. A method for assembling a door accirding to claim 13 where the or each bracing member is slid into the or each groove f rom the side.

is. A method of making a board assembly substantially as any one described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of making a board assembly according to claim 13 where the or each bracing member is slid into the or each groove from the side.

15. A method for assembling a door comprising a plurality of elongate boards and one or more bracing members, wherein said boards are positioned adjacent to each other. each board having one or more slots, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the said boards such that the or each transverse groove receives the or each bracing member.

16. A method for assembling a door according to claim 15 where the or each bracing member is slid into the or each groove from the side.

17. A method of making a board assembly substantially as any one described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

to Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A board assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards Positioned adjacent to each other, having one or more slots in each board, the slots of the boards being aligned to f orm one or more transverse grooves across the boards, and one or more bracing members which are received into the or each transverse groove, wherein the slot(s) of the boards and the resulting groove(s) are tapered such that the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base and the bracing member(s) are tapered such that the taper of the or each bracing member conforms to the taper of the corresponding groove(s).

2. A board assembly according to claim 1, wherein the groove (s) are tapered along their length so that the transverse width of the mouth of the or each groove at one end of the groove is wider than the transverse width of the mouth of the or each groove at the other end.

3. A board assembly according to claim 2 where said bracing member(s) are tapered along their length such that a wedge- like arrangement is formed along the length of the or each groove and the corresponding bracing member(s) 4. A board assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said bracing members is provided on each face of said boards.

5. A board assembly according to claim 4 where at least one said bracing member on one f ace of the boards is aligned with at least one face bracing member on the other side of the boards.

6. A board assembly a ccording to claim 1 where depth of the or each bracing member is not less than the depth of the or each groo.e.

7. A door assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards positioned adjacent to each other, having one or more slots in each board, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the boards, and one or more bracing members which are received into the or each transverse groove, wherein the slot(s) of the boards and the resulting groove(s) are tapered such that the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base and the bracing member(s) are tapered such that the taper of the or each bracing member conforms to the taper of the corresponding groove (s).

8. A door assembly according to claim 7, having a plurality of bracing members positioned such that at least one is near the top of said door assembly and at least one is near the bottom.

9. A door assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8 where said bracing members are used as attachment points for hinges.

10. A board assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of making a board assembly comprising a plurality of elongate boards and one or more bracing members, wherein said boards are positioned adjacent to each other, each board having one or more slots, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the said boards such that the or each transverse groove receives the or each bracing member, wherein the slot(s) of the boards and the resulting groove(s) are tapered such that the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base and the bracing member(s) are tapered such that the taper of the or each bracing member conforms to the taper of the corresponding groove(s).

12. A method of making a board assembly according to claim 11 where the or each bracing member is slid into the or each groove f rom the side.

13. A method for assembling a door comprising a plurality of elongate boards and one or more bracing members, wherein said boards are positioned adjacent to each other, each board having one or more slots, the slots of the boards being aligned to form one or more transverse grooves across the said boards such that the or each transverse groove receives the or each bracing member, wherein the slot(s) of the boards and the resulting groove(s) are tapered such that the mouth of the or each groove is narrower than its base and the bracing member(s) are tapered such that the taper of the or each bracing member conforms to the taper of the corresponding groove(s).