Edge joining of boards

Abstract

An improved and strengthened wide board composed of multiple edge joined narrow boards for use in commercial and residential construction is disclosed. These wide boards are typically used for purposes such as shelving, stair treads, or other purposes where they may be appropriate. The improved wide board is made by drilling or boring holes from edge to edge through the width of each narrow board, with the exception of the leading narrow board in each wide edge joined board, in a manner that accommodates screws or fasteners, which act to securely clamp or pull the boards together. These holes are step-drilled in a manner that allows the head of the screw or fastener to be recessed below the edge of the narrow board, in order to attain a smooth or flush surface between boards. The hole then steps down to a smaller diameter to accommodate the shank of the screw. A screw may then be inserted in a manner that its shank end exits the hole and “bites” into the edge of the next adjacent board. Sufficient torque may be used to tightly and securely clamp or pull the boards together. The holes so drilled are offset on alternating narrow boards in a manner that allows the screw to “bite” into solid wood, while avoiding the holes drilled into its adjacent board. When glue is applied to the board's edges, the screws act as permanent clamps. Not only do the screws serve as clamps during the setting or curing of the glue, but also they retain this clamping and securing action throughout the life of the board. The mechanical fasteners add redundancy to the glue joints, while the glue joints add redundancy to the mechanical fasteners. Such redundancy may minimize or eliminate the possibility of subsequent delamination. The improved and strengthened edge joined wide board provides an effective method of conserving valuable woods by using narrow boards that may be obtained from renewable trees, rather than solid wide boards from old-growth nonrenewable trees.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved method of edge joining wood boards for commercial and residential use said improvements comprising: 
 the drilling or machining of holes edge-to-edge through the lateral axis of the board or boards; and the insertion of screws or other fasteners through the holes so drilled in such a manner that the screws or fasteners enter the next adjacent board and pulls or clamps the boards together.    
     
     
         2 . The improved edge joined boards of  claim 1 , wherein the screws act as permanent clamps or holding devices.  
     
     
         3 . The improved edge joined boards of  claim 1 , wherein the screws add permanent redundancy to edge-glued joints.  
     
     
         4 . The improved edge joined boards of  claim 1 , wherein the glue joints add redundancy to the mechanical clamping and/or holding action of the screws.  
     
     
         5 . The improved edge joined boards of  claim 1 , wherein the requirement for external clamping devices is negated.  
     
     
         6 . The improved edge joined boards of  claim 1 , wherein subsequent delamination is reduced or eliminated.