Improved web connection with timber flange

Abstract

Provided in this application is a timber structural member having an I-beam configuration which includes a first slotted timber flange and a second slotted timber flange, and a web having opposed tongues. Each of the opposed tongues is disposed in a respective slot to connect the first and second flanges.

1 . A composite timber structural member comprising:
 a first timber flange having a first longitudinal slot formed therein,   a second timber flange that is substantially parallel to the first timber flange and having a second longitudinal slot formed therein, and   a web having a first long edge region and an opposing second long edge region, the first and second long edge regions being disposed in the first and second longitudinal slots respectively,   wherein the first and/or second long edge region(s) comprise(s) a shoulder portion from which a tongue portion extends, the tongue portion having a thickness less than that of the shoulder portion from which it extends, the shoulder portion and the tongue portion together (i) presenting only planar and curved external surfaces to the internal surfaces of its/their respective slots or (ii) being devoid of any outwardly directed sharp corner, and each slot is shaped and dimensioned so as to receive the long edge region disposed within it.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the long edge region(s) of the web is/are the region(s) that is/are disposed within the slot. 
     
     
         4 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue region(s) has/have a planar terminal face. 
     
     
         5 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue region(s) has/have opposing lateral planar faces. 
     
     
         6 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue region(s) is/are of substantially even thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue region(s) is/are at least about 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% or 60% the thickness of the shoulder region(s) from it/they which extends. 
     
     
         8 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the web, when viewed end-on, has an axis of symmetry. 
     
     
         9 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the web extends to a depth of between about 20% to about 80% of the diameter of the flange into which it is disposed. 
     
     
         10 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the web extends the full length of the flanges, or extends beyond the length of the flanges, or the web is shorter than the length of the flanges. 
     
     
         11 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the web is formed of a relatively high strength planar material. 
     
     
         12 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the web is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: timber, processed timber; chipboard, plywood, oriented strand board, metal sheet, metal plate, fibre reinforced cement sheet, plastic, and fibre reinforced plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second flange has a substantially circular cross-section. 
     
     
         14 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second flange is a timber pole or a timber round. 
     
     
         15 . The composite structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second flange is/are a peeler core. 
     
     
         16 . The composite timber structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second flange has/have a planar surface distal to the planar web and at about 90 degrees to the flange slot. 
     
     
         17 . The composite timber structural member of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second slot(s) is/are oversized so as to accommodate its respective long edge region with a layer of adhesive.