Coupling member, method for producing coupling member, and wooden member joint structure

• US 9,739,299 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2014
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Forestry Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Forestry Company Limited
• Inventors: Nagashima, Taisuke, Masuko, Takayuki, Kagei, Hiroki, Nakashima, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): FERENCE, JAMES M
• Application Number:
  US14/450,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20150043966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/12 the heat being generated by friction; Friction welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/129 specially adapted for particular articles or workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/06 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/20 Tools
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 31/02 relating to soldering or welding dip or wave soldering in the manufacture of printed circuits H05K3/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0015 the material being a soft organic material, e.g. wood or plastic F16B25/0031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/18 using screw-thread elements F16B7/025 takes precedence; for turnbuckles F16B7/06

Abstract

Disclosed is a coupling member that enables a joint between a wooden member and a mating member to absorb vibration energy, and a method for producing the same and a joint structure using the same. The metal coupling member is embedded in the wooden member. The wooden member is connected with a mating member by the coupling member. The coupling member includes a metal rod-like main body portion to be embedded in the wooden member, and an inner rod portion protruding from the main body portion. The inner rod portion axially extends from a protruding portion thereof to a predetermined depth in the main body portion, has a periphery separated from the main body portion to allow axial displacement of the inner rod portion relative to the main body portion, and is integrally connected to the main body portion at the deepest part thereof.

Claims

1. A coupling member, comprising:

a metal rod-shaped main body portion to be embedded and held in a wooden member; and

an inner rod portion protruding from an end face of the main body portion and to be coupled to a mating member, the mating member to be joined to the wooden member or the inner rod portion to be coupled to a joint device secured to the mating member,

wherein the inner rod portion axially extends from a portion protruding from the end face of the main body portion to a predetermined depth in a hole axially extending in the main body portion from a first open end to an opposing second end that is a deepest part of the hole, has a periphery separated from the main body portion so as to form an annular gap between the inner rod portion and the main body portion to allow axial deformation of the inner rod portion relative to the main body portion, and is integrally connected to the main body portion at the deepest part of the hole extending in the main body portion.

2. The coupling member according to claim 1, wherein a connecting portion is at the second end of the hole, the connecting portion integrally connecting the inner rod portion to the main body portion.

3. The coupling member according to claim 2,

wherein a raised portion protruding axially from the deepest part of the hole toward an opening of the hole and separated from the inner periphery of the hole is formed, and

wherein the inner rod portion is formed by connecting a tip of a shaft member and the raised portion by welding, the shaft member being inserted in the hole.

4. The coupling member according to claim 1, wherein the inner rod portion has a flange formed integrally with the protruding portion thereof, the flange extending perpendicular to an axis of the inner rod portion.

5. The coupling member according to claim 4,

wherein a connecting portion is at the second end of the hole, the connecting portion integrally connecting the inner rod portion to the main body portion, and

wherein the flange is in pressure contact with the end face of the main body portion.

6. The coupling member according to claim 5,

wherein a raised portion protruding axially from the deepest part of the hole toward an opening of the hole and separated from the inner periphery of the hole is formed, and

wherein the inner rod portion is formed by connecting a tip of a shaft member and the raised portion by welding, the shaft member being inserted in the hole.

7. A wooden member joint structure, comprising:

a coupling member, comprising;

a metal rod-shaped main body portion to be embedded and held in a wooden member; and

an inner rod portion protruding from an end face of the main body portion and to be coupled to a mating member, the mating member to be joined to the wooden member or the inner rod portion to be coupled to a joint device secured to the mating member,

the wooden member in which the coupling member is fixedly embedded; and

the mating member joined to the wooden member by the coupling member,

wherein the inner rod portion axially extends from a portion thereof protruding from the end face of the main body portion to a predetermined depth in a hole extending in the main body portion from a first open end to an opposing second end that is the deepest part of the hole, has a periphery separated from the main body portion so as to form an annular gap between the inner rod portion and the main body portion to allow axial deformation of the inner rod portion relative to the main body portion, and is integrally connected to the main body portion at the deepest part of the hole extending in the main body portion.

8. The wooden member joint structure according to claim 7, wherein a connecting portion is at the second end of the hole, the connecting portion integrally connecting the inner rod portion to the main body portion.

9. The wooden member joint structure according to claim 7, wherein the inner rod portion has a flange formed integrally with the protruding portion thereof, the flange extending perpendicular to an axis of the inner rod portion.