U.S. patent application number 17/036961 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-01 for cross-lamination timber (clt) joint.
This patent application is currently assigned to Katerra Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Katerra Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert MALCZYK, Johannes SCHNEIDER.
Application Number | 20210095479 17/036961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005137789 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210095479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCHNEIDER; Johannes ; et
al. |
April 1, 2021 |
CROSS-LAMINATION TIMBER (CLT) JOINT
Abstract
A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided that can be
used to connect at least two CLT components such as CLT panels. The
CLT panel can be prefabricated and pre-assembled, and can be easily
and quickly installed. 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. The grooved extension and the
recessed channel have complimentary patterns. A CLT panel system is
also provided comprising a plurality of CLT panels.
Inventors: |
SCHNEIDER; Johannes;
(Vancouver, CA) ; MALCZYK; Robert; (Vancouver,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Katerra Inc. |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Katerra Inc.
Menlo Park
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005137789 |
Appl. No.: |
17/036961 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62907811 |
Sep 30, 2019 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/0898 20130101;
E04F 2201/0115 20130101; E04F 13/0894 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08 |
Claims
1. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint comprising: a first CLT
component including a recessed channel; and a second CLT component
including a grooved extension, the grooved extension and the
recessed channel having complimentary patterns wherein the grooved
extension is configured to nest within the recessed channel.
2. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the grooved extension has a
stepped down profile.
3. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the grooved extension includes
at least one seal.
4. The CLT joint of claim 3, wherein the at least one seal is
grooved and set into the grooved extension.
5. The CLT joint of claim 1, wherein the recessed channel and the
grooved extension are configured to create a space between the
first CLT component and the second CLT component when the grooved
extension is nested in the recessed channel.
6. The CLT joint of claim 3, wherein the seal is part of a membrane
that is adhered to the grooved extension.
7. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panel comprising: a first CLT
side including a recessed channel; and a second CLT side including
a grooved extension, the grooved extension and the recessed channel
having complimentary patterns.
8. The CLT panel of claim 7 further comprising a third CLT side
including a second recessed channel and a fourth CLT side including
a second grooved extension, the second grooved extension and the
second recessed channel having complimentary patterns.
9. The CLT panel of claim 7, wherein the grooved extension has a
stepped down profile.
10. The CLT panel of claim 7, wherein the panel is comprised of
pieces of dimensional lumber glued and stacked in multiple
crosswise layers.
11. The CLT panel of claim 10, wherein the at least one seal is
grooved and set into the grooved extension.
12. A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panel system comprising: a first
CLT panel including a first CLT horizontal side including a first
grooved extension and a first CLT vertical side including a first
recessed channel; a second CLT panel including a second CLT
horizontal side including a second grooved extension and second CLT
vertical side including a third grooved extension; a third CLT
panel including a third CLT horizontal side including a second
recessed channel and a third CLT vertical side including a third
recessed channel; and a fourth CLT panel including a fourth CLT
horizontal side including a fourth recessed channel and a fourth
CLT vertical side including a fourth grooved extension; the first
grooved extension configured to connect with the second recessed
channel; the first recessed channel configured to connect with the
third grooved extension; the second grooved extension configured to
connect with the fourth recessed channel; the third recessed
channel configured to connect with the fourth grooved
extension.
13. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the first grooved
extension and the second recessed channel are configured to be a
tongue and groove type connection.
14. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the second grooved
extension and the fourth recessed channel are configured to be a
tongue and groove type connection.
15. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the first recessed
channel and the third grooved extension are configured to be a
tongue and groove type connection.
16. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the third recessed
channel and the fourth grooved extension are configured to be a
tongue and groove type connection.
17. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the first grooved
extension and the second groove extension each have a stepped down
profile.
18. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the second CLT
vertical side and the fourth CLT vertical side each include at
least one seal.
19. The CLT panel system of claim 12, wherein the first grooved
extension and the second grooved extension each include at least
one seal.
20. The CLT panel system of claim 19, wherein the at least one seal
is grooved and set into the first grooved extension and the second
grooved extension.
21. A method of connecting a CLT panel system comprising: receiving
a first CLT panel, a second CLT panel, a third CLT panel, and a
fourth CLT panel, wherein each panel may include: a first grooved
extension, a first recessed channel, a second grooved extension,
and a second recessed channel; connecting the second CLT panel to
the first CLT panel by inserting a second grooved extension of the
second CLT panel into a second recessed channel of the first CLT
panel; connecting the third CLT panel to the first CLT panel by
inserting a first grooved extension of the first CLT panel into a
first recessed channel of the third CLT panel; connecting the
fourth CLT panel to the third CLT panel and the second CLT panel by
inserting a second grooved extension of the fourth CLT panel into a
second recessed channel of the third CLT panel and inserting a
first grooved extension of the second CLT panel into a first
recessed channel of the fourth CLT panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/907,811 filed on Sep. 30, 2019 for CLT Joint,
which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the art of
Cross-Lamination Timber (CLT) construction, and more specifically
to a CLT joint, a CLT panel, and a CLT panel system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cross-Laminated Timber or CLT is a pre-fabricated,
engineered wood building material with unique and often superior
building, aesthetic, environmental, and cost attributes. CLT wood
panels are made by pressing perpendicular layers of lumber together
with a layer of formaldehyde-free adhesive. The fusion of
orthogonal wood layers is what gives CLT biaxial strength,
durability, and stability. CLT can serve as a system-based approach
for floors, walls, and roofs to form a high-performance,
sustainable, and beautiful mass timber building of virtually any
type.
[0004] CLT requires less energy to produce than other building
materials such as steel and concrete and is made from renewable
material. CLT panels may be prefabricated and are also lighter than
panels made from other material such as steel, thereby reducing
design costs of the building. CLT panels may be connected together
to create the floor, wall, or roof. CLT panels may be connected via
metal extrusions attached to the panels. However, metal extrusions
can be heavy, costly, and time consuming.
SUMMARY
[0005] A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided that can be
used to connect at least two CLT components such as CLT panels. The
CLT joint connects CLT components without metal extrusions or
connectors. The CLT panel can be prefabricated and pre-assembled,
and can be easily and quickly installed. 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.
[0006] 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. The grooved extension and the recessed channel have
complimentary patterns.
[0007] A CLT panel system is also provided comprising a plurality
of CLT panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description will be better understood when read in conjunction with
the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is
shown in the drawings different embodiments. It should be
understood, however, that the teachings are not limited to the
precise CLT joint, CLT panel, and CLT panel system arrangement
shown.
[0009] FIG. 1A is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of a
CLT joint.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of a
CLT joint.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a CLT panel.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a first embodiment of an elevation view of the
CLT panel.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a second embodiment of an elevation view of the
CLT panel.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a section of a CLT panel
system.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a CLT panel
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) joint is provided. The CLT
joint connects two or more CLT components together. CLT is a
building material made from many pieces of dimensional lumber glued
and stacked in multiple crosswise layers. CLT is a favored building
component because it is made from strong and sustainable material.
Moreover, it is lighter and cheaper than alternative building
materials such as steel or aluminum. The CLT joint provides an
efficient and cost effective connection of two or more CLT
components without using material such as steel or aluminum.
[0017] FIG. 1A is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of a
CLT joint 100. The CLT joint 100 includes a first CLT component 110
and a second CLT component 120. The first CLT component 110
includes a recessed channel 112. The recessed channel 112 may be
cut into the first CLT component 110. The second CLT component 120
includes a grooved extension 122. The end of the CLT component 120
may be cut to form the grooved extension 122. The grooved extension
122 may be a step down design as shown in FIG. 1A. The grooved
extension 122 design and the recessed channel 112 design are
complimentary so that the first CLT component 110 and the second
CLT component 120 may connect. For instance, the recessed channel
112 may have a step down design that matches the step down design
of the grooved extension 122. The recessed channel 112 and the
grooved extension 122 connect CLT components 110, 120 with little
to no excess material.
[0018] The grooved extension 122 may also include at least one seal
124. The seals 124 may be grooved and set into the grooved
extension 122. Alternatively, the seals 124 may be part of a
membrane that is adhered to the grooved extension 122. The seals
124 may be made from an elastic material which allows the seals 124
to compress when the grooved extension 122 is nested in the
recessed channel 112. The seals 124 may be used to create a tight
fit between the recessed channel 112 and the grooved extensions
122. The seals 124 may also prevent water and air from entering the
joint 100.
[0019] The design and fit of the recessed channel 112 and the
grooved extension 122 may create space between the first CLT
component 110 and the second CLT component 120 when the grooved
extension 122 is nested in the recessed channel 112. The space
allows movement and permits expansion and contraction of the first
CLT component 110 and the second CLT component 120.
[0020] FIG. 1B is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of a
CLT joint 100. FIG. 1B shows a CLT joint 100 wherein the recessed
channel 112 has a U-shaped design that is complimentary to the step
down design of the grooved extension 122. As shown in FIG. 1B, the
grooved extension 122 and the seals 124 may fit into a
complimentary design of a recessed channel 112 that has a
U-shape.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a CLT panel 200. The CLT
panel 200 is comprised of pieces of dimensional lumber glued and
stacked in multiple crosswise layers. The CLT panel 200 includes a
first CLT side 210 and a second CLT side 220. The first CLT side
210 and second CLT side 220 may be on opposite ends of the CLT
panel 200. The first CLT side 210 includes a recessed channel 112
(not visible in FIG. 2). The second CLT side 220 includes a grooved
extension 122. The recessed channel 112 and grooved extension 122
include the details and embodiments previously discussed.
[0022] FIG. 3A is a first embodiment of an elevation view of the
CLT panel 200. FIG. 3A shows the first CLT side 210 including the
recessed channel 112 and the second CLT side 220 including the
grooved extension 122. FIG. 3A shows a recessed channel 112 that
has a step down design in the first CLT side 210.
[0023] FIG. 3B is a second embodiment of an elevation view of the
CLT panel 200. FIG. 3B shows the first CLT side 210 including the
recessed channel 112 and the second CLT side 220 including the
grooved extension 122. FIG. 3B shows a recessed channel 112 that
has a U-shaped design in the first CLT side 210.
[0024] The recessed channel 112 in the first CLT side 210 and the
grooved extension 122 in the second CLT side 220 allow the CLT
panel 200 to connect to other CLT panels 200. The recessed channel
112 is configured to connect with a grooved extension 122 of an
adjacent CLT panel 200. The grooved extension 122 is configured to
connect with a recessed channel 112 of an adjacent CLT panel 200.
CLT panels 200 may connect to each other via the CLT joint 100
previously discussed.
[0025] Referring back to FIG. 2, the CLT panel 200 may include a
third CLT side 230 and a fourth CLT side 240. The third CLT side
230 may include a second recessed channel 232. The fourth CLT side
240 may include a second grooved extension 242. The second grooved
extension 242 and the second recessed channel 232 have
complimentary patterns. The second grooved extension 242 and second
recessed channel 232 have designs that allow the second grooved
extension 242 to nest in the second recessed channel 232. Like the
recessed channel 112 and the grooved extension 122, the second
recessed channel 232 and the second grooved extension 242 may
connect with adjacent CLT panels 200. The second recessed channel
232 is configured to connect with a second grooved extension 242 of
an adjacent CLT panel 200. The second grooved extension 242 is
configured to connect with a second recessed channel 232 of an
adjacent CLT panel 200.
[0026] The CLT panel 200 can be prefabricated and shipped to a job
site. Once at the job site, the CLT panels 200 can be quickly and
easily installed. The CLT panels 200, which can connect to each
other without steel or aluminum connectors, may be lighter and
cheaper than panels that require alternative methods of
connection.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a section of a CLT panel
system 300. The CLT panel system 300 comprises a plurality of CLT
panels 200. Each CLT panel includes the details and embodiments
previously discussed. The CLT panels 200 of the CLT panel system
300 connect together to form a structure such as a wall, floor, or
roof. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary CLT panel system 300 with
four CLT panels 200. FIG. 4 shows a top left portion of a first CLT
panel 200a, a top right portion of a second CLT panel 200b, a
bottom left portion of a third CLT panel 200c, and a bottom right
portion of a fourth CLT panel 200d. The four CLT panel system 300
shows how a plurality of CLT panels 200 connect together.
[0028] The first CLT panel 200a connects to the second CLT panel
200b by inserting the second grooved extension 242b of the second
CLT panel 200b into the second recessed channel 232a of the first
CLT panel 200a. The second grooved extension 242b of the second CLT
panel 200b connects with the second recessed channel 232a of the
first CLT panel 200a thereby connecting the first CLT panel 200a
with the second CLT panel 200b.
[0029] The first CLT panel 200a connects to the third CLT panel
200c by inserting the grooved extension 122a of the first CLT panel
200a into the recessed channel 112c of the third CLT panel 200c.
The grooved extension 122a of the first CLT panel 200a connects
with the recessed channel 112c of the third CLT panel 200c thereby
connecting the first CLT panel 200a with the third CLT panel
200c.
[0030] The fourth CLT panel 200d connects to the third CLT panel
200c by inserting the second grooved extension 242d of the fourth
CLT panel 200d into the second recessed channel 232c of the third
CLT panel 200c. The second grooved extension 242d of the fourth CLT
panel 200d connects with the second recessed channel 232c of the
third CLT panel 200c thereby connecting the fourth CLT panel 200d
with the third CLT panel 200c.
[0031] The second CLT panel 200b connects with the fourth CLT panel
200d by inserting the grooved extension 122b of the second CLT
panel 200b into the recessed channel 112d of the fourth CLT panel
200d. The grooved extension 122b of the second CLT panel 200b
connects with the recessed channel 112d of fourth CLT panel 200d
thereby connecting the second CLT panel 200b with the fourth CLT
panel 200d.
[0032] Any additional CLT panels 200 may connect in similar
fashion. As shown in FIG. 4, the sides of the CLT panels 200a-d may
also include seals 310. The seals 310 may be nailed, screwed, or
adhered to the sides. The seals may be an expandable foam sealing.
The seals 310 may compress when the CLT panels 200a-d are connected
to prevent water and air from entering the joints between panels
200a-d.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of connecting a CLT panel
system 1000. The method of connecting an exemplary four CLT panel
200a-d CLT panel system 300 can be carried out according to the
method 1000 described in FIG. 5 and described below.
[0034] In step 1010, a first CLT panel 200a, a second CLT panel
200b, a third CLT panel 200c, and a fourth CLT panel 200d are
received. Each CLT panel 200a-d may include a first grooved
extension 122, a first recessed channel 112, a second grooved
extension 242, and a second recessed channel 232. The panels 200a-d
may also include seals 124, 310 as previously described.
[0035] In step 1020, the first CLT panel 200a and the second CLT
panel 200b are connected by inserting the second grooved extension
242b of the second CLT panel 200b into the second recessed channel
232a of the first CLT panel 200a.
[0036] In step 1030, the third CLT panel 200c and the first CLT
panel 200a are connect by inserting the first grooved extension
122a of the first CLT panel 200a into the first recessed channel
112c of the third CLT panel 200c.
[0037] In step 1040, the fourth CLT panel 200d is connected to the
third CLT panel 200c and the second CLT panel 200b by inserting the
second grooved extension 242d of the fourth CLT panel 200d into the
second recessed channel 232c of the third CLT panel 200c and
inserting the first grooved extension 122b of the second CLT panel
200b into the first recessed channel 112d of the fourth CLT panel
200d.
[0038] Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of
embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical
changes could be made to the CLT joint, CLT panel, and CLT panel
system without altering the inventive concepts and principles
embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore to be embraced therein.
* * * * *