[0001] The invention relates to a pile construction by which piles of wood can be constructed
in longer lengths than trees are growing.
[0002] Constructions of square wooden piles are known in which several piles are connected
together by means of steel plates or profiles. Such type of connection, however, can
only be used a few times for one pile and till a maximum diameter of about 50 or 60
cm, because of the lack of elasticity at the position of the connection and the high
costs for such a connection.
[0003] An object of the invention is primary to obtain long lengths of piles while retaining
the good elastic properties of wood. A second object of the invention is to make it
possible to use short timber pieces in their natural shape, which pieces remain by
the production of wood in forest and sawmill.
[0004] According to the invention a construction is proposed consisting of timber pieces
joined in the length together by means of at least one stretch rod pulled through
holes drilled in longitudinal direction in said timber pieces, in which the joining
parts are sawn smooth in a plane normal to the length of said timber pieces.
[0005] Normally the length of said timber pieces will lie between 100 and 200 cm, but it
will be clear, that other lengths can be used as well..,
[0006] By using the construction according to the invention at the same time faults present
in the growing tree can be eliminated without a big loss of material.
[0007] By combining timber pieces with a different diameter the strength of a pile can be
influenced in a such way that the part with the greatest diameter is situated in that
part of the pile which is highest loaded, such that material can be saved.
[0008] According to the invention in case of one hole being drilled in each of said timbers
this hole will be positioned near the center of said timbers, while the diameter of
said hole depends on the diameter of the stretch rod to be used.
[0009] After drilling a hole in each individual timber, the timbers are placed beside each
other in such way that the part with the greatest diameter is situated in that part
of the pile which is highest loaded, the diameter of the adjacent lying parts being
gradually smaller.
[0010] After this the stretch rod can be passed through the holes in the adjacent timbers
for connecting the parts together.
[0011] It will be clear, that also more than one hole can be provided in each timber, so
that more than one stretch rod can be provided. The stretch rods can have the shape
of a solid steel bar or can be shaped by steel wires or by artificial material, e.g.
carbon fibers and such like.
[0012] These stretch rods are pre-stretched till the desired load is obtained and can be
blocked in a well known way. Attention must be paid to the fact that the plates, in
particular steel plates, which are bringing over the load of the rod. on the surface
of the wood, are having a sufficient surface to do so.
[0013] It is also possible to pre-stretch two or more pieces together at the moment of joining
of the timber pieces, which gives the opportunity to make bended constructions or
piles with a break point at a pre-chosen place.
[0014] If it is desired to have a smooth outside surface of a pile, this can be obtained
in a sawmill.
[0015] When wood of less durability is used a center hole in it can be filled with anti-mould
and/or an insect killing and/or a rost protection medium, which medium will penetrate
entirely into the material of the pile.
[0016] For an easy joining it is recommendable to use an accessory like a piece of artificial
tube when connecting the timber parts, by placing said piece of tube in the ends of
the drilled holes.
[0017] In special cases it is possible to apply a packing material between the pieces of
timber.
[0018] The invention will be explained by the description of embodiments given in the drawing,
in which:
figure 1 and 2 are side elevational views of two different piles according to the
invention;
figure 3 is an exploded view of a pile according to the invention;
figure 4 is a view on a part of the pile of figure 3; and
figure 5 is a sectional view of the pile of figure 3.
[0019] The piles shown in the figures 1, 2 and 3 are composed of a number of pieces of timber
1. Each piece 1 is provided with a longitudinal hole 2 through which runs a stretch
rod 3. The ends of this stretch rod 3 are fastened in blocks 4, which can be made
of steel.
[0020] Between the blocks 4 and the end of the adjacent piece of timber 1 a plate 5, see
figure 4,iis provided for dividing the force exerted by the block 4 over the end surface
of the piece of timber 1.
[0021] In this way in most cases it will be sufficient to use only one stretch rod 3.
[0022] The diameter of the hole 2 is made such large, that the hole can contain a sufficient
amount of protective liquid which will penetrate into the wood of the entire pile.
[0023] Further the top of the pile is covered by a cap 6 for protecting the stretch rod
3 and the fastening block 4 for this.
[0024] In case of the piles according to figures 1 and 2 the pieces of timber 1 with the
greatest diameter are positioned at the place of the pile which will be heaviest loaded.
[0025] In case of the pile according to figure 1 the outer surface of the pieces is worked
afterwards for obtaining a smooth outer surface of the pile.
[0026] In case of the pile of figure 3 all pieces of timber have the same diameter.
[0027] It will be obvious that only some embodiments of the invention are described and
that various modifications are possible without leaving the scope of the invention.
1. A pile construction for fender and other wood constructions,
characterized in
that the pile construction consists of timber pieces (1) joined in the length together
by means of at least one stretch rod (3) pulled through holes (2) drilled in longitudinal
direction in said timber pieces (1), in which the joining parts (1) are sawn smooth
in a plane normal to the length of said timber pieces (1).
2. A pile construction according to claims 1, characterized in
that it consists of timber pieces (1) with a different diameter in such way that the
part with the greatest diameter is situated in that part of the pile which is highest
loaded.
3. A pile construction according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in
that only one hole (2) is drilled in each of said timber pieces (1), which hole (2)
is positioned near the center of said timber pieces, while the diameter of it depends
on the diameter of the stretch rod (3) which is used.
4. A pile construction according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in
that between the locking part (4) of the stretch rod (3) and the adjacent surface
of a timber piece (1) is positioned a metal plate (5) for bringing over the load of
the stretch rod (3) on the surface of the timber piece (1).
5. A pile constructions according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in
that said stretch rod (3) is also blocked between two of said timber pieces (1).
6. A pile construction according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in
that the holes in the timber pieces are filled with anti-mould and/or an insect killing
and/or a rost protection medium, which medium will penetrate entirely into the material
of the pile.
7. A pile construction according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in
that the outside of the pile is worked smooth over the hole or a part of its length.
8. A pile construction according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in
that a packing material is inserted between two timber pieces (1).