Edge joining of boards

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With further reference to the drawings, there is shown therein the top or face side, or flat surface of a wood board in accordance with the present Invention, indicated generally on Page 8 and illustrated in FIG. 1 . This FIG. 1 shows holes that have been step-drilled or bored beginning in one edge of the board and exiting the opposite edge of the board. Shown at (A) is a hole with sufficient diameter to allow the recessing of the head of a screw or fastener well below the surface of the board's edge. This recessing allows the board's edge to remain smooth and flush with any board that may be joined adjacent thereto. Shown at (B) in this FIG. 1 is a continuing hole that has been stepped down in diameter to accommodate the shank of the screw or fastener that acts to securely clamp and hold the board together with the next adjacent board. The beginning point of this smaller hole also acts as the holding point or anchor for the recessed head of the screw or fastener. As the screw “bites” into the adjacent board, this anchor point permits sufficient torque to be applied to pull or clamp the boards securely with the use of these mechanical fasteners. Shown on Page 8 and illustrated as FIG. 2 is an illustration of the method by which each alternating board may have the step-drilled holes offset in a manner that prevents the screws from entering an adjacent board and entering the holes drilled into such adjacent board. By this alternating offset, the screw or fastener is enabled to “bite” into the solid wood of its adjacent board. Shown on Page 8 and illustrated as FIG. 3 is the face or top of the leading board that is encountered in the assembly of multiple narrow boards to create a wide board. When self-tapping screws are used, there is no requirement for any drilling or boring to be performed on this leading board. It becomes securely clamped and held together by screws from the next adjacent board. Shown of Page 9 and illustrated as FIG. 4 is an assembly of three boards to illustrate how the boards are clamped by the alternating holes. Shown at (A) in this FIG. 4 is the hole drilled to accommodate the recessing of the screw head. Shown at (B) in this FIG. 4 is the head of the screw or fastener, which anchors at the bottom of the hole depicted in (A). Then, shown at (C) in this FIG. 4 is the shank of the screw where it “bites” into the edge of the next adjacent board. This “bite” permits sufficient torque to be used to very tightly pull the board together and secure them with these mechanical fasteners. As shown in this FIG. 4 , when glue is applied to the board's edges prior to inserting and tightening the screws, the screws act as clamps during the setting or curing process for the glue. They then remain permanently in the boards to provide the additional security of both edge-glued boards plus permanent clamps or mechanical fasteners. From the above it may be seen that this present Invention provides a practical and effective method of enhancing the structural integrity of edge-glued wide boards. The clamping used for edge-gluing of boards is not removed following the setting of the glue, as was done in the prior art. In this present Invention, the internal clamping remains with the wide boards throughout their useful life. In the event of subsequent glue joint failure, the screws offer redundancy. In the event of subsequent mechanical failure, the edge-glued joints offer redundancy. The present Invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of such Invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.