Timber block

Abstract

A timber block for construction of load bearing walls has horizontal upper and lower timber members connected by vertical timber components spaced apart lengthwise of the block. The upper and lower timber members are provided with calibration markings between the timber components for cutting the block to size without cutting through the timber components. A panel of sheet material attached to the timber components on at least one side of the block is provided with incisions aligned with the calibration markings to assist cutting through the block.

1 . A timber block, adapted in use to stack with like blocks to form a load-bearing wall, said block comprising an elongate upper timber member, an elongate lower timber member spaced from and parallel to said upper timber member, a plurality of timber components extending between said upper and lower timber members, said timber components being spaced apart lengthwise of the block and parallel to each other, and at least one of said upper and lower members being provided with calibration markings offset relative to said timber components whereby said block can be cut to length through said calibration markings without cutting through said timber components.  
   
   
       2 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timber components are, in use, vertically oriented.  
   
   
       3 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein insulation is provided between said timber components.  
   
   
       4 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said timber components are bridged by a panel extending lengthwise of said block between said upper and lower timber members on one side of said block.  
   
   
       5 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said panel is provided with calibration markings aligned with said calibration markings on said at least one of said upper and lower members.  
   
   
       6 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said calibration markings of said panel comprise incisions in said panel.  
   
   
       7 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said incisions comprise slots extending through said panel.  
   
   
       8 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said incisions comprise grooves extending partially through said panel.  
   
   
       9 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timber components are inset from side edge faces of said timber members on at least one side of said timber block.  
   
   
       10 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said timber components are inset from side edge faces of said timber members on both sides of said timber block.  
   
   
       11 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timber components provide a co-planar surface on at least one side of side timber block for securing a panel of sheet material bridging said timber components between said upper and lower timber members on said one side of said block.  
   
   
       12 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timber components provide co-planar surfaces on both sides of side timber block for securing a panel of sheet material bridging said timber components between said upper and lower timber members on both sides of said block.  
   
   
       13 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower timber members are provided with holes opening to a void space between said timber components.  
   
   
       14 . A timber block according to  claim 13  wherein said holes are aligned with calibration markings on said upper and lower members such that holes in a stack of adjacent blocks can be aligned.  
   
   
       15 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower timber members have side edge faces forming a framework for fixing internal linings and external claddings.  
   
   
       16 . A timber block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said timber components are inset from side edge faces of said upper and lower timber members and provide co-planar attachment surfaces for fixing sheet material bridging said timber components on both sides of said block between said upper and lower members and substantially flush with said side edge faces.  
   
   
       17 . A timber block according to  claim 1 , wherein side edges of said timber members are linear in the direction of their length.  
   
   
       18 . A timber block according to  claim 1 , wherein side edges of said timber members are curved in the direction of their length.  
   
   
       19 . A timber block, adapted in use to stack with like blocks to form a load-bearing wall, said block comprising an elongate upper timber member, an elongate lower timber member spaced from and parallel to said upper timber member, a plurality of timber components extending between said upper and lower timber members, said timber components being spaced apart lengthwise of the block and parallel to each other, said timber components being inset from side edge faces of said upper and lower timber members on at least one side of said block, a panel of sheet material secured to said timber components between said upper and lower timber members on said at least one side, and said upper and lower members are provided with aligned calibration markings offset relative to said timber components and said panel is formed with incisions aligned with said calibration markings whereby said block can be cut to length through said calibration markings and said incisions without cutting through said timber components.  
   
   
       20 . A timber block, adapted in use to stack with like blocks to form a load-bearing wall, said block comprising an elongate upper timber member, an elongate lower timber member spaced from and parallel to said upper timber member, a plurality of timber components extending between said upper and lower timber members, said timber components being spaced apart lengthwise of the block and parallel to each other, said timber components having co-planar faces inset from side edge faces of said upper and lower timber members on at least one side of said block, and said upper and lower timber members are provided with aligned holes between said timber blocks and inset from said co-planar faces so as to be concealed by sheet material attached to said co-planar faces.