Multi-ply support member

Abstract

A support member comprising a plurality of wood plies. Each wood ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces which run parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support member. The grain of each ply is oriented in a different direction as compared to grains of adjacent plies. This multi-ply support member is formed to have a tenon portion atop and extending outwardly from a body portion. Thusly formed, the support member may be appropriately utilized for, among other things, a furniture leg or an architectural support column.

1 . A support member comprising a plurality of wood plies and having a tenon portion atop a body portion, at least part of the tenon portion extending outwardly from the body portion, wherein each ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces and each ply has a grain which is oriented in a different direction relative to grains of adjacent plies.  
   
   
       2 . The support member of  claim 1 , wherein the interfaces are generally parallel along a longitudinal direction of the support member  
   
   
       3 . The support member of  claim 1 , wherein each ply has a grain that is approximately orthogonal to grains of adjacent plies.  
   
   
       4 . The support member of  claim 1 , wherein the tenon portion extends outwardly by a distance that is at least as great as a width of the body portion.  
   
   
       5 . The support member of  claim 1 , wherein the tenon portion extends outwardly from at least two sides of the body portion.  
   
   
       6 . The support member of  claim 1  further comprising a foot protector disposed about a foot portion of the support member, the foot portion being on an opposite side of the body portion from the tenon portion.  
   
   
       7 . A support member comprising a plurality of wood plies and having a first tenon portion, a body portion, and an outwardly extending second tenon portion therebetween, wherein each ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces, the interfaces being generally parallel along a longitudinal direction of the support member, and each ply has a grain that is approximately orthogonal to grains of adjacent plies.  
   
   
       8 . The support member of  claim 7 , wherein the second tenon portion extends outwardly by a distance that is at least as great as a width of the body portion.  
   
   
       9 . The support member of  claim 7 , wherein the second tenon portion extends outwardly from at least two sides of the body portion.  
   
   
       10 . The support member of  claim 7  further comprising a foot protector disposed about a foot portion of the support member, the foot portion being on an opposite side of the body portion from the second tenon portion.  
   
   
       11 . A support member comprising a plurality of wood plies and having a first tenon portion, a body portion, and an outwardly extending second tenon portion therebetween, wherein each ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces, the interfaces being generally parallel along a longitudinal direction of the support member, and each ply has a grain that is approximately orthogonal to grains of adjacent plies, and wherein, except in the longitudinal direction, the first tenon portion and the body portion are similarly proportioned.  
   
   
       12 . The support member of  claim 11 , wherein the second tenon portion extends outwardly by a distance that is at least as great as a width of the body portion.  
   
   
       13 . The support member of  claim 11 , wherein the second tenon portion extends outwardly from at least two sides of the body portion.  
   
   
       14 . The support member of  claim 11  further comprising a foot protector disposed about a foot portion of the support member, the foot portion being on an opposite side of the body portion from the second tenon portion.  
   
   
       15 . A table comprising 
 at least one leg having a first portion atop an outward extending second tenon portion atop a body portion and being formed from a plurality of wood plies, wherein each ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces, the interfaces being generally parallel along a longitudinal direction of the leg, and each ply has a grain that is approximately orthogonal to grains of adjacent plies; and    a top having at least one mortise on one side thereof into which at least the first tenon portion of the leg is secured.    
   
   
       16 . The table of  claim 15 , wherein each mortise is formed to compliment at least the first tenon portion of each leg, respectively.  
   
   
       17 . The table of  claim 15 , wherein each mortise extends through the top.  
   
   
       18 . The table of  claim 15  further comprising at least one foot protector disposed about a foot portion of the support member, the foot portion being on an opposite side of the body portion from the second tenon portion.  
   
   
       19 . The table of  claim 15 , wherein, except in the longitudinal direction, the first tenon portion and the body portion of each leg are similarly proportioned.  
   
   
       20 . The table of  claim 15 , wherein the second tenon portion of each leg extends outwardly by a distance that is at least as great as a width of the body portion.  
   
   
       21 . The table of  claim 15 , wherein the second tenon portion of each leg extends outwardly from at least two sides of the body portion.  
   
   
       22 . A table comprising 
 at least one leg having a first tenon portion atop an outward extending second tenon portion atop a body portion, wherein the leg includes a plurality of wood plies, each ply is joined to at least one other ply at one of a plurality of interfaces, the interfaces being generally parallel along a longitudinal direction of the leg, and each ply having a grain that is approximately orthogonal to grains of adjacent plies, and wherein, except in the longitudinal direction, the first tenon portion and the body portion of each leg are similarly proportioned;    a top having at least one mortise on one side thereof into which the first and second tenon portions of the leg are secured; and    at least one foot protector disposed about a foot portion of each leg, respectively, the foot portion being on an opposite side of the body portion from the second tenon portion.    
   
   
       23 . The table of  claim 22 , wherein each mortise is formed to compliment the first and second tenon portions of each leg, respectively.  
   
   
       24 . The table of  claim 22 , wherein each mortise extends through the top.  
   
   
       25 . The table of  claim 22 , wherein the second tenon portion of each leg extends outwardly by a distance that is at least as great as a width of the body portion.  
   
   
       26 . The table of  claim 22 , wherein the second tenon portion of each leg extends outwardly from at least two sides of the body portion.