Importance

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Abstract

There is provided a new and useful wooden structural member comprising a pair of elongated flanges each having a surface and a longitudinally extending groove in the surface, the groove having a bottom, and wherein at least one side of the groove is at an angle to the surface such that the groove is tapered from the surface to the bottom; an upwardly projecting compression ridge extending longitudinally along the bottom of the groove; and a web disposed between the flanges and having first and second longitudinal edges, at least one side of the edges being tapered, the edges secured within respective ones of the grooves, and each edge having a longitudinally extending central kerf therein, the depth of the kerfs being greater than the depth of the grooves; and wherein (a) prior to the insertion of the edges into the grooves, (i) the thickness of each edge at its extremity is not greater than the width of the bottom of the groove, and (ii) the thickness of each edge at a distance from its extremity equal to the depth of the grooves is greater than the width of the grooves at the surface of the flange, (b) the width of the compression ridge at its base is at least equal to the width of the kerf at its outer extremity, and (c) the height of the ridge is substantially less than the depth of the kerf.

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First Claim