solving geometric challenges in timber for more than 25 years...
Nodes
Individually detailed and fabricated for each project but based on standardised designs. Mostly steel of a grade appropiate to loading conditions with a heavy gauge bright zinc coating. Stainless steel for contact with Oak and some externally exposed locations.
Napier Uni
Cylinder (*D)
Southall Gurdwara
With Base Plate - Napier
Beam to Post (*D)
Conical Reducer
Sphere to Concrete - Kingsdale
Kingsdale
Kingsdale
Spherical (D)
Cylinder (D)
Splayed/Angled Cylinder (D)
Variable Angle (D)
Perimeter Part Cyclinder
Sphere - Provisory for Cold Bridge
Sphere
*D=Development/Demonstration
The Cowley Connector
The Cowley Connector is a versatile device for the end grain jointing of structural timber to other beams, columns or steelwork.
The Connector has a captive bolt in an epoxy bonded tube and can be quickly assembled with a special driver.
Applications
Beam to Beam
Beam to Post
Beam to Steel
More...
Qualities
Resin Bonded
The Cowley Connector is deeply bonded into beam ends to provide a strong fixing with negligible slip.
Epoxy Resin Mixing
Strong
Tension, compression and shear properties are all good and permit moments to be taken into or through adjacent members.
Joint Testing Rig
Efficient
An internally threaded socket is factory bonded into the supporting column or beam-extending through to the opposing face if required to achieve a direct link to a balancing beam.
Column Detail (D)
Few Parts
A high grade socket head bolt is made captive during bonding - few separate small parts are normally required for construction.
Quick Fix
Installation requires an extended ball point hex drive (provided) and a ratchet wrench.
Round Poles
Connection of round poles is also facilitated although they must be dried for successful bonding. The pressed-in cup helps control end splitting.
Structural Forms
Applications include a variety of classic two and three dimensional frames:
Post & Beam
Enhanced structural performance
Stiff joint and base capacity
Geodesic
Triangulated domes and spheres
Curved rib option
Lamella
Two way spanning
Alternating short beams
Flat or curved panels
Single or double curve
Space Frame (Conceptual)
We have not had the fortune to land one yet, but the Cowley Connector seems well suited to the task. A similiar approach to geodesics looks appropriate.
