Structural Engineering

WOOD-SPRING - Flat dowels for lightweight construction elements in furniture construction and interior fittings

Ref.-No. 4998

Scientists at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences have developed an inseparable connecting element for panel-shaped lightweight construction elements in sandwich construction, which can be used similarly to flat dowels for classic solid wood materials, including for sandwich elements. For this, WOOD-SPRING interlocks into the soft core of the lightweight construction element between the upper and lower surface. This is achieved by the the dowel side, which is glued into the soft part, having approximately the same dimension as the distance between the face layers of the panel. The recess is chosen so that when inserted, the WOOD-SPRING edge is flush with the narrow edge of the lightweight element in the center of the flat dowel. The now protruding dowel tongue is glued into the slot of the second panel, whereby again both sandwich.

Competitive Advantages

  • Flat dowels for sandwich Panels
  • Interlocking adhesion bond without foreign materials
  • Suitable for individually formatted Panels
  • Can be used directly in open narrow edges
  • Corner and tenon joints possible
  • Different profiles possible

Commercial Opportunities

Panel-shaped lightweight construction elements in sandwich construction are increasingly used in furniture construction and interior fittings, with the elements being preferably formatted from a large panel. Due to the soft core, simple wooden dowels such as those used for classic wood-based materials cannot be used for sandwich panels. WOOD-SPRING now allows glued, interlocking joints of individually cut sandwich panels without previous narrow edge sealing. WOOD-SPRING allows the carpenter the same design possibilities in furniture construction and interior fittings as with conventional solid material, without complicated and expensive fasteners. Since WOOD-SPRING is preferably manufactured from wood material, the finished workpiece does not contain any foreign materials made of plastic or metal, thus enabling environmentally friendly disposal.

Current Status

A patent application for WOOD-SPRING has been filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. International patents are possible. The connecting element was able to demonstrate its advantages in practical tests. A multitude of data and prototypes are available.

An invention of TH OWL.


Catherine Hartmann

ha@provendis.info
+49 208 9410546