Joining element and method of joining wood structures

1. A joining element for joining wood structures to one another, wherein the joining element comprises at least two joint holes for pin joints as well as a first plane surface and a second plane surface, the first plane surface and the second plane surface being arranged on opposite sides of the joining element in a mutually substantially parallel manner and arranged to define a middle area of the joining element, and an inclined surface slanting towards an outer edge of the joining element and arranged at an angle with respect to at least one said plane surface, such that the joining element is tapered at least at one of its outer edges or in one area of its outer edge compared to the area of a middle part of the joining element, and

wherein the joining element comprises a first curved part at a first end of the joining element and a second curved part at a second end, opposite to the first end, of the joining element.

2. The joining element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the joining element is symmetrical in cross-section such that it comprises mutually substantially parallel first and second plane surfaces as well as on both sides of the joining element, at least at the first and the second end of the joining element, inclined surfaces slanting from these plane surfaces towards the outer edge of the joining element, the joining element being at the first end and at the second end in the direction of the joint holes more tapered than in the middle area of the joining element defined by the first and the second plane surface.

3. A joint structure for joining wood structures, comprising a joining element according to claim 2 .

4. The joining element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the joining element is formed from a wood material.

5. The joining element as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the joining element is formed from a cross-glued wood material.

6. A joint structure for joining wood structures, comprising a joining element according to claim 1 .

7. A joint structure for joining wood structures, comprising a joining element according to claim 4 .

8. A joint structure for joining wood structures, comprising a joining element according to claim 5 .

9. A method of joining wood structures to one another, the method comprising:

selecting a joining element according to claim 1 ,

providing a joining surface of each wood structure to be joined with a groove such that the joining element is arrangeable in a space formed by the grooves provided in the wood structures to be joined when the wood structures are placed against one another with the joining surfaces of the wood structures facing one another, and in that the space has substantially the same size and shape as the joining element,

arranging a binding agent in the groove provided in at least one wood structure to be joined, arranging the joining element in the groove of at least one wood structure to be joined, and joining the wood structures to one another with the joining surfaces facing one another, such that the joining element and the binding agent substantially fill the space up,

arranging a joint pin in each joint hole of the joining element through at least one wood structure to be joined in order to lock the wood structures in place with respect to one another, and

arranging the groove to be formed in each wood structure to be joined to comprise a shape substantially in conformity with that of the first or the second curved part.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the binding agent comprises a polyurethane glue.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the joining element is formed from a wood material.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the joining element is formed from a cross-glued wood material.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the joint pin is formed from the same material as at least one of the wood structures to be joined.