Log wall connector system

Abstract

A building structure comprises a post having a vertically extending longitudinal face. A plurality of horizontal logs extends from said longitudinal face and has an end face in abutment with said longitudinal face. The post having an undercut channel in said longitudinal face and extends along said post. At least one of said end faces has a recess aligned with said undercut channel, and a spline assembly extends between said post and said log to secure said log to said post. The spline assembly includes a key located in and extends between said channel and said recess and an insert in one of said undercut channel and said recess. The insert co operates with said key to facilitate relative sliding movement therebetween.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 892,870 filed on Aug. 28, 2007 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 027,228 filed on Feb. 8, 2008 both incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to wall structures and in particular to log wall structures.[0003]Log construction has been known for many decades as typified by the log cabin. For many years the logs have been notched so that at a corner, logs forming one wall of a structure can be laid on top of and at an angle alternating with logs from an intersecting wall. Although a number of materials may be used to form the “logs” used as wall members, including various types of composite materials, the wall members are typically milled from wood. The term “logs” will be used throughout this disclosure to include all types of materials that simulate a horizontal wooden log a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a building structure and method of assembly that allows for the secure and relative movement of logs and posts using a spline assembly. The structure includes a longitudinal face with horizontal logs that have an end face in abutment with the longitudinal face. An undercut channel is provided in the longitudinal face and extends along the face. The end face has a recess aligned with the undercut channel and a spline assembly extends between the longitudinal face and the log to secure the log to the post. The spline assembly includes a key located in the undercut channel and the recess and a slide member in either the undercut channel or the recess. The method of assembly involves providing an undercut channel in the longitudinal face, inserting a slide member in the undercut channel, aligning the recess with the slide member, inserting a key into the key slide to extend between the post and the log, and securing the key to the recess. The invention also provides a building with walls formed from one or more wall sections, at least one of which has a plurality of logs interconnected at opposite ends by a respective post. A spline assembly secures the posts to the logs."

Problems solved by technology

In either case, assembly of the building at the final site requires the relocation of skilled workmen, the provision of tools and equipment for assembly at the site and the exposure of the partially assembled structure to a potentially inclement environment.

In practical use, traditional construction is usually limited to right angle corners because of the complexity of the angled notches required for non-right angle corners.

This is particularly an issue in wooden log construction because of the shrinkage of the logs as they dry.

However, in some circumstances the connection of the key to both the log and the post as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,033 may inhibit such movement and as a result a gap is created between adjacent logs in the log walls.

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