Log structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses a log cabin structure using logs with multi-beveled interlocking notches located at the end of each log. The interlocking notches serve to form a tight locking connection at the cornering of the structure where the logs overlap one another. The interlocking notches are composed substantially of heartwood, which serves to reduce settlement and maintain a tight connection over time. The measurements for the interlocking notches are a function of the dimensions of the logs used. The log cabin structure may further employ anti-settling blocks which are disposed between the logs of the structure. In the preferred embodiment, the anti-settling blocks are positioned in aligned recesses which are present in the logs that compose the structure. Accordingly, the presence of the interlocking-notch cornering system and the anti-settling blocks combine to minimize the negative effects of settling on the structure while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

1 : A log structure comprising:
 a foundation which includes therein a means of fastening logs to said foundation;   a first halved log element having a large end and a small end, said first halved log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said first log halved element further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of said first halved log element is placed on top of said foundation with said means of fastening logs originating in said foundation and passing through said holes in said first halved log element; said first halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   a second halved log element having a large end and a small end, said second log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said second log halved element further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of said second halved log element is placed on top of said foundation in a position parallel to said first halved log element, and further placed such that the large end of the first halved log element and the large end of the second halved log element are diagonally opposed, with said means of fastening logs originating in said foundation and passing through said holes in said second halved log element; said second halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   a first whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said first whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches each having a top side and a bottom side; said first whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said first whole log element; said first whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the interlocking notch of the first halved log element; said first whole log further positioned such that the bottom side of the small end interlocking notch engages the small end of the second halved log element; said first whole log element situated such that said means of fastening logs originating in said foundation pass through said holes in said second whole log element;   a second whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said second whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches having a top side and a bottom side; said second whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said second whole log element; said second whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the interlocking notch on the small end engages the first halved log element; said second whole log element further positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the second halved log element; said second whole log element situated such that said means of fastening logs originating in said foundation pass through said holes in said second whole log element;   a plurality of additional logs of shape and size consistent with said whole log elements, having a large end, a small end, a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a multi-beveled interlocking notch near each end; each said interlocking notch having a top side and a bottom side; each additional log being situated on top of a prior installed log element, each said additional log having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said additional logs, said additional logs being positioned such that said means of fastening logs originating from said foundation extend through each of said logs,   further each said additional log is situated such that the multi-beveled interlocking notch is oriented so that it is able to engage an interlocking notch on an additional log that it overlaps at each corner location of the log structure; whereby walls of desired height are formed through the stacking of such additional logs on the prior elements.   
   
   
       2 : The log structure of  claim 1  wherein said means for fastening logs further comprises rods embedded in said foundation. 
   
   
       3 : The log structure of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said first halved log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   said second halved log element further having a least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   said first whole log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   said second whole log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   said a plurality of additional logs having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   a plurality of anti-settling blocks situated in at least one recess of each of said first halved log element, second halved log element, first whole log element and second whole log element and said plurality of additional logs; and   a means for fastening each said anti-settling block in place.   
   
   
       4 : The log structure of  claim 1  further comprising a roof structure attached to one end of said log structure. 
   
   
       5 : The log structure of  claim 1  where in each said first whole log element, each said second whole log element, and said plurality of additional logs each contain an upper and lower milled surface. 
   
   
       6 : The log structure of  claim 1  wherein at least one wooden beam for an interior partition is affixed to one side of said log structure. 
   
   
       7 : A log structure comprising:
 a foundation with embedded rods;   a first halved log element having a large end and a small end, said first halved log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said first log halved element further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of said first halved log element is placed on top of said foundation with said embedded rods originating in said foundation and passing through said holes in said first halved log element; said first halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   said first halved log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   a second halved log element having a large end and a small end, said second log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said second log halved element further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the bottom surface of said second halved log element is placed on top of said foundation in a position parallel to said first halved log element, and further placed such that the large end of the first halved log element and the large end of the second halved log element are diagonally opposed, with said embedded rods originating in said foundation and passing through said holes in said second halved log element; said second halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   said second halved log element further having a least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   a first whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said first whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches each having a top side and a bottom side; said first whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said first whole log element; said first whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the interlocking notch of the first halved log element; said first whole log further positioned such that the bottom side of the small end interlocking notch engages the small end of the second halved log element; said first whole log element situated such that said embedded rods originating in said foundation passing through said holes in said second whole log element;   said first whole log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   a second whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said second whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches having a top side and a bottom side; said second whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said second whole log element; said second whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the interlocking notch on the small end engages the first halved log element; said second whole log element further positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the second halved log element; said second whole log element situated such that said embedded rods originating in said foundation passing through said holes in said second whole log element;   said second whole log element further having at least a portion defining a recess; said recess being centered over at least one of said holes and having a total size greater than that of said hole;   a plurality of additional logs of shape and size consistent with said whole log elements, having a large end, a small end, a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a multi-beveled interlocking notch near each end; each said interlocking notch having a top side and a bottom side; each additional log being situated on top of a prior installed log element, each said additional log having a plurality of portions defining holes which extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of said additional logs, said additional logs being positioned such that the rods originating from said foundation extend through each of said logs,   further each said additional log is situated such that the multi-beveled interlocking notch is oriented so that it is able to engage an interlocking notch on an additional log that it overlaps at each corner location of the log structure; whereby walls of desired height are formed through the stacking of such additional logs on the prior elements;   a plurality of anti-settling blocks situated in at least one recess of each of said first halved log element, second halved log element, first whole log element and second whole log element and said plurality of additional logs;   means for fastening each said anti-settling block in place;   a roof structure attached to one end of said log structure and covering said log structure.   
   
   
       8 : A log structure comprising:
 a first halved log element having a large end and a small end, said first halved log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said first halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   a second halved log element having a large end and a small end, said second log element further having a substantial flat bottom surface and a top surface; said second halved log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end;   a first whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said first whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches each having a top side and a bottom side; said first whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface; said first whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the interlocking notch of the first halved log element; said first whole log further positioned such that the bottom side of the small end interlocking notch engages the small end of the second halved log element;   a second whole log element, having a large end and a small end, situated perpendicular to the first and second halved log elements; said second whole log element having multi-beveled interlocking notches near each end; said interlocking notches having a top side and a bottom side; said second whole log element having a top surface and a bottom surface; said second whole log element positioned such that the bottom side of the interlocking notch on the small end engages the first halved log element; said second whole log element further positioned such that the bottom side of the large end interlocking notch engages the second halved log element;   a plurality of additional logs of shape and size consistent with said whole log elements, having a large end, a small end, a top surface and a bottom surface and further having a multi-beveled interlocking notch near each end; each said interlocking notch having a top side and a bottom side; each additional log being situated on top of a prior installed log element;   further each said additional log is situated such that the multi-beveled interlocking notch is oriented so that it is able to engage an interlocking notch on an additional log that it overlaps at each corner location of the log structure;   means of affixation for supporting said engagements of interlocking notches in order to provide stability for said log structure;   whereby walls of desired height are formed through the stacking of such additional logs on the prior elements.