Log and screw pin building system

Abstract

A building system comprising interlocking log-like construction members to be used with or without screw-like fasteners. Various real-sized structures such as cabins, play-houses and tool sheds may be formed by perpendicular arrangement of recessed surfaces formed in the log-like members. A fastening system allows semi-permanent attachment of adjacent log-like members using a flanged fastener having an axial threaded recess and an axial threaded extension. When two fasteners are axially aligned, the axial threaded extension of one fastener may be engaged in the axial threaded recess of the other. The fasteners extend through holes in the recessed surfaces of the log-like members and thereby secure adjacent log-like members together.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:  
     
         1 . A building system comprising: 
 a first building member having a length as measured between first and second ends and a first notched region including a generally planar recessed first surface extending a portion of the length, the first surface having a first hole therein;    a second building member having a length as measured between first and second ends and a second notched region including a generally planar recessed second surface extending a portion of the length, the second surface having a second hole therein, the second notched region being adapted for nesting engagement with the first notched region when the first and second building members are disposed in a predetermined relative position and the first and second holes are axially aligned; and,    means for selectively fastening the first and second building members in a semi-permanent relationship, the fastening means including a first fastening member having a length, a first end, a second end, a central axis, and a threaded axial recess at the first end, the first fastening member being dimensioned and configured for reception within the first hole, the fastening means further including a second fastening member having a first end, a second end, a length, a central axis, and an axially extending threaded region at the second end, the second fastening member being dimensioned and configured for reception within the second hole and the threaded region of the second fastening member being dimensioned and configured for engagement within the threaded axial recess of the first fastening member.    
     
     
         2 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the second hole is provided with a recessed seat; and,  
 the second fastening member includes a flange at the first end, the flange being dimensioned and configured for engagement on the recessed seat.  
 
     
     
         3 . The building system of  claim 2  wherein the flange and the recessed seat are dimensioned and configured so that a top surface of the flange is flush with the second surface when the flange is engaged on the seat.  
     
     
         4 . The building system of  claim 2  wherein the flange is provided with means for manual rotation of the second fastening member about its axis.  
     
     
         5 . The building system of  claim 4  wherein the rotation means includes a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         6 . The building system of  claim 4  wherein the rotation means includes a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         7 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein the second fastening member includes a threaded axial recess at the first end thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein the first building member comprises a hollow body and wherein the first and second ends are capped.  
     
     
         9 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein the first building member comprises a body formed of polyethylene.  
     
     
         10 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein the second building member includes a third notched region including a generally planar recessed third surface being spaced from and parallel to the second surface and wherein the second hole extends through the third surface.  
     
     
         11 . The building system of  claim 1  wherein the first building member comprises a cylindrical body.  
     
     
         12 . A structure comprising: 
 a first building member having a length as measured between first and second ends and a first notched region including a generally planar recessed first surface extending a portion of the length, the first surface having a hole therein;    a second building member having a length as measured between first and second ends and a second notched region including a generally planar recessed second surface extending a portion of the length, the second surface having a second hole therein, the second notched region being in nesting engagement with the first notched region whereby the first and second building members are disposed in a predetermined relative position and the first and second holes are axially aligned; and,    means for selectively fastening the two building members in a semi-permanent relationship, the fastening means including a first fastening member having a length, a first end, a second end, a central axis, and a threaded axial recess at the first end, the first fastening member being received within the first hole, the fastening means further including a second fastening member having a first end, a second end, a length, a central axis, and an axially extending threaded region at the second end, the second fastening member being received within the second hole and the threaded region of the second fastening member being engaged within the threaded axial recess of the first fastening member.    
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the second hole is provided with a recessed seat; and,  
 the second fastening member includes a flange at the first end, the flange being engaged on the recessed seat.  
 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein a top surface of the flange is flush with the second surface.  
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 13  wherein the flange is provided with means for manual rotation of the second fastening member about its axis.  
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 15  wherein the rotation means includes a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 15  wherein the rotation means includes a plurality of ridges.  
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the second fastening member includes a threaded axial recess at the first end thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the first building member comprises a hollow body and wherein the first and second ends are capped.  
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the first building member comprises a body formed of polyethylene.  
     
     
         21 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the second building member includes a third notched region including a generally planar recessed third surface being spaced from and parallel to the second surface and wherein the second hole extends through the third surface.  
     
     
         22 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein the first building member comprises a cylindrical body.  
     
     
         23 . A method for building a structure comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first building member having a length as measured between first and second ends and a first notched region including a generally planar recessed first surface extending a portion of the length, the first surface having a hole therein;    providing a second building having a length as measured between first and second ends and a second notched region including a generally planar recessed second surface extending a portion of the length, the second surface having a second hole therein, the second notched region being adapted for nesting engagement with the first notched region when the first and second building members are disposed in a predetermined relative position and the first and second holes are axially aligned;    providing means for selectively fastening the first and second building members in a semi-permanent relationship, the fastening means including a first fastening member having a length, a first end, a second end, a central axis, and a threaded axial recess at the first end, the first fastening member being dimensioned and configured for reception with the first hole, the fastening means further including a second fastening member having a first end, a second end, a length, a central axis, and an axially extending threaded region at the second end, the second fastening member being dimensioned and configured for reception within the second hole and the threaded region of the second fastening member being dimensioned and configured for engagement with the threaded axial recess of the first fastening member;    positioning the first fastening member in the first hole;    positioning the second notched region of the second building member into nesting engagement with the first notched region of the first building member;    positioning the second fastening member in the second hole; and,    rotating the second fastening member so that the axially extending threaded region is engaged within the threaded axial recess of the first fastening member.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the second fastening member includes a flange at the first end which includes means for manual rotation of the second fastening member about its axis, and wherein the step of rotating the second fastening member further includes: 
 utilizing the manual rotation means to rotate the second fasting member.  
 
     
     
         25 . A fastening assembly comprising: 
 a first fastening member having a length, a first end, a second end, a central axis, and a threaded axial recess at the first end; and,    a second fastening member having a length, a first end, a second end, a central axis, and an axially extending threaded region at the second end, the axially extending threaded region being engaged within the threaded axial recess of the first fastening member.