Panelized Log Home Construction

Abstract

The present invention relates to panelized log home construction. In a first embodiment, a wall panel comprises a plurality of logs of predetermined length stacked on top of each other. A tongue is machined into each log end such that when stacked a wall tongue is formed from the aligned log tongues. A rod channel runs through the stacked logs for receiving a tension/lifting rod. A first end of the tension/lifting rod comprises a rod lifting attachment for lifting and adjustment of the tensioning force. Optional protective coverings fixedly cover each wall tongue and optional wall utility channels receive wires and pipes, as required. A pair of posts fixedly attached to a foundation slidably receive the wall panels. Machined into each post is at least one wall receiving groove sized to slidably receive and cooperate with the wall tongue. An optional protective groove insert fixedly covers each wall receiving groove to lessen the possibility of post breakage upon wall panel insertion.

1 . A wall panel comprising: 
 a plurality of stacked logs of predetermined length, each log having a tongue at each end such that when stacked, a wall tongue is formed at each side of the plurality of stacked logs;    a rod channel transversing the panelized wall from a first horizontal surface to a second horizontal surface;    a tension/lifting rod within the rod channel;    a first rod tensioning attachment received by a rod first end and a second rod tensioning attachment received by a rod second end; and    a lifting attachment received by the rod first end positioned superior to the rod tensioning attachment.    
   
   
       2 . The wall panel of  claim 1  wherein each log first horizontal surface further comprises a horizontal tongue and the second horizontal surface further comprises a horizontal groove positioned such that when stacked, a first log horizontal groove cooperates with a second log horizontal tongue.  
   
   
       3 . The wall panel of  claim 2  further comprising an adhesive applied to each side surface of the horizontal tongue and a seal applied to a top surface of the horizontal tongue.  
   
   
       4 . The wall panel of  claim 1  wherein at least two rod channels are spaced equal distance from a log centerline.  
   
   
       5 . The wall panel of  claim 1  further comprising a utility channel fabricated in a predetermined location.  
   
   
       6 . The wall panel of  claim 1  further comprising a seal placed between each stacked log.  
   
   
       7 . The wall panel of  claim 1  wherein a first log is fixedly attached to a contiguous log.  
   
   
       8 . The wall panel of  claim 1  wherein the second rod tensioning attachment comprises a first nut fixedly attached to a plate for threadedly receiving the tension/lifting rod, the first rod tensioning attachment comprises a second nut threadedly attached to the tension/lifting rod, and the lifting attachment comprises an eye loop threadedly attached to the tension/lifting rod.  
   
   
       9 . The wall panel of  claim 1  further comprising a protective tongue covering shaped to intimately receive the wall tongue.  
   
   
       10 . The wall panel of  claim 9  wherein a seal is placed under the protective tongue covering.  
   
   
       11 . A panelized wall system comprising: 
 a wall panel having    a plurality of stacked logs of predetermined length, each log having a tongue at each end such that when stacked, a wall tongue is formed at each side of the plurality of stacked logs;    a rod channel transversing the panelized wall from a first horizontal surface to a second horizontal surface;    a tension/lifting rod within the rod channel;    a first rod tensioning attachment received by a rod first end and a second rod tensioning attachment received by a rod second end; and    a lifting attachment received by the rod first end positioned superior to the rod tensioning attachment,    wherein the panelized wall is slidably received within a groove in each of two fixed posts, the posts supported by a structure selected from the group consisting of the foundation and a sill plate.    
   
   
       12 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  further comprising a protective groove insert shaped to intimately fit within the groove and a protective tongue covering shaped to intimately receive the wall tongue.  
   
   
       13 . The panelized wall system of  claim 12  wherein a seal is placed under the protective groove insert and the protective tongue covering.  
   
   
       14 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  wherein the panelized wall sealably rests upon a structure selected from the group consisting of the foundation, a sill plate, and at least one base log, the at least one base log fixed to a structure selected from the group consisting of the foundation and the sill plate.  
   
   
       15 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  wherein the first and second rod tensioning attachments are countersunk into a contiguous surface such that they do not prevent substantially flush contact of contiguous horizontal surfaces.  
   
   
       16 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  further comprising a top plate fabricated for substantially flush contact with the wall panel and grooved posts.  
   
   
       17 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  wherein a structure selected from the group consisting of a wall panel and a base log rests on a first portion of the sill plate so as to allow for construction of a floor joist, floor decking and insulation placement on a second portion of the sill plate after placement of the wall panel.  
   
   
       18 . The panelized wall system of  claim 11  further comprising a drip edge constructed between the sill plate and the foundation.  
   
   
       19 . A method for constructing a panelized wall system comprising the steps of: 
 fabricating the wall panel of  claim 1;     fixedly supporting a pair of grooved posts to a supporting structure selected from the group consisting of a sill plate and a foundation;    lifting the wall panel, aligning the wall tongue with the pair of grooved posts and slidably inserting the wall panel within the pair of grooved posts such that the wall panel is supported by the pair of grooved posts and rests upon a supporting structure selected from the group consisting of a base log, a sill plate and a foundation;    removing the lifting attachment; and    attaching a top plate so that it is in substantially flush contact with the pair of grooved posts and the wall panel.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further including the step of fixedly stacking additional posts to slidably receive additional stacked wall panels.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further including the step of fabricating and sealing a panel opening within the wall panel.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  further including the step of tightening the lifting/tensioning rod to an effective force to create an effective seal and minimize cracking of the stacked logs.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of fabricating a seal between the wall panel and the pair of grooved posts, top plate and supporting structure.  
   
   
       24 . The building formed by the method of  claim 19.