System and method for construction of log structure

Abstract

A system and method for constructing a log structure includes logs having pairs of parallel spaced apart longitudinally extending grooves on opposing sides of the logs. Inner edges of the grooves may be tapered inwardly to receive lumber support pieces. A wall is constructed by providing a base log having a pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves on an upper surface of the log, inserting lower edges of a pair of lumber support pieces into the grooves, and positioning the grooves of a log over upper edges of the lumber support pieces. Further lumber support pieces and logs are attached in like manner until the desired height is reached. A corner piece for forming corners of the structure having vertically extending channels for receiving ends of the lumber support pieces is provided.

1 . A system for building a log structure comprising:
 a plurality of logs, each log comprising one pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves on a first surface of the log and one pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves on a second surface of the log opposite to the first surface; and   a plurality of lumber support pieces;   
     wherein first edges of each of the lumber support pieces are dimensioned to engage the grooves on the first surface of one of the plurality of logs, and second edges of each of the lumber support pieces are dimensioned to engage the grooves on the second surface of another one of the plurality of logs. 
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  further comprising a base log having a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves on an upper surface of the base log. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein the base log comprises a flat edge on the lower surface of the base log. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein an inner edge of each groove tapers inwardly from the outer surface of the log towards the base of the groove. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein an angle defined between the inner edge of each groove and the base of the groove is 93°. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the grooves are milled to a uniform shape, regardless of the exterior dimensions of the log. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more corner posts, each corner post comprising two pairs of longitudinally extending parallel channels dimensioned to receive ends of the lumber support pieces. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein an angle defined between the lumber support pieces when inserted into the corner posts is 90°. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 7  further comprising an insert dimensioned to be inserted between the ends of the logs and the channels of the corner posts. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein the channels of the corner posts are half-dovetailed, and the ends of the lumber support pieces are correspondingly half-dovetailed with a smaller size than the corner posts. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the logs is of non-uniform shape or taper. 
   
   
       12 . A method for building a log wall comprising:
 providing a base log having two parallel spaced apart grooves on an upper edge of the base log;   providing a plurality of lumber support pieces dimensioned to fit into the grooves, each lumber support piece having upper and lower edges and ends;   providing a plurality of logs, each log comprising a pair of parallel spaced-apart longitudinally extending grooves on both an upper and a lower surface of the log;   positioning the base log at the desired location of the log wall;   inserting a lower edge of each one of a first pair of the lumber support pieces into a corresponding one of the grooves on the upper edge of the base log;   inserting grooves on the lower surface of a first one of the logs onto upper edges of the first pair of lumber support pieces;   inserting lower edges of each one of a second pair of the lumber support pieces into a corresponding one of the grooves on the upper edge of the first one of the logs; and   adding successive layers of logs and lumber support pieces in like manner until the desired height of the log wall is achieved.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  further comprising providing an inner edge of the grooves with an inward taper from the outside of the log toward the base of the groove. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  further comprising milling the grooves to a uniform shape, regardless of the exterior dimensions of the logs. 
   
   
       15 . A log structure comprising:
 at least one base log having two parallel spaced apart grooves on an upper surface of the base log;   a first pair of lumber support pieces, lower edges of each one of the first pair of lumber support pieces being fittingly engaged with a corresponding one of the grooves on the at least one base log;   at least one log having a pair of parallel spaced apart longitudinally extending grooves on an upper surface and on a lower surface of the log, the grooves on the lower surface of the log being fittingly engaged with upper edges of the first pair of lumber support pieces;   at least a second pair of lumber support pieces, lower edges of each one of the second pair of lumber support pieces being fittingly engaged with a corresponding one of the grooves on the upper surface of the at least one log; and   further layers of logs and lumber support pieces joined in like manner to provide a log wall of the desired height above each of the at least one base logs.   
   
   
       16 . A structure according to  claim 15  further comprising at least one corner post, the at least one corner post comprising two pairs of longitudinally extending parallel channels dimensioned to receive ends of the lumber support pieces, wherein first ends of all of the lumber support pieces above a first end of the at least one base log are engaged with the channels of the corner post. 
   
   
       17 . A structure according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one insert between the ends of the logs and the channels of the at least one corner post. 
   
   
       18 . A structure according to  claim 15  wherein an inner edge of each groove tapers inwardly from the outer surface of the log towards the base of the groove. 
   
   
       19 . A structure according to  claim 15  wherein the grooves are milled to a uniform shape, regardless of the exterior dimensions of the log. 
   
   
       20 . A structure according to  claim 15  wherein spaces defined between adjacent logs and a pair of lumber support pieces therebetween is used to run electrical wiring, to run plumbing, or to contain insulation. 
   
   
       21 . A log wall comprising:
 a plurality of logs, each log having at least one groove on an upper surface of the log and at least one groove on a lower surface of the log; and   a plurality of lumber support pieces, the edges of the lumber support pieces being dimensioned to engage with the grooves on the logs;   
     wherein the wall is formed by alternating vertical layers of lumber support pieces and logs, the edges of the lumber support pieces being engaged with the grooves of the logs. 
   
   
       22 . A log wall according to  claim 21  wherein a first wall portion is formed by alternating vertical layers of lumber support pieces and logs, and wherein a second wall portion spaced apart from and extending parallel to the first wall portion is formed in like manner by alternating vertical layers of lumber support pieces and logs.