Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3~
This invention relates to logs for use in the construction
of walls for a building or the like and an apparatus for
pre-drilling lo~s.
~ uildin,as of the type which are generally known as "loa
cabins" have a substantial aesthetic appeal and can be conveniently
prefabricated for ease of assembly in use.
Difficulty has, however, loncl been experienced in
attempting to maintain airtiqht joints between the logs. It is
difficult to machine a log to tight tolerances and consequently, it
is difficult to obtain a tiaht seal at the various-interfaces
formed between adjoining logs. In addition, with age, loas tend to
shrink and thls shrinkaae causes se~aration at the various
interfaces and this can result in difficulties in attempting to
maintain a seal at the critical interfaces.
In order to obtain a seal at the interface between logs it
is customary to caulk the ioints. Aaain, the caulkina tends to
loosen as the logs shrink with the result that regular periodic
replacement of caulkina is reauired in order to maintain a reauired
seal.
The di~ficulties which have been encountered ~n attemptin,a,
to obtain an effective seal at an interface between logs are
compounded when attemr~ina to obtain such a seal at the corners cf
a building in which the loas are shaped to provide tenons such as
those used to ~rovide a dovetail corner ioint or a lap corner
joint. In these ioints, there are two interfaces
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arranged at right angles with respect to one another. Generally,
the mechanical locking arrangement provided by these interlocking
tenons has been considered to provide a more effective seal than
that which is normally established b,~tween the side edges of the
logs and consequently, it is generally considered that
conventional caulking is all that is required in this area.
Difficulty has also been experienced in attempting to
obtain an effective seal between logs which are connected in an
edge to edge relationship by means of a tongue and groove joint.
The tongue and groove joint is commonly used along the edge of a
long log. Because of uneven shrinkage during the aging of a log,
there is a danger of a portion of the tongue and groove joint
becoming unseated and as a result, it is difficult to maintain an
effective seal at the joint. In addition, when a double tongue
and groove profile is used along the edges of a log, the channel
which is formed between the tongues can act as a reservoir for
retaining any water which might seep into the joint and if this
water is subsequently frozen, the expansion caused by the
formation of the ice can force the logs apart at the joint and
thereby further reduce the effectiveness of the seal formed
between the joints.
A further difficulty which is experienced in log cabin
construction is that the buildings do not provide the same degree
of security as is available from a break belting because it is
possible to gain entry to the building simply by sawing through
the logs.
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In addition, difficulty has been experienced in
attempting to accurately pre-drill large logs to facilitate the
mounting of locking keys. Various Idifferent standard sizes of
logs are used in log cabin construction and no simple and
effective form of drilLing machine :is available for the purposes
of accurately drilling logs at any one of a number of
predetermined drilling positions.
Summar~ of Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a machine for trimming and drilling logs to form
walking passageways comprising a drilling platform for supporting
a log thereon during trimming and drilling, s~op means extending
along a Eirst edge of said drilling platform in a first datum
plane, clamp means mounted for movement toward and away from stop
means for releasably clamping a log against said stop means, a
notch extending inwardly of said platforms from said one edge
along which a saw blade may pass to trim a log which is clamped on
said drilling platform to provide a second datum plane along an
end face of the log, an inner set of drilling slots comprising
right an left hand first elongated drill slots symetrically
arranged to the right and left of said second datum plane
respectively and extending along a first side of said platform
adjacent said stop means, right and left second elongated drill
slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of said second
datum plane and extending at a first angle with respect to said
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first and second datum plane, right and left third elongated drill
slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of said second
datum plane and extending at a second angle with respect to said
first and second datum plane, an outer set of drilling slots
comprising right and left hand firs;t elongated drill slots
symetrically arranged to the right and left of said second datum
plane respectively and extending al.ong a first side of said
platform adjacent said stop means, right and left second elongated
drill slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of said
second datum plane and extending at a first angle with respect to
said first and second datum plane, right and left third elongated
drill slots symetrically arranged to ths right and left of said
second datum plane and extending at a second angle with respect to
said first and second datum plane, a base underlying said drill
platform, right and left undercarriages slidably mounted on said
base and arranged to the right and left respectively of said
second datum plane, right and left first, second and third slide
members slidably mounted on said right and left undercarriages
respectively for movement in a direction parallel to said first,
second and third slots respectively, first~ second and third drill
frames mounted on and extending upwardly from said first, second
and third slide members respectively, first, second and third
drilling machinss slidably mounted on said first, second and third
drill frames respectively for movement toward and away Erom said
platform, first, second and third drive means for moving said
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first, second and third slide mem~ers respectively to locate said
first, second and third drilling machines in any one of a number
of drilling stations located at spaced intervals along each
drilling slot, right and left undercarriage drive means for
driving the right and left undercarriages respectively, relative
to the frame to align the first and second drill means with the
first, second and third slots of the inner or outer sets of
drilling slots, a fourth slide member slidably mounted on said
base for movement along a slipway which extends along a path which
is ~ligned with and underlies said first notch, a fourth drill
frame mounted on and extending upwardly from said fourth slide
member, a fourth drilling machine mounted on said fourth support
frame for movement toward and away from said platform, said fourth
drilling machine having a drilling access, fourth drive means for
moving said ~ourth slide member in the direction of the sxtent of
the first notch, offsetting means arranged to engage said first
support frame to laterally offset said drilling machine to the
right or left of said datum plane so that the drilling access of
said fourth drilling machine may be located adjacent the second
datum plane on the right or the left side thereof as required in
use.
According to a further aspect of the present invention
there is provided a log for use in a structure in which a
plurality of logs are connected by tongue and groove joints, said
log co~prising an elongated body having oppositely disposed
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longitudinal edges, one formed with a tongue profile and one
formed with a complimentary groove profile, said groove having a
base ace extending longitudinally thereof, and a seal seating
channel formed in said base and extending longitudinally thereof.
According to yet ano-ther aspect of the present invention,
there is provided in a log of the type having ~irst and second
side edges formed with a double tongue and groove profile
respectively and wherein the tongues are spaced from one another
by a channel and a ridge is formed between the grooves, the
improvement of a seal seating groove formed in the base of said
channel and extending longitudinally thereof.
According to a still urther aspec~ of the present
invention, there is provided in a wall o~ a log structure in which
a plurality of logs are interconnected by double tongue and groove
joints formed at an interface between abutting edges of adjacent
logs and wherein the tongues are spaced from one another by a
channel and a ridge is formed between the groov~s, the improvement
of a seal seating groove formed in the base of said channel and
extending longitudinally thereof, seal means in the form o~ an
elongated length of compressed material seated in said
groove and compressed between said ridge and the ~ase of said
channel to form a seal at said interface along the length of said
log.
According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided in a wall assembly formed from logs
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in which a pair of first logs are arranged in an end to end
relationship to ~orm a but joint therebetween and in which a
second log is arranged in an edge to edge relationship with the
first logs and bridges the but joint and wherein locking slots are
formed in each abutting end of said first log to receive a locking
tie which serves to lock the butting ends r the improvement of a
seat formed in the edge of the second log in alignment with the
locking slots to receive an end of a locking pin, said seat being
adapted to cooperate with the end of the locking pin to lock the
locking pin against longitudinaly movement with respect to the
second log.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided in a wall construction for a building wherein
adjoining walls are made from logs and wherein the ends of logs of
the adjoining walls are connected by an overlapping tenon joint, a
structure for sealing the first and second vertically extending
interfaces between the side faces of each tenon and the end ~ace
of the log of the other wall which it ~aces, comprising a first
pair of elongated tubular cavities in the logs, one on each side
of said irst interface, a second pair of elongated tubular
cavities in the logs, one on each side of said second interface,
the cavities of each pair opening into one another along their
respective inter~aces and increasing in cross-sectional area in a
direction away from the their respective interfaces, a plurality
of tie members each comprising a pair of elongated lobes which are
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connected to one another by a bridqina section, one of said rigid
tie members beina located at each interface and arranaed with one
of its lobes seated in one of the tubular cavities on one side of
the inter~ace and the other of its lobes seated in the tubular
cavities on the other side of the interface.
Accordinq to a still further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a machine for trimming and drilling
logs to form locking passaqes therein comprising a drilling
platform for supporting a log thereon during trimming and
drillinq, stop means extendina along a first edge of said drilling
platform in a first datum plane, clamp means mounted for movement
toward and away from said stop means for releaseably clamping a
log against said stop means, a notch extending inwardly of said
plat~orm from said one edqe alonq which a sawblade may pass to
trim a log which is clamped on said table to provide a second
datum plane along an end face of a loq, an inner set of drillinq
slots comprising right and left first elongated drill slo~
symetrically arranged to the right and left of said second datum
plane respectively and extending along a first sida of the
platform adjacent said stop means, riqht and left second elongated
drill slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of said
second datum Plane and extending at a first anqle with respect to
said first and second datum planes, right and left third elonqated
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drill slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of said
second datum plane and extending at a second angle with respect to
said Eirst and second datum planes, an outer set of drilling slots
comprising right and left fourth drilling slots arranged to the
right and left of said second datum plane and being laterally
spaced from and aligned with said second slots, right and le~t
fifth drill slots symetrically arranged to the right and left of
said second datum plane and laterally spaced from and extending
parallel to said second slots at a greater distance from said
second datum plane, right and left sixth drill slots symetrically
arranged to the rignt and let of said second datum plane and
laterally spaced from and extending parallel to said third slots
and spaced a greater distance from said second datum plane a base
underlying said drilling platform, right and left undercarriages
slidably mounted on said base and arranged to the right and leEt
respectively of said second datum plane, right and left first,
second and third slide members slidably mounted on said right and
left undercarriages respectively for movement in a direction
parallel to said first, second and third drilling slots
respectively, first, second and third drill frames mounted on and
extending upwardly from said first, second and third slide members
respective first, second and third drilling machines slidably
mounted on said first, second and third drill frames, respectively
for movement toward and away from said drilling platform, first,
second and third drive means for moving said first, second and
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third slide members respectively to locate said first, second and
third drilling machines in any one of a number of drilling
stations located along each drilling slot, right and left
undercarriage drive means for drivi.ng the right and left
undercarriages respectively, relati.ve to the frame to align the
first and second drilling means with the inner or outer set of
drilling slots, a fourth slide member slidably mounted on said
base for movement along a path which is aligned with and underlies
said first notch, a fourth drill frame mounted on said fourth
slide member and extending upwardly therefrom, a fourth drilling
machine slidably mounted on said fourth drilling frame for
movement toward and away from said drilling platform, said fourth
drilling machine having a drilling access, offsetting means
arranged to engage said first support frame to laterally offset
said fourth drilling machine to the right or left of said second
datum plane so that its drilling access is located adjacent to the
second datum plane on the right or left side thereof as required.
The invention will be more clearly understood after
reference to the following detailed specification read in
conjunction with the drawings wherein;
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a corner formed between
adjoining walls of a log wall construction according to an
embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 2 is an exploded view of a but-t joint formed
according to an embodiment of the present invention,
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DS27-4348-7
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of
Figure 2 illustrating the assembled ioint.
Figure 4 is a pictorial front view of a machine for
drilling logs according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 5 is a plan view o;E the log supporting platorm of
Figure 4,
Figure 6 is a plan view showing logs drilled to provide
the-butt joint of Figure 2,
Figure 7 is a plan view of logs drilled to provide the
overlapping tenon joint of Figure l,
Figure 8 is a plan view of logs drilled to form a corner
of the opposite hand to that illustrated in Figure 7,
Figure 9 is a plan view of a log drilled to provide a lap
joint of the type illustrated in Figure 10,
Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating a lap joint.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference
numeral lO refers generally to a corner joint construction for
adjoining walls according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The corner joint 10 is formed from logs 12 and 14.
Typical logs may measure 12" in height and may measure 6", 8~, lO"
or 12" in thickness. The logs 12 and 14 are each formed with a
double-tongue edge 16 and a double-groove edge 18 which cooperate
with one another to provide a tongue and groove connection. Logs
12 and 14 are formed with tenons 20 and 22 respectively which are
cut and shaped to provide a dove-tailed joint of the type
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described in my prior U.S. Patent No. 4,599,837 dated July 19,
1986. The tenons 20 each have an inner side face 24 and the
tenons 22 each have an inner side face 26. The logs 12 each have
a vertically extending end face which includes an upper portion
28a and a lower por~ion 28b. The logs 14 each hava a vertically
extending end face which includes an upper portion 30a and a lower
portion 30b. The tenon 20 has an upper face 23 which is
downwardly inclined from the front face 24 to the back face 25.
The tenon 26 has an upper face 27 whicn is downwardly inclined
from the front face 26 to the back face 29. An elongated tubular
cavity 32 extends vertically through the tenon 20 and has a
passageway 34 opening laterally therefrom. An elongated tubular
cavity 36 is formed in the end portion of the main body of the log
12 and extends vertically therethrough. The cavity 36 has a
passageway 38 formed along one edge thereof. The passageway 38 is
exposed at the vertically extending end faces 28a and 28b.
Similar cavities 32b and 36b are formed in the logs 14.
A one-piece spline 42 is used to connect the interlocking
tenons to one another. Each spline 42 has a pair of lobes 48 and
50 which are integrally connected to one another and provide a
cross-sectional configuration which has the general form of a
figure '8'. Each spline 42 has an upper end 44 and a lower end
45. The upper end 44 is inclined at an angle which is equal to
the angle of the upper aces 23 and 27 of the tenons so that they
wull lie flush with the upper face of their associated tenon in
use. The lower end 45 of each spline is V-shaped and has end
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faces 45a and 45b which are inclined so as to butt against the
upper face 23 or 27 which underlies the spline in use.
When assembling the corner, the tenon 22 of a log 14 is
positioned on the tenon 20 as shown in Figure 1. The tenons are
tightly nested so that the inner side face 26 of the tenon 22 is
located in a face-to-face relationship with respect to the
vertically extending end face 28b and the end face 30b bears
against the side face 24 of the underlying tenon 20.
In use the lobe 48 of a spline 42 is driven into the
tubular cavity 32b until the upper end 56 of the spline 42 is
flush with the upper face 27 of the tenon and its lower end bears
against the upper face 23 of the underlying tenon 20. In this
position the lobe 50 will extend into the passage 36 in the
underlying log to secure the logs to one anotherat the inter~ace
formed therebetween. A further spline 42 is mounted in the log 14
with its lobe 50 located in the tubular cavity 36b and its lower
end bears against the upper face 27. Thereafter, the next log 12
is positioned so that the cavity 36 receives the lobe 50 of one of
the spline 42 which projects from the side face 26 of the
underlying tenon 22 and the other cavity 34 receives the lobe 48
of the other spline which pro~ects from the end face 30a. The
lobes 48 and 50 of the splines are shaped and proportioned to draw
the logs together along the interface formed between the abutting
side face of the tenon and end face of the other log.
This assembly Procedure is repeated until the
construction of the corner i5 complete.
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Butt Joint
With reference to Fi~ure 2 of the drawings, a butt joint
similar to the type illustrated in my prior U.S. Patent No.
4,599,837, is generally identified by the reference numeral 60.
~he butt joint 60 is formed between the abutting ends of logs 12a
and 12b which are located directly above a further log 12c. A
tubular cavity 62 is formed in the encl of the log 12a and a
tubular cavity 64 is formed in the end of the log 12b. Circular
recesses 62a and 64a are formed in the upper edge 66 of the
underlying log 12c. Because of these circular recesses 62a and
64a, the lower ends of the spline section 44 and 46 are flat and
do not have the tongue-shaped profile of the type described in my
prior U.S. Patent No. 4,599,837. Because the lower ends of the
section 44 and 46 will be seated in the recesses 62a and 64a in
use, they will serve to retain the logs 12a and 12b with respect
to the underlying log 12c against longitudinal relative movement
and against lateral movement. Thus, it will be seen that this
form of seating of the spline 42 serves to more securely retain
the wall forming logs. In addition, because it is not necessary
to shape the lower ends of the section 44 and 46 of the spline to
provide a tongue, the lower ends of the splines 44 and 46 are not
weakened. To seal the spline 42 in the tubular cavities 62 and 64
the outer face of each spline is formed with a longitudinally
extending groove 41 in which a compressible sealing member 39 is
fitted so as to be compressed between the spline and the walls of
the cavities 62, 64.
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Tongue and Groove Seal
As shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, each log 12has an upper edge 70 and a lower edge 72. A pair of tongues 74
are formed along the upper edge 72 and have a channel 76 formed
therebetween. The tongue 74 also have outer side faces 78 each
formed with a caulking shoulder 80. A lateral support shoulder 82
extends outwardly from each caulking shoulder 80. A seal seating
groove 84 is formed in the base face of the channel 76 and extends
longitudinally thereof. A further groove 86 is formed in the base
of the seal seating groove 84 and extends longitudinally thereof.
As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings the seal seating groove have
a width that is greater than the depth.
A pair of grooves 88 are formed in the lower edge 72 of
the overlying log 12. The grooves 88 are spaced from one another
by a longitudinally extending ridge 90. The grooves 88 have outer
side walls 92 each formed with caulking shoulders 94 which are
arranged to cooperate with the caulking shoulders 80 of the
underlying log to provide caulking cavities 96 therebetween.
In use, a rod 98 of high calibre steel or the like is
seated in each groove 86 in a close-fitting relationship
therewith. A sealing member 100 which is in the form of a length
of an asphalt impregnated foamed plastics material which is
watertight when subjected to 50~ compression, is seated in the
seal seating groove 84 and extends longitudinally thereof. In the
relaxed coniguration which is shown in broken lines in Figure 3,
the sealing member 100 has a height H which is at least three
times greater than its compressed height so that it will be
subjected to a 75~ compression and will therefore provide a
watertight seal.
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Caulking members 102 and 104 are also formed from
elongated lengths of foamed plastics material~ The caulking
members 102 and 104 are, however, preferably formed from a higher
density foamed plastics material. The relaxed height of the
caulking members 102 and 104 is at least 25% greater than the
compressed height in use.
As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the caulking strips
102 and 104 are located in the caulking cavities 96.
When the tongue and groove ~oint is assembled as
illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the upper faces of the
tongues 74 and the base of the grooves 88 will bear against one
another while the faces of the ridge 90 will be spaced a short
distance from the faces of the channel 76. As a result, when the
sealing member 100 is compressed, portions thereof will "flash"
into the gap formed between the ridge 90 and channel 76 and the
sealing member 100 will be compressed into the groove 86. As a
result, a very good seal is achieved along the base of the channel
76. Similarly, the lateral support shoulders 82 will come in
contact with the lateral support shoulders 82a and the caulking
members 94 and 96 will "flash" into the spaces formed between the
outer side walls 78 of the tongues and the outer side walls 92 of
the grooves.
It will be apparent that when the logs shrink or warp
with age, the sealing members 100 and the caulking members 102 and
104 can and will expand or contract as required in order to
maintain an effective seal at the interface formed between the
logs.
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The metal rods 98 which extend longitudinally of the logs
serve to provide a security network which will prevent cutting of
the logs by means of a woodsaw such as a chainsaw.
Machine for ~rimminq and Dri ~
The machine for use in the trimming and drilling of logs
is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings to which
reference is now made. The machine is generally identified by the
reference numeral 110. The machine 110 has a drilling platform
112. A wall 114 extends upwardly along one edge of the platform
112 and has pads 116 of a plastic material of a low coefficient of
friction mounted thereon. The pads 116 serve as stop means
against which one side of a log 12 will bear during trimming and
drilling. Clamping members 118 are mounted on the shafts 120 of
pneumatics cylinders 122 for movement toward and away from the
wall 11~. Shielding brackets 124 extend upwardly from the
platform 112 and serve to shield the clamping means 118 when in
the retracted position so that an incoming log 12 will not be
driven against the retracted clamp member 118. ~old down arms 126
are pivotally mounted above the platform 112. A pneumatic
cylinder 128 is connected to the connecting rod 130 and is
operable to raise and lower the hold down arms 126 as required.
Roller conveyors 132 and 134 are provided for supporting
and guiding the logs 12 into an operable position on the platform
112.
A circular saw 136 is mounted on a carriage 138 which is
slidably mounted on a pair of guide rods 140 for movement toward
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and away from the platform 112 and is used ~or the purposes o~
~rimminq the ends o~ the logs to prov;de a datum face from which
subsequent drilling of the log is accurately positioned.
The saw 136 is powered by an electric motor 142~
As shown in Figure S of the drawings r a plurality of
drilling slots are formed in the plati-orm 112.
A notch 144 extends inwardly from the first side edge of
the platform 112 and is aligned with the circular saw 136. The
notch 144 has an enlarged opening 146 which serves to accommodate
the drill which is used for the purposes of drilling tubular
cavities in the butt joint ends of logs as will be described
hereinafter.
The drilling slots are symetrical about the centre line
145 of the notch 144. The drilling slots include right and left
hand inner and outer sets of drillings slots. The right hand
inner set of drilling slots will now be described with reference
to Figure S. The right hand inner set of drilling slots include a
first elongated drilling slot 150 which extends along a first side
edge of the platform adjacent the stop means 116. It will be
noted that the drilling slot 150 extends beyond the inner face of
the pads 116. This serves to ensure that when the drill passes
through the slot 150 the cavity which is formed thereby will have
a passageway opening laterally through the side ~ace of the log.
A second elongated drilling slot 152 and a third elongated
drilling slot 154 serve to complete the right hand inner set of
drilling slots. The slots 152 and 154 are angularly inclined to
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extend at an angle ~ 1~ which measures 26 341 and ~2 which
measures 54 261 with respect to the datum face.
The outer right hand drilling slots include elongated
drilling slots 150a, 152a and 154a. The left hand inner set of
drilling slots includes slots 150b, 152b and 154b. The outer left
hand set of drilling slots includes sLots 150c, 152c and 154c.
Within each slot, there are four drilLing stations, the centres of
which are identified on the left hand set of slots in Figure 5.
The centre line of each drilling station is identified by a "+".
Similar centres are provided in each of the slots of the right
hand sets. Within the enlarged opening 146, the centres of five
drilling stations are again indicated by a "+", one of which is
identified by the reference numeral 156. Similar drilling
stations are provided on the opposite side of the centre line 145.
Referring once more to Figure 4 of the drawings, the
reference numeral 160 refers generally to a base which underlies
the drilling platform. Right and left hand undercarriages 162a
and 162b are slidably mounted on the base 160. An extensible
pneumatic cylinder 164 has one end secured with respect to the
base 160 and its other end secured to a bracket 166 which extends
downwardly from the platform 162a. By expanding and contracting
the pneumatic cylinder 164, the undercarriage 162a can be
positioned to align its drilling centres 170a, 172a and 174a with
the drilling slots 150, 152, 154 or with the drilling slots 150a,
152a and 154a.
Similarly, the undercarriaqe 162b is slidably mounted ~or
movement on the base 160 to align its drilling centres with either
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the inner or outer le~t hand drilling slots. Three drilling
assemblies lt6 (only one o~ which is shown) are mounted on each
undercarriage. Each drill assembly 176 has a slide member
178slidably mounted on the undercarriage and guided by guide rails
180 for movement in a direction para]Llel to the longitudinal slot
through which its auger extends in use. A pneumatic cylinder 182
has one end secured to its associated undercarriage and has a ram
184 at its other end which is connected to the slide member 178.
By activating the cylinder 182, the ram 184 can be caused to move
to and fro to move the slide 178 to align the auger 186 with any
one of the drilling stations of its associated slot. A support
frame generally identified by the reference numeral 188 extends
upwardly from the slide member 176. The suppor~ frame 188 has an
upper end plate 190. A pair of guide rails 192 extend between the
end plate 190 and the slide member 178. A carriage 194 is
slidably mounted on the quide rails 192. An extensible pneumatic
ram assembly 196 has one end connected to the slide 178 and its
other end connected to the carriage 194. A drilling machine 198
is mounted on the carriage 194 for movement therewith. The auger
186 is mounted in the chuck 200 of th drilling machine so as to be
rotatably driven thereby in use. By extending and retracting the
pneumatic cylinder assembly 196, the carriage 194 and drilling
machine 198 can be raised or lowered.
A further drill assembly 202 is provided for drilling the
cavities required for the butt joint. This assembly includes a
slide member 204 which is slidably mounted for movement between
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guide rails 206. A pneumatic ram assembly 208 is provided for
moving the slide member 204 to and fro. A lower end plate 210
ispivotally mounted on the slide member 204 for movement about a
pivot pin 212. A small extensible pneumatic ram assembly 214
engages the inner end of the plate 210 and is operable to cause
the plate 210 to pivot about the pivot pin 212 to laterally offset
the auger 186 so that it can be aligned with any one of the
drilling centres 156 indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings.
Method of Operation
The machine of the present invention is designed in order
to trim and drill a log to provide the tubular cavities required
in order to form the butt joint and the overlapping dovetail
joints described in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The machine
is also designed to accommodate logs of different thickness and to
permit drilling of logs with overlapping lap joints. Generally,
the logs ~hich are used in the construction of log buildings
measure six inches, eight inches, ten inches and twelve inches in
thickness and the machine of the present invention is designed to
accommodate logs of four different thicknesses and to form both
right and le~t hand locking cavities.
As shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, a log 14 may
be introduced to the machine by sliding it along the conveyor 132
until the inner end portion thereof extends to the right hand side
of the centre line 145. Thereupon the ram 112 is activated in
order to drive the clamp member 118 into engagement with the side
face of the log 14. In addition, the left hand cylinder 128 is
activated in order to move the left hand hold down arm 126 into
engagement with the upper edge of the log.
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DS21-4348-7
The circular saw 136 is then activated and driven into
the slot 144 to cut the end of the log along the line 145 to form
an end face 22.
If a butt joint is to be formed along the end face 22,
the drill assembly 202 is then manipulated by activating the
extensible ram assemblies 208 and 214 in order to align the auger
186 with the centre 22~ (Fig.5). The drill assembly 202 is then
activated to supply power to the drilling machine to drive the
auger 186 and to the extensible ram assembly 196 in order to raise
the drilling auger 186 so that it passes through the opening 146
along the centre 220 and drills through the log to form a passage
such as the passage 62 illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.
After the drilling has been completed, the auger 186 is then
withdrawn by retracting the carriage 194.
Similarly, when it is intended to drill, the cavities
such as the cavities 32b and 36b in the left hand logs 14, the
pneumatic cylinders 182 are activated to align the augers 186 with
the centres 222 and 224. The augers are then rotatably driven
through the log as previously described. It will be apparent that
this will provide the cavities reguired when the face 14a of the
log is to form the inner face at the corner. If, on the other
hand, the face 14b of the log is to form the inner face at the
corner, it will be necessary to drill along the centre 226 and not
along the centre 222. In order to drill along the centre 226, the
drill assembly which powers the auger which will extend through
the slot 154b is positioned as previously described and is
operated to drill through the log.
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DS27-4348-7
The various drilling patterns which can be produced by
the drilling machine of tha present invention are illustrated in
Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings. As shown in Figure 6, a butt
joint is provided drilling the cavities 62 and 64. The cavity 62
will be drilled when the log 14 is lot:ated in the position shown
in broken lines in Figure 5 drilling on the centre 220. The
cavity 64 will be formed by locating a log on the opposite side of
the datum plane 145 and drilling alonq the right hand centre
corresponding to the centre 220. Simila~ly, the cavity 32b and
the cavity 32 are formed by drilling along the centre 222 of the
left hand slot 150b and along the corresponding centre of the
right hand slot 150 respectively.
The cavity 36b is formed by drilling along the centre 224
of the slot 152b and the cavity 36 is formed by drilling along the
corresponding centre of the slot 152. The cavity which is shown
in broken lines is the recess 40b which is drilled at the time of
assembly of the corner. The broken line 30c indicates the
location of the end faces 30a and 30b in relation to the slo~ 36
when a tenon 24 is formed. Similarly~ the broken line 28c
indicates the position of the end faces 28a and 28b of the log 14
when a tenon 20 is formed.
The difference between the logs illustrated in Figure 7
and that of Figure 8 is that they are designed to form opposite
corners of a structure. The cavities 32b and 30 are formed by
drilling along the centre 226 of slot 154b and the corresponding
centre of the slot 154 respectively.
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DS27-4348-7
The log illustrated in Figure 9 diEfers from that of
Figure 7 in that it is designed to provide a conventional overlap
joint in which the portion 25 projects beyond the tenon 24. The
passages 32b and 36b are formed by drllling along the appropriate
centres of the outer left hand set of slots 150c, 152c. A typical
overlapping joint is illustrated in Fi.gure 10 which shows the
drill holes 32b and 36b and the holes 40b and 40a which are
drilled on site during assembly of the wall as previously
described.
Various modifications of the preferred embodiment will be
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention. For example, if the logo 12 of Figure 3
are 10" or 12" in width, two seal seating channels 84 may be
formed in a side-by-side relationship, such being fitted with a
sealing member 100.
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