U.S. patent application number 10/905741 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for aggregate log and method of building construction.
Invention is credited to Gerald M. Robinson.
Application Number | 20060156656 10/905741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36682386 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060156656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson; Gerald M. |
July 20, 2006 |
AGGREGATE LOG AND METHOD OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
An aggregrate log used with other such logs to form a wall of a
house, or building, or a retaining wall, having a plurality of
first openings oriented vertically when in situ in the wall, a
plurality of second openings aligned along a horizontal axis and
forming a conduit channel open from one end of the log to another
and alignment means for aligning the log with an underlying log
when in situ in said wall.
Inventors: |
Robinson; Gerald M.;
(Burnaby, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr.Clifford William Vermette
Box 40 Granville Square
Suite 230-200 Granville Street
Vancouver
V6C1S4
CA
|
Family ID: |
36682386 |
Appl. No.: |
10/905741 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.2 ;
52/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/0204 20130101;
E04B 2/16 20130101; E04C 1/397 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/220.2 ;
052/233 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52 |
Claims
1. An aggregrate log used with other such logs to form a wall of a
house, or building, or a retaining wall, comprising: a body having
a plurality of first openings oriented vertically when in situ in
said wall, a plurality of second openings aligned along a
horizontal axis and forming a conduit channel open from one end of
said log to another end, and alignment means for aligning said log
with an underlying log when in situ in said wall.
2. The log of claim 1, including an elongated channel extending
from one end of said body to said another end and positioned to be
aligned with a corresponding elongated channel on another of said
logs when in situ in said wall to form a heating channel, an
interior surface of the heating channel mating with an outer
surface of a pipe when positioned in said heating channel.
3. The log of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said body is
rectangular.
4. The log of claim 1, wherein an exterior facing surface of said
body has a decorative facade.
5. The log of claim 1, wherein said alignment means is a raised
elongated bead on one surface of said body and a corresponding
elongated recess on an opposite surface of said body, said
elongated recess dimensioned to mate with an elongated bead of
another said log.
6. The log of claim 1, wherein said aggregate log is made of
concrete.
7. The log of claim 1, wherein said body is made of an inner
section and an outer section with connecting portions of said inner
and outer sections forming connecting regions and forming said
first and second openings and said body having fastener receptacles
formed in each of said inner and outer sections.
8. The log of claim 7, including insulating pads between each of
said connecting portions.
9. The log of claim 8, including nuts molded into connecting
portions of one of said outer sections and boltholes molded into
corresponding connecting portions of said inner sections with bolts
insertable into said boltholes and threadedly engaging said
nuts.
10. A walled structure having walls made of a plurality of stacked
aggregrate logs, each said log, comprising: (a) a plurality of
first openings oriented vertically in said wall; (b) a plurality of
second openings aligned along a horizontal axis and forming a
conduit channel open from one end of said log to another; and (c)
alignment means for aligning said log with an underlying log in
said wall.
11. The walled structure of claim 10, wherein electrical conduit is
passed through said first openings and said second openings and
electrical wire passed through said conduit.
12. The walled structure of claim 10, wherein each of said logs has
an elongated channel extending from one end of said log to the
another end and positioned to be aligned with a corresponding
elongated channel on another of said logs when in situ in said wall
to form a heating channel, an interior surface of the heating
channel mating with an outer surface of a pipe when positioned in
said heating channel.
13. The walled structure of claim 11, including water pipe fitted
in the heating channels of said logs.
14. The walled structure of claim 10, including a loose insulating
material in said first and second openings.
Description
FIELD
[0001] An aggregrate log used in making a mortarless aggregate
block wall system of a type in which the blocks are layered one on
top of the other.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Building construction, which employs layering of logs or
blocks has been popular for many years. Log houses are difficult
and time consuming to build because they require long straight logs
that must be processed to smooth their surface and trim grooves in
order that one log can be placed on another. A problem with such
buildings is the difficulty in wiring them without exposing the
wire or wire conduit on the interior surface. A similar problem
exists for concrete blocks, although vertical pipes and lines can
be passed through their hollow interior. A second problem with both
log buildings and concrete block buildings has been the time
required for construction. For concrete blocks the builder must
have a constant supply of mixed mortar and repeatedly check for
plumb and level across each row. Moreover, a number of bricklayers
must be used to achieve an acceptable rate of construction.
[0003] For wooden log construction, a selection and purchase
process must first be completed in order to obtain satisfactory raw
material. The construction must first take place on a site near the
plant of the builder. Each log must be grooved, trimmed and lifted
into place by a crane. Insulation is placed in the grooves and the
log placed atop a previous log in a layer by layer building
process. Once the structure has been completed, the building is
disassembled and all of the logs transported to the building site.
The speed at which a log house can be constructed is generally
slower than that of conventional construction and the construction
costs are somewhat higher.
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
aggregate log, which can be assembled without mortar inexpensively
and quickly. It is a further object to provide a log that can
accommodate wiring, plumbing, central vacuum and heating lines in
the interior of a wall made with several of the logs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention there is provided an aggregrate
log used with other such logs to form a wall of a house, or
building, or a retaining wall, having a plurality of first openings
oriented vertically when in situ in the wall, a plurality of second
openings aligned along a horizontal axis and forming a conduit
channel open from one end of the log to another and alignment means
for aligning the log with an underlying log when in situ in the
wall.
[0006] Preferably, the log has an elongated channel extending from
one end of the log to the other end and positioned to be aligned
with a corresponding elongated channel on another of the logs when
in situ in the wall to form a heating channel, an interior surface
of the heating channel mating with an outer surface of a pipe when
positioned in the heating channel.
[0007] The exterior facing surface of the log may have a decorative
facade.
[0008] The alignment means may be a raised elongated bead on one
surface and a corresponding elongated recess on an opposite surface
dimensioned to mate with the elongated bead.
[0009] The aggregate log may be made of concrete.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a
walled structure having walls made of a plurality of stacked
aggregrate logs, each log having a plurality of first openings
oriented vertically in said wall, a plurality of second openings
aligned along a horizontal axis and forming a conduit channel open
from one end of said log to another and alignment means for
aligning the log with an underlying log in the wall.
[0011] Electrical conduit may be passed through said first openings
and said second openings and electrical wire passed through said
conduit.
[0012] Each of the logs has an elongated channel extending from one
end of said log to the another end and positioned to be aligned
with a corresponding elongated channel on another of the logs when
in situ in the wall to form a heating channel, an interior surface
of the heating channel mating with an outer surface of a pipe when
positioned in the heating channel.
[0013] Water pipe may be fitted in the heating channels of the logs
and a loose insulating material may be inserted into the first and
second openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the
following detailed description, given by way of example, of a
preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of the concrete log;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an end view of the concrete log;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wall built with the
concrete logs;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative concrete log having
insulation;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an end view of the concrete log of FIG. 4; and
[0020] FIG. 6-10 are various designs of fasads molded into the
front face of each log.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIGS. 1-2 illustrates a concrete log 10 having three first
openings 12 aligned with openings of underlying logs to provide
vertical passageways through the wall. Second openings 14 pass
horizontally through connecting portions 13. Second openings 14 are
shown to be round but can have any cross-sectional shape desired,
such as rectangular as shown in FIG. 4. The top surface of the log
has an elongated alignment rail 16 near one side and an elongated
channel 18 near an opposite side. The bottom surface has three
spaced apart channels 20, 22 and 23. Channel 20 is aligned
vertically with rail 16 and is of a diameter such that it fits
snugly over a rail 16 of an underlying concrete log 10. Channel 23
is aligned vertically with channel 18 and has the same diameter as
the latter. Typical dimensions for the log are 3 feet in length by
8.5 inches in width by 12 inches in height, but can be made as long
as desired or with other heights and widths.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3 an assembled wall 24 having concrete
logs 10 stacked one upon another has electrical outlet holes 28 and
34 chiseled through to first openings 12. An electrical receptacle
box is fitted into each hole (not shown) as well as plastic conduit
(not shown) and then the electrical wire inserted into hole 28 and
passed through the conduit to its destination. It may be necessary
to open one or more additional holes to achieve the required
routing of the conduit. Once wire is passed through the conduit,
they are attached to switch 26 and to plug 32 in the usual way.
[0023] If wall heating is used, PVC pipes 36 are passed through the
opening left by channels 18 and 23. The pipes are joined to inlet
and an outlet pipe of larger diameter leading to a pump and an
underground heat exchanger (not shown). The depth underground of
the heat exchanger will depend on the desired temperature of the
water. All of the outside walls carry the pipes 36 with the result
that the concrete logs are kept at a constant temperature. Once the
outside walls are wired any holes opened in order to pass the wire
are patched with concrete grout. Additional services such as
central vacuum pipes can be passed through the first 12 and second
openings 14.
[0024] The corners of the outside walls are left open so that the
pipe 36 in one wall can be joined to that in the adjacent wall.
Similarly, conduit to house electrical wire is passed from a second
opening 14 in one wall to that in the adjacent wall. Once all of
the wiring is complete and the pipes 36 are connected at the
corners, a corner piece is inserted and cemented in place.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4-5 an alternative concrete log 10a is
shown made in two separate halves, namely inner half 11 and outer
half 13. Nuts 44 are cast into upper and lower regions of half 11
as seen in FIG. 5 above and below second openings 14 in the
sections which connect the two halves 11 and 13. Similarly,
boltholes are molded into the outer half 13 so that bolts 46 can
pass through and engage nuts 44. Bolt heads 48 are recessed into
the log. Insulation boards 40 are positioned between the two halves
11 and 13 and the bolts 46 inserted and tightened into nuts 44.
Once the log is in place the boltholes can be pargeted. This system
provides a thermal break, which enhances considerably the
insulating capacity of the concrete logs 10a. For example, the area
of the connecting portions 27 and 29 of connecting region 25 is
less than 10% of the area of inner half 11 that faces the outer
half 13. When these small contact areas are insulated the heat
transfer through each log is very small.
[0026] It will be appreciated that there are other designs, which
could be employed such as hexagonal logs. Various facades can be
molded into a front face of each log to give a number of different
appearances such as half rounds, tiled, paneled, broken slate,
shingles or shakes. Some of these are shown in FIGS. 6-10.
[0027] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with
reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not
intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications
of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of
the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon
reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that
the appended claims will cover any such modifications or
embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
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