Abstract: A robotic apparatus for processing the timber logs intended to be used in the construction of a log structure. The robotic apparatus includes at least a vertical clamp assembly, a horizontal clamp assembly, a roller clamp assembly, a central log processing assembly, and a conveyor. The central log processing assembly allows multiple processes to be performed sequentially on the same machine requiring much less equipment and less labor in the handling and processing of the logs. By utilizing multiple tool masts, a primary mast can be performing a primary process while the secondary mast is selecting the tool appropriate to the next or secondary process.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for processing the timber logs intended to be used in the construction of a log structure. The robotic apparatus includes at least a vertical clamp assembly, a horizontal clamp assembly, a roller clamp assembly, a central log processing assembly, and a conveyor. The central log processing assembly allows multiple processes to be performed sequentially on the same machine requiring much less equipment and less labor in the handling and processing of the logs. By utilizing multiple tool masts, a primary mast can be performing a primary process while the secondary mast is selecting the tool appropriate to the next or secondary process.

Abstract: A log processing machine and associate method employs one or more log guides to make joinery cuts in a processed log which has at opposed edges of the processed log the raw log's natural external contour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each log guide includes a straight edge and is attached to the processed log to create an artificial straight edge for guiding the processed log through the joinery machine. Prior to attachment, centerlines are marked on the log guide and the processed log, and the centerlines are aligned when the log guide is attached to the processed log. The processed log, with the log guide attached, is then moved through the machine with the aid of computer control while the straight edge of the log guide follows a fence. In this manner, the position of the processed log and its centerline are always known so that the computer can make the programmed joinery cuts with high precision.

Abstract: A log processing machine and associate method employs one or more log guides to make joinery cuts in a processed log which has at opposed edges of the processed log the raw log's natural external contour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each log guide includes a straight edge and is attached to the processed log to create an artificial straight edge for guiding the processed log through the joinery machine. Prior to attachment, centerlines are marked on the log guide and the processed log, and the centerlines are aligned when the log guide is attached to the processed log. The processed log, with the log guide attached, is then moved through the machine with the aid of computer control while the straight edge of the log guide follows a fence. In this manner, the position of the processed log and its centerline are always known so that the computer can make the programmed joinery cuts with high precision. An alternate embodiment of the invention employs one or more fence extensions as log guides.

Abstract: A fabricating process for fabricating a log used in the construction of log structures, and resulting construction log. The process of the present invention includes the steps of cutting a first longitudinal groove (34) in an upper surface (16) of a log having an elongated body (10) defining upper and lower surfaces (16 and 18) and defining varying dimensions between the upper and lower surfaces (16 and 18) of the body (10) along the length of the log. The first longitudinal groove (34) is designed for receiving a portion of a spacing block (38) disposed between logs in a log structure. Further, a second longitudinal groove (36) is cut in the lower surface (18) of the log body (10) for receiving a portion of a spacing block (38), with the first longitudinal groove (34) and the second longitudinal groove (36) defining bottom surfaces (42 and 44) which are substantially parallel to one another.

Abstract: A process for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22' and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface.

Abstract: A process and machine for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22') and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface. In the third step (48) of the process, the front surface (18) of the log body (12) is scored with a plurality of cuts (54) to mimic the scoring pattern left by hand-wielded hewing tools. The hewing machine comprises a support structure including platform across which a log is moved.

Abstract: An improved chinking closure system (10) is provided for adjacent logs in a log structure. The closure system (10) comprises a compressible block member (28) which is inserted into a chink (12) defined between adjacent logs. The block member (28) has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of each of the logs defining the chink. In the preferred embodiment, first and second closure members (46 and 46'), each have an upper portion which is releasably connected to the lower portion of the first log, and each having a lower portion which is releasably connected to the upper portion of the second log. These closure members are mounted on opposite sides of the compressible block (28) which is enclosed within the chamber defined between the closure members, and the upper and lower logs.

Abstract: A process for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22' and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface. In the third step (48) of the process, the front surface (18) of the log body (12) is scored with a plurality of cuts (54) to mimic the scoring pattern left by hand-wielded hewing tools.

Abstract: An improved log (10) for interlocking with similar logs in the construction of a log structure and associated corner joint construction. The improved log (10) comprises an elongated body (14) defining an upper portion (16) and a lower portion (18), and first and second exterior surfaces (20 and 22). The log (10) has at least a first end portion (24) for interlocking with similar logs to form a corner joint, the first end portion (24) being provided with an upper notch (28) and a lower notch (30). The upper notch (28) defines at least a first engaging surface (32) for engaging a similar log (10), and a second vertically oriented engaging surface (34) provided with a vertically disposed first tenon. The lower notch (30) defines at least a third engaging surface (38) for engaging the first engaging surface (32) of a smilar log (10), and a vertically oriented fourth engaging surface (40) provided with a vertically disposed second tenon (42).