Abstract:
The present invention discloses a log cabin structure using logs with multi-beveled interlocking notches located at the end of each log. The interlocking notches serve to form a tight locking connection at the cornering of the structure where the logs overlap one another. The interlocking notches are composed substantially of heartwood, which serves to reduce settlement and maintain a tight connection over time. The measurements for the interlocking notches are a function of the dimensions of the logs used. The log cabin structure may further employ anti-settling blocks which are disposed between the logs of the structure. In the preferred embodiment, the anti-settling blocks are positioned in aligned recesses which are present in the logs that compose the structure. Accordingly, the presence of the interlocking-notch cornering system and the anti-settling blocks combine to minimize the negative effects of settling on the structure while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/088,924 and further claims priority from U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/555,973. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is not known when the first log building structure was constructed, but many examples show that they have been around for several centuries. Traditionally, log homes are constructed by laying the logs horizontally on top of each other to form walls. The logs are then notched to interlock with the logs in the perpendicular walls to provide corners with substantial stability and strength. 
         [0003]    Today the log home industry is categorized into two types of construction: manufactured or handcrafted. Log handcrafters use hand tools and handheld power tools to shape each individual log to mate with the logs they contact. Most handcrafted logs still retain each log&#39;s natural taper and shape on the visible portions of the log which is usually left round. These logs generally use some variation of what is known as a saddle notch. This is where a half round keyway is carved into the bottom of the log to tightly fit over the top of the perpendicular logs that it rests on at each corner, or intersection, of the building. The problem with handcrafted log homes is settling due to the natural shrinkage of logs and the high costs of the labor intensive process to build these log homes. 
         [0004]    Manufacturers use power saws and planers to shape the interchangeable logs into uniform shape and size. Much of the time a large portion of the outer sapwood is removed, leaving a high proportion of the heartwood. Since heartwood is denser, having a lower percentage of water, there is a lower amount of shrinkage than with the sapwood of a tree. The problem with manufactured log homes is that many people believe that they lack the natural charm and character of their handcrafted counter parts. 
         [0005]    This invention provides a way to have a look very similar to handcrafted log homes but at a more economical price with less shrinkage of the walls. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This multi-beveled interlocking corner notch can be used with either hand peeled, naturally tapered logs or logs that have been machine-profiled. The notch uses a center block that is centered basically on the long axis of the log. The height of this center block is mathematically determined based on the overall height of the large and small ends of the log. This enables the notch to be used with almost any sized log or piece of timber. The notch consists of twelve to eighteen flat surfaces, depending on the width of the top and bottom surfaces running the length of the log. 
         [0007]    Having the center block composed mainly of heartwood will result in a type of notch that will have much less shrinkage than handcrafted logs that use saddle notches that remove sections of the lower heartwood and retain all the upper sapwood. Since shrinkage in the corner sections of this invention has been greatly reduced, measures are also made to keep the rest of the wall from shrinking at a faster rate than the corners. This is accomplished by boring holes through the sapwood to solid heartwood around the points where the thru-bolts penetrate the logs, and then filling the holes with wooden blocks made out of similar heartwood. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional view of a typical corner section using the invention with naturally tapering logs. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded front elevation view of a typical structure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is the side view of the log and a view of the same log divided into four parts for detailed views. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of the notch on the large end of the log. 
           [0012]    FIG.  3 AA is the sectional view of the notch on the large end of the log. 
           [0013]    FIG.  3 AB is the top view of the notch on the large end of the log. 
           [0014]    FIG.  3 AC is the bottom view of the notch on the large end of the log. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the notch on the small end of the log. 
           [0016]    FIG.  3 BA is a sectional view of the notch on the small end of the log. 
           [0017]    FIG.  3 BB is the top view of the notch on the small end of the log. 
           [0018]    FIG.  3 BC is the bottom view of the notch on the small end of the log. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of a typical anti-settling thru-bolt with filler block. 
           [0020]    FIG.  3 CA is the sectional view of the anti-settling thru-bolt and filler block. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3D  is the side view of a typical anti settling thru-bolt and block system with an attachment beam for an interior partition. 
           [0022]    FIG.  3 DA is the sectional view of the anti-settling thru-bolt and block with an attached beam for an interior partition. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is the side view of the half log sectioned off of a full log and a second view of the same half log divided into four parts for detailed views. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is the side view of the notch on the large end of the half log. 
           [0025]    FIG.  4 AA is a sectional view of the notch on the large end of the half log. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is the side view of the notch on the small end of the half log. 
           [0027]    FIG.  4 BA is the sectional view of the notch on the small end of the half log. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is the mathematical formula to determine distance SH. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is the mathematical formula to determine distance LH. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is the mathematical formula to determine distance F. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is the mathematical formula to determine distance SM. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is the mathematical formula to determine distance LG. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is the mathematical formula to determine distance BH. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is the mathematical formula to determine distance SH. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is the mathematical formula to determine distance LH. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is the mathematical formula to determine distance SW. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is the mathematical formula to determine distance LW. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is the mathematical formula to determine distance PLW. 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is the mathematical formula to determine distance PSW. 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is the mathematical formula to determine distance LX. 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is the mathematical formula to determine distance SX. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    This invention provides a novel interlocking corner notch and anti-settling blocks that can be used in the construction of log buildings. 
         [0043]    The following example uses logs that retain their natural taper and rounded sides with top and bottom surfaces that have been milled flat for added stability of each log. 
         [0044]    Because these logs use flat top and bottom surfaces, each notch contains eighteen flat surfaces, opposed to the eight flat surfaces that would be used with logs that are completely rounded. The ten additional surfaces just become the points of contact for the remaining eight surfaces. 
         [0045]    Once assembled, the logs in a wall built with this style of notch closely resemble handcrafted logs that use saddle notches, as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    The logs used in this invention consist of a log  100  that uses a notch on each end, with the top half of the notch on the large end of the log and the bottom half of the notch on the small end of the log milled to mate with the large end of other logs  100 . Likewise, the bottom half of the notch on the large end, and the top half of the notch on the small end, mate with the other small ends of logs  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0047]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the half log  101  is simply a log  100  dissected on a plane that runs through the vertical meeting points of the upper and lower halves of the notches on both end of the log with everything above this plane being half log  101 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is a partially-exploded side elevation view of a typical log cabin. First, a foundation of choice is constructed in advance with threaded rods  52  attached or imbedded as desired or as may be required by local codes or the building&#39;s architect. Half logs  101  are then placed over threaded rods  52  on two parallel wall positions with the large ends of the half logs on opposing corners. On the two wall positions perpendicular to the first half logs, spacer blocks  42  are placed over threaded rods  52  and placed directly on the foundation sills. A log  100  is then placed over threaded rods  52  on each perpendicular wall position with the logs  100  being in position upside down from the position shown in  FIG. 3 , and the large ends of log  100  being placed directly on top of the large ends of logs  101 . In these positions, the large half of the notches on the large end of logs  100  mate with the matching large half of half log  101 , and the small ends also mate together. Washers  46  and retaining nuts  45  are then placed on each threaded rod  52  and snugly tightened to hold the logs in this first course securely in place. 
         [0049]    The next course of logs is started by placing spacer blocks  42  onto each threaded rod  52  with the spacer blocks resting in their appropriate recessed holes on the top of the logs on the course below. Logs  100  are then placed onto the threaded rods  52 , on the two parallel first walls, in the upright position with the large ends of these logs resting on the small end of the logs, on the same wall, directly below. Logs  100  are then placed, in the upside down position, over the threaded rods  52  on the two perpendicular walls with the large ends of the logs resting on the small ends of the logs directly below on the same wall. Washer  46  and retaining nut  45  are then placed on each threaded rod  52  and tightened. 
         [0050]    This process is repeated as many times as necessary until the desired height is attained and the roof can then be assembled and openings for doors and windows cut out of the wall. 
         [0051]    It will be noted that while the use of threaded rods is generally the most satisfactory means of anchoring the logs to a base and maintaining the position of the logs in the log structure, other means may be used as well. For instance, a log structure may not use the rods but rather use a high-grade adhesive in order hold the logs together and in place. 
         [0052]    The dimensions of the logs  100  are determined by a series of mathematical formulas. To start, a log is chosen from a group of similar logs that are debarked, generally straight, and of approximately the same length and diameter. The desired width of the flat top and bottom surface is chosen, whether chosen for stability or appearance, and becomes distance W. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is the mathematical formula that shows the overall finished height of the log at the notch on the small end of the log. The log diameter at the small notch, distance SD, is squared. Subtracted from this is distance W squared; the result is distance SH squared. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is the mathematical formula to find the overall finished height of the log at the notch on the large end of the log. The log diameter at the large notch, distance LD squared, minus distance W squared, equals distance LH. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows that the height of the end of the log LH, minus the height of the small end SH, equals distance F. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  shows the mathematical formula to find distance SM. The height of the log at the small end notch, distance SH, minus distance F, is then divided by four to give us distance SM. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  shows how to calculate distance LG. Distance LG is determined by adding distance SM and distance F. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  shows the height of the center block. The height of the center block, BH, is equal to the distance SM added to distance LG 
         [0059]      FIG. 11  is a way to cross-reference distances SH, BH, and SM. Distance SM multiplied by two is added to distance BH, equaling distance SH. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  cross-references distances LH, LG, and SM. Distance LG multiplied by three and added to distance SM equals distance LH. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  is used to determine the overall width of the notch on the small end of the log, designated as distance SW. The diameter of the small end of the log SD squared, minus distance F squared, equals distance SW squared. 
         [0062]      FIG. 14  shows the mathematical formula to determine the overall width of the notch on the large end of the log. The diameter of the log at the notch on the large end of the log LD squared minus distance F squared equals distance LW. 
         [0063]      FIG. 15  shows the mathematical formula to determine the distance that the plane on which the widest part of the notch on the large end of the log LW sits on PLW is from the top surface of the large end of the log. The height of the large end of the log LH plus one half of distance F equals distance PLW. 
         [0064]      FIG. 16  can be used to find the distance between the plane on which the widest part of the small end notch SW sits on PSW from the top surface of the small end of the log. One half of the height of the small end of the log SH minus one forth of the distance F equals distance PSW. 
         [0065]      FIG. 17  is used to determine distance LX. The overall width of the notch on the large end of the log LW minus distance W is then divided by two. This equals distance LX. 
         [0066]      FIG. 18  is used to determine distance SX. The overall width of the notch on the small end of the log SW minus distance W and then divided by two equals distance SX. 
         [0067]      FIG. 3A  is the front view of the notch on the large end of the log: surface  1  being the natural round front side of the log, surface  2  the flat top of the log, and surface  4  the flat bottom. Distance W, as chosen above, is also the same width of the center block, the top surface being  27  and the bottom surface being  36 . 
         [0068]    Both of these surfaces have no tilt in relation to the radius or the length of the log. Surfaces  24  and  30  have no tilt in relation to the radius of the log and both angle upwards in opposite directions from surface  27  until they each reach surface  2  on the edge of the notch in relation to the length of the log. Surface  26  is level in relation to the length of the log but angles downward towards the front outside of the notch in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0069]    Surface  23 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward tilt from surface  26  as surface  24  does from  27  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  24 , in relation to the radius of the log, as surface  26  down from surface  27 . 
         [0070]    Surface  29  being on a plane with a compound angle has the same rate of incline from surface  26  in relation to the length of the log as surface  30  from surface  27 , and the same downward angle from surface  30  as surface  26  slopes down from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0071]    Distance LX is found in  FIG. 17 , LW in  FIG. 14 , and LH in  FIG. 12 . Surface  35  is level in relation to the length of the log and slopes upward from surface  36  towards the outside of the notch to the point where it meets surface  26  in relation to the radius of the log. Surface  33  has no radius tilt and angles downward from surface  36  to surface  4  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0072]    Surface  32 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same radial incline up from surface  33  as surface  35  does from surface  36 , and the same downward angle from surface  35 , in relation to the length of the log, as surface  33  does from surface  36 . 
         [0073]    Surface  38 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same radial angle from surface  39  as surface  35  does from surface  36 , and the same downward slope from surface  35  as surface  36  does from  39  in relation to the length of the log. Distance SX is determined in  FIG. 18 , and distance SW is found in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0074]    FIG.  3 AA is a sectional view of the notch on the large end of the log: surface  1  being the natural front surface of the log, surface  2  the top, and surface  4  the bottom. The depth of surfaces  2  and  4  each equal distance W, with the overall depth of the notch being distance LW as determined in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0075]    The horizontal distance between where surfaces  23  and  4  meet to where surfaces  23  and  32  meet equals distance LX, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The vertical height between where surface  24  meets surface  2  and where surface  24  meets  27  is distance LG, as shown in  FIG. 9 . The vertical distance from where surface  26  meets  27  to where surface  26  meets  35  is also distance LG. 
         [0076]    The vertical distance where surface  35  meets  26  to where surface  35  meets  36  equals distance SM, as determined in  FIG. 8 . The vertical distance from where surface  33  meets  36  to where surface  4  meets surface  33  also equals distance LG. The vertical height from where surface  28  meets surface  37  to the top of distance LH, as explained in  FIG. 6 , equals distance PLW, as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0077]    Surfaces  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  35 ,  36 , and  37  all have no tilt in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0078]    Surface  23  sits on a plane with compound angles having the same downward angle from surface  24  as surface  26  from  27 , in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  26  as surface  24  does from  27 , in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0079]    Surface  25  is on a plane with compound angles having the same upward slope from surface  28  as surface  24  does from surface  27  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  24  as surface  28  from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0080]    Surface  32 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  33  as surface  35  does from  36  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  35  as surface  33  does from surface  36  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0081]    Surface  34 , also being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same downward angle from surface  37  as surface  33  does from surface  36  in relation to the length of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  33  as surface  37  does from surface  36  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0082]    FIG.  3 AB is the top view of the notch on the large end of the log. The width of surfaces  26 ,  27 ,  28 , and the depth of surfaces  2 ,  24 ,  27 , and  30 , all equal distance W. The horizontal distance of the width of surfaces  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  29 ,  30 , and  31 , as well as the horizontal depth of surfaces  23 ,  26 ,  29 ,  25 ,  28 , and surface  31 , each equal distance LX, as found in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0083]    Surface  1  is the naturally round front of the log, surface  3  being the naturally round rear of the log, and surface  2  the flat top surface of the log. Surface  27  is the top surface of the center block having zero tilt in relation to the radius and the length of the log. 
         [0084]    Surfaces  24  and  30  angle upward, in opposite directions, from surface  27  to surface  2  on each side of the notch in relation to the length of the logs and have no tilt in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0085]    Surfaces  26  and  28  have no slope in relation to the length of the log and each of the surfaces angles downward to the outside of the notch in the relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0086]    Surface  23  is on a plane that has compound angles with the same upward angle from surface  26  as surface  24  does from surface  27  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  24  that surface  26  does from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0087]    Surface  25 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same downward angle from surface  24  as surface  28  does from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  28  as surface  24  does from surface  27  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0088]    Surface  29  is on a plane with compound angles having the same downward angle from surface  30  as surface  26  does from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  26  as surface  30  from surface  27  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0089]    Surface  31 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same downward angle from surface  30  as surface  28  does from surface  27  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  28  as surface  30  does from surface  27  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0090]    FIG.  3 AC is the bottom view of the notch on the large end of the log: surface  1  being the natural round front of the log, surface  3  the natural round rear of the log, and surface  4  the flat bottom surface milled into the log. 
         [0091]    The width of surfaces  35 ,  36 ,  37 , and the depth of surfaces  4 ,  33 ,  36 , and  39  are each equal to distance W. The horizontal width of surfaces  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  38 ,  39 , and surface  40  are each equal to distance SX, as determined in  FIG. 18 . The horizontal depth of surfaces  32 ,  34 ,  35 ,  37 ,  38 , and  40  each equal distance LX, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The entire depth of the notch, distance LW, is shown in  FIG. 14 . The entire width of the notch, distance SW, is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0092]    Surface  36 , the bottom of the center block, is level with zero tilt in relation to the radius and the length of the log. Surfaces  35  and  37 , having no tilt in relation to the length of the log, both angle upwards from surface  36 , in opposite directions, to the outer edges of the notch in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0093]    Surfaces  33  and  39  are both level and have no tilt in relation to the radius of the log; both angle downward from surface  36  in opposite directions until each surface meets surface  4  at their side of the notch. 
         [0094]    Surface  32 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  33  as surface  35  does from surface  36  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  35  as surface  33  does from surface  36  in relation to length of the log. 
         [0095]    Surface  34 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  33  as surface  37  does from surface  36  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  37  as surface  33  does from surface  36  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0096]    Surface  38 , being on a plane that has compound angles, angles upward from surface  39  at the same angle that surface  35  does from surface  36  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  35  as surface  39  does from surface  36  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0097]    Surface  40 , also being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  39  as surface  37  does from surface  36  in relation to the radius, and the same downward angle from surface  37  as surface  39  does from surface  36  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0098]      FIG. 3B  shows the side view of the notch on the small end of the log: surface  1  being the naturally round front of the log, surface  2  the flat top, and surface  4  the flat bottom surface of the log. 
         [0099]    The overall height of the log at the center of the notch is distance SH, as determined in  FIG. 5 . The overall width of the upper section of the notch, distance SW, is also the sum the horizontal distance SX of where surface  2  meets  6  to where surface  9  meets  6 , added to the width of surface  9 , distance W, and the horizontal distance of where surface  12  meets  2  to where surface  9  meets surface  12 , also being distance Sx, as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0100]    Surface  8  angles down from surface  9  to the point where surface  8  meets surface  17  in relation to the radius of the log and has no tilt in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0101]    Surface  5 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  8  as surface  6  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log and angles downward from surface  6  the same as surface  8  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0102]    Surface  11 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  8  that surface  12  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log and downward from surface  12  the same as surface  8  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0103]    The overall width of the lower section of the log, distance LW, equals the sum of the width of surface  18 , distance W, and both of the distances LX as found in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0104]    Surface  17  angles upward from surface  18  to the point  17  meets surface  8  in relation to the radius of the log and has no tilt in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0105]    Surface  14 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same upward angle from surface  15  as surface  17  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log and downward angle from surface  17  as surface  15  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0106]    Surface  20  is also on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  21  as surface  17  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  17  as surface  21  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0107]    FIG.  3 BA is the sectional view of the notch on the small end of the log. The overall depth of the notch, distance SW, is the total sum of the depth of each surface  8  and surface  10  added to the depth of surface  2 , distance W, as shown in  FIG. 13 . The overall height of the log, distance SH, is the total sum of three distances SM and one distance LG, as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The distance from surface  9  to surface  18 , distance BH, is the total sum of the distance between surface  9  to where surfaces  8  and  17  meet, distance SM, and the distance from surface  18  to where surfaces  17  and  8  meet, distance LG, as is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0108]    Surfaces  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  17 ,  18 , and  19  all have zero tilt in relation to the length of the log. Distance PSW runs from the top surface  2  of the log to the point that surfaces  10  and  19  meet, as shown in  FIG. 16 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , distance LG is the sum of distance SM and distance F. 
         [0109]    Surface  1  is the naturally rounded front surface of the log, surface  2  the flat top of the log, and surface  3  the naturally rounded rear surface of the log. 
         [0110]    Surface  5  is on a plane with a compound angle, has a downward angle from surface  6  the same as surface  8  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  8  as surface  6  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0111]    Surface  7  is on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  10  as surface  6  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  6  as surface  10  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0112]    Surface  14 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  15  as surface  17  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  17  as surface  15  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0113]    Surface  16 , also being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same downward angle from surface  19  as surface  15  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  15  as surface  19  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0114]    FIG.  3 BB is the top view of the notch on the small end of the log, surface  1  being the naturally round front of the log; surface  2  is the flat top surface of the log; and surface  3  is the naturally round rear surface of the log. 
         [0115]    The overall width and horizontal depth of the notch each equals distance SW. The width of surfaces  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 , and the depths of surfaces  5 ,  8 ,  11 ,  7 ,  10 , and  13  each equal distance SX, as shown in  FIG. 18 . The width of surface  8 ,  9 ,  10 , and the depth of surfaces  2 ,  6 ,  9 , and  12  each equal distance W. Surfaces  8 ,  9 , and  10  all have zero tilt in relation to the length of the log. Surfaces  2 ,  6 ,  9 , and  12  each have zero tilt in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0116]    Surfaces  6  and  12  both angle upwards from surface  9  in opposing directions, in relation to the length of the log, until each surface meets with surface  2  at the top of the notch Surfaces  8  and  10  both angle downward from surface  9  in opposing direction, in relation to the radius of the log, until each surface reaches the outer edge of the notch. 
         [0117]    Surface  5 , being on a plane with a compound angle (having tilt in both the radius and the length), has the same downward angle from surface  6  as surface  8  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  8  that surface  6  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0118]    Surface  7 , being on a plane that has a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  10  that surface  6  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  6  that surface  10  has from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0119]    Surface  13 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  10  that surface  12  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log and the same downward angle from surface  12  that surface  10  does from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0120]    Surface  11 , also being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  8  that surface  12  does from surface  9  in relation to the length of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  12  that surface  8  has from surface  9  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0121]    FIG.  3 BC is the bottom view of the notch on the small end of the log. The overall width of the notch shown is distance LW as found in  FIG. 14 . The overall horizontal depth of the notch is distance SW as shown in  FIG. 13 . The width of surfaces  17 ,  18 ,  19 , and the depth of surfaces  4 ,  15 ,  18 , and  21 , each equal distance W. The horizontal width of surfaces  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  20 ,  21 , and  22  each equal distance LX as found in  FIG. 17 . The horizontal depth of surfaces  14 ,  17 ,  20 ,  16 ,  19 , and  22  each equal distance SX found in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0122]    Surface  1  is the naturally round front of the log. Surface  3  is the naturally round rear surface of the log. Surface  4  is the flat bottom surface of the log. 
         [0123]    Surface  18  is the bottom surface of the center notch and has zero degrees of tilt in relation to the length or radius of the log. Surfaces  17  and  19  both run at an upward angle from surface  18 , in relation to the radius of the log, in opposite directions until each of the surfaces reaches the outside edge of the log and both have no tilt in relation to the length of the log. Both surfaces  15  and  21  have no tilt in relation to the radius of the log, and both angle downward from surface  18  in opposite directions until each surface meets surface  4  on their side of the notch. 
         [0124]    Surface  14 , being on a plane with compound angles, has the same downward angle from surface  17  as surface  15  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log, and the same upward angle from surface  15  as surface  17  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log. 
         [0125]    Surface  16 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  15  as surface  19  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  19  as surface  15  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0126]    Surface  20 , being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  21  as surface  17  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  17  that surface  21  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0127]    Surface  22 , also being on a plane with a compound angle, has the same upward angle from surface  21  that surface  19  does from surface  18  in relation to the radius of the log, and the same downward angle from surface  19  that surface  21  does from surface  18  in relation to the length of the log. 
         [0128]      FIG. 3C  shows the front view of the log with a standard thru-bolt through the anti-settling blocks. The lower log  100 , section  100 C shown, with the thru-bolt  52  extending through the log with the tightening hardware already in place. Block  42  is placed down over bolt  52  and the next log  100 , section  100 C shown, is placed directly on top of the lower log. 
         [0129]    Washer  46  is placed over the thru-bolt  52  followed by retaining nut  45  and tightened to secure the log in place. An additional washer  46  and anti-settling block  42  then follows in preparation for the next course of logs. 
         [0130]    FIG.  3 CA is the sectional view of the standard thru-bolts with the anti-settling blocks. Lower log  100 , section  100 C shown, already over thru-bolt  52  and secured with retaining nut  45  with washers  46  and anti-settling block  42  in place. 
         [0131]    The thru-bolt  52  passes through passage hole  49  and both block recesses  48 , these recesses being deep enough to reach the more stable heartwood of the log. The anti-settling blocks are of heartwood or some other material that does not fluctuate with moisture content and are able to structurally support the weight of the building. 
         [0132]    The upper log  100 , section  100 C shown, is then placed onto the lower log with thru-bolt extending through the upper log. Anti-settling block  42  completely fills the recess  48  on the lower section of the upper log and is supported by the upper washer  46  on the lower log. 
         [0133]    The anti-settling blocks could be used in places other than at the thru-bolt. To achieve this, recesses  48  are milled into the top of the lower log to the point it reaches the log&#39;s heartwood, and the same size recess is milled into the bottom of the lower log to align with the hole on the bottom log. An anti-settling block being modified in height to completely fill both recesses to the point that the block sitting in the recess of the lower log will support the weight of the upper log with the block in the recess of the upper log. 
         [0134]    In the event that the heartwood will not support the weight of the upper logs or the depths of the recesses would be too great, additional holes can be bored parallel to passage  49  to reach from recess  48  on the top to recess  48  on the bottom. These holes can then be filled with epoxy resin or something similar that will partially absorb into the wood and then cure to form a solid foundation. 
         [0135]      FIG. 3D  is the view a thru-bolt with anti-settling blocks and a beam for an interior partition along with the hardware to secure the beam. The purpose of this beam is to eliminate the time-consuming process of carving the slot in the interior wall to accept the standard 2×4 wall construction often used. This also provides a way for the wall to “float,” or settle separate from the log shell of the home. 
         [0136]    With the lower log  100 , shown as section  100 D, already secured in place, the upper log  100 , also shown as section  100 D, is slid over thru-bolt  52  and set directly on the lower log. Wall beam  53  fits tightly into slot  50 . Washer  46  and retaining nut  45  is placed onto thru-bolt  52  and is tightened to secure the upper log in place. 
         [0137]    The floating beam retaining clip  43  is slid over thru-bolt  52  and sits on top of retaining nut  45  and through slot  47 . Screws are then installed threw clip  43  into beam  53 . 
         [0138]    Spacer block  42  is then slid over thru-bolt  52  and the process is repeated on the next course. 
         [0139]    FIG.  3 DA is the sectional view of the thru-bolt anchoring system with the anti-settling blocks and the beam for the interior partition. 
         [0140]    Lower log  100 , shown as log section  100 D, is shown in position with washer  46  and retaining nut  45  tightened to secure the log. The floating beam retaining clip has been slid over threaded rod  52  and held in place with screws  44  that have been screwed through the clip and into the floating wall beam  53 . 
         [0141]    The upper log  100 , shown as section  100 D, is then slid down onto thru-bolt  52  with the rod passing through hole  49  and the lower recess  48  fitting over anti-settling block  42 . Wall beam  53  slips into slot  50 . 
         [0142]    Washer  46  and retaining nut  45  are then run down the thru-bolt  52  and is tightened to secure the log. The floating beam retaining clip  43  is then placed over thru-bolt  52  and sets on top of nut  45  and in slot  47 . Clip  43  is then attached by screws  44  going through clip  43  into beam  53 . Anti-settling block  42  is then slid over thru-bolt  52  and sets on top of beam clip  43 .