Patent Application
20060156656
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The exterior facing surface of the log may have a decorative facade.
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.
The aggregate log may be made of concrete.
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.
Electrical conduit may be passed through said first openings and said second openings and electrical wire passed through said conduit.
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.
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.
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:
Referring to
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.
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.
Referring to
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
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.
