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A support structure for a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of the wall; and a plurality of connectors

A support structure for a log wall includes a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of the wall; and a plurality of connectors positioned within the wall adjacent the edge surface and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of the plurality of logs, each pair of logs including a respective lower log and upper log generally situated on top of the lower log, each connector having a connector body with a lower and an upper log engagement portion, each lower log engagement portion engaging the respective lower log, and each upper log engagement portion engaging the respective upper log.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A support structure for a log wall, comprising: a) a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of th

The invention claimed is: 1. A support structure for a log wall, comprising: a) a plurality of logs extending horizontally in an axial direction and stacked vertically to form a wall, vertically adjacent ones of the plurality of logs having generally aligned end faces defining an edge surface of the wall; and b) a plurality of connectors positioned within the wall adjacent the edge surface and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of the plurality of logs, each pair of logs including a respective lower log and upper log generally situated on top of the lower log, each connector having a connector body with a lower and an upper log engagement portion, each lower log engagement portion engaging the respective lower log, and each upper log engagement portion engaging the respective upper log; and, c) a plurality of fastener access passageways extending generally horizontally through the wall between each respective connector and the edge surface of the wall. 2. The support structure of claim 1 wherein each connector is spaced axially apart from the edge surface of the wall. 3. The support structure of claim 2 wherein the connectors are generally in vertical alignment with each other. 4. The support structure of claim 1 wherein each respective lower log comprises a top surface and each respective upper log comprises a bottom surface generally facing the top surface of each respective lower log, each top surface having an upper connector aperture extending therefrom and into the respective lower log for receiving the lower log engagement portion of the respective connector, and each bottom surface having a lower connector aperture extending therefrom and into the respective upper log for receiving the upper log engagement portion of the respective connector. 5. The support structure of claim 4, wherein the connectors have an outer surface defining an outer profile shaped to provide interspersed areas of contact and areas of non-contact between the outer surface of the connectors and an inner surface of the connector apertures. 6. The support structure of claim 5, wherein the outer profile of the connectors is polygonal in shape having a plurality of vertices, and the inner surface of the connector apertures is generally cylindrical and in engagement with the vertices of the connectors. 7. The support structure of claim 1, further comprising a sub-jamb member adjacent the edge surface of the wall, the subjamb member extending generally vertically and having a back surface generally parallel to and abutting the edge surface of the wall. 8. The support structure of claim 7, comprising a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a respective one of the fastener access passageways and having a first end coupled to a respective one of the connectors and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the sub-jamb member. 9. The support structure of claim 8 wherein each fastener is adjustable to draw the sub-jamb member snugly against the edge surface of the wall. 10. The support structure of claim 8, wherein the sub-jamb member comprises a plurality of fastener apertures, each fastener extending through a respective one of the fastener apertures. 11. The support structure of claim 10, wherein each fastener aperture comprises a vertically elongate slot having a lower slot edge that is spaced vertically below and apart from the respective fastener. 12. The support structure of claim 8 wherein each lower log has a top surface underlying a respective one of the upper logs, and wherein each fastener access passageway comprises a depression in the top surface of each lower log. 13. The support structure of claim 12 wherein the depression comprises a V-groove. 14. The support structure of claim 12, wherein each connector comprises a fastener-receiving cross bore extending transversely through the connector body, generally intermediate of the upper and lower log engagement portions. 15. The support structure of claim 14 wherein each fastener comprises a bolt with a threaded portion at a first end and a head at a second end opposite the first end, the cross bore of the connectors being internally threaded to engage the threaded portion of the bolt, and the sub-jamb having a vertically elongate bearing surface adjacent either side of each slot, the head of each respective bolt bearing against the respective bearing surface. 16. The support structure of claim 14 where each connector comprises an alignment member extending transversely of the connector body intermediate the upper and lower log engaging portions, the alignment member engagable with the top surface of a respective lower log when inserting the connector therein to align the cross bore with the fastener access passageway. 17. The support structure of claim 16, wherein the alignment member comprises a transverse pin positioned vertically adjacent to and parallel with the cross bore. 18. The support structure of claim 8, wherein the edge surface comprises a side surface of an opening in the wall. 19. The support structure of claim 18 wherein the wall comprises a horizontal header surface extending from an upper end of the side surface of the opening, and wherein the sub-jamb has a height extending vertically between a lower end and an upper end, the upper end being spaced apart from the horizontal header surface to accommodate settling of the logs. 20. A support structure for a log wall, comprising: a) a plurality of horizontally extending, vertically stacked logs forming a wall with an opening therein, the wall having opposed interior and exterior sides, the opening having spaced apart vertical side surfaces defined by generally aligned end faces provided in selected vertically adjacent logs of the plurality of logs; b) a sub-jamb member couplable to the wall adjacent each vertical side surface with an outer face generally in abutment with the aligned end faces of the logs, each sub-jamb member having a height that is less than the height of the vertical side surfaces of the opening, and each sub-jamb member having a plurality of vertically elongate slots therein; c) a plurality of connectors positioned within the wall adjacent each vertical side surface and extending between vertically adjacent pairs of the plurality of logs, each pair of logs including a respective lower log and upper log generally situated on top of the lower log, each connector having a connector body with a lower and an upper log engagement portion, each lower log engagement portion engaging the respective lower log, and each upper log engagement portion engaging the respective upper log; and d) a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through one of the slots in the sub-jamb and having a first end coupled to a respective connector and a second end coupled to the sub-jamb, the fasteners adjustable to draw the sub-jamb snugly against the vertical side surface, and the slots providing vertical clearance between each fastener and a lower edge of each slot.