CA1185062A - Spline seal for building log units - Google Patents
Spline seal for building log unitsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1185062A CA1185062A CA000421434A CA421434A CA1185062A CA 1185062 A CA1185062 A CA 1185062A CA 000421434 A CA000421434 A CA 000421434A CA 421434 A CA421434 A CA 421434A CA 1185062 A CA1185062 A CA 1185062A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wall forming
- spline
- splines
- adjacent
- laterally
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A seal between superimposed wall forming members embodies a pair of spaced apart upstanding splines extending horizontally between adjacent wall forming members, with the upper portion of the splines telescoping into downwardly opening grooves in the lower surface of a superjacent wall forming member. Laterally and outwardly opening recesses are provided in the upper surface of a subjacent wall forming member in position to receive the lower portions of the splines. A sealant is applied between upper and lower portions of the splines and adjacent grooves and recesses, respectively, to form a seal therebetween. Insulation material interposed between the splines provides additional insulation and seals between the wall forming members.
Description
SPLINE SEAL FOR BUI DING LOG UNITS
Bac~ground of the Invention This invention relates to building log units and more particularly to such a building log unit in which an improved water and air-tight insulated spline seal is provided between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members.
Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various types of seals have been devised for sealing and insulating interstices defined between superimposed wall forming members, such as logs and log-like members. Prior art type seals are disclosed ~n the following U. S. patents: No. 3,992,83~, dated November 23, 1976; No. 3,~60,301, dated August 12, 1969;
No. 2,525,659, dated October 19~ 1950; and No. 2,130,231, dated September 13, 1938. Also, U. S. patent No. 3,527,005, dated September 8, 1970 discloses an insulated wall construction wherein laterally spaced splines extend between oppositely dis-posed grooves in adjacent wall forming members with a compressible core of insulation material interposed therebetween and with the outer side of the lower groove extending upwardly alongside the spline. With this structure, it is necessary to permanently assemble the splines and the insulation material as the wall forming members are secured in place. Also, with this structure, moisture seeps downwardly between the lower portion of the outer spline and its upwardly opening groove. Since such moisture is not evaporated/ it fosters the growth of fungi and is the greatest cause of premature wood decay.
_mmar~ of the Invention In accordance with my invention, ~ provide an improved spline seal for building log units which is simple of construction and economical of manufacture. Also, my spline seal may be installed after the wall forming members are in place and the 1- ~
r ~
rou~h jambs and permanent blocking have been installed, thus eliminating costly delays during erection while expensive erectioll e~uipment is used. Furthermore, my improved spline seal provides a positive water and air-tight seal between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members, thus ellminating the problem of trapped, unevaporated moisture and prematurely decayi~g of the wall forming members.
My improved spline seal embodies a pair of horizontal, upstanding, elongated splines extending between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members. A pair of laterally spaced, downwardly opening grooves is provided in the lower surface of each wall forming member in position to receive the upper edge portions of the elonga~ed splines. A pair o~
spaced apart la-terally and outwardly opening recesses is provided in the upper surface of each wall forming member in position to receive the lower edges of -the elongated splines. A sealant is applied between upper and lower portions of the splines and the adjacent grooves and recesses, respectively, to form a water and air-tight seal therebetween whereby moisture con-tacting the outer surface of the spline flows downwardly andthen outwardly of the laterally opening recess.
Description of the Drawings Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:
FIG. 1 is a fragmental perspective view showing super-imposed, vertically aligned wall forming members wi~h my improved spline seal therebetween;
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FI~. l;
, . . ..
FIG. 3 is a fragmental, side elevational view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmental view corresponding to FIG. 2; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled wall of superimposed, vertically aligned wall forming membe~s, having a window opening therein.
Detailed Description Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show in FIG. 1 a corner of a building log unit indicated generally at 10. The unit 10 embodies superimposed, vertically aligned, elongated wall forming members 11 which extend transversely from each other at adjoining end portions 12.
As shown in FI~S. 1 and 3, the end portions 12 are interconnected by conventional dovetailed end poxtions which are secured to each other by elongated spikes 13 and a suitable sealant indicated at 15, such as a butyl extrusion sealant. Also, the wall forming members 11 may be held in vertical alignment by inserting steel rods 13a into pre-drilled holes and then driving them into the subjacent wall forming member 11, as shown in FIG. 5. While I have shown the wall forming members 11 as being hand hewn logs, it will be apparent from the description that follows that my improved spline seal may be adapted for use with other forms of wall forrning members.
As shown in the drawings, a longitudinally extending opening or interstice 14 is formed between adjacent superimposed, vertically aligned wall forming members 11. A pair of hori20ntal, upstanding elongated splines 16, such as hardboard splines, extend between adjacent vertically aligrled wall forming membcrs 11, as shown, to enclose opposite sides of the longitudinal intexstice 14 formed therebetween.
A ?air of laterally spaced, downwardly opening grooves 17 extend longitudinally along the lower surface 18 of each wall forming member 11. The downwardly opening grooves 17 are in position to receive the upper portions 21 of the spline 16 which extend upwardly and inwardly of the grooves 17. The outer wall 19 of each groove 17 is shown as extending downwardly and out-wardly in position to receive the upper portion 21 of an adjacent upwardly and inwardly extending spline 16 inserted therein.
A pair of la-terally and outwardly opening recesses 22 are provided in the upper surface 23 of each wall forming rnernber 11, as shown. The recesses 22 are spaced laterally apart a greater distance than the distance between a superjacent pair of grooves 17 and are in position to receive the lower edges 2~ of the upwardly and inwardly extending splines 16. The lower portions of the splines are secured to the recesses 22 by a suitable sealant, such as a polyurethane sealant, indicated at 26. While I have shown a polyurethane sealan-t 26 as securing each lower portion of the spline to an adjacent recess, it will be apparent that other securing means may be employed.
A suitable pliable sealant 27, such as an elastic sealant, is applied to the outer surface of the upper portion 21 of each spline 16 adjacent its groove 17 and to the outer surface of the lower portion of each spline adjacent the recess 22, as shown, to form a water and air-tight seal along the upper and lower portions of each spline. The pliable sealant is employed due to the fact that it remains permanently pliable which resul-ts in a positive seal being formed at all times as the spline shrinks or moves relative to its groove 17. With each spline 16 extending upwardly and inwardly, moisture contacting its ou-ter surface runs downwardly and then outwardly of the laterally and outwardly extending recess 22 thereby preventing moisture from seeping between the lower portion of the spline and its cooperating outwardly extending recess.
As shown in the drawings, an insulating material 28, such as a s-trip of foil-backed foam insulation, is interposed between each pair of upstanding splines 16. The insula-ting ma-terial 28 extends along the entire length of the interstice 14 enclosed by the splines 16 to form a water and air--tight seal and at -the same time provides insulation between the members 11.
Also, additional insulation is obtained by providing an air space between the insulation ma-terial 28 and the adjacent splines 16, as shown. Preferably, the strip of insulation material 2~ is cut slightly wedge-shaped and slightly larger than the depth of the interstice 14, prior to installation, so that a tight fit may be obtained. While I have shown the insulation material 28 as being strips of foil-backed foam insula-tion, it is apparent that other forms of insulating material may be employed. Also 7 various forms of paint and/or masonry products, such as a masonry tex-tured paint 29, may be used to coat the exposed surfaces of the splines 16 to simulate cement chinking and thus create a more desirable appearance.
Where the wall forming members 11 terminate at windows and doors, as shown in FIG. 5, the ends thereof are supported by bearing blocks 30 which are cut to the exact depth of the inter-stice 14 between adjacent wall forming members. Each bearing block 30 is inserted vertically so that the weight of each wall forming member 11 is transmitted from one wall forming member to the next one below it. Also, the bearing blocks 30 are placed in the interstices 14 directly over one another, whereby they are in vertical alignment with each other and transfer stress all the way to the foundation wall, indicated at 31. As shown in FIG. 5, suitable aligned openings 32 may be provided in the wall forming members 11 for electrical wiring access.
From the foregoing, the construction and assembly of my 5~
improved spline seal will be readily understood. First, the downwardly opening grooves 17 and the laterally and outwardly opening recesses 22 are formed in the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of adjacent wall forming members 11 by suitable means to the shapes shown in the drawing. Although my improved spline seal may be assembled as the wall forming members 11 are vertically assembled, they are preferably assembled after the wall forming members 11 are secured in place.
With the wall forming members 11 vertically aligned and secured in place, as shown in FI~S. 1 and 5, the insulation material 28 is placed within each interstice 14 formed between adjacent superimposed wall forming members 11. Next, the upper edge portions of the splines 16 are telescoped into their co-operating grooves 17. With the polyurethane sealant 26 applied to each laterally and ou-twardly opening recess 22, the lower end portions 24 of the splines 16 are then secured in place by pushing upwardly and inwardly until they seal in place, as shown in FIGS.
Bac~ground of the Invention This invention relates to building log units and more particularly to such a building log unit in which an improved water and air-tight insulated spline seal is provided between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members.
Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various types of seals have been devised for sealing and insulating interstices defined between superimposed wall forming members, such as logs and log-like members. Prior art type seals are disclosed ~n the following U. S. patents: No. 3,992,83~, dated November 23, 1976; No. 3,~60,301, dated August 12, 1969;
No. 2,525,659, dated October 19~ 1950; and No. 2,130,231, dated September 13, 1938. Also, U. S. patent No. 3,527,005, dated September 8, 1970 discloses an insulated wall construction wherein laterally spaced splines extend between oppositely dis-posed grooves in adjacent wall forming members with a compressible core of insulation material interposed therebetween and with the outer side of the lower groove extending upwardly alongside the spline. With this structure, it is necessary to permanently assemble the splines and the insulation material as the wall forming members are secured in place. Also, with this structure, moisture seeps downwardly between the lower portion of the outer spline and its upwardly opening groove. Since such moisture is not evaporated/ it fosters the growth of fungi and is the greatest cause of premature wood decay.
_mmar~ of the Invention In accordance with my invention, ~ provide an improved spline seal for building log units which is simple of construction and economical of manufacture. Also, my spline seal may be installed after the wall forming members are in place and the 1- ~
r ~
rou~h jambs and permanent blocking have been installed, thus eliminating costly delays during erection while expensive erectioll e~uipment is used. Furthermore, my improved spline seal provides a positive water and air-tight seal between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members, thus ellminating the problem of trapped, unevaporated moisture and prematurely decayi~g of the wall forming members.
My improved spline seal embodies a pair of horizontal, upstanding, elongated splines extending between superimposed vertically aligned wall forming members. A pair of laterally spaced, downwardly opening grooves is provided in the lower surface of each wall forming member in position to receive the upper edge portions of the elonga~ed splines. A pair o~
spaced apart la-terally and outwardly opening recesses is provided in the upper surface of each wall forming member in position to receive the lower edges of -the elongated splines. A sealant is applied between upper and lower portions of the splines and the adjacent grooves and recesses, respectively, to form a water and air-tight seal therebetween whereby moisture con-tacting the outer surface of the spline flows downwardly andthen outwardly of the laterally opening recess.
Description of the Drawings Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:
FIG. 1 is a fragmental perspective view showing super-imposed, vertically aligned wall forming members wi~h my improved spline seal therebetween;
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FI~. l;
, . . ..
FIG. 3 is a fragmental, side elevational view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmental view corresponding to FIG. 2; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled wall of superimposed, vertically aligned wall forming membe~s, having a window opening therein.
Detailed Description Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show in FIG. 1 a corner of a building log unit indicated generally at 10. The unit 10 embodies superimposed, vertically aligned, elongated wall forming members 11 which extend transversely from each other at adjoining end portions 12.
As shown in FI~S. 1 and 3, the end portions 12 are interconnected by conventional dovetailed end poxtions which are secured to each other by elongated spikes 13 and a suitable sealant indicated at 15, such as a butyl extrusion sealant. Also, the wall forming members 11 may be held in vertical alignment by inserting steel rods 13a into pre-drilled holes and then driving them into the subjacent wall forming member 11, as shown in FIG. 5. While I have shown the wall forming members 11 as being hand hewn logs, it will be apparent from the description that follows that my improved spline seal may be adapted for use with other forms of wall forrning members.
As shown in the drawings, a longitudinally extending opening or interstice 14 is formed between adjacent superimposed, vertically aligned wall forming members 11. A pair of hori20ntal, upstanding elongated splines 16, such as hardboard splines, extend between adjacent vertically aligrled wall forming membcrs 11, as shown, to enclose opposite sides of the longitudinal intexstice 14 formed therebetween.
A ?air of laterally spaced, downwardly opening grooves 17 extend longitudinally along the lower surface 18 of each wall forming member 11. The downwardly opening grooves 17 are in position to receive the upper portions 21 of the spline 16 which extend upwardly and inwardly of the grooves 17. The outer wall 19 of each groove 17 is shown as extending downwardly and out-wardly in position to receive the upper portion 21 of an adjacent upwardly and inwardly extending spline 16 inserted therein.
A pair of la-terally and outwardly opening recesses 22 are provided in the upper surface 23 of each wall forming rnernber 11, as shown. The recesses 22 are spaced laterally apart a greater distance than the distance between a superjacent pair of grooves 17 and are in position to receive the lower edges 2~ of the upwardly and inwardly extending splines 16. The lower portions of the splines are secured to the recesses 22 by a suitable sealant, such as a polyurethane sealant, indicated at 26. While I have shown a polyurethane sealan-t 26 as securing each lower portion of the spline to an adjacent recess, it will be apparent that other securing means may be employed.
A suitable pliable sealant 27, such as an elastic sealant, is applied to the outer surface of the upper portion 21 of each spline 16 adjacent its groove 17 and to the outer surface of the lower portion of each spline adjacent the recess 22, as shown, to form a water and air-tight seal along the upper and lower portions of each spline. The pliable sealant is employed due to the fact that it remains permanently pliable which resul-ts in a positive seal being formed at all times as the spline shrinks or moves relative to its groove 17. With each spline 16 extending upwardly and inwardly, moisture contacting its ou-ter surface runs downwardly and then outwardly of the laterally and outwardly extending recess 22 thereby preventing moisture from seeping between the lower portion of the spline and its cooperating outwardly extending recess.
As shown in the drawings, an insulating material 28, such as a s-trip of foil-backed foam insulation, is interposed between each pair of upstanding splines 16. The insula-ting ma-terial 28 extends along the entire length of the interstice 14 enclosed by the splines 16 to form a water and air--tight seal and at -the same time provides insulation between the members 11.
Also, additional insulation is obtained by providing an air space between the insulation ma-terial 28 and the adjacent splines 16, as shown. Preferably, the strip of insulation material 2~ is cut slightly wedge-shaped and slightly larger than the depth of the interstice 14, prior to installation, so that a tight fit may be obtained. While I have shown the insulation material 28 as being strips of foil-backed foam insula-tion, it is apparent that other forms of insulating material may be employed. Also 7 various forms of paint and/or masonry products, such as a masonry tex-tured paint 29, may be used to coat the exposed surfaces of the splines 16 to simulate cement chinking and thus create a more desirable appearance.
Where the wall forming members 11 terminate at windows and doors, as shown in FIG. 5, the ends thereof are supported by bearing blocks 30 which are cut to the exact depth of the inter-stice 14 between adjacent wall forming members. Each bearing block 30 is inserted vertically so that the weight of each wall forming member 11 is transmitted from one wall forming member to the next one below it. Also, the bearing blocks 30 are placed in the interstices 14 directly over one another, whereby they are in vertical alignment with each other and transfer stress all the way to the foundation wall, indicated at 31. As shown in FIG. 5, suitable aligned openings 32 may be provided in the wall forming members 11 for electrical wiring access.
From the foregoing, the construction and assembly of my 5~
improved spline seal will be readily understood. First, the downwardly opening grooves 17 and the laterally and outwardly opening recesses 22 are formed in the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of adjacent wall forming members 11 by suitable means to the shapes shown in the drawing. Although my improved spline seal may be assembled as the wall forming members 11 are vertically assembled, they are preferably assembled after the wall forming members 11 are secured in place.
With the wall forming members 11 vertically aligned and secured in place, as shown in FI~S. 1 and 5, the insulation material 28 is placed within each interstice 14 formed between adjacent superimposed wall forming members 11. Next, the upper edge portions of the splines 16 are telescoped into their co-operating grooves 17. With the polyurethane sealant 26 applied to each laterally and ou-twardly opening recess 22, the lower end portions 24 of the splines 16 are then secured in place by pushing upwardly and inwardly until they seal in place, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 4. A bead of pliable, elastic sealant 27 is -then applied along the outer face of each spline 16 adjacent the upper portion 21 and the lower portion, as shown, to form a water and air-tight seal between the upper and lower portions of the splines and the adjacent wall forming members. A masonry textured paint may then be applied to the spline to simulate cement chinking and thus create a more desirable appearance. As rain or other forms of moisture contact the exposed surface of each spline 16, it flows downwardly and then outwardly of the laterally and outwardly opening recess 22 thus preventing moisture from seeping between the lower portion of the spline and the recess 22 in -the subjacen-t wall forming member.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I
have devised an improved spline seal for building log units which is simple of construction and economical o manufacture.
Also, my improved spline seal may be assembled after the wall forming Members are permanently in place thus eliminating cos-tly delays during erection while expensive erection eyuipment at high hourly rates is tied up. Furtnermore, my improved seal provides a positive water and air-tight seal between the upper and lower edge portions of each upwardly extending spline, thus elimina-ting premature decay and damage to the wall forming members.
While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I
have devised an improved spline seal for building log units which is simple of construction and economical o manufacture.
Also, my improved spline seal may be assembled after the wall forming Members are permanently in place thus eliminating cos-tly delays during erection while expensive erection eyuipment at high hourly rates is tied up. Furtnermore, my improved seal provides a positive water and air-tight seal between the upper and lower edge portions of each upwardly extending spline, thus elimina-ting premature decay and damage to the wall forming members.
While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
Claims (4)
1. In a building log unit having elongated superimposed, horizontal wall forming members supported in vertical spaced relation to each other and defining a longitudinally extending interstice between adjacent vertically aligned wall forming members, (a) a pair of horizontal, upwardly and inwardly extending elongated splines spaced laterally from each other and interposed between said adjacent, vertically aligned wall forming members to enclose opposite sides of said interstice defined there-between, (b) a pair of laterally spaced downwardly opening grooves extending longitudinally along the lower surface of each said wall forming member, with each said groove receiving the upper edge of the spline adjacent thereto and permitting relative movement therebetween, (c) a pair of spaced apart laterally and outwardly opening recesses extending longitudinally along the upper surface of each said wall forming member with said recesses being spaced apart a greater distance than said pair of downwardly opening grooves and in position to receive the lower edges of the splines adjacent thereto, (d) a sealant between a lower portion of each said spline and its laterally and outwardly opening recess fixedly securing said lower portion of each spline to its laterally and outwardly opening recess, and (e) a permanently pliable sealant applied to the outer surface of at least one spline of each said pair of splines alongside its downwardly opening groove providing a pliable seal therebetween which permits movement of said spline relative to its downwardly opening groove.
2. A building log unit as defined in claim 1 in which said permanently pliable sealant is an elastic material.
3. A building log unit as defined in claim 1 in which said lower portion of each spline is bonded to said laterally and outwardly opening recess by a polyurethane weather sealant.
4. A building log unit as defined in claim 1 in which a sealant is applied adjacent the lower outer surface of each spline and the adjacent surface of said outwardly opening recess to provide a seal therebetween.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421434A CA1185062A (en) | 1983-02-11 | 1983-02-11 | Spline seal for building log units |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421434A CA1185062A (en) | 1983-02-11 | 1983-02-11 | Spline seal for building log units |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1185062A true CA1185062A (en) | 1985-04-09 |
Family
ID=4124550
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421434A Expired CA1185062A (en) | 1983-02-11 | 1983-02-11 | Spline seal for building log units |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1185062A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-02-11 CA CA000421434A patent/CA1185062A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |