WO2015144986A1

WO2015144986A1 - Flush corner structure

Info

Publication number: WO2015144986A1
Application number: PCT/FI2015/050200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juha-Matti HANHIKOSKI; Jukka Rintamäki
Original assignee: Honkarakenne Oyj
Priority date: 2014-03-25
Filing date: 2015-03-25
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: EP3024994B1; EP3024994A1; EP3024994A4; RU2630319C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a flush corner structure comprising stacked first logs (1) and second logs (2), the end surfaces (22, 23) thereof having corresponding joint surfaces (3, 4). The corner structure according to the invention comprises a tongue and groove joint that horizontally locks the first log (1) and the second log (2) together. The logs are joined at the joint surfaces (3, 4) at an angle to each other. The first log (1) comprises a tongue joint element (5) extending over the total height of the log, and the second log (2) comprises a corresponding groove joint element (6) extending over the total height of the log. According to the invention, on the joint surfaces (3, 4) of the logs (1, 2) on both sides of the joint elements (5, 6) there is at least one vertical slot (7, 7') that extends over the total height of the log and accommodates a vertical seal (8) that extends over the total height of the log. The vertical seal (8) extends to a distance above the upper surface (14) of the log (1, 2) and is separated on a level with the upper surface (14) of the log (1, 2) into a first part (15) and a second part (16), and the first part (15) is fixable on the first log (1) and the second part (16) is fixable on the second log (2).

Description

FLUSH CORHER STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a. flush corner structure as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART

Traditionally, logs have been joined at the corners of log houses with a. notched joint in such a way that the ends of the logs extend beyond the cor- ner. A house built with this method is commonly con^¬ sidered a traditional log house.

The current urban building regulations often impose stricter requirements on building houses than in sparsely populated areas. One of the current trends in building regulations for urban areas is the requirement of a so-called zero corner in which neither of the logs that end at the corner extends beyond the exterior corner of the house. Log houses have been built in urban areas in compliance with these building regulations by joining logs at a. corner with a tradi^¬ tional dovetail joint where the logs are provided at an angle of 90 degrees to each other . The disadvantage of log houses built this way is the poorer sealing or the corner structure as compared to the traditional log house. Furthermore, as the logs dry and shrink, the joint surfaces tend to show in the interior corner of the buildings which makes the interior corner in particular look untidy. Thus, a need has arisen to de^¬ velop for log houses a corner structure that complies with strict urban building regulations and is sealed as well as structurally durable and also visually suitable for planning areas.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION The objective of the present invention is to remedy the def cts described above. The objective of the invention is to disclose a flush corner structure that is suitable for log houses and also suited for use in areas where building regulations inhibit the building of so-called traditional log houses. Specifi^¬ cally, the objective of the invention is to disclose a flush corner structure that is structurally sealed, heat-insulating, durable and visually appealing.

SUM & Y OF THE INVEN ION

The flush corner structure according to the invention is cha acterized, by the features disclosed in the claims,

The flush corner structure according to the invention comprises stacked first logs and second logs having an inner surface and an end surface, wherein the end surfaces have corresponding joint surfaces. The logs that are joined at the corner are provided in the same horizontal plane with each other. The corner structure comprises a tongue and groove joint that horizontally locks the first log and the second log together, the logs being joined at the joint surfaces at an angle to each other. The first log comprises a tongue joint element extending over the total height of the log substantially in the middle of the joint surface. The second log comprises a corresponding groove joint element extending over the total height of the log substantially in the middle of the joint surface. On the joint surfaces of the logs on both sides of the joint elements, there is at. least one vertical slot that extends over the total, height of the log and accommodates a vertical seal, that extends over the total height of the log. The vertical seal extends to a distance above the upper surface of the log and is separated on a level with the upper surface of the log^' into a first part and. a second part, and the first part, is fixa.fo.le on the first log and the second part is fixable on the second log.

The flush, corner structure means a corner structure wherein the ends of the logs that are joined at the corner do not extend, beyond the exterior cor^¬ ner. The logs are installed with flash lapping in such a way that the logs joined at the corner are provided in the same horizontal plane with each other. In one embodiment , the log is a planed log. In one e bodi - merit, the log is a non-settli g, cross-glued laminated log, preferably a horizontally laminated log. The low^¬ er and upper surfaces of the logs may ave different shapes, for example slots. The stacked logs of t e corner structure are fixed to one another in known ways used in log building, such as with dowels, screws or threaded rods. The joint surface means the surface at the end of the log that contacts the co responding joint surface of another log.

The flush corner structure according to the invention is built by adding one log at a time. The logs are joined end surfaces against each other in such a way that only the side faces of the logs are visible outside the building. The end surface of the log is provided at an angle to the longitudinal direc^¬ tion of the log so that the logs that are joined in the corner structure are provided at an angle to each other. The angle between the end surface and the outer surface of a log is half of the angle between logs that are joined together.

The tongue and groove joint of the flush cor^¬ ner structure according to the invention locks the logs together in the horizontal direction. The joint surfaces of the first and the second log are provided in sealed abutment in the tongue and groove joint. The profiles of horizontal sections from the ends of the first and the second log are constant over the total height of the log. The logs are joined, by vertically sliding the joint surfaces of the logs against each other. In one embodiment , the tongue and groove joint is a dovetail joint. The tongue and groove joint may also be any other known tongue and groove joint. In the flush corner structure according to the invention, the first log and the second log are provided in the joint at an angle to each other. The angle refers to the angle between the outer surface of the first log and the outer surface of the second log.

The vertical, slots on the joint surfaces of the logs on both sides of the joint elements extend from the level of the lower surface of the log to the level of the upper surface of the log. In one embodiment, the slots are provided on. both sides of the groove joint element or on both sides of the tongue joint element or on both sides of both joint elements or on one side of the groove joint element and on the other side of the tongue joint element, In one embodi^¬ ment, a vertical slot is provided on the joint surface of the second log on both sides of the groove joint element. In one embodiment _f a vertical slot is provid^¬ ed on the joint surface of the first log on both sides of the tongue joint element. In one embodiment, a ver^¬ tical slot is provided on the joint surface of the first log on both sices of the tongue joint, element and on the joint surface of the second log on. both sides of the groove joint element . n one embodiment, a vertical, slot is provided on the joint surface of the second log on one side of the groove joint element and on the joint surface of the first log on the oppo^¬ site side of the tongue joint element so that there is at least one slot on both sides of the joint elements, The shape and size of the horizontal cross section from the slot are defined according to the seal being used to make the corner structure sealed. The vertical seal extending over the total height of the log in the vertical slot makes the log joint according to the in^¬ vention better sealed than the traditional tongue and groove joint.

In one embodiment, the vertica.1 seal is a seal strip. In one embodimen , the vertical seal con^¬ sists of two seal strips installed side by side. The slots on both sides of the groove and the tongue joint element may all accommodate a vertical seal, or only one seal may be fitted to fill both slots. The seal may be any generally used seal. The seal may be made for example of rubber, silicone or fiber- or plastic- based material .

In one embodiment, the vertical seal is installed in the slot on site. In one embodiment, the vertical seal is pre-ir.stailed in the slot at the fac^¬ tory. A seal pre-iristalled in the logs facilitates the assembly of the corner structure on site and reduces mistakes made in the sealing on site.

In one embodiment of the flush corner struc^¬ ture according to the invention, the angle between the first log and the second log is at least 45° and less than 180°, In one embodiment, the angle between the first and the second log is 90°,

In one embodiment , the joint element compris^¬ es edges and a bottom, and the slots on both sides of the joint element abut on the edges of the joint ele^¬ ment. The slots on both sides of the joint element may also be provided at a suitable distance from the edges of the joint element on the joint surface. In one em^¬ bodiment, in the first log between the bottom of the groove joint element and the bottom of the tongue joint element there is a vertical slot that extends over the total width of the bottom from the level of the lower surface of the log to the level of the upper surface of the log.

In one embodiment , the bottom of the groove joint element or the tongue joint element comprises at least one vertical slot that extends over the total height of the log, In one embodiment, the bottom of the groove joint element or the tongue joint element comprises two vertical slots that extend over the to^¬ tal height of the log, Urethane foam is provided in the vertical slots at the bottom of the groove joint element or the tongue joint element when the logs are installed on site, the foam being spread, into the space between the bottoms of the joint elements. Ure^¬ thane foam in the slots improves the sealing and ther- mal insulation of the joint.

In one embodiment, on the lower surface of the first log and the second log on both sides of the midline of the log there are horizontal seals, In one embodiment, the horizontal seals are provided, in slots on the lower surface of the log on both sides of the midline of the log. The midline of the log means a line running in the middle of the log along the longitudinal direction of the log. In one embodiment , the lower surface of the log comprises a wide seal strip.

In one embodiment, the vertical seal consists of two seal strips installed side by side, the end of the first seal strip being fixab!e on the first log and the end of the second seal strip being fixable on the second log. In one embodiment, the first or the second part of the vertical seal is provided side by side with the horizontal seal of an overlying log, In one embodiment.,, the first or the second, part of the vertical seal is provided under the horizontal seal of an overlying log. Separation of the vertical seal into two parts and their overlapping with the horizontal seals of both logs that are joined according to the invention allows a. particularly sealed corner struc^¬ ture. The parts of the seal can be quickly and conven^¬ iently fixed to the logs because the seal is already separated into two parts. The end of trie vertical seal can be stapled to the log. The end of the vertical seal can also be fixed to the log by means of a glued surface provided in advance on the seal, This facili^¬ tates the assembly of the corner structure on site.

In one embodiment, the vertical seal extends to a distance below the lower surface of the log and is separated on a level with the lower surface of the log into a first part and a second part, the first part being fixable under the first log and the second part being fixable under the second, log. In one embod- iraent , the vertical seal consists of two seal strips installed side by side, the end of the first seal strip being fixable under the first log and the end of the second seal strip being fixable under the second log. in one embodiment, the first or the second part of the vertical seal is provided side by side with the horizontal seal on the lower surface of the log. In one embodimen , the first or the second part of the vertical seal is provided under the horizontal seal on the lower surface of the log,

In one embodiment, the vertical seal extends to a distance above the upper surface of the log and below the lower surface of the log and is separated on a level with the upper surface of the log and on a level with the lower surface of the log into a first part and a second part . The first and the second, part of the vertical seal can be fixed side by side or so as t overlap with the horizontal seal as described above ,

In one embodiment of the flush corner struc- fare according to the invention, the inner surface of the first log extends straight past the inner surface of the second log to a distance inside the second log so as to constitute part of the joint surface of the first log, and the inner surface of the second log ends at the inner surface of the first logo In one embodiment , the inner surface of the second log extends straight past the inner surface of the first log to a distance inside the first log so as to constitute part of the joint surface of the second log, and the inner- surface of the first log ends at the inner surface of the second log.

The joint according to the invention as de^¬ scribed above is called, a lap joint. The lap joint ac^¬ cording to the invention makes the joint better sealed, because the joint surface comprises several bending points. In addition, the gap that may develop in the interior corner of the corner structure as the logs dry only shows when viewed at a specific angle, i.e. when viewed from the direction of another wall . Thus, the interior corner is tidy even after the logs have dried, With the traditional miter joint, the joint seam at the interior corner shows from a notably wider viewing angle after the logs have dried, which makes the interior corner look untidy.

In one embodiment, a vertical slot at which the joint surfaces of the logs end extends at the ex^¬ terior corner of the corner structure over the total height of the log. The exterior corner means the cor^¬ ner on the outside of the building. In one embodiment, the vertical slot at the exterior corner of the corner structure has a rectangular cross section. The cross section of the vertical slot m y also be of another shape .

In one embodiment, the slot at the exterior corner of the corner structure accommodates a vertical batter; extending over the total height of the corner structure. The purpose of the batten is to function with settling planed and laminated logs as a fixing base for the cover boards at the angle of the corner. The batten is fixed to the logs with long sliding slots for example using nails, so that the batten and the cover boards do not prevent the logs from set^¬ tling-. The corner structure may also be raade without the batten ,

In one embodiment , the slot at the exterior corner of the corner structure is covered, with verti- cal cover boards installed on the outside of the cor^¬ ner structure. The cover boards may be installed in any manner that is normally used for exterior corners in buildings. The corner structure may also be raade without cover boards,

The embodiments of the invention described above can be freely combined with each other. Several embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment. The flush corner structure that is the object of the invention may comprise one or more of the above- described embodiments of the invention.

The flush corner structure according to the invention provides considerable advantages over the prior art. The flush corner structure is heat- insulating due to the structure of the joint surface and the urethane foam installed, in vertical slots in the middle area of the joint. Furthermore, the sealing capacity of the corner structure is maintained as the logs shrink, while they are drying. The sealing slots that extend over the total height, of the log and the vertical seals that extend over the total height of the log significantly reduce the escape of heat from the interior to the exterior of the bu lding through the joint surface. Likewise, folding the ends of the seal so as to overlap or be side by side with, the hor- izontai seals of the logs improves the sealing of the corner structure. The so-called lap joint at the i.nte- rior corner and the vertical batten at the exterior corner of the flush corner structure according to the invention furthermore improve the searing of the cor^¬ ner structure. In addition, the corner structure ac^¬ cording to the invention is tidy because, due to the ap joint, the joint surface between logs will not snow as the logs dry by the effect of dry air indoors. The exterior corner of the corner structure is also tidy, as the corner is covered with narrow cover boarding. The corner structure according to the invention is quickly assembled on site. The corner struc^¬ ture also reduces the amount of mistakes made in seal^¬ ing the structure on site. The flush corner structure according to the invention can furthermore be used, in areas where building regulations inhibit the building of traditional log houses without compromising the searing of the structure.

LIST OF FIGURES

Below, the invention will be described in derail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in w ich

Fig, 1 is a horizontal cross section from one flush corner structure according no the invention, and

Fig, 2. illustrates a second log of the flush corner structure according to the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig, 1 illustrates a horizontal cross section from one flush corner structure according to the in^¬ vention. In the corner structure, a first log 1 and a second log 2 are joined with a tongue and groove joint. The first log 1 has an inner surface 17 and an end surface 22, and the second log has an inner surface 18 and an end surface 23, The end surfaces 22,23 of the logs have joint surfaces 3,4 joined in abut- II merit . The joint surface 3 of the first log I comprises a tongue joint element 5 extending vertically frorri the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. The joint surface 4 of the second log 2 com- prises a groove joint element 6 extending vertically from the lower surface 12 of Che log to the upper sur^¬ face 14 of the log. The groove joint element 6 and the tongue joint element 5 comprise a bottom 10, 10 and two edges 9, 9' . On both sides of the groove joint ele- merit 6 there are vertical slots 7 abutting on the edg^¬ es 9 of the groove joint element 6, Also, on both sides of the tongue joint element 5 there may be ver^¬ tical slots 7'^' . The vertical slots 7 extend from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. Both slots 7 accommodate a vertical seal 8 extending from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. At the bottom 10 of the groove joint element 6 there are two vertical slots 11 that extend over the total height of the log from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. Also, at the bottom 10^f of the tongue joint element 5 there may be two vertical slots 11' that ex^¬ tend over the total height of the log. Between the bottoms 10,10' of the groove joint element 6 and the tongue joint element 5, the first log 1 comprises a vertical slot 22 that extends over the total width of the joint elements 5, β from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log, Urethane foam is installed in slots 11 on site, and it is par- tially spread into slot 22 as well so as to seal the corner structure. The inner surf ce 17 of the first log 1 extends as a so-called lap joint straight past:, the inner surface IS of the second log 2 inside the second log 2 and is bent to constitute the joint sur- face 3 at a distance from the inner surface 18 of the second log 2, The exterior corner 19 of the corner structure comprises a vertical slot 20 extending from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. The joint surfaces 3,4 of the first 1 and the second log 2 end at this slot 20. The vertical slot 20 accommodates a batten 21 extending from the lower surface of the corner structure to the upper surface of the corner structure. On the outside of the corner structure there are cover boards which cover the slot 20 outside the building,

fig, 2 illustrates a second log 2 of the flush corner structure according to the invention, having a midline 13 in the longitudinal direction of the log. The log has an inner surface 13, and an. upper surface 14 and a lower surface 12, The end surface 23 of the second log 2 has a joint surface 4 which is joined in the corner structure against a joint surface 3 on the end surface 22 of a first log 1, Substantially in the middle of the joint surface 4 there is a groove joint element 6 which comprises a bottom 10 and edges 9. On the joint surface 4 on both sides of the groove joint element 6, abutting on the edges 9 of the groove joint element 6 , there is a vertical slot 7 ac^¬ commodating a vertical seal 8, The bottom 10 of the groove joint element δ comprises two vertical slots 11 that extend over the total height of the log from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log, The profile of horizontal section from the end of the log 2 is constant over the total height of the log. n the corner structure according to the in- vention, both slots 7 accommodate vertical seals 8, Tor clarity reasons, the seal 8 has been omitted from one of the vertical slots 7 in the figure to better illustrate the shape of the slot 7. The slot 7 and the seal 8 both extend from the lower surface 12 of the log to the upper surface 14 of the log. The vertical seal 8 is separated on a level with the upper surface surface 14 of the log. In the corner structure, the first part 15 of the vertical seal is folded on the first log 1 and the second part 16 of the vertical seal is folded on the second log 2.

The invention is not limited solely to the above-described exemplifying embodiments; instead, many modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims .

Claims

1. A flush corner structure comprising stacked first logs (1) and second logs (2) having an inner surface (17,18) and an end surface (22,23), the end surfaces (22, 23) having corresponding joint sur^¬ faces (3, 4) , the logs (1, 2) that are joined at the corner being provided in the same horizontal plane with each other, the corner structure comprising a tongue and. groove joint that horizontally locks the first log (1) and the second log (2) together, the logs being joined at the joint surfaces (3,4) at an angle to each other, the first log (1) comprising a tongue joint element (5) extending over the total height of the log substantially in the middle of the joint surface (3) , and the second log (2! comprising a corresponding groove joint element (6) extending over the total height of the log substantially in the middle of the joint surface (4) , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that on the joint surfaces (3,4) of the logs (1,2) on both sides of the joint elements {5, 6) there is at least one vertical slot (7, 1' ) that extends over the total height of the log and accommodates a vertical seal (8) that extends over the total height of the log, and the vertical seal (8) extends to a distance above the upper surface (14) of the log (1,2) and. is separated, on a level with the upper surface (14) of the log (1,2) into a first, part (155 and. a second part (16), the first part (15) being fixable on she first log (1) and the second part (16) being fixable on the second log (2) .

2, The flush corner structure according to claim I, c h a r a c e r ! z e d in that the slots (7, 7' ) are provided on both sides of the groove joint element. (6) or on both sides of the tongue joint ele- inent (5) or on both sides of both joint elements (5, 6) or on one side of trie groove joint element (6) and on the other side of the tongue joint element (5) .

3. The flush corner structure according to claim I or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the an- gle between the first log (1) and the second log (2) is at least 45° and less than 180°.

4. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims i-3, c h a r ac t e r i s ed in than the joint element (5, 6) co.tr.pri.ses edges (9,9') and a bottom (10; 10' ) , and the slots (7_f 7' ) on both sides of the joint element (5,6) abut on the edges (9, 9' ) of the joint lement (5,6) ,

5. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the bottom {10, 10' ) of the groove joint element (6) or the tongue joint element (5) comprises at least one vertical slot (11, li^f) that extends over the total, height of the log.

6. The flush corner structure accordin to any one of claims 1-5, c h a ract e r i z ed in that on the lower surface (12) of the first log (1) and the second log (2) on both sides of the midline (13) of the log there are horizontal seals.

7. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-6, c h a a ct e r i z e d in that the vertical seal (8) extends to a distance below the lower surface (12) of the log (1,2) and is separated on a level with the lower surface (12) of the log (1,2) into a first part (15) and a second part. (16), the first part (15) being fixable under the first log (1) and the second part (16) being fixable under the second log (2 ) ,

8. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-7, c h a r a ct e r i z e d in that the inner surface (17) of the first log (1) extends s aight past the inner surface (18) of the second, log (2) to a distance inside the second log so as to con^¬ stitute part of the joint surface (3) of the first log

(1) , and the inner surface (18) of the second log (2) ends at the inner surface (17) of the first log (1) .

S. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the inner surface (18) of the second log (2) extends straight past the inner surface (17) of the first log

(1) to a distance inside the first (1) log so as to constitute part of the joint surface (4) of the second log (2), and the inner surface (17) of the first log

(1) ends at the inner surface (18) of the second, log

(2) ,

10, The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-9, c h a r a. c t e r i z e d in that a vertical slot (20; at which the joint surfaces {3, 4} of the logs end extends at the exterior corner (19) of the corner structure over the total height of the log.

11. The flush corner structure according to any one of claims 1-10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the slot (20) at the exterior corner (19) of the cor^¬ ner structure accommodates a vertical batten (21) ex^¬ tending over the total height of the corner structure.