US4443990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing crack free logs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-03-11
•
Granted: 1984-04-24
•
Expires: 2002-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of processing and producing crack free logs by making a saw cut along opposite longitudinal side portions of a log immediately after harvesting and thus curing the log, without debarking, in a shaded, ventilated air space so that any cracks will be concentrated along the saw cuts. When a finished appearance is desired, a groove is formed along the opposite side portions of the log in registry with the saw cuts and a spline or strip of wood is inserted in each groove so that it projects beyond the periphery of the leg with the spline or strip being secured in the grooves by glueing or the like. The peripheral or exterior portion of the spline or strips is peeled or cut off so that the resulting surface is contiguous with the peripheral surface of the log.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfred B. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:17
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27M; B27M1/00; E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/56; E04B2/70; E04B2/701; E04B2/702
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
Method of producing crack free logs comprising the steps of: forming a saw cut along opposite longitudinal side portions of a log; curing the log out of the sun; forming a groove along the opposite side portions of the log with the saw cut positioned in the bottom of the groove; and inserting a spline within and filling at least one of the grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
Method of producing crack free logs comprising the steps of: forming a saw cut along opposite longitudinal side portions of a log; curing the log out of the sun; forming a groove along the opposite side portions of the log with the saw cut positioned in the bottom of the groove; and inserting a spline within and filling at least one of the grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the log is smoothed off so the peripheral contour of the spline conforms with the general surface contour of the log when thereafter milled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 together with the further step of milling the peripheral surface of the log after the spline has been inserted in the log.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 1 together with the further steps of: harvesting the logs during the winter season; extending the saw cut to a depth of about 20% of the diameter; and wherein said curing step includes storing the logs in a ventilated shaded shed for about 7 or 8 months.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 together with the further steps of: glueing the spline insertion within the groove; and peeling and smoothing the extension of the spline and the logs into a continuous smooth surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 together with the further steps of: plowing out the groove to a slot approximately 3/4" wide for receiving a strip 3/4"×3/4" to cover the saw cut; subsequently glueing the spline within the groove; and subsequently peeling and smoothing the spline even with the log surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of processing and producing logs into crack free logs comprising the steps of: substantially immediately after harvesting the logs and prior to curing same making a radial saw cut in opposite longitudinal surfaces of each of the logs; then curing the logs in a ventilated shaded air space so that any cracks which occur will be concentrated along the inner edge of the saw cuts; forming a wider radial groove in registry with each saw cut; placing a wood filler strip and securing the same in each wider groove; and peeling the wood strips evenly with the surrounding log producing a contiguous finished log product.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of processing and producing logs into crack free logs comprising the steps of: substantially immediately after harvesting the logs and prior to curing same making a radial saw cut in opposite longitudinal surfaces of each of the logs; then curing the logs in a ventilated shaded air space so that any cracks which occur will be concentrated along the inner edge of the saw cuts; forming a wider radial groove in registry with each saw cut; placing a wood filler strip and securing the same in each wider groove; and peeling the wood strips evenly with the surrounding log producing a contiguous finished log product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said steps are performed on the logs without debarking the logs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
An improved log structure comprising: a log having a longitudinally extending cut along opposite sides of the log for concentrating crack formation in the cut, a wider longitudinally extending groove in registry with each cut at the outer end of the cut, and a longitudinally extending wood filler strip secured in each groove for hiding the cut, each filler strip having an outer surface which is flush and smooth with the outer surface of the log.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An improved log structure comprising: a log having a longitudinally extending cut along opposite sides of the log for concentrating crack formation in the cut, a wider longitudinally extending groove in registry with each cut at the outer end of the cut, and a longitudinally extending wood filler strip secured in each groove for hiding the cut, each filler strip having an outer surface which is flush and smooth with the outer surface of the log.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2570588A
Cited
US2018712A
Cited
US3357463A
Cited
US3863409A
Cited
US4047350A
Cited
US3992838A
Cited
US4230163A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |