Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Log wall-type construction
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-20
2001-03-13
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Log wall-type construction
C052S286000, C052S748110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199332
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved log facade, particularly a facade for a conventional structure providing the appearance that the structure is constructed of whole logs.
For a long time, the prior art has addressed the need to provide a facade for a structure, such as a cabin, home, outbuilding, or commercial building, that makes the structure appear as if it were constructed of whole stacked logs without requiring the use of whole logs. Such facades provide for the rustic appearance of stacked log construction more economically, while providing as well for the full enjoyment of modern building methods. Generally, however, facades providing for greater visual similarity with whole logs are more costly. For example, it is generally less expensive to provide for false log ends at the corners of a structure that are not staggered with false log siding applied to the walls of the structure such as shown in Berge, U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,328, and Rupp, U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,610. This is because the cuts made in the components of the facade do not need to be as complex. On the other hand, such construction produces a less convincing imitation of a whole log structure.
Other attempts at simulating the look of a whole log structure have been made in recognition that providing for staggering of the false log ends with the false siding improves the simulation. Such attempts, however, have required more complex shapes to be formed in the components so that the components can fit together, which has resulted in increased manufacturing costs. Moreover, such attempts generally require that the false log siding be specially pre-formed at its ends for interlocking or interfitting with the false log ends, so that cutting the siding at the site generally results in an abundance of wasted material.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved log facade that provides for an improved degree of visual similarity with a whole log structure while providing for decreased manufacturing and assembly cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved log facade according to the present invention solves the aforementioned problems and meets the aforementioned needs by providing, on a structure for which it is desired to simulate the appearance that the structure is constructed of whole logs, a corner facade member and a siding facade member. The siding facade member is attached to the wall of the structure and extends to a corner thereof. Preferably, one side of the siding member is formed as a portion of a semi-cylinder, the curvature of which gives the illusion that the siding member is part of a whole log. The corner facade member is attached to the corner of the structure and includes a curved side surface that projects outwardly with respect to the wall and simulates the outer surface of a whole log. The siding facade member has an end that is received by the corner facade member, the end having an edge. The corner facade member receives the end of the siding facade member so as to cover the edge, to give the illusion that the siding facade member is interlocked with the corner facade member without requiring that the edge be specially shaped to fit the curved side surface.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved log facade.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a log facade that provides for increased visual similarity with a whole log structure.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a log facade that provides for decreased manufacturing and assembly costs.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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Stephan Beth A.
Trawa Phi Dieu
LandOfFree
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