Log joining configuration

Claim 1

Butt joinable log members each having a butting surface disposed in abutting relation with the butting surface of the other in the construction of a wall; a channel with an opening and with opposed side walls that diverge from the opening and extend fully across the butting surface of each log member, the openings of the channels of the butting surface facing each other with the longitudinal axes of the channels in parallel relation; a pair of co-operating locking members each having a longitudinally extending locking surface and a wedging surface on the opposite side to the locking surface, the locking surface extending for the full length of said channels and being rigid and complementary to a portion of the side wall of the channel of each log member adjacent the openings of the channels where they diverge as aforesaid when the log members are in abutting relation; the portion of the locking surface of the locking member that is complementary to said portion of one channel being spaced from the portion of the locking surface that is complementary to said portion of the other channel a distance to maintain said logs in abutting relation as aforesaid; the locking members having a thickness between their locking surface and their wedging surface to permit the pair of locking members to be inserted into the openings of the channels of butted log members with their wedging surfaces in face to face relation; and a positioned in each of the channels wedged between the wedging surfaces of the locking members in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the channels to force the locking surfaces thereof apart and into close locking relation with the sides of the channels of the log members to draw and maintain the log members in abutting relation.