Treatment process for logs used in furniture construction and furniture components formed from such treated logs

• US 7,806,155 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2008
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United General Supply Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lawrence K Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Lawrence K.
• Primary Examiner(s): SELF, SHELLEY M
• Application Number:
  US11/971,086
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 144/58, 144/360, 144/363, 144/364, 144/380, 144/358, 144/344, 144/345, 144/353, 144/355, 525/861, 522/33, 525/821, 525/851, 526/551, 427/325, 427/291, 427/297, 427/393, 427/393.3, 427/440
• US Class Current: 144/353
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/06 by burning or charring, e.g. cutting with hot wire as surface treatment B44B ; cutting synthetic materials with heated tools B26F3/06 - B26F3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 3/18 of furniture or of doors B27D5/003 takes precedence

Abstract

A process for treating wooden logs to prevent cracking and increase durability includes the steps of cutting a longitudinal slot along the length of the log, forming a generally V-shaped notch by drying the log to a desired moisture content, charring the log to a desired coloration, bathing the log in a protective solution, and drying the log. The slot is cut to a point less than or equal to the radius of the log. The charring of the log can be accomplished by the use of a blowtorch.

Claims

1. A process for forming a furniture component comprising:

removing bark from a log;

cutting said log to a desired length;

planing said log to a desired shape;

cutting a longitudinal slot towards a center of said log and along a length of said log;

forming a generally V-shaped notch by drying said log to a desired moisture content;

charring said log to a desired coloration;

bathing said log in a protective solution;

drying said log;

applying a varnish to said log;

drilling a series of holes through said V-shaped notch in said log in desired location;

forming a first hole into an end of another wooden log;

forming a second hole in said another wooden log such that said second hole intersects said first hole;

installing a bolt through the drilled hole such that said bolt extends through the formed first hole in said another log;

passing a nut through the formed second hole in said another log; and

fastening said nut to said bolt so as to secure said log to said another wooden log.

2. The process of claim 1, said step of cutting comprising cutting said slot to a depth less than or equal to a radius of the log.

3. The process of claim 1, said step of charring comprising applying heat from a torch onto a surface of said log.

4. The process of claim 1, said moisture content being approximately 10 to 11%.