NZ270720A - Felled tree delimber with main blade jaws spaced longitudinally from each other and subsidiary lateral blade jaws - Google Patents

Description

270720 Priority Dato(s): Complote SoacificaUnn Filed: Ckm: ■&.ASuJh2S4aa& 2 it APR 1937" Pubfl&siion DstftJ: P.O. Journal No: Patents Form No. 5 Our Refs RL800516 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TREE DKT.TMBFtR I, NIGEL GEORGE, a citizen of New Zealand of Hawarden, North Canterbury, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0574150 270720 This invention relates to an apparatus for sheetring branches from a felled tree.

A variety of tree delimbing devices are well known. Many of these are complex pieces of equipment designed not simply to delimb trees, but also to harvest and fell them. Such devices generally incorporate means for delimbing standing trees.

Others, however, are designed for delimbing felled trees, for example NZ 143884, NZ 158281, NZ 161490 and NZ 188765. In general, the devices of these patents incorporate elongate rollers with helical screws, peripheral mounted cutters or chain flails. Most are adapted to receive the full length of a bundle of logs at any one time. Thus, these are bulky pieces of equipment, and are also relatively complex mechanically.

NZ 200813 discloses a tree limbing device for delimbing felled trees which incorporates pivotal arms and segmented flexible blades.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for delimbing felled trees which is relatively small, mechanically simple and easy to use, which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems or which at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only. 270720 According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tree delimbing apparatus adapted to remove lateral branches from felled trees, comprising a flat bed for supporting at least a part of a log, a system of blades positioned between front and rear longitudinal ends of the flat bed and adjustable between an open position and a working position in which the system of blades substantially surround the circumference of a log positioned on the flat bed, a base for supporting the flat bed and a driving means for adjusting the system of blades between the open and working positions, the system of blades having a pair of main curved jaws, each main curved jaw forming a curved blade with a leading edge and having a hinge means mounting the jaw to one side of the flat bed, the jaws being on opposite sides of the flat bed and one of the curved jaws is mounted nearer a rear end of the flat bed than the other curved jaw, and a pair of lateral jaws substantially adjacent a lower part of the main jaws, each lateral jaw being curved, having a curved blade affixed to a leading edge, and being connected by second hinge means to one side of the flat bed, the lateral jaws being on opposite sides of the flat bed so that in their working positions the lateral jaws contact a lower part of the circumference of the log positioned on the flat bed, and wherein, in their working positions, free ends of the main curved jaws extend around the log on the flat bed.

In one preferred form of the invention the system of blades may comprise at least a pair of main jaws, having curved blades affixed to leading edges, connected by hinge means to sides of the flat bed and adapted to substantially surround the circumference of a log positioned on the flat bed when the system of blades is in its working position.

Preferably there may also be a pair of lateral jaws, also having curved blades affixed to leading edges, connected by hinge means to sides of the flat bed and adapted to contact a lower part of the circumference of a log positioned on the flat bed when the system of blades is in its working position. In addition, there may be a leading blade positioned at^t'he,. J front end of the flat bed adapted to remove lateral branches from an underside of a log. id 7 ' o>7 •? 7f 'A ASPEC27766 \\ -o 270720 In a preferred form the blades of the main jaws may form a helical cutting edge about substantially the circumference of a log when in their working position.

Preferably the base of the apparatus may comprise a housing for the driving means and stabilising means. The stabilising means may be adapted to maintain stability of the apparatus as the weight of a log shifts from the front end to the rear end of the apparatus.

In one preferred form the flat bed may be pivotally connected to the base so that it may pivot between a tilted position in which the front end is lower than the rear end for ease of loading a log onto the front end, and a substantially horizontal position. The flat bed may pivot into the latter position as the weight of a log shifts rearwards on the apparatus.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: shows a perspective view of tree delimber apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 2: shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 with a felled log in the process of delimbing; 27072 Figure 3: shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tree delimbing apparatus of the present invention.

According to one preferred form of the invention shown in figures 1 and 2, there is provided a tree delimber apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a flat bed 2 pivotally connected at pivot means 3 to base 4.

The flat bed 2 includes lateral guides 5 at rear end 6. These lateral guides 5 are adapted to keep a log positioned on the apparatus 1 centrally on the flat bed 2. At the front end 7 of the flat bed 2 there is a leading blade 8, positioned to remove limbs from the underside of the log drawn through the apparatus 1.

At the front sides 9 of flat bed 2, substantially adjacent the leading blade 8, are lateral jaws 10 which are adjustable via first hinge means 11 between an open position (as shown in figure 1) and a tree delimbing position (as shown in figure 2).

Lateral jaws 10 are curved and have curved blades 22 attached to their leading edges 23. The blades 22 are angled so that lower parts 24 thereof aire closer to the front end 7 of the flat bed 2 than are upper parts 25. 27072 Rearwards of the lateral jaws 10, but closer to the front end 7 than the rear end 6 of flat bed 2, there is provided main jaws 12, 13. Each jaw 12, 13 is semi-helical and incorporates a blade 14 running substantially the length of the leading edge 15. Each jaw 12, 13 is adjustable via second hinge means 16 between an open configuration (as shown in figure 1) and a tree delimbing configuration (as shown in figure 2). In the tree delimbing configuration jaws 12, 13 form a helical configuration about a log on flat bed 2.

Base 4 of the apparatus 1 comprises engine housing 17, front supports 18 and rear stabilising legs 26. Claws 27 at the end of stabilising legs 26 are adapted to secure the apparatus 1 to the ground. In addition, a series of claws 28 extend downwards beneath the rear end 29 of the engine housing 17, across the width of the engine housing. These claws 28 also secure the base to the ground.

Pivot means 3 interconnects an upper part 19 of engine housing 17 to a midpart 20 of the underside 21 of flat bed 2. The flat bed 2 is thus able to pivot between a tilted position as shown in figure 1 and a substantially horizontal position as shown in figure 2.

The engine housing 17 houses a motor for driving air compressors which operate air rams to adjust the lateral jaws 10 and main jaws 12, 13 from their open position to their working position. 2707?A A five-horse power motor driving a 12 cfm air compressor is the preferred driving means for the apparatus of the present invention. Preferably, the motor and compressors may be controlled by radio control means.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in which the lateral jaws 30 and main jaws 31 are substantially perpendicular to the circumference of a log positioned in the apparatus, and which is essentially larger and heavier than the first preferred embodiment, for use with larger timber. In this embodiment there are no extension legs projecting rearwards from the base 4. However, there are lateral extensions 32 with claws 33 to provide stability for the apparatus 1.

Use of the apparatus of the present invention will now be described.

The apparatus is positioned on a substantially flat surface, with the claws 27, 28 securely engaged in the ground. With the flat bed 2 in its tilted position one end of a log is positioned on the front end 7 of the flat bed 2. The lateral jaws 10 and main jaws 12, 13 are engaged around the circumference of the log by the motor and air compressors. The log is then drawn through the apparatus by independent means (for example a winching means). 27072 0 The combination of leading blade 8, blades 22 of lateral jaws 10 and blades 14 of main jaws 12, 13 remove all limbs from the log as it is drawn through the apparatus. Flat bed 2 pivots about pivot means 3 as the weight of the log is shifted to the rear end 6 of the apparatus 1, enabling the log to be drawn right through the apparatus. Rear stabilising legs 26 ensure that the apparatus 1 remains stable as the weight of the log shifts to the rear end 6 of the flat bed 2.

Once a log has been drawn completely through the apparatus the flat bed 2 reverts to its tilted position and the main jaws 12, 13 and lateral jaws 10 are opened ready to receive the next log.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention shown in figures 1 and 2 is adapted to delimb logs of diameter from 5 to 60 cm.

Thus, in accordance with the invention there is provided an apparatus for delimbing trees which is relatively compact and simple to use.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with particular reference to various embodiments thereof, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, it is envisaged that the apparatus may include a mechanical means for driving a 27072 log along the flat bed. Thus, the apparatus would then be Independent of any separate means for drawing logs through the systems of blades.

Claims (14)

- 10 - 270 72 0 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A tree delimbing apparatus adapted to remove lateral branches from felled trees, comprising a flat bed for supporting at least a part of a log, a system of blades positioned between front and rear longitudinal ends of the flat bed and adjustable between an open position and a working position in which the system of blades substantially surround the circumference of a log positioned on the flat bed, a base for supporting the flat bed and a driving means for adjusting the system of blades between the open and working positions, the system of blades having a pair of main curved jaws, each main curved jaw forming a curved blade with a leading edge and having a hinge means mounting the jaw to one side of the flat bed, the jaws being on opposite sides of the flat bed and one of the curved jaws is mounted nearer a rear end of the flat bed than the other curved jaw, and a pair of lateral jaws substantially adjacent a lower part of the main jaws, each lateral jaw being curved, having a curved blade affixed to a leading edge, and being connected by second hinge means to one side of the flat bed, the lateral jaws being on opposite sides of the flat bed so that in their working positions the lateral jaws contact a lower part of the circumference of the log positioned on the flat bed, and wherein, in their working positions, free ends of the main curved jaws extend around the log on the flat bed. 1 1 MAR 1997 - 11 - 270 72 0

2. A tree delimbing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the system of blades are positioned closer to a front end of the flat bed.

3. A tree delimbing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each main curved jaw has a partial helix shape so that in the working position the blades of the main curved jaws form a helical cutting edge about substantially the circumference of the log positioned on the flat bed.

4. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the system of blades further comprises a leading blade positioned at the front end of the flat bed adapted to remove lateral branches from an underside of the log substantially in contact with the flat bed.

5. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any or 2 of the previous claims wherein the flat bed further comprises guide means at the rear end thereof adapted to keep the log substantially in a central part of the flat bed.

6. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein the base comprises a housing for the driving means and comprises stabilising means. 270720

7. A -tree delimbing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the stabilising means comprises substantially horizontally disposed legs extending from a rear end of the base.

8. A tree delimbing apparatus according to either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the base further comprises securing means for securing the apparatus in a substantially fixed position on the ground.

9. A tree delimbing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the securing means comprises at least two downwardly projecting and spaced apart claws.

10. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein the flat bed is pivotally connected to the base.

11. A tree delimbing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein, in an unloaded position, the flat bed is tilted so that the front end is lower than the rear end to simplify loading of a log onto the front end of the flat bed, and wherein the flat bed pivots about its pivot means with the base as a log moves through the apparatus.

12. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein the driving means comprises a motor which , — drives air compressors to operate air rams for opening and !J* 5661 AON Li 'Vl Ni 270720 closing the system of blades between the open and working positions.

13. A tree delimbing apparatus according to any one of the previous claims further comprising a second drive means adapted to drive a log through the apparatus.

14. A tree delimbing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. NIGEL GEORGE ASPEC53226 END OF CLAIMS