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US3590760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Timber-harvesting machine and method
Assignee: Timberjack Inc
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Filing: 1968-07-22
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled vehicle carries an extensible boom on the end of which there is mounted an assembly for grasping and felling a tree. The boom retracts to convey the felled tree to a processing platform on the vehicle. While the tree is being processed (delimbed and bucked into bolts) the boom returns to fell a second tree thus avoiding idle time. Delimbing is carried out by a delimbing head that slides out along the felled tree while it lies horizontally with one end clamped on the platform. The delimbing head then retracts to propel the tree back onto the platform where the delimbed portion is cut off to form a bolt, this process being repeated.
Inventors
- 👤 John H Boyd
- 👤 James K Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/083; A01G23/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
In a timber-harvesting machine, tree-processing means comprising: a. an elongate framework defining a first path of travel for a tree, b. tree-clamping means mounted on said framework near a first end thereof, c. tree stop means mounted at the other end of said framework, d. bucking means mounted on said framework adjacent said first end and between said two ends, e. delimbing means mounted at said first framework end on the side of said tree clamping means remote from said other end, f. and means for driving said delimbing means in reciprocable sliding movement relative to sad framework towards and away from said tree clamping means along a further path of travel forming a straight line continuation of said first path for performing a delimbing operation on an outward stroke of the delimbing means with the tree held stationary by said tree clamp means and for subsequently performing a tree propelling operation on a return stroke of the delimbing means with the tree now free to travel along said first path to said tree stop means for subsequent bucking by said bucking means, g. said driving means including pneumatic means for driving said delimbing means away from said tree clamping means and hydraulic means for driving said delimbing means toward said tree clamping means, operation of said hydraulic means serving to compress the air within said pneumatic means to store energy therein for subsequent movement of said delimbing means away from said clamping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a timber-harvesting machine, tree-processing means comprising: a. an elongate framework defining a first path of travel for a tree, b. tree-clamping means mounted on said framework near a first end thereof, c. tree stop means mounted at the other end of said framework, d. bucking means mounted on said framework adjacent said first end and between said two ends, e. delimbing means mounted at said first framework end on the side of said tree clamping means remote from said other end, f. and means for driving said delimbing means in reciprocable sliding movement relative to sad framework towards and away from said tree clamping means along a further path of travel forming a straight line continuation of said first path for performing a delimbing operation on an outward stroke of the delimbing means with the tree held stationary by said tree clamp means and for subsequently performing a tree propelling operation on a return stroke of the delimbing means with the tree now free to travel along said first path to said tree stop means for subsequent bucking by said bucking means, g. said driving means including pneumatic means for driving said delimbing means away from said tree clamping means and hydraulic means for driving said delimbing means toward said tree clamping means, operation of said hydraulic means serving to compress the air within said pneumatic means to store energy therein for subsequent movement of said delimbing means away from said clamping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A machine according to claim 1, including G. a self-propelled vehicle, and h. means mounting said framework on said vehicle with said first end of the framework situated at an end of said vehicle whereby said delimbing means, during an outward stroke thereof, projects beyond said vehicle end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A machine according to claim 2, including i. a boom mounted on said vehicle, j. and means mounted on the remote end of said boom for felling a tree, k. said boom being extensible and retractable to reach out and fell a first tree, convey such first tree to said tree processing means and subsequently return to fell a second tree while the first tree is being processed by said processing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine according to claim 3, including l. tree transfer means mounted on said framework for receiving a tree from said boom, m. and means for moving said transfer means from a substantially horizontally extending tree-receiving position to a substantially vertical tree-transferring position for introducing the end of said tree simultaneously into said tree clamp means and into said delimbing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
A machine according to claim 4, including circuit means for controlling the mechanisms on said framework to carry out a processing cycle automatically upon initiation, said circuit means including i. means for actuating clamping tree transfer means to introduce the end of said felled tree into said clamping means and into said delimbing means, ii. means for closing said clamping means to clamp the tree and for closing said delimbing means to embrace the tree, iii. means for then driving said delimbing means along said outward stroke, iv. means for subsequently loosening said clamping means, v. means for then driving said delimbing means along said return stroke to propel the tree, vi. means for detecting a predetermined travel of said tree, vii. means actuated by said detecting means for retightening said clamping means and actuating said bucking shear means to cut a bolt from the tree, viii. means for causing repeated operation of said means (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) until said clamping means detects a predetermined minimum tree diameter, ix. and means for finally opening said clamping means and said delimbing means to eject the remainder of the tree.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine according to claim 5, including means for detecting a second tree waiting at said tree transfer means and for, upon so detecting a second tree, reinitiating said automatic processing cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A machine according to claim 1, in which said driving means comprises a stationary piston, a movable cylinder in surrounding relation to said piston, means defining an air chamber at one end of said cylinder between said cylinder and piston, and means defining an oil chamber at the opposite end of said cylinder between said cylinder and piston, said oil chamber being of low volume in relation to said air chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |