Patent US3640323A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3640323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for splitting and chopping timber
Assignee: Sawmill Hydraulics Inc
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Filing: 1969-11-05
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for splitting and chopping timber having a blade adapted to chop as well as split timber actuated by a hydraulic cylinder supplied with fluid under pressure by a variabledisplacement constant-pressure hydraulic pump adapted automatically to increase the force exerted on the blade in response to increased resistance to chopping or splitting while decreasing the speed of travel of the blade and vice versa over the normal operating range of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon W Helle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:20
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27L; B27L7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber comprising a frame, a backup for the timber mounted on the frame, a blade movable toward and away from the backup, means for moving the blade toward and away from the backup comprising a hydraulic cylinder, and means for operating the cylinder comprising a hydraulic pump for delivering hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinder, and a line interconnecting the pump outlet to the cylinder, said line having a control valve therein, said pump being a variable-displacement pump having means associated therewith for varying the displacement of the pump under load to maintain the output pressure of the pump substantially constant on variation in the load, whereby, in splitting timber, the force exerted on the blade to split the timber is automatically increased in response to increased resistance to splitting with accompanying decrease in speed of travel of the blade and vice versa, said control valve being operable to effect reciprocation of the blade via said cylinder for chopping timber placed crossways between the blade and the backup for the timber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber comprising a frame, a backup for the timber mounted on the frame, a blade movable toward and away from the backup, means for moving the blade toward and away from the backup comprising a hydraulic cylinder, and means for operating the cylinder comprising a hydraulic pump for delivering hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinder, and a line interconnecting the pump outlet to the cylinder, said line having a control valve therein, said pump being a variable-displacement pump having means associated therewith for varying the displacement of the pump under load to maintain the output pressure of the pump substantially constant on variation in the load, whereby, in splitting timber, the force exerted on the blade to split the timber is automatically increased in response to increased resistance to splitting with accompanying decrease in speed of travel of the blade and vice versa, said control valve being operable to effect reciprocation of the blade via said cylinder for chopping timber placed crossways between the blade and the backup for the timber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod connected to a slide slidably mounted on the frame, the blade being carried by the slide, the slide extending forward of the blade and being adapted to support the timber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 2 having roller means mounted on the frame adjacent the backup for facilitating rotation of the timber relative to the blade to position the timber for being split along a predetermined advantageous plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 1 having means for disengaging the blade from the timber as the blade is retracted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means for disengaging the blade and the timber as the blade approaches the hydraulic cylinder comprises a pair of stops mounted on the frame on opposite sides of the blade and adapted to arrest the movement of the timber as the blade and timber move rearward.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 2 wherein the backup for the timber comprises a pair of members mounted on the frame adjacent its forward end, said frame being adapted to permit said slide to move forward beyond said members as the blade is moved forward, saiD members being adapted for engagement with the timber and to oppose the force exerted by the blade, said members being laterally spaced on the frame and the blade passing through the space between said members as the blade is moved forward.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 1 having a manually operable control valve for the hydraulic cylinder normally having a neutral position in which flow of fluid to the cylinder is blocked, a forward position for operation of the cylinder to move the blade forward and a rearward position for operating the cylinder to move the blade rearward, said valve being adapted for relatively rapid manual operation between its forward and rearward positions for chopping timber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 7 wherein the blade comprises a splitting portion and a chopping portion, the chopping portion having a relatively thin cross section, and a sharp edge constituting the leading edge of the blade, the chopping portion being adapted to cut through the timber, and the splitting portion having a relatively thick cross section adjacent the trailing edge of the blade and adapted to spread apart the sections of the timber on opposite sides of the chopping portion, whereby the timber splits along a plane coincident with the initial cutting as the blade moves through the timber toward the backup.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for splitting and chopping timber as set forth in claim 8 wherein the chopping portion of the blade comprises a rectangular plate having a sharp leading edge and the splitting portion of the blade comprises a pair of flat bars parallel to the leading edge of the plate disposed on opposite sides of the plate adjacent the trailing edge of the plate, the leading edge of the bars being angled to form an acute angle with the plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |