Patent EP0246753A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3659636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for gripping and debranching felled trees
Assignee: Mo och Domsjo AB
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Filing: 1969-10-08
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1989-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for gripping and debranching felled trees, in which the tree is gripped by a gripping member and lifted thereby from the surface of the ground to a higher plane, in which it is moved in its longitudinal direction through or beyond a debranching means, the gripping member and the debranching member being brought simultaneously into contact with the felled tree in the plane of the ground, and the branches and knots of the tree are then severed from the tree trunk by the debranching member. An apparatus is provided including a frame structure for horizontal and vertical movement on a support structure, a feed means capable of being moved along the frame and a gripping member and a debranching member which are securely attached to the frame. The debranching member comprises an upper and a lower tool, which are separated from each other, and comprise an elongated chain of members provided with cutting edges, and are pivotally connected to each other and with respect to the longitudinal extension of the tool. The members are rotatable in relation to each other between a position in which the tool is substantially straight and a second position in which the tool is curved at a certain radius, and form a continuous edge facing the conveying direction, irrespective of their mutual position.
Inventors
- 👤 Erik Helmer Erikksson
- 👤 Olof Edvin Frisk
- 👤 Lars-Gunnar Hogberg
- 👤 Stig-Gunnar Lofgren
- 👤 Sven Paul Jarnstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:56
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/095; A01G23/097
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for gripping and debranching felled trees comprising, in combination, a frame structure mounted for horizontal and vertical movement on a support structure; a feed means including a tree-retaining member and movable horizontally along the frame; and a gripping and debranching member fixed in a stationary position to the frame, and comprising a flexible array of separate and space cutting members linked together and arranged in two groups to embrace the tree from opposite sides, each member having a cutting edge and the cutting edges of each member with the cutting edge of adjacent members on each side thereof collectively forming a substantially continuous cutting edge closely conforming to the circumference of the tree at all times when the array embraces the tree and facing the tree feed direction, such that branches and knots cannot pass the members without being cut thereby, the felled tree being held by the retaining member and drawn past the gripping and delimbing member to debranch the tree.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for gripping and debranching felled trees comprising, in combination, a frame structure mounted for horizontal and vertical movement on a support structure; a feed means including a tree-retaining member and movable horizontally along the frame; and a gripping and debranching member fixed in a stationary position to the frame, and comprising a flexible array of separate and space cutting members linked together and arranged in two groups to embrace the tree from opposite sides, each member having a cutting edge and the cutting edges of each member with the cutting edge of adjacent members on each side thereof collectively forming a substantially continuous cutting edge closely conforming to the circumference of the tree at all times when the array embraces the tree and facing the tree feed direction, such that branches and knots cannot pass the members without being cut thereby, the felled tree being held by the retaining member and drawn past the gripping and delimbing member to debranch the tree.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the separate and spaced cutting members each comprise an elongated chain of members provided with cutting edges and pivotally connected to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which each chain embraces half the circumference of the tree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which each of the chains comprises pairs of members pivotally connected to each other by links and comprising two knives rigidly connected to each other, the members being arranged with the cutting edges of the knives turned in the same direction.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus for gripping and debranching felled trees comprising a frame structure mounted for horizontal and vertical movement on a support structure; a feed means including a tree-retaining member and movable horizontally along the frame, and a gripping and debranching member comprising at least two separate and spaced flexible arrays of cutting tools linked together and arranged to embrace the tree from opposite sides, each cutting tool having a cutting edge and the cutting edge of each tool with the cutting edge of adjacent tools on each side thereof collectively forming a substantially continuous cutting edge closely conforming to the circumference of the tree at all times when the array embraces the tree, and facing the tree feed direction, such that branches and knots cannot pass the tools without being cut thereby, the cutting tools comprising an elongated chain of tools pivotally connected to each other, and rotatable between a first position in which the array is substantially straight and a second position in which the array is curved.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus for gripping and debranching felled trees comprising a frame structure mounted for horizontal and vertical movement on a support structure; a feed means including a tree-retaining member and movable horizontally along the frame, and a gripping and debranching member comprising at least two separate and spaced flexible arrays of cutting tools linked together and arranged to embrace the tree from opposite sides, each cutting tool having a cutting edge and the cutting edge of each tool with the cutting edge of adjacent tools on each side thereof collectively forming a substantially continuous cutting edge closely conforming to the circumference of the tree at all times when the array embraces the tree, and facing the tree feed direction, such that branches and knots cannot pass the tools without being cut thereby, the cutting tools comprising an elongated chain of tools pivotally connected to each other, and rotatable between a first position in which the array is substantially straight and a second position in which the array is curved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, in which one tool is integral with the gripping and debranching member, and compRising two portions securely attached at one end to the frame on opposite sides of the tree, and attached at the other end to corresponding gripping claws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which of alternate members of the elongated chain of members provided with cutting edges, one has the form of a circle, ellipse or biconvex lens and the next one has the shape of a biconcave lens, when seen in the tree feed direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which substantially all of the members of the chain of members provided with cutting edges have the shape of a concave-convex lens, the main axis corresponding to the lens being parallel with the cutting edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which the chain of members provided with cutting edges comprises separate cutting units attached to each link.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which the chain of members provided with cutting edges comprises links of which a portion presents a cutting edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 5, comprising an attachment plate which is arranged for vertical movement on a bracket structure securely mounted to the frame across the feed path of the tree, and to which attachment plate the upper tool is secured so that its ends are located on either side of the feed path, when seen in the horizontal plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11, in which the gripping member and the attachment plate are each connected to a separate source of power, with which they can be operated and move.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which one of the tools is divided laterally into two portions of substantially equal length, which portions are securely attached at one end to the bracket structure on either side of the feed path of the tree and at the other end to corresponding gripping claws.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, in which the elongated chains of members are each adapted to encircle a half of the circumference of the tree.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, in which the feed means is movable along a track attached to the frame support.
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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) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |