US3669161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive mechanism for tree harvesters
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1970-07-27
•
Granted: 1972-06-13
•
Expires: 1990-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A drive mechanism for a tree harvester including a frame movably mounted on a vehicle, the drive mechanism being secured to the frame along with delimbing and shear assemblies arranged on opposite sides of the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism comprising an endless track trained about a drive sprocket and rollers, the rollers supporting a portion of the track in alignment with the delimbing assembly, grapples being operable to secure a tree in driven engagement with the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially moved relative to the delimbing assembly and shear assembly for processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathan Gutman
- 👤 Raymond L Moser
- 👤 Dorrance Oldenburg
- 👤 Donald E Sunderlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing asSembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, the endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller, a number of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending, sharpened blade for engaging the tree, the flights being offset relative to the chains for contact with the plurality of rollers so that engagement force of the tree along the supported track portion is received substantially by the plurality of rollers, the blades being arranged generally in alignment with the chains to limit cocking of the blades, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing asSembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, the endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller, a number of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending, sharpened blade for engaging the tree, the flights being offset relative to the chains for contact with the plurality of rollers so that engagement force of the tree along the supported track portion is received substantially by the plurality of rollers, the blades being arranged generally in alignment with the chains to limit cocking of the blades, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tree harvester of claim 1 wherein the delimbing assembly includes bladed elements adapted for arrangement about a tree and in alignment with the supported portion of the track means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
206 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the rollers being arranged on the frame to form a curved path for the supported track portion, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
206 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the rollers being arranged on the frame to form a curved path for the supported track portion, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
205 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame pivotally mounted on a vehicle, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including an endless track comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket, the drive sprockets and idler sprockets being rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending blade for engaging a tree, means being arranged on the frame to support the flights while their respective blades are in engagement with the tree, motor means coupled with the drive sprockets for operating the drive mechanism, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the endless track and being movabLe between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with at least one of the blades on the endless track while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame pivotally mounted on a vehicle, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including an endless track comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket, the drive sprockets and idler sprockets being rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending blade for engaging a tree, means being arranged on the frame to support the flights while their respective blades are in engagement with the tree, motor means coupled with the drive sprockets for operating the drive mechanism, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the endless track and being movabLe between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with at least one of the blades on the endless track while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tree harvester of claim 4 wherein the flights are U-shaped brackets each having a flat portion extending substantially between the two chains, the blades being arranged generally in line with the two chains.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tree harvester of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting tension in the chains.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
238 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, a plurality of rollers being rotatably mounted on the frame to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track means portion, the flights having sharpened edges for engagement with the tree and further comprising means for adjusting tension in the chains, the tensioning means comprising an indexing member for rotatably supporting each idler roller, the indexing members being adjustably secured to the frame, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
238 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, a plurality of rollers being rotatably mounted on the frame to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track means portion, the flights having sharpened edges for engagement with the tree and further comprising means for adjusting tension in the chains, the tensioning means comprising an indexing member for rotatably supporting each idler roller, the indexing members being adjustably secured to the frame, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tree harvester of claim 7 wherein the indexing members may be rotated on the frame for adjustment, the idler rollers being secured to a common shaft, the ends of the shaft being rotatably supported in bores formed in the indexing members in offset relation to their axes of rotation of the frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein the plurality of rollers includes parallel series of the rollers supported by a bracket mounted on the frame, the rollers further being arranged to maintain a curved path for the flights along the supported portion of the track means so that forces of engagement between the tree and the flights are received substantially on the plurality of rollers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
260 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, the track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, the plurality of rollers including generally parallel series of the rollers supported by a bracket mounted on the frame, the rollers further being arranged to support the flights and substantially receive engagemenT force of the tree along the supported track portion, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
260 words
A tree harvester comprising a frame, a shear assembly and a delimbing assembly fixed upon the frame in spaced apart relation, a drive mechanism supported by the frame in operative alignment between the shear assembly and delimbing assembly, the drive mechanism including endless track means arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the track means in alignment with the delimbing assembly, the drive sprocket engaging with the track means in generally offset relation to the supported track portion, the track means being provided with projections along its outer surface, the track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, the plurality of rollers including generally parallel series of the rollers supported by a bracket mounted on the frame, the rollers further being arranged to support the flights and substantially receive engagemenT force of the tree along the supported track portion, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported portion of the track means and being movable between a first position for receiving a tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with the projections on a portion of the track means supported by the plurality of rollers while permitting the tree to be axially shifted through the delimbing assembly, and motor means operatively coupled with the grapple means for movement between the first and second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the plurality of rollers is arranged to form a path of generally constant curvature between the drive sprocket and idler rollers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
257 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers, the endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller, a number of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending, sharpened blade for engaging the tree, the flights being offset relative to the chains for contact with the plurality of rollers so that engagement force of the tree along the supported track portion is received substantially by the plurality of rollers, the blades being arranged generally in alignment with the chains to limit cocking of the blades, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifting relative to the implement by the tack, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
257 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers, the endless track means comprising two chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller, a number of flights being interconnected between the chains in spaced apart relation, each flight having an outwardly extending, sharpened blade for engaging the tree, the flights being offset relative to the chains for contact with the plurality of rollers so that engagement force of the tree along the supported track portion is received substantially by the plurality of rollers, the blades being arranged generally in alignment with the chains to limit cocking of the blades, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifting relative to the implement by the tack, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tree harvester of claim 5 wherein the means arranged to support the flights are rollers rotatably mounted on the frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
205 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers and an idler roller being arranged opposite the rollers from the drive sprocket and means for varying tension on the endless track, the tensioning means comprising an indexing means which rotatably supports each idler roller and is adjustably secured to the frame, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifted relative to the implement by the track, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
205 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers and an idler roller being arranged opposite the rollers from the drive sprocket and means for varying tension on the endless track, the tensioning means comprising an indexing means which rotatably supports each idler roller and is adjustably secured to the frame, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifted relative to the implement by the track, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
237 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a Mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers, the endless track means comprising to chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights inter-connected between the chains in spaced apart relation, the plurality of rollers including generally parallel series of the rollers supported by a bracket mounted on the frame, the rollers further being arranged to support the flights along a path of generally constant curvature between the drive sprockets and idler rollers, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifted relative to the implement by the track means, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
237 words
An assembly adapted for vehicular mounting to process trees and the like, comprising a frame, a processing implement secured to the frame and adapted for receiving and processing the trees, and a Mechanism also secured to the frame and including an endless drive track having projections on its outer surface and arranged for rotation upon a drive sprocket and rollers mounted on the frame, a plurality of the rollers being located to support a portion of the drive track, the drive sprocket engaging with the track in offset relation to the rollers, the endless track means comprising to chains each trained respectively over a drive sprocket and an idler roller with a number of flights inter-connected between the chains in spaced apart relation, the plurality of rollers including generally parallel series of the rollers supported by a bracket mounted on the frame, the rollers further being arranged to support the flights along a path of generally constant curvature between the drive sprockets and idler rollers, motor means coupled to the drive sprocket, grapple means extending outwardly from the frame adjacent the supported track portion and being movable between a first position for receiving the tree and a second position for securing the tree in driven engagement with projections on the supported track portion while permitting the tree to be axially shifted relative to the implement by the track means, and motor means for positioning the grapple means.
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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) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |