US3708000A — Method and apparatus for harvesting trees

Claim 1

Independent Claim 146 words

Apparatus for processing trees comprising a support, treeprocessing means carried by said support, said tree-processing means including a delimbing mechanism for effecting delimbing of the tree upon relative movement of the tree and said delimbing mechanism, a tree-clamping mechanism for engaging the tree, means for moving said tree clamping means toward and away from said delimbing mechanism, a tree-cutting mechanism located between said clamping mechanism and said delimbing mechanism for cutting predetermined lengths from the tree after delimbing thereof, and means for moving Said tree-cutting mechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism which are responsive to movement of said clamping mechanism relative to said delimbing mechanism so that said cutting mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism and said cutting mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 146 words

Apparatus for processing trees comprising a support, treeprocessing means carried by said support, said tree-processing means including a delimbing mechanism for effecting delimbing of the tree upon relative movement of the tree and said delimbing mechanism, a tree-clamping mechanism for engaging the tree, means for moving said tree clamping means toward and away from said delimbing mechanism, a tree-cutting mechanism located between said clamping mechanism and said delimbing mechanism for cutting predetermined lengths from the tree after delimbing thereof, and means for moving Said tree-cutting mechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism which are responsive to movement of said clamping mechanism relative to said delimbing mechanism so that said cutting mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism and said cutting mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves away from said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 further including a tree-processing boom carried by said support and which is operable to support said delimbing mechanism, said tree-clamping mechanism and said tree-cutting mechanism thereon.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 further including a bunk mechanism which is operable to receive and store a plurality of bolts which have been cut from the tree after delimbing thereof.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 2 wherein said tree-processing boom is pivotable relative to said support so as to assume a position which is substantially parallel to a tree which is disposed in said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 66 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 further including sensing means for sensing the diameter of a portion of the tree which is being processed by said tree-processing means and ejector means responsive to said sensing means for ejecting the remnant of the tree from said delimbing mechanism when said sensing means senses the diameter of the tree to be below a predetermined diameter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a self-propelled vehicle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus for processing trees as defined in claim 6 further including a boom having a shear and a clamp thereon for respectively cutting and gripping a standing tree to thereby fell the tree and being operable to grip the felled tree and transfer the tree to said tree-processing means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 178 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees comprising a support, a delimbing mechanism carried by the support for delimbing a tree, a cutting mechanism carried by the support for cutting a tree into bolts of a predetermined length, a clamping mechanism for clamping a tree and moving the tree relative to said delimbing mechanism to effect delimbing thereof and positioning the tree relative to said cutting mechanism to enable said cutting mechanism to cut the tree into bolts of a predetermined length, said cutting mechanism being interposed between said delimbing mechanism and said clamping mechanism, means mounting said clamping mechanism for movement relative to said support, means for effecting movement of said clamping mechanism relative to said support toward said delimbing mechanism to engage the tree and away from said delimbing mechanism to advance the tree through said delimbing mechanism and relative to said cutting mecHanism, means mounting said cutting mechanism for movement relative to said support, and means for effecting movement of said cutting mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism responsive to movement of said clamping mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 178 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees comprising a support, a delimbing mechanism carried by the support for delimbing a tree, a cutting mechanism carried by the support for cutting a tree into bolts of a predetermined length, a clamping mechanism for clamping a tree and moving the tree relative to said delimbing mechanism to effect delimbing thereof and positioning the tree relative to said cutting mechanism to enable said cutting mechanism to cut the tree into bolts of a predetermined length, said cutting mechanism being interposed between said delimbing mechanism and said clamping mechanism, means mounting said clamping mechanism for movement relative to said support, means for effecting movement of said clamping mechanism relative to said support toward said delimbing mechanism to engage the tree and away from said delimbing mechanism to advance the tree through said delimbing mechanism and relative to said cutting mecHanism, means mounting said cutting mechanism for movement relative to said support, and means for effecting movement of said cutting mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism responsive to movement of said clamping mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including a tree-processing boom carried by said support and which is operable to support said delimbing mechanism, said cutting mechanism and said clamping mechanism.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 9 wherein said tree-processing boom is pivotable relative to said support so as to assume a position which is substantially parallel to the position of a tree received in said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 10 further including means for biasing said boom about the pivot point thereof so that said tree-processing boom acts substantially like a massless body when it pivots about said pivot point to assume a position which is substantially parallel to a tree received in said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 61 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including sensing means for sensing the diameter of the portion of a tree located in said delimbing mechanism and ejector means which are operable to eject the remnant of the tree from the delimbing mechanism when said sensing means senses the diameter of the tree to be below a predetermined diameter.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for effecting movement of said clamping mechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism includes fluid power means and a pulley-cable arrangement which is operatively associated with said clamping mechanism, said fluid power means being operable to effect movement of said pulley-cable arrangement to thereby effect movement of said clamping means toward and away from said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for effecting movement of said cutting mechanism toward said delimbing mechanism includes fluid power means for moving said cutting mechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including a bunk mechanism which is operable to receive and store a plurality of bolts therein after delimbing thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 8 further including a receiver mechanism which is operable to receive a felled tree and locate the trunk of the felled tree in said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus for harvesting trees as defined in claim 16 wherein said support comprises a self-propelled vehicle which has a boom mechanism thereon for engaging with a felled tree and moving the felled tree to said receiver mechanism.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism, said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing at least a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, and means for effecting movement of said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree and for maintaining said second delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which it is engaged varies; said second delimbing knife having a concave surface formed thereon for engaging a first portion of the tree and a convex surface formed thereon for engaging another portion of the tree, engagement of said concave and convex surfaces with the tree being effective to locate the center of the tree in a predetermined plane which has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while the tree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree in said plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diameter encoUntering the delimbing mechanism varies.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 200 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism, said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing at least a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, and means for effecting movement of said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree and for maintaining said second delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which it is engaged varies; said second delimbing knife having a concave surface formed thereon for engaging a first portion of the tree and a convex surface formed thereon for engaging another portion of the tree, engagement of said concave and convex surfaces with the tree being effective to locate the center of the tree in a predetermined plane which has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while the tree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree in said plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diameter encoUntering the delimbing mechanism varies.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 18 wherein said delimbing mechanism further includes a third delimbing knife for delimbing a third portion of the outer circumference of the tree.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 199 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism; said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing at least a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, first fluid means for effecting movement of said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree, second fluid means for continuously urging said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree after said second delimbing knife is moved into engagement with the tree by said first fluid means to maintain said second delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree received in said delimbing mechanism varies due to said relative movement between the tree and said delimbing mechanism, and means for locating the center of the tree in a predetermined plane which has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while the tree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree in said plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diameter varies.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 199 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a felled tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbing mechanism; said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing at least a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, first fluid means for effecting movement of said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree, second fluid means for continuously urging said second delimbing knife into engagement with the tree after said second delimbing knife is moved into engagement with the tree by said first fluid means to maintain said second delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree received in said delimbing mechanism varies due to said relative movement between the tree and said delimbing mechanism, and means for locating the center of the tree in a predetermined plane which has a fixed relationship with said first delimbing knife while the tree is being delimbed thereby and maintaining the center of the tree in said plane while delimbing is being accomplished and the tree diameter varies.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 20 wherein said delimbing mechanism further includes a third delimbing knife for delimbing a third portion of the outer circumference of the tree.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 88 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 20 further including third fluid means for continuously urging said third delimbing knife into engagement with the tree after said second delimbing knife is moved into engagement with the tree by said first fluid means so that said third fluid means maintains said third delimbing knife in engagement with the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree received in said delimbing mechanism varies due to said relative movement between the tree and said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 18 further including a cutting mechanism for cutting the tree into bolts having a predetermined length after the tree has been delimbed in said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 23 wherein said cutting mechanism and said delimbing mechanism are supported on a pivotable boom assembly.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 24 further including a clamping mechanism supported by said boom assembly for movement toward and away from said delimbing mechanism and operable to engage with the tree and effect movement of the tree relative to said delimbing mechanism to thereby effect delimbing of the tree.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 25 wherein said cutting mechanism is supported for movement upon said boom assembly and is movable toward said delimbing mechanism when said clamping mechanism moves toward said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 61 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 26 further including a second boom assembly having cutting and clamping means thereon for felling a standing tree and effecting movement of the tree, a receiver mechanism for receiving a felled tree from said clamping means on said second boom assembly and operable to transfer the tree to said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 154 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a tree which is moved relative to said delimbing mechanism, said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a third delimbing knife for delImbing a third portion of the outer circumference of the tree, said second and third delimbing knives being supported for pivotal movement about a common axis from a retracted position to a working position, and means for moving said second and third delimbing knives about said common axis relative to said first delimbing knife from the retracted position into working engagement with the tree and for maintaining said second and third delimbing knives against the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which they are engaged varies.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 154 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a tree which is moved relative to said delimbing mechanism, said delimbing mechanism including a first delimbing knife for delimbing a first portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a second delimbing knife for delimbing a second portion of the outer circumference of the tree, a third delimbing knife for delImbing a third portion of the outer circumference of the tree, said second and third delimbing knives being supported for pivotal movement about a common axis from a retracted position to a working position, and means for moving said second and third delimbing knives about said common axis relative to said first delimbing knife from the retracted position into working engagement with the tree and for maintaining said second and third delimbing knives against the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which they are engaged varies.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 53 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 28 wherein said means for moving said second and third delimbing knives includes first fluid means which when actuated effect pivotable movement of said second delimbing knife about said common axis to thereby effect engagement of said second delimbing knife with the tree.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 103 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for urging said second and third delimbing knives against the tree includes second and third fluid means for continuously urging said second and third delimbing knives, respectively, about said common axis after said first fluid means have been actuated to effect initial engagement of said second knife with the tree to thereby maintain the second and third delimbing knives against the tree as the diameter of the portion of the tree with which they are engaged varies due to the relative movement of the tree and the delimbing mechanism.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 94 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 28 wherein said second delimbing knife is further operable to move into engagement with the tree and effect delimbing of a fourth portion of the outer circumference of the tree which is spaced apart from the second portion of the tree with which said second delimbing knife engages, and said third delimbing knife is operable to effect delimbing on the third portion of the outer circumference of the tree which extends between said second and fourth portions of the outer circumference of the tree.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 123 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 28 wherein said second delimbing knife is further operable to effect delimbing of a fourth portion of the outer circumference of the tree which extends between the first and third portions and is contiguous therewith and said first delimbing knife is operable to effect delimbing of the first portion of the outer circumference of the tree which extends between and is contiguous to the second and fourth portions of the outer circumference of the tree so that said first, second, and third delimbing knives cooperate to surround the tree as it passes through said delimbing mechanism to thereby effect removal of all limbs on the tree as it passes through the delimbing mechanism.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 28 wherein said first delimbing knife is movable to eject from said delimbing mechanism a portion of the tree which has a diameter which has a magnitude less than a predetermined magnitude.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 71 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 33 further including sensing means responsive to movement of said second delimbing knife about said common axis and which is operable to sense and effect actuation of said first delimbing knife to effect ejectment of a portion of the tree when the diameter of the portion of the tree which is moving through said delimbing mechanism is below a predetermined magnitude.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 139 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a support, a tree-processing boom carried by said support, a delimbing mechanism supported on one end of said boom and which is adapted to receive a tree and effect delimbing of the tree upon relative movement between said delimbing mechanism and the tree, a clamping mechanism carried by said boom and movable relative thereto, said clamping mechanism including means for engaging the trunk of the tree and for moving the tree relative to said boom, means supporting said bOom for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis, and a fluid cylinder operatively associated with said tree-processing boom for acting on said tree-processing boom when a tree is supported thereon and for enabling said tree-processing boom to assume a position which is substantially parallel to the position assumed by the tree supported thereon.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 139 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a support, a tree-processing boom carried by said support, a delimbing mechanism supported on one end of said boom and which is adapted to receive a tree and effect delimbing of the tree upon relative movement between said delimbing mechanism and the tree, a clamping mechanism carried by said boom and movable relative thereto, said clamping mechanism including means for engaging the trunk of the tree and for moving the tree relative to said boom, means supporting said bOom for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis, and a fluid cylinder operatively associated with said tree-processing boom for acting on said tree-processing boom when a tree is supported thereon and for enabling said tree-processing boom to assume a position which is substantially parallel to the position assumed by the tree supported thereon.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 35 further including a cutting mechanism supported on said tree-processing boom and operable to cut bolts of a predetermined length from the delimbed portion of the tree.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 36 further including a bunk mechanism located on said support adjacent said clamping and cutting mechanisms and operable to receive bolts of a predetermined length therefrom and store the bolts therein.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 35 wherein said tree-processing boom has a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is operable to rigidly support for movement thereon said clamping mechanism.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 35 wherein said support comprises a self-propelled vehicle having tree-felling and tree-gripping means thereon for felling and gripping a tree and moving a tree to a position in which it may be received by said delimbing mechanism.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a tree-processing means for processing a tree including a cutting mechanism for cutting the tree into bolts of a predetermined length, and a bunk mechanism for receiving the bolts of the tree, said bunk mechanism being operable to receive and store a plurality of bolts therein and being actuatable to dump the plurality of bolts, said bunk mechanism including support means, at least a pair of substantially arcuate members extending downwardly from said support means and cooperating to support the bolts, and a mechanism for moving said members endwise along a path upwardly relative to said support means to thereby effect dumping of said bolts therefrom.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 113 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees comprising a tree-processing means for processing a tree including a cutting mechanism for cutting the tree into bolts of a predetermined length, and a bunk mechanism for receiving the bolts of the tree, said bunk mechanism being operable to receive and store a plurality of bolts therein and being actuatable to dump the plurality of bolts, said bunk mechanism including support means, at least a pair of substantially arcuate members extending downwardly from said support means and cooperating to support the bolts, and a mechanism for moving said members endwise along a path upwardly relative to said support means to thereby effect dumping of said bolts therefrom.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 40 wherein said arcuate members have members rigidly affixed thereto and said mechanism for moving said arcuate members includes a rotatable sprocket for rotating and engaging with said members to thereby effect endwise movement of said arcuate members.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 41 wherein said support means further includes means which supports said arcuate members and absorbs the shock of bolts falling thereon from said cutting mechanism to thereby prevent damage to said mechanism for moving said members.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 40 wherein said arcuate members include arcuate arm members which are movable arcuately in an upwardly direction to effect dumping of bolts from said bunk mechanism by imparting a rolling motion to the bolts to thereby prevent wedging of the bolts in the bunk mechanism.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 40 further including a delimbing mechanism for delimbing a tree upon relative movement between the tree and the delimbiNg mechanism.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 44 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 44 further including a clamping mechanism for engaging with a portion of a tree in said delimbing mechanism and moving the tree relative to said delimbing mechanism to thereby effect delimbing of the tree.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 65 words

Apparatus for use in harvesting trees as defined in claim 45 wherein said cutting mechanism is located between said delimbing mechanism and said clamping mechanism, said clamping mechanism is movable toward and away from said delimbing mechanism and said cutting mechanism is movable toward and away from said delimbing mechanism in response to movement of said clamping mechanism toward and away from said delimbing mechanism.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-01-02	1976-07-03	1977-01-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-01-02	1980-07-03	1981-01-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-01-02	1984-07-03	1985-01-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for harvesting trees

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