Patent US3721280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-propelled tree delimber
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1971-03-03
•
Granted: 1973-03-20
•
Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled tree delimber includes a horizontal T-shaped frame having a length suitable for supporting full-length trees of medium size. A boom and grapple assembly is mounted on the head portion of the frame and is operable for lifting cut trees from the ground and placing them on the frame. A delimbing assembly is mounted for movement along tracks extending the length of the leg portion of the frame and includes pivoted blades arranged to receive and encircle the stem of a tree, when the tree is placed on the frame. A drive motor is mounted on the head portion of the frame and is drivingly connected to the delimbing assembly for propelling the assembly along the tracks to delimb any tree stem encircled by the blades. The leg portion of the frame is supported on a driven steerable wheel and the head portion of the frame is supported on a pair of driven wheels which are mounted for movement between working and transport positions for respectively moving the delimber perpendicular and parallel to its length. The leg portion of the frame is constructed in two sections which are disconnectible for shortening the length of the delimber for transport.
Inventors
- 👤 W Funk
- 👤 V Pierrot
- 👤 J French
- 👤 K Kessler
- 👤 S Hiseler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:11
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing elements comprising: a horizontal T-shaped main frame having an elongated leg portion and a comparatively short head portion; first ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said head portion; second ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said leg portion; power means for driving at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means; and said first and second ground-engaging means being operatively mounted for movement between a working position defining a path of travel parallel to said head portion and a transport position defining a path of travel parallel to said leg portion and direction-changing means for moving said first and second ground-engaging means between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing elements comprising: a horizontal T-shaped main frame having an elongated leg portion and a comparatively short head portion; first ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said head portion; second ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said leg portion; power means for driving at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means; and said first and second ground-engaging means being operatively mounted for movement between a working position defining a path of travel parallel to said head portion and a transport position defining a path of travel parallel to said leg portion and direction-changing means for moving said first and second ground-engaging means between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said second ground-engaging means is steerable and said direction-changing means includes steering means operatively connected to said second ground-engaging means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing elements comprising: a horizontal T-shaped main frame having an elongated leg portion and a comparatively short head portion; first ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said head portion; second ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said leg portion; power means for driving at least one of said first and sEcond ground-engaging means; and said first ground-engaging means including a pair of wheels mounted adjacent opposite ends of said head portion for horizontal swivelling and wherein said second ground-engaging means includes a third wheel mounted on said leg portion for horizontal swivelling and means for retaining said wheels in desired swivelled positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing elements comprising: a horizontal T-shaped main frame having an elongated leg portion and a comparatively short head portion; first ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said head portion; second ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said leg portion; power means for driving at least one of said first and sEcond ground-engaging means; and said first ground-engaging means including a pair of wheels mounted adjacent opposite ends of said head portion for horizontal swivelling and wherein said second ground-engaging means includes a third wheel mounted on said leg portion for horizontal swivelling and means for retaining said wheels in desired swivelled positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said pair of wheels are respectively offset from their swivel axis, wherein said power means includes a pair of motors respectively drivingly connected to and mounted to swivel with said pair of wheels and wherein said means for retaining includes locking means for selectively locking said pair of wheels in a first position parallel to said head portion and in a second position parallel to said leg portion whereby said motors are operative to rotate said pair of wheels about their swivel axes between said first and second positions when said lock means are disengaged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said third wheel is steerable, wherein said means for retaining further includes a shiftable steering linkage operatively connected to steer said third wheel and wherein said power means further includes a third motor drivingly connected to said third wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said leg portion includes a first section joined to said head portion and a remote section; and joint means releasably interconnecting said first and remote sections in axially aligned, end-to-end relationship.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second ground-engaging means are the sole means supporting said main frame and said second ground-engaging means being located approximately midway along the length of said leg portion thus establishing a cantilevered portion and said joint means being located in said cantilevered portion adjacent said second ground-engaging means whereby the majority of said cantilevered portion may be removed to ready the vehicle for transport.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention defined in claimed 7 wherein said leg portion is tubular and wherein a tubular connecting section is received in the removable cantilevered portion and in the remaining portion so as to form part of said joint means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 1 and further including an operator''s station mounted on said head portion and wherein said power means includes a power-supplying motor mounted on said head portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing apparatus comprising: a power unit including a horizontal supporting frame; an elongated delimbing platform extending perpendicular to the length of and having one end fixed to said supporting frame; first rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said frame; second rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said platform; power means drivingly connected to at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means for selectively rotating the latter; and said first and second ground-engaging means are operatively mounted for movement between a working position defining a path of travel parallel to said frame and a transport position defining a path of travel parallel to said platform and direction-changing means for moving said first and second ground-engaging means between said first and second positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing apparatus comprising: a power unit including a horizontal supporting frame; an elongated delimbing platform extending perpendicular to the length of and having one end fixed to said supporting frame; first rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said frame; second rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said platform; power means drivingly connected to at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means for selectively rotating the latter; and said first and second ground-engaging means are operatively mounted for movement between a working position defining a path of travel parallel to said frame and a transport position defining a path of travel parallel to said platform and direction-changing means for moving said first and second ground-engaging means between said first and second positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said second ground-engaging means is steerable and said direction-changing means includes steering means operatively connected to said second ground-engaging means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing apparatus comprising: a power unit including a horizontal supporting frame; an elongated delimbing platform extending perpendicular to the length of and having one end fixed to said supporting frame; first rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said frame; second rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said platform; power means driviNgly connected to at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means for selectively rotating the latter; and said first ground-engaging means includes a pair of wheels mounted adjacent opposite ends of said frame for horizontal swivelling and wherein said second ground-engaging means includes a third wheel mounted on said platform for horizontal swivelling and means for retaining said wheels in desired swivelled positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A self-propelled vehicle for supporting tree delimbing apparatus comprising: a power unit including a horizontal supporting frame; an elongated delimbing platform extending perpendicular to the length of and having one end fixed to said supporting frame; first rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said frame; second rotatable ground-engaging means supportingly connected to said platform; power means driviNgly connected to at least one of said first and second ground-engaging means for selectively rotating the latter; and said first ground-engaging means includes a pair of wheels mounted adjacent opposite ends of said frame for horizontal swivelling and wherein said second ground-engaging means includes a third wheel mounted on said platform for horizontal swivelling and means for retaining said wheels in desired swivelled positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein said pair of wheels are respectively offset from their swivel axis, wherein said power means includes a pair of motors respectively drivingly connected to and mounted to swivel with said pair of wheels and wherein said means for retaining includes locking means for selectively locking said pair of wheels in a first position parallel to said head portion and in a second position parallel to said leg portion whereby said motors are operative to rotate said pair of wheels about their swivel axes between said first and second positions when said lock means are disengaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 13 wherein said third wheel is steerable, wherein said means for retaining further includes a shiftable steering linkage operatively connected to steer said third wheel and wherein said power means further includes a third motor drivingly connected to said third wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 10 and further including a rigid disconnectible joint in said platform section adjacent said second ground-engaging means whereby a portion of said platform may be removed to ready the vehicle for transport.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention defined in claim 15 wherein said platform is tubular and wherein a tubular connecting section is received in the removable platform section and in the remaining section so as to form part of said rigid disconnectible joint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said power unit includes an operator''s station mounted on said frame and wherein said power means includes a power-supplying motor mounted on said frame next to the operator''s station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said platform includes a first section joined to said frame and a remote section; and joint means releasably interconnecting said first and remote sections in axially aligned, end-to-end relationship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |