Tree feed roll assembly

Claim 2

A tree or log feeding or propelling apparatus comprising in combination: a. a frame; b. a pair of arm members pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said frame in vertical offset relation relative to one another; c. a motor secured to each of said arms adjacent the free ends thereof; d. a pair of feed rolls secured to respective ones of said motors in driving relationship, said feed rolls being positioned for movement towards and away from a feed path axis passing between said feed rolls; e. a fluid actuated piston-cylinder assembly pivotally secured to and interconneCting said arm members and urging said feed rolls in a direction towards one another; and f. link means secured directly to said arm members on opposite sides of their respective pivotal connections to said common frame, equalizing movement of said pair of feed rolls with respect to said feed path axis in movement thereof towards and away therefrom, said link means including adjustment means selectively variously positioning the feed rolls relative to said common frame.

Claim 3

A tree or log feeding or propelling apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a second pair of feed rolls located in spaced relation with respect to said pair of feed rolls at a position between the latter and said frame, motor means mounting said second pair of feed rolls on respective ones of a pair of further arm members, pivotally attached to said frame, said second pair of feed rolls being positioned for movement towards and away from said feed path axis, a fluid actuated piston-cylinder assembly interconnecting said further pair of arm members urging said second pair of feed rolls in a direction towards one another, link means secured directly to said further pair of arm members interconnecting the same equalizing movement of said second pair of feed rolls in a direction towards and away from said feed path axis and means to adjust said latter link means selectively variously positioning said second pair of feed rolls relative to said frame.

Claim 4

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motors each comprise a fluid actuated motor and transmission attached thereto.

Claim 5

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each said motor is located partly within the feed roll associated therewith.

Claim 6

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said equalizing means includes a longitudinally adjustable rod-like member pivotally connected at opposed ends to respective ones of the arms mounting the feed rolls associated therewith.

Claim 7

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said arm members are box-like structures having mounting plates attached adjacent the free end thereof.

Claim 8

A tree feeding means as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame comprises part of a tree processing unit.

Claim 9

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said tree processing unit is a stripper type delimber.

Claim 10

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 7 including an additional tree processing unit located in tandem axial alignment with said tree processing unit.

Claim 11

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a second set of feed rolls positioned in tandem axial alignment on a side of said processing unit opposite to that of said pair of feed rolls, motor means mounting said second set of feed rolls on the free end of respective ones of a further pair of arm members pivotally secured to said frame, said second feed rolls being positioned for movement towards and away from a feed path axis passing between said second feed rolls; a fluid actuated piston-cylinder assembly interconnecting said further arm members urging said second set of feed rolls in a direction towards one another; link means secured directly to said further arm members interconnecting the same, equalizing movement of said second feed rolls toward and away from said feed path axis; and adjustment means for said link means selectively variously positioning said second feed rolls relative to said common frame.

Claim 12

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said arms of said pair of feed rolls are located vertically one above the other on one side of a vertical plane passing through said feed path axis and the arms of said second pair of feed rolls are located vertically one above the other on the opposite side of said vertical plane.

Claim 13

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the arms of the respective pairs of feed rolls are pivotally attached to said common frame in spaced vertical alignment one above the other.

Claim 14

A treE feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2 including means limiting movement of the feed rolls of respective pairs of said feed rolls in a direction towards one another.

Claim 15

A tree feeding apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means limiting movement of the feed rolls is secured to said arm members.

Claim 16

A tree feeding apparatus for propelling trees endwise along a given path comprising: a. a frame; b. a pair of arm members pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame at respective first and second positions located vertically one above the other on one side of said given path; c. a second pair of arm members pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame at respective third and fourth positions located vertically one above the other on a side of the given path opposite to that of said first pair, said arms of each pair projecting from said frame with one pair projecting therefrom to a greater extent than the other in a direction generally parallel to said given path; d. a feed roll and motor unit for driving the same mounted on the free end of each arm and cantilevered therefrom transverse to said given path overlapping the same; e. first means interconnecting the arms of the respective pairs resiliently biasing the arms in such pairs in a direction toward one another; and f. second means interconnecting the arms of the respective pairs synchronizing movement of the rolls associated therewith during movement in a direction toward and away from one another, said second means comprising a link connected directly to the arms on opposite sides of the respective pivotal connections to said frame.

Claim 17

A tree feeding apparatus for propelling trees endwise along a given path comprising: a. a frame; b. a pair of arm members pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame at respective first and second positions located vertically one above the other on one side of said given path; c. a second pair of arm members pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof to said frame at respective third and fourth positions located vertically one above the other on a side of the given path opposite to that of said first pair, said arms of each pair projecting from said frame with one pair projecting therefrom to a greater extent than the other in a direction generally parallel to said given path; d. a feed roll and motor unit for driving the same mounted on the free end of each arm and cantilevered therefrom transverse to said given path overlapping the same; e. first means interconnecting the arms of the respective pairs resiliently biasing the arms in such pairs in a direction toward one another; and f. second means interconnecting the arms of the respective pairs synchronizing movement of the rolls associated therewith during movement in a direction toward and away from one another, said second means comprising a link connected directly to the arms on opposite sides of the respective pivotal connections to said frame.