US3840058A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination tree support and stacking blade for tree harvester
Assignee: Deere and Co
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Filing: 1973-03-19
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1993-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An articulated, four-wheel drive tree harvesting machine includes a front frame section upon which a felling boom assembly, a delimbing assembly and a feed assembly are mounted. The felling boom assembly is operable for severing a tree and lowering the same into a generally horizontal disposition from where the trunk of the tree may be released for engagement by feed rolls of the feed assembly and for encirclement by blades of the delimbing assembly. Once a tree is released by the felling boom assembly, the feed rolls may be operated to draw the tree trunk through the delimbling blades along a path extending alongside the vehicle. A tree support structure for supporting a tree as it is being delimbed is fixed integrally with a stacking blade that is vertically swingably mounted at the rear end of the rear frame section.
Inventors
- 👤 A Menzel
- 👤 L Shepherd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/083; A01G23/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In a vehicle having a main frame means supported by groundengaging means, a tree processing mechanism for advancing a tree along a fore-and-aft extending path adjacent one side of the main frame means and a stacking blade structure including a blade extending transverse to and being vertically movably mounted at one end of said frame means, the improvement comprising: a tree support member being fixed to said stacking blade structure and including a structure extending transversely to said frame means and having an upwardly facing support surface arranged along said fore-and-aft path for supporting tree trunks as they are advanced by said processing mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a vehicle having a main frame means supported by groundengaging means, a tree processing mechanism for advancing a tree along a fore-and-aft extending path adjacent one side of the main frame means and a stacking blade structure including a blade extending transverse to and being vertically movably mounted at one end of said frame means, the improvement comprising: a tree support member being fixed to said stacking blade structure and including a structure extending transversely to said frame means and having an upwardly facing support surface arranged along said fore-and-aft path for supporting tree trunks as they are advanced by said processing mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said outwardly extending structure is fixed to an upper portion of said blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 2 wherein said outwardly extending structure includes a central tubular member extending parallel to said upper portion of said blade and having a gusset-like plate fixed thereto and inclined downwardly therefrom in the direction of said tree processing mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 3 wherein said outwardly extending structure further includes a second gusset-like plate member fixed to and inclined downwardly from said tubular member in the opposite direction from said processing mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 4 wherein said blade structure includes a pair of push arms fixed to said blade and arranged at opposite sides of said frame means and said tree support member including a vertical guide plate extending fore-and-aft alongside said main frame means and being connected to one of said push arms and to inner portions of said tubular member and said gusset-like plate members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said outwardly extending structure includes first and second plate-like portions which incline downwardly oppositely from a central portion which extends transversely to said main frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle as defined in claim 6 wherein said tree support member includes a vertical, fore-and-aft extending guide plate being positioned alongside said main frame means and being fixed to said outwardly extending structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |