US3868982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of harvesting and accumulating trees
Assignee: Amca International Ltd
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Filing: 1973-08-23
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A tree harvesting machine of the articulated type having a boom mounted tree-processing means at its front end and a felled tree accumulating box at its rear end. The tree-processing means is selectively rotatable on the boom and comprises selectively operable releasable gripping means, severing means, propelling means and delimbing means. The accumulating box comprises an upwardly tilted trough open at its front end and log direction means in the form of a downwardly sloped ledge are provided adjacent the open end of the trough. A tailgate is provided at the rear end of the trough. The forward end of the box is upwardly movable by hydraulic cylinders to increase trough tilt during unloading. In the method of operation, a standing tree is grasped by the gripping means, severed from its trunk while upright, tipped forwardly to felled position by rotation of the gripping means so that its severed or butt end faces the box, and moved axially rearwardly and upwardly by the propelling means over the log directing ledge near the box, while the limbs are simultaneously removed by the delimbing means. When the center of gravity of that portion of the severed tree which is to be loaded in the box has moved past the ledge, the severing means are operated to cut off the said portion of the tree which portion tips over the ledge and falls into the box. The machine and method are usable to harvest entire trees with only the upper end being topped. Or, a tree may be cut into desired lengths as it is moved by the propelling means.
Inventors
- 👤 John Kurelek
- 👤 Victor E Locker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:27
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for loading a log into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; supporting said log and moving it toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of said log which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and releasing said log so that it rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for loading a log into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; supporting said log and moving it toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of said log which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and releasing said log so that it rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of delimbing said log while moving it toward said box.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of loading a log into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; gripping said log and moving it toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of said log which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and severing said log at a point located between where it is gripped when severed and said log directing means so that said portion of said log rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of loading a log into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; gripping said log and moving it toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of said log which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and severing said log at a point located between where it is gripped when severed and said log directing means so that said portion of said log rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3 including the step of releasing the remainder of said log after said step of severing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
A method according to claim 3 further including the steps of: moving the remainder of said log toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of another portion of said log which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and severing the remainder of said log at a point located between where it is gripped when severed and said log directing means so that said other portion of said log rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 5 including the step of releasing the remainder of said log after said step of severing said other portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 including the step of delimbing said log while it is being moved toward said box.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of harvesting trees and loading logs into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; gripping an upright tree to be harvested; severing said tree from its stump below the place where it is gripped; shifting the severed gripped tree to a position wherein its severed end faces said one end of said box; moving said severed tree toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of the severed tree which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and releasing said portion of said tree so that it rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of harvesting trees and loading logs into an accumulating box comprising the steps of: providing log directing means near an end of said box, said log directing means having a portion over which a log in contact therewith can tip and down which said log can be laterally directed; gripping an upright tree to be harvested; severing said tree from its stump below the place where it is gripped; shifting the severed gripped tree to a position wherein its severed end faces said one end of said box; moving said severed tree toward said box over said log directing means until the center of gravity of that portion of the severed tree which is to be deposited in said box is past said log directing means; and releasing said portion of said tree so that it rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 8 including the step of delimbing said tree while it is being moved toward said box.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of releasing includes the step of severing said tree at a point located between where it is gripped when severed and said log directing means so that said portion rests on and pivots about said log directing means and is directed laterally downward thereby into said box by the force of gravity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 10 including the step of delimbing said tree while it is being moved toward said box.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 11 including the step of releasing the remainder of said tree after the second step of severing.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
137 words
The method of harvesting standing trees and piling the trees in a container comprising the steps of grasping a standing tree rigidly for support after it has been cut, cutting the tree so as to sever it from its remaining stump, elevating the cut tree bodily upwardly and simultaneously rotating the tree so that the tree is moved with its butt end first with respect to the direction of travel and located over said container, placing the cut tree on an edge of said container so that the center of gravity of the cut tree is located over the container, and then severing the tip of the tree at the end opposite the butt whereby the tree will pivot about the said edge of said container and be directed thereby to drop by gravity into said container.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
137 words
The method of harvesting standing trees and piling the trees in a container comprising the steps of grasping a standing tree rigidly for support after it has been cut, cutting the tree so as to sever it from its remaining stump, elevating the cut tree bodily upwardly and simultaneously rotating the tree so that the tree is moved with its butt end first with respect to the direction of travel and located over said container, placing the cut tree on an edge of said container so that the center of gravity of the cut tree is located over the container, and then severing the tip of the tree at the end opposite the butt whereby the tree will pivot about the said edge of said container and be directed thereby to drop by gravity into said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method set forth in claim 13 including the step of delimbing the tree simultaneously with its movement in a direction toward said container.
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) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |