Patent US3910326A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3910326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tree harvesting apparatus with accumulator mechanism
Assignee: Case LLC
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Filing: 1974-10-29
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A tree harvesting apparatus consisting of a rigid support with grapple means pivotally supported on the support and tree cutting means for severing the tree that is being grasped by the grapple means. The tree harvesting apparatus also includes an accumulator mechanism consisting of spaced fixed tree engaging elements on the support and a gripping member pivoted on the support between the tree engaging elements. The gripping member includes a first portion pivoted on the support means and a second portion pivoted on the outer end of the first portion with biasing means normally maintaining the portions in end-to-end relation. A single drive member cooperates with the first portion and the support for moving the portions as a unit between clamped and released positions to accumulate trees between the gripping member and the spaced fixed elements. The apparatus also incorporates a hydraulic circuit which is designed so that only two conduits lead from the remote hydraulic source to the rigid support and branch conduits connect the main conduits to the hydraulically actuated gripping member. The branch conduits incorporate a solenoid operated valve which is normally in a position that locates the gripping member in a position where the harvesting apparatus can be utilized without accumulating trees. The solenoid valve is remotely controlled so that the operator may at any time accumulate trees by temporarily activating the solenoid operated valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J Tucek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:37
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In combination with a tree harvesting apparatus including support means adapted to be supported on the outer end of a boom, grapple means on said support mean for grasping a standing tree, cutter means on said support means for severing said standing tree, and tree accumulator means pivotally supported on said support means for accumulating a plurality of trees on said support means, a hydraulic control system for said apparatus, said control system including first hydraulic motor means cooperating with said grapple means, second hydraulic motor means cooperating with said cutter means, third hydraulic motor means cooperating with said accumulator means, a fluid reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir for supplying fluid under pressure, first and second main conduits respectively leading from said reservoir and said pump to said support means and connected directly to said first and second hydraulic motor means, control valve means in said first and second main conduits remote from said support means, first and second branch conduits connected to said third hydraulic motor means to said first and second main conduits adjacent said support means, and remotely controlled solenoid valve means adjacent said support in said first and second branch conduits for controlling flow between said main conduits and said third hydraulic motor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In combination with a tree harvesting apparatus including support means adapted to be supported on the outer end of a boom, grapple means on said support mean for grasping a standing tree, cutter means on said support means for severing said standing tree, and tree accumulator means pivotally supported on said support means for accumulating a plurality of trees on said support means, a hydraulic control system for said apparatus, said control system including first hydraulic motor means cooperating with said grapple means, second hydraulic motor means cooperating with said cutter means, third hydraulic motor means cooperating with said accumulator means, a fluid reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir for supplying fluid under pressure, first and second main conduits respectively leading from said reservoir and said pump to said support means and connected directly to said first and second hydraulic motor means, control valve means in said first and second main conduits remote from said support means, first and second branch conduits connected to said third hydraulic motor means to said first and second main conduits adjacent said support means, and remotely controlled solenoid valve means adjacent said support in said first and second branch conduits for controlling flow between said main conduits and said third hydraulic motor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, in which said remotely controlled solenoid valve means is a two position valve with biasing means normally biasing said valve to a first position and power means maintaining said solenoid valve means in a second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
The combination as defined in claim 2, in which said accumulator means has an open position and a closed position, further including interconnecting means between said first and second branch conduits, and a plurality of unidirectional valve means in said first and second branch conduits and interconnecting means, said unidirectional valve means being arranged so that (1) fluid under pressure is delivered from either main conduit to said third hydraulic motor means to close said accumulator means when said solenoid valve means is in said first position and (2) fluid under pressure is delivered from either main conduit to said third hydraulic motor means to open said accumulator means when said solenoid valve means is in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, in which said first, second and third hydraulic motor means each include a cylinder and a piston rod extensible and retractable relative to said cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, further including pressure responsive relief valve means between said first and second branch conduits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, in which said tree accumulator means includes spaced rigid tree engaging elements fixed to said support means and positioned to engage a tree at vertically spaced locations thereon, a single gripping member supported on said support means intermediate said spaced engaging elements, said gripping member including a first portion having one end pivotally supported on said support means, A second portion pivoted on an adjacent free end of said first portion, biasing means normally maintaining said portions in end-to-end relation, said biasing means accommodating relative pivotal movement between said portions when movement of said second portion is impeded by a tree, and in which said third hydraulic motor means is located between said first portion and said support means for moving said portions as a unit between clamped and released positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as defined in claim 6, in which said grapple means includes first and second grapple arms respectively pivoted on said support means at vertically spaced locations and adapted to engage opposite sides of said tree.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
Tree harvesting apparatus for use at the end of a boom movably supported on a vehicle comprising elongated rigid support means, grapple means pivotally supported on said support means for grasping and securely holding a standing tree, tree cutting means adjacent one end of said support means for severing a tree while being grasped by said grapple means, and tree accumulator means for accumulating a plurality of trees on said support means, the improvement of said tree accumulator means including spaced rigid tree engaging elements fixed to said support means and positioned to engage a tree at vertically spaced locations thereon, a single gripping member supported on said support means intermediate said spaced engaging elements, said gripping member including a first portion having one end pivotally supported on said support means, a second portion pivoted on an adjacent free end of said first portion, biasing means normally maintaining said portions in end-to-end relation, and drive means between said first portion and said support means for moving said portions as a unit between clamped and released positions, said biasing means accommodating relative pivotal movement between said portions when movement of said second portion is impeded by a tree.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
197 words
Tree harvesting apparatus for use at the end of a boom movably supported on a vehicle comprising elongated rigid support means, grapple means pivotally supported on said support means for grasping and securely holding a standing tree, tree cutting means adjacent one end of said support means for severing a tree while being grasped by said grapple means, and tree accumulator means for accumulating a plurality of trees on said support means, the improvement of said tree accumulator means including spaced rigid tree engaging elements fixed to said support means and positioned to engage a tree at vertically spaced locations thereon, a single gripping member supported on said support means intermediate said spaced engaging elements, said gripping member including a first portion having one end pivotally supported on said support means, a second portion pivoted on an adjacent free end of said first portion, biasing means normally maintaining said portions in end-to-end relation, and drive means between said first portion and said support means for moving said portions as a unit between clamped and released positions, said biasing means accommodating relative pivotal movement between said portions when movement of said second portion is impeded by a tree.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
Tree harvesting apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which said biasing means includes an arm pivotally supported on said first portion, a flexible element having one end connected to a free end of said arm and an opposite end connected to said second portion at a location spaced from the pivotal connection between said portions, and spring means between said arm and said first portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Tree harvesting apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including stop means on said first portion and located in the pivotal path of movement of said second portion, said stop means defining the end-to-end relation between said portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |