US3995672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatic woodsplitting
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-09-10
•
Granted: 1976-12-07
•
Expires: 1995-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus capable of automatically splitting logs into portions of give maximum cross-sectional dimensions regardless of the cross-sectional size of the logs to be split is disclosed. Preferred structures of the apparatus for splitting short logs into firewood and for splitting longer logs into fenceposts are described. A preferred electrohydraulic operating system is disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Binninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:14
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27L; B27L7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/02; Y10T83/0267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
Apparatus for splitting logs into portions having at least one cross-sectional dimension of given maximum size, comprising: a. a bed for supporting a log for endwise movement along said bed toward one end thereof; b. a splitting blade assembly mounted on said bed at said one end thereof, said splitting blade assembly comprising a generally horizontal splitting blade extending at least the full diameter of the log to be split spaced above said bed a distance less than the horizontal extent thereof and a generally vertical splitting blade extending only between said generally horizontal splitting blade and said bed, the splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting blade being spaced further from said one end of said bed than the splitting edge of said generally vertical splitting blade; c. a hydraulic ram structure including a wall mounted at the other end of said bed and positioned to enable a log to be received on said bed with one end thereof adjacent said splitting blade assembly and the other end thereof adjacent said wall and to exert force on said log endwise along said bed resulting in relative movement between said wall and said splitting blade assembly upon selective actuation of said ram; d. a generally horizontal support plate resiliently mounted on said bed to receive and support said log when said ram structure is not actuated to exert force on said log, the plane of said support plate being closer to said bed than the plane of said generally horizontal splitting blade and said support plate terminating substantially at said splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting blade; and e. means for actuating said hydraulic ram structure including a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid pump and means for driving said pump and controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said hydraulic ram structure to provide relative movement of given length between said wall thereof and said splitting blade assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
Apparatus for splitting logs into portions having at least one cross-sectional dimension of given maximum size, comprising: a. a bed for supporting a log for endwise movement along said bed toward one end thereof; b. a splitting blade assembly mounted on said bed at said one end thereof, said splitting blade assembly comprising a generally horizontal splitting blade extending at least the full diameter of the log to be split spaced above said bed a distance less than the horizontal extent thereof and a generally vertical splitting blade extending only between said generally horizontal splitting blade and said bed, the splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting blade being spaced further from said one end of said bed than the splitting edge of said generally vertical splitting blade; c. a hydraulic ram structure including a wall mounted at the other end of said bed and positioned to enable a log to be received on said bed with one end thereof adjacent said splitting blade assembly and the other end thereof adjacent said wall and to exert force on said log endwise along said bed resulting in relative movement between said wall and said splitting blade assembly upon selective actuation of said ram; d. a generally horizontal support plate resiliently mounted on said bed to receive and support said log when said ram structure is not actuated to exert force on said log, the plane of said support plate being closer to said bed than the plane of said generally horizontal splitting blade and said support plate terminating substantially at said splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting blade; and e. means for actuating said hydraulic ram structure including a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid pump and means for driving said pump and controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said hydraulic ram structure to provide relative movement of given length between said wall thereof and said splitting blade assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally horizontal splitting blade extends a sufficient distance along said bed to support the unsplit portion of a log thereon and said wall of said ram structure is moved into substantial alignment with said splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting blade when said ram structure is actuated to exert said force on said log.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second generally vertical splitting blade extends only between said generally horizontal splitting blade and said bed at a horizontally spaced position with respect to said generally vertical splitting blade and with the splitting edge of said second generally vertical splitting blade spaced a greater distance from said one end of said bed than said splitting edge of said generally vertical splitting blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a third generally vertical splitting blade extends only between said generally horizontal splitting blade and said bed, said second and third generally vertical splitting blades having their splitting edges in substantial alignment and being equally spaced on opposite sides of said generally vertical splitting blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein return means are included for moving said unsplit portion of said log supported on said generally horizontal blade toward said other end of said bed as said wall of said ram structure is moved away from said splitting blade assembly whereby said unsplit portion of said log is received between said ram and said splitting blade assembly for subsequent splitting thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said return means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed on the opposite side of said generally horizontal blade from said bed for movement along said horizontal blade, said bar being connected to said bed by tension springs whereby said bar is spring biased to a position closer to said other end of said bed than said splitting edge of said horizontal blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said ram structure is double acting and wherein said means for actuating said ram structure includes an electrically controlled two-position four-way hydraulic valve and electrical switch means operated by said ram structure to establish movement of said wall thereof away from said splitting blade assembly by actuating said electrically controlled two-position four-way hydraulic valve to change from one of said two positions thereof to the other of said two positions thereof, whereby relative movement between said wall and said splitting blade assembly is automatically recycled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said return means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed on the opposite side of said generally horizontal splitting blade from said bed for movement along said horizontal blade, said bar being mechanically coupled to said wall for relative movement therewith with respect to said splitting blade assembly between said splitting edge of said horizontal splitting blade and said one end of said bed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said wall of said hydraulic ram extends into contact with the end of the unsplit portion of said log on the opposite side of said generally horizontal splitting blade from said bed, said return means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed on the opposite side of said generally horizontal blade from said bed for movement along said horizontal blade, said bar is connected to said bed by tension springs whereby said bar is spring biased to a position closer to said other end of said bed than said splitting edge of said horizontal splitting blade and said relative movement of said wall as established by said electrical switch means has a length greater than the length of said log to be split.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US873418A
Cited
US3356115A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-07 | 1980-06-07 | 1980-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-06-07 | 1984-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-07 | 1988-06-07 | 1988-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |