Patent US2717072A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4044804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tree shearer
Assignee: Deere and Co
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Filing: 1975-06-20
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A shearing device is disclosed for severing trees and the like. The device is vehicle mounted, preferably on the front of a tractor, so that forward movement of the tractor causes shearing of a tree in contact with the device. The device includes a frame member with a pair of forwardly extending spaced arms one of which has a pivot member mounted thereon, with the pivot member carrying a severing element that can be moved in an arc toward and away from the other arm of the frame member. A tree brought into contact with the severing element will be severed as the severing element is caused to move toward the other arm of the frame member due to continued forward movement of the vehicle. After a tree has been severed, the pivot member is preferably biased to automatically return to normal position near the end of the arms of the frame member with the severing element at least partially spanning the space between the arms. Each tree sheared falls rearwardly and to one side in substantially the same manner and direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Wesley Lamar Dodd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:00
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/087; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A tree shearing device, comprising: a rigid frame member having fore and aft extending and transversely spaced edges defining a forwardly opening tree-receiving recess therein at a shearing area; a pivot member supported on vertical axis structure fixedly mounted on said frame member and having severing means including a forwardly facing severing edge extending diagonally into said recess from one of the fore and aft extending frame edges for engaging trees received in said recess as said frame member advances to thereby cause said severing edge to be moved toward the other of said edges defining said recess and completely across the recess; and horizontal guide means on the frame adjacent the other of said edges receiving a portion of said pivot member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A tree shearing device, comprising: a rigid frame member having fore and aft extending and transversely spaced edges defining a forwardly opening tree-receiving recess therein at a shearing area; a pivot member supported on vertical axis structure fixedly mounted on said frame member and having severing means including a forwardly facing severing edge extending diagonally into said recess from one of the fore and aft extending frame edges for engaging trees received in said recess as said frame member advances to thereby cause said severing edge to be moved toward the other of said edges defining said recess and completely across the recess; and horizontal guide means on the frame adjacent the other of said edges receiving a portion of said pivot member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tree shearing device of claim 1, wherein said device includes means for attaching said frame member to a tractor, said tractor causing movement of said frame member in said predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The tree shearing device of claim 2, wherein said attaching means mounts said frame member on the front of said tractor with said recess in said frame member opening in a forwardly direction so that forward movement imparted to said frame member by said tractor causes a tree brought within said recess to be sheared upon continued forward movement of said tractor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The tree shearing device of claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a pair of rigid arms each of which includes one of said edges defining said recess, said pivot member being mounted on one of said rigid arms for pivoting about a pivot spaced from said recess defined by said edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tree shearing device of claim 4, wherein said edges defining said recess are substantially parallel with one another to form a substantially rectangular recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tree shearing device of claim 1, wherein said severing means is normally positioned near the open end of said recess defined by said frame member and is moved therefrom toward one of said edges by contact with a tree and subsequent movement of said frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tree shearing device of claim 6, wherein said device includes means to bias said severing means to a normal position near the open end of said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tree shearing device of claim 7, wherein said device also includes stop means on said frame member to establish said normal position of said pivot member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A vehicle mounted tree shearing device, comprising: a frame member having a pair of forwardly extending spaced arms and a mounted portion for mounting said frame member on the forward portion of a vehicle; a shearing member having opposite ends, one end of said shearing member defining means for pivotally mounting said shearing member near one end and on one of said arms of said frame member; the other end of said shearing member extending beyond said one arm toward said other arm; severing means on said other end of said shearing member radially spaced from said means for mounting said shearing member whereby forward movement of said vehicle after tree contact is established by said severing means causes pivotal movement of said pivot member to bring said severing means toward the other of said arms to sever a tree therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A vehicle mounted tree shearing device, comprising: a frame member having a pair of forwardly extending spaced arms and a mounted portion for mounting said frame member on the forward portion of a vehicle; a shearing member having opposite ends, one end of said shearing member defining means for pivotally mounting said shearing member near one end and on one of said arms of said frame member; the other end of said shearing member extending beyond said one arm toward said other arm; severing means on said other end of said shearing member radially spaced from said means for mounting said shearing member whereby forward movement of said vehicle after tree contact is established by said severing means causes pivotal movement of said pivot member to bring said severing means toward the other of said arms to sever a tree therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle mounted tree shearing device of claim 9, wherein trees sheared by said severing means are caused to fall rearwardly and to one side in substantially the same manner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tree shearing device adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for forward movement therewith comprising a generally horizontal rigid U-shaped frame having a transverse rear portion and a pair of forwardly directed leg portions defining therebetween a forwardly directed tree-receiving opening; a vertical pivot carried on the frame offset to one side of the opening; a shear structure mounted on the pivot and having a portion thereof extending diagonally forwardly therefrom to a cutting edge extending at least partially across said opening said portion being disposed in a manner such that the cutting edge engages standing trees that pass in said opening as said vehicle advances, said portion of the shear structure being of such length that said cutting edge transverses said opening as the portion is swung rearwardly by trees in the opening and upon advancement of the vehicle; and an extension on the shear structure that engages and is guided on the leg portion of said frame that is on the side of the frame opposite the pivot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tree shearing device adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for forward movement therewith comprising a generally horizontal rigid U-shaped frame having a transverse rear portion and a pair of forwardly directed leg portions defining therebetween a forwardly directed tree-receiving opening; a vertical pivot carried on the frame offset to one side of the opening; a shear structure mounted on the pivot and having a portion thereof extending diagonally forwardly therefrom to a cutting edge extending at least partially across said opening said portion being disposed in a manner such that the cutting edge engages standing trees that pass in said opening as said vehicle advances, said portion of the shear structure being of such length that said cutting edge transverses said opening as the portion is swung rearwardly by trees in the opening and upon advancement of the vehicle; and an extension on the shear structure that engages and is guided on the leg portion of said frame that is on the side of the frame opposite the pivot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 11 characterized by the extension having a forward edge extending diagonally forwardly across the opening and forms with the cutting edge a forwardly opening V-shaped pocket across the tree receiving opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention defined in claim 12 further characterized by a tree guide structure that is fixed to the frame rearwardly of the shear structure and on the opposite side of said opening than said pivot and which engages falling trees sheared by the shear structure and guides them to a side of the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tree shearing device for use with a vehicle for forward movement therewith comprising a generally horizontal rigid frame having a transverse rear portion and a pair of forwardly directed leg portions defining therebetween a forwardly directed tree-receiving opening; a vertical pivot carried on the frame offset to one side of the opening; a shear structure mounted on the pivot and having a portion thereof extending diagonally forwardly therefrom to a cutting edge extending at least partially across said opening, said cutting edge being radially spaced from said pivot and engaging standing trees that pass in said opening as said vehicle advances, said portion of the shear structure being of such length that said cutting edge traverses substantially completely across said opening as the portion is swung rearwardly by trees in the opening and upon advancement of the vehicle; and means mounting the frame on the vehicle for lateral shifting motion whereby the edge of the leg portion facing the cutting edge operates as an anvil against which trees may bear.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tree shearing device for use with a vehicle for forward movement therewith comprising a generally horizontal rigid frame having a transverse rear portion and a pair of forwardly directed leg portions defining therebetween a forwardly directed tree-receiving opening; a vertical pivot carried on the frame offset to one side of the opening; a shear structure mounted on the pivot and having a portion thereof extending diagonally forwardly therefrom to a cutting edge extending at least partially across said opening, said cutting edge being radially spaced from said pivot and engaging standing trees that pass in said opening as said vehicle advances, said portion of the shear structure being of such length that said cutting edge traverses substantially completely across said opening as the portion is swung rearwardly by trees in the opening and upon advancement of the vehicle; and means mounting the frame on the vehicle for lateral shifting motion whereby the edge of the leg portion facing the cutting edge operates as an anvil against which trees may bear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
136 words
A tree shearing device, comprising: a frame member having edges defining a recess therein at a shearing area; a pivot member mounted on said frame member so that a portion of said pivot member is adjacent to said recess and within said shearing area; severing means mounted on said portion of said pivot member, whereby movement of said frame member in a predetermined direction causes said severing means to be moved toward one of said edges defining said recess so that a tree between said severing means and said one edge is sheared by continued movement of said frame member in said predetermined direction; and a guide member rigid with the pivot member and protruding outwardly from one edge of said severing means to assure pivoting of said pivot member when in contact with a tree.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
136 words
A tree shearing device, comprising: a frame member having edges defining a recess therein at a shearing area; a pivot member mounted on said frame member so that a portion of said pivot member is adjacent to said recess and within said shearing area; severing means mounted on said portion of said pivot member, whereby movement of said frame member in a predetermined direction causes said severing means to be moved toward one of said edges defining said recess so that a tree between said severing means and said one edge is sheared by continued movement of said frame member in said predetermined direction; and a guide member rigid with the pivot member and protruding outwardly from one edge of said severing means to assure pivoting of said pivot member when in contact with a tree.
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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |