Log splitter with improved clamp

Claim 2

A log splitter comprising first and second guide members, means supporting said guide members in spaced parallel relationship, a support positioned between said guide members for supporting a log to be split, a carriage extending between said guide members, a splitting wedge carried by said carriage, clamping means secured to said carriage and arranged to releasably clamp said carriage to said first guide member including a locking member surrounding and movable along said first guide member, an operating arm extending from said locking member and arranged to tilt said locking member with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first guide member, a gripper shoe positioned between said locking member and said first guide member, and a slipper shoe positioned on the side of said first guide member opposite said gripper shoe between said first guide member and said locking member, and drive means for moving said support into closing relationship with said wedge.

Claim 3

A log splitter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping means includes a plurality of locking members in surface-to-surface contact.

Claim 4

A log splitter as claimed in claim 1 including a second clamping means coupled to said carriage and arranged to releasably clamp said carriage to said second guide member.

Claim 5

A log splitter as claimed in claim 3 including a common actuator coupled to said first and second clamping means and adapted for one-hand operation to simultaneously release both of said clamping means.

Claim 6

A log splitter as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said guide members includes a cylindrical portion along which said clamping means are arranged to move and wherein said second clamping means is substantially the same as said first clamping means.

Claim 7

A log splitter comprising first and second cylindrical guide members, means supporting said guide members in spaced parallel relationship, a support extending between said guide members arranged to abut one end of a log to be split, a carriage extending between said guide members, a splitting wedge carried by said carriage, first and second clamping means secured to opposite ends of said carriage and arranged respectively to releasably clamp said carriage to said first and second guide members, each of said clamping means including a locking member surrounding one of said guide members, and a gripper shoe and a slipper shoe positioned on opposite sides of said guide member and between the said locking member and said guide member, common actuating means coupled to said locking member in said first clamping means and to said locking member in said second clamping means and arranged to release simultaneously said first and second clamping means, and drive means for moving said support into closing relationship with said carriage.

Claim 8

A log splitter comprising first and second cylindrical guide members, means supporting said guide members in spaced parallel relationship, a support extending between said guide members arranged to abut one end of a log to be split, a carriage extending between said guide members, a splitting wedge carried by said carriage, first and second clamping means secured to opposite ends of said carriage and arranged respectively to releasably clamp said carriage to said first and second guide members, each of said clamping means including a locking member surrounding one of said guide members, and a gripper shoe and a slipper shoe positioned on opposite sides of said guide member and between the said locking member and said guide member, common actuating means coupled to said locking member in said first clamping means and to said locking member in said second clamping means and arranged to release simultaneously said first and second clamping means, and drive means for moving said support into closing relationship with said carriage.

Claim 9

A log splitter as claimed in claim 6 wherein said gripper shoe is provided on one surface with a series of inclined steps each adapted to receive one of said locking members.

Claim 10

A log splitter as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said clamping means includes a bracket surrounding one of said guide members and including a support for said operating arm, and tension spring means connected between said gripper shoe and said bracket.

Claim 11

A clamping mechanism for gripping a cylindrical support having a longitudinal axis comprising a locking member arranged to surround and be movable along said support, actuating means arranged to tilt said locking member with respect to the longitudinal axis of said support, a gripper shoe on one side of said support between said locking member and said support positioned to be engaged by said locking member and comprising a first plate having an inner surface conforming with the adjacent surface of said support, and a slipper shoe between said locking member and said support on the side thereof opposite from said gripper shoe positioned to be engaged by said locking member and comprising a second plate having an inner surface conforming with the adjacent surface of said support, whereby said actuating means causes said locking member to tilt and thereby force said gripper shoe and said slipper shoe into clamping engagement with said support.

Claim 12

A clamping mechanism for gripping a cylindrical support having a longitudinal axis comprising a locking member arranged to surround and be movable along said support, actuating means arranged to tilt said locking member with respect to the longitudinal axis of said support, a gripper shoe on one side of said support between said locking member and said support positioned to be engaged by said locking member and comprising a first plate having an inner surface conforming with the adjacent surface of said support, and a slipper shoe between said locking member and said support on the side thereof opposite from said gripper shoe positioned to be engaged by said locking member and comprising a second plate having an inner surface conforming with the adjacent surface of said support, whereby said actuating means causes said locking member to tilt and thereby force said gripper shoe and said slipper shoe into clamping engagement with said support.

Claim 13

A clamping mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein said slipper shoe has a smooth inner surface and said gripper shoe has a rough inner surface.

Claim 14

A clamping mechanism as claimed in claim 9 including a bracket surrounding said support and adapted to receive an external load and having a supporting surface arranged to engage and provide a fulcrum for said actuating means.

Claim 15

A clamping mechanism as claimed in claim 11 including a plurality of said locking members arranged in stacking relationship and wherein said actuator means is arranged to tilt simultaneously each of said locking members.

Claim 16

A clamping mechanism as claimed in claim 12 including tension springs means connected between said gripper shoe and said bracket.

Claim 17

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein said gripper shoe has a rough surface on the side adjacent said support.

Claim 18

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein the surface of said slipper shoe adjacent said support is smooth.

Claim 19

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein the surface of said gripper shoe adjacent said locking members comprises a plurality of inclined steps each adapted to receive one of said locking members.

Claim 20

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 15 including retaining means arranged to capture said locking members within the spans of said gripper and slipper shoes.

Claim 21

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 16 wherein said gripper shoe includes two oppositely-disposed ears and said spring means includes a pair of coil springs each connected between one of said ears and said bracket.

Claim 22

A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 17 in which each of said locking members is a plate having a central opening adapted to receive said support and first and second oppositely-disposed notches in said opening adapted to receive respectively said gripper shoe and said slipper shoe.