Patent US4373564A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4373564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-propelled wood processing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-11-13
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Granted: 1983-02-15
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Expires: 2000-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled and steerable wood processing system for converting a log into firewood wherein the wood processing system has a pick-up mechanism that can be advanced into a pile of logs to be cut with the pick-up mechanism rotatably mounted to permit placing a log on a log deck where it can be fed into a cutting and splitting mechanism for forming the log into firewood.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo L. Heikkinen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:25
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27L; B27L7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A self-propelled apparatus for converting a log into firewood comprising: a pick-up member for lifting a plurality of logs onto a log deck; a tiltable log deck for receiving a plurality of logs and for coacting with said pick-up member; means for delivering a log from said log deck to a log feeder; a log feeder having means for grasping and securely holding a log; means for cutting the log into fireplace wood when said log is held by said log feeder; means for diverting the cut logs to a splitting mechanism; a splitting mechanism for splitting the cut logs into fireplace wood; and means for propelling the apparatus to permit an operator to pick logs from a pile with said pick-up member and then transfer the logs to said log deck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A self-propelled apparatus for converting a log into firewood comprising: a pick-up member for lifting a plurality of logs onto a log deck; a tiltable log deck for receiving a plurality of logs and for coacting with said pick-up member; means for delivering a log from said log deck to a log feeder; a log feeder having means for grasping and securely holding a log; means for cutting the log into fireplace wood when said log is held by said log feeder; means for diverting the cut logs to a splitting mechanism; a splitting mechanism for splitting the cut logs into fireplace wood; and means for propelling the apparatus to permit an operator to pick logs from a pile with said pick-up member and then transfer the logs to said log deck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 1 including a retractable splitting mechanism to permit the unit to be easily transported.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said pick-up member includes rotatable arms for lifting a log and placing a log on said log deck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for grasping said log includes a pincher tongs that coacts to firmly hold a log therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said log feeder includes means for intermittently advancing a log held in the pincher tongs into a cutting mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for cutting a log comprises a chain saw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said apparatus includes at least one steerable wheel for controlling the direction of advancement of said apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said splitting mechanism is retractable to decrease the width of said self-propelled apparatus to permit easy transportation over roads.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of converting a pipe of uncut logs into firewood comprising the steps of: advancing a wood processing apparatus into a pile of wood to be cut into firewood; elevating the wood to be cut into firewood onto a log deck; moving the wood to be cut into a position for cutting the wood; and transporting the cut wood into a mechanism for splitting the wood into firewood.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
69 words
The method of converting a pipe of uncut logs into firewood comprising the steps of: advancing a wood processing apparatus into a pile of wood to be cut into firewood; elevating the wood to be cut into firewood onto a log deck; moving the wood to be cut into a position for cutting the wood; and transporting the cut wood into a mechanism for splitting the wood into firewood.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for converting a log into firewood comprising: a pick-up member for lifting a plurality of logs onto a log deck; a log deck for coacting with said pick-up member, said pick-up member operable to advance into a pile of uncut logs to pick up an uncut log and deliver it to said log deck; means for delivering a log from said log deck to a log feeder; a log feeder having means for grasping and securely holding a log; means for cutting the log when said log is held by said log feeder; means for diverting the cut logs to a splitting mechanism; and a splitting mechanism for splitting the cut logs into fireplace wood, said splitting mechanism including a splitting wedge slidably mounted and remotely positionable to permit proper positioning of said splitting wedge with respect to a cut log.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for converting a log into firewood comprising: a pick-up member for lifting a plurality of logs onto a log deck; a log deck for coacting with said pick-up member, said pick-up member operable to advance into a pile of uncut logs to pick up an uncut log and deliver it to said log deck; means for delivering a log from said log deck to a log feeder; a log feeder having means for grasping and securely holding a log; means for cutting the log when said log is held by said log feeder; means for diverting the cut logs to a splitting mechanism; and a splitting mechanism for splitting the cut logs into fireplace wood, said splitting mechanism including a splitting wedge slidably mounted and remotely positionable to permit proper positioning of said splitting wedge with respect to a cut log.
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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) | 1986-02-14 | 1986-08-16 | 1987-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-14 | 1990-08-16 | 1991-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-14 | 1994-08-16 | 1995-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |