Tree-trimming apparatus

Claim 2

A tree-trimming apparatus comprising: a mobile support; a turntable mounted about a substantially vertical axis on said support; means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said vertical axis; a pedestal pivotally mounted about a substantially horizontal axis on said turntable; means for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said horizontal axis; a boom pivotally mounted on said pedestal about an axis normal to said horizontal axis; means for imparting pivotal motion to said boom about said axis normal to said horizontal axis; cutting means mounted on the end of said boom; means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means.

Claim 3

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means comprises a circular saw.

Claim 4

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable comprises a fluid pressure operated motor operatively connected to said turntable, pump means for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor, and an engine drivingly connected to said pump means.

Claim 5

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal comprises a fluid pressure operated cylinder mounted between said pedestal and said turntable, said cylinder operatively connected to said pump means.

Claim 6

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for imparting pivotal motion to said boom comprises a fluid pressure operated cylinder mounted between said boom and said pedestal, said cylinder operatively connected to said pump means.

Claim 7

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means comprises a fluid pressure operated motor mounted on the end of said boom and operatively connected to said pump means.

Claim 8

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said boom comprises at least two telescopic members and means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said telescopic members.

Claim 9

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for imparting boom extending and retracting movement comprises a fluid pressure operated motor connected to said telescopic members and operatively connected to said pump means.

Claim 10

A tree-trimming apparatus comprising: a mobile support; pump means for supplying fluid under pressure; an engine drivingly connected to said pump means; a turntable rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on said mobile support; a first fluid pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said turntable for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said vertical axis; first conduit means for connecting said first motor means to said pump means; a pedestal pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on said turntable; first fluid pressure operated cylinder means operatively connected between said pedestal and turntable for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said horizontal axis; second conduit means for connecting said first cylinder means to said pump means; a boom comprising an inner boom member telescopically contained in an outer boom member, said boom pivotally mounted on said pedestal about an axis normal to said horizontal axis; second fluid pressure operated cylinder means operatively connected between said boom and said pedestal for imparting pivotal motion to said boom about said axis normal to said horizontal axis; third conduit means connecting said second cylinder means to said pump means; second fluid pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said inner boom member for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said inner boom member; fourth conduit means for connecting said second motor means to said pump means; a circular saw mounted on the end of said boom; third pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said circular saw for imparting rotational cutting motion to said circular saw; fifth conduit means for connecting said third motor means to said pump means.

Claim 11

A tree-trimming apparatus comprising: a mobile support; pump means for supplying fluid under pressure; an engine drivingly connected to said pump means; a turntable rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on said mobile support; a first fluid pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said turntable for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said vertical axis; first conduit means for connecting said first motor means to said pump means; a pedestal pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on said turntable; first fluid pressure operated cylinder means operatively connected between said pedestal and turntable for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said horizontal axis; second conduit means for connecting said first cylinder means to said pump means; a boom comprising an inner boom member telescopically contained in an outer boom member, said boom pivotally mounted on said pedestal about an axis normal to said horizontal axis; second fluid pressure operated cylinder means operatively connected between said boom and said pedestal for imparting pivotal motion to said boom about said axis normal to said horizontal axis; third conduit means connecting said second cylinder means to said pump means; second fluid pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said inner boom member for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said inner boom member; fourth conduit means for connecting said second motor means to said pump means; a circular saw mounted on the end of said boom; third pressure operated motor means operatively connected to said circular saw for imparting rotational cutting motion to said circular saw; fifth conduit means for connecting said third motor means to said pump means.

Claim 12

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pump means and said engine are mounted on said turntable.

Claim 13

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth conduit means are electrically non-conductive flexible hoses.

Claim 14

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said boom is comprised of a flexible, electrically non-conductive material.

Claim 15

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising an operator's station means mounted on said pedestal, said operator's station means operatively connected to provide control of said fluid pressure motor means and said cylinder means.

Claim 16

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising flow sensing means operatively connected to said fifth conduit means and said third pressure operated motor means for allowing the free flow of fluid through said motor means when the supply of fluid to said motor means is terminated, whereby said motor means is allowed to coast to a stop without drawing a vacuum in said conduit means.

Claim 17

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said inner boom member and said outer boom member are hollow and have a circular cross section.

Claim 18

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said fifth conduit means is contained within said boom.

Claim 19

A tree-trimming apparatus comprising: a mobile support; a turntable rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on said mobile support; pump means mounted on said turntable for supplying fluid under pressure; an engine mounted on said turntable and drivingly connected to said pump means; a first fluid pressure operated motor means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said vertical axis, said motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a pedestal pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on said turntable; first fluid pressure operated cylinder means mounted between said pedestal and said turntable for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said horizontal axis, said first cylinder means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a cylindrical boom constructed of fiberglass comprising an inner boom member telescopically contained in an outer boom member, said boom pivotally mounted on said pedestal about an axis normal to said horizontal axis; second fluid pressure operated cylinder means mounted between said boom and said pedestal for imparting pivotal motion to said boom about said axis normal to said horizontal axis, said second cylinder means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a second fluid pressure operated motor means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said inner boom member, said second motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a circular saw mounted on the end of said boom, such circular saw having an unshielded circumferential surface of at least 240 degrees; a third pressure operated motor means mounted at the end of said boom for imparting rotational cutting motion to said circular saw, said third motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses which are contained inside said boom; an operator's station means mounted on said pedestal, said operator's station means operatively connected to provide control of said fluid pressure motor means and said cylinder means.

Claim 20

A tree-trimming apparatus comprising: a mobile support; a turntable rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on said mobile support; pump means mounted on said turntable for supplying fluid under pressure; an engine mounted on said turntable and drivingly connected to said pump means; a first fluid pressure operated motor means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said vertical axis, said motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a pedestal pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on said turntable; first fluid pressure operated cylinder means mounted between said pedestal and said turntable for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said horizontal axis, said first cylinder means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a cylindrical boom constructed of fiberglass comprising an inner boom member telescopically contained in an outer boom member, said boom pivotally mounted on said pedestal about an axis normal to said horizontal axis; second fluid pressure operated cylinder means mounted between said boom and said pedestal for imparting pivotal motion to said boom about said axis normal to said horizontal axis, said second cylinder means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a second fluid pressure operated motor means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said inner boom member, said second motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses; a circular saw mounted on the end of said boom, such circular saw having an unshielded circumferential surface of at least 240 degrees; a third pressure operated motor means mounted at the end of said boom for imparting rotational cutting motion to said circular saw, said third motor means operatively connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses which are contained inside said boom; an operator's station means mounted on said pedestal, said operator's station means operatively connected to provide control of said fluid pressure motor means and said cylinder means.

Claim 21

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a fluid reservoir located inside said pedestal, said reservoir connected to said pump means by flexible electrically non-conductive hoses.

Claim 22

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising first and second annular bearing members defined by a front edge, a rear edge, an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface of said first bearing member being secured to the inner cylindrical surface of said outer boom member, said inner boom member being slidably disposed within the opening defined by the inner circumferential surface of said first bearing member, the inner circumferential surface of said second bearing member being secured to the outer cylindrical surface of said inner boom member, said second bearing member being slidably disposed within said outer boom member, whereby during boom extending and retracting movements said boom members are allowed to move freely with respect to one another.

Claim 23

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising rotational alignment means operatively connected to said inner boom member and said outer boom member for eliminating the possibility of rotation between said boom members.

Claim 24

A tree-trimming apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said rotational alignment means comprises a longitudinal rotational alignment element secured to the outer cylindrical surface of said inner boom member and a keyway in said first bearing member which mates with said alignment member such that said boom members are allowed free movement in the longitudinal direction but are not allowed to move rotationally with respect to one another.

Claim 25

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a turntable mounted on the support means for rotational movement about a first axis that extends upwardly from the support means; means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said first axis; a pedestal mounted on the turntable for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal axis; means for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said second axis; a boom mounted on said pedestal for up and down pivotal movement about a third axis that is generally horizontal and transverse to said second axis; means for imparting pivotal movement to the boom about said third axis; cutting means mounted on the end of said boom; and means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means.

Claim 26

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a turntable mounted on the support means for rotational movement about a first axis that extends upwardly from the support means; means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said first axis; a pedestal mounted on the turntable for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal axis; means for imparting pivotal motion to said pedestal about said second axis; a boom mounted on said pedestal for up and down pivotal movement about a third axis that is generally horizontal and transverse to said second axis; means for imparting pivotal movement to the boom about said third axis; cutting means mounted on the end of said boom; and means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means.

Claim 27

The apparatus defined by claim 22, wherein the boom is formed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material.

Claim 28

The apparatus defined by claim 23, wherein the cutting means comprises a circular saw blade.

Claim 29

The apparatus defined by claim 24, which further comprises shielding means for the circular saw blade, said shielding means being constructed to shield no more than about 120 degrees of the circumferential cutting edge of the blade.

Claim 30

The apparatus defined by claim 22, wherein the saw blade has a tip velocity of on the order of 265 miles per hour.

Claim 31

The apparatus defined by claim 22, wherein the blade is on the order of 18 inches in diameter.

Claim 32

The apparatus defined by claim 22, wherein the support means comprises a mobile support.

Claim 33

The apparatus defined by claim 22, wherein the boom comprises at least two telescopic members and means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said telescopic members.

Claim 34

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a turntable mounted on the support means for rotational movement about a first axis that extends upwardly from the support means; means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said axis; a boom mounted on said turntable for up and down pivotal movement about a second axis that extends generally horizontally, said boom being formed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; means for imparting pivotal movement to the boom about said second axis; cutting means mounted on the end of said boom; and means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means.

Claim 35

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a turntable mounted on the support means for rotational movement about a first axis that extends upwardly from the support means; means for imparting rotational motion to said turntable about said axis; a boom mounted on said turntable for up and down pivotal movement about a second axis that extends generally horizontally, said boom being formed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; means for imparting pivotal movement to the boom about said second axis; cutting means mounted on the end of said boom; and means for imparting cutting motion to said cutting means.

Claim 36

The apparatus defined by claim 30, wherein the cutting means comprises a circular saw blade.

Claim 37

The apparatus defined by claim 31, which further comprises shielding means for the circular saw blade, said shielding means being constructed to shield no more than about 120 degrees of the circumferential cutting edge of the blade.

Claim 38

The apparatus defined by claim 30, wherein the support means comprises a mobile support.

Claim 39

The apparatus defined by claim 30, wherein the boom comprises at least two telescopic members and means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said telescopic members.

Claim 40

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a boom mounted on the support means for up and down movement relative thereto, the boom being constructed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; a circular saw blade mounted for cutting rotation at the extreme end of the boom; fluid motor means carried by the boom for rotating the saw blade; fluid pumping means on said support means for driving the fluid motor means; and electrically, nonconductive fluid conduit means for transmitting fluid between the fluid pumping means and fluid motor means.

Claim 41

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a boom mounted on the support means for up and down movement relative thereto, the boom being constructed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; a circular saw blade mounted for cutting rotation at the extreme end of the boom; fluid motor means carried by the boom for rotating the saw blade; fluid pumping means on said support means for driving the fluid motor means; and electrically, nonconductive fluid conduit means for transmitting fluid between the fluid pumping means and fluid motor means.

Claim 42

The apparatus defined by claim 35, wherein the boom is hollow, and the fluid conduit means is disposed within the boom.

Claim 43

The apparatus defined by claim 35, which further comprises shielding means for the circular saw blade, said shielding means being constructed to shield no more than about 120 degrees of the circumferential cutting edge of the blade.

Claim 44

The apparatus defined by claim 35, wherein the support means comprises a mobile support.

Claim 45

The apparatus defined by claim 35, wherein the boom comprises at least two telescopic members and means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said telescopic members.

Claim 46

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a boom mounted on the support means for up and down movement relative thereto about a predetermined axis, the boom being constructed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; means for imparting movement to the boom about said predetermined axis; a circular saw blade mounted for cutting rotation at the extreme end of the boom; shielding means for the circular saw blade carried by the boom constructed to shield no more than about 120 degrees of the circumferential cutting edge of the blade; and means for imparting rotational cutting motion to the circular saw blade.

Claim 47

Apparatus for trimming trees and the like at above ground level, comprising: support means; a boom mounted on the support means for up and down movement relative thereto about a predetermined axis, the boom being constructed from flexible, electrically nonconductive material; means for imparting movement to the boom about said predetermined axis; a circular saw blade mounted for cutting rotation at the extreme end of the boom; shielding means for the circular saw blade carried by the boom constructed to shield no more than about 120 degrees of the circumferential cutting edge of the blade; and means for imparting rotational cutting motion to the circular saw blade.

Claim 48

The apparatus defined by claim 40, wherein the saw blade has a tip velocity of on the order of 265 miles per hour.

Claim 49

The apparatus defined by claim 41, wherein the circular saw blade is on the order of 18 inches in diameter.

Claim 50

The apparatus defined by claim 40, wherein the support means comprises a mobile support.

Claim 51

The apparatus defined by claim 40, wherein the boom comprises at least two telescopic members and means for imparting boom extending and boom retracting movements to said telescopic members.