US5101872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tree felling and stacking apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-05-02
•
Granted: 1992-04-07
•
Expires: 2011-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A tree harvester is rotatable about three distinct axes to increase the efficiency of cutting and stacking trees. A cut tree is rotatable about a first axis by a rotation bearing and an associated hydraulic cylinder to move the tree in a sideways direction from the vertical plane. The cut tree is also rotatable about a second axis by moving a second rotation bearing to allow the jaws to grip the selected tree even when it is surrounded by adjacent trees. The frame is rotatable about a third substantially horizontal axis so that the cut tree may be tipped forward from the vertical plane to facilitate stacking. The tree harvester also includes an improved grab jaw having greater gripping force, and an improved saw bar designed to minimize chain jumping.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane L. Scheuren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:45
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A tree harvester that is mounted on a self-propelled vehicle, comprising: jaw means for gripping a cut tree; first pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a first axis; second pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a second axis; and third pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a third axis wherein said vehicle has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first axis is substantially horizontal and parallel to said longitudinal axis when the gripped tree is vertical, and wherein said second axis is substantially vertical when the gripped three is vertical.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A tree harvester that is mounted on a self-propelled vehicle, comprising: jaw means for gripping a cut tree; first pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a first axis; second pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a second axis; and third pivot means for pivoting the gripped tree about a third axis wherein said vehicle has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said first axis is substantially horizontal and parallel to said longitudinal axis when the gripped tree is vertical, and wherein said second axis is substantially vertical when the gripped three is vertical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tree harvester according to claim 1, further comprising: saw means for sawing an uncut tree.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tree harvester according to claim 2, wherein said saw means further comprises: a saw bar having sprockets on its periphery; and a chain interconnected with said sprockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tree harvester according to claim 3, wherein the periphery of said saw bar is substantially elliptical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tree harvester according to claim 2, further comprising: saw pivot means for moving said saw means from a first position to a second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tree harvester according to claim 5, wherein said saw pivot means includes: a stationary pivot; a movable pivot; and a hydraulic cylinder having one end interconnected with said movable pivot, whereby the actuation of said cylinder moves said bar from said first position to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The tree harvester according to claim 1, wherein said jaw means further comprises: at least one movable grab jaw; a jaw pivot interconnected with a frame about which said grab jaw pivots; and a hydraulic cylinder having one end interconnected with said frame and an opposite end interconnected with said grab jaw, whereby the actuation of said hydraulic cylinder pivots said grab jaw about said jaw pivot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tree harvester according to claim 7, wherein said opposite end of said hydraulic cylinder is interconnected near an end of said grab jaw, said grab jaw end being spaced from said jaw pivot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tree harvester according to claim wherein said first pivot means further comprises: a rotatable bearing; and rotating means for rotating said bearing about a bearing axis to thereby rotate said gripped tree.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tree harvester according to claim 9, wherein said rotating means includes: a hydraulic cylinder that has one end interconnected with said bearing, the actuation of said cylinder thereby rotating said rotatable bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tree harvester according to claim 9, wherein said first axis substantially coincides with the bearing axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tree harvester according to claim 9, wherein said bearing is substantially vertical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tree harvester according to claim 1, wherein said second pivot means further comprises: a rotatable bearing; and rotating means for rotating said bearing about a bearing axis to thereby rotate said gripped tree.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tree harvester according to claim 13, wherein said rotating means includes: a drive motor having a rotatable drive shaft; a drive gear interconnected with said drive shaft; and driven gear teeth interconnected with said bearing and in meshing engagement with said drive gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
The tree harvester according to claim 1, wherein said third pivot means further comprises: a mounting plate; a stationary pivot interconnected with a boom on said vehicle; a movable pivot; and a hydraulic cylinder having one end interconnected with said movable pivot, whereby the actuation of said hydraulic cylinder rotates said mounting plate about said stationary pivot to thereby rotate said gripped tree about said third axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tree harvester according to claim 1, wherein said third axis is substantially horizontal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3590760A
Cited
US3796241A
Cited
US3882910A
Cited
US3981336A
Cited
US4044806A
Cited
US3905407A
Cited
US3986542A
Cited
US4081007A
Cited
US3999582A
Cited
US4083463A
Cited
US4116249A
Cited
US4124047A
Cited
US4109689A
Cited
US4569379A
Cited
SU1132854A1
Cited
US4537236A
Cited
WO1984003813A1
Cited
US4552191A
Cited
US4838328A
Cited
SU1327838A1
Cited
US4881582A
Cited
US4800936A
Cited
US4779654A
Cited
WO1989012383A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |