Patents by Inventor Norman A. Hicks

Norman A. Hicks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110048581
    Abstract: This log splitter is designed to work very fast and efficiently, yet be less expensive to construct than comparable splitters. By using a single, vertical, rectangular post to support all the split wedges including the two-way, these wedges can be of a simpler, less expensive, yet as strong construction. Secondly, by angling the Split Wedge Post slightly forward, it retains the split wedges during splitting operations, limits them to rise only slightly as the wood passes through, yet allows them to be freely and easily placed and removed by hand by the operator. The manually operated Height Adjuster Bar located conveniently on the side of the beam, allows the operator to easily and quickly raise and lower the split wedges as necessary to accommodate different sized logs and to retain the wedges in place with a simple latch type arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Norman A. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20110048580
    Abstract: This invention adds a very large (24×32 inch or larger) log table permanently mounted to the log splitter. This alone adds immeasurably to the efficiency and convenience of splitting. It allows for the true, convenient, and safe one-man operation of a splitter because it catches and stores the far side of the log and log pieces while the operator is free to handle the near side with one hand and the control valve with the other hand. The log lifter is powered hydraulically with the same cylinder, control valve, hoses and fittings that power the split wedge. Very simply, a cable and a pulley are used to direct the force of the existing cylinder to raise the log lifter. This simplicity lowers the cost of the log lifter considerably and makes it and the log table and the convenience of splitting in a more comfortable, standing position more readily available to the splitting public.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Norman A. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20060060262
    Abstract: A length limiter rod is attached to an extended inward end of a control valve lever of a log splitter to allow it to stop at any point desired on a return cycle. A hitch pin on the rod contacting a shutoff guide attached to a slide wedge forces the rod rearward pulling the control valve lever to a neutral position stopping the return of the slide wedge to shorten the return length and thereby shorten the cycle time in splitting logs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventor: Norman Hicks