Tree Climber Patents (Class 144/208.2)
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Patent number: 9974244Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for tapping and collecting rubber. The system includes a tapping apparatus for tapping rubber and a collecting apparatus for collecting tapped rubber. The tapping apparatus includes a rail directing a drill bit or blade to move between one end of the rail to another end of the rail and to remove tree bark during the movement and a mounting structure configured to hold the rail and connect the tapping apparatus to a tree or plant. The collecting apparatus is positioned below the tapping apparatus for collecting rubber that exudes from a cut tree or plant. The collecting apparatus includes a slide and a tube having an opening and a divider that separates the tube into multiple sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Inventor: Hanmin Hu
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Patent number: 9790656Abstract: A concrete pile cutting assembly configured for cutting a concrete pile includes a cutting saw portion supported on a collar portion. The collar portion securely engages the concrete pile and mounts the cutting saw portion adjacent the concrete pile at a desired height such that a cutting blade of the cutting saw portion cuts, or severs, the concrete pile at the desired height. The collar portion includes a plurality of collar elements each having a beam, a connecting flange, and a locking fastener. The locking fastener of a first beam engages with a corresponding beam opening of a second beam to connect adjacent collar elements together. Each beam has at least one mounting cylinder and the cutting saw portion includes a post for engaging with one of the mounting cylinders provided on the beams to mount the cutting saw portion onto the collar portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: T. J. McKnight, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. McKnight
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Patent number: 9445554Abstract: A multi-axis controlled self-climbing tree trimmer used for shaping and severing peripheral growth from a tree is provided herein. The trimmer typically includes a structural segment hinged together to form a rigid chassis that surrounds a tree trunk climbing segment and a trimming portion. The climbing portion is retained within the structural segment in the form of a number of inward-extending carriages containing one or more rollers for gripping the tree trunk during climbing, and the trimming portion may include a rotatable split ring gear containing centrifugally rotating trimming blade members and/or a cutting tool on a positionable arm. When rotated, the blade members unlatch and pivot, into the trunk of the tree to effect controlled trimming. The system may utilize a multi-axis control system that uses linear interpolation, circular interpolation and coordination of all axes to enable the trimmer to follow an XYZ contour selected by a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: VANDYPALM, INC.Inventors: Mike Van De Mortel, Christopher A. Hipwell
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Patent number: 9403474Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling work lights in a forestry machine, which system includes a harvester head (16), attached to the set of booms (14) of the forestry machine (10), for felling and processing trees, at least one work light (20) attached to the harvester head (16) for illuminating the harvester head (16) and its surroundings, and control means (15) for controlling the operation of the work light (20). The control means (15) are the valve control unit (25) belonging to the harvester head (16) for controlling the valves of the harvester head (16), which control unit (25) is arranged to feed power and/or control the power feed to the said work light (20).Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Ponsse OyjInventors: Tero Kaatrasalo, Eero Hotti
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Patent number: 8307865Abstract: A collar is positionable around a trunk of a palm tree. The upper section has an annular track and a slot. Each drive wheel has a motor and a bracket with a lower end that supports a drive wheel. The upper end of each bracket is coupled to the collar with a spring. A saw is positioned above the collar. A saw motor is provided. A radial positioning assembly includes a plurality of arms that couple the saw, the collar and motors to vary the position of the saw. A circumferential positioning assembly includes a trolley. The trolley has wheels and a motor to move the trolley along the track. The lower end of the lower arm extends upwardly through the slot and is coupled to the trolley. A controller has switches to control the motor. Further in this manner the positioning and activating of the saw is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventor: Joe Cuffel
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Patent number: 7997311Abstract: A self-propelled climbing apparatus for performing a maintenance operation on a palm tree comprises a climbing section that moves up and down the tree and a maintenance section that performs the desired operation. The climbing section has a main support frame with climbing mechanisms attached thereto. The climbing mechanism has upper and lower wheels that engage the trunk and are operated by a drive mechanism that rotates the wheels. Springs pull the upper and lower wheels toward each other to maintain their engagement with the trunk. The maintenance section rotatably and detachably mounts to a head support rail supported above the climbing section. In one embodiment, the maintenance section is a cutting head having a cutting mechanism at the upper end of a pivoting cutting arm to cut wrapping and/or fronds from the trunk. A tent assembly directs debris directly downward to prevent injury or damage and ease cleanup.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Inventor: Edward L. Prout, Jr.
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Patent number: 7591292Abstract: A delimbing apparatus for the delimbing of trees, which can be connected to a moving vehicle via a boom system. The apparatus includes a frame part and a delimbing head. The frame part is provided with gripping elements, by which the frame part is fastened against the trunk of the tree at a desired height during delimbing work. The apparatus includes a delimbing head which is separate from the frame part and is provided with a gripping device for gripping the trunk of the tree. The delimbing head is moved by drive means along the tree trunk, and at least one delimbing cutter and a feed and control cable for transmitting operating power, connected between the delimbing head moving along the trunk of the tree and the frame part.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Inventor: Antti Happonen
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Patent number: 7422041Abstract: “A tree trimming device that automatically climbs a tree or other vertical member and shears limbs or debris as it climbs has an anchor structure with substantially horizontal clamps, a cutting assembly with substantially horizontal clamps, vertical connecting pistons, and a cutting blade assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Inventors: George E. Smith, John Crews
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Patent number: 7273078Abstract: A tree delimber including a base frame rotatably supporting a yoke assembly and a cutting head assembly. The yoke assembly is journalled for rotation in a ring bearing on the base frame, adjacent its front end, and supported by a pair of roller units adjacent its rear end. Each roller unit includes a vertically adjustable roller, adjustment being automatically effected by horizontal movement of a wedge driven by a control rod under the influence of fluid pressure in a hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Blount, Inc.Inventor: Steve Shae
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Patent number: 6758248Abstract: In a device and a method for a tree harvester head for trimming tree trunks, the device includes a frame (1) supporting feed rollers (2), one or more trimming knives (4) that pivot towards and away from the tree trunk, as well as a trimming knife (6) permanently fixed to the frame (1) and with a radius of curvature that is essentially equivalent to the radii of curvature of the pivoting trimming knives (4).Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Partek Forest ABInventors: Gunnar Nilsson, Leo Samson, Tommy Englund
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Patent number: 6672346Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a tree trimming apparatus comprising a resilient frame, upright assemblies, drive assemblies, resilient alignment bar assemblies, spring tensioner assemblies, a buss assembly, and saw assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventor: Rainer F. Heckmaier
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Patent number: 6474377Abstract: A self-propelled, climbing tree trimmer for severing branches from a tree (68) consisting of a support ring (12) divided into two equal parts, with a hinge (18) connecting the ring parts together, thus permitting it to be axially rotated apart to surround a tree. A channel ring (30) in two equal halves are joined onto the support ring, and a similar two piece rotatable ring gear (40) is juxtaposed on top of the channel ring in a revolvable manner. A number of pivoting knife blades (46) are attached to the ring gear so as to tilt inward when rotated, and a ring gear drive motor (62) interfaces with the ring gear rotating the ring gear at a speed which tilts the blades sufficiently to engage and cut fronds or branches from the tree upon which the trimmer surrounds.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventor: Mike Van De Mortel