Abstract: A pair of spring connected jack members have opposed faces. One of such members has one or more longitudinally extending ramps engageable by pinion gears or the like secured on cross shafts movable freely between the two jack members. Also supported on the cross shafts but for free rotation on such shafts are pairs of rollers engageable with tracks on opposite faces of the jack members. The tracks are parallel with the ramps and are offset from each other in an arrangement such that one of the rollers in a pair engages one of the tracks on a first of the jack members but is disengaged from the opposite jack member and the other of such roller in the pair engages the track of such opposite jack member but is disengaged from the first jack member. The cross shafts have wrench engaging ends for rotating the pinion gears so that they will travel along the ramps to expand or contract the two jack members relative to each other.

Abstract: A tree-felling implement is disclosed, which is particularly effective for felling frozen trees. The implement is of the type comprising flat plate with a front transverse straight edge, a lever arm being rigidly secured to the top face of the flat plate and extending upwardly at an acute angle rearwardly from the flat plate. This implement is characterized by the provision of a bite member which downwardly projects from the bottom surface of the plate along the front transverse edge. Said bite member has a generally rectangular cross-section providing parallel front and rear flat side faces substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the plate and a flat edge surface substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the plate. The plate and the bite member are thin enough to be inserted into a saw kerf made in the trunk of a frozen tree.

Abstract: Two elongated members are coaxially moveable relative to one another with one member rigidly attached to a working head such as an elongated wedge or the like. In one embodiment, the inner member is fixed to the working head while the outer member moveably surrounds the inner member. The outer member is dimensioned so that its lower perimeter edge is small enough to allow the members to be reciprocated so as to drive the head into a log or other material without the outer member being held against coaxial reciprocal movement by the material. The members can be secured as for lifting, withdrawing, transporting, etc., with a particularly advantageous form of the securing means being a flexible collar on the outer member for cooperating with a hole therethrough for gripping the inner member. The outer member can be fixed to the working head and the inner member reciprocally moveable therein.

Abstract: A manually operated device for use in tree falling comprises an elongated manually operable lever having a first pressure plate at one end and a second pressure plate hinged to the first pressure plate. A pressure member is connected in spaced relation to the pressure plates by two links pivotally interconnected directly with the pressure member at one of their respective ends. The other ends of the links are connected to the pressure plates. Raising the lever causes the first pressure plate to pivot in relation to the second pressure plate and the links to raise the pressure member which bears against the tree sawcut, consequently felling the tree.

Abstract: A log quartering wedge comprises a splitting wedge having a pair of opposed converging lateral surfaces meeting at a leading chisel edge and a pair of generally planar quartering blades disposed perpendicular to the leading edge of the wedge. The blades each include a generally straight leading edge defining an acute angle with the adjacent lateral surface of the wedge. The outer tips of the blades are set back longitudinally from the leading edge of the wedge.

Abstract: A pressure assembly comprises a base plate, a ram and a wedge located between the base plate and the ram, the wedge having an inclined face facing the base plate or ram, the facing surface of the base plate or ram being inclined at the same angle and a screw adapted to move the wedge at right angles to the separation of the ram and base plate to alter the separation of the ram and base plate. Preferably a pair of wedges are provided, and preferably their inclined faces are oppositely-inclined. The pressure assembly may be used in conjunction with a support member adapted to be secured to a firm foundation, for example by bolts passing through bores. The assembly can be used to clamp a workpiece between the ram and a fixed member by engagement of the base plate with the fixed member and by increasing the separation of the ram from the base plate by rotating the screw.

Abstract: An elongated cone like member having a pointed end and a relatively large blunt end with the intermediate portion flaring outwardly from the pointed end to the blunt end, and serrations formed in the member adjacent the pointed end. The pointed end of the member is plunged into the end of a short length log and the blunt end is struck by a driving maul. The serrations prevent the member from bouncing back out of the wood and the multi-directional flaring of the intermediate portion applies splitting pressure radially in a symmetrical pattern from the point as the member is driven into the wood to thereby split the log where it is weakest.

Abstract: A rock splitting attachment for a breaking hammer comprising a primary shaft and an elongated primary wedge assembly that is telescopically attached to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has a plurality of principal wedge surfaces on its outer surface adjacent its bottom end. The structure for telescopically attaching the primary shaft to the elongated primary wedge assembly comprises a bore in the primary shaft extending axially inwardly from its bottom end and a secondary shaft that forms a part of the elongated primary wedge assembly. The width of the secondary shaft is smaller that the width of the bore so that it may be telescopically received therein. The secondary shaft has an external groove extending axially along a substantial portion of its length. A set screw is threadably seated in the primary shaft so that it extends radially inwardly far enough into the primary shaft that it extends into the external groove of the secondary shaft.

Abstract: A pair of L-shaped claws consisting of longitudinal and cross members are substantially congruent, rigidly connected and spaced a short distance from each other. Two aligned elongated openings are provided in the center of each cross member, for receiving a vertically-oriented tensioning wedge. A third claw, substantially congruent with the first two claws is guided with its cross members longitudinally in the space between the first pair, with little play in the transverse directions. This third claw also has an elongated opening in its cross member for receiving the tensioning wedge. The cross sides of the first mentioned elongated openings which contact the tensioning wedge on one side is opposite to the cross side of the last mentioned elongated opening, which contacts the tensioning wedge on its opposite side. A contact surface for the frame piece is provided on the side of the cross members of claw pair, directed toward the outer leg of the frame piece.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatically-operating wedge block for maintaining intimate structural contact over wide temperature ranges, including cryogenic use. The wedging action depends on the relative thermal expansion of two materials having very different coefficients of thermal expansion. The wedge block expands in thickness when cooled to cryogenic temperatures and contracts in thickness when returned to room temperature.

Abstract: An improved wedge of the multi-blade type, particularly adapted for hand-held use. Four tapered blades extend substantially 90.degree. apart, and a short driving head arises from their midst. A separable point extends from the root of the four blades. The leading edges of the blades are raked at an angle which provides optimum penetration and splitting characteristics, and allows the wedge to be easily manipulated for use as a hand-held tool. The flanks of the blades are generally concave so that the transverse thickness of the blades increases slightly over the lower half of the blade length, but very substantially over the upper half.

Abstract: A blocking-up wedge of the kind used in pairs for the levelling of joists and the like consisting of a prismatic-shaped body, the terminal surfaces of which being triangles, and at least one wedge surface being provided with a relatively great friction profiled formation in such a direction that the mutual displacement of the pair of wedges reducing the distance between the parallel supporting surfaces of the pair of wedges is principally prevented and lateral shifting of the wedges is controlled or prevented.

Abstract: A pair of pointed, rearwardly toothed wedge members are pivotally mounted at their rear or blunt ends to spaced positions on a drive handle head, whereby they may be successively and alternatingly driven into a saw cut in a tree by pumping the handle.

Abstract: A pedestal assembly for supporting elevated floors having means for adjusting its height in the form of a generally triangular wedge. The wedge is horizontally displaceable on the assembly to cam an upper carrier element of the assembly into a desired elevation. The assembly is provided with self-locking means to maintain the wedge and carrier elements in their selected positions. The self-locking means comprises a taper lock and supplementary locking teeth operative on the wedge in response to loading applied thereto through the carrier element.

Abstract: Tree shear blade having a forwardly tapering web portion and upper and lower rib portions provided on upper and lower web faces of the web portion. Cutting edge of web portion is defined as intersection of a lower bevelled face thereof with the upper web face. Upper rib portions are spaced along the blade and extend upwardly from upper web face and rearwardly from cutting edge with leading ends thereof having leading faces extending rearwardly from the cutting edge. Lower rib portions extending downwardly from lower web face and having leading ends with inclined rib leading faces extending rearwardly from and being coplanar with lower bevelled face. Upper and lower rib portions are both generally staggered relative to each other along the blade adajcent upper and lower rib portions so that outer portions of rib portions overlap each other to strengthen blade.

Abstract: A log splitter for longitudinally splitting a log comprises a support for supporting the log to be split. A double angled wedge structure is located at one end of the support to engage one end of the log and a ram is located to engage the other end of the log. A hydraulic means moves the ram to force the one end of the log against the double angled wedge structure. The double angled wedge structure comprises a pair of plates extending transverse to the direction of movement of the ram, each of said pair of plates having first portions which converge at one angle as they extend toward the one end of the log and second portions which converge at another lesser angle as they extend toward the one end of the log from said first portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device used primarily, but not exclusively for splitting logs.The purpose of the device is to provide a means for splitting wood into a usable dimension by expanding a bellows type membrane using a low pressure medium source under a restrained log forcing it into a set of shearing blades.

Abstract: A tool and method for permitting materials handling trucks of the type having standard forks on the front thereof to lift and handle loads of stacked boxes, sacks or other articles supported at their bottom only by flexible slipsheet pallets. The tool comprises an elongate frame having a pair of forwardly projecting, laterally spaced horizontal plates at the bottom thereof, such plates being ground to a sharply tapered edge at their leading edges. A respective handle is located adjacent each end of the elongate frame for use by a workman in manipulating the tool into a position such that the leading edges of the plates are at least partially inserted beneath an edge of a load-bearing slipsheet pallet while the slipsheet and load are at rest on the floor. The tool has a vertical rear surface for engaging the tips of a pair of standard lift truck forks so that the forks can be used to forcibly push the plates fully beneath the loaded slip sheet so as to be sandwiched between the slipsheet and the floor.

Abstract: This invention provides a useful and inexpensive log splitting device, especially suited for home use, comprising jack means having a platform block mounted upon the jacking mechanism and a wedge block mounted fixedly upon the jack post, wherein, when a log is placed between the platform block and the wedge block and the jack means are actuated, the log is split. In addition, there is provided a new and useful log splitting wedge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-adjusting spacer mechanism for being interposed in a centrifugal pump between a volute and a barrel end surface for regulating the spacing therebetween. The spacer includes a first inclined surface and an outer surface coupled with an inside surface of the barrel cover. A second sliding plate has an outer surface coupled with an end surface of the volute and a second inclined surface generally parallel to and in sliding communication with the first inclined surface of the first sliding plate. A bias spring is coupled between the first and second sliding plate for advancing the sliding communication therebetween in a preferred direction for increasing the separation between the outside surfaces responsive to a separation between the volute and the barrel end surface.

Abstract: A wedge assembly for spacing apart batteries which permits a complete range f operation with all components remaining intact in their assembled form is provided. A central or inner wedge having a plurality of identical wedge sections is movable between a pair of outer wedges or side plates having mating inner sections and a planar outer surface. Wedging action is produced by torquing a bolt secured to the outer wedges and threaded through a nut secured in the inner wedge. The wedging components are held together and in alignment by screws attached to the inner wedge and guided through slots formed in the outer wedges.

Abstract: A wood splitting wedge is arranged on a vertical support such that the upper end of the wedge can be conveniently struck by a sledge hammer or the like in order to split a log provided immediately below the wedge and supported on a base which also serves to support the lower end of the support or standard. A second wedge is provided intermediate the first wedge and the standard and a handle serves to provide a convenient means for splitting small kindling with the second wedge. The second wedge serves the added function of spreading the sections of larger logs when they are being split in order to avoid jamming of the first wedge.

Abstract: A manually operated log breaking device with a longitudinally extending lever member having a first pressure plate attached at one end portion and a second pressure plate attached to the first pressure plate in a hinged relationship, two sets of lever members extending from the first and second pressure plates in a hinged relationship to same and at the free end portions joined in a hinged relationship to a third set of lever members, having a third pressure plate attached in a hinged relationship at the free end portion of the third set of lever members, the pressure plates and lever members coacting as a link or gear system for increasing the resulting power of a manual force applied to the free end portion of the longitudinally extending lever member.

Abstract: A wood splitting attachment for a backhoe includes a guide track mounted on the backhoe main boom and a guide track follower attached to the backhoe secondary boom or dipperstick. The follower engages and follows the guide track as the main boom and secondary boom swing toward each other. A wood splitting wedge on the track is driven through a stick of wood pushed along the track by the dipper-stick.

Abstract: An auxiliary tool for use with a primary tool employed in implanting an electrical lead in body tissue, the primary tool being designed to hold the lead during implantation so as to avoid imparting torque to the lead, such primary tool including a slotted end, a longitudinally extending groove and a longitudinally extending bore which communicates with the groove and the slotted end. The auxiliary tool, which includes a body portion moveable in the bore, a ridge portion moveable in the groove, and a terminal portion moveable in the slotted end, serves to remove the lead from the primary tool after implantation of the electrode.

Abstract: A stop member includes a flat member of uniform thickness and having attached at a position spaced from one end thereof an abutment member. The abutment member may be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of said flat member. The stop member is inserted into a cut made in a log by a chain saw until the abutment member abuts the exterior of the log.

Abstract: A Manual Log Splitter comprising a frame having upright and laterally-spaced guide members, and a horizontal beam slidably-supported on the guide members. A splitting wedge is integral with the beam so as to be positioned in engagement with the upper end of the log. The wedge is then struck by a manually-held sledge to split the log; the operation is repeated, depending upon the size of the pieces desired.

Abstract: A channeling wedge to be used for separating wires in a cable bundle and for separating the shield from the sheath to form passages affording resin or compound to more freely flow into the cable bundle and between the shield and the sheath and block the cable.

Abstract: A log splitter and method for splitting logs, rails or the like, comprising a pair of double acting fluid cylinder operators in a parallel spaced side-by-side arrangement, which operators are interconnected by a butt plate extending therebetween against which one end of a log to be split may be butted. Means are provided for connecting the cylinders to a fluid source for simultaneous actuation thereof. A cutting or splitting blade is connected to the fluid cylinder operators through adjustable length connecting means such as chains, or the like, for use with logs of different length including those of greater length than the stroke of the fluid cylinder pistons. The log splitter is lightweight, portable, and readily adapted for connection to the fluid pressure source of a tractor, or the like, for use thereof in the field. The novel log splitting method includes performing successive splitting operations on a log by shortening the adjustable length connecting means after each cutting stroke.

Abstract: A manually operated log breaking device with a longitudinally extending lever member having a first pressure plate attached at one end portion and a second pressure plate attached to the first pressure plate in a hinged relationship, two sets of lever members extending from the first and second pressure plates in a hinged relationship to same and at the free end portions joined in a hinged relationship to a third set of lever members, having a third pressure plate attached in a hinged relationship at the free end portion of the third set of lever members, the pressure plates and lever members coacting as a link or gear system for increasing the resulting power of a manual force applied to the free end portion of the longitudinally extending lever member.