Tapered Or Wedge Shaped Product Patents (Class 144/193.2)
  • Patent number: 9862117
    Abstract: A bamboo splitter has an outer support ring with an interior mounted inner ring blade. A plurality of base blades are radially arranged around the inner ring blade and both the inner ring blade and the base blades have v-shaped cutting surfaces. Attached to each base blade is a pair of slat blades that attach to the base blades at a vertex and have a left and right slat blade. The angle between the vertex and the left and right blades is chosen so that adjacent left slat blades are parallel to adjacent right slat blade forming a parallel cutting space which produces bamboo slats that have orthogonal edges which makes them much more amenable to traditional building methods. A different number of slat blades may be used depending on the size of the bamboo being used and the size and number of the slats being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bamboo Technologies LLC
    Inventor: David E Sands
  • Patent number: 9387599
    Abstract: A log splitting attachment tool adapted for use in combination with a material moving machine having a boom and dipper stick for lifting and moving as well as splitting logs which tool can alternatively be secured directly to a dipper stick and hydraulic bucket cylinder or to a quick connect mechanism secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8511354
    Abstract: A log splitter includes a trailer supporting a hydraulic pump, and a splitting beam coupled to the trailer. The splitting beam includes a housing maintaining a reservoir communicating with the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic ram coupled to the housing, where the hydraulic ram is in communication with the reservoir and the hydraulic pump. The splitting beam is movable relative to the trailer between a first splitting position adjacent to the trailer and a second splitting position in which the splitting beam is displaced away from the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ardisam, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Schamberger, Jay Engstrom
  • Patent number: 8347928
    Abstract: Provided is a wood splitter having a support element, a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and wood splitting components. A support element may be a first elongated element and a second elongated element engaged to the first elongated element. The first elongated element may be subject to a first pre-stress load. The first pre-stress load may be a first moment. The a second elongated element may be engaged to the first elongated element and may be subject to a second pre-stress load. Wood splitting components may be engaged with at least one of a first elongated element or a second elongated element, may be adapted to operate to split wood, and may be adapted to apply an operational load during operation to the first elongated element. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8109305
    Abstract: A log splitter attachment for attaching to a machine such as an excavator or backhoe boom to facilitate splitting of large diameter logs into multiple triangular wedges includes a central portion and an attachment portion coupled to the central portion such that the central portion is designed for attachment to the boom arm of a machine such as a back hoe or excavator. A plurality of planar sections is coupled to the central portion. The planar sections are arranged to extend radially outward from the central portion. A plurality of distal wedge members is provided. Each distal splitting wedge member is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of planar sections. A central wedge splitting member has a plurality of radial wedge portions. The central wedge splitting member is coupled to a base of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Angelo Kosmidis
  • Patent number: 8091595
    Abstract: In a wood splitter for splitting a log of wood into several pieces comprising a receiving chamber for the log of wood which is limited by a stand arranged parallel to the axis of the log of wood, and transverse to the stand and relative thereto, is further limited by limit stops projecting in a direction normal to the said axis of the stand, with at least one limit stop being movable in the direction of the axis and at least one limit stop being designed as a splitting unit a high degree of user-friendliness and a rational method of operation may be achieved in that a splitting wedge designed in the manner of an insert pin held only in the area of the base thereof is associated with the end of the receiving chamber, which splitting wedge can accommodate a splitting insert comprising an insertion pocket which can be inserted into the insert pin, and further a set of tools attached to the insertion pocket containing several splitting wedges which are arranged according to a desired pattern of pieces resembling
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sheppach Fabrikation von Holzbearbeitungschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Windrich
  • Patent number: 8006725
    Abstract: A log splitter having a bed for accepting a log. The bed has an operating length between first and second components, with the former a wedge. The log splitter can be placed in: (a) a first operative state wherein the bed has a first operating length; and (b) a second operative state wherein the bed has a second operating length. With the log splitter in the first operative state, the wedge is movable: (a) from a first starting position in a first lengthwise direction to effect splitting of a log; and (b) thereafter, oppositely to the first lengthwise direction back into the first starting position. In the second operative state, the wedge is movable: (a) from a second starting position to effect splitting; and (b) thereafter, back into the second starting position. The log splitter further has an operating assembly to move the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Echo, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Majkrzak
  • Patent number: 7934525
    Abstract: A hands-free wood (log segment) splitting apparatus and method of employing a mobile vehicle having mounted thereon the splitting apparatus. The splitting apparatus includes a mount removably secured to the mobile vehicle and having secured thereon a rotatable auger, the location of the mount and the components carried thereon being safely remote from an operator. Control over the positioning of the apparatus, including the auger relative to a to-be-split log segment, control over the movement of the auger relative to the log segment being split, restraining the log segment from undesired movement relative to the spinning auger, and other related actions, are effected by the operator from the remote location and without exposure of the operator to personal injury from the splitting apparatus. Guides are provided for entry thereof into a split to serve as impediments to collapse of the split portions of the log segment against the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Stoney Dale Bolton
  • Patent number: 7913726
    Abstract: A trailer-mounted wood splitter with an integral platform, log boom and grappler provides an extended table area to facilitate the splitting of wood. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic-powered wood splitting assembly operated by an internal combustion engine mounted to a trailer. A horizontal surface worktable is provided all around the upper surface of the wood splitting plane. In such a manner, any wood that is placed upon the platform for splitting does not fall off after splitting is complete. This allows the user to reposition any remaining sections of wood for additional splitting without having to pick them up off the ground. Once completely split, the wood can be directed to the side of the table or platform for stacking or transportation. The apparatus further comprises a log boom with a grappler attached to a far end for moving and manipulating felled logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: James W. Honnell
  • Patent number: 7814946
    Abstract: An hydraulically powered implement attachment for a powered machine is disclosed. The implement attachment comprises a frame member adapted for attachment to at least one movable arm of the powered machine. A reversible drive hydraulic motor member is mounted to the frame member. The hydraulic motor member includes a drive shaft extending therefrom and a pair of hydraulic power lines adapted for attachment to the powered machine. A power shaft is rotatably mounted to the frame member and operatively connected at a first end to the drive shaft of the hydraulic motor member. A rotationally operative implement member is connected to a second end of the power shaft. An operator of the powered machine actuates the rotationally operative implement member through rotation of the power shaft by the reversible drive hydraulic motor. Preferably the implement attachment member is a conical wood splitter member and the powered machine is a skid steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Charlie VanDusartz
  • Patent number: 7814945
    Abstract: A log splitter comprises a support structure having a first end, a second end, and an open center portion defined therebetweeen, a splitting device slidably coupled to the support structure, and a drive mechanism for driving movement of the splitting device through a splitting zone. The splitting device comprises an elongate beam having an outer surface, a first end, a second end, and an open center portion between the first end and the second end, and a splitting wedge coupled to the outer surface of the elongate beam and having at least one splitting surface formed thereon. The elongate beam is disposed within the open center portion of the support structure. The drive mechanism is disposed within the open center portion of the elongate beam, and is coupled on a first end to the first end of the support structure and on a second end to the second end of the elongate beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Northern Tool & Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Emerson Babcock
  • Patent number: 7740033
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus which includes an apparatus body, a splitter for splitter relatively larger pieces of material into relatively smaller pieces of material coupled with the apparatus body, and a grinder for grinding the relatively smaller pieces of material also coupled with the apparatus body. A power source may be adapted to provide power to both the grinder and the splitter. The grinding can be accomplished with minimal repositioning of the relatively smaller pieces once split. The splitting, then the grinding can be accomplished with little to no translational movement within a job site of a nearby piece of equipment adapted for picking up first the relatively larger pieces then the relatively smaller pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Peterson Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold N. Peterson, Chad Sageser
  • Patent number: 7669618
    Abstract: A wood processor attachment for skid steer loader for efficiently cutting and splitting logs. The wood processor attachment for skid steer loader generally includes a pivotally mounted support structure including a receiving end, a working end opposite the receiving end and a loading apparatus. A conveying member, a cutting unit, a ram and a wedge are attached to the support structure. The loading apparatus extends from the receiving end, wherein the loading apparatus transfers a log to the conveying member. The conveying member travels between the receiving end and the working end, wherein the cutting unit, the ram and the wedge are adjacent the working end to selectively cut and split the log. The support structure may be pivotally mounted upon various objects, such as but not limited to a skid steer loader or a tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Glen Halverson
  • Patent number: 7640955
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in splitting and cutting wood is provided, including a frame having a log support for holding a log to be split and cut, a vertically extending frame for holding a removable wedge or axe head connected to a manually operable drive means for engaging the wedge on an upper portion of a log for cutting and splitting the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Adatt Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Arthur Daniel Tischer
  • Patent number: 7584773
    Abstract: A wood-splitting tool includes a penetration portion having a penetrating end and a wedge portion having an impact end. The penetration portion is configured for penetration into a piece of wood. The penetration portion includes two penetration surfaces diverging generally from each other at an inclusive angle generally from the penetrating end. The wedge portion includes two wedge surfaces generally contiguous with the diverging penetration surfaces and diverging from each other at an inclusive angle, which is greater than the inclusive angle of the diverging penetration surfaces. The wedge portion is primarily configured to impart a wedge force to the wood. The penetration portion has a length that is greater than half the length of the tool, which allows the tool to penetrate the piece of wood without significantly imparting a wedge force until the tool penetrates deep enough to allow the wedge portion to engage the wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Brett Van Bortel
  • Patent number: 7562608
    Abstract: Described is a device that is to used in conjunction with a chainsaw to keep the chainsaw kerf from closing, thereby greatly reducing the chance of having the chainsaw bar being pinched and bound. Also included is a limiting feature that keeps the chainsaw kerf spacer from being inserted too deeply into the chainsaw kerf, thereby contacting the chainsaw blades. Additionally, a handle is included to facilitate the extraction of the chainsaw kerf spacer from the chainsaw kerf after completing the cut. The kerf spacer can be installed with one hand and without the aid of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Thomas Finstad
  • Patent number: 7556072
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for splitting logs includes a hydraulic power unit, for driving a wedge against a log, held in a fixed position, between the wedge and an anvil. The hydraulic power unit is manually powered, and can provide driving forces at two different speeds, depending on the loads encountered during a log splitting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7334615
    Abstract: A self-contained, or externally actuated, hydraulic log splitter which includes a frame on which is slidably mounted an assembly of a specially designed push plate secured at one end to a reversible hydraulic cylinder and at the other to a splitting table carrying logs which is pushed against a straight blade to split the logs. A plurality of lines of discrete nubs are integrally a part of the push plate along a majority of its entire height and positioned substantially parallel to the straight blade and spaced away from the edge of the push plate. These nubs to provide specialized and improved gripping of log segments as they are split thereby minimizing the tendency of the split log segments to fly away from the splitter. An electric or gas engine driving an hydraulic pump or the hydraulic system of a tractor is connected to drive the reversible hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Paradise
  • Patent number: 7134464
    Abstract: A log splitter which includes an elongated frame having a reservoir for hydraulic fluid a wedge secured to one end of the frame and a hydraulic cylinder and ram/piston secured to the other end of the frame. The ram/piston being movable toward and away from the wedge. The reservoir includes an inlet and outlet and a discharge tube associated with the inlet or outlet and having a length effective to discharge incoming fluid into the reservoir at a position remote from the inlet to prevent short circuiting. A log splitter and arm for mounting the splitter to a vehicle having a hitch style receiver secured to the rear of the vehicle. The splitter is adapted to be secured to an elongated arm and supported above the ground. The splitter's linear working action is substantially normal to the vehicle's direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Brave Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Walker, Christopher Gerard Walker
  • Patent number: 7124794
    Abstract: A bi-directional log splitter having at least two stationary splitting wedges and a moveable ram therebetween for splitting wood, said splitter being mounted on a trailer where the splitter exerts a substantially equal force for both the exertion and the retraction strokes to increase the production of split wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel A. Marx
  • Patent number: 7108029
    Abstract: A woodsplitting machine has a plurality of wedges of various sizes and configurations radially attached to a rotational member mounted on the frame behind the log cradle such that an operator can quickly and easily rotate the appropriate wedge into position depending on the diameter of the log in the cradle to be split. The rotational member can be hydraulically actuated such that the wedges can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the machine with little effort for the operator. An alternate embodiment provides that the rotational member be manually rotated such that the wedges can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the machine by the hand of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: David B. Albright
  • Patent number: 7066223
    Abstract: A hydraulic log splitter attachment for a skid steer loader includes a mounting framework attached to a vertical elongate beam. A piston/cylinder combination with a rod for movement between retracted and downwardly extended configurations mounts to the beam. A wedge attaches to a lower end of the rod. A base plate attaches to the beam adjacent the lower end; storage wall assemblies and stabilizing plates optionally attach to the base plate. Hoses connect the piston/cylinder combination to the loader's hydraulic system. Wedge guides slidably attach the wedge to the beam. The wedge guides optionally include wedge guide rollers; the wedge optionally includes wedge rollers. The loader secures to the mounting framework. Wood is placed on the base plate while the rod is in the retracted configuration. The rod moves to the downwardly extended configuration, thus splitting the wood with the wedge. The storage wall assemblies provide split wood storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Mark O. Stone
  • Patent number: 7040362
    Abstract: A log splitter comprising: a base; a lever having one end portion hingably attached to the base; a wedge slidably attached to a hinged end portion of the lever, to slidably reciprocate along the lever when the lever is swung; a log support for a cut log; and, an upper end log restraint slidably positioned on the lever, said log restraint having a pawl, and the lever having teeth therealong, so that the log restraint can only slide towards the cut log. When the lever is swung down the wedge is forced into the cut log, and when the lever is lifted the wedge is slidably pulled back along the lever thereby pulling the now partially split log so that the upper end log restraint freely slides along the lever. When the lever is again pushed downwardly the cycle is repeated. The lever may be pushed with a foot pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Darryl James Monuik, Ritchie John Monuik
  • Patent number: 6991010
    Abstract: A splitting head for a log splitting apparatus includes abutting primary and secondary splitting assemblies, each having a circular securing ring that holds wedge members having cutting edges directed toward the log. The cutting edges of the secondary assembly split into smaller pieces the pieces produced by the primary assembly, producing a bundle of elongated pieces of firewood in parallel array and wherein the center of the bundle has not been compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6769464
    Abstract: A log splitter system for splitting logs in an efficient manner. The log splitter system includes a support beam, a loader connecting structure for attaching to a tractor loader, a main engaging member slidably attached to the support beam, a splitting wedge attached to an end of the support beam, and an actuator unit attached to the main engaging member. The actuator unit forces the main engaging member toward the splitting wedge with a log positioned between thereof thereby splitting the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Sandra L. Jenkin
  • Patent number: 6763864
    Abstract: A log splitter attachment is provided for splitting logs on a loader including a pair of lift arms for supporting a bucket. The attachment comprises a frame supporting a blade and a log pusher thereon for sliding movement relative to one another and an actuator acting between the blade and the log pusher. The frame mounts on respective free ends of the lift arms of the loader in place of the bucket of the loader so that the blade and log pusher can be manoeuvred overtop a log on the ground to split the log therebetween using the lift arm and bucket controls of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventors: William Setlack, Willis Setlack
  • Publication number: 20040035496
    Abstract: A wood splitter which comprises a splitting wedge having a splitting edge and a back secured to a guide rod. An impact weight cross-sectionally surrounds the guide rod and is slidable along the length of the guide rod. The splitting wedge has a twisted shape extending from the splitting edge to the back which facilitates the passage of the splitting wedge through a log to be split when driven by the impact weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Lutz H. Ritzmann