Woodworking – Splitting machine – Hand-operated fixed splitting machine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2001-09-18
Bray, W Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Splitting machine
Hand-operated fixed splitting machine
C144S193100, C144S195500, C144S366000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289955
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 469,345 filed on Feb. 18, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wood splitting devices and, more particularly, to an adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Firewood from cut trees is used in fires all over the world on a daily basis. Whether the fire is for heating, lighting, general ambience or the like in a home or at a campsite, the wood must be cut and split for the fire. A common method of splitting the wood in the past has been with the use of a maul and a wedge or an ax. While this method has worked, it is not very accurate and can be tiring and dangerous for the user. Recent methods include the use of the hydraulic wood splitter powered by a gasoline engine. These however are noisy, consume natural resources and pollute the environment. Also, and perhaps most important, these hydraulic wood splitters are costly even to rent and are not available in all areas of the world.
Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which firewood can be split in a safe and easy manner with minimal impact on the environment. The development of the adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus fulfills this need.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose a wood splitter mounted on a trailer or truck bed: U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,404 issued in the name of Kraemer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,960 issued in the name of McCauley; U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,712 issued in the name of Hudson et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,111 issued in the name of Corey.
The following patents describe the design and function of a wood splitting maul: U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,097 issued in the name of Maine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,917 issued in the name of Maine; and U.S. Pat. No. D 378,656 issued in the name of Maine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,519 issued in the name of Forbes et al. discloses a wood splitting machine with a carriage and blade assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,537 issued in the name of Balkus describes an apparatus for splitting logs with a fulcrum pin.
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a device which allows wood logs to be split into firewood using human strength alone with minimal impact on the environment in a manner which is quick, easy and efficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a human powered log splitter which splits logs into usable firewood and which utilizes a fulcrum and lever to magnify human strength.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which utilizes a fulcrum and lever system for providing cutting strength, great exercise for the user, conservation of natural resources, completely quiet operation, and no reliance on external power sources.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a splitting wedge being adjustable for log width, can be sharpened by the user and replaced should it become damaged.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device having an extendable handle which allows for ease of storage and portability.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus is provided to aid in the splitting of firewood. A pair telescoping cylindrical base members forming a V-shaped base provide a retractable device being easily transportable. Each of the pair of base members includes an inner member telescoping inside an outer member.
Each of the base members are held into their desired position via a spring-loaded pin assembly.
A base platform, welded to an upper surface of the outer members of the base members above a handle support post, serves as a platform upon which an end of a log can be supported.
The inner members include a handle guide support platform serving as a firm base upon which a handle guide track member can be supported.
The support platform is of a generally rectangular shape formed of flattened steel, tapering in a direction towards an apex so as to be fittingly welded to the inner members.
Mounted above the apex and on opposing vertical internal sidewalls of the outer members is a vertically extending handle support post.
The handle support post is constructed of steel and has a handle receiving slot formed as a recess along an upper surface thereof for receiving an outer member of a handle.
To provide structural stability, a hollow, rectangular bracket base member constructed of steel is mounted perpendicularly at the apex of the base members.
To provide structural stability to the handle support post, a pair of L-shaped support post brackets are welded to the bracket base member and the handle support post.
The adjustable, portable wood splitting apparatus is actuated by a linearly elongated, telescoping handle being movable between a raised position and a lower position. The telescoping handle is held into a desired position via a spring-loaded pin assembly.
For providing a fulcrum whereupon a lever mechanism is established, an end of the handle is received by a handle receiving slot of the handle support post. The end of the handle is securely held in the receiving slot via a fulcrum pin.
The handle is further defined as having a handle grip at an end opposite the fulcrum pin. The handle grip is defined as having a plurality of finger-gripping channels to allow a user to obtain a firm and comfortable grasp of the handle.
A handle guide track member, of an arcuate configuration and having a base from which a pair of elongated track arms extend vertically therefrom, is located perpendicularly at a posterior end of an outer member of the handle and below the pin assembly. The handle guide track member is designed and configured so as to slidably receive the handle therein. Each of the track arms having linearly elongated slots formed therein for slidably receiving a guide pin.
To prevent lateral spreading of the track arms, a stabilizing bolt is inserted through apertures above the elongated slots through the track arms.
A wedge is disclosed being generally triangular in cross-section having a downwardly directed, sharpened cutting edge.
An L-shaped arm is welded perpendicularly along an upper surface of the wedge allowing for the lateral selective adjustment of the wedge. The L-shaped arm cooperates with a plurality of holes linearly aligned along a length of the outer member of the handle.
A track assembly comprising a linearly elongated channel and a brace is disclosed in order to securely hold a log in place once positioned on the base platform and to facilitate lateral movement by the brace along the base platform.
In order to prevent inadvertent movement by the present invention during operation, a plurality of friction pads are mounted to a lower surface of corners of the bracket base member, the outer members of the base members, and the inner members of the base members.
The use of the present invention allows wood logs to be split into firewood using human strength alone with minimal impact on the environment in a manner which is quick, easy and efficient.
REFERENCES:
patent: 881538 (1908-03-01), Bienk
patent: 4244407 (1981-01-01), McMullin
patent: 5547001 (1996-08-01), Cumming et al.
patent: 383707 (1923-10-01), None
Bray W Donald
Gugliotta John D.
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