Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~ This invention relates to new and useful improvements in gripp-
lng devices and particularly pertains to a cinch especially adaptable
for connection to logs for pulling the logs longitudinally.
Various chokers or gripping devices have heretofore been provi-
ded for connection to logs to be pulled by horses or by skidding or
yarding devices. Such prior chokers require considerable time and
effort for applying them to the log particularly since they are
heavy and unwieldy as a result mostly from constructions which seek
to provide a versatility capable of engaging substantially many
different sizes of logs. Also, prior chokers have the disadvantage
that they must circle a log in order to have a good connection there-
to which of course makes them difficult to apply to logs lying on
the ground.
According to the pLesent invention and forming a primary object-
ive thereof, a log cinch is provided which overcomes disadvantages
of prior devices intended for the same purpose, particularly as
applied to logging for smaller logs.
In accomplishing objectivesof the invention, an elliptical
body member has a cut-out portion forming a transverse opening into
the body member so that the latter can be moved down over a log and
arranged to grip the log when a forward pulling force is applied
adjacent one end. The end to which the pulling force is applied is
curved in spiral relation in a forward direction> and the opposite
end of the body member has a barb arranged to penetrate the log when
a pulling force is applied at the pulling end. Handle means are
provided at approximately the center of gravity between the ends so
that an operator can conveniently move the body member down over a
log.
The invention will be better understood and additional objects
and advantages will become more apparent from the following descrip-
tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the present log cinch;
Figure 2 is a top plan viçw taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l;
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Figure 3 is an edge view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a top view of the present log cinch applied to a
log and being disposed in an initially installed position;
Fig~re 5 is a top plan view of the log cinch the same as Fig-
ure 4 but showing the cinch in binding relation on a log;
Figure 6 is a front elevational view thereof as applied on a
log and taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and
Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of
Figure 1.
With particular reference to the drawings, the present log cinch
includes a body member 10 constructed of suitable rigid stock such
as steel or the like. The body member 10 is bar-like in construct-
ion and may be rectangular in cross section as shown in Figure 7
or it may be other suitable cross sectional configurations. As
viewed from the front, Figures 1 and 6, the body member has an ellip-
tical shape and has a cut-out portion 12 forming a transverse opening
into the body member. This opening is of a size sufficient to
allow the body member to be moved down over a log while crosswise
to a log, as will be more apparent hereinafter.
With particular reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5, an intermedi-
ate portion 16 of the body member is substantially straight when ;
viewed edgewise and is in straight alignment with one end portion
18 which is also substantially straight. The other end portion 20,
however, leads from the intermediate portion in a forward spiral
relation, the forward direction comprising the direction in which
pull is to be applied to the cinch, namely, to the left in Figures
4 and 5. Secured to the body member at about the junction between
portions 16 and 20 is an eye 22 to which a pulling line 24 may be
attached. This eye is on the outer edge of the body member.
5ecured to the end portion 18 of the body member spaced back
from opening 12 only a short distance is a rearwardly extending
barb 26, best seen in Figure 7, or other sharpened projection adapt-
ed to penetrate the log when a orward pulling force is applied on
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the eye 22, as will be more apparent hereinafter. Body member 10
has a handle 28 intermediate its ends for manual handling of the
cinch. This handle is located at approximately the center of gravi-
ty of the cinch between the two ends whereby the cinch will be sub-
stantially balanced in a workman's hand when lifted by the handle.
Since the cinch is balanced on opposite sides of the handle, a
workman can readily manipulate the cinch by a single hand.
In the operation of the present cinch, the workman merely lifts
the cinch upwardly an amount to clear the log L and since the open-
ing 12 will automatically face down when the cinch is lifted by thehandle, it is merely necessary for the workman to position the cinch
crosswise over the log and drop it. The dimensions of the cinch
are of course predetermined for adequate connection to the log, and
for this purpose it has sufficient dimension in relation to the logs
on which it is to be used such that the ends which define the opening
12 will be disposed below the axis of the log. This is shown parti-
cularly in Figure 6. In fact, a preferred structural arrangement is
to provide a substantially equal measurement relation of the minor
axis of the body member and the size of the opening whereby, if the
opening allows the cinch to be moved transversely down over a log,
it will automatically have good connection with the log. Such di-
mensional relationship just mentioned also provides full utiliza-
tion of the device with minimum use of metal.
With the cinch mounted in engagement with a log, as shown in
Figure 4, the pull line 24 is attached to eye 22. Upon forward
pulling of the pull line from a horse, skidding or other yarding de-
vice, the body member will twist on the log to assume an oblique
position as shown in Figure 5. Such twisting movement binds the
cinch frictionally on the log, and such twisting movement also drives
the barb 26 into the log to increase the holding function. The
particular wrap-around engagement with a log resulting from the
particular structural arrangement of the cinch and the manner in
which it engages a log provides a positive pulling connection. The
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pull on the log does not have to be parallel with the axis of the
log and thus the log cinch will maintain its connection to the log
even though the log is pulled around corners or up and down inclines.
To remove the cinch from a log, it is merely necessary to disconnect
or slacken the pulling line and then manually pull the top of the
body member back to turn it to the original right angular position
at which it was applied as shown in Figure 4, and then lift it
vertically from the log.
It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein
shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the
same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of
parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my
invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.
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