Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02349589 2001-06-07
L,OG SPLITTING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a log splitting device and more particularly,
relates to a log splitting device usable by consumers.
BACKGROI1ND OF THE INVENTION
Wood has been used as a saurce of fuel for many years, both for heating and
cooking purposes. Since the sire of the log which can be accommodated by most
wood
burning appliances is limited, the lags, after being cut into appropriate
lengths, must be
split into smaller pieces for final use.
Originally, the splitting of the logs was accomplished through hand tools such
as
an axe, maul, or a hammer and wedge arrangement. While these instruments are
capable
of splitting a log, they require a certain amount of skill which is normally
acquired
through practice. However, the use of these tools is inherently dangerous and
can lead to
severe injury to the unskilled user. In addition, the known tools require a
substantial
amount of strength in order to be used properly.
There are also devices for splitting logs which are safer but are considerably
more
expensive and can only be justified by a higher volume user. Thus, there are a
number of
known hydraulically and mechanically operated log splitters which are
available on the
market.
As fireplaces and wood stoves have increased in popularity, there is a
requirement
for a relatively inexpensive and portable log splitter which can be used by an
unskilled
user. Such a device would overcome the disadvantages of the use of an axe
wherein the
lower limbs of the user are in danger of suffering serious injury and which
requires a
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great amount of physical energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive log
splitting
device which may be used by an unskilled and untrained user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a log splitting
device
which is effective to cut relatively large pieces of wood while requiring a
minimum of
effort on the part of the user.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a log
splitting
device which comprises a base, an upright member secured to the base, a
chopping
assembly which comprises a moveable carriage and an axe portion, the axe
portion being
moveable in a generally vertical direction along the upright member and
carrying an axe
head, a moveable carriage also being moveable in a generally vertical
direction along the
upright member and having means for releasable securement to the axe portion,
and a
locking device for retaining the moveable carriage in a raised position.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a leg guard
which
restricts access of the user to the area where the wood is being split. In one
particularly
preferred aspect of the invention, the leg guard may be repositioned so as to
permit or
assist in the movement of the device from one location to the other. As such,
the leg
guard device may have the form of a T-shaped member which, in the operative
position
for operation of the splitter, has a vertical member secured to an appropriate
support and
with a horizontal member extending outwardly to prevent access to the area
proximate
the axe head. For movement or transportation purposes, the horizontal member
may be
provided with wheels at the distal ends thereof and the entire leg guard
repositioned so
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that it lies in a co-planer relationship with the base.
In one preferred embodiment, the axe portion comprises a bracket which is
moveable along the; upright member. To this end, there may be provided a
bracket
having bushings or bearings therein to permit smooth movement along the
upright.
Extending outwardly from the bracket is an arm and which carries at a distal
end thereof
an axe head. The a.xe head preferably has a slightly concave cutting edge.
This shape
provides for two points of contact when the axe head strikes the wood to be
split. This
tends to have a stabilizing action on the wood. T'he arm carrying the axe head
preferably
has a triangular configuration with an apex pointing downwardly such that the
arm is
configured similarly to the axe head. This reduces jamming in the logs.
The carriage., as previously mentioned, is moveable along the upright and also
preferably has bushings or bearings to permit smooth movement along the
upright and
thereby maintain the upright in good condition. The carriage also preferably
has
provisions for receiving one or more weights. The amount of the weight used
will
determine the force exerted on the wood being split. The amount of weight can
be varied
depending upon thf; preference of the user, the type of wood and the size of
the log.
The carriage has means for engagement with the upright such that it can be
retained in an elevated position. This is done such that the wood can be
placed in
position prior to being split. Preferably, the carriage includes handle means
to assist in
lifting the same and conveniently, there are provided means for releasing the
carriage
from the raised position, the means being located proximate the handle means.
The axe portion is securable, in a releasable manner, to the moveable
carriage.
Preferably, there are also provided means proximate the handle to permit the
engagement
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or disengagement of the axe portion from the carriage. The axe head is
preferably of a
minimum weight - the major portion of the weight being carried by the carriage
to
achieve maximum .efficiency.
In an initial movement, the axe portion and the carriage are secured together
and
move to the raised position where they are held by a locking device. The wood
to be split
is then placed in the desired position and the releasing means operated to
release the
carriage and axe portion. The assembly will then move downwardly with the axe
head
contacting the wood. Automatically the locking device for the axe is then
disarmed.
The initial blow to the wood may be sufficient to split the wood and then the
whole operation is repeated with a further piece of wood. However, in the case
where the
force is not sufficient to split the wood on the first attempt, the axe
portion remains in
position with the a~;e head partially imbedded in the wood. The carriage
assembly is then
raised and released, In so doing, a second blow is struck to the axe head and
the wood.
Normally, even for relatively large pieces of wood, two such blows are
sufficient
to split the wood. However, the blows can be repeated any number of times. An
advantage of the present invention is that the axe head can be used to
maintain the wood
to be split in a desired position. Thus, in such a case, the axe head is not
secured to the
moveable carriage but can be placed in position on top of the log or a portion
thereof.
The carriage can then be moved to its upper position and released to strike
the axe head
and split the wood. This arrangerr~ent is highly advantageous when the wood or
log is
not stable and/or when splitting kindling. Still further, one of the
advantages of the
arrangement of the present invention, when compared to the use of a
conventional axe, is
that when the axe is stuck in the wood, it does not have to be removed
manually.
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Typically, when trying to split wood, the axe will become imbedded in the log
and must
then be removed in order that another blow is struck. With the present
invention,
repeated use of the carriage will split the log. This substantially reduces
the physical
effort which would otherwise be required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a, perspective view of a log splitting apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a, front elevational view thereof with certain portions shown in a
cut
away;
Figure 3 is a. side elevational view thereof' with certain portions being
shown in a
cut away;
Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure S is a side elevational view illustrating operation of the log
splitting
apparatus; and
Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partially in a cut away, of the moveable
carriage and axe portion illustrating the operation thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, the
log splitting apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1
and is generally
designated by reference numeral 10.
Log splitting apparatus 10 includes several different components; a base
generally
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designated by reference numeral 12, an upright generally designated by
reference
numeral 14, a moveable carriage assembly generally designated by reference
numeral 16,
and an axe assembly generally designated by reference numeral 18.
In greater deaail, base 12 is designed to be placed on a suitable flat
substrate and
includes a log receiving area 22 and first and second foot receiving areas 24.
Both log
receiving area 22 and foot receiving areas 24 are preferably provided with a
high friction
surface such that minimal slippage will occur. As may be seen in Figure 2,
base 12 also
includes a plurality of feet or pads 25 such that a stable environment is
provided.
Preferably, three such feet or pads are present.
Log splittin~; apparatus 10 also includes a leg protection device generally
designated by reference numeral 26 in Figure 1. Leg protection device 26
includes a
bracket 28 mounted on base 12 intermediate foot receiving areas 24. An L-
shaped
guard 30 has a horizontal portion :32 and a vertical portion 34 preferably
formed, as
shown in the illustrated embodiment, of square tubing having apertures 36
located in
both vertical portion 34 and horizontal portion 32. A locking pin 38 extends
through
bracket 22 and one of the apertures 36 in horizontal portion 32 to lock L-
shaped
tubing 30 in place.
A leg guard member 40 is secured to vertical portion 34 of L-shaped guard 30
and
has a general T-shaped configuration with a bottom tube 42 and a horizontal
bar 44.
Wheels 46 are mounted at the outer extremity of horizontal bar 44 while a
locking pin 48
secures tube 42 to vertical portion 34. As may be seen from the drawings, the
protection
device 26 is thus adjustable both in a horizontal and vertical direction.
As may be seen in Figure 1, base 12 includes a bracket 50 which is designed to
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receive upright 14. A locking key 54 is provided to secure upright 14 in a
generally
vertical position with respect to base 12. It will be noted that upright 14,
although
generally vertical, is slightly angled rearwardly with respect to base 12. An
advantage of
this angling along with a forward angling of the carriage component is that
sufficient
clearances are maintained and the system is easier to use.
Axe assembly 18 includes a bracket 60 having a plurality of bushings 62
mounted
in a manner such that bracket 60 can move along upright 14. In the illustrated
embodiment, four such bearing or bushing assemblies 62 are provided. Extending
outwardly from bracket 60 is a support arm 64 which has an inverted triangle
shape for
reasons which will be discussed hereinbelow.
Similarly, as. may be seen in Figure 1, there is provided a deflector 70 which
is
also of a triangular configuration a.nd is connected to the bottom of bracket
60, again for
reasons discussed hereinbelow.
Mounted at t:he distal end of support arm 64 is axe head 66. As best seen in
Figure 6, axe head 66 has a cutting edge 68 which is of a slightly concave
configuration.
Also, axe head 66 is somewhat thinner at the central portion than the outer
edges. This
again provides for a better splitting action and aids when using the apparatus
for kindling
and smaller logs.
Also as best seen in Figure 6, the upper portion of bracket 60 carries a
grasping
hook 72.
Carriage 16 has a first side wall 76, a second side wall 78 and an end wall 80
extending there between. There is also provided a bottom wall 82. To permit
the
carriage 16 to trave?l along upright 14, there are provided a plurality of
bearing or bushing
CA 02349589 2001-06-07
assemblies 86 extending between side walls 76 and 78. Bearing assemblies 86
can
conveniently comprise a roller bushing mounted on a shaft such that the
rollers will rotate
along upright 14. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a slight gap
between the
bushing and the upright so as to prevent binding.
A connecting shaft 88 extends upwardly from between side walls 76 and 78.
Connecting shaft 88 is provided with a plurality of apertures 90 and is
secured to
carriage 16 by means of bolts 92 or equivalent locking pins.
Carriage 16 includes an upper handle portion generally designated by reference
numeral 94 and which comprises a shaft 96 and a horizontal handle bar 98
having
grips 100 at either extremity thereof. As may be seen in Figures 1 and 6, a
slot 102 is
formed in the side wall of shaft 96 and a bolt 104 connects shaft 96 to
connecting
shaft 88. A spring 106 is mounted interiorly of shaft 96 to provide a
suspension or shock
absorber capability thereto. The handle bar 98 may thus be adjusted to the
height of the
user.
In order to provide weight or mass to the carriage 16, there are provided a
plurality of weights 108 which are seatable on bottom wall 82 and which are
retained
between side walls 76, 78. Each of the weights may be retained between side
walls 76
and 78 in a fixed position by means of pins or bolts 77.
Referring to Figure 6, there is provided a pivot pin 110 which extends between
side walls 76, 78 and upon which is mounted a pivotal hook member 112. Hook
member
112 is designed to engage an aperture 111 formed within upright 14 to retain
carriage 16
in a raised or elevated position prior to operation. For purposes of
controlling the
movement, there is provided a cable 114 connected to one end of hook member
112
while a spring member 116 provides a biasing force. Cable 114 is connected to
an
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CA 02349589 2001-06-07
actuator 118 situated proximate one end of horizontal handle bar 98.
Situated at the other end of horizontal handle bar 98 is a second actuator
132.
Actuator 132 is cormected by means of cable 126 to a hook 122. Hook 122 is
engageable
with grasping hook 72 by means of a member 124 and a pivot pin 128 to which
hook 122
is connected. A biasing spring 130 is also provided.
In operation, carriage 16 is raised to an elevated position with hook 122
engaging
grasping hook 72 of axe assembly 18. Thus, both axe assembly 18 and carriage
16
are raised to an elevated position with both actuators being pulled.
When so engaged, both carriage 16 and axe assembly 18 are retained in the
elevated position as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6. Subsequently, a portion of a
log L
(Figure 5) is placed. on a long receiving area 22 of base 12. The operator
then stands in a
position as shown in Figure S and the carriage is raised to release hook 112.
Carriage 16
and axe assembly 18 are then free to move downwardly such that axe head 66
will fall on
log L.
Depending upon the size of log L, the force may or may not be sufficient to
split
log L. If successfully split, carriage 16 and axe assembly 18 are raised
upwardly and the
process repeated with a further log. However, if splitting has not been
completed,
carriage 16 can then be moved to an elevated position leaving axe assembly 18
in a lower
position. The carriage assembly 16 is then released again to strike a second
blow on the
upper surface of axe head 66. This can be repeated until the log L is
successfully split.
In practice, most logs will require only one or two such operations although
bigger logs -
12-16 inches may require more than two operations.
As previously mentioned, support arm 64 has an inverted triangular
configuration
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such that if the log is very large, support arm 64 can enter into the split
wood. Similarly,
deflector 70 which is of a triangular configuration or alternatively, is
somewhat arcuate,
prevents any wood from entering between upright 14 and bracket 60.
Also be noted, as seen in Figure 1, that leg guard 40 can be moved to a
position
such that wheels 46~ contact the ground and the device can then be moved from
one
location to another. Alternatively, bracket 50 may also include a slot to
receive tube 42
whereby leg guard 40 is usable at the other end (as shown in dotted lines) for
transportation of the apparatus.
For safety purposes, a pair of apertures 140 (Figure 3) may be provided in
upright 14 to receive a member to prevent unauthorized operation of the
device. Thus,
the lower aperture 140 would prevent movement of the carriage and a padlock or
other
such member may be utilized. This would prevent children from operating the
device.
The upper aperture 140 would prevent removal of the carriage and/or raising
the carriage
too high.
Similarly, as shown in the drawings, upright 14 may be formed of two pieces
connected at joint 142 for ease of transport and saving of space.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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