Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ARTICULATING BOOM FOR A SAWING AND CHIPPING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to mechanical arm devices. More
specifically but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an
articulating
boom for a sawing and chipping device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Mechanical arms such as booms used in chipping and sawing
apparatus are well known in the art.
[0003] For example, the art teaches a concrete distributing boom carrying
a conveying conduit, which has at least two boom arms (or arm segments) that
can be swiveled about horizontal articulation axes relative to one another or
relative to a boom support. At least one of the boom arms is telescopically
movable. In order to be adaptable to the telescoping movements, the conveying
conduit is assembled from three interlinked conduit sections in the area of
the
telescoping boom arm. A first conduit section is rigidly linked with the
stationary
member, while a second conduit section is rigidly linked with the extensible
telescoping member. The distributing boom further comprises an intermediate
section which is connected with its ends to the first and the second conduit
section
and which is configured as a flexible pipe. The pipe has a 1800 arch with
constant
bend that travels when the boom arm telescopes.
[0004] In another example, the art teaches a boom construction having a
base, a first straight boom slidably mounted on the base, and a second, hinged
boom pivotally mounted at one end to the base and at its other end to the
front
end of the first boom. Power jacks are provided for operating the second boom
to
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move its other end toward or away from its one end so as to slide the first
boom
relative to the base. This boom construction is generally employed on a tree
delimber with a tree delimbing unit mounted on the front end of the first
boom, and
tree gripping unit mounted on the base beneath the first boom. A rotating reel
is
advantageously provided on the base above the first boom for simultaneously
winding and unwinding flexible feed and return hydraulic lines extending over
the
top of the boom, and connected to the delimbing unit, as the first boom
slides.
[0005] A drawback of conventional booms for sawing and chipping
apparatuses is that they include a hose member attached thereto for sucking
the
chips therein that is often damaged during articulation of the arm. Another
drawback of conventional articulations for booms and other mechanical arm
devices is that they do not provide a sufficient pivot amplitude.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an articulating boom
for a sawing and chipping device.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide A sawing and
chipping assembly for harvesting trees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom
comprising:
[0009] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid
communication; and
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[0010] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprises an
enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,
[0011] wherein chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream
arm segment to an upstream arm segment via the chamber.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:
[0013] sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to
produce chipped elements, the sawing and chipping device comprising an exit
for
evacuating the chipped elements; and
[0014] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device for
receiving the evacuated chips, the articulating boom comprising:
[0015] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid
communication, and a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for
providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly
comprises
an enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,
[0016] wherein chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream
arm segment to an upstream arm segment via the chamber.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom
comprising:
[0018] at least two adjacent arm segments; and
[0019] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising:
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[0020] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a
pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments,
and a
guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and
provided to be guided along the guides;
[0021] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the
guiding member is guided along the guides.
[0022] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:
[0023] a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to
produce chipped elements; and
[0024] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device and
comprising at least two adjacent arm segments and a joint assembly between the
adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween,
the joint assembly comprising:
[0025] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a
pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments,
and a
guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and
provided to be guided along the guides,
[0026] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the
guiding member is guided along the guides.
[0027] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom
comprising:
[0028] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective
top, bottom and lateral sides thereof; and
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[0029] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising a pivot
member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, the pivot member being
positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the arm segments.
[0030] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:
[0031] a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to
produce chipped elements; and
[0032] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device and
comprising:
[0033] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective
top, bottom and lateral sides thereof, and a joint assembly between the
adjacent
arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint
assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal
movement, the pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the
arm segments.
[0034] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:
[0035] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid
communication; and
[0036] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprises an
enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,
[0037] wherein elements are provided to flow from a downstream the arm
segment to an upstream the arm segment via the chamber.
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[0038] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:
[0039] at least two adjacent arm segments; and
[0040] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising:
[0041] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a
pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments,
and a
guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and
provided to be guided along the guides;
[0042] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the
guiding member is guided along the guides.
[0043] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:
[0001] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective
top, bottom and lateral sides thereof; and
[0002] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a
relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising a pivot
member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, the pivot member being
positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the arm segments.
[0044] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of
illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference
to
the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] In the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout and wherein:
[0046] Figure is a partial perspective view of an articulating boom in
accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] Figure 2 is a lateral side broken view of a sawing and chipping
assembly in accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the
present invention;
[0048] Figure 3 is a section view of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3 thereof;
and
[0049] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a lateral plate and movable
member of the joint articulation assembly of the articulating boom of Figure
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Generally stated, in a non-exclusive embodiment thereof, the
present invention provides an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping
device
having hollow arm segments and a joint assembly therebetween for providing a
pivotal movement between the arm segments having an enclosure defining an
enclosed chamber thereby allowing chipped elements to flow from a downstream
boom arm segment to an upstream boom arm segment via the chamber. The
enclosure includes a movable member that moves during the pivotal movement.
The joint articulation assembly comprises a pivot assembly, a pair of guides
and a
guiding member. The pivot assembly includes a pair of support members
pivotally
interconnected via a pivot member defining a pivot axis. Each boom arem
segment is mounted to a respective support member. The pair of guides are
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positioned at each lateral side of the arm segments. The guiding member is
mounted to at least one of the arm segments and is configured to be guided
along
the guides.
[0050] With reference to the appended drawings, illustrative embodiments of
the present invention will be described herein so as to exemplify the
invention and
in no way limit the scope thereof.
[0051] With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a sawing and chipping
assembly 1 comprising an articulating arm assembly or boom 10 for being
mounted to a sawing and chipping device 11 about an exit opening 13. The
sawing and chipping device 11 provides for harvesting trees T and thus
includes a
tree conveyor 15 and as well as a saw and chipper unit 17 for chipping the
tree T
into chipped elements 18. The chipped elements 18 are contained in casing 19
and evacuated via the exit opening 13 and into the boom 10 for collection
therefrom.
[0052] The articulating boom 10 comprises a plurality of arm segments 12
for being mounted to. Adjacent arm segments 12 are joined together at a joint
14
by a joint assembly or joint articulation assembly 16 interposed therebetween.
[0053] In the present non-restrictive illustrative example, the arm assembly
is a boom commonly used with chipping and sawing apparatuses. As such,
the boom 10 comprises arm segments 12 which are hollow generally rectangular
elongated structures. As trees T are harvested by the device 11, they are
sawed
and chipped. The wood chips 18 flow out of the device 11 (see Figure 2) via
the
exit 13 and are vacuumed or otherwise sucked into and blown out of the boom 10
from an entry opening 20 to an exit opening 22.
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[0054] Of course, the skilled artisan will readily understand that the joint
articulation assembly 16 disclosed herein can be provided for a variety of
mechanical arm devices providing arm segments adjoined at a common joint.
[0055] A given pair of adjoined and adjacent arm segments 12 are
pivotable about the joint 14 therebetween via a movement imparting device such
as actuator 24. The actuator 24 comprises two elongated members 26A and 26B
being pivotally linked together at a common end 28. Each elongated member 26A
and 26B is pivotally mounted to a respective arm segment 12 about a given
joint
14 at an opposite respective end 30A and 30B, respectively. The actuator 24
comprises a push rod 32 pivotally connected at the common end 28 for
reciprocally pushing this common end 28 towards the joint 14, thereby causing
the
adjacent arm segments 12 to provide an extension movement, or retracting the
common end 28 away from joint 14, thereby causing the arm segments 12 to
provide a flexion movement. The push rod 32 is controlled by an actuation
device
(not shown). Of course other ways of moving the arm segments 12 about a
common joint 14 can be provided within the scope of the present invention.
[0056] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the joint articulation assembly 16
defines the joint 14 interposed between two arm segments 12.
[0057] The joint articulation assembly 16 comprises two opposite panels or
plates 34A and 34B joined by a pivot assembly 36. Each plate 34A and 34B is
mounted to a respective lateral side 38A and 38B of adjacent arm segments 12
about a joint 14. Each plate 34A and 34B has a generally triangular-like shape
with a respective straight edge 40 and a sloped edge 42 meeting at a larger
curved edge 44 at one end thereof and a short flat edge 46 at the other end
thereof. In this way, a plate 34A and 34B extends at its curved edge 44 from a
first segment 12' (see Figure 3) to an upstream second segment 12" at its flat
edge 46. With reference to Figure 4, the plates 34A and 34B include a
respective
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guide in the form of a groove 48 machined in their inner faces 50 having a
linear
portion 52 about the plate straight edges 40 and curved portion 54 about the
plate
curved edges 46. The guiding grooves 48 provide for the plates 34A and 34B to
receive a movable member in the form of a mat 56 therebetween.
[0058] More specifically and with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the mat
56 is a generally rectangular strip of flexible and resilient material having
a free
end 58 and an opposite end 60 fixed to the first boom segment 12' via an
attachment 62. The mat 56 includes lateral edges 64A and 64B that are snuggly
and slidably fitted in the grooves 48 of the plates 34A and 34B, respectively.
Hence, the mat 56 overlaps the first and second adjacent arm segments 12' and
12", respectively and is positioned at the top sides 65 of the adjacent arm
segments 12' and 12". The mat 56 is strengthened by rigid laths 66 formed
thereon.
[0059] The pivot assembly 36 includes a pivot member in the form of rod 68
mounted at each longitudinal end to the plates 34A and 34B for linking them
together via holes 69. The pivot assembly 36 also includes a pair of support
members 70' and 70" that are pivotally linked together at their respective
adjoined
ends 72' and 72" by the pivot rod 68. The support members 70' and 70" are
generally triangular-like bodies having larger circular ends 72' and 72",
respectively, that, as mentioned, pivot about the rod 68, as well as sloped
supporting top sides 74' and 74" respectively and generally straight bottom
sides
76' and 76", respectively. For each support member 70' and 70", the top and
bottom sides, 74'/74" and 76776", extend from the circular ends, 72'/72",
towards
common peak ends 78' and 78", respectively.
[0060] The bottom sides 79 of the arm segments 12' and 12" are
respectively mounted on the top sloped sides 74' and 74" of each support
member 70' and 70", respectively. The arm segments 12' and 12" are spaced
apart defining a modifiable gap 80 therebetween. In the example of a boom,
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wood chips 82 or other material flows from opening 82 of tubular boom segment
12' into opening 84 of the upstream tubular boom segment 12". The gap 80 is
generally sealed by the articulation assembly 16.
[0061] The joint articulation assembly comprises an enclosure 81 that
defines an enclosed chamber between the adjacent arm segments 12' and 12". In
the example herein the enclosure 81 is defined by the mat 56, the support
members 70' and 70" and the side plates 34A and 34B and the chamber is
defined by the gap 80. As such, the chamber 80 provides an enclosed conduit
between and in fluid communication with openings 82 and 84 of arm segments 12'
and 12" respectively.
[0062] In operation, the actuator 24 causes the arm segments 12' and 12"
to pivot relative to each other about the pivot axis defined by the pivot rod
68
between flexion and extension movements (as shown by arrows F and E in Figure
1).
[0063] During flexion F, the actuator 24 moves the arm segments 12' and
12" towards each other. This movement is provided by the support members 70'
and 70" being caused to pivot about rod 68 towards each other. This pivot
movement causes the mat 56 to be pulled by the first boom segment 12', since
its
end 60 is fixed thereon. As the mat 56 is pulled in this fashion and slides
along
the grooves further into curved portion 54 and out of the linear portion 52.
In this
way the enclosed chamber 80 is decreased in size.
[0064] In one non-limiting example, the pivotal movement of the arm
segments 12' and 12" is guided by the mat 56 which moves along the trajectory
provided by the grooves 48 thereby allowing for a greater pivot amplitude to
the
arm segments during flexion.
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[0065] In another non-limiting example, the mat 56 only serves as part of an
enclosure 81 for chamber 80.
[0066] During extension E, the arm segments 12' and 12" are moved away
from each other by the actuator 24; again, the foregoing is provided by the
supports 70' and 70" pivoting about the rod 68 so as to open the angle
therebetween. The mat 56 is therefore pushed by the boom segment 70' into the
linear portion 52 of the guiding grooves 48 and out of the curved portion 54.
In this
way, the chamber 80 is increased or enlarged in size.
[0067] The various features described hereinabove can be combined in a
variety of suitable ways, as the skilled artisan will readily appreciate, so
as to
provide further embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application
to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be
understood
that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description
and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without
departing
from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the
appended
claims.
