GB2198388A

GB2198388A - Supporting an elongate article, particularly a log

Info

Publication number: GB2198388A
Application number: GB08629344A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Alfred Morley
Original assignee: MORLEY WENDY KAY
Current assignee: MORLEY WENDY KAY
Priority date: 1986-12-09
Filing date: 1986-12-09
Publication date: 1988-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2006-12-09
Also published as: GB8629344D0; GB2198388B

Abstract

A log holding apparatus comprises an upright stem (10) which fixedly mounts a bar (12) providing upstanding spikes (15). A pivotal latch (16) can be moved to a generally upright position to retain a sleeve (20), which provides downwardly extending spikes (26), in a spaced apart relation to the bar (12). Positioning of a log (30) on the spikes (15) with an end adjacent the stem (10) can displace the latch (16) and enable the sleeve (20) to automatically fail, thereby enabling the spikes (26) to engage with the log (30). The sleeve (20) can be locked to the stem (10) by a screw (28) if desired. In the supported condition the log is prepared for sawing. <IMAGE>

Description

Log Support Apparatus This invention relates to suppcrt apparatus for elongate articles, and particularly apparatus for supporting logs for sawing.

Heretofore support apparatus for logs for sawing, of the type that prevents the log from rotating, has often been difficult to use. Firstly the apparatus requires difficult manoeuvring of the log between oppositely disposed clamping members of the support into a supported position. This inclining of the log can be particularly difficult to do with long logs. Secondly, such support apparatus normally requires locking of the clamping members before releasing the log, which, when long logs are involved, requires the involvement of two persons.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus for an elongate article, the apparatus comprising means for supporting an elongate article from below and means for clamping the elongate article from above, means for latching the clamping means in a non-clamping position, the latching means being releasable by said elongate article whereby to enable the clamping means to move to a clamping position, the article thereby being retained supported in a generally horizontal position.

Preferably the supporting means is fixed to an elongate member which is upright in use, and desirably the clamping means is slidably mounted on the upright member above the supporting means. Means may be provided for releasably securing the supporting means to the upright member at any predetermined position.

Preferably also each of the supporting means and the clamping means includes a plurality of spikes, and desirably the spikes of the supporting means are spaced further from the upright member than the spikes of the clamping means.

The latching means may comprise an elongate member which can extend between the supporting means and the clamping means, and the elongate member may be pivotally mounted on the supporting means.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Fig. 1 is a side view of part of an apparatus according to the invention, illustrating a log to be sawn; and Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing which shows a log holding apparatus, a stem 10 formed for example of square section rod is connected at one end to any suitable supporting base structure (not shown) so as to extend substantially vertically in use. A bar 12 is rigidly mounted at one end on the stem 10 intermediate of the ends thereof and extends substantially at right angles to the stem 10 so as to be horizontal in use. A first bracket 14 is mounted centrally of its length on the free end of the bar 12 to extend at right angles thereto, and provides a flange mounting a plurality of upwardly extending spikes 15 which are spaced apart along the length of the bracket flange.A latch 16 in the form of an elongate strip has one end freely mounted by means of a pin 18 on a side of the bar 12 adjacent to the stem 10, whereby the latch 16 can rotate about the pin 18 in a substantially vertical plane for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

A sleeve 20 is slidably mounted on the stem 10 above the bar 12. A spacer block 22 is mounted on the sleeve 20 on the same side thereof as the bar 12. A second bracket 24 is mounted on the spacer block 22 to extend substantially parallel to the first bracket 14, and provides a flange mounting a plurality of spaced apart spikes 26 extending downwardly. A locking screw 28 is threadably mounted through the side of the sleeve 20 opposite to the side on which the spacer block 22 is mounted. The locking screw 28 can be tightened to lock the sleeve 20 against the stem 10.

In use, with the locking screw 28 loosened, the sleeve 20 is pulled up the stem 10 to a height above the bar 12 greater than the length of the latch 16. The latter is pivoted about the pin 18 until its free end is adjacent to the stem 10 at a point above the bar 12. The sleeve 20 is lowered until it rests on the latch 16.

The end of a log 30 to be cut is positioned on the bar 12 and against the stem 10, and in so doing, knocks the latch 16 from beneath the sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 drops and the log is clamped between the spikes 15,26 and held on the bar 12, in a generally horizontal position.

If required, after the sleeve 20 has dropped onto the log 30, the locking screw 28 may be tightened locking the sleeve 20 against the stem 10. After sawing, the log 30 may be removed from the apparatus by unscrewing the locking screw 28 if necessary, and sliding the sleeve 20 up the stem 10.

There is thus described an apparatus for supporting logs during sawing which permits easy positioning of the logs on the apparatus. This apparatus may be used with a wide range of log sizes without the need for adjustments to be made. The apparatus is simple to construct and can thus be relatively cheaply produced.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, adjustment means could be provided on the bar to adjust the sawing height of the apparatus. A different number of spikes could be provided on the arm and/or the sleeve, and these could be attached thereto by different means. The restraint could be pivotally mounted on the sleeve rather than on the bar.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Support apparatus for an elongate article, the apparatus comprising means for supporting an elongate article from below and means for clamping the elongate article from above, means for latching the clamping means in a non-clamping position, the latching means being releasable by said elongate article when the latter is located on the supporting means, whereby to enable the clamping means to move to a clamping position, the article thereby being retained supported in a generally horizontal position.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the supporting means is fixed to an elongate member which is upright in use.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the clamping means is slidably mounted on the upright member above the supporting means.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein means is provided for releasably securing the supporting means to the upright member at any predetermined position.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the elongate member is formed of round tube.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein each of the supporting means and the clamping means includes a plurality of spikes.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, when dependent on any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the spikes of the supporting means are spaced further from the upright member than the spikes of the clamping means.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the spikes of the supporting means are spaced from the upright member by a bar formed of round tube.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the latching means comprises an elongate strip which can extend between the supporting means and the clamping means.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the elongate strip is pivotally mounted on the supporting means.

11. Support apparatus for an elongate article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.