US2707007A - Wrap-around chain-driven cutters for removing bark from trees - Google Patents

Description

Aprll 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007

' WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES Filed June 8, 1953 6 Sheefcs-Sheet l INVENTOR.

H. SHUFF April 26, 1955 2, 70 7,00 7 WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1953 w w R 0 M 0 3 m M m5 7 April 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007 WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES Filed June 8, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 zz v INVENTOR. #aw/ .Sf/VFF BY A WTTOENEYS April 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007

WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 8, 1953 m 9 m R. m f W um m 74 @W I IHHI Hu W April 26, 1955 H SHUFF 2,707,007 WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 8, 1953 INVENTOR. 190; SAM/FF BY W7 J Ari/L firm/m5 April 26, 1955 H. SHUFF 2,707,007

WRAPAROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June a, '1953 ENTOR.

United States Patent WRAP-AROUND CHAIN-DRIVEN CUTTERS FOR REMOVING BARK FROM TREES Hugh Shutf, Qneonta, Ala.

8, 1953, Serial No. 360,233 8 Claims. (Cl. 144-408) Application June I'OITl trees,

he prime object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated embodying a flexible member carrying bark-engaging cutters together with means to wrap the flexible member at least partially about the apparatus as a whole about the tree trunk and which also has clamp members disposed to engage and clamp the tree when desired.

trolled by the operator, particularly when the machine is operated from the end of a boom of a crane or the like.

mounted on a supporting, articulated, guiding frame so as to wrap partially about the tree, thus to hug the tree, the chains carrying cutters which engage the bark and remove the same. for driving the chains and remaining mounted on a two-part housing, pivhas associated therewith means for opening and closing the same, thus permitting the apparatus to be placed about a tree. In order to guide hold the same centered, I provide guide pparatus illustrating features of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. l is a wholly diagrammatic side elevational view in tree engaging position;

Fig. 4 IS a fragmental, enlarged side elevational view of the ap the upper portion of the apparatus, certain of the parts being broken away and in section for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental plan view taken generally along the line VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. is a detail sectional view taken along lines VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken generally along the line VII-VII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental plan view looking in the direction of arrows VIIIVIIl of Fig. 7;

X of ig. 2;

Fig. 9a represents an enlargement of Fig. 10 is X-X of Fig.

Fig. 10a is a detail sectional elevation taken generally along the line Xa-Xa of Fi 10;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the topping saw as viewed along arrows XIXI of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 12 is a wholly diagrammatic bottom view of the wiring and piping. Reierring now to the drawings for a better understandmg 0 a portion of Fig. 9; a plan view taken generally along the line about the pivot point 16.

With reference more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawing it will be seen that the apparatus comprises vertically staggered sets of cutters indicated generally by the numerals 27 T 1e there are slight differences with respect to the paratus a description sufiice for all. Above theframe 10, Ward extension 28 of the yoke frame 14,

described, disposed to engage the trunk when the same to appear.

d on an upin a manner guide rollers 29' which are between them are brought together in the manner later ments 31 disposed when brought plained, to grip the tree trunk.

s best shown in Figs. 4 to 8, semblies 27 each embody a chain 32 carrying vertically Patented Apr. 26,

39 which has keyed thereto a sprocket 41 over which the chain 38 passes. The shaft 39 pro ects upwardly and carries a gear 42 on the upper end thereof which is driven by an electric motor 43 through a pmlon 44. The hollow shaft 39 is mounted in a suitable bearing 46 in turn mounted by means of a nut 47 into the lower wall 48 of the housing section 11. Surrounding the bear ng 46 is an outer sleeve 49, secured to the top of a housing 50 enclosing the chain 38 and which is mounted for rotation in a bearing 51 carried on the end of a bracket 52. The bracket 52 in turn is supported by a depending column member 53 welded to the underside 48 of the housing section 11.

Inside the hollow shaft 39 is a shaft 54 which carries at its upper end a pinion 56 in mesh with a rack 57 operated by the piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder 58. On the lower end of shaft 54 is keyed a sprocket 59 over which passes a sprocket chain 61. The sprocket chain in turn passes over a sprocket 62 which is mounted on a shaft 36 which surrounds the shaft 63.

Pivotally mounted to the column 53 as at 64 is a radius rod 66 in turn pivotally mounted at 67 to a member 68 disposed just above the sprocket 34. Upstanding from the member 68 is a tubular member 70. Depending from the housing 50 which surrounds the chains 38 an 61 is a column member 71 through which telescopes the member 70 and through which pass the hollow shaft 36 and shaft 63. A locking washer 71a holds the parts rotatably assembled, see Fig. 6. The shaft 63 has secured at its lower end the sprocket 34 for driving chain 32, whereas shaft 36 has secured at its lower end a gear 69.

The supporting and guiding frame members for the chain 32 comprise vertically spaced frame members 72 having successive inner and outer overlapping knuckles which are pivoted together as at 73 to adjacent similar members. These frame members are held together in vertically aligned pairs by bolts 74 and nuts 76 therefor (see Fig. 7). However, each of said pairs is free to pivot as a unit relative to the next pair about the pivot points 73.

Starting with the sprocket 34 and gear 69, the members 72 are provided with gears 77 which decrease progressively in diameter outward toward the idling sprocket 40. It will be noted that the gear 69 is in mesh with the first gear 77 and that the first gear 77 drives the following gear 77 through a pinion 78. This arrangement continues, the gears 77 driving the subsequent gears through the pinions 78 until, between the last two members 72 the gear and pinion are substantially the same diameter. The members 72 may be provided with inward curved guide portions 79 over which the chain 32 slides when the cutter assembly 27 is partially wrapped or curved about the trunk of the tree as will later appear. Also, there may be flat guide portions 81 at the opposite side. To further guide the chain, the opposite ends the members 72 may have spaced inturned flanges 82. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the gears 77 are each mounted between and made fast to the inner knuckles of the pivot portions 73 of the successive frame members 72. That is to say, gear 69 is carried by the shaft 36 and driven by the sprocket 62, chain 61, sprocket 59, shaft 54, pinion 56 and rack 57. Rotation of gear 69 therefore rotates gears 77 in mesh therewith, causing the successive frame members 72 and hence the chain 32 to wrap about the tree T as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 5. Due to the decrease in diameter of the gears 77 a small rotative movement of the gear 69 at the suspended or right hand end of the assembly as viewed in Fig. 5, causes an increasing rotative movement of the gears 77 toward the wrap-around or left end, thus causing the apparatus to assume an arcuate form, wrapping about the tree trunk. In this position, power from the motor 43 drives the chain 32, causing the cutters 33 to engage the bark of the tree. It will be noted that the cutters may be provided with serrated lower ends 33a to facilitate the removal of limbs from the trunk of the tree as the apparatus is moved down the tree. The radius rod 66 holds the assembly against rotating bodily, permitting the chain to wrap the trunk of the tree as indicated. While the elements of only one of the two lower cutter assemblies 27, and its associated supporting means and operating mechanism, have been described, it should be noted that corresponding elements of either of the upper cutter assemblies 27 have been identified in the drawmg by corresponding numerals to which a prime has 4 been added. (For example, in Fig. 9, note elements 43', 56', 57, and 58'.)

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I show in diagrammatic manner one of the lower cutter elements 27 wrapped about the tree trunk T while the others have not yet been moved to position. However, when the others are brought into working position it will be seen that substantially the entire periphery of the tree is engaged.

During the operation of the apparatus guide rollers 29 are brought to bear against the sides of the tree trunk. This is accomplished by means of a pneumatic cylinder 84 mounted on an outer extension 86 of the upward e xtension 28 which carries one of the rollers 29. The piston rod 87 of the cylinder engages an extension 88 of a yoke 89 carrying the other roller 29. When the piston rod moves inwardly the rollers move together equally. This is accomplished by means of racks 91 and 92 on equalizing gear 93 placed therebetween.

Mounted on the yoke frame 14, in very similar manner to the rollers 29 are the clamps 31. A pneumatic cylinder 94 is mounted on an extension 96 carrying one of the clamps 31. The piston rod 97 of the cylinder 94 is secured to an extension 98 of a yoke carrying the other arm 31 of the clamp. When the piston rod moves inwardly the clamps move in together, a centering gear 99 engaging racks 101 and 102 on the yokes on which the clamps 31v are mounted.

Also mounted on the yoke frame 14 is an electric motor 103. Pivotally mounted on top of the motor is a swing arm 104 which carries a chain housing 106. On the outer end of the arm 104 is a saw 107. A chain 108, driven by a sprocket 109 on the motor drives a sprocket 111 on a vertical shaft 112 carrying the saw 107. The saw may be pivoted bv means of a pneumatic cylinder 113, pivotally mounted as at 114 to a suitable portion of the frame structure. It may be swung into position to cut the top of the tree, or, to top the tree.

As before stated 27 are shorter in length than 27. Further, the cutter assemblies are placed apart as clearly indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Therefore, the housing sections 11 and 12 each carry one of the long band cutter assemblies 27 and one of the upper, shorter ones 27. It will be noted that if the two upper assemblies 27 are brought to bear against the tree and wrap thereabout when the diameter of the tree is small, they would interfere with each other. However, the lowermost cutter assemblies 27 can be brought to beat at any time without interfering either with each other or with the upper, shorter cutter assemblies 27'.

The housing sections 11 and 12, with respect to opening and closing movement, are under control of a hydraulic cylinder 116 having a piston rod 117 to which is pivotally connected links 118 and 119, connected to the housing sections 11 and 12 outwardly of the pivot point 13. When air under pressure is admitted to the closed end of the cylinder 116 the outward motion of the links opens the housing sections 11 and 12 whereby the apparatus may be placed about the tree.

The control means for bringing the several cutter assemblies into contact with the tree and for curving the same thereabout will now be described. Mounted on bearings 121 in the split housing, for sliding movement therethrough, are lower and upper control rings 122 and 123, respectively. The rings are connected adjacent their centers by means of lengths of chain 124, permitting the housing to open as already explained. Depending from an offset lug on the ring 122 are pins 126 which project through slots 127 in the lower wall 48 of the housing section, see Figs. 4 and 9. Connected to the lower end of the pins 126 are arms 128 which are pivotally connected at 129 to an arm 131 fast on the cylindrical upstanding member 49 carried by the housing 50. The pins 126 on the lower ring 122 therefore control the lowermost cutter assemblies 27 and are effective, when the ring 122 shifts as will be explained, to pivot the housing 50 and, through the radius rod 66 and the connection 71, to bring the cutter assemblies into contact with the side of the tree.

The ring 122 is under control of a cylinder 132, the piston rod 133 thereof being pivotally connected as at 134 to a bracket 136 carried on the side of the lower ring 122.

In quite similar manner the upper ring 123 is controlled by an air cylinder 137 pivotally connected as at 138 to a bracket 139 on the upper ring 123. Depending from an offset lug on the upper ring are pins 141, like after the bark is removed and without permitting in all respects identical with the pins 126 and which are the tree to fall on the ground, the apparatus is moved identically connected through arms similar to 128 and substantially to the vertical center of the tree and the 131 to move the upper pairs of cutters against the side clamps 31 are brought together. The tree may now be of the tree as will appear. sawed off at its base and, using the device as a clamping The lower ring 122 is biased against a stop 142 by tool, the tree may be loaded onto the trailer without means of a spring 143. Similarly, the ring 123 is biased felling the tree.

by means of a spring 144 against the same stop. The op- It will be noted that when the cylinder 116 has moved era ion of the pneumatic means is under control of a the links 118 and 119 inwardly to the position shown in safety valve 146 located adjacent the pivotal connection Fig. 9 the housings are effectively locked due to the togo t e housings When the housing is closed an arm 147 gle action Furthermore, in the operation of the ap amounted on the link 119 opens the valve 146 readying ratus 1t w1ll be apparent that the two uppermost cutter the pneumatic means for operation assemblies 27' are brought into place only after the low- Air under pressure may be supplied through a line 150 ermost cutter assemblies 27, which are the longer ones,

(see Fig. 12) through the valve 146, when open, to a 15 thus assuring that subs n lly all of the Periphery of solenoid operated valve 148. The valve 148 may be the tree trunk 18 operated P y the cutters 33 and under control of an electric switch 149 located in the From the o g g it Will be apparent that I have cab of the crane or at any other suitable place. As In ent d an Improved apparatus for operating upon best shown in Fig. 12 air under pressure is supplied, eurYed Surfaces Particularly tree trunks and h l kewhen valve 148 is open, to cylinder 132 through line While I have shown and described my improved appa- 5 Lik i opening f valves 146 nd 148 i ulratus as embodied in mechanism for barking standing taneously supplies air under pressure to the cylinders 58 t It w be pp that the Same finds application controlling the wrapping action of the lowermost cutter In other lnstanees- Thus, it y be desired to us t e bli Th h b th valves 146 a d 148 r same to operate upon curved metal surfaces, for finishopen, the two lowermost cutter assemblies 27 are lng Wood or Inetal- Various other uses will Suggest brought to bear against the tree trunk and, under the inthemselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, in the fina e of h li d 58 connected th i h are appended cla ms the invention intended to be covered is wrapped about the tree and held resiliently thereabout. th t c ion embodying the flexible members carryor reverse operation, valve 148 may be actuated so that e working tools together With m ans to cause the fluid under pressure from the line 151 may be admitted fieXlble members to assume the general Shape of the simultaneously h h li 152 to th other d f 4. curved surface It will also be apparent that it is possilnder 132 and through line 153 to the other end of each ble that my Improved apparatus Could operate p a of the cylinders 58. concave as well as a convex surface.

The lowermost ring 122 is provided with a notch 154. While I h Shown y invention n but one form it Located near the notch 154 is a valve 156 to which is will, e obvloue to those Skilled It! the art that it 18 not connected air lines 157 (see i 12 which lead to the so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modicylinders 58' and 137 controlling the uppermost cutter ficatlons without departing from the function thereof, assemblies 27. Disposed to ride against the ring 122 i and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall a spring biased pawl 157a pivotally mounted on the end be Placed thereupon as are Specifically Set o h in the of an arm 158 which controls the opening and closing appended r movement of the valve 156. In igs. 9 and 9a, valve hat I clann IS 156 is shown closed and when, under the influence of In apparatus r barking trees and the like, a fl i l cylinder 132, the notch 154 in the lower ring has traveled Inern er, bar engaglng cutters on the fieXible member, a 1n the dlrCCtlOn 0f the arrow 159 to Its dotted llne osiserles of q u plvotally connected members ption (which corresponds to a relatively small diameter Po and gurdlng the fieXlble member, means to P tree trunk), valve 156 remains closed, but as the apparaally rotate said members relative to each other and tus moves down the tree trunk, the increasing diameter thereby eaue the fi ble member to curve about an of the tree trunk causes the swingable end of the housal'cuate Portion of a trunk of a tree, and means to drive ing represents the cutter-assembbnsupp rting the flexible member while it IS in position about a tree end, to swing radially outward from the axis of the tree 50 thereby Causing the cutters to engage and move the to thus partially rotate sleeve 49 and arm 131 (see Fig. bark- 4), which in turn shoves arm 128 and ring 122 in a di- In apparatus for barking trees and the like, a fi rection opposite to the arrow 159, until notch 154 enlble rnernber, bark-engaging Cutters on he flexible memgages l 157 to Swing th l d h arm 153 to ber, a series of sequentially pivotally connected memtheir dotted line positions, at which time valve 156 is bars PP and guiding the tlexlblelntember, interopened, thereby energizing the cylinders 58' and the cylmeshlng gear? on Said pivotally conneeted members, a iuder 137 controlling the operation of the two upperrive gear ad acent one end of the flexible member and most cutter assemblies 27. The valve 156 may be prorneshlng one of Said intermeshing gears, means t otate vided with a spring-biased holding pawl 161 whi h the drive gear and thereby cause the pivotally connected erates against a fan-shaped extension 162 of the valve 0 members hence the flexible member to p about an arm 158 thus to hold the valve 156 open until the notch alcuate Portion of a trunk of a tree, and means to drive 154 of the control ring 122 moves again to its solid line the eXlble Inernber whlle wlapped about a t e t unk position, at which time pawl 161 drops into the notch whereby the Cutters engage and m e the bark there 1 4 to release the extension 162 so that the spring which rornbiases the pawl 157a can then return the valve arm 158 Apparatus as defined in Claim 2 in which the effective to i 1 1 i iti I wj b apparent f diameters of the intermeshing gears successively decrease what has ust been said that m the initial operation of from e drlve gear outwardly thereof whereby the the apparatus the longer, lowermost pairs of cutters 27 respondlng frame rnernbers Pivot through progressively are first wrapped about the small diameter top of the greater ares outwardly of the drive g tree and the machine is moved downwardly towards the 7 PP for operating p the n e Surface of larger bottom trunk p0rt1on. At the proper ti h a cylindrical body or the like comprising an endless chain,

valve 156 opens and swings the uppermost cutters into driving and idling Sprockets over ch the chain is contact with the tree through the cylinder 137 nd itrained, a series of sequentially pivotally connected frame multaneously commences the wrapping of the h i f members extending between the sprockets and on inner t e uppermost cutters about the tree trunk. If desired, and outer ones of which frame rnernberS S driving and suitable delay apparatus may be interposed 1n the lines idling Sprockets respectively are Supported for tati n so that the cylinders 58 and 58' are slightly delayed in means suppor ting the innermost of said frame members, t err operation, thus assuring that the cylinders 132 and means associated with said frame members effective to 1 Eng the suspended ends of the cutter chains into rotate them relative to each other and thus wrap the contact with the tree prior to commencing of the wrapchain at least partially about a rounded surface, and pmg action. Once the cutters are engaged the individual means to rotate the drive sprocket thereby causing the motors 43 and 43' may be operated by means of switches working tools to engage a rounded surface.

162a which may be located in the cab of the crane or in 5. In apparatus for working upon a curved surface, an any other desired position. endless chain, working tools on the periphery of the If it is desired to load the tree onto a trailer or the chain, a series of sequentially pivotally connected frame members supporting the chain for travel, gears between the pivoted frame members for controlling the relative angular relationship therebetween, means to rotate one of said gears thereby to conform the cha1n to the general curvature of a curved surface, and means to drive the chain while in said curved position.

6. In apparatus for removing bark from tree trunks and similar objects, a two-part annular frame pivoted together for placement about a tree trunk, a plurality of bark removing cutter units supported from the frame each of which comprises an endless sprocket chain, bark-removing cutters on the periphery of the chain, means mounting the cutter units for partial wrapping about a tree trunk, means holding the chains resiliently wrapped about a tree trunk, means to drive each chain while wrapped about a tree trunk, and means to move the apparatus along a tree trunk.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 embodying guide means engageable with a tree trunk and effective to hold the frame substantially centered relative to a tree trunk as the apparatus moves thereon.

8. Tree-barking apparatus of the character described embodying a two-part annular housing with the parts hinged together, at least a pair of bark-removing assemblies spaced below the housing and spaced vertically relative to each other and each of which comprises an endless sprocket chain, sprockets over which the chain is trained, bark-engaging cutters on the periphery of the chain, a pivotally articulated frame having end and intermediate sections, means mounting the sprockets on the end sections of said articulated frame, gears on said end and intermediate frame sections controlling the angular relationship of the same relative to each other, means to drive one of said sprockets, means to rotate one of said gears and thereby cause the articulated frame sections and hence the frame to wrap about an arcuate portion of a trunk of a tree, and means to move the apparatus along a tree trunk while wrapped thereabout.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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