Claims
- 1. A wood splitting machine comprising a table having a metal surface for receiving a log which is to be split, a rotating threaded cone having a central axis of rotation which is parallel to the surface of said table, bearing means at the base of the cone for rotatably supporting said threaded cone, drive means for applying a rotational driving force through said bearing to turn said threaded cone, and a splitting wedge comprising a metal plate ahving a forward blade for penetrating and splitting a log, said plate having an elongation which lies along said axis of rotation, a bottom edge of said plate being fixed along its entire length to said surface of said table, a back portion of said plate being fixed to said bearing means for supporting said threaded cone, said back portion further having a member fixed to said drive means whereby said plate, and said table, said bearing means, and said drive means are integrated into a single mechanical unit which does not tend to separate or spring apart responsive to forces applied for splitting said log.
- 2. A machine according to claim 1, in which said table is comprised of a plywood plate having an upper side which is covered in sheet metal.
- 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, in which a speed reducer means is provided between the drive means and a rotating shaft of the threaded cone, said speed reducer means comprising an intermediary pinion mounted on a bearing which is also fixed to said wedge.
- 4. A machine according to one of the claims 1 or 2, in which said plate has an upper profile which has substantially the same shape as a profile of the rotating threaded cone, up to a location which is a short distance back from the point of said cone.
- 5. A machine according to claim 1 in which said motor is an electric motor fastened under said table.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 07/190,758, filed May 6, 1988, abandoned.
The present invention relates to a wood splitting machine comprising a rotating threaded cone, a longitudinal wedge disposed under said cone, and a table on the top of which the log to be split is placed in front of the cone and wedge.
By way of information, the document EP-A-0 219 444 describes a wood splitting machine comprised of a rotating threaded cone with a horizontal axis of rotation turning above a table and provided with a protective device for the point of the cone. The document DE-A-1 453 288 also describes a wood splitting machine comprising a rotating threaded cone, a wedge and a table. The wedge is mounted on a spring fastened under the table and can eventually retract in a hole cut in the table. The wedge prevents the rotation of the log to be split about the axis of rotation of the cone.
Thus, in the first cited document, only the proper placement of the log on the table prevents its rotation, whereas, in the second document, one uses a wedge fastened to the table by means of a spring. The present invention is an improvement to the invention described in the second document. Nevertheless, experience has proven that the presence of a link as flexible as the spring between the wedge and the table results in the wedge being able to retract completely into the table hole to the point of no longer being able to prevent dangerous rotation of the log to be split. The descent of the wedge into the table could be promoted by vibrations.
An object of the invention is to provide a wood splitting machine which solves these inconveniences and, in particular, which ensures that the log cannot turn.
Another object of the invention is to provide a splitting machine in which the vibrations are appreciably reduced.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the table top is rigid and the wedge is firmly fastened both to the rigid table top and to the rotating shaft bearing of the rotating threaded cone.
According to another embodiment, the rigid top is comprised of a plywood plate whose upper side is covered with sheet metal.
According to another embodiment, a speed reducer is provided between the drive motor and the rotating shaft of the threaded cone, the speed reducer being comprised of an intermediary pinion whose bearing is also fixed to said wedge.
According to another embodiment, the upper profile of the wedge has the same shape as the generator of the rotating threaded cone, up to a short distance from the point thereof.
According to another embodiment, the motor is an electric motor fastened under said table top.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 021944 |
Apr 1987 |
EPX |
| 1453288 |
Jul 1969 |
DEX |
| 22245 |
Jan 1948 |
FIX |
| 2500358 |
Aug 1982 |
FRX |
| 304465 |
Jan 1955 |
CHX |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
| Parent |
190758 |
May 1988 |
|
Patent Grant
4898220
