Patent Grant
11613042
The present disclosure relates to log splitter systems, and in particular, to portable log splitter systems for splitting a log into a plurality of sections.
In some situations, it may be desirable to split logs into smaller pieces. This task can be done manually using a splitting maul or striking a wedge which splits the log, but both are labor intensive and require physical strength and endurance. Over the years, hydraulic cylinders have been used to push a section of log against a stationary simple wedge to split the log section into smaller pieces. Although numerous variations on the cutting wedge have been developed, nearly all are subject to plugging and binding when attempting to split the log section into many smaller pieces in a single pass through the cutting wedge.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example of the present disclosure is of a pusher assembly for a log splitter, which can include a frame, an actuator, and a wedge assembly with a first set of cutting blades and a second set of cutting blades configured to split a log into a plurality of pieces. The pusher assembly may include a base configured to be coupled to the actuator and a plurality of push pads spaced apart from the base. Each of the push pads may include a contact surface that is coplanar with the contact surfaces of the other push pads. A plurality of support columns may extend between each one of the plurality push pads and the base. The plurality of push pads may be configured to receive the first set of cutting blades in gaps positioned between adjacent push pads as the plurality of push pads forces the log through the wedge assembly.
In some embodiments the plurality of push pads may include four push pads arranged in a two-by-two grid. The plurality of support columns may be arranged along interior edges of the push pads that extend along the gaps positioned between adjacent push pads. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of push pads may be substantially identical to each other.
In some embodiments, each of the support columns may include a tine that extends through an opening formed through one of the plurality of push pads past the contact surface thereof, each of the tines beings configured to engage the log to be split. The plurality of support columns may be arranged so that debris can pass between the base and each one of the push pads. The plurality of support columns includes three support columns extending between each one of the push pads and the base.
In some embodiments, a support slide may be secured to the base and may be configured to slidably engage the frame to support the pusher assembly as it is moved by the actuator from a retracted position to an extended position to force the log through the wedge assembly. The pusher assembly may include a bushing configured to receive an end of the actuator to couple the base thereto. A shield may be incorporated to project outwardly from the base above the bushing, the shield being configured to protect the actuator for damage.
According to another example of the present disclosure, a log splitter may be configured to split a log into a plurality of log pieces. The log splitter may include a frame, a wedge assembly positioned at a first end of the frame, and a pusher assembly linked to a second end of the frame opposite the first end. The wedge assembly may include a first set of cutting blades and a second set of cutting blades positioned behind the first set of blades. The pusher assembly may include a plurality of push pads, and each one of the push pads may be supported by a plurality of support columns. The plurality of push pads may be configured to push the log through the wedge assembly as the pusher assembly moves into the extended position. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of push pads may be configured to be received in the wedge assembly between the first set of cutting blades as the log is pushed through the wedge assembly.
In some embodiments, the wedge assembly includes a first wedge box with the first set of cutting blades and a second wedge box including the second set of cutting blades, and the frame includes a wedge bracket configured to receive the first wedge box and the second wedge box. The first set of cutting blades may be configured to divide a passageway through the wedge assembly into a plurality of first sections, and the second set of cutting blades may be configured to divide each one of the first sections into a plurality of second sections.
In some embodiments, the pusher assembly includes gaps positioned between each of the plurality of push pads, and the gaps may be configured to receive the first set of cutting blades as the plurality of push pads move into the wedge assembly. In such an embodiment, the first set of cutting blades may include a vertical blade and a horizontal blade arranged perpendicularly to the vertical blade, and the vertical blade and horizontal blade can intersect to define four quadrants. In this instance, the plurality of push pads may include four push pads, each one configured to be received in one of the four quadrants.
In some embodiments, each plurality of support columns may be configured to provide a space between one of the push pads and a base of the pusher assembly. Each plurality of support columns may include three support columns extending between one of the push pads and the base of the pusher assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the pusher assembly may include a support slide configured to slidably engage the frame to support the pusher assembly as it is moves from the retracted position to the extended position.
Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
The present disclosure is described with reference to the following Figures. Where possible, like numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and like components.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Unless otherwise specified or limited, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and the like, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C, including combinations with multiple instances of A, B, and/or C. Likewise, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, unless otherwise specified or limited, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “front,” or “back” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments. Additionally, use of the words “first,” “second”, “third,” etc. is not intended to connote priority or importance, but merely to distinguish one of several similar elements or machines from another.
Embodiments of the pusher assembly 108 may include a plurality of push pads 174 configured to make contact with and apply the pushing force onto the log 80. As the pusher assembly 108 moves into the extended position, the push pads 174 may enter into the wedge assembly 102 in order to force the log 80 completely through the wedge assembly 102. A support structure can be configured to rigidly support the push pads 174 while also allowing debris created during the splitting process to fall out of the pusher assembly 108 to prevent a jam from forming.
Having generally described features of log splitter 100, the details of its components and their structure and features will now be discussed. Referring to
Some embodiments of a frame include a support member configured to support the pusher assembly 108. The illustrated frame 104 in
Embodiments of a frame can include a log segment support member 138 positioned between the wedge assembly 102 and the back end 116 of the frame 104 to position the log segment for splitting. As illustrated in
Some embodiments of a wedge assembly 102 can include multiple wedge boxes e.g. 142, 146 that each have a set of cutting blades e.g. 144, 148. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the wedge assembly 102 includes a first wedge box 142 with a first blade set 144 and a second wedge box 146 with a second blade set 148. As illustrated in
When the wedge assembly 102 is secured to the frame 104, the first wedge box 142 and the second wedge box 146 are configured to provide a continuous passageway from the entrance opening 154a of the first wedge box 142 to the discharge opening 156b of the second wedge box 146. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiments, the first and second wedge boxes 142, 146 are generally octagonal in shape and equal in size. In some embodiments, however, at least one of the wedge boxes may be different. For example, a wedge assembly can be configured with a first wedge box and a second wedge box that are rectangular. Some embodiments can include a first wedge box that is octagonal and a second wedge box with a circular perimeter wall that is larger than the first wedge box. Further, for embodiments of a log splitter that include a wedge box that is shaped differently than those illustrated, the frame can be configured with a wedge bracket shaped to conform to the shape of the perimeter wall of that wedge box. Other embodiments where the wedge boxes may have different shapes are intended to be within the scope of the present application.
Referring to
Referring to
Each of the blades 166, 168 of the second blade set 148 has a cutting edge that faces the entrance opening 154b of the second wedge box 146 for penetrating an incoming log segment. Similarly to the first blade set 144, the cutting edges of the secondary vertical blades 166 are offset relative to the cutting edges of the secondary horizontal blades 168. This may be useful for reducing the force required to advance a log 80 into the second wedge box 146.
In some embodiments, the secondary vertical blades 166 may be inclined toward a vertical centerline of the second wedge box 146 and the secondary horizontal blades 168 can be inclined toward a horizontal centerline of the second wedge box 146. The inclination of the second blade set 148 may be useful, for example, to assist in splitting a log 80 as it passes through the second wedge box 146. In some embodiments, however, at least one of the blades 166, 168 of the second blade set 148 may be configured without any inclination. Additionally or alternatively, the cutting edge of the secondary vertical blades 166 may include a single beveled surface oriented away from a vertical centerline of the passageway of the second wedge box 146, and the cutting edge of the secondary horizontal blades 168 may include a single beveled surface oriented away from a horizontal centerline of the passageway. The single bevel of the cutting edge of the second blade set 147 may be useful, for example, to assist in splitting a log as it passes through the second wedge box 146. In some embodiments, at least one of the blades 166, 168 of the second blade set 148 may include a cutting edge with a different bevel configuration.
In the illustrated embodiments, the log splitter 100 is includes a wedge assembly 102 configured to split a log 80 into sixteen separate log sections. Some embodiments, however, may be configured to create a different number of sections. For example, a wedge assembly may include a first wedge box configured to split a log into two log sections and a second wedge box configured to further split each of those section into two smaller section, resulting in a total of four log sections. Another embodiment may include a first wedge box configured to split a log into six log sections and a second wedge box configured to further split each of those section into three smaller sections, resulting in a total of eighteen log sections. Additionally or alternatively, a wedge assembly may be configured to split a log into equally-sized sections, or at least one split log section may be large or smaller than another log section. Many alternative section configurations will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, and such configurations are intended to be within the scope of the present application.
In some embodiments, the first wedge box 142 and the second wedge box 146 are selectively removable from the frame 104. After disengaging the fastener from the corresponding mounting openings 126, 158 on the wedge box 142, 146 and the frame, the wedge boxes 142, 146 maybe removed. This may be useful, for example, for at least one of unjamming, cleaning, blade sharpening, maintenance, and any other purpose. Additionally or alternatively, a wedge assembly maybe configurable with multiple sets of corresponding first and second wedge boxes 142, 146. For example, a wedge assembly can include plurality of different first and second wedge boxes configured to be used in various different combinations to produce different numbers and sizes of split log sections. Some embodiments can include a wedge assembly with only one wedge box, or with more than two wedge boxes.
With continued reference to the figures, a pusher assembly 108 can include supports 176, 178, 190 and a plurality of push pads 174 configured to make contact push a log 80 into the wedge assembly 102. For example, as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiments, the push pads 174 are spaced apart from a front side of the base 176 so that the contact surfaces 180 of the push pads 174 are generally coplanar with each other. The four push pads 174 are arranged in a two-by-two grid with a gap 182 between each adjacent push pad 174. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiments, the support columns 178 are generally cylindrical and each extend from a first end received in an opening 184 formed in the base to a second end received in an opening 186 formed through one of the push pads 174. The support columns 178 may be secured to the base 176 and the push pads 174 through at least one of a threaded connection, a mechanical fastener, adhesive, a welded connection and any other method for attachment. The second ends of the support columns 178 may include tines 188 that extend though the opening 186 past the contact surfaces 180 of the push pads 174. The tines 188 are configured to engage the surface of log 80 as it is pushed into the wedge assembly 102. This may be useful, for example, in order to retain a log 80 in position as the log 80 is pushed through the wedge assembly 102. In some embodiments, at least one of the tines may be formed on a different part of the pusher assembly. For example, a tine may be formed on or secured to at least one of a push pad or the base.
Some embodiments of a push pad can be supported by a plurality of supports. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, each of the push pads 174 is supported by three support columns 178 positioned proximate the interior edges of the push pad 174. At least one of the dimensions of the support columns 178 and the position of each support column 178 may be selected to provide sufficient clearance between the base 176 and the back side of the push pads 174 for wood splinters or pieces, debris, or other material to pass between the base 176 and the push pads 174 as a log 80 is split with the log splitter 100. This may be useful, for example, in order to prevent material or debris from becoming stuck in the pusher assembly 108.
The support columns 178 may additionally be configured to allow the push pads 174 to enter into the first wedge box 142 as the pusher assembly 108 moves from the retracted position (
In some embodiments, a pusher assembly 108 may be configured with an alternative support structure for supporting the push pads 174. For example, at least one of the push pads may be supported by more than three support columns 178 or fewer than three support columns 178. At least one of the support columns 178 can have a different shape and/or a different size than at least one other support column. For example, a push pad 174 can be supported by two circular columns 178 and two rectangular columns 178. Further, at least one of the support columns 178 can be positioned differently than the illustrated support columns 178. All such permutations are intended to be within the scope of the present application.
To split a log 80 with the log splitter 100, the log 80 may be placed on the log support members 138 so that the log 80 is positioned between the contact surface 180 of the push pads 174 and the entrance opening 154a of the first wedge box 142. The actuator 106 may then be controlled to extend to move the pusher assembly 108 from the retracted position to the extended position. As the actuator 106 extends, the support glide 190 slides along the slider support 132 and the pusher assembly 108 moves towards the log 80 and the wedge assembly 102. The contact surface 180 of the push pads 174 and the tines 188 make contact with the log 80, sliding the log 80 towards the wedge assembly 102 on the log support members 138. When the log 80 makes contact with the first blade set 144, the tines are driven into the rear surface of the log 80. Engagement between the tines 188 and the log 80 can retain the log 80 in place and may prevent pieces of the log 80 from separating before moving into the wedge assembly 102.
As the actuator 106 continues to extend, a pushing force is transmitted from the actuator 106 to the log 80 through the base 176, the support columns 178 and the push pads 174. The pushing force presses the front end of the log 80 into the cutting edges of the primary blades 162, 164, thereby splitting the log 80 into separate log pieces. In this embodiment shown in the Figures, the log 80 would be split into four pieces by the primary blades 162, 164. As noted, different configurations may be used for the primary blades 162, 164 and the push pads 174 such that the log may be split into a different number of pieces. The pusher assembly 108 continues to move forward, further splitting the log 80 along its length and advancing each of the log pieces through the first wedge box 142. As the log pieces move out of the first wedge box 142 and into the second wedge box 146, each of the log pieces makes contact with the second blade set 148 at one of the intersections between a secondary vertical blade 166 and a secondary horizontal blade 168. The push pads 174 continue to apply a pushing force onto the log 80, forcing the log pieces into the cutting edges of the secondary blades 166, 168 to further divide each log piece into smaller sections. In this embodiment shown in the Figures, the four log pieces created by the primary blades 162, 164 would each be split into four smaller pieces by the secondary vertical blade 166 and a secondary horizontal blade 168. Again, different configurations may be used for the secondary vertical blade 166 and a secondary horizontal blade 168 such that the log pieces may be split into a different number of smaller pieces. The pusher assembly 108 continues to slide towards the sedge assembly 102 to push the split log sections out the discharge opening 156b of the second wedge box 146.
As the pusher assembly 108 nears the fully extended position, the push pads 174 move into the first wedge box 142 through the entrance opening 154a and the first blade set 144 is received in the gaps 182 between push pads 174. As the log 80 is split by the wedge assembly 102, wood splinters and other debris can be formed and may accumulate near the push pads 174 and in the first and second wedge boxes 142, 146. Spacing between the support columns 178 allows material or debris to pass between the base 176 and the push pads 174, thereby preventing the material from filling the gaps 182 and preventing the primary blades 162, 164 from being received between the push pads 174. The pusher assembly 108 can continue to slide along the length of the frame 104 until it reaches the extended position in which the base 176 is positioned proximate the first bade set 144, the push pads 174 are positioned proximate the second blade set 148, and the log 80 has been completely split by the second blade set 148.
In the above description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7104296 | Heikkinen | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 9840022 | Rodler | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220032493 A1 | Feb 2022 | US |
