Abstract:
A split support ring having two halves joined by a hinge is mounted about a tree. A trolley is mounted on the support ring and movable horizontally in all positions over 360 angular degrees. A plurality of wheel assemblies are paced around the support ring and depend downwardly providing wheels angularly positionable into contact with the tree for supporting and moving the support ring vertically on the tree. A tension device in contact with the wheel assemblies causes the wheels to gain traction against the tree. A saw is mounted on the trolley, the saw engaged so as to move in mutually orthogonal directions for positioning the saw as needed in cutting into the tree and its branches or fronds.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT  
       [0003]     Not applicable.  
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0004]     Not applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0005]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Field of the Present Disclosure  
       [0006]     This disclosure relates generally to tree trimming devices in general and more specifically to an apparatus that is self-propelled and climbs trees while cutting fronds or branches with various types of cutting devices.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0007]     Previously, various mechanical devices have been used for providing a means to climb and remove limbs of standing trees. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that possess the novelty of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered to be related art:  
         [0008]     Clouston in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,966 teaches a self-propelled tree pruning apparatus using a cutting tool with helical edges. The invention includes a frame, a pair of driven wheels and a pair of hugger wheels that are rotatably attached to the frame. Pneumatic air bags urge the hugger wheels toward the driven wheels, and the cutting tool is attached to a drive shaft which is also attached to the frame and is movable along three axes. A self-powered engine drives both the cutting tool and the driven wheels. The drive engine is throttled back to an idling speed and the pressure is released on the air bag when the device is to descend to the ground. U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,168 issued to Ericksson is for a trimming device that utilizes a harvester head positioned at a pre-selected transverse position relative to a tree trunk. A control device is movably connected to a tree trimming member selecting a transverse position relative to the tree trunk. An actuator urges a tree trunk engaging portion into engagement with the tree and the trimming member at the pre-selected transverse position. Barnhill, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,685 discloses a debarking/declimbing apparatus having a rotatably driven spool device that removes bark as the tree parts are moved lengthwise across its axis. The spool device consists of a rotor which includes tooth elements with two spools used in concert. The debarking elements may be fixed in helical form or may be flexibly mounted and capable of assuming a near helical form. Fuminao in U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,184 teaches a tree pruning machine having a cutting unit mounted on a frame and wheels elevating vertically. A first member has drive wheels mounted on its lower portion that are driven by an engine; a chain saw is also rotated by the engine. A branch sensing member projects forward temporarily stopping the drive toward the upward direction of a standing tree. U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,603 issued to Hori is for an automatic lopping machine which has a body with a drive unit, a chain saw and a number of drive wheels. An auxiliary unit includes idle wheels connected together with the main body so as to encircle a tree trunk. The drive unit is used to drive the chain saw and the drive wheels when the machine revolves helically around the tree trunk when the machine ascends a tree trunk. Baxter Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,509 discloses a tree harvester that converts standing trees into chips by delimbing the tree from the bottom to the top, debarking the trunk from the top to the bottom, and progressively converting the tree trunk into chips from the top down. The device uses chain saws with knives that produce chips with long fibers and direct the chips upwardly out of the path of the knives.  
         [0009]     The related art described above discloses mechanical means for trimming branches and fronds from trees. However, the prior art fails to disclose a manually operated and supervised apparatus and fails to disclose the much simpler apparatus of the present disclosure which although less complex accomplishes the same work in less time and at a lower cost then any of the prior art devices. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.  
         [0011]     Many attempts have been made to trim trees remotely without the necessity of actually climbing the tree. This utility is particularly useful when removing fronds from palm trees, as it has always been very difficult to trim palms or cycads since the fronds have sharp needle like barbs on their ends that are connected to husks. Additionally, considerable dust, dirt, trash and even rodents such as tree rats live in the tops of these type of tree. The common procedure for trimming and/or dressing palm trees is to manually cutoff and remove the frond adjacent to the palm husk. This operation requires a mechanical hoist or some other method of lifting the trimmer to the area that is to be trimmed. In some cases, the trimming is manually accomplished by actually climbing the tree using climbing gear that is well known in the art. Regardless of how the work is accomplished, it is dangerous and liability increases the cost. Also, the work is labor intensive and the initial cost of elaborate lifting equipment is fairly high.  
         [0012]     The present invention is a tree trimming apparatus having a split support ring of two halves joined by a hinge, the support ring positionable around a tree. A trolley is mounted on the support ring and movable horizontally in all positions over  360  angular degrees. A plurality of wheel assemblies are paced around the support ring and depend downwardly providing wheels angularly positionable into contact with the tree for supporting and moving the support ring coaxially on the tree. A tension device in contact with the wheel assemblies causes the wheels to gain traction against the tree. A saw is mounted on the trolley, the saw engaged so as to move into any position in 3-space.  
         [0013]     Therefore the primary object of the invention is to utilize a mechanical, self-propelled trimmer that climbs the tree and trims the fronds using a revolving set of blades, which allows an operator to remain on the ground a safe distance away and remotely guide the trimmer in its climbing speed and its depth of cut.  
         [0014]     An important object of the invention is directed to its safety aspect since the operator is completely removed from the area where the fronds fall, the operator is not precariously positioned during any phase of the trimming operation.  
         [0015]     Another object of the invention is that the most current automation is employed, using motors that are many times smaller and more powerful than prior art equipment and are compact and deliver energy density exceeding internal combustion engines.  
         [0016]     Still another object of the invention is the speed that a tree can be trimmed relative to the manual process. The operator simply attaches the inventive self-propelled climbing tree trimmer around the base of the tree and connects the trimmer to a utility power source or to a portable generator and stands clear while controlling the movement of the trimmer and depth of cut from a safe remote location on the ground. It is easily understood that the time to trim the tree is reduced to a fraction of the manual process.  
         [0017]     Yet another object of the invention is the flexibility of the trimmer. Although the trimmer is primarily designed to be used with limb bearing trees, it may also be used on palm trees or cyaids or other trees that have small branches which are typically trimmed while the tree is still growing.  
         [0018]     A further object of the invention is the ability of the trimmer to leave a palm tree with a uniform appearance as the uneven husks left on the tree after trimming in a conventional manner are completely eliminated, thus causing all adjacent trees to have the same uniform outward appearance. The invention is able to deliver a uniform, visual outside shape of the tree trunk with reliable repetition.  
         [0019]     A further object of the present apparatus is to provide a highly simplified and relatively inexpensive device for trimming and cutting trees.  
         [0020]     A further object of the invention is to provide a tree trimmer that is easily transported to remote areas not accessible to heavy machinery.  
         [0021]     A further object of the invention is to carry tools and personnel on a tree trunk or on a pole.  
         [0022]     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0023]     Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment thereof;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment thereof;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment thereof; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.  
         [0030]     Described now in detail are the best modes for carrying out the invention as shown in FIGS.  1  thorough  5 , for a self-propelled, tree climbing trimmer  10  that is used for severing fronds or branches from a tree  68  and for topping such tree. While the basic utility of this invention is for use with large trees including the common types harvested in the timber industry, other trees with relatively small branches or fronds, such as palm trees, may be trimmed using the present apparatus.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the trimmer  10  consists of a hinged, split support ring  12  that is torus shaped as described in Van De Mortel U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,377 (&#39;377) and which is hereby incorporated into this disclosure by reference. The support ring  12  is divided into two halves with a hinge  18  connecting the halves together permitting the support ring  12  to be placed axially around tree  68  as shown. The hinge  18  is disposed on an exterior peripheral wall  16  of the support ring  12  and is rotate one of the halves relative to the other sufficiently wide to position the invention around a tree trunk as illustrated. The hinge  18  may be any type of hinge and preferably includes a hinge pin  22  functional for connecting the two ring halves. Latching devices may be attached to the peripheral wall  16  as shown in the &#39;377 reference, such that when the trimmer  10  is closed and the latches are manually secured, each half of the support ring  12  is positively fastened and secured to the other.  
         [0032]     In the embodiments shown, a ring gear  70  is mounted on the exterior surface of support ring  12  and it may be placed on the exterior vertical surface  16  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or on the top, up-facing surface as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The ring gear  70  is also split into two equal halves so that it may be parted along with the two halves of the support ring  12  when opened for engagement with or removal from tree  68 .  
         [0033]     The present invention may be manually operated or remotely operated through automation of any type that is well known in the art. It is not the automation fixtures or techniques that provide novelty herein, but rather the arrangement of the several elements of the invention that is both novel and particularly beneficial and novel with respect to the prior art, and in particular, the Van de Mortel disclosure.  
         [0034]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 a  plurality of wheel assemblies  30  are attached by hinges  32  to the support ring  12 . Each of these wheel assemblies  30  provides a frame  34  connecting a hinge yolk  36  to an axle  38  which mounts two wheels  35 , as shown, although one wheel  35  in each assembly  30  or more than two wheels  35  may be utilized. Axle  38  provides an electric motor which drives wheels  35 . A linear actuator  56  is used to provide tension for traction between wheels  35  and the tree  68 . In  FIG. 1 a  hydraulic motor  80  is fixed to support ring  12  and through control box  82  it provides pressure to control valves  84  which control the actuators  56 . Control from the ground level may be applied through control cables  9  or through radio signals to control box  61  which contains control circuits and transceiving circuits.  
         [0035]     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 2-4 , the frames  34  are joined by a tension strap  40  which applies tension to the frames  34  to drive the wheels  35  against the tree  68 . Preferably, the wheels  35  are set at an angle to the horizontal, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so that as the trimmer  10  is moved in rotational rolling motion around the tree  68 , it also moves in spiral motion vertically. The tension strap  40  may be tensioned by spring  42  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) or by a linear actuator  56  ( FIG. 3 ) or any equivalent mechanism. Adjustment of strap  40  is initially made using buckle  44  ( FIG. 4 ). As the trimmer  10  moves upwardly on tree  68 , spring  42  tends to maintain tension force as the diameter of the tree  68  diminishes. The technician  2  must tighten the strap  40  periodically to assure proper traction of the wheels  35  with the tree surface. The wheels  35  may be set at a preferred angle manually or by remote control through a second motor within axle  38 . The placement and utilization of motors for driving the wheels  35  and for setting their angle would be within the capability of one of skill in the art.  
         [0036]     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mounted on the ring  12  is a trolley  60  carrying a cutting device such as a chain saw  50  as shown in  FIG. 1 , a circular saw  74  as shown in  FIG. 3 , or any similar cutting device appropriate to the present apparatus for accomplishing its objective of trimming or cutting the tree  68 . In  FIG. 1  chain saw  50  is mounted on a first motor  52  which is able to position saw  50  in accordance with arrow “A”, i.e., a selected angle of cut. This motion is able to bring the saw  50  into contact with a limb  69  ( FIG. 2 ) or with the tree trunk itself  FIG. 1  at a desired angle. Rotational action is enabled by motor  53  shown in  FIG. 2  (hidden in  FIG. 1 ) for driving the saw in accordance with arrow “E”, i.e., to move the cutting blade in an arc in order to cut through the limb, etc. A third motor  54  containing two drive arrangements, drives the entire cutting package along shaft  55  in accordance with arrow “B” in a first orthogonal direction, and drives shaft  55  as well as the cutting package along shaft  59  to position the saw  50  in a second orthogonal direction as shown by arrow “C”, which is therefore able to position cutting package (motors  50 ,  52 , and saw  53 ) as desired. The above described motors are preferably driven by gas, hydraulic or electric power as is well known in the art.  
         [0037]     In a manual use of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the technician  2  holds the trolley  60  stationary with respect to the tree  68  and is supported by his spiked shoes  3  and his safety strap  5  while the support ring  12  is driven spirally to provide climbing motion. The wheels  35  are driven by motors  38  so that the ring  12  is able to be driven in spiral motion up and down along the tree  68 . Upon reaching a desired position on tree  68 , the ring  12  is halted and the saw  50  is then positioned for cutting. The motion of the saw  50  for cutting then may be directed by the technician  2  through a hand held remote control device (not shown), or through an electrical control Box  61  via an electrical conductor, cable  9 . In a fully manual version of the apparatus, the wheels  35  are pre-set at an angle, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the ring is manually rotated by the technician, thereby forcing the ring  12  to move in spiral motion on the tree.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 4  the ring gear  70  engages motor  62  to enable motion of the trolley  60  in accordance with arrow “D”, i.e., trolley  60  is able to be driven to any position on ring  12 . Motor  62 , although present, is not shown in  FIGS. 1-3  for clarity. In  FIG. 3  we see that a circular saw blade  73  is used and this is particularly effective in removing palm tree fronds  69 . This blade  73  is driven by motor  74  and is able to move in arcuate motion as defined by arrow “E”.  
         [0039]     In a further embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , strap  90  encircles four pivot bars  92  providing inwardly directed forces  90 ′ on bars  92  to drive wheels  35  against the tree  68 . Springs  94  provide a counter force assuring that even pressure is applied by all eight wheels  35  and thereby assuring that the ring  12  is centered. Motors  96  provide rotation of the duel wheel sets mounted on each of the hinged bars  92  so as to set the wheels  35  at an angle to the horizontal for moving the apparatus vertically on the tree  68 . Motors  96  are also adapted by drive chains or shafts (not shown) for rotating the wheels  35 . Alternatively, in  FIG. 5  the wheels  35  may each be driven by an axially mounted motor.  
         [0040]     The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.  
         [0041]     The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.  
         [0042]     Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.  
         [0043]     The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.