Abstract:
A splitting device for splitting logs comprising a base having an upright member secured thereto, a carriage moveable along said upright member, an axe portion also moveable along said upright member and carrying an axe head, the moveable carriage being releasably secured to the axe portion, and a locking device for locking the moveable carriage in a raised position from where it can be released to split a log. The device is compact and can easily be used without requiring a great deal of strength or ability.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a log splitting device and more particularly, relates to a log splitting device usable by consumers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wood has been used as a source of fuel for many years, both for heating and cooking purposes. Since the size of the log which can be accommodated by most wood burning appliances is limited, the logs, after being cut into appropriate lengths, must be split into smaller pieces for final use. 
     Originally, the splitting of the logs was accomplished through hand tools such as an axe, maul, or a hammer and wedge arrangement. While these instruments are capable of splitting a log, they require a certain amount of skill which is normally acquired through practice. However, the use of these tools is inherently dangerous and can lead to severe injury to the unskilled user. In addition, the known tools require a substantial amount of strength in order to be used properly. 
     There are also devices for splitting logs which are safer but are considerably more expensive and can only be justified by a higher volume user. Thus, there are a number of known hydraulically and mechanically operated log splitters which are available on the market. 
     As fireplaces and wood stoves have increased in popularity, there is a requirement for a relatively inexpensive and portable log splitter which can be used by an unskilled user. Such a device would overcome the disadvantages of the use of an axe wherein the lower limbs of the user are in danger of suffering serious injury and which requires a great amount of physical energy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive log splitting device which may be used by an unskilled and untrained user. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a log splitting device which is effective to cut relatively large pieces of wood while requiring a minimum of effort on the part of the user. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a log splitting device which comprises a base, an upright member secured to the base, a chopping assembly which comprises a moveable carriage and an axe portion, the axe portion being moveable in a generally vertical direction along the upright member and carrying an axe head, a moveable carriage also being moveable in a generally vertical direction along the upright member and having means for releasable securement to the axe portion, and a locking device for retaining the moveable carriage in a raised position. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a leg guard which restricts access of the user to the area where the wood is being split. In one particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the leg guard may be repositioned so as to permit or assist in the movement of the device from one location to the other. As such, the leg guard device may have the form of a T-shaped member which, in the operative position for operation of the splitter, has a vertical member secured to an appropriate support and with a horizontal member extending outwardly to prevent access to the area proximate the axe head. For movement or transportation purposes, the horizontal member may be provided with wheels at the distal ends thereof and the entire leg guard repositioned so that it lies in a co-planer relationship with the base. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the axe portion comprises a bracket which is moveable along the upright member. To this end, there may be provided a bracket having bushings or bearings therein to permit smooth movement along the upright. Extending outwardly from the bracket is an arm and which carries at a distal end thereof an axe head. The axe head preferably has a slightly concave cutting edge. This shape provides for two points of contact when the axe head strikes the wood to be split. This tends to have a stabilizing action on the wood. The arm carrying the axe head preferably has a triangular configuration with an apex pointing downwardly such that the arm is configured similarly to the axe head. This reduces jamming in the logs. 
     The carriage, as previously mentioned, is moveable along the upright and also preferably has bushings or bearings to permit smooth movement along the upright and thereby maintain the upright in good condition. The carriage also preferably has provisions for receiving one or more weights. The amount of the weight used will determine the force exerted on the wood being split. The amount of weight can be varied depending upon the preference of the user, the type of wood and the size of the log. 
     The carriage has means for engagement with the upright such that it can be retained in an elevated position. This is done such that the wood can be placed in position prior to being split. Preferably, the carriage includes handle means to assist in lifting the same and conveniently, there are provided means for releasing the carriage from the raised position, the means being located proximate the handle means. 
     The axe portion is securable, in a releasable manner, to the moveable carriage. Preferably, there are also provided means proximate the handle to permit the engagement or disengagement of the axe portion from the carriage. The axe head is preferably of a minimum weight—the major portion of the weight being carried by the carriage to achieve maximum efficiency. 
     In an initial movement, the axe portion and the carriage are secured together and move to the raised position where they are held by a locking device. The wood to be split is then placed in the desired position and the releasing means operated to release the carriage and axe portion. The assembly will then move downwardly with the axe head contacting the wood. Automatically the locking device for the axe is then disarmed. 
     The initial blow to the wood may be sufficient to split the wood and then the whole operation is repeated with a further piece of wood. However, in the case where the force is not sufficient to split the wood on the first attempt, the axe portion remains in position with the axe head partially imbedded in the wood. The carriage assembly is then raised and released. In so doing, a second blow is struck to the axe head and the wood. 
     Normally, even for relatively large pieces of wood, two such blows are sufficient to split the wood. However, the blows can be repeated any number of times. An advantage of the present invention is that the axe head can be used to maintain the wood to be split in a desired position. Thus, in such a case, the axe head is not secured to the moveable carriage but can be placed in. position on top of the log or a portion thereof. The carriage can then be moved to its upper position and released to strike the axe head and split the wood. This arrangement is highly advantageous when the wood or log is not stable and/or when splitting kindling. Still further, one of the advantages of the arrangement of the present invention, when compared to the use of a conventional axe, is that when the axe is stuck in the wood, it does not have to be removed manually. Typically, when trying to split wood, the axe will become imbedded in the log and must then be removed in order that another blow is struck. With the present invention, repeated use of the carriage will split the log. This substantially reduces the physical effort which would otherwise be required. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a log splitting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof with certain portions shown in a cut away; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof with certain portions being shown in a cut away; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating operation of the log splitting apparatus; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially in a cut away, of the moveable carriage and axe portion illustrating the operation thereof. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, the log splitting apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  1  and is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     Log splitting apparatus  10  includes several different components; a base generally designated by reference numeral  12 , an upright generally designated by reference numeral  14 , a moveable carriage assembly generally designated by reference numeral  16 , and an axe assembly generally designated by reference numeral  18 . 
     In greater detail, base  12  is designed to be placed on a suitable flat substrate and includes a log receiving area  22  and first and second foot receiving areas  24 . Both log receiving area  22  and foot receiving areas  24  are preferably provided with a high friction surface such that minimal slippage will occur. As may be seen in FIG. 2, base  12  also includes a plurality of feet or pads  25  such that a stable environment is provided. Preferably, three such feet or pads are present. 
     Log splitting apparatus  10  also includes a leg protection device generally designated by reference numeral  26  in FIG.  1 . Leg protection device  26  includes a bracket  28  mounted on base  12  intermediate foot receiving areas  24 . An L-shaped guard  30  has a horizontal portion  32  and a vertical portion  34  preferably formed, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, of square tubing having apertures  36  located in both vertical portion  34  and horizontal portion  32 . A locking pin  38  extends through bracket  22  and one of the apertures  36  in horizontal portion  32  to lock L-shaped tubing  30  in place. 
     A leg guard member  40  is secured to vertical portion  34  of L-shaped guard  30  and has a general T-shaped configuration with a bottom tube  42  and a horizontal bar  44 . Wheels  46  are mounted at the outer extremity of horizontal bar  44  while a locking pin  48  secures tube  42  to vertical portion  34 . As may be seen from the drawings, the protection device  26  is thus adjustable both in a horizontal and vertical direction. 
     As may be seen in FIG. 1, base  12  includes a bracket  50  which is designed to receive upright  14 . A locking key  54  is provided to secure upright  14  in a generally vertical position with respect to base  12 . It will be noted that upright  14 , although generally vertical, is slightly angled rearwardly with respect to base  12 . An advantage of this angling along with a forward angling of the carriage component is that sufficient clearances are maintained and the system is easier to use. 
     Axe assembly  18  includes a bracket  60  having a plurality of bushings  62  mounted in a manner such that bracket  60  can move along upright  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, four such bearing or bushing assemblies  62  are provided. Extending outwardly from bracket  60  is a support arm  64  which has an inverted triangle shape for reasons which will be discussed hereinbelow. 
     Similarly, as may be seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a deflector  70  which is also of a triangular configuration and is connected to the bottom of bracket  60 , again for reasons discussed hereinbelow. 
     Mounted at the distal end of support arm  64  is axe head  66 . As best seen in FIG. 6, axe head  66  has a cutting edge  68  which is of a slightly concave configuration. Also, axe head  66  is somewhat thinner at the central portion than the outer edges. This again provides for a better splitting action and aids when using the apparatus for kindling and smaller logs. 
     Also as best seen in FIG. 6, the upper portion of bracket  60  carries a grasping hook  72 . 
     Carriage  16  has a first side wall  76 , a second side wall  78  and an end wall  80  extending there between. There is also provided a bottom wall  82 . To permit the carriage  16  to travel along upright  14 , there are provided a plurality of bearing or bushing assemblies  86  extending between side walls  76  and  78 . Bearing assemblies  86  can conveniently comprise a roller bushing mounted on a shaft such that the rollers will rotate along upright  14 . In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a slight gap between the bushing and the upright so as to prevent binding. 
     A connecting shaft  88  extends upwardly from between side walls  76  and  78 . Connecting shaft  88  is provided with a plurality of apertures  90  and is secured to carriage  16  by means of bolts  92  or equivalent locking pins. 
     Carriage  16  includes an upper handle portion generally designated by reference numeral  94  and which comprises a shaft  96  and a horizontal handle bar  98  having grips  100  at either extremity thereof. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, a slot  102  is formed in the side wall of shaft  96  and a bolt  104  connects shaft  96  to connecting shaft  88 . A spring  106  is mounted interiorly of shaft  96  to provide a suspension or shock absorber capability thereto. The handle bar  98  may thus be adjusted to the height of the user. 
     In order to provide weight or mass to the carriage  16 , there are provided a plurality of weights  108  which are seatable on bottom wall  82  and which are retained between side walls  76 ,  78 . Each of the weights may be retained between side walls  76  and  78  in a fixed position by means of pins or bolts  77 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is provided a pivot pin  110  which extends between side walls  76 ,  78  and upon which is mounted a pivotal hook member  112 . Hook member  112  is designed to engage an aperture  111  formed within upright  14  to retain carriage  16  in a raised or elevated position prior to operation. For purposes of controlling the movement, there is provided a cable  114  connected to one end of hook member  112  while a spring member  116  provides a biasing force. Cable  114  is connected to an actuator  118  situated proximate one end of horizontal handle bar  98 . 
     Situated at the other end of horizontal handle bar  98  is a second actuator  132 . Actuator  132  is connected by means of cable  126  to a hook  122 . Hook  122  is engageable with grasping hook  72  by means of a member  124  and a pivot pin  128  to which hook  122  is connected. A biasing spring  130  is also provided. 
     In operation, carriage  16  is raised to an elevated position with hook  122  engaging grasping hook  72  of axe assembly  18 . Thus, both axe assembly  18  and carriage  16  are raised to an elevated position with both actuators being pulled. 
     When so engaged, both carriage  16  and axe assembly  18  are retained in the elevated position as shown in FIGS. 1,  5  and  6 . Subsequently, a portion of a log L (FIG. 5) is placed on a long receiving area  22  of base  12 . The operator then stands in a position as shown in FIG.  5  and the carriage is raised to release hook  112 . Carriage  16  and axe assembly  18  are then free to move downwardly such that axe head  66  will fall on log L. 
     Depending upon the size of log L, the force may or may not be sufficient to split log L. If successfully split, carriage  16  and axe assembly  18  are raised upwardly and the process repeated with a further log. However, if splitting has not been completed, carriage  16  can then be moved to an elevated position leaving axe assembly  18  in a lower position. The carriage assembly  16  is then released again to strike a second blow on the upper surface of axe head  66 . This can be repeated until the log L is successfully split. In practice, most logs will require only one or two such operations although bigger logs— 12 - 16  inches may require more than two operations. 
     As previously mentioned, support arm  64  has an inverted triangular configuration such that if the log is very large, support arm  64  can enter into the split wood. Similarly, deflector  70  which is of a triangular configuration or alternatively, is somewhat arcuate, prevents any wood from entering between upright  14  and bracket  60 . 
     Also be noted, as seen in FIG. 1, that leg guard  40  can be moved to a position such that wheels  46  contact the ground and the device can then be moved from one location to another. Alternatively, bracket  50  may also include a slot to receive tube  42  whereby leg guard  40  is usable at the other end (as shown in dotted lines) for transportation of the apparatus. 
     For safety purposes, a pair of apertures  140  (FIG. 3) may be provided in upright  14  to receive a member to prevent unauthorized operation of the device. Thus, the lower aperture  140  would prevent movement of the carriage and a padlock or other such member may be utilized. This would prevent children from operating the device. The upper aperture  140  would prevent removal of the carriage and/or raising the carriage too high. 
     Similarly, as shown in the drawings, upright  14  may be formed of two pieces connected at joint  142  for ease of transport and saving of space. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.