Abstract:
A guide bar for a chain saw of a tree harvester adapted for applying treatment material to the stump upon severing a tree. The guide bar, typically a laminated bar includes an inner channel in the inner laminate that connects to a series of dispersal holes in the outer laminates and along the bar length. Multiple inlet holes also in the outer laminate or laminates are provided in a rear region of the bar for directing material flow into the channel. Only one of the inlet holes is in use and the other inlet holes are plugged. The invention provides for plugging unused inlet holes with a member (plug) that slides into position over the unused inlet holes at the inner side of the outer laminate. Numerous variations are proposed including both automatic, where treatment material flow generates an inner pressure that urges a member against the inner side of the unused hole and manual, where a blocking tab is manually slid into place at the inner side of the hole.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the treatment of tree stumps and more particularly the application of a liquid treatment material flowed onto a tree stump through a guide bar simultaneous with the falling of a tree.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It has been discovered that the severed surface of a stump resulting from tree falling is susceptible to growing undesired fungus that can and does detrimentally affect surrounding vegetation. In some jurisdictions, treatment of the severed surface is mandated to prevent such growth. Whereas a form of treatment is to equip a worker with a spray bottle who follows the tree harvester and manually sprays the treatment material onto the tree stump, it is more acceptable to incorporate the treatment process in the tree cutting procedure. Thus, a guide bar is provided with a feed channel along its length and the liquid material is directed from a reservoir of the liquid material (provided, e.g., on the tree harvester) into the channel. Small dispersal holes on the bottom side of the guide bar and in communication with the feed channel releases the liquid treatment onto the stump surface but without applying material onto the severed end of the log that is cut from the tree stump, it being undesirable to apply the treatment onto the wood that is to be sawn into lumber.  
           [0003]    Guide bars have long been produced with feed channels for dispensing lubricant into the guide grooves for lubricating the chain. Certain of this technology is applied to the dispersement of the liquid stump treatment. The bar is provided with an inlet hole that is aligned with a conduit that extends from a reservoir provided on the tree harvester. The inlet hole directs the liquid treatment into the feed channel and onto the stump through appropriate dispersal holes. The solution as described does not totally take care of the dispersement requirement as the bars are made to be reverse mounted, i.e., so that the leading edge becomes the trailing edge and vice versa whereby the top and bottom sides are reversed. Thus, such a bar is provided with two independent sets of dispersal holes (top and bottom) and a second feed channel and top and bottom inlet holes.  
           [0004]    The solution is still not complete because different tree harvesters will have reservoir conduits directed to a top or a bottom inlet hole as mounted on the tree harvester. It is not feasible to provide different bars for different harvesters. This means that inlet holes have to be provided for both sides of the bar for both sets of dispersal holes. Complicating the task further is that the locations of the reservoir conduits may require different locations of the inlet hole along the bar length (whether top or bottom) so that several inlet holes at different locations on both sides need to be provided if a standard bar is to fit the numerous different tree harvesters.  
           [0005]    The inlet holes into the particular feed channel to be used for treatment dispersal must either be connected to the reservoir conduit or must be plugged. An unplugged inlet hole will result in leaking of the treatment material onto the equipment and the surrounding area which is not acceptable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Plugging undesired inlet holes is a problem for operators. Not only does the operator have to figure out which holes have to be plugged, it is also important that the plugs are properly installed, i.e., to properly seal the hole and to avoid any portion of the plug from penetrating above the bar surface. Such plugs have to be fit entirely in the inlet hole and are difficult to handle. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved inlet hole plugging system that facilitates the task of plugging the unused inlet holes of a guide bar.  
           [0007]    Ideally the bar is a laminate bar which consists of a center laminate fused between two outer laminates. The feed channels are formed in the center laminate and matching inlet holes are provided in the outer laminates. When assembled together, the inlet holes are aligned with each other and with a channel portion that receives and transmits the liquid treatment. The receiving channel portion is enlarged over that of the inlet holes and the remainder of the channel. A disk placed in the enlarged channel portion prior to assembly is thereby trapped between the two inlet holes, i.e., it is oversized relative to the inlet holes and to the remaining channel so that it will stay within the enlarged channel portion. However, it has a thickness less than the thickness of the center laminate and can move from one side laminate to the other.  
           [0008]    A reservoir conduit connected to the inlet hole at either side produces liquid flow into that inlet hole to force the disk against the opposite inlet opening to seal off that hole or opening. Thus, regardless of whether the reservoir inlet connects to the top or bottom of the bar, liquid will enter the channel and not exit the opposed inlet hole.  
           [0009]    The above describes a first embodiment of the invention which accommodates a guide bar adapted to fit a standardized tree harvester that directs liquid treatment into the top side of the bar plus a standardized tree harvester that directs liquid treatment into the bottom side of the bar but at the same location lengthways of the bar. Whereas a substantial percentage of tree harvester use is thereby accommodated, those tree harvesters that are not standardized and provide conduit connection at different locations, top and bottom, are not accommodated by this solution.  
           [0010]    A second embodiment provides for a guide bar having a number of inlet holes to accommodate a wider range of tree harvesters. opposing pairs of inlet holes are provided at the different locations as dictated by the different harvesters. A pair of disks that are spring biased apart are provided in each channel portion to close off all inlet openings. Whichever hole is connected to a reservoir conduit, the pressure of the inflow of treatment material forces retraction of that disk and the internal pressure of the liquid treatment material enhances the urging of the other disks against the respective inlet openings to prevent leakage of the material.  
           [0011]    A still further embodiment provides each inlet hole with laterally directed narrow passages or grooves between the laminates, in some cases leading from the inlet hole to the guide slots of the edge and in other cases leading from the inlet holes to the mounting slot. Manually insertable strips are pressed into these narrow passages or grooves and over the holes to close off the holes not in use. Because the narrow passage also leading to the to-be-used inlet hole also needs to be closed, a blocking strip is inserted into that passage but not across the hole.  
           [0012]    Whereas the invention is preferably applied to laminate bars, a solid bar may also be equipped with the inlet holes and channels as required for the invention. For example, tubes can be embedded in the solid bars to form channels and inlet openings.  
           [0013]    These and other variations of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings referred to therein. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a tree harvester severing a tree while treating the severed surface of the stump in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a guide bar shown partly in section to illustrate the flow path of treatment material that is provided in a guide bar of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0017]    FIGS.  5 - 7  illustrate a second embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]    FIGS.  12 - 15  illustrate a fifth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]    FIGS.  16 - 19  illustrate a sixth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]    FIGS.  20 - 22  illustrate a seventh embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]    FIGS.  23 - 25  illustrate an eighth embodiment of the invention;  
         [0024]    FIGS.  26 - 28  illustrate a ninth embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0025]    FIGS.  29 - 31  illustrate a tenth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0026]    Reference is made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates a boom  10  of a tree harvester supporting a harvester head  12  at the distal end of the boom  10 . The harvester head  12  includes grapples  14  and a chain saw  16  for gripping the tree and severing a log  18  and in the process leaving a tree stump  20 . As the tree is being severed, a liquid treatment flows from a reservoir carried by the harvester head  12  into channels provided in the bar  22  (to be explained hereafter) and out dispersal holes  24  in the bottom of the guide bar  22 . This procedure spreads a coating of the liquid treatment onto the freshly sawn surface of the stump  20  but not on the freshly sawn adjacent surface of the log  18 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 illustrates a guide bar  22  which includes a bottom laminate  26 , a center laminate  28  and a top laminate  30 . The bottom laminate  26  has dispersal holes  24  underlying channel  32  in the center laminate  28 . As common to guide bar production, the center laminate is inset from the top and bottom laminates to produce a guide groove  34 . Providing liquid treatment to the channel  32  and thus to the dispersal holes is accomplished by a reservoir conduit  8  connected by conduit  42  to inlet hole  36 .  
         [0028]    As explained in the Brief Description of the Invention, the guide bar is typically invertible and when inverted, the top becomes the bottom and the top dispersal holes  24  (now the bottom dispersal holes) are connected to a further channel  32  which in turn is connected to a further inlet hole  36 . As also explained, commonly there are opposed holes  36  top and bottom for each position (upper and lower as viewed in FIG. 2). It will be apparent that whichever dispersal holes are to be used, there are upper and lower inlet holes and one of them needs to be plugged or the treatment liquid will simply flow through the bar from top to bottom or vice versa.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom laminate  26  and an overlaid center laminate  28 . The top laminate  30  is shown partially removed to expose the channels  32  in the center laminate  28  and the dispersal holes  24  in the bottom laminate (underlying the channel  32 ). At the inner end of each channel  32  is an enlarged channel portion  38 . The channel portion  38  is substantially circular and inserted into the channel portion  38  is a floating disk  40 . Note from FIG. 4 that the disk  40  is substantially thinner than the center laminate  28  but is substantially the same size but slightly smaller circumferentially than the channel portion  38  but it is larger than inlet holes  36 . Thus, the disk  40  is free to shift to one side or the other, i.e., into abutment with laminates  26  or  30  but is trapped within the enlarged channel portion  38  and between the outside laminates ( 26 ,  30 ). (The disks and confining openings (e.g.,  40 ,  36 ) are shown in circular configuration but can readily (and in some instances preferably) be provided in other configurations such as oval, rectangular, etc.)  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 illustrates a reservoir conduit connection to the upper inlet hole  36  of the top laminate  30  (see arrow  42 ). As illustrated, the fluid pressure forces the disk  40  against inlet hole  36  in the bottom laminate whereby the only path available for liquid flow is into upper channel  32  (as seen in FIG. 3). As illustrated, the dispersal holes  24  corresponding to the channel  32  at the upper position of the guide bar (as viewed in FIG. 3) are provided only in the bottom laminate. When mounted onto the chain saw  16 , the bottom laminate would be placed into engagement with the sawn surface of the stump.  
         [0031]    It will further be appreciated that if the conduit was inserted through the opposed hole  36  (opposite arrow  42 ), the only difference would be the shifting of the disk  40  to the opposite side.  
         [0032]    FIGS.  5 - 7  illustrate a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. The laminates are similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 except that the holes  36  formed in the outer laminates are the same size as the channel portion  38 . A container  44  (see FIG. 7) is sized to fit the through bore defined by holes  36  and channel portion  38 . Container  44  houses disk  40  and allows the disk to move from side to side. Opening  36 ′ in the container  44  are adapted to connect to the reservoir conduit and opening  46  in the periphery of the container  44  (see FIG. 7) is aligned with the direction of the channel  32  whereby fluid from the conduit directed through an opening  36 ′ first moves the disk  40  to close off the opposite opening  36 ′ and then directs the fluid through opening  46  and into the channels.  
         [0033]    Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9 which illustrate a third embodiment. This embodiment is designed to accommodate a wider variation of harvesters. As illustrated, there are three inlet holes  36 , in both upper and lower positions, and both top and bottom locations (12 in total) as viewed in the figure (top being right side and bottom being left side in section view FIG. 9). The two channels  32  are not connected as each channel  32  (and the portals and inlet connected thereto) are independently operable one from the other and the liquid material is connected to one only of the channels  32 , the other channel being non-operable. However, as concerns whichever channel is operable, there are six inlet holes  36 , and liquid material can and will flow into or out of whichever of these inlet holes are open. Accordingly, all but one of the inlet holes (the inlet hole connected to the reservoir) needs to be closed, i.e., plugged.  
         [0034]    The structure and relationship of the inlet holes  36  in the outer laminates  26 ,  30  and the channels  32  in the inner laminate  28  are similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, the difference being that the channels  32  are extended to encompass the additional inlet hole locations and additionally the manner of closing the five unused inlet holes. As seen in FIG. 9, the single disk of FIGS. 3 and 4 are replaced with a double disk arrangement  48  which includes a pair of disks biased apart by a spring  50 . The disks are cup shaped for seating of the springs as illustrated. In the lower position of FIG. 9, the disks are biased apart and close off the inlet holes  36 . At the upper position, the inlet flow  42  forces the corresponding disk inwardly, thereby compressing the spring  50  to open that inlet hole while providing outwardly directed pressure against all other disks connected to that channel.  
         [0035]    A fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the difference being the unitized double disk and spring arrangement  52 . The connecting web  54  between the disk portions  56  functions as a spring that biases the disk portions  56  apart in the same manner as explained for FIGS. 8 and 9.  
         [0036]    FIGS.  12 - 15  illustrate a fifth embodiment. Again the configuration of the inner and outer laminates is similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 9 except that the channel portions overlying the inlet holes are configured to receive templates  54 . Templates  54  are secured as by welding to the inside of the outer laminates and so as to place a flap valve  56  of the template over each of the inlet holes  36 . (The flap valve being larger than the inlet hole.) As illustrated in the top of FIG. 13 and in FIG. 15, fluid pressure  42  forces the flap valve open and then due to the pressure within the channel, the remaining valves are urged to a closed position.  
         [0037]    The above embodiments are considered to be automatic versions of the invention in that an operator doesn&#39;t have to make a determination of which inlet holes are to be blocked and which are left open. The invention, however, contemplates improvements to the manual selection and blocking of the unused inlet holes which will now be discussed.  
         [0038]    FIGS.  16 - 19  illustrate a first version of a manual embodiment of the invention. This embodiment includes six inlet holes  36  for each channel  32 . As can be seen in FIG. 17, grooves or depressions  58  are provided in the center laminate which forms a passageway between the motor mount slot  60  and the inlet holes  36 . Cut off slide tabs  62  and a block slide tab  64  are sized to fit into the grooves  58 . The length of the tabs  62  is sufficient to extend past inlet opening  36  to shut off flow of liquid from the channels  32  to inlet hole  36 . (See FIG. 16) Because the grooves  58  provide a passageway for liquid to flow through, a block slide tab  64  is inserted into the groove  58  connected to the inlet hole  36  to which the reservoir conduit  42  is to be connected (illustrated for the far right, top inlet hole  36  in FIG. 16).  
         [0039]    The tabs  62  and  64  may be provided with finger holds  66  to facilitate insertion and removal of the tabs as illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 19A. It will be appreciated that the tabs need to be inserted into the grooves  56  only for one set of the inlet holes  36 , i.e., the upper or lower set of holes as viewed in FIG. 16. The tabs need to be inserted into both the bottom and the top grooves of that set of inlet holes  36  connected to the channel  32  through which the fluid is to be flowed. Five of the cut off tabs will be used to close five of the six inlet holes. A blocking tab  64  is inserted into the groove  58  that serves the inlet hole  36  that will be connected.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 20, 21 and  22 A and  22 B illustrate yet a further manual embodiment. The center laminate or core  28  has channel extensions  68  from the inlet hole positions  36  laterally to the motor mount slot  60 . Plugs  70  are configured with a base portion that plugs the channel extension  68  with an end portion  72  that fits over the inlet hole  36  on one of the outer laminates. Insertion of the plug closes whichever of the inlet holes is not in use. An advantage is that a single plug provides the equivalent of both the blocking tab and the cut off tab in the prior embodiment (FIGS.  16 - 19 ). To prevent loosening of the plug, a pin may be inserted through aligned pin holes  74  and  76  of the side laminates and plugs, respectively.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 23, 24 and  25 A and  25 B illustrate a further manual version of the invention. Groves  82  are formed in the center laminate  28  extended between the position of the inlet holes to the adjustment hole  80  of the bar (a hole that is commonly provided through the total thickness of the bar). Tabs  78  and  78 ′ (FIGS. 25A and 25B) are inserted from adjustment holes  80  and into the grooves  82 . Depending on which of eight inlet holes  36  that are to be connected to the reservoir conduit, tab  78  is inserted into the corresponding groove with the opening  84  either forward or rearward to line up with that inlet hole. Tab  78 ′ is inserted into the opposing groove to block both inlet holes which otherwise would be connected to the corresponding channel  32  resulting in undesired leaking.  
         [0042]    FIGS.  26 - 28 A and  28 B illustrate an embodiment similar to that of FIGS.  16 - 18 A and  19 A. Grooves  86  are formed in the center laminate directed from the bar slot  34  to the inlet holes  36 .  
         [0043]    Channel block slide tabs  88  are inserted from the bar slots  34  into grooves  86  for blocking the unused inlet hole while tab  88 ′ blocks the groove but not the inlet opening of the to-be-used inlet hole  36 .  
         [0044]    FIGS.  29 - 31 A and  31 B illustrate a still further manual embodiment. A formed cannister  94  is inset into a cavity  96  provided in the bar that is the thickness of the bar as shown. The cannister has an opening  98  that extends between the cannister interior and channel  32 . A side opening  100  is selectively formed in the cannister to mate with the conduit flow  42  of the particular harvester head  12 . Thus, the bar is effectively customized to a particular tree harvester. The operator is provided with a hole making tool, i.e., a punch, and determines where opening  100  has to be (but within the confines of the cannister  94 ) and generates that opening.  
         [0045]    The above embodiments are but examples of the manner by which the invention can be incorporated into a guide bar of a tree harvester. Those skilled in the art will be able to provide numerous variations without departing from the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. An example is mentioned briefly in the Background of the Invention where it is explained that the invention may be applied to solid bars rather than the laminate bars of the illustrations. Another example is the provision of the slide grooves which are indicated to be in the center laminates of the illustrated embodiments. They can readily be formed in the outer laminates as well. It is accordingly to be understood and appreciated that the claim limitations are intended to be broadly interpreted and to encompass any and all variations that satisfy such broad interpretation.