Abstract:
An apparatus to drag logs to a log splitter from locations distant from the log, splitter to locations near the log splitter, and then to assist with lifting logs for placement on the log splitter, comprises generally a mast-and-boom assembly with a first mount point and first pulley, and a second mount point, and second pulley at a height below said first mount point and first pulley, a winch, and a cable attached a one end to said winch, threaded through said first pulley and said second pulley, and connectable at the other end to a log via a connection means, said apparatus being suitable for integration with a log splitter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority to and incorporates and restates, Provisional Application No. 61/693,027, filed Aug. 24, 2012 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Existing mechanisms for positioning logs in connection with a log splitter suffer notable deficiencies, including specifically expensive and complex hydraulic drive apparatuses and limited, ability to haul logs toward the splitter from a distance or to apply force to move a log laterally. Many existing apparatuses are similarly, disconnected from log splitters, requiring the user to haul both a log splitter and a positioning or hauling apparatus separately into the field. 
         [0004]    Known apparatuses pose a number of challenges to users. Hydraulic drive systems for positioning logs are costly to purchase and costly and time-consuming to maintain. Such systems are also generally limited to performing one independent function at a time. Further, systems for positioning logs known to the art are generally unable to exert any significant lateral force. The inability of existing apparatuses to exert significant lateral force makes such apparatuses incapable of bringing, or at least poorly adapted to bring logs distant from a log splitter to the splitter. This limitation diminishes the utility of existing apparatuses significantly, since they can only be used to aid in positioning the logs in the splitter after the logs have been manually carried to the splitter from a distance location. Existing apparatuses are also not, adapted to be integrated directly with the log, splitter, making transport of the positioning apparatus into the field more difficult and cumbersome than necessary. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a low maintenance, reliable, economic log, retrieval and lift apparatus that overcomes these deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention overcomes deficiencies of log positioning devices known to the art by providing a positioning apparatus adapted to be integrated directly with a log splitter, capable of dragging logs distant from the splitter to the splitter, and further capable of aiding a user in positioning logs on the splitter. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a mast capable of being fixedly connected to a log splitter, a boom support rotatably connected to said mast, a boom arm fixedly connected to the boom support, a winch connected to one of the boom arm and the boom support, an electric motor operatively connected to the winch, a first pulley connected to the boom arm at a position remote from the mast, a second pulley connected to the apparatus at a position below the first pulley, and a cable operatively connected to the electric motor at one end, adapted for connection to logs at the other end, and routed through the first and second pulleys such that lateral force applied to the end of the capable adapted. for connection to logs is translated to vertical force by the boom arm, wherein the apparatus can be both to move a log remote from the splitter closer to the splitter and to lift a log from the ground to position it for splitting on the splitter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a horizontal log splitting machine; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top-down view of an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a horizontal log splitting, machine, wherein a log has been dragged, to machine by use of the invention and is ready for final positioning prior to splitting; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a two way split horizontal log splitting machine equipped with a lift arm assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention consist of apparatuses configured to drag logs from the field to a vertical or horizontal log splitter, then position those logs for splitting by a horizontal or vertical log splitter. 
         [0012]    A log splitter includes a main frame [ 1 ] to which is attached an axle and wheel assembly [ 3 ], a tongue and hitch assembly [ 5 ], a stabilizing foot [ 7 ], and a press mechanism [ 9 ] used to force logs against a wedge [ 11 ]. At sufficient levels of force, the log is split. When the splitter is a horizontal splitter, the main frame [ 1 ] is oriented horizontally and the press mechanism [ 9 ] operates horizontally. When the splitter is a vertical splitter, the main frame [ 1 ] is oriented vertically and the press mechanism [ 9 ] operates vertically. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a positioning apparatus for use in connection with a horizontal log splitter. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a positioning apparatus for use in connection with a vertical log splitter. Versions of the present invention comprise a mast support assembly [ 13 ] adaptable for attachment to the main frame [ 1 ]. The mast support assembly [ 13 ] is fixedly connected to a main mast [ 15 ]. The main mast [ 15 ] is rotatably connected to a boom support [ 17 ]. Such connection can be accomplished with, by way of illustration, a bushing assembly [ 19 ] adapted to allow said boom support [ 17 ] to rotate with respect to said main mast [ 15 ]. Optionally, a boom swing control apparatus [ 21 ] may he connected to one or more of said boom support [ 17 ], said main mast [ 15 ], or said bushing assembly [ 19 ] to limit, control, or manipulate the rotation of said boom support [ 17 ]. Optionally, the apparatus of the present invention may also comprise a stabilizing foot [ 7 ], which may operate independently or may operate in cooperate with a stabilizing foot [ 7 ] integrated into the log splitter. 
         [0014]    The boom support [ 17 ] is connected to a boom arm [ 23 ]. A first pulley [ 27 ] is connected to a first mount point [ 22 ] located on said boom arm [ 23 ]. A second pulley [ 29 ] is connected a second mount point [ 24 ]. Said second mount point [ 24 ] may be located anywhere on the apparatus of the present invention or preferably on the main frame [ 1 ] of a log splitter, provided that it must be lower than, and substantially in vertical alignment with, said first pulley [ 27 ]. Appropriate locations for said second mount point [ 24 ] include, for example locations on the splitter the main frame [ 1 ]. Preferably, at least said second mount point [ 24 ] engages a releasable connection with said second pulley [ 29 ], and, more preferably, said second mount point [ 24 ] comprises a chain connected to one of said main frame, main mast support, main mast, and said second pulley [ 29 ] comprises a hook, carabiner, or other means of connection to said chain. The first pulley [ 27 ] and second pulley [ 29 ] are adapted such that a cable [ 31 ] running from a winch [ 25 ] and threaded through the first pulley [ 27 ] and the second pulley [ 29 ] will, when force is exerted against the end of the cable [ 31 ] by the winch [ 25 ], direct such force in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the boom arm [ 23 ]. Optionally, the second pulley [ 29 ] may be connected to a portion of the apparatus or a portion of the log splitter other than the main frame [ 1 ]. 
         [0015]    A winch [ 25 ] may be releasably or fixedly connected to the apparatus, and preferably connected to one of the boom arm and the boom arm support, provided that it is positioned to connect with the cable [ 31 ]. The cable [ 31 ] is at one end releasably or fixedly coupled to the winch [ 25 ], and, at the other end, comprises a means for connection to logs. Such connection means includes one or more hooks, loops, straps, harnesses, caribiners, or other connection means known to the art. 
         [0016]    The winch [ 25 ] is preferably actuated by a power source [ 33 ]. Said power source [ 33 ] can be adjacent to, integrated with, or remote from said winch [ 25 ] and can optionally be fixedly or releasably connected to said boom support [ 17 ], said mast [ 15 ], said mast support [ 13 ], or any portion of a log splitter. Said power source [ 33 ] may be operatively connected to said winch by a power wire harness [ 35 ]. Said power source [ 33 ] may further comprise a dedicated battery, a non-dedicated battery (including, by way of example, a car battery), an electrical outlet, or any source of A/C or D/C current with amperage and voltage in appropriate ranges for operation of the winch [ 25 ], as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
         [0017]    Said winch [ 25 ] is preferably operatively connected to a winch control [ 37 ]. Said winch control [ 37 ] can be adjacent to, integrated with, or remote from said winch [ 25 ] and can be fixedly or releasably connected to said boom support [ 17 ], said mast [ 15 ], said mast support [ 13 ], or any portion of a log splitter. Said winch control [ 37 ] may be operatively connected to said winch by a control wire harness [ 38 ]. 
         [0018]    In operation, embodiments of the present invention can be used to drag logs on the ground remote from the splitter to a location closer to the splitter, and then, from that closer location, can aid in lifting and positioning the log for splitting. By way of example, and without limitation, one example of use of one embodiment of the present invention is described as follows: Operator 1 manually retrieves a log from the ground and places it on a horizontal splitter for splitting. Operator 1 will operate the splitter to split the log. Meanwhile, Operator 2 attaches the cable via the cable connection means to a log distant from the splitter. While Operator 1 continues to split logs being, placed manually on the splitter, Operator 2 actuates the winch to intake the cable. As the winch intakes cable, the log connected to the cable via the cable connection means is dragged from its distant location to a location substantially adjacent to the splitter. Continued splitting of other manually placed logs can, but does not need, to occur while this dragging operation is in process. Operator 2 uses the winch control to stop the cable intake when the log connected to the cable is at a desired location. Operator 2 removes the cable connection means, in this example, a drag pulley hook, and notifies Operator 1 that a log is ready for lift. Operator 1 continues splitting manually placed logs while Operator 2 disconnects the second pulley from the second pulley mount. Operator 2 then actuates the winch control to intake the cable, and this cable intake results in the previously connected log being lifted above the level of the main frame. Operator 2 then rotates the boom arm to move the log to the desired position over the splitter, and actuates the winch control to output cable and lower the log into a position to be split. 
         [0019]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, materials, lengths, structures, mount positions, pulley positions, cable intake/outtake means, log splitter types, or shapes, may be used for an apparatus according to versions of this invention other than those described in detail herein. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions described herein.