Abstract:
An apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a cut portion of a tree includes a rope and an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances, each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances. Three guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Of the three, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to the intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. A mounting member is attachable to the tree and a guiding member is pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and includes an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to each side thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the controlled lowering of a heavy object and, in particular, to the controlled lowering to the ground of a severed portion of a tree.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0002]    An arborist is one that is involved in the care of trees. This often involves trimming and pruning branches that are high off the ground as well as removing trees once they are dead or damaged. In addition, such trees are often in landscaped areas such that it is preferable not to allow a severed branch to drop to the ground because the falling severed portion may cause indentions in a well manicured lawn or may fall on something fragile below, such as shrubbery or anything that would be damaged by the falling weight of the severed branch. To avoid these consequences, an arborist may use ropes to lower a severed portion of the tree to the ground in a controlled manner.  
           [0003]    Many devices are known that facilitate the lowering of a severed portion of a tree to the ground. Such devices, for example, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,239,188; 5,971,363; 5,484,253; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 330,671. Except for the tree pulley of U.S. Pat. No. Des. 330,671, all of the disclosed devices provide for and/or require the wrapping of a lowering rope multiple times around a portion of the device for sufficient frictional support of the severed portion of the tree for controlled lowering of thereof, especially when the severed portion of the tree is heavy. This is unfortunate, because it is believed that every complete wrapping of the lowering line around a portion of the device creates a twist in the line, which decreases the useful life of the line and limits the number of times the line may be used to lower portions of trees to the ground. Furthermore, the wrapping of the lowering line creates a tendency in the lowering line to twist and to knot, which creates a hazard during lowering operations. A twisting or knotting of the lowering line may jam a device through which the lowering line passes. An unobservant operator quickly passing the lowering line through his hands also may be unexpectedly thrown off balance or injured when a knot suddenly is encountered.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, a need exists for a device for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground that does not require the creation of twists in the lowering line for controlled lowering of the severed portion of the tree.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0005]    Briefly described, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground. In a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a rope and a device comprising an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances. Three of the guiding protuberances define a triangular arrangement. Each of the guiding protuberance includes a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor, including any of the guiding protuberances. No twist thereby is created in the rope in the controlled lowering of the severed portion of the tree to the ground.  
           [0006]    In a feature of the anchor, two rows of guiding protuberances are provided with each row including a plurality of guiding protuberances, with adjacent guiding protuberances in each row extending from the anchor in generally parallel relation to the other. In another feature, the anchor includes a first member secured in engagement with a lower portion of the tree against movement relative thereto, and a second member pivotally connected to the first member along a pivot axis and including thereon the guiding protuberances. In another feature, the anchor includes a braking pin extending at an acute angle to a surface of said anchor such that a gradually diminishing spacing is defined. A portion of the rope then may be extended through and wedged therebetween against movement relative to the guiding protuberances.  
           [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a device comprising an anchor having an arrangement of guiding protuberances with each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface for frictional engagement with and redirection of a rope around an axis thereof. In particular, a first guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance defining a segment of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance is disposed in proximity to the intermediate guiding protuberance defining another segment of the rope path therebetween without the segments crossing. The axis of the first, second, and intermediate guiding protuberances are generally non planar (i.e., do not extend within a plane common to all three axis). In features of this aspect, each segment extending between the bearing surfaces of the guiding protuberances generally is linear; the guiding protuberances extend from the anchor in generally parallel relation to each other; the axis of the first, second and intermediate guiding protuberances extend in parallel relation to one other; the bearing surfaces of the guiding protuberances generally are disposed in alignment with one another such that the segments generally are coplanar.  
           [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for the controlled lowering to the ground of a freshly cut upper portion of a tree includes a mounting member attachable to the tree; and a guiding member pivotally connected to the mounting member along a pivot axis and including an arrangement of guiding protuberances generally extending to one side thereof, with each guiding protuberance having a bearing surface for frictional engagement with and redirection of a rope. In a feature of this aspect, the guiding member includes a second arrangement of guiding protuberances extending to another side thereof. Preferably in this aspect, the guiding member includes oppositely facing planar surfaces generally parallel to the pivot axis, with the protuberances of the first arrangement extending from the first planar surface and the protuberances of the second arrangement extending from the second planar surface. Furthermore, the first arrangement of protuberances preferably is a mirror image of the second arrangement of protuberances, the protuberances extend generally orthogonal to the pivot axis; the protuberances have differing cross-sectional areas; and the arrangement comprises an array of protuberances including rows and columns. The columns of protuberances also preferably are offset to one another.  
           [0009]    In additional features of these aspects of the present invention, the guiding protuberances include rollers and the anchor includes a winch for controlled rotation of the rollers. Alternatively, the rollers include sprockets, and a chain operatively connects the rollers with the winch for controlled rotation. A motor may be included for operation of the winch. In another feature of these aspects, the device further includes an arm attached to and extending away from the anchor, with the arm including a distal end having a guiding surface for guidance of the rope away from the anchor. In this regard, a pulley is secured on the distal end of the arm—the pulley including the guiding surface. Also, the arm may be telescopic. In other features of these aspects of the present invention, the guiding protuberances each have generally circular cross-sections, and the circular cross-sections have different cross-sectional areas. Additionally, each guiding protuberance includes an end configured to bar slippage of the rope out of engagement with the bearing surface thereof. The end may include a pin mounted thereon and extending beyond opposite sides of the guiding protuberance or a flange.  
           [0010]    Also in accordance with the present invention, a method of lowering to the ground a first portion of a tree includes the steps of securing one end of a rope to the first portion of the tree; securing an anchor against movement relative to another portion of the tree; guiding an intermediate length of the rope around each one of a triangular arrangement of guiding protuberances of the anchor for support of the first portion of the tree once severed, each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances; severing the first portion of the tree; and controlling movement of the rope past the guiding protuberances.  
           [0011]    In features of this aspect of the present invention, the method further includes the steps of not twisting the rope during the step of guiding the intermediate length of the rope around the guiding protuberances; restraining the rope against movement relative to the guiding protuberances by wedging the rope between a surface of the anchor and a braking protuberance that extends from the surface of the anchor at an acute angle; guiding the rope near to the ground with a pulley attached to an arm extending downwardly away from the anchor.  
           [0012]    In yet an additional feature of this aspect, the method further includes independently lowering an additional portion of the tree by securing one end of another rope to the additional portion of the tree; guiding an intermediate portion of the other rope around each one of a second arrangement of guiding protuberances for support of the additional portion of the tree once severed, each guiding protuberance including a bearing surface frictionally engaging and redirecting the other rope without the rope fully encompassing any portion of the anchor including any of the guiding protuberances; severing the additional portion of the tree; and controlling movement of the other rope past the guiding protuberances. In this case, the first arrangement and second arrangement of guiding protuberances are part of the same device.  
           [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, a plurality of cylindrical protuberances for distributing frictional resistance to the lowering line are disposed parallel to one another and extend from and are attached to a planar distribution plate. The planar plate is attached to a base plate, which may be curved to conform to the curved outer surface of a tree trunk, or any object to which the lowering device may be attached during operation. The protuberances provide a route for a lowering line to pass through, with the end of the lowering line extending out of the device, thereby allowing an operator to be positioned away from the device, even when the device is attached to a tree trunk. The protuberances are strategically arranged on the planar plate so that the lowering line frictionally slides along the surfaces of the protuberances, but without fully wrapping around any particular protuberance. Advantageously, the line is prevented from the twisting that occurs when a lowering line is wrapped completely at least once around an object. Each protuberance progressively adds friction to the line as it passes through the device, without the line being fixed to the device. Since the line is not fixed to the device, the line can pass through the device and can be manually regulated by an operator at the unattached end of the line.  
           [0014]    Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the device, the planar plate is hingedly attached to the base plate so that the lowering line can exit from the device over a range up to approximately 180 degrees. This provides the operator with a range of options with respect to the location of the operating while operating the device. The device also includes a retaining pin or flange at the end of the protuberance to prevent the lowering line from slipping off the end of a given protuberance as the line frictionally slides through the device. This is especially helpful when the planar plate is oriented to either the right or left of perpendicular with respect to the base plate.  
           [0015]    In another preferred embodiment, a series of sprockets and chain or gears are provided in a winch mechanism to facilitate the controlled lowering of the severed portion of the tree or for raising heavy objects, such as a chainsaw or other cutting tool. The sprockets or gears are attached to the protuberance, which are designed to rotate freely in apertures, which are designed to receive the protuberance tubes in the distribution block. The ratios of the gears or sprockets may be selected to allow a mechanical advantage for raising the object while at the same time providing resistance to the weight being raised, so that if the operator releases the winch, the weight of the object being raised will not cause it to fall. This feature can also be achieved with the use of a pawl or similar device known in the art.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    Further features and benefits of the present invention will be apparent from a detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein similar elements are referred to with similar reference numbers, and wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates a variation in the system of FIG. 1 for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the system of FIG. 2;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of an anchor of the system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative anchor of the system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of a side of the anchor of FIG. 5;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of the anchor of FIG. 5;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 illustrates an elevational view of the front of the anchor of FIG. 5;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 illustrates another system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of another alternative anchor of the system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 illustrates another system of the present invention for lowering a severed portion of a tree to the ground, wherein the system includes yet another alternative anchor. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application in view of the following detailed description of the preferred devices and methods of the present invention. Many devices, methods, embodiments, and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the following detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to preferred devices, methods and systems, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The disclosure herein is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.  
         [0029]    Turning now to FIG. 1, a system  10  is illustrated for lowering a severed portion  12  of a tree  14  to the ground. A ground worker  16  manipulates a lowering line  18  in the form of a rope, which has been placed in tree  14  and attached to severed portion  12  by climber  20  in order to lower the portion  12  of the tree in a controlled manner after cutting. In addition to the lowering line  18 , the system  10  includes an anchor  22  that is secured to the tree  14  by support straps  24  and an aerial pulley  26  to support the weight of the severed portion  12  as it is lowered. The anchor  22  is typically placed at an elevation above the ground such that the lowering line  18  extending between the anchor  22  and the ground worker  16  is approximately parallel with the ground as the ground worker  16  manipulates the lowering line  18 .  
         [0030]    The system  10  advantageously facilitates, for example, slowly lowering of the severed portion  12  so as to prevent gouging of the earth underneath. System  10  also allows the ground worker  16  to stand in various positions relative to the anchor  22  so that the severed portion  12  will not be directly overhead. This advantage is illustrated by the ground worker  16 ′ shown in the dashed lines of FIG. 1. In this regard, a hinged plate on the anchor  22  facilitates this movement and will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0031]    Turning now to FIG. 2, an alternative system  10 ′ is shown in which an extension bracket  32  is used to place the length of lowering line  18  exiting from the anchor  22  within a few inches from the ground, and preferably less than a foot from the ground. This reduces the likelihood that the lowering line  18  will become entangled with branches or leaves, for example, as the severed portion  12  of the tree  14  is lowered. Preferably the extension arm  32  is telescopic so that its length from the anchor  22  is adjustable. In system  10 ′, a ground pulley  30  also is used to maintain the lowering line  18  close to the ground and may be secured to the ground with a stake or weight. Moreover, the ground pulley  30  is secured at a height above the ground such that the lowering line  18  travels along the bottom side of the pulley  30  at approximately the same distance above the ground as that extending between the distal end of the extension bracket  32  and the ground. Thus, the span of lowering line  18  extending between the extension bracket  32  and the bottom side of the ground pulley  30  is substantially parallel to the ground.  
         [0032]    Optionally, an extension tube  34  may be used to sheath the portion of the lowering line  18  extending between the extension bracket  32  and the bottom side of the ground pulley  30 , and prevents the severed portion  12  of the tree  14  from becoming entangled with the lowering line  18  as it is lowered. Extension tube  34  may be made of any convenient material and, preferably, extension tube  34  is made from an appropriate length of a lightweight material such as PVC, for example, and includes a diameter appropriate to accommodate the thickness of the lowering line  18  being used.  
         [0033]    Turning now to FIG. 3, the system  10 ′ of FIG. 2 is illustrated as the severed portion  12  is lowered to the ground. After the severed portion  12  is completely severed from the tree  14 , the ground worker  16  allows the lowering line  18  to pass through the ground worker&#39;s hands by relaxing the grip on the lowering line  18 . The anchor  22  provides resistance to the downward force on the lowering line  18  that arises from the weight of the severed portion  12  being lowered. This allows the ground worker  16  to control the rate of descent of the severed portion  12  without having to exert a force equal to the weight of the severed portion  12  as it is lowered and, therefore, provides a controlled lowering of the severed portion  12 .  
         [0034]    Turning now to FIG. 4, a detailed view of an anchor  22  is illustrated. The anchor  22  includes a support plate  40 , which contacts the trunk of a tree  14  and forms the base of the anchor  22 . Attached to the support plate  40  are four strap hooks  42 , which are welded to the support plate  40 . Support straps  24  attached to the hooks  42 , are made, for example, from nylon webbing, and include turnbuckles, ratchets, or other fastening means known to those skilled in the art. The support straps  24  also include loops  44  woven into the ends of the straps and placed about the hooks  42  before the hooks  42  are welded to the support plate  40 . Alternatively, the loops  44  are formed after the hooks  42  are welded to the support plate  40 , and fastened about the hooks  42  either with rivets or other fastening means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0035]    Additionally, anchor  22  includes a distribution plate  46 , which is attached to the support plate  40  with a hinge mechanism  48 . The hinge mechanism  48  includes a shaft  50  that extends between and is retained by hinge supports  52  for pivotal movement about an axis  51 . The hinge supports  52  are fixedly secured to the support plate  40 . The hinge mechanism  48  allows the distribution plate  46  to pivot about the axis  51  when the support plate  40  is securely attached to a tree against movement.  
         [0036]    The anchor  22  also includes a plurality of protuberances  54  that extend or protrude from the distribution plate  46 . The protuberances  54  are preferably welded to the distribution plate  46 , but may be rigidly secured to the distribution plate  46  in any conventional manner. To prevent a lowering line  18  from slipping off any of the protuberances  54 , each of the protuberances  54  includes a retention lip or flange  66  at the end thereof. The anchor  22  also includes an attached binding pin  56  that functions as a braking mechanism on a lowering line as a severed portion of a tree is being lowered. The binding pin  56  is angled with respect to the surface—preferably the end edge  58 —of the distribution plate  46  to which it is attached.  
         [0037]    In accordance with the present invention, the protuberances  54  are arranged in an advantageous pattern such that, when a lowering line is routed through the plurality of protuberances  54 , friction between the lowering line and protuberances  54  is produced that resists the weight of the severed portioned of the tree as it is lowered. In particular, the protuberances  54  are preferably arranged in two parallel rows, with each row preferably comprising more than one of the protuberances  54 . One of the rows includes a receiving protuberance  64  having a larger cross-section than the other protuberances. The arrangement of protuberances  54  also includes a single exit protuberance  62  disposed at a location between the two rows of the other protuberances. The protuberances  54  may be attached to the distribution plate  46  so that they extend from only one side of the distribution plate  46 , or they may be attached such that they extend from both sides of the distribution plate  46 .  
         [0038]    With particular regard to receiving protuberance  64 , it should be noted that the larger circumferential area—and less curvature—of receiving protuberance  64  provides a greater bearing surface and, hence, greater friction with a lowering redirected therearound. Thus, by providing a larger circumferential area and decreasing the curvature of the receiving protuberance  64 , the force of the severed portion is better countered by the first protuberance.  
         [0039]    A unique characteristic of the arrangement of protuberances  54  of anchor  22  is that several groups of three protuberances each form a respective triangular arrangement. For example, a first protuberance  61 , second protuberance  63 , and intermediate protuberance  65  each include a respective axis  67 , 69 , 71  that extends generally in non planar, parallel relation to the others. This group of three protuberances defines a triangular arrangement  73  as illustrated by the dashed lines extending between the axis  67 , 69 , 71  in FIG. 4. An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein anchor  22 ′ is substantially the same as anchor  22  of FIG. 4 but for the addition of retention pins  70  attached to the ends of the protuberances  54 . The length of each retention pin  70  is greater than the diameter of the protuberance  54  to which it is attached so as to extend beyond the end of the protuberance  54  to either side thereof. In conjunction with flanges  66 , the retention pins  70  further prevent a lowering line from slipping off of the protuberances  54 .  
         [0040]    In accordance with the present invention, a lowering line never fully wraps around any one of the plurality of protuberances when an anchor of the present invention is used. Accordingly, routing of a lowering line through the plurality of protuberances advantageously prevents twisting of the lowering line while at the same time provides resistance to the weight of the severed portion of the tree being lowered.  
         [0041]    As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 6, a lowering line  75  is advantageously routed through the protuberances and contacts any given protuberance along an arc that is less than 360 degrees. As is evident, a preferred travel path of the lowering line  75  does not fully encompass, i.e., completely wrap around more that 360 degrees, any particular protuberance. For instance, a first guiding protuberance  77  is disposed in proximity to an intermediate guiding protuberance  79  defining a segment  83  of a rope path therebetween, and a second guiding protuberance  81  is disposed in proximity to the intermediate guiding protuberance  79  defining another segment  85  of the rope path therebetween without the segments  83 , 85  crossing. In features of this aspect, each segment  83 , 85  extending between the bearing surfaces of the guiding protuberances  77 , 79  and  79 , 81  generally is linear; the guiding protuberances  77 , 79 , 81  extend from the base plate  46  in generally parallel relation to each other; the bearing surfaces of the guiding protuberances  77 , 79 , 81  generally are disposed in alignment with one another such that the segments  83 , 85  generally are coplanar; and the first, second, and intermediate guiding protuberances  77 , 79 , 81  are not generally collinear.  
         [0042]    The travel path of the lowering line  75  may or may not frictionally engage each protuberance  54 , depending upon the magnitude of the weight of the portion being lowered.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 also servers to illustrate that the receiving protuberance  64  is preferably of larger diameter than the other protuberances  54 , and that the exit protuberance  62  is slightly smaller in diameter than the other protuberances  54 . This configuration is preferable because the larger radius of the receiving protuberance  64  bears the brunt of the load on the lowering line as it is the first protuberance that frictionally engages the lowering line. Conversely, the lowering line does not have to be routed around exit protuberance  62  such that the protuberance contributes significantly to the friction on the lowering line. In addition, the exit protuberance  62  may be positioned relative to the binding pin  56 , and more particularly to the convergence  60 , so as to place the lowering line&#39;s exit to facilitate binding of the lowering line in the convergence  60 .  
         [0044]    Finally, as shown in FIG. 6, braking resistance to the weight of the portion of the tree being lowered may be provided by wedging the lowering line  75  between the distribution plate  46  and the binding pin  56  within the gradually diminishing convergence  60 . If the downward force on the lowering line towards the convergence  60  is sufficient to drive the lowering line deep into the convergence  60 , then the resistance provided thereby should be sufficient to completely halt the lowering of the severed portion. The binding pin  56  thus provides a means for a ground worker to apply a relatively small force on the lowering line to regulate the descent of the severed portion as well as to hold the severed portion at a constant height when desired.  
         [0045]    Turning now to FIG. 7, a plan view of the anchor  22  best illustrates the provision of an arrangement of protuberances to each planar side of the distribution plate  46 . In the anchor  22 ′ of FIG. 7, the arrangement on each planar side is a mirror image of the other about a plane of the distribution plate  46 . Subsequently, if a lowering line being used to lower a severed portion of a tree were to the left side of the anchor  22 ′, the line would be routed through the arrangement of protuberances on the left side of the anchor  22 ′. Likewise, if the severed portion were to the right side of the anchor  22 ′, then the lowering line would be routed through the arrangement of protuberances on the right side of the anchor  22 ′. This prevents the interference and chafing of the lowering line with the distribution plate  46  that would otherwise occur. This also allows a separate and independent lowering line to be routed through the arrangement of protuberances on either side of the distribution plate  46  in order to accommodate independent operations.  
         [0046]    The plan view of FIG. 7 also illustrates how the distribution plate  46  of anchor  22 ′ pivots about the hinge  50  of hinge mechanism  48  to facilitate alignment of the protuberances  54  with a lowering line. Due to irregularities in the truck to which the anchor  22 ′ is to be mounted, the placement of the base plate  40  may not always be ideal. The wide range of pivotal motion of the base plate  46  about hinge  50  compensates for such realities. Moreover, the range of motion of the distribution plate  46  about hinge  50  allows a ground worker to be located at various angular locations about a tree trunk.  
         [0047]    An elevational view of the front of the anchor  22 ′ is shown in FIG. 8 and best illustrates entrance guides  100  and exits guides  102  to be found in illustrated anchors of the present invention. Both the guides  100  and exits guides  102  are fixedly secured to the distribution plate  46  and are disposed in close proximity to the distribution plate  46  relative to the ends of the protuberances. The lowering line preferably is routed first through an entrance guide  100 , then around selected protuberances, and then exits ftom the anchor  22 ′ by being routed through a corresponding exit guide  102 . Because of their disposition close to the distribution plate  46 , the entrance and exit guides  100 , 102  assist in keeping the lowering line close to the distribution plate and assist the flanges  66  and retention pins  70  in keeping the lowering line from slipping off the ends of the protuberances.  
         [0048]    Another anchor  22 ″ of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9, wherein the anchor  22 ″ is configured such that a severed portion easily can be lowered or raised by a ground worker or a climber. The anchor  22 ″ includes a distribution block  90  that is preferably fashioned from a section of steel channel stock and that is configured such that the protuberances are not rigidly attached to the distribution block  90 . Rather, as shown by arrows in FIG. 9, the protuberances pass through the distribution block  90  such that the protuberances  54  are rotatable with respect to the distribution block  90 . In this respect, the rigid tubes forming the protuberances  54  engage with protuberance gears  92  disposed within the channel, wherein each gear is concentrically attached in a rigid fashion around each of the protuberances. The gears  92  are driven by winch gear  94 , which is in turn motivated by winch hub  96 . Winch hub  96  may preferably be driven manually by winch handle  98 , or alternatively, by an attached engine or motor (not shown).  
         [0049]    The protuberance gears  94  and winch gears  92  work together to regulate the lowering of a severed portion. However, instead of a lowering line frictionally sliding through the protuberances the coefficient of friction between the protuberances and the lowering line is sufficient to preclude slippage therebetween. This may be achieved through careful selection of line material and provision of splines in the protuberances, for example, such that the protuberances roll with the lowering line without the lowering line sliding relative thereto as the tree portion is lowered. The anchor  22 ″ preferably will have an overall gear reduction ratio that allows a ground worker or a climber to easily crank the winch handle  98  to raise or lower a severed portion, or other object such as a chainsaw or similar cutting tool, that otherwise would be difficult to lower (or raise) in a controlled manner with any of the anchors of FIGS.  4 - 8 .  
         [0050]    The anchor  22 ″ also may include a pawl or other similar device (not shown) for preventing the weight of the object being lowered from causing the winch handle to spin, thereby allowing the object to fall. Thus, the pawl or other device acts as a brake to prevent an object from falling, while still allowing an operator to raise or lower the object. The selection of gear ratios, as well as a pawl, are known in the art and may be specified in such a manner that anchor  22 ″ is designed to meet the needs of a variety of scenarios. It will be appreciated that sprockets and a connecting chain equivalently may be substituted for the series of gears.  
         [0051]    Turning now to FIG. 10, an alternative anchor  22 ′″ is shown mounted to the tree  14  by the climber  20  near the portion  12 . A pulley  26  is mounted as close as practicable to the portion  12  so that there will not be a sudden force on the anchor  22 ′″ as the portion initially falls after being cut. A bucket  82  is attached to tree  14  by a rope and is used to contain the lowering line  18  so that the end of the lowering line that is not attached to portion  12  does not hang down and become entangled with the severed portion as it is lowered by climber  20 . Anchor  22 ′″ differs from anchors  22  of FIG. 4 only in that the distribution plate  46  is fixedly secured against movement to the support plate  40 . No hinge mechanism  48  is provided.  
         [0052]    In view of the foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, it readily will be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. While various aspects have been described in the context of arborist uses, the aspects may be useful in other contexts as well. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes described and claimed herein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. It should also be understood that, although steps of various processes may be shown and described as being in a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular intended result. In most cases, the steps of such processes may be carried out in various different sequences and orders, while still falling within the scope of the present inventions. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.