Patent EA-004386-B1 (EA)
Title: Adjustable anti-splitting device
Inventor: MURRAY NORMAN E
IPC: B25D1/04
Filed: 2001-08-31
Abstract: 1. A system for minimizing end splits in a log comprising: an anti-splitting device having a central web portion; a pair of end web portions joined adjacent midpoints thereof to opposite ends of the central web portion to provide the anti-splitting device with a generally I-shaped plan view configuration, the web portions having oppositely facing first and second side edges, the first side edges being tapered to define a cutting edge to facilitate insertion of the antisplitting device into the log, the second side edges being essentially coplanar and parallel to the cutting edge to define a driven surface to which force may be applied to the anti-splitting device for inserting the cutting edge into the log; and at least two projections upstanding from the driven surface; and a driving instrument for inserting the antisplitting device into a log, having a driving surface with a circular groove having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the circular groove receives the at least two projections, which are sized and arranged for slidable frictional contact with either the outer diameter or the inner diameter, and wherein the circular groove allows the antisplitting device to be rotated while fractionally contacted to the driving surface to obtain the desired position of the anti-splitting device in relation to the log. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the projections upstand from the driven surface adjacent the opposite ends of the central web portion. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the projections upstand from the driven surface on the central web portion. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the projections are parallel posts having cylindrical base portions and rounded free ends portions. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein radiused filler portions are joined to the web portions at the junctures thereof. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the projections are post upstanding from the driven surface at said junctures of the web portions. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the web portions are planar and joined in a right angular relationship, and radiused filler portions are joined to said web portions at the junctures thereof. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the circular groove is equidistant from a given fixed point, the center of the driving surface. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the driving surface is of generally circular planar view configuration and planar. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the projections exert a force on the exterior diameter. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the projections exert a force on the interior diameter. 12. The system of claim 1 wherein when the projections detach from the anti-splitting device, the detached projections do not remain in the circular groove. 13. A method for minimizing end splits in a log comprising the steps of: inserting an anti-splitting device into a driving instrument; rotating the anti-splitting device while attached to the driving instrument into a desired position; driving the anti-splitting device across the end splits; wherein the anti-splitting device has a central web portion; a pair of end web portions joined adjacent midpoints thereof to opposite ends of the central web portion to provide the anti-splitting device with a generally I-shaped plan view configuration, the web portions having oppositely facing first and second side edges, the first side edges being tapered to define a cutting edge to facilitate insertion of the antisplitting device into the log, the second side edges being essentially coplanar and parallel to the cutting edge to define a driven surface to which force may be applied to the anti-splitting device for inserting the cutting edge into the log; and at least two projections upstanding from the driven surface; and wherein the driving instrument has a driving surface with a circular groove having an outer diameter and an inner diameter; the circular groove receives the at least two projections, which are sized and arranged for slidable frictional contact with either the outer diameter or the inner diameter; and the circular groove allows the anti-splitting device to be rotated while fractionally contacted to the driving surface to obtain the desired position of the anti-splitting device in relation to the log. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the projections upstand from the driven surface adjacent the opposite ends of the central web portion. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the projections upstand from the driven surface on the central web portion. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the circular groove is equidistant from a given fixed point, the center of the driving surface. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the driving surface is of generally circular planar view configuration and planar. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the projections exert a force on the exterior diameter. 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the projections exert a force on the interior diameter. 20. The method of claim 13 wherein when the projections detach from the anti-splitting device, the detached projections do not remain in the circular groove.