Patent Publication Number: US-2021176927-A1

Title: Stump grinder chip chute device and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/579662, filed on Oct. 31, 2017 and entitled “Stump Grinder Chip Chute Device and System.” 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to stump grinders/cutters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to stump grinder chip chute devices and systems for capturing chips cut from a stump by a stump grinding/cutting wheel, harnessing the energy in the cut chip imparted by the stump grinding wheel, and controlling/directing the cut chips to a desired chip collection location. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various conventional stump grinders with chip guard devices/systems exist. For example, the Carlton SP5014 TRX Series Track-Mounted Stump Cutter includes a chip guard. However, the chip guard of this stump cutter is only configured to partially contain the cut chips and stones in the working/cutting area and prevent the cut chips from spreading too far from the cut area, and end up recutting and regrinding the chips. The chips cut by this stump cutter (and all other conventional stump cutters with chip guard devices/systems) cannot be captured and controlled/directed to a desired chip collection location. 
     Accordingly, the inventor recognized that there is a need in the art for improved stump grinder chip chute devices and systems for capturing chips cut from a stump by a stump grinding/cutting wheel and controlling/directing the cut chips to a desired chip collection location. 
     Description of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the extent that specific patents/publications/products are discussed above in this Background Section or elsewhere in this Application, these discussions should not be taken as an admission that the discussed patents/publications/products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents/publications/products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early enough in time and/or may not be sufficiently enabling so as to amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that specific patents/publications/products are discussed above in this Background Section and/or throughout the application, the descriptions/disclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference into this document in their respective entirety(ies). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to inventive devices and systems structured and/or configured to work with and harness the energy in chips cut from a stump by a stump grinding/cutting wheel. A particular non-limiting goal of the utilization of the embodiments and implementations herein is to provide a device and system which is structured and/or configured to capture chips cut from a stump by a stump grinding/cutting wheel, harnessing the energy in the cut chip imparted by the stump grinding wheel, and control/direct the cut chips to a desired chip collection location such as a bin or other collection receptacle. 
     It is a primary object and advantage of an embodiment of the present invention to contain the cut chips by creating a sufficient seal on the proximal end of the chip chute system, and controlling and directing the chips to a particular collection bin or target location on the distal/discharge end of the chip chute system. The better the seal and control/direction of the cut chips, the less time a user needs to spend on cleaning up scattered chips not positioned in a collection bin location (compare to the conventional chip guard systems, where the chips are scattered and need to be cleaned/picked up and moved to a collection location after a stump is cut/ground). In addition to minimizing clean up time, the chip chute system of an embodiment helps maintain a clear view of the stump being cut, and can better protect the stump cutting wheel by allowing a user to avoid rocks and other hard material in the ground near the stump being cut (as opposed to conventional chip guard systems that spray cut chips right in the work area masking any such damaging material). 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein. 
     The details of one or more embodiments are described below and in the accompanying drawings. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosed subject matter may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
       Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-F  are various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a digital photograph of the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system of  FIGS. 1A-F  attached to and being maneuvered by a movable machine according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A-D  are side schematic representation views of the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system of  FIGS. 1A-F  according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A-C  are various schematic representation views of the stump grinding wheel used in conjunction with the chip chute system of  FIGS. 1A-F  according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-B  are various schematic representation views of the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system of  FIGS. 1A-F  according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system, and  FIG. 6B  is an exploded section view of sectioned portion “C” of  FIG. 6A , according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A-C  are various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system according to an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Where applicable, like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein may include elements that appear in one or more of the several views or in combinations of the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or arrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     As further background information helpful to understanding this detailed description, the cut material (including cut stump chips) in stump grinding starts out more wood then soil depending on how high off the ground the stump is. As stump grinding moves below ground level, the cut material becomes more soil than wood. The “chip” or cut material will vary with the type and age of the tree (i.e., dry and crumbly to wet, sappy &amp; sticky). The soil can range from desert dry and dust-like to wet, sticky clay. The shape of the wood chip portion of the cut material can be chunks a quarter of the size of a postage stamp. The wood chip could also be a foot long and 2 inches wide depending on the type of cutting tooth, machine Horsepower, moisture level and type of tree. The cut material will typically travel in a straight line as it leaves the cut. The “chip” or cut material can act like a feather or to the other extreme like a rock (and can be a rock) or a baseball or an even worse combination like sticky gum. The cut material can be a combination of soil and wood. Depending on this combination of variables and the speed of the wheel, the “chip” will travel a short distance of a few inches to as much as a few hundred feet. The “chip” or cut material will travel in continued motion if a “seal” is maintained; if the seal is interrupted then re-established the “chip” can be picked up by the spinning wheel and moved again or put back into motion (as described further herein). 
     As should be understood with a review of this disclosure and the accompanying drawings, a chip chute system of an embodiment of the present invention has a collection or proximal/first end (end positioned closest to the ground when in use) that is structured and configured to collect chips cut by a stump grinding wheel and to harness the energy of the cut chips exiting the wheel at an initial wheel exit point. The proximal end of the chip chute system is structured and configured to harness the energy of the cut chips, in part, by creating at least a partial “seal” at the (or close to) the initial wheel exit point (which can be at least 50% and preferably above 70% of the cut chips, as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure), funnel the cut chips (which can be at least 50% and preferably above 70% of the cut chips) back toward the stump cutting tooth assemblies positioned on the stump grinding wheel, trap the chips against or close to the wheel, and direct the cut chips to the next portion within the chip chute system and eventually to the exit point and out of the chip chute system. The chip chute system of an embodiment of the present invention can also have a second or middle portion and a distal/third or exit end (end opposite the proximal/first end). Each of the second and third ends can be (but don&#39;t have to be) structured and configured to be adjustable to aim chips cut by the stump grinding wheel at a particular targeted location for collection (e.g., a bin positioned in front of, behind, above or to either side of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system—see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1A-F , various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100  are shown according to an embodiment. In particular, a stump cutting/grinding wheel  20  is shown with a central longitudinal axis  24  and stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  (which can include any stump cutting/grinding wheel with stump cutting tooth assemblies, as should be understood by those of skill in the art, including, for example, the stump cutting tooth assembly and stump cutting wheel shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,717) attached to the perimeter and/or to the sides thereof. The “footprint” of at least some of the cutting bits of the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  can be at least partially shielded by a “footprint” of the perimeter  700  of the stump grinding wheel  20 , or a “footprint” of a specific shield assembly  710  placed in “front” (as determined by the direction of the spin of the wheel) of the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  on the perimeter (extending a particular radial/axial distance from a surface of the wheel or as compared to other surfaces of the wheel) of the wheel or on the side  720  (extending a particular axial distance from the side of the wheel) of the wheel (depending on whether the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  are placed on the side of the wheel or on the perimeter of the wheel), as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. A chip chute system  10  is shown positioned partially around the stump cutting wheel  22 , and the chip chute system  10  is connected to the stump cutting wheel  20  via at least one bar  18  and/or  19  or the frame of a “stand behind” or other machine that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  100 , as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure (see  FIG. 2 , showing the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  100  attached and being maneuvered by a movable machine  200 ). The other bar can attached to an arm or other portion of a “stand behind” or other machine that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  100 . The frame of a “stand behind” or other machine that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  100  can also be structured and configured to include part of the chip chute system, as described herein (see  FIG. 12  and related description below). 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1A-F , the chip chute system  10  can include (but is not limited to) a first or proximal portion  12  (closest to the ground during use), a second or middle portion  14 , and a third or distal/exit portion  16 . The second  14  and third  16  portions can be one single portion (or there can be just one proximal portion and one distal portion with no middle portion). This first portion  12  is structured and configured to collect chips cut by the stump grinding wheel  20  and to harness the energy of the cut chips exiting the wheel  20  at an initial wheel exit point “X” (see  FIG. 1F , where the wheel is spinning counterclockwise and cutting a stump “S”). The chip chute system  10  is structured and configured to harness the energy of the cut chips, in part, by creating at least a partial “seal” at the (or close to) the initial wheel exit point “X” (as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure), funneling the cut chips back toward the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  positioned on the stump grinding wheel  20 , trapping the chips against or close to the wheel  20  or in the air stream generated by the spinning wheel  20 , until the chips exit the distal end of the third portion  16  of the chip chute system  10 . The most proximal portion of the first end  12  can have an opening with an area that is larger than another portion of the chip chute system positioned distally of the first end  12  to enable collection of more chips and the creation of a better seal (i.e., can be funnel shaped). The most proximal portion can be angled close to the cut, and even be positioned in a plane that is perpendicular to the travel of the chip post-cut. Further, the distance between where the chip exits the cut and enters the first end  12  can be from 0 inches to 5 inches, and preferably 0 inches to 3 inches. The bigger the wheel  20 , the larger acceptable distance to maintain the seal. The most proximal seal portion can also be a combination of flexible and fixed material (e.g., metal and rubber). The chip chute system  10  may have a manual override mechanism to break the seal and allow material to pass by lifting proximal end  12  away from the location where the chip exits the cut (mechanical, e.g., via wires mechanical linkage, ball joints, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, servos, electro-magnetic, and/or electronically controlled, as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). As shown, the chip chute system  10  is preferably three sided and open toward the wheel as opposed to being fully enclosed (e.g., a pipe), although it can have a bottom and be shaped like a pipe. The three-sided embodiment allows for natural cleaning of the inside of the chip chute system  10  by the wheel  20  with the assistance of gravity. 
     The first portion  12  can (but does not have to) move or telescope within middle portion  14  (or vice versa) in order to allow the first portion to easily follow the contour of the ground without breaking. Each bar  18  and  19  can pivot at the central axis point  24 , and move up and down with the first portion  12 . This structural configuration assists with the maintenance of the seal, described above. Moreover, the chip chute system  10  can be contoured and positioned tight around the stump grinding wheel (preferably where at least one cutting tooth is immediately adjacent to the internal surface of the chip chute system  10 , or within a tooth length of the internal surface (see  FIG. 4C  for an example tooth length), or touching the internal surface, or at least touching or immediately adjacent to a boundary layer  30  of packed chips and soil, clay (earth) etc. formed on the internal surface of the chip chute system  10  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ), where the cutting teeth impart energy to the chips so that the chips can harness and maintain energy received from the wheel  20  through the trip through the chip chute system  10 , or form a fairly smooth channel through the boundary layer  30  for cut chips to move through and out from with minimally reduced energy and speed that has been imparted in the chips). If there is a boundary layer, the internal surface of the chip chute system  10  can be positioned further away from the perimeter of the wheel  20  or closest stump cutting tooth assembly positioned on the perimeter of the wheel  20 . This structural configuration keeps the chip close to the stump grinding wheel  20  and assists with the harnessing/maintaining of the energy of the chip received from the stump grinding wheel  20 , described above. A boundary layer will be less likely to form if the chip chute system  10  is further away from the wheel, and/or if the cut chips are very dry. 
     In addition, a portion of the chip chute system  10  or the chip chute system  10  as a whole can include an articulation/steering control assembly (mechanical, e.g., via wires mechanical linkage, ball joints, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, servos, electro-magnetic, and/or electronically controlled, as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). For example, the middle portion  14  can move left and/or right and up and/or down via a hinged or other like connection (e.g., radial adjustment, pivoting) to first portion  12 . Alternatively or additionally, third portion  16  can move left and/or right and up and/or down via a hinged or other like connection (e.g., radial adjustment, pivoting) to middle portion  14 . This steering control assembly is thus structured and configured to be adjustable to aim chips cut by the stump grinding wheel at a particular targeted location for collection (e.g., a bin positioned in front of (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ), behind, above or to the side of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system). Alternatively, the chip chute system can be made of one fixed or multiple fixed parts, and include a flap at the proximal, middle and/or distal ends to control and direct the flow and discharge of the chips. The chip chute system can include a smooth internal surface that can also be lubricated with any known lubricant (as should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3A-B , in one embodiment, side schematic representation views of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100  are shown.  FIG. 3A  shows the second  14  and third  16  portions pivoted up at the position between the first  12  and the second portions  14 .  FIG. 3B  shows the second  14  and third  16  portions pivoted back down at the position between the first  12  and the second portions  14 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3C-D , in one embodiment, side schematic representation views of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100  are shown.  FIG. 3A  shows the third  16  portion pivoted up at the position between the third  16  and the second portions  14 .  FIG. 3B  shows the third  16  portion pivoted back down at the position between the third  16  and the second portions  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-C , in one embodiment, various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel  20  without the chip chute system are shown.  FIG. 4A  shows a perspective schematic representation view of the stump grinding wheel  20  rotating in the clockwise direction against a stump “S”.  FIG. 4B  shows a side schematic representation view of the stump grinding wheel  20  rotating in the clockwise direction, and the ground, the normal stump cutting quadrant of the stump grinding wheel  20  (which can be more than one quadrant as should be understood by those of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure), the normal chip direction, the x, y, and z axes, the wheel radius length, and the ¼, ½, and ¾ wheel radius length down from the midway point plane “M” of the wheel.  FIG. 4C  shows a perspective schematic representation view of the stump grinding wheel  20  with a tooth width and tooth length measurements. This is a configuration where the chip chute system  10  can be the narrowest. The cut width can be different if the teeth are positioned on the side of the wheel  20 , and not (or in addition to) the perimeter, and the chip chute system width would necessarily need to be wider to accommodate the difference in total tooth width. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-B , in one embodiment, various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100  are shown.  FIG. 5A  shows a side schematic representation view of the stump grinding wheel  20  rotating in the clockwise direction against a stump “S” along with the cut direction, and with the chip chute system  10  presented in a transparent view over the wheel  20 . The transparent chip chute system  10  allows viewing of the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  positioned, and the chips entering and the boundary layer  30  formed, within the chip chute system  10 . As discussed above, a nice and tight boundary layer allows the wheel  20  to form a channel with the boundary layer surrounding the channel very close to or touching the wheel, or highest positioned tooth on the perimeter of the wheel, to maintain the energy in the chip through the chip chute system  10  based on (or obtained from) the spinning wheel. Also, as shown, the proximal end of the first portion  12  of the chip chute system  10  is positioned at ¾ wheel radius below the midpoint plane of the stump grinding wheel  20 . This allows for the generation of the seal, discussed above, while at the same time provides some clearance for an uneven ground.  FIG. 5B  shows a perspective schematic representation view of the stump grinding wheel  20 . A cutting width and a cutting length are also shown. The furthest away from the wheel the chip chute system  10  can be as still work effectively is a function the creation and maintenance of the energy imparted to the chip by the wheel (the closer the chip is kept to the wheel by the chip chute system  10 , the better maintenance and control of the energy imparted to the chip), and can also be based on the creation of a sufficient boundary layer (the closer the distance between the boundary layer and the perimeter of the wheel  20  or tooth assemblies  22 , the more likely the created channel will be tight on the wheel, as discussed above). 
     Turning to  FIG. 6A , a side schematic representation view of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100  is shown.  FIG. 6B  shows an exploded section view of sectioned portion “C” of  FIG. 6A . These figures show a transparent chip chute system  10  positioned over the stump grinding wheel  20 , where the stump cutting tooth assemblies  22  can be seen positioned within the chip chute system  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-C , in an alternative embodiment, various schematic representation views of a stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  100 ′ are shown.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the stump grinding wheel rotating against a stump “S” in a counterclockwise direction.  FIG. 7B  shows a chip chute system  10 ′ positioned partially around the stump grinding wheel  20  and pointing at a target in the opposite direction as compared to the previous figures.  FIG. 7C  is another perspective view of the stump grinding wheel  20 . 
     Additional alternative embodiments of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system as discussed below. These embodiments contain different structural configurations, together with some of the same structural configurations as discussed above. All of the structure and/or functionality discussed above with respect to the formation of the seal, adjustability of the chip chute system, and other unique configurations, apply equally to the embodiments discussed below (and vice versa). 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , a side schematic representation view of an alternative embodiment of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  201  is shown. A stump grinding wheel  220  with stump cutting tooth assemblies  222  are shown with a guard device  213  (shown in a transparent view) positioned at least partially around the wheel, at least on a side that is opposite the wheel&#39;s cutting section. Positioned adjacent and proximally to the wheel  222  and guard section  213  is the chip chute system  210  (shown in a transparent view, and which can also be attached directly to the wheel  222  at or near the central axis or indirectly to the wheel by being attached to the guard section  213 , which can be attached to the wheel at or near the central axis, or other location as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). This chip chute system  210  is open to capture cute chips at its proximal end  212 , and is configured to form a seal etc. (as discussed with respect to other embodiments above), and is enclosed (e.g., tubular-shaped, pipe-shaped) above the proximal end between position  217  and the distal end  216 . The distal end is open at its most distal end for chips to exit. This embodiment of the chip chute system  210  can be adjustable at jointed or other sections like previously discussed embodiments, including at the flap or rotatable damper elements shown at the distal end  216  of the chip chute system  210 . Further, the chip chute system  210  can be connected to the frame of a “stand behind” or other machine at  214  that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  201 , as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a side schematic representation view of an alternative embodiment of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  300  is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment shown and described with respect to  FIG. 8 . The only difference is the chip chute system  310  is open on the side facing the wheel  322 . Otherwise, a stump grinding wheel  320  with stump cutting tooth assemblies  322  are shown with a guard device  313  (shown in a transparent view) positioned at least partially around the wheel, at least on a side that is opposite the wheel&#39;s cutting section. Positioned adjacent and proximally to the wheel  322  and guard section  313  is the chip chute system  310  (shown in a transparent view, and which can also be attached directly to the wheel  322  at or near the central axis or indirectly to the wheel by being attached to the guard section  313 , which can be attached to the wheel at or near the central axis, or other location as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). This chip chute system  310  is open to capture cute chips at its proximal end  312 , and is configured to form a seal etc. (as discussed with respect to other embodiments above). The distal end  316  has an opening at its most distal end for chips to exit. This embodiment of the chip chute system  310  can be adjustable at jointed or other sections like previously discussed embodiments, including at the flap or rotatable elements shown at the square-shaped distal end  316  of the chip chute system  310 . Further, the chip chute system  310  can be connected to the frame of a “stand behind” or other machine at  314  that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  300 , as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a side schematic representation view of an alternative embodiment of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  400  is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiments shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The only major difference is the inclusion of a mechanism (mechanical and/or electromechanical, described generally above) such as a paddle wheel/wiper/booster  415  in the distal end  416  of the chip chute system  410  to assist with the movement of the chips out the distal end of the distal end  416  of the chip chute system  410 . The chip chute system  410  can be open on the side facing the wheel  422  (like in  FIG. 8 ), or can be closed at a position distally of the proximal end  412  to the distal end  416  (like in  FIG. 9 ). Otherwise, a stump grinding wheel  420  with stump cutting tooth assemblies  422  are shown with a guard device  413  (shown in a transparent view) positioned at least partially around the wheel, at least on a side that is opposite the wheel&#39;s cutting section. Positioned adjacent and proximally to the wheel  422  and guard section  413  is the chip chute system  410  (shown in a transparent view, and which can also be attached directly to the wheel  422  at or near the central axis or indirectly to the wheel by being attached to the guard section  413 , which can be attached to the wheel at or near the central axis, or other location as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). This chip chute system  410  is open to capture cute chips at its proximal end  412 , and is configured to form a seal etc. (as discussed with respect to other embodiments above). The distal end  416  has an opening at its most distal end for chips to exit. This embodiment of the chip chute system  410  can be adjustable at jointed or other sections like previously discussed embodiments, including at the flap or rotatable elements shown at the distal end  416  of the chip chute system  410 . Further, the chip chute system  410  can be connected to the frame of a “stand behind” or other machine at  414  that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  400 , as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a side schematic representation view of an alternative embodiment of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  500  is shown. This embodiment shows a chip chute system  510  (shown in a transparent view) attached to the stump grinding wheel  520  at or near its central axis, and covering the majority of the stump grinding wheel  520  to improve the seal capability (with the proximal/bottom portion  512  enclosing the bottom portion of the wheel in rubber, metal, polymer, plastic or other material (as should be appreciated by those of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure)) to enclose and seal the bottom portion of the wheel  520  in the proximal end  512  of the chip chute system  510  or seal the bottom portion of the wheel  520  to the ground (if the proximal end of the proximal end  512  of the chip chute system  510  is not fully enclosed) to capture and lead as many of the cut chips in the chip chute system  510  as possible. For example, as shown, the proximal end  512  of the chip chute system  510  is structured to be positioned adjacent to the cut, and the distal portion  516  is structured to be positioned almost directly above the proximal portion so that only ¼ to ⅓ of the wheel  520  is outside of the coverage of the chip chute system  510 . This chip chute system  510  embodiment can be adjustable, as discussed with respect to previously discussed embodiments. Further, the chip chute system  510  can be connected to the frame of a “stand behind” or other machine that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  500 , as should be understood by a person of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , a side schematic representation view of an alternative embodiment of the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  600  is shown. This embodiment shows the chip chute system  610  (shown in a transparent view) as part of the structure of frame of a “stand behind” or other machine  650  with wheels or moveable tread  652  that can maneuver the stump grinding wheel with the chip chute system  600 . The chip chute system  610  can be part of a frame  626  that can be attached to the machine  650  at one or more connection points  628 ,  630 . One or more of these connection points can be structured and configured to move the stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system  600  in any and all directions. As with other stump grinding wheel with a chip chute system embodiments discussed herein, the chip chute system  610  can include a proximal end  612  (which can form a seal etc.) and a distal end  616  where cut chips exit, where the distal end (and other portions of the chip chute system  610 ) can be adjustable. This particular embodiment shows the chip chute system  610  covering a majority of the wheel  620  and stump cutting tooth assemblies  622 , but it does not have to. Additionally, a moveable section  620  is show, which is structured and configured to rotate at the central axis of the wheel  620  and move the proximal end  612  closer to or further away from the cut position “X.” 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as, “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of method or an element of a device that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the present invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.