Patent Abstract:
A splitting wedge is provided for splitting wood. The wedge includes an upwardly facing impact surface, a collar adapted to slidably engage a vertical guide track and a downwardly facing cutting edge. The wedge is adapted to slide down the guide track and cut into an object to split, such as a wood log, when struck on the impact surface. The collar can include a bore to slidably engage a tubular guide track. The impact surface is off-set from the wedge towards to the collar.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The principle of driving a wedge into a piece of wood in order to split the wood is well known. This principle has been utilized in numerous existing patents including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 720,010; 3,982,572; 4,033,390; 4,211,264; and 4,391,311. The problem with apparatus built in accordance with the teachings of these existing patents is that the apparatus take up too much room.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     What is required is a compact kit of parts which can be readily transported by a camper in a compact form and then assembled to form a wood splitting apparatus at a campsite.  
         [0004]     According to the present invention there is provided a kit to form a wood splitting apparatus. The kit includes a guide track. Means is provided for mounting the guide track to a vertical support. A splitting wedge is provided which is adapted to engage and move along the guide track. Means is provided limiting movement of the splitting wedge along the guide track.  
         [0005]     The kit, as described above, can be carried in a compact form and then readily assembled at the campsite and mounted to a vertical support, such as a tree, for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0006]     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the kit, as described above, it is preferred that the guide track itself be capable of assembly and disassembly. It is envisaged that at least two elongate guide members will be provided which are adapted for connection in end to end relation.  
         [0007]     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the kit, as described above, as a supplemental feature it is considered desirable to have the collar pivot about the guide track. This facilitates lateral positioning of the splitting wedge.  
         [0008]     There are various ways in which the guide members may be connected. For example, the guide members can be connected through a mating telescopic engagement. This mating telescopic engagement may or may not include a threaded connection. Beneficial results have also been obtained when the first elongate guide member is tubular with a first interior bore and the second elongate guide member is tubular with a second interior bore. This enables the first connection end and the second connection end to be reinforced by inserting an internal connection reinforcing member into both the first interior bore and the second interior bore bridging the connection.  
         [0009]     There are various alternative ways in which the guide track can be mounted to a vertical support, such as a tree. Beneficial results have been obtained when the first mounting end and the second mounting end each have screw receiving openings adapted to receive mounting screws. When it is considered undesirable to secure the guide track to a tree, a vertical support can be provided as part of the kit. It is envisaged that this vertical support would be a stake which is adapted to be driven into the ground.  
         [0010]     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the kit, as described above, as a supplemental feature it may be considered desirable to provide means to bias the splitting wedge toward one end of the guide track. For example, the means to bias the splitting wedge could be either a spring or a telescopic fluid activated shock. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view, in section, of the assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a wood splitting apparatus assembled using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view, in section, of a second embodiment of the kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view, in section, of a third embodiment of the kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view, in section, of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view, in section, of a fifth embodiment of the kit which, upon assembly, forms a wood splitting apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view, in section, of an assembled wood splitting apparatus using the kit illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     The preferred embodiment, a kit to form a wood splitting apparatus generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 .  
         [0026]     Structure and Relationship of Parts:  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , kit  10  includes a guide track generally referenced by numeral  12  that is capable of assembly and disassembly. In the illustrated embodiment, guide track  12  has a first elongate tubular guide member  14  and a second elongate guide member  16  which are adapted for connection in end to end fashion. It will be appreciated that guide track  12  could also include additional elongate guide members. Kit  10  also includes mounting screws  18  for mounting guide track  12  to a vertical support  20 . A splitting wedge  22  is provided that is adapted to engage and move along guide track  12 . A resilient impact absorbing stop  24  is provided for limiting movement of splitting wedge  22  along guide track  12 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , first elongate guide member  14  has a first mounting end  26  that is adapted for mounting to vertical support  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and a first connective end  28 . Second elongate guide member  16  has a second mounting end  30  for mounting to vertical support  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and a second connective end  32  adapted for coupling with first connective end  28  of first elongate guide member  14 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, first elongate guide member  14  is tubular with a first interior bore  34 . Second elongate guide member  16  is tubular with a second interior bore  36 . An internal connection reinforcing member  38  is provided that is adapted for positioning in both first interior bore  34  and second interior bore  36 , thereby reinforcing the connection between first connective end  28  and second connective end  32 . It will be appreciated that first elongate guide member  14  and second elongate guide member  16  do not have to be tubular. Furthermore, there are other means for securing first elongate guide member  14  and second elongate guide member  16  together in end to end fashion, examples of which will be described below.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , first mounting end  26  and second mounting end  30  are tapered and each have screw receiving openings  40  that are adapted to receive mounting screws  18  for the purpose of securing guide track  12  to vertical support  20 . It will be appreciated that there are other means that can be used secure to either or both of first mounting end  26  and second mounting end  30  to vertical support  20 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , splitting wedge  22  has a guide track engaging collar  42  which slides over and along guide track  12 . Collar  42  is also able pivot about guide track  12 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, splitting wedge  22  and guide engaging collar  42  are unitarily formed, however splitting wedge  22  that is detachable from guide track engaging collar  42  can also be used.  
         [0032]     Operation:  
         [0033]     The use and operation of kit to form a wood splitting apparatus generally identified by reference numeral  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , kit  10 , as described above, can be carried in a disassembled compact form and then readily assembled at a campsite, cottage or similar location, and mounted to vertical support such as a tree  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in order to assemble kit  10 , collar  42  of splitting wedge  22  slides over first connective end  28  of first elongate tubular member  14 . First elongate tubular guide member  14  and second elongate tubular guide member  16  are assembled to form guide track  12 . This is done by aligning first connective end  28  and second connective end  32 , and positioning internal connection reinforcing member  38  in both first interior bore  34  and second interior bore  36 , thereby reinforcing the connection between first connective end  28  and second connective end  32 . Splitting wedge  22  is able to move laterally along guide track  12 , but cannot slide over first mounting end  26  or second mounting end  30 . Collar  42  is able to pivot about guide track  12 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  22 .  
         [0035]     To secure guide track  12  to vertical support  20 , one of mounting screws  18  is inserted through screw receiving opening at first mounting end  26  to secure first mounting end  26  to vertical support  20 . Another of mounting screws  18  is inserted through screw receiving opening  40  at second mounting end  30  to secure second mounting end  30  to vertical support  20 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , once kit  10  has been properly assembled and secured to vertical support  20 , wood splitting can commence. In the illustrated embodiment, a support block such as a block cut of wood  44  is selected and is placed in a travel path  46  of splitting wedge  22 . Support block  44  has a flat upper surface  48  upon which a piece of wood  50  that is to be split is supported at a height relative to guard track  12 , such that as splitting wedge  22  travels along travel path  46  through wood  50 , the travel of splitting wedge  22  is stopped upon impact with flat upper surface  48  of support block  44 . This prevents collar  42  of splitting wedge  22  from becoming jammed at second mounting end  30  of second elongate guide member  16  where second mounting end  30  is secured to vertical support  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, support block  44  is shown as being a block of cut wood, however it will be appreciated that other materials could also be used as support block  44  so long as wood to be cut  50  is supported at the appropriate height to prevent jamming of collar  42  of splitting wedge  22 .  
         [0037]     Splitting wedge  22  can be lifted laterally or pivoted to the left or right to allow wood  50 , to be placed on support block  44 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , resilient impact absorbing stop  24  is placed between second elongate guide member  16  and vertical support  20  at second mounting end  30 . Resilient impact absorbing stop  24  prevents collar  42  of splitting wedge  22  from becoming jammed between second elongate guide member  16  and vertical support  20  when splitting wedge  22  is resting at or near second mounting end  30 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , after placement of wood  50  on stop block  44 , splitting wedge  22  can be pivoted to the left or right, and raised into position on wood  50 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , a sledge hammer  52  or other suitable striking tool, can be used to strike splitting wedge  22  such that the downward force of sledge hammer  52  striking splitting wedge  22  causes splitting wedge  22  to travel along travel path  46  and through wood  50 . Splitting wedge  22  can be repeatedly struck until splitting wedge  22  has fully passed through wood  50 , thereby splitting wood  50 , and is stopped from further downward travel by upper surface  48  of support block  44 .  
         [0000]     Structure and Relationship of Parts:  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a second embodiment of kit  100  includes a guide track generally referenced by numeral  112  that is capable of assembly and disassembly. In the illustrated embodiment, guide track  112  has a first elongate tubular guide member  114  and a second tubular elongate guide member  116  which are adapted for connection in end to end fashion, however it will be appreciated that guide track  112  could also include additional elongate tubular guide members. Kit  100  also includes mounting screw  118 , for mounting guide track  112  to a vertical support such as a tree  120 . A splitting wedge  122  is provided that is adapted to engage and move along guide track  112 . A resilient impact absorbing stop  124  is provided for limiting movement of splitting wedge  122  along guide track  112 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the illustrated embodiment, first elongate guide member  114  has a first upper end  126  and a first connective end  128 . Second elongate guide member  116  has a tapered mounting end  130  for mounting to vertical support  120  and a second connective end  132 . First connective end  128  of first elongate guide member  114  has interior threads  134  while second connective end  132  has exterior threads  136  such that first connective end  128  is threaded with second connective end  132  in order to couple first elongate guide member  114  with second elongate guide member  116  so as to form guide track  112 . Mounting end  130  of second elongate guide member  116  has a screw receiving opening  140  for receiving mounting screw  118  to secure guide track  112  to vertical support  120  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , only mounting end  130  of second elongate guide member  116  is adapted to be mounted to vertical support  120 . First upper end  126  of first elongate guide member  114  is unattached and is supported only by second elongate guide member  116 .  
         [0040]     Splitting wedge  122  of kit  100  has a guide track engaging collar  142  which slides over first upper end  126  of first elongate guide member  114  and along guide track  112 . Collar  142  is also able pivot about guide track  112 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  122 . Collar  142  of splitting wedge  122  can easily be removed from guide track  112  by sliding collar  142  up and off of first upper end  126  of first elongate guide member  114 . This allows for splitting wedge  122  to be removed from guide track  112  for storage when not in use, while guide track  112  remains mounted to vertical support  120 .  
         [0000]     Operation:  
         [0041]     The use and operation of kit to form a wood splitting apparatus generally identified by reference numeral  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , as with kit  10 , second embodiment of kit  100  as described above, can be carried in a disassembled compact form and then readily assembled at a campsite, cottage or similar location, and mounted to vertical support such as a tree  120  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , with second embodiment of kit  100 , first elongate tubular guide member  114  and second elongate tubular guide member  116  are threadably coupled to form guide track  112 . Only mounting end  130  of second elongate guide member  116  is secured to vertical support  120  by inserting mounting screw  118  through screw receiving opening  140  at mounting end  130  to secure mounting end  130  of second elongate guide member  116  to vertical support  120 . Resilient impact absorbing stop  124  is positioned between mounting end  130  of second elongate guide member  116  and vertical support  120 . By only mounting second elongate guide member  116  to vertical support  120 , collar  142  of splitting wedge  122  is permitted to slide over first upper end  126  of first tubular member  114  for positioning on guide track  112 , yet can also be slipped off first upper end  126  of first elongate guide member  114  for easy removal of splitting wedge  122  from guide track  112 . This may be desirable for safety reasons where small children are around. When not in use, splitting wedge  122  can easily be removed for storage out of the reach of children while guide track  112  can remain mounted to vertical support  120 . Where it is necessary to easily remove guide track  112  as well from vertical support  120 , a detachable leg screw can be used instead of mounting screw  118 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , once kit  100  has been properly assembled and secured to vertical support  120 , wood splitting can commence. Second embodiment  100  is used to split wood in the same manner as described with first embodiment  10 .  
         [0000]     Structure and Relationship of Parts  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment of kit  200  is provided which includes a guide track generally referenced by numeral  212  that is capable of assembly and disassembly. In the illustrated embodiment, guide track  212  has a first elongate guide member  214  and a second elongate guide member  216  which are adapted for connection in end to end fashion, however it will be appreciated that guide track could include additional elongate guide members. Kits  200  also includes mounting clamps  218  and a vertical support  220  which is shaped like a stake. Mounting clamps  218  are used for mounting guide track  212  to vertical support  220 . A splitting wedge  222  is provided that is adapted to engage and move along guide track  212 . A resilient impact absorbing member  224  is provided for limiting movement of splitting wedge  222  along guide track  212 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the illustrated embodiment, first elongate guide member  214  has a first mounting end  226  that is adapted for mounting to vertical support  220  and a first connective end  228 . Second elongate guide member  216  has a second mounting end  230  for mounting to vertical support  220  and a second connective end  232 . First connective end  228  of first elongate guide member  214  has a male member  234 , while second connective end  232  of second elongate guide member  216  has a female receptacle  236  that is adapted to received male member  234  of first elongate guide member  214  so as form guide track  212 .  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , splitting wedge  222  has a guide track engaging collar  242  which slides over and along guide track  212 . Collar  242  is also able pivot about guide track  212 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  222 .  
         [0000]     Operation:  
         [0047]     The use and operation of third embodiment of kit  200  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , kit  200 , as described above, can be carried in a disassembled compact form and then readily assembled at a campsite, cottage or similar location, and mounted to vertical support  220  which is provided with kit  200 , for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , third embodiment of kit  200  differs from first embodiment  10  and second embodiment  100  in that vertical support  220  is included in kit  200 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , this is desirable for use where there is no suitable support such as a post or tree to be found in the environment. In that situation, vertical support  220  has a first pointed end  238  that is adapted to be embedded into a ground surface  240 , and a second end  241  that remains above ground surface  240 . Once vertical support  220  has been secured in ground surface  240 , remainder of kit  200  can be assembled.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in order to assemble kit  200 , collar  242  of splitting wedge  222  slides over first connective end  28  of first elongate guide member  214 . First connective end  228  of first elongate guide member  214  is then coupled with second connective end  232  of second elongate guide member  216  to form guide track  212 . Mounting clamps  218  are used to secure guide track  212  to vertical support  220 . Resilient impact absorbing member  224  is positioned between second mounting end  230  of second elongate guide member  216  and vertical support  220  to prevent splitting wedge  222  from becoming jammed between second mounting end  230  and vertical support  220 .  
         [0050]     Once third embodiment  200  has been assembled, splitting of wood can commence in the same manner as described above with first embodiment  10  and second embodiment  100 .  
         [0000]     Structure and Relationship of Parts  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIGS. 9 through 11 , a fourth embodiment of kit  300  is provided which includes a guide track  312  that is capable of assembly and disassembly. Referring to  FIG. 10 , in the illustrated embodiment, guide track  312  has a first elongate guide member  314  and a second elongate guide member  316  which are adapted for connection in end to end fashion, however it will be appreciated that guide track  312  could also include additional elongate guide members. Referring to  FIG. 9 , kit  300  also includes mounting screws  318 , for mounting guide track  312  to vertical support  320  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , a splitting wedge  322  is provided that is adapted to engage and move along guide track  312 . A telescopic fluid activated shock  324  is also included in fourth embodiment of kit  300 .  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , first elongate guide member  314  has a first mounting end  326  that is adapted for mounting to a vertical support  320  and a first connective end  328 . Second elongate guide member  316  has a second mounting end  330  for mounting to vertical support  320  and a second connective end  332 .  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in the illustrated embodiment, first elongate guide member  314  is tubular with a first interior bore  334 . Second elongate guide member  316  is tubular with a second interior bore  336 . An internal connection reinforcing member  338  is provided that is adapted for positioning in both first interior bore  334  and second interior bore  336 , thereby reinforcing the connection between first connective end  328  and second connective end  332 . Each of first mounting end  326  and second mounting end  330  have screw receiving openings  340  that are adapted to receive mounting screws  318  for the purpose of securing guide track  312  to vertical support  320 .  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , telescopic fluid activated shock  324  is secured to splitting wedge  322  so as to bias splitting wedge  322  toward mounting end  326  of first elongate guide member  314  of guide track  312 . In the illustrated embodiment, telescopic fluid activated shock  324  is shown as being installed adjacent and parallel to guide track  312 , however it will be appreciated that there are other positions in which telescopic fluid activated shock  324  can be installed and still bias splitting wedge  322  toward mounting end  326  of first elongate guide member  314  of guide track  312 . It will also be appreciated that a spring could also be used in place of telescopic fluid activated shock  324  for the purposes of biasing splitting wedge  322  toward mounting end  326  of first elongate guide member  314  of guide track  312 .  
         [0000]     Operation:  
         [0055]     The use and operation of fourth embodiment of kit  300  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 through 11 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , fourth embodiment of kit  300  as described above, can be carried in a disassembled compact form and then readily assembled at a campsite, cottage or similar location, and mounted to vertical support such as a tree  320 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , to assemble kit  300 , collar  342  of splitting wedge  322  slides over first connective end  328  of first elongate guide member  314 . First elongate guide member  314  and second guide member  316  are assembled to form guide track  312 . This is done by aligning first connective end  328  and second connective end  332 , and positioning internal connection reinforcing member  338  in both first interior bore  334  and second interior bore  336 , thereby reinforcing the connection between first connective end  328  and second connective end  332 . Telescopic fluid activated shock  324  is secured to splitting wedge  322  so as to bias splitting wedge  222  toward mounting end  326  of first elongate guide member  314  of guide track  312 . Splitting wedge  322  is able to move laterally along guide track  312 , but cannot slide over first mounting end  326  or second mounting end  330 . Collar  342  is able to pivot about guide track  312 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  322 .  
         [0057]     To secure guide track  312  to a vertical support  320 , one of mounting screws  318  is inserted through screw receiving opening  340  at first mounting end  326  to secure first mounting end  326  to vertical support  320 . Another of mounting screws  318  is inserted through screw receiving opening  340  at second mounting end  330  to secure second mounting end  330  to vertical support  320 . In the illustrated embodiment, mounting screws  318  are of a substantial length that the space between guide track  312  and vertical support  320  can be adjusted to accommodate telescopic fluid activate shock  324 . Depending on where telescopic fluid activated shock  324  is mounted in relation to splitting wedge  322 , mounting screws  318  can be used to adjust the distance between guide track  312  and vertical support  320 . Furthermore, mounting screw  318  at second mounting end  330  serves to limit movement of splitting wedge  322  in the event that splitting wedge  322  is disengaged from telescopic fluid activated shock  324 .  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , once kit  300  has been properly assembled and secured to vertical support  320 , wood splitting can commence. Second embodiment  300  is used to split wood  50  in the same manner as described with first embodiment  10 , except that the force of sledge hammer  52  striking splitting wedge  322  must be sufficient to overcome biasing action of telescopic fluid activated shock  324  in order to drive splitting wedge  322  into wood to be cut  50 .  
         [0000]     Structure and Relationship of Parts:  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a fifth embodiment of kit  400  includes a guide track generally referenced by numeral  412  that is capable of assembly and disassembly. Referring to  FIG. 13 , in the illustrated embodiment, guide track  412  has a first elongate guide member  414  and a second elongate guide member  416  which are adapted for connection in end to end fashion, however it will be appreciated that guide track  412  could also include additional elongate guide members. Kit  400  also includes an ground anchor  420  which serves as a vertical support  420 . A splitting wedge  422  is provided that is adapted to engage and move along guide track  412 .  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , in the illustrated embodiment, first elongate guide member  414  has a first upper end  426  and a first connective end  428 . Second elongate guide member  416  has a mounting end  430  adapted for mounting to anchor  420 , and a second connective end  432 . First connective end  428  of first elongate guide member  414  has interior threads  434  while second connective end  432  has exterior threads  436  such that first connective end  428  is threaded with second connective end  432  in order to couple first elongate guide member  414  with second elongate guide member  416  so as to form guide track  412  illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Mounting end  430  of second elongate guide member  416  has a female receptacle  438 . Ground anchor  420  has a male member  439  which is adapted to be inserted into female receptacle  438  of second elongate guide  416  for the purpose of securing second elongate guide  416  to anchor  420 , however it will be appreciated that other means can be used to secure ground anchor  420  to mounting end  430  of second elongate guide member  416 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , ground anchor  420  has helical flights  441  which enable ground anchor  420  to be screwed into ground  440  illustrated in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0061]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , only mounting end  430  of second elongate guide member  416  is adapted to be mounted to ground anchor  420 . First upper end  426  of first elongate guide member  414  is unattached and is supported only by second elongate guide member  416 .  
         [0062]     Splitting wedge  422  of kit  400  has a guide track engaging collar  442  which slides over first upper end  426  of first elongate guide member  414  and along guide track  412 . Collar  442  is also able pivot about guide track  412 , thereby facilitating lateral positioning of splitting wedge  422 . Collar  442  of splitting wedge  422  can easily be removed from guide track  412  by sliding collar  442  up and off of first upper end  426  of first elongate guide member  414 . This allows for splitting wedge  422  to be removed from guide track  412  for storage when not in use, while guide track  112  remains mounted to vertical support  420 .  
         [0000]     Operation:  
         [0063]     The use and operation of kit to form a wood splitting apparatus generally identified by reference numeral  400  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , as with other embodiments of kits described above, fifth embodiment of kit  400  as described above, can be carried in a disassembled compact form and then readily assembled at a campsite, cottage or similar location illustrated in  FIG. 13 , for use as a wood splitting apparatus.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , with fifth embodiment of kit  400 , first elongate guide member  414  and second elongate guide member  416  are threadably coupled to form guide track  412 . Mounting end  430  of second elongate guide member  416  is secured to ground anchor  420  by inserting male member  441  of ground anchor  420  into female receptacle  440  at mounting end  430  of second elongate member  416 . Ground anchor  420  with helical flights  441  is then screwed into ground  440 . Fifth embodiment of kit  400  is suitable for use in an area in which alternative forms of vertical supports are unavailable or where space is limited.  
         [0065]     By only mounting second elongate guide member  416  to vertical support  420 , collar  442  of splitting wedge  422  is permitted to slide over first upper end  426  of first tubular member  414  for positioning on guide track  412 , yet can also be slipped off first upper end  426  of first elongate guide member  414  for easy removal of splitting wedge  422  from guide track  412 . This may be desirable for safety reasons where small children are around. When not in use, splitting wedge  422  can easily be removed for storage out of the reach of children while guide track  412  can remain mounted to vertical support  420 .  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , once kit  400  has been properly assembled, and attached to vertical support  420 , and vertical support  420  has been securely screwed into ground  440 , then wood splitting can commence. Fifth embodiment  400  is used to split wood in the same manner as described above with embodiments  10 ,  100 ,  200  and  300 .  
         [0067]     In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.  
         [0068]     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1