Abstract:
A wood splitting attachment primarily for use with a skid steer loader that allows the wood splitter to be operated in the horizontal or vertical mode, can be easily connected to a skid steer loader and with a wedge extractor that allows the splitting wedge to be easily extracted from the wood is the subject of the present invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a wood splitting device specifically designed for use with a skid steer loader. Wood splitting devices are well known and can be attached to a variety of devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,476 discloses a log splitting attachment for use with a tractor. The use of hydraulics in connection with a log splitting device is also known. Most log splitting devices operate in the horizontal mode, however some can also operate in the vertical mode. U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,404 discloses a wood splitting assembly mounted on a trailer or truck bed. Two separate wood splitting assemblies are operated independently of each other and use a double stage hydraulic system. Vertical wood splitters are also known in the art as is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,960. Wood splitters are typically characterized by the position in which they are operated either horizontal and roughly parallel to the ground or vertical and roughly perpendicular to the ground. There are advantages and disadvantages of horizontal and vertical wood splitters and it would be desirable to have a wood splitter that could efficiently operate in both the vertical and horizontal mode. 
     In recent years skid steer loaders have become very popular due to their versatility and mobility. They have been popular because of the wide selection of useful attachments and number of tasks they can complete in a minimal amount of time. The popularity of skid steer loaders is so strong that the cost to own one has become very affordable. 
     It would further be desirable to have a log splitter attachment that would be able to connect with a skid steer loader and utilize the hydraulics from the skid steer loader in its operation. 
     Many times in chopping logs a wedge becomes stuck in the log and typically an operator has to physically remove the log from the wedge. It would be desirable to have a means of extracting the wedge from the log automatically without having to physically extract the wedge by hand. 
     SUMMARY INVENTION 
     The wood splitting attachment of the present invention is usually operated in the vertical and horizontal mode and connects readily to a skid steer loader. The wood splitting attachment includes wood supporting means which would preferably include an “I” beam, a head plate which is rigidly connected at one end of the “I” beam and a post for supporting the “I” beam when the “I” beam is positioned parallel to the ground in the horizontal mode of operation. A splitting wedge means associated with the wood supporting means is used for splitting the wood. Preferably the wood splitting means would be a splitting wedge. This splitting wedge is operated by a hydraulic means that would be suitable for attachment to a hydraulic power source. The hydraulic means would be operatively connected to the wood supporting means and the splitting wedge means for moving the splitting wedge means along the wood supporting means. 
     One of the real advantages of the present invention is the ability to easily operate the wood splitting attachment in both the horizontal and vertical mode and easily reposition the wood splitter from one mode to the other. To accomplish this, diverter means converted to the hydraulic means for diverting hydraulic fluid is utilized. The hydraulic means includes a hydraulic supply line, hydraulic return line and a hydraulic cylinder operably connected to the splitting wedge means and a control valve connected to the hydraulic supply line and the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to the hydraulic return line. The diverting means preferably includes a first and second diverter where the first diverter is connected to the hydraulic supply line at a point in the line prior to connection with the control valve and a second diverter connected to the hydraulic return line at a point after the return line exits the hydraulic cylinder. 
     The control means are operatively connected to both the splitting wedge means and the hydraulic means. The control means preferably includes a control valve for controlling operation of the wood splitting attachment in said horizontal mode. This allows for operation of the wood splitting attachment in the horizontal mode while standing next to the attachment and loading wood to be split. In the vertical mode where operation from the cab of the skid steer loader is critical the attachment can be operated from the cab. Ease of operation in both the vertical and horizontal mode is because of the utilization of the diverter, control and hydraulic means. 
     The wood splitting attachment is most efficiently used when connected to a skid steer loader and the hydraulic fluid power source is mounted on the skid steer loader. The wood splitting attachment, including the wood supporting means, splitting wedge means and hydraulic means, has connecting means preferably a mounting plate attached to the wood supporting means and hydraulic lines attached to the skid steer loader hydraulic system and the skid steer loader is connected to the log splitting attachment by means of the mounting plate. In order to give the wood splitter attachment some stability in operation, support legs are rigidly connected between the posts and the mounting plate. 
     The novel connection of a wood splitting attachment to skid steer loader results in a wood splitter with the advantages of being able to operate in a horizontal and vertical mode and the advantages of incorporating a skid steer loader. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is the wedge extracting means, which are connected to the wood supporting means on exterior of the splitting wedge. Wedge extractor means are preferably removably attached to the wood supporting means and would typically comprise two “L” shaped pieces of steel welded together in such a way that they mount on the exterior of the splitting wedge so the splitting wedge can pass along the wood supporting means between the wedge extractors. When the splitting wedge is withdrawn the wedge extractors contact the wood, allowing the splitting wedge to retract from the wood, thus extracting the splitting wedge from the wood. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is further described in connection with the accompanying drawings and which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the current invention in the horizontal position. 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the current invention in the vertical position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in the horizontal position. 
     FIG. 3A is a top plain view of the two stage splitting wedge. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the hydraulic cylinder and splitting wedge connection. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of the two stage splitting wedge. 
     FIG. 4A is a side view of the wedge extractors. 
     FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the wedge extractors. 
     FIG. 4C is a front view of the wedge extractors. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the splitting wedge assembly and the wedge extractors. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic hose and plumbing hardware. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a log splitter  11 , suitable for mounting on the front of a skid steer loader  13 , by means of quick connect mounting plate  15  common to skid steer loaders as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The splitter as seen in FIG. 2, is constructed of a rigid “I” beam  10 , supported by a post  14 . At one end is a flat piece of steel  18 , with a common utility plate  20 , welded to it to form a mounting plate  19  for quick attachment to the skid steer loader. On the top edge of the utility plate  20 , are two foot plates  52 , with an anti-skid surface  52 A for entering the skid steer loader. At the other end of the “I” beam  10 , is a head plate, a thick piece of steel with a beveled edge  12 , for the log to rest against when being split in both the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1, or vertical position as shown in FIG.  1 A. The beveled edge allows the head plate  12  to slide under the log when used in the vertical position shown in FIG.  1 A. Support legs  16 , prevent bending between the “I” beam  10 , and the mounting plate  19 . 
     On top of the “I” beam  10 , as shown in FIG. 2, a hydraulic cylinder  28  is mounted, between two pieces of steel  54 , with a pin  56 , slid through holding the hydraulic cylinder  28  in place at the one end. At the other end is the hydraulic cylinder rod eye  28 A, and pin assembly  37  as shown in FIG.  3 B. It is attached to the splitting head assembly as seen in FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B. In FIGS. 3A-C, the hydraulic cylinder rod eye  28 A, is set between the pin collars  44 , and is attached by a pin  38  with a flat ear  39 , and held in place with a bolt  38 A. The pin collars  44 , are welded to a beveled piece of steel  36 , that are welded to the splitting base  30 , and the splitting wedge  34 . The splitting base  30  has a beveled edge on the lead edge  30 A (as shown in FIG. 2) and six holes drilled in it with bolts  42 , to allow a spacer  40 , the thickness of the beam, and a backing plate  32 , (as shown in FIGS. 2 &amp; 5) that is as wide as the “I” beam flange to be attached. The distance between the spacers  40  is slightly larger than the “I” beam  10 , and so it will allow the entire wedge splitting assembly  58 , as seen in FIG. 5, to slide back and forth on the “I” beam  10 . Grease fitting  46 , allows for easy greasing and minimal wear between the wedge splitting assembly  58 , and “I” beam  10 , and smooth operation. 
     This wood splitting invention is unique in that it attaches to a skid steer loader and can be utilized in the vertical and horizontal positions without having to physically place the splitter in either position. In the vertical position the skid steer loader can be driven over to the larger logs and the log positioned on the splitter without having to physically lift or tilt the device by hand. When in the vertical position the logs would not have to be physically handled. When using the log splitter in the horizontal mode, it will not have to be detached from the skid steer loader, simply changing the hydraulic flow and repositioning the attachment for use in the horizontal mode provides for maximum versatility and log splitting production. 
     Splitting in the horizontal position is accomplished by first, positioning the skid steer loader  13 , as shown in FIG. 1, in line with utility plate  20  and attaching it to the skid steer loader  13  using the locking pins  48 , and then attaching both hydraulic lines  26 , to the skid loader auxiliary hydraulics  29 . The locking pins  48  and triple stage hydraulics, the ability to continuously flow, stop and start, and flow in reverse, all controlled by switches in the cab of the skid steer loader are common to skid steer loaders. To begin the process, the continuous flow hydraulic switch (not shown) on the skid steer loader is activated. The hydraulic fluid enters the coupler and supply line  26 A, as shown in FIG. 2, travels through the first diverter  22 A, and to the control valve  24  and stops. The operator, standing along-side the splitter places a log onto the “I” beam  10 , then pulls the control valve lever  25 , towards the head plate  12 . The hydraulic fluid then passes through the control valve  24 , through the first “T” fitting  50 A, to the back side of the hydraulic cylinder  28 , pushing the splitting wedge assembly  58 , down the “I” beam,  10 , contacting the log, splitting it. For operator safety, the wedge splitting assembly  58 , as shown in FIG. 5 stops several inches short of the head plate  12 , eliminating a pinch point. This is an important feature in that should the operator&#39;s hand, arm or other body parts be placed between the splitting wedge  34  and the head plate  12  an injury is much less likely to occur. The beveled pieces of steel  36  in each side of the wedge act as a log separator, aiding the splitting process by helping to separate the log while the splitting wedge  34 , travels down the “I” beam  10 . The fluid on the exhaust side of the hydraulic cylinder is pushed out and is blocked off by the second diverter  22 B, and is pushed back through the second “T” fitting  50 B, into the control valve  24 , through the other side of the second diverter  22 B, back to the skid steer loader. The control valve lever  25  is pulled towards the skid steer loader and the splitting wedge assembly  58  returns to its standing position ready for another log. 
     FIGS. 4A-C depict a three dimensional view of the wedge extractors  60 . The wedge extractors  60  consist of two pieces of “L” shaped angled steel, welded together, and bolted with bolts  64  and nuts  66  through bolt holes  62  as seen in FIG. 5 to each side of the “I” beam  10 . Both of the front edges of the wedge extractors  60 A (the edge closest to the head plate  12 ) are parallel with each other and the cutting edge of the splitting wedge  34 . They are also wrapped around the sliding wedge splitting assembly  58  as shown in FIG. 5 with sufficient clearance not to interfere with the movement of the splitting assembly. At times during either horizontal or vertical splitting the wedge  34  becomes stuck in the log. By returning the splitting wedge assembly  58  back to the starting position with the log still stuck onto the splitting wedge  34 , the wedge extractors  60  are positioned onto the “I” beam  10  to dislodge the log from the splitting wedge  34  separating the log and wedge  34 . This eliminates having to physically wrestle the log from the splitting wedge in the horizontal position or having to exit the skid steer loader to dislodge the log in the vertical position maximizing log splitting production. 
     FIG. 6 is a hydraulic hose schematic depicting the proper placement of hardware to make the current invention operate. In the horizontal position with the skid steer loaders continuous flow hydraulic fluid activated, hydraulic fluid enters through the supply coupler  26 A, then travels through the diverter  22 A, to the control valve  24 . When the operator activates the control valve lever  25 , fluid continues through the control valve  24  through the first “T” fitting  50 A to the back side of the hydraulic cylinder  28  causing the hydraulic cylinder  28 , to stroke out. Fluid on the exhaust side of the hydraulic cylinder  28  is pushed out and through the second “T” fitting  50 B, to the other diverter  22 B where it is stopped and passes back through control valve  24 , through diverter  22 B and diverted back to the skid steer loader through the return coupler  26 B. By stroking the control valve handle the other way the hydraulic cylinder will return. 
     In the vertical position both diverters  22 A and  22 B are engaged to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the skid steer loader, around the control valve to the hydraulic cylinder and return from the hydraulic cylinder around the control valve back to the skid steer loader. By starting, stopping and reversing the hydraulic fluid flow from the switch inside the cab of the skid steer loader you can control the direction of the hydraulic cylinder from inside the cab.