Abstract:
Apparatus and method for trimming pine trees. The device comprises an enclosure having a pair of cutter heads mounted thereon each cutter head a pair of jaws having cutting blades thereon which jaws surround the trunk of the pine tree and then delimb the pine tree as the enclosure is moved up and down the pine tree by being placed on the front of a motorized skid steer loader/lift. The enclosure contains an air compressor driven by an internal combustion engine which supplies air for conveyance to air cylinders operated by a solenoid which cause the cutter head blades to operate. The enclosure can be moved about easily and conveniently by being mounted on the front of the motorized lift such as a caterpillar or forklift-type device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to agricultural pruning devices and, more particularly, is concerned with a tree trimmer particularly designed to trim pine trees. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Methods and devices for tree trimmers have been described in the prior art, however, none of the prior art devices disclose the unique features of the present invention. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,134 dated May 7, 1974, McCabe disclosed a device for delimbing trees. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,989,097 dated Jun. 20, 1961 Bombardier disclosed tree delimbing jaws. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,228 dated Nov. 1, 1988, Vaders disclosed a tree trimmer. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,102 dated Jun. 21, 1994, Livingston disclosed a trimming apparatus having a helical cutting head. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,506 dated Mar. 28, 1989, Kainz disclosed a tree harvesting and logging system. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,486 dated Sep. 27, 1977, Whitcomb disclosed an apparatus for delimbing trees. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,578 dated Nov. 4, 1986, Verrill, et al., disclosed a tree delimber. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,952 dated May 18, 1965, Larson disclosed a cammed blade cutter head for delimbing trees. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,000 dated Jan. 2, 1973, Duffty, et al., disclosed a method and apparatus for harvesting trees. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,239 dated Jun. 11, 1985, Gaitten disclosed a swath cutting and gripping tree delimber. While these tree delimbers may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for trimming pine trees. The device comprises an enclosure having a pair of cutter heads mounted thereon each cutter head a pair of jaws having cutting blades thereon which jaws surround the trunk of the pine tree and then delimb the pine tree as the enclosure is moved up and down the pine tree by being placed on the front of a motorized skid steer loader/lift. The enclosure contains an air compressor driven by an internal combustion engine which supplies air for conveyance to air cylinders operated by a solenoid which cause the cutter head blades to operate. The enclosure can be moved about easily and conveniently by being mounted on the front of the motorized lift such as a caterpillar or forklift-type device. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a device which can easily trim a pine tree. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for being easily and quickly moved about in a forest of pine trees so as to accelerate the process of delimbing a forest of trees. A further object of the present invention is to provide a device having a left and right cutter head so that trees to the left or right of the center lane can be quickly accessed as the device moves along the lane between the rows of trees planted in the forest. A further object of the present invention is to provide a trimmer which can be easily used by the user. A further object of the present invention is to provide a trimmer which can be easily and relatively cheaply manufactured. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the present invention in operative connection. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cutter head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a cutter head of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of portions of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 present invention 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 enclosure/housing 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 frame member 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 motorized vehicle 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 tree 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 first cutter head 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 second cutter head 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 skid 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 first jaw 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 second jaw 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 cutting edge of blade 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 hinge pin 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 first hinge 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 second hinge 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 mounting shaft 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 pneumatic cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 aperture 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 pneumatic arm 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 stabilizer rod 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 arm 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 limb 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 ground surface 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 spacer plate 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 base 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 air compressor 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 internal combustion engine 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 first air tank 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 second air tank 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 base 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 battery 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 air line 
               
               
                   
                 59 
                 T-connector 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 first solenoid 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 second solenoid 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 conduit 
               
               
                   
                 64F 
                 front conduits 
               
               
                   
                 64R 
                 rear conduits 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 conduit 
               
               
                   
                 66F 
                 front conduits 
               
               
                   
                 66R 
                 rear conduits 
               
               
                   
                 68 
                 universal mounting adapter 
               
               
                   
                 69 
                 universal mount 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 top hood of enclosure 
               
               
                   
                 70L 
                 left side hood 
               
               
                   
                 70R 
                 right side hood 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 front cutter blade 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 fingers 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 fingers 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 coil spring 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 housing/tubing 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 wire 
               
               
                   
                 83 
                 cap 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                 86 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                 88 
                 bolt 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 channel 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 cross member 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 air exhaust 
               
               
                   
                 96 
                 air inlet 
               
               
                   
                 98 
                 tubing 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments described herein since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1-8  illustrate the present invention wherein a device for trimming pine trees is disclosed. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown the present invention  10  along with an enclosure/housing  12  which is mounted on the front end of a motorized vehicle  14 , such as a caterpillar, forklift or skid steer loader, along with a tree  16  wherein the pair of cutter heads  18 ,  20  are mounted on the front of the enclosure. The enclosure has surrounding multiple structural steel frame members, e.g.,  13 , along with a top hood  70  and two additional side hoods,  70 L on the left,  70 R on the right, and bottom, front, rear, and left and right sides. Each cutter head  18 ,  20  has a first jaw member  24  and a second jaw member  26 , each having cutting edges or blades  28  formed on their upper portions wherein the jaws  24 ,  26  wrap around the tree  16  and are then moved up the tree so as to trim the branches  40  away from the tree so as to delimb the tree. The enclosure  12  has a plurality of skid members  22  mounted on its bottom surface so that the enclosure can be easily moved about and so that it can slide along the surface of the ground without digging into the ground surface  42 . Also shown is one of a pair of the hinges  30  of the jaws  18 ,  20 , each of which are mounted on a shaft  32  having a coil spring  78  thereon. The jaws each have a protrusion or arm  38  thereon which connect to the arm  36  of the pneumatic cylinder  34  so as to connect the pneumatic cylinder to the protruding arm  38 . Also shown is a front cutter blade  72  used for cutting rouge trees that grow in the lanes between the planted pine trees  16 . Also shown is mounting bracket  33  having a two-inch aperture  35  therein for receiving a one-inch stabilizer rod  37  therein and tubing  80  which houses shaft  32 . Means for mounting the heads  18 ,  20  to the enclosure  12  are provided by shafts  32 . Means for opening and closing the jaws  24 ,  26  are provided by cylinders  34 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown one of the identical, interchangeable cutter heads being representative of  18 ,  20  having a first jaw  24  having upper and lower fingers  74  and a second jaw  26  having a single finger  76  thereon, each jaw being operated on a hinge  30 ,  31  wherein the cutter head is mounted on a mounting shaft  32  so that when the jaws close the finger  76  is disposed between the pair of fingers  74  to allow the tree to be securely captured between the jaws  24 ,  26  as best seen in  FIG. 1 . Mounting shaft  32  is connected to the rear side of central base  45  of the cutter head  18 ,  20 . The inside of the cutter head  18 ,  20  has a ½″ spacer plate  44  welded onto the front of the base  45  which plate is designed to hold the sharp edges of the jaws  24 ,  26  away from the bark of the tree. Plates  44  have to be beveled on the edges for sliding or they will damage the bark of the tree. Also shown are the cutting edges  28  of the jaws  24 , 26  and top of cutter head  18 ,  20 . Both cutter heads  18 ,  20  are fashioned from 8-inch metal pipe with slanted and beveled edges  28 . The hinges  30 ,  31  are disposed on each edge of base  45  and are made from one inch seamless pipe with five pieces being cut two inches long with every other one welded to the central base piece  45  and the outer two being welded to the wing pieces  24 ,  26 . A 10-inch long, one-inch cold roll rod is used for the hinge pins  29 . Grease fittings are on the back of the hinges  30 ,  31 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown one of the identical cutter heads  18 ,  20  which are mounted on each side of the enclosure. Each cutter head  18 ,  20  has jaw members  24 ,  26  having cutting edges  28  thereon. Also shown is one of a pair of hinges  30  of jaw  18 ,  20 , each of which are mounted on a shaft  32  having a coil spring  78  thereon. The jaws each have a protrusion or arm  38  thereon which connect to the arm  36  of the pneumatic cylinder  34  so as to connect the pneumatic cylinder to the arm  38 . Also shown is a mounting bracket  33  having aperture  35  therein opening into tubing  98  for receiving a stabilizer rod  37  therein along with tubing  80  which houses shaft  32 . Tubing  80  has a cap  83  on its end having a bolt  88  which connects the cap to the mounting shaft  32 . Tubing  80  is mounted into a three-inch channel  90  which is connected to the frame as will be disclosed later. Mounting bracket  33  is connected to a frame member of the enclosure as previously described. The cutter heads  18 ,  20  can be easily removed from the present invention  10  by unscrewing and removing bolt  88  and removing cap  83  which frees the mounting shaft  32  so that the cutter heads can be removed from the tubing  80  after disconnection of any lines connecting to the pneumatic cylinders  34 . The rear end of each of the pneumatic cylinders  34  connect to cross member  92 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown the present invention  10  along with enclosure/housing  12  and multiple frame members  13  wherein the pair of cutter heads  18 ,  20  are mounted on the front of the enclosure at an angle of about thirty degrees away, i.e., laterally, from a center line connecting the midpoint of the front and rear sides of the enclosure. Each head  18 ,  20  has a first jaw member  24  and a second jaw member  26 . The enclosure  12  has a plurality of skid members  22  and front blade  72 . Also shown are the hinges  30 ,  31  of the heads  18 ,  20 , each of which are mounted to the housing  12  by means of shaft  32 . The base of each head  18 ,  20  is mounted on a two inch cold roll shaft  32  being about 22″ long with holding caps  83  bolted at  88  into the ends of each shaft for easy removal from housing/tubing  80 . Each cutter head shaft  32  is mounted internal a two inch pipe housing/tubing  80  being about 18″ long which is greased allowing the heads  18 ,  20  to pivot twenty degrees clockwise or counterclockwise and also retract two inches to eliminate damage to tree bark. The two inches of retraction are possible because the cylinders  34 , arms  36  and heads  18 ,  20  share a common mounting frame cross member  92  underneath the shaft housing  80 . A one-inch cold roll stabilizer rod (not shown but see Item  37  of  FIG. 3 ) is mounted under the two-inch shaft  32  which stabilizer rod is free to pivot inside a two-inch pipe having an aperture therein (not shown but see Item  35  of  FIG. 3 ) to allow the heads  18 ,  20  to pivot approximately 20 degrees needed so as not to damage the tree bark. A four inch long 2⅛″ inner diameter coil spring  78  being outwardly biased allows the heads  18 ,  20  to retract and then re-extend the needed two inches. Arm  38  is also shown. The jaws each have a protrusion or arm  38  thereon which connect to the arm  36  of the pneumatic cylinder  34  so as to connect the pneumatic cylinder to the arm  38 . Tubing  80  has a cap  83  on its rear end having a bolt  88  which connects the cap to the mounting shaft  32 . Tubing  80  is mounted into a three-inch channel  90  which is connected to the rear of the frame  13 . The cutter heads  18 ,  20  can be easily removed from the present invention  10  by unscrewing bolt  88  and removing cap  83  which frees the mounting shaft  32  so that the cutter heads can be removed from the present invention after disconnection of any lines connecting to the pneumatic cylinders  34 . Also shown is an air compressor  46  (which may be portable) mounted onto the base or floor  54  of the enclosure  12  and driven by an internal combustion engine  48  which forces air through a conduit into a pair of air cylinders  50 ,  52  which are mounted under and behind the cutter heads  18 ,  20 . Also shown is a 12 volt battery  56  or power supply which supplies electricity to a pair of solenoids  60 ,  62  which control the corresponding pneumatic cylinders  34  that open and close the cutter heads  18 ,  20 . Also shown are air lines  58  and “T” connector  59  which conveys air from the air cylinders  50 ,  52  to a first solenoid  60  and a second solenoid  62 . Also shown are air conduit lines  64 ,  66  wherein these conduits connect the solenoids  60 ,  62  to the respective pneumatic cylinders  34  which then operate the cutter heads  18 ,  20 . Solenoids  60 ,  62  are connected in a push/pull configuration with the pneumatic cylinders  34  so that the pair of lines (denoted as  64 R and  66 R) of the groups  64 ,  68  toward the rear of the air cylinders  34  open the cylinders so as to extent arm  36  and thus to close the heads  18 ,  20  around a tree; when the pair of lines (denoted as  64 F and  66 F) on the front of the cylinders  34  open and the rear air lines close, then the cylinders retract and thereby open the heads so that the heads are released from a tree. The portable air compressor  46  for air supply is mounted with one roll clip pin on each side so it can be removed from the enclosure  12  for repairs and also it is allowed to sit freely on its own vibration pads wherein it supplies 120 lbs. of air pressure continuously easily supplying the 75 lbs. of pressure needed to operate the cutter heads  18 ,  20 . The 12-volt battery  56  supplies voltage to the solenoids  60 ,  62  which activate the cylinders  34  that close and open the cutter heads  18 ,  20 . The electrical connections will be described in  FIG. 8 . Four air cylinders  34  being 1¼″ diameter with a four inch stroke move the cutter heads  18 ,  20  in and out for the wrap around the trees. Each cutter head  18 ,  20  is controlled independent of the other with its own trigger switch. About a maximum of 75 lbs. air pressure is required for combined tension and cushion to remove limbs without damaging tree bark. Each head  18 , has a 12V solenoid  60 ,  62  which activates the air cylinders  34  wherein each head has two cylinders that receive air from a T-line  58  coming off the compressor  46 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown the present invention  10  along with an enclosure  12  which is mounted on the front end of a motorized vehicle  14 , such as a caterpillar, forklift or skid steer loader, along with a tree  16  wherein the pair of cutter heads  18 ,  20  are mounted on the front of the enclosure. The rear of the enclosure  12  is adapted at  68  for connection onto a universal mount  69  on the front of the motorized vehicle  14 . The enclosure has a top hood  70  and two more side hoods and bottom, a front, rear, and left and right sides. Each cutter head  18 ,  20  has a first jaw member  24  and a second jaw member  26 , each having cutting edges or blades  28  formed on their upper portions wherein in the jaws  24 ,  26  wrap around the tree  16  and are then moved up the tree so as to trim the branches  40  away from the tree so as to delimb the tree. The enclosure  12  has a plurality of skid members  22  mounted on its bottom surface so that the enclosure can be easily moved about and so that it can make contact with the ground without digging into the ground but rather to slide along the surface of the ground. Also shown is one of a pair of the hinges  30 ,  31  of the jaws  18 ,  20 , each of which are mounted on a shaft  32  with spring  78  thereon. The jaws each have a protrusion  38  thereon which connect to the arm  36  of the pneumatic cylinder  34  so as to connect the pneumatic cylinder to the protrusion/arm  38 . Also shown is a front cutter blade  72  used for cutting rouge trees that grow in the lanes between the planted pine trees  16 . Mounting bracket  33  connected to the frame of housing  12  and stabilizer rod  37  in aperture  35  are also shown. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown the present invention  10  along with an enclosure  12  along with a tree  16  wherein the pair of cutter heads  18 ,  20  are mounted on the front of the enclosure. The enclosure has a top hood  70  and two more side hoods  70 L,  70 R and bottom, a front, rear, and left and right sides. Top hood  70  and the side hoods allow access into the interior of the enclosure. Each cutter head  18 ,  20  has a first jaw member  24  and a second jaw member  26 , each having cutting edges or blades  28  formed on their upper portions wherein in the jaws  24 ,  26  wrap around the tree  16  and are then moved up the tree so as to trim the branches  40  away from the tree so as to delimb the tree. The enclosure  12  has a plurality of skid members  22  mounted on its bottom surface so that the enclosure can be easily moved about and so that it can make contact with the ground without digging into the ground but rather to slide along the surface of the ground. Also shown is one of a pair of the hinges  30 ,  31  of the jaws  18 ,  20 , each of which are mounted on a shaft  32  with spring  78  thereon. The jaws each have a protrusion  38  thereon which connect to the arm  36  of the pneumatic cylinder  34  so as to connect the pneumatic cylinder to the protrusion  38 . Also shown is a front cutter blade  72  used for cutting rouge trees that grow in the lanes between the planted pine trees  16 . Mounting bracket  33  connected to the frame of housing  12  and stabilizer rod  37  in aperture  35  are also shown. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown the enclosure  12  with multiple frame members  13  of the present invention  10  having the skids  22  on its lower surface along with universal mounting means  68  connected to the frame members which are used to connect and mount the enclosure  12  on the front end of the carrying motorized vehicle. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown an exemplary electrical schematic of the present invention. The 12-volt battery  56  supplies voltage to the solenoids  60 ,  62  which activate the cylinders  34  that close and open the cutter heads. An electrical connecting wire  82  connects to the loader steering levers where the trigger switches  84 ,  86  for the cylinders  34  and cutter heads are mounted. Each cylinder  34  is controlled independent of the other with its own trigger switch  84 ,  86 . About a maximum of 75 lbs. air pressure is required for combined tension and cushion to remove limbs without damaging tree bark. Each cylinder  34  has a 12V solenoid  60 ,  62  which activates/controls the air cylinders  34  wherein each head has two cylinders that receive air from a T-line coming off the compressor. By way of an example of operation, the cylinders  34  are normally retracted so that the cutter heads (see Item  18 ,  20  of  FIG. 3 ) are normally open when switch  84 ,  86  are also normally open; when either switch  84 ,  86  are pressed then the corresponding cylinder  34  extends thereby closing the cutter heads around a tree. When the solenoids close (retract) the cylinders, air is exhausted from the cylinders to the atmosphere at  94 . Air enters the solenoids at  96 .