Patent ID: 12220833

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as can be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed.

The terms “a” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items can be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. The term “about” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that can arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments can alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application.

Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter can define endpoints for a range of values that can be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X can have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X can have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there can be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms can be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology is drawn to improved attachments for a powered vehicle, such as a skid-steer, where the attachment can manipulate wood materials ranging from a log, rough timber, and even finished timber, allowing transport and/or loading of such materials, as well as further crosscutting to particular demands. Uses of such attachments are also provided. For example, the attachment can be coupled to wheeled and/or tracked vehicles or carriers, especially articulating loaders, skid steer loaders, etc., capable of handling lumber, logs, poles, pallets, and any material suitable for pallet/lumber or log forks by using a material engagement assembly that can include a top clamp or grapple to engage and secure the material. The attachment is accordingly capable of crosscutting or saw bucking tree length stems after being limbed and topped and can also be employed in crosscutting lumber, cants, railroad ties, flitches, and/or any wood materials or products in need of crosscutting at variable positions. Operation of such attachments can include crosscutting or saw bucking with a hydraulic powered chain and saw bar, measuring and marking tree length timber into log lengths by engaging and clamping on forks/tines with top clamp, and side shift adjusting the position of the processing saw on a desired mark with a guiding system such as a camera, then cutting the material into one or more desired lengths.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, an attachment20for handling and variable length processing of a material28having a longitudinal axis L is shown. The attachment20includes a frame22, a material engagement assembly24coupled to the frame22, and a processing assembly26coupled to one end of the frame22. The material engagement assembly24is configured for engaging the material28about the longitudinal axis L thereof and the processing assembly26is configured to be variably positionable along a portion of the longitudinal axis L of the material28when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24.

The attachment20can be coupled to a powered vehicle (FIG.2) and used to handle various wood materials28ranging from a log, rough timber, and even finished timber, where such wood materials28can be transported and/or loaded, as well as where such wood materials28can be crosscut at one or more selected variable points.

Aspects of the attachment20provided herein include where no portion of the attachment20is operable to restrict a length of the material28along the longitudinal axis L thereof when engaged by the material engagement assembly24. For example, the material engagement assembly24can engage the material28at various points along the longitudinal axis L thereof without any structure of the attachment20interfering with any length of the material28. Configuration of the material engagement assembly24can therefore be absent of any obstruction or portion that would conflict with an extension of the longitudinal axis L of the material28, at any point along the material28or at any point along the longitudinal axis L extending beyond the material28. In this way, the attachment20has no restriction on the position and/or length of material28engageable by the material engagement assembly24. Certain types of attachments, other than those provided herein, can have an end plate or butt plate for stacking one or more wooden materials against, thereby providing a defined end point of the length and longitudinal axis L of the material28. Stacking multiple wooden materials against such a plate can allow a common end point for the multiple materials28, where combined crosscutting results in processed materials all having a common length. The attachment20of the present disclosure, however, has no restriction on the length of the material28relative to the material engagement assembly24so that a log, rough timber, or finished timber (e.g., lumber, board, plank, etc.) can be processed at almost any point along a length thereof.

With continued reference toFIGS.1-3, the frame22includes a front side30, a back side32, and vertical support members34disposed at opposing ends36and configured to support the material engagement assembly24. The frame22is shown as a generally rectangular structure.

As best shown inFIG.3, in one example, the frame22can include a plurality of tubular support beams38extending longitudinally and across the vertical support members34, wherein each tubular support beam38has a generally square cross-section39(FIG.1). It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the shape, size and number of support beans, as desired. In a non-limiting example, the frame22can include cylindrical support beams having a circular cross-section.

The frame22can include a track system120coupled to the processing assembly26for adjusting the position of the processing assembly26about the longitudinal axis L of the material28when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24. As best shown inFIG.3, the track system120includes an upper outer beam122, an upper inner beam124, a lower outer beam126, and a lower inner beam128. The upper inner beam124is configured to be detachably coupled to and slidingly engaged with the upper outer beam122to permit the upper inner beam124to extend or telescope from the upper outer beam122. Likewise, the lower inner beam128is configured to be detachably coupled to and slidingly engaged with the lower outer beam126to permit the lower inner beam128to extend or telescope from the lower outer beam126. The processing assembly26can be coupled to the track system120via an attachment assembly132(FIG.1). In this way, the telescoping track system120provides the attachment20with a variable length to allow the processing assembly26to be variably positionable along the portion of the longitudinal axis L of the material28when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24.

The track system120can be powered in various ways to control the telescoping movement of the upper inner beam124and lower inner beam128. In one example, the attachment20includes hydraulically powering the track system120. A hydraulic cylinder130is provide that is adapted to control the telescoping movement of the upper inner beam124and lower inner beam128, thereby controlling the position of the processing assembly26.

It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can employ any track system known in the art suitable for permitting the processing assembly26to be variably positionable, as desired. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can employ a frame22having any configuration known in the art that is suitable for supporting the material engagement assembly24and/or the processing assembly26, as desired. For example, as shown inFIGS.4-5, the frame22can include a solid structure39extending between the vertical support members34.

The material engagement assembly24includes a planar engagement surface40and a curved engagement surface42(best shown inFIG.3) configured to move relative to the planar engagement surface40to engage the material28therebetween. In one example, the material engagement assembly24can include a grab44having the planar engagement surface40and the curved engagement surface42. The grab44can include various numbers of tines, hooks, jaws, bucket portions, and other articulating surfaces to engage the material28.

In the example shown inFIGS.1-2, the material engagement assembly24includes a pair of planar tines46having the planar engagement surface40and a top clamp48having the curved engagement surface42. The pair of planar tines46can be parallel relative to each other and are coupled at opposing ends36of the frame22and each planar tine46includes a first planar portion50and a second planar portion52at a right angle relative to the first planar portion50. In this way, the second planar portion52of each planar tine46can be coupled to the front side30of the frame22such that the first planar portion50extends from a bottom end54of the second planar portion52and away from the frame22. The first planar portion50includes a bottom56that is configured to engage a ground surface or floor of a work site.

With further reference toFIGS.10-11, the top clamp48includes a proximal end58, a distal end60, and an inner concave edge62(FIG.11) defining the curved engagement surface42. The curved engagement surface42is configured to bear against and stabilize the material28while the material28is being cut, which is described in greater detail below.

In one example, the top clamp48can include a pair of curved tines64and a crossmember66therebetween. A distance between the pair of curved tines64can decrease towards the distal end60of the top clamp48. The crossmember66can be disposed between the pair of curved tines64to provide additional structural stability for engagement with the material28. In one example, the top clamp48includes a plurality of crossmembers66including a distal end crossmember68and a central crossmember70. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the number and location of the crossmember66depending on the size of the top clamp48, as desired.

The top clamp48is configured to be pivotally coupled to a top portion72of the frame22via a hinged connection. More specifically, the proximal end58of each curved tine64is coupled to the top portion72of the frame22via a hinge assembly76that is adapted to facilitate pivotal movement of the top clamp48relative to the frame22about a substantially horizontal axis X of rotation for vertical-lift rotation, as shown by arrow A (FIG.8). The vertical-lift rotation allows the top clamp48to pivot between an open position (FIG.1) and a closed position (FIG.2). The closed position includes a fully closed position and any intermediate position between the open position and fully closed position, which is described in greater detail below.

The material engagement assembly24can be powered in various ways to control the pivotal movement of the top clamp48so that the curved engagement surface42moves relative to the planar engagement surface40. In one example, the attachment20includes hydraulically powering the material engagement assembly24. In this non-limiting example, a hydraulic actuator78is provided that is adapted to control the pivotal movement of the top clamp48about the horizontal axis X of rotation, thereby controlling engagement of the material28between the curved engagement surface42and planar engagement surface40. A hydraulic actuator78can be provided for each one of the curved tines64, wherein each hydraulic actuator78includes a first end80connected to a respective curved tine64via a hinged connection and a second end82connected to the frame22via a hinged connection. In one example, the hydraulic actuator78can be disposed substantially parallel to its respective curved tine64(FIG.1). Alternatively, the hydraulic actuator78can be disposed in the vertical support members34of the frame22(FIG.5). It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may employ other types of actuators for controlling pivotal movement of the top clamp48, as desired. Non-limiting examples include pneumatic actuators and mechanical actuators, among others.

In operation, extension or retraction of the hydraulic actuator78causes the top clamp48to pivot between the open position and the closed position or intermediate position to permit engagement and disengagement of the material28. In the open position, the top clamp48is vertically lifted in a direction away from the pair of planar tines46such that the top clamp48is disengaged with the material28thereby allowing the material28(e.g., a log) to be loaded onto or removed from the material engagement assembly24, and more specifically, allowing the material28to be loaded onto or removed from a portion of the planar engagement surface40of the pair of planar tines46. Where the material28is loaded onto the pair of planar tines46, extension or retraction of the hydraulic actuator78causes the top clamp48to pivot about the horizontal axis X of rotation in a direction toward the pair of planar tines46until the curved engagement surface42of the top clamp48bears against the material28such that the material28is engaged with and retained between the curved engagement surface42and the planar engagement surface40(e.g., closed position). In the closed position, the position of the top clamp48is determined by the size and/or amount of material28being retained and can include the fully closed position and any intermediate position between the open position and fully closed position. For example, the top clamp48may be in the fully closed position when retaining a small log having a small diameter and in an intermediate position when retaining a larger log having a larger diameter. As such, when the top clamp48is in the fully closed position, the distance between the curved engagement surface42and planar engagement surface40is less than the distance between curved engagement surface42and planar engagement surface40when the top clamp48is in an intermediate position.

ReferringFIGS.1-4and6, the processing assembly26is configured to be variably positionable along a portion of the longitudinal axis L of the material28when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24. The processing assembly26can be slidably disposed proximate one of the opposing ends36of the frame22relative to the material engagement assembly24. The processing assembly26can be laterally positioned relative to the material engagement assembly24such that the processing assembly26can be translated along the longitudinal axis L of the material28to a desired processing point. The processing assembly26can include a casing84slidably disposed proximate an end36of the frame and a saw86pivotally coupled to the casing84.

In one example, as described above, the processing assembly26can be slidably coupled to the frame22via the attachment assembly132. More specifically, the casing84of the attachment assembly132can be coupled to the upper inner beam124and the lower inner beam128of the track system120via the attachment assembly132. As shown inFIG.6, the attachment assembly132can include a mounting plate134affixed to the upper and lower inner beams124,128and the casing84. In this way, the telescoping feature of the track system120permits the attached processing assembly26to be variably positionable as the upper and lower inner beams124,128extends from and/or retracts into the upper and lower outer beams122,126, respectively.

It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can use any attachment means known in the art suitable for attaching the casing84to the upper and lower inner beams124,128, as desired. Non-limiting examples include welding, fastening, and soldering, among others.

The saw86is configured to be movable between a retracted position (FIG.4) and an extended position (FIG.9) to cut the material28orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L thereof when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24. Examples of the saw include a chain saw, a circular saw, and a reciprocating saw. The saw86can be powered in various ways and in one example, the saw86is driven by a hydraulic motor88. A hydraulic cylinder90can be provided to facilitate and control the pivotal movement of the saw86about a substantially horizontal pivot axis X2 of rotation (FIGS.2and4), thereby controlling the retraction and extension of the saw86.

In operation, when the material28is engaged and retained by the material engagement assembly24, the casing84of the processing assembly26can slide along the longitudinal axis L of the material28via the track system120thereby permitting side shift adjustment of the position of the casing84and therefore the saw86to a desired mark. Advantageously, in this way, the material28can be processed without adjusting the position of the material28within the material engagement assembly24.

Referring toFIGS.4-11, the attachment20can include a roller system92configured to drive the material28through the material engagement assembly24along a substantially linear travel path, as shown by arrow B (FIG.7). The linear travel path can correspond to the longitudinal axis L of the material28. The roller system92can be configured to permit the material28to travel along the linear travel path in a first direction toward the processing assembly26and a second direction away from the processing assembly26.

As best shown inFIGS.8-9, in one example, the roller system92can be configured to be rotationally coupled to the frame22and the top clamp48of the material engagement assembly24to drive the material28through the material engagement assembly24.

The roller system92can include a plurality of roller devices94, each roller device94having a shaft96mounted to a rotatable arm and a row of guide rollers98mounted on the shaft96. The row of guide rollers98can include outer guide rollers100and inner guide rollers102disposed between the outer guide rollers100. In one example shown inFIG.10, the outer guide rollers100define a diameter D1that is larger than a diameter D2of the of the inner guide rollers102such that the row of guide rollers98forms a concave or crescent shape corresponding to a curved outer surface104of the material28. In a further example, the outer guide rollers100can be the same size and the inner guide rollers102can be the same size. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the size and location of the guide rollers, as desired, to conform to a shape of the material28.

In operation, actuation of the roller system92causes the plurality of roller devices94to rotate via the rotatable arm. In one example, the roller system92is hydraulically powered and includes a hydraulic motor adapted to control rotational movement of the plurality of roller devices94to drive the material28along the linear travel path in the first direction and the second direction. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may employ other suitable means known in the art to power the roller system92, as desired.

Each guide roller98in the row of guide rollers98can be serrated (FIG.11) for increased grip of the material28and to facilitate driving the material through the material engagement assembly24. It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan may scale the size and shape of the guide rollers98, as desired, to conform to the material28being cut.

As shown inFIGS.6-8, in one example, the attachment20can include roller devices94disposed on the frame22and roller devices94disposed on the top clamp48. More specifically, two roller devices94are disposed along the front side30of the frame22between the second planar portion52of the pair of planar tines46and two roller devices94are disposed along the inner concave edge62of the top clamp48. In this way, the plurality of roller devices94are mounted to the frame22and top clamp48such that the linear travel path, as shown by arrow B (FIG.7), in which the material28travels is defined by the row of guide rollers98of each roller device94. Furthermore, the concave or crescent shape of each guide roller98formed by the varying diameters between outer guide rollers100and inner guide rollers102collectively creates a shape of the linear travel path that corresponds to a shape of the material28.

It should be appreciated that a skilled artisan can scale the location of the roller devices94, as desired. For example, as shown inFIG.6, the top clamp48includes a pair of roller devices94attached to and extending from the distal end crossmember68to the central crossmember70such that one end of each roller device94is disposed near the distal end60of the top clamp48. In a further example, as shown inFIG.7, the top clamp48includes a pair of roller devices94attached to and extending from a proximal end crossmember69to the central crossmember70such that one end of each roller device94is disposed near the proximal end58of the top clamp48.

In operation, extension or retraction of the hydraulic actuator78causes the top clamp48to pivot about the horizontal axis X in a direction away from the pair of planar tines46until the top clamp48reaches the open position thereby permitting the material28to be loaded. Once loaded, extension or retraction of the hydraulic actuator78causes the top clamp48to pivot about the horizontal axis X in a direction toward the pair of planar tines46until the roller devices94disposed on the top clamp48bears against the material28such that the material is engaged with and secured between the roller devices94of the top clamp48and pair of planar tines46(e.g., the closed position). In the closed position, the plurality of roller devices94engage with and surround the material28thereby creating the linear travel path. The material28can be moved in a selected direction via the hydraulic motor. For example, the hydraulic motor can drive the material28in the first direction toward the processing assembly26to permit crosscutting of the material28via the saw86. Alternatively, the hydraulic motor can drive the material28in the second direction away from the processing assembly26.

Advantageously, the roller system92drives the material28through the material engagement assembly24without requiring a user to disengage the material after every cut and thus allows crosscutting the material28more efficiently. Furthermore, no portion of the attachment20provided herein restricts the length of the material28along the longitudinal axis L thereof when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24. As such, the material engagement assembly24can engage the material28at various points along the longitudinal axis L thereof without any structure of the attachment20interfering with any length of the material28or restricting a length of the material28.

Referring back toFIG.4, the attachment20can further include a guide system106configured to ascertain a processing location when the processing assembly26is positioned along a portion of the longitudinal axis L of the material28, when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24. The guide system106can include a camera108configured to transmit an image of the processing location. For example, the camera108can transmit the image to a display in the powered vehicle to which the attachment20is coupled. In this way, the vehicle operator can view the image to better ascertain a desired processing point of the material28. The material28(e.g., log, rough timber, lumber, board, plank, etc.) can be premarked for processing, where the operator can identify one or more markings using the guide system106. Alternatively, the operator can use the guide system106to measure and/or locate a desired processing location based upon processing criteria. The guide system106can be disposed on the processing assembly26. The guide system106can include projecting a processing location (e.g., cutting location) onto the material using a light (e.g., laser) or the guide system106can provide a phantom or virtual image of a processing location in the image provided on the display. Certain embodiments include where the processing assembly26includes a saw86and a casing84, where the saw86is configured to cut the material28orthogonal to the longitudinal axis thereof when the material28is engaged by the material engagement assembly24, the saw86at least partially covered by the casing84when not in use, and where the guide system106can be coupled to the casing84.

The guide system106can further include a measuring device disposed on the roller system92to measure data (e.g., length) and/or locate the desired processing location based upon processing criteria.

As shown inFIG.2, the attachment20of the present disclosure can be provided on a powered vehicle110. For example, the attachment20can be adapted for coupling to various wheeled and/or tracked vehicles or carriers, including articulating loaders, skid steer loaders, forklifts, tractors, etc. In this way, preexisting equipment can be outfitted with the attachment, as well as other attachments (e.g., buckets, grapples, blades, etc.). It is also possible to have a powered vehicle110dedicated for use with the attachment20for handling and variable length processing of a material28having a longitudinal axis L. The attachment20can be reversibly coupled to the powered vehicle110, allowing removal for replacement or maintenance thereof, or exchange with a differently configured attachment.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.