Patent ID: 8006725

Claim:
A log splitter comprising: a frame; a bed defined on the frame for accepting a log to be split with the log in an operative position, the bed having an operating length between first and second components between which a log resides in the operative position, the first component comprising a wedge, the log splitter having: (a) a first operative state wherein the bed has a first operating length; and (b) a second operative state wherein the bed has a second operating length that is different than the first operating length, with the log splitter in the first operative state, at least one of the first and second components is movable: (a) from a first starting position towards the other of the first and second components in a first lengthwise direction to cause the wedge to be driven against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof; and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in a second lengthwise direction oppositely to the first lengthwise direction back into the first starting position, with the log splitter in the second operative state, the one of the first and second components is movable: (a) from a second starting position, that is different than the first starting position, towards the other of the first and second components in the first lengthwise direction against a log in the operative position to effect splitting thereof; and (b) thereafter, away from the other of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction back into the second starting position; a blocking component on the frame having a blocking portion capable of being fixed in at least first and second different positions relative to the frame; and an operating assembly comprising a drive assembly through which the at least one of the first and second components is moved in the first and second lengthwise directions, wherein the blocking component is: a) in its first position relative to the frame with the log splitter in the first operative state; and b) in its second position relative to the frame with the log splitter in the second operative state, the blocking portion fixed in the first position and engaging the one of the first and second components as the one of the first and second components moves up to and against the blocking portion to block movement of the one of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction consistently in the first starting position with the blocking portion remaining fixed in the first position and the log splitter in the first operative state, the blocking portion fixed in the second position and engaging the one of the first and second components as the one of the first and second components moves up to and against the blocking portion to block movement of the one of the first and second components in the second lengthwise direction consistently in the second starting position with the blocking portion remaining fixed in the second position and the log splitter in the second operative state.