Patent ID: 8517066

Claim:
A self-climbing tree trimmer for shaping and severing peripheral growth from a living tree, said tree trimmer comprising: a rigid frame attached to a split-top plate moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration, a trunk of the tree is receivable within the frame attached to the split-top plate, and wherein in the closed configuration, the frame and attached split-top plate define a central passageway through which the trunk extends when positioned thereon such that the split-top plate extends along a horizontal plane and along with the rigid frame substantially encircles the tree trunk; a climbing portion comprising a plurality of inwardly extending climbing carriages slidably interfaced with the frame and distributed about the central passageway, wherein each of the climbing carriages is slidable along a linear bearing slide attached to the frame and extending along a horizontal axis such that the climbing carriage is axially extendable along the horizontal axis toward the central passageway with an actuator attached to the frame, the actuator comprising an elongate member that is elongate and axially extendable along the horizontal axis, wherein each climbing carriage includes a vertically extending roller frame having at least two driven rollers mounted thereon for engaging a surface of the tree trunk when the carriage is axially extended toward the central passageway, the at least two driven rollers being configured for climbing and descending the tree trunk, wherein the plurality of climbing carriages comprises at least three climbing carriages, each being slidable and inwardly extendable independently of each other upon actuation of their respective actuator; a trimming portion attached to the frame and moveable relative to the frame, wherein the trimming portion is rotationally driven and includes one or more cutting tools; one or more drive assemblies for driving the trimming portion and the at least two rollers of each carriage of the climbing portion and the trimming portion; and a control system for effecting and coordinating actuation of the actuators and driving of the at least two rollers of the climbing portion and the trimming portion.