The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 1987
Filed:
Jul. 26, 1985
Timothy H Wentzell, South Windsor, CT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A log splitting apparatus and method for use in conjunction with a substantially horizontally mounted source of rotational power, such as the take off (20) and hitch lift unit (16) of a farm type tractor (10). The apparatus is disclosed in the form of a rigid frame (30) attached to the unit (16), and includes strut members (26,28) for maintaining the frame in a horizontal orientation. A drive shaft (60) is horizontally supported through the frame with one end connected as a universal joint (40) to the take off, and the other end extending behind the frame. A drive transfer gear arrangement (42) is connected to the extending end of the drive shaft, and an auger (44,46) is perpendicularly connected to the transfer gear arrangement. Preferably, the tractor is maneuvered to straddle a series of end-to-end logs (12) so that the auger (46), while pointing downward and rotated by the power take off and drive shaft, is lowered onto and lifted from each log in succession, by means of the lift unit. After the logs have been split, the frame or auger can be remounted to point upward so that the log segments can be further split by manual placement on the rotating auger. Two embodiments are shown for remounting the auger, the first having an auger pivot assembly (54) on a stationary frame, and the second requiring unitary reversal of the frame, drive gear arrangement, and auger.