GB2210458A - Tariffing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A tariffing device for use in preparing a forestry volume inventory comprises a combination of two or all of an axe (7, 9), a calliper (7, 15) or a scribe 31. One of the jaws 7 of the calliper (7, 15) serves as an axe head and has a slot (11) to receive the other calliper blade (15) which is movable. The movable blade (15) is attached to a tubular handle (21, 23) which is slidable on the shaft (1) of the axe head and lockable thereon by a screw collet device (25, 27, 29). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Tariffing Device DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device for use in preparing a forestry volume inventory - usually called tariffing.

To find the volume of a set amount of trees it is usual to take the following steps:1) Count all trees and mark with an axe 2) At set or random * points, measure the tree diameter with a girth tape or callipers at a set height from gound level - usually 1.3m - and the dimension referred to breast height diameter. *The sampling fraction is determined by using certain tables in a Forestry Commission book.

3) After a certain amount of diameters has been taken, a tree is chosen for top height. These trees are marked with a Roman numeral using a scribe and tape height taken either using a hypsometer, or by felling the tree.

The above steps of tariffing call for the use of three relatively small items any one of which can easily be lost - namely an axe, a tape or calliper and a penknife sized scribe. In the case of the tape this can easily become damaged or cut through.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device which overcomes the above problems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tariffing device which combines two or more of an axe, a calliper or a scribe, preferably all three.

The axe may be combined with the scribe or with the calliper. Alternatively the calliper may be combined with the scribe, but we prefer to combine all three.

By combining two or more of these elements, and especially combining all three, there is provided a device which reduces the aforementioned problems.

Indeed, our device is faster to use and hence more economic than the separate items. In that regard we have found that marking 1000 trees can be done an hour quicker than with known devices. Small trees are less valuable and we aim this product at being especially intended for smaller trees which can be measured with a calliper reading upto 30cm. This is large enough to cater for first and second thinnings.

We provide two jaws which are movable relative to one another for use as a calliper in measuring tree trunk diameter. A particularly advantageous construction results where one of the jaws also serves as an axe head and for the shaft of the axe head to serve as a guide on which the other jaw is slidable.

We find it particularly advantageous to provide a slot in the jaw that serves as the axe and to have the other jaw dimensioned to fit in this slot so that it is protected out of harms way when the device is being used as an axe.

We find that making the axe head of aluminium with an inset steel blade is particularly effective, whilst keep weight down.

We also find it advantageous to have the scribe preferably made of stainless steel set into the axe head, preferably to the back, i.e. opposite from the axe blade. Particularly convenient arrangement results where the scribe is slidably received in the head with locking means to retain it in an extended or retracted position.

The shaft is conveniently of aluminium and preferably provided with a longitudinal groove in the periphery in which the movable jaw is slidably received. This keeps it in alignment with the slot in the head. We also find it advantageous to have calibrations marked on the shaft and preferably set in a longitudinal groove, so as to prevent them from rubbing off.

We find that making the end of the shaft hollow provides a convenient reception for a relescope or pen/pencil.

A further advantageous feature is the provision of a sliding handle, preferably made of a plastics material such as Nylon, to which the movable jaw is secured. Apart from serving as a grip for the device when used as an axe and providing a convenient means of sliding the jaw when used as a calliper it also protects the shaft and grooves when the device/axe is being used for marking.

We prefer to provide a conical threaded end to the handle to receive a conical split collet-like sleeve with hand grip which is employed to lock the handle in position on the shaft.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a shaft and one jaw of the devices according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view of a handle and other jaw of the device according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a section on line III-III of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the parts of a tariffing device comprising a shaft 1, say of aluminium, and having two grooves 3, 5 running at least a substantial length of the shaft. To one end of the shaft is attached a first calliper blade 7 also serving as an axe head for which purpose it is conveniently provided with an insert for a steel blade 9 - say of L-shape as shown in dotted outline. The axe head 7 is fixed onto the shaft 1 by any convenient means. The axe head is slotted over the area bounded by the sides of the axe head 6, 8 and the dotted lines 11 and cut away as at 13 to receive a movable calliper blade 15. The calliper blade 15 is secured to a handle 17 which is hollow to be received slidably on the shaft 1.In fact we slot the end of the handle so that the calliper blade projects into the hollow interior at 19 with this projecting part being received in the groove 3 in the shaft 1 and thereby serving as a guide. We prefer to have the handle of stepped diameter as at 21, 23 for ease of holding.

Also shown is a conical thread 25 in the end of the handle which receives threadingly a split collet like sleeve 27 having a knurled portion 29 or other formations suitable for gripping. The interior of the sleeve can thus be caused to engage grippingly the exterior of the shaft 1 to hold the handle in any desired position.

Also illustrated in Figure 1 is a scribe 31 say of stainless steel, which is received slidably in a bore 33 in the axe head 7. The scribe has any convenient shape of end to facilitate marking of the tree trunk. A thumb screw 35 screws into the axe head and has an end which is engageable on the scribe to lock it in anv desired nosition. This thumb screw or

preferably a separate allen L stud as at 37 is provided to project into the base for the scribe and engage an end stop on the scribe to prevent same from falling out.

Calibrations for the calliper are accommodated in the groove 5 with dimensions being made between the respective faces 39, 41 of the calliper blades 7, 15.

With the @@@@@@@ @@@@@per plage 15 located in the slot in the blade 7 and locked in position by the collar 27, the device can say used as an axle, or as a scribe < = the scribe is extended from the bore and locked in Position Releasing of the collar 27 allows the handle and blade 15 to be moved for use as a calliper. The convenience of operation will be readily apparent.

Claims (16)

1. A tariffing device having a shaft-like handle and comprising a combination of two or all of an axe, a calliper or a scribe.

2. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calliper comprises two jaws which are movable relative to one another.

3. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the jaws also serves as an axe head and the shaft of the axe head serves as a guide on which the other jaw is slidable.

4. A tarrifing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the jaw that serves as the axe head is provided with a slot, within which the other jaw is dimensioned to fit.

5. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the axe has an aluminium head with an inset steel blade.

6. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the scribe is set into the axe head, preferably the back thereof opposite from its blade or into a blade of the calliper.

7. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the scribe is slidably received in the axe head or in a blade or said blade of the calliper with locking means to retain it in an extended or retracted position.

8. A tariffing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the scribe is made of stainless steel.

9. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the shaft is provided with a longtitudinal groove in the periphery serving as a guide in which the movable jaw is slidably received.

10. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the shaft is marked with calibrations set in a longtitudinal groove.

11. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the shaft is made of aliminium.

12. A tariffing device as claimed in any previous claim, wherein an end of the shaft is provided with reception means for a telescope or pen/pencil.

13. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 2 or any claim appendent thereto, wherein the movable jaw is secured to a handle slidably received on the shaft.

14. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the handle has a conical threaded end to receive a conical split collet-like sleeve with hand grip which is employed to lock the handle in position on the shaft.

15. A tariffing device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the handle is made of plastics material.

16. A tariffing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.