GB2244953A - Portable logging vice - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable vice comprises members 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 which form two rigid Vs which in conjunction with a chain 9 tensioned by a lever 11 can securely hold a variety of workpieces while work is being done on them. A branch of a tree, for example, can be held at one end and cantilevered out from the vice so that many short logs can be cut from it without it being necessary to reposition the branch between cuts. The vice may be attached to a vertical surface such as, for example, a brick wall by screws or bolts passing through holes 15. It may also be attached to other upstanding structures such as trees or fence posts by the use of a bolted-on adaptor 18, 19, 20, 21. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE LOGGING VICE This invention relates to portable means an which lengths t timber such as tree branclies or other work pieces nay be gripped and held securely to be sawn or otherwise worked on.

It is usual practice to use a stand, often called a horse. formes of two or more similar pairs of crossed members positioned in the vertical plane and held rigidity spaced apart by horizontal members to form secure. . in 1 ine . Vs to support the timber horizontally at a suitable height. When using this device, for example, to saw off logs of a convenient length from a long branch, it is necessary to maintain equilibrum by moving the branch axially relative to the Vs as material is removed. Moving the timber usually entails putting down the saw which, especially if the saw is a chain saw, is both t ed' us and time consuming. The fact that the timber rests and is not tightly clamped in the VS is both a potentia source of difficulty and mishap.

It is the aim of the present invention to enable tlmber or other workpieces, to be securely gripped is such a manner that a number of cuts. or other operations can safely be made Without putting down the saw or moving the timber According to the present invention there is provided a vice for holding a workpiece , such as, for example, a log, comprising a cradle, a preferably flexible retraining member and biasing means for biasing the retaining member to a position in which it clamps the workpiece rigidly against the cradle.

Preferably the vice comprises mounting,means for mounting it against a vertical surface or securing it to an upstanding structure.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided a device, fabricated from lengths of iron angle or other suitable strong rigid material, which can be securely fixed to a rigid surface such as a brick wall and which forms two Vs rigidly spaced apart horizontally in which tile ena c' a piece of timber can rest and in which it can be tightly clamped by means of a chain tensioned by a lever system. The device is so arranged that the timber is held substantially horizontal and substantially at right angles to the wall.The strong clamping act ion achleved between the Vs and E no chain allows the timber to be cantilevered out from the vice and thus allows unrestricted work to be performed on a substantial length without the necessity tct reposition it as. for example, when cutting timber into convenient sized logs. Mis-shaped.

and/or various sized pieces of timber can be securely held in the vice.

The vice may be attached to an adapter to enable it to be securely attached to trees or fence posts or other upstanding structures as distinct from flat surfaces.

A preferred specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a typical arrangement of the vice Figure 2 shows the adaptor attached to the vice.

Figure 3 shows the adaptor separated from the vice.

Figure 4 how a plan view of the adaptor attached to a vertical structure such as a tree.

Angle pieces i and 2 which are weld-d together at a suitable angle typically 90 degrees. together for a V in which the workpiece can rest. Angle pieces 3 and 4 are also welded together to form a V at a sirnilar angle to that between 1 and @ and rigidly attached to 1 and 2 by means of members 5 and 6 in such a way that the two Vs are spaced apart typically.

15 - 10 centimetres overall Member 7 is rigidly attached to member 1 and carriers an anchorage 8 near its upper end, to which is attached a length of chain 9. At a point near the lower end of member 7 a pivot 10 carries a lever 11 to which are fixed projecting pins 12 and 13. Pin 12 is positioned close to the pivot 10 so that high leverage is obtained when pressure is applied to the end of te lever 11. Pin 13 is positioned near the free end of the lever 11 but sufficiently far from the end as not to interfere with a hand hold on the lever. Also at the extreme lower end of member 7 is fixed a projecting pin 14.

The vice is attached to a brick wall or other rigid structure by means of bolts, or other suitable fixings. through three holes 15 in the members 1 and Alternatively the vice may be bolted to the adaptor through the tree holes 15 in members 1 and 2 of the vice and corresponding three holes 17 in members 18 and 19 of the adapt or and the adaptor attached to upstanding structures.

The adaptor is constructed as shown in Figure 3 from members 18 and 19. typically lengths of iron angle. spaced apart by metal strips 20 and 21 which may be attached by welding or other suitable means.

At a point approximately one quarter to a third down from the top of members 10 and 19 are positioned respectively a fixed anchorage 22 for a length of chain 23 and a pin 24 in which the chain 23 may Ije hooked.

In use the adaptor is held against the upstanding structure and the chain 23 is passed, approximately horizontally round the hack of the structure, tensioned lightly and hooked onto pin 24 to the nearest link. The adaptor is then pushed downwards to tension the chain and securely clamp the adaptor to the supporting structure.

In use. the end of a length of timber is resred in the Vs formed by members 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 of the vice and held in that position with the left hand or arm while chain 9 is passed over the end of the timber and, with the lever 11 in the upper position, as shown in figures 1 and 2. lightly tensioned and hooked over the pin 12 to the nearest link possible. Lever 11 is then rotated downwards with the right hand to tension title chain and hold the timber tightly in place.With the left hand, which is new tree, the free end of the chain 9 is passed under the pin 14 and hooked onto pin 13 to the nearest link. This locks the lever 11 in the chain tensioning position and thus holds the timber securely cantilevered out from the vice.

The position of the chain anchorage 8 and the lever 11 are arranged so that in use the chain 9 applies a downward pressure on the timber at a short distance from its end, typically approximately 5 centimetres In an alternative arrangement the lever li may be locked in the chain-tensioning position by means of a separate :hort chain which can be fitted between pins 13 and 14. In practice it would be desirable to fix one end of this chain at either pin 13 or pin 14 position.

The timbei- can now be cut into as many short lengths as required without repositioning the timber.

In order to facilitate positioning of the saw, particularly a chain saw and especially if cutting larger timber a short tube rigidly attached to member 3 to hold a stick e wooden dowel to act as an indication of the position of the metal parts of the vice which are masked from view by the timber.

To release the last log lever 11 is pushed downwards slightly and chain 9 removed from pin 13 and from under pin 14. Lever 11 can then be raised slightly. the chain removed from pin 12 and hung over member 6 and the log removed. . The level' is then raised to the uppermost position ready for the next clamping operation.

The relative distances of the pin 12 and the end of the lever from the fulcrum pin 10 are such that a high clamping pressure can be generated in the chain 9 for a relatively light pressure on the end of the lever 11.

It is a feature of the lever system that lever 11 will remain in the uppermost position. as shown. when raised to this position. In the example described axial loading of the pivot spindle 10 by means of spring pressure. using well known engineering principies, provides sufficient friction to achieve this condition. Alternatively lever 11 may be counterbalanced by means of a weight or by spring or springs.

Claims (1)

1. A vice for holding a workpiece such as, for example. a log comprising a cradle. a preferably flexible retaining member and biasing means for biasing the retaining member to a position in which it clamps the workpiece rigidly against the cradle.

2. A vice and adaptor comprising mounting means for mounting the vice against a vert cal surface or securing It to an upstanding structure.

8. A vice as claimed in claims 1 and 2 in which the mounting means for mounting the vice is such that the workpiece projects from the structure 4. A vice as claimed in claims 1 and 2 in which the mounting means for mounting the vice is such that the workpiece is held parallel to the structure.

5. A vice as claimed in clairns 1 and 2 in which a flexible membre. e.g. a chain clamps the workpiece against the cradle.

6. A vice as claimed In claim 5 in which tension is applied to the chain by means of a screw and handwheel.

7. A vice as claimed In claim 5 In which tension is applied to the chain by means of a pivoted lever.

8. A vice as claimed in claim 7 in which the free end of the chain is used to lock the pivoted lever in the chaintensioning position.

9. A vice as claimed in claim 7 in which a separate short chain is used to lock the pivoted lever in the chain- tensioning position.

10. A vice and adaptor substantially as described herein with reference to Figures l t 4 of the accompanying drawings.