NZ248511A - Saw guide and conveyor mechanism for milling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

248 5 11 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $260.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 M COMPLETE SPECIFICATION r* 2 5 AUG 1994 ;K ;After Provisional \ ■> ;No: 248511 " " ;Dated: 26 August 1993 ;MILL ;I Michael Thomas Fulcher, a New Zealand citizen of 22 Parsons ;Street, New Plymouth, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;1 ;248511 ;MILL ;technical field ;This invention relates to mills. ;background Art ;The present invention has uses in any milling application, however in this specification reference will usually be made to portable lumber mills including a chainsaw attachment device. However the scope of the present invention should not be limited to this particular application. ;Traditionally logging and milling of trees have been carried out in separate physical locations. This has the disadvantage that significant time and energy must be spent transporting felled trees from the logging site to the milling site. To overcome this disadvantage portable lumber mills have been developed to enable logs to be milled in the same environment in which they are felled, thus saving significant time and energy. ;In portable lumber mills chainsaws are typically used to mill the fallen trees. Chainsaw engines are remarkably versatile as energy sources, and have extremely efficient power to weight ratios. For example modern saw engines produce about 0.5 to 0.8 kilowatts of power per kilogram of weight. This ratio is the second highest power to weight ratio of any engine, second only to a formula one racing car. ;Conventional portable lumber mills Suffer from several disadvantages. For example, it is preferable to be able to mill the trees exactly where they have fallen, a process which eliminates the need for heavy expensive ;248511 ;equipment to move the tree after felling. Several conventional lumber mills although portable, may only operate in limited environments. For example conventional portable mills do not often operate effectively on rough terrain or rugged ground. It would be an advantage to provide a truly portable lumber mill operable in any environment. ;Conventional lumber mills are also typically difficult to operate. Often lumber mills require more than one person to operate them, and typically one of these people must be positioned near the chainsaw while it is being operated. This has the disadvantage that sawdust and noise from the saw present a significant health hazard, and it is typically inconvenient for the operator to use the saw in these conditions. A chainsaw whereby the operator is remote from the cutting blade would be a significant advantage over current lumber mills. ;A lumber mill which is environmentally friendly would also be a significant advantage. The operation of logging and subsequent milling can significantly damage the environment in which it is carried out. A lumber mill which minimises damage to the environment would be a significant advantage over current lumber mills. ;Further, a lumber mill which does not necessitate any modifications for attachment to a chainsaw would also be a significant advantage. This enables the chainsaw to be used on and off the mill without significant delay caused by modifying the chainsaw for its particular use. Further it enables the mill to be sold as a separate unit from the chainsaw, thus minimising cost to the purchaser. ;248511 ;One current lumber mill available on the market, which is commonly called the Granberg mill, is described in US Patent No. 3965788. The Granberg mill is a portable mill whereby a chainsaw is mounted upon a length of track, and a handle is provided on the mounting for movement of the chainsaw. This unit suffers from many disadvantages. ;One such disadvantage is that the operator in the Granberg mill must be located close to the cutting element of the chainsaw. This is a significant safety hazard in that unwise movements by the operator may result in physical harm to him or her. Also sawdust from the cutting process may interfere with the operator's vision, thus hindering accurate manipulation of the saw. Noise from the cutting operation is also a significant hearing hazard. ;In addition to these disadvantages, the operator of the Granberg mill must use both hands while operating the mill. Typically one hand is located on the handle, while the other hand is used to stabilise the saw. A lumber mill whereby the operator may have a free hand, and where stabilisation of the saw is not necessary would be a considerable advantage over the Granberg mill as it would give the operator less tasks to occupy him or her, thus freeing the operator to concentrate on the cutting process. ;Another problem in the Granberg mill is kick back and vibration. With the operator being close to the saw, kick back of the saw or vibration from the handle may damage the operator's hands. ;Finally a further disadvantage of the Granberg mill is that it is supplied as a multi-piece unit, which requires assembly before use. Typically the guide tracks in the Granberg mill, and any supporting members are ;24 ;supplied separately, and must be physically attached to a flat surface, such as a piece of timber before use. A lumber mill whereby guide units and stabilisation means are provided in a single moulded unit would save considerable set-up time. ;Other patents, such as New Zealand Patent Nos. 217710, 210430, 204533, 198944,197858,197296,197182,160208,129387 and 89280 have all attempted to provide a portable and easy to use timber mill. However none of these patents describe a mill whereby stabilisation of the saw is automatically achieved, with the operator being remote from the cutting mechanism of the saw. ;Further none of the above patents describe a saw whereby the engine speed of the saw may be remotely controlled. Such a device would have a considerable safety and practical advantage, as the operator does not need to risk coming close to the cutting member of the saw to activate or deactivate it. ;New Zealand Patent No. 54980 related to a bench adapted to allow back and forth movement of a circular saw along a track. The bench was powered by an electrical motor, and supports the operator during motion. The operator is positioned close to the saw. This specification includes mention of a means of moving a saw by a rope type arrangement. However this system is not remotely operable by an operator. Further the system is not truly portable and suffers from many disadvantage as discussed above. ;It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. ;248 ;Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. ;disclosure of invention ;According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, the conveying means capable of motion along the guiding means, the guiding means adapted to restrict the motion of the conveying means to be substantially along the guiding means. ;According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, the conveying means adapted to be mounted upon the guiding means and capable of motion thereover, the guiding means including a mounting means capable of stabilising the motion of the conveying means. ;According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, the conveying means including a device for attaching a cutting apparatus, a first mounting means to allow motion of the conveying means along the guiding means, and a first receiving means, the guiding means including a second receiving means, the first and second receiving means acting together to stabilise the motion of the conveying means. ;Throughout this specification the terms "guiding means" and "conveying means" will be referred to as a * track" and "carriage" respectively. The cutting apparatus shall be referred to as a chainsaw. It should be appreciated however that use of these terms is not intended to limit the scope of this specification in any way. In addition, the terms "mill" and "milling apparatus" will also be used interchangeably. This also is not intended to limit the scope of the specification in any way.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention we shall discuss the use of a milling apparatus in which the carriage of the apparatus is mounted on the track in such a way so as to allow the carriage to move over the track. The carriage may also include an attachment for a chainsaw, and movement of the carriage over the track is intended to allow the chainsaw to cut an object that is intended to be milled. Frequently this object may be a fallen tree (and will frequently be referred to as such, without intending to limit the scope of the specification in any way).

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the track may include portions which are intended to "stabilise" the motion of the carriage. This term is intended to denote any form of interaction with the carriage in which the carriage remains mounted appropriately on the track. For example, previous milling apparatus have suffered from the disadvantage that the carriage will often be jolted from the track when the chainsaw imparts a torque on the carriage. Any device provided on the track that helps prevent such jolting shall be referred to in the present specification as a means to "stabilise" the motion of the carriage.

In further embodiments of the present invention we shall refer to the carriage as moving "substantially along" the guiding means. This term is intended to refer to any motion by which the path of the carriage is guided (wholly or partly) by the guiding means.

In the majority of the remainder of the specification we shall discuss the milling apparatus with reference to a first and second receiving means, together with a first mounting means. For clarity, it should be understood that the first mounting means and the first receiving means will ususally both be part of the carriage, whereas the second receiving means will ususally form part of the track.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the second receiving means included in the track may be U-shaped, preferably with an upright of the "U" rotated 90°, so that the "U" lies on its side, to resemble a "C". Any other shape may also be used. In the remainder of this specification we will refer, without intention to limit the scope of this specification, to the second receiving means as a "C-shaped channel".

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the track may include a second mounting means in addition to the C-shaped channel. This second mounting means may include any device whereby the first mounting means of the carriage may be mounted on or inserted into the track. In preferred embodiments the second mounting means may be configured in an inverted V-shape, although other shapes may be used. This may be positioned on one extremity of the track, although any other position may also be used. In the remainder of this specification, we will refer to the second mounting means as an inverted V-shaped channel, without any intention to limit the scope of the specification by this terminology.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the C and V-shaped channels may be joined by a flat member, and thus may be formed from a single piece of material. Thus the track may be sold as a single unit, overcoming disadvantages in the prior art whereby analogous tracks were sold in multiple pieces.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention the C and inverted V-shaped channels may be mounted on a rectangular box, which may be hollow. This box may be made from any material, although preferably steel or other metal will be used.

A track including C and inverted V-shaped channels joined together, overcomes several disadvantages. As will be seen later, the C-shaped channels may serve to act as a stabilisation means for the chainsaw when in operation. This frees one hand of the chainsaw operator, which makes use of the mill more comfortable and safe. Additionally, set up time is reduced as a flat surface is already provided in the track. As will be seen later, this flat surface is useful in securing against a log prior to the milling operation, eliminating the need for the operator to do this manually, which has been a significant time consuming process.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention there may be included a carriage including an inverted V-shaped first mounting means for placing over the inverted V-shaped channel in the track. This allows the carriage to be moved along the track. This motion will typically be a sliding motion, although other motions may be possible.

A first receiving means, which may be a bearing mounted upon a rod may also be provided as part of the carriage. Insertion of this bearing into the U-shaped channel of the track may secure the carriage onto the track and remove the necessity for the operator to manually stabilise the carriage. Specifically insertion of this receiving means into the U-shaped channel may prevent rotational movement of the carriage about a pivot point located near the inverted V-shaped channel in the track. 24 8 5 Prevention of such rotational movement stabilises the carriage, and makes the milling operation significantly safer.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention the carriage may include a device for attaching a chainsaw. Preferably this may be a clamp included on part of the carriage. This clamp may receive the chainsaw bar and be securable by a bolt or bolts which may be done up reducing the distance between clamping surfaces, and thus trapping the chainsaw inside the clamp. Other clamping means may also be used.

By providing a clamp as part of the carriage, it should be appreciated that a chainsaw may be attached to the milling apparatus without any modification to the chainsaw. This overcomes a significant disadvantage of the prior art, and allow chainsaws to be used interchangeably as part of the milling apparatus, also for separate uses. This clearly saves equipment costs in that no additional equipment apart from the carriage and track need to be purchased by the user of the present invention.

In preferred embodiments the carriage may be designed so that it may travel smoothly over the track. For example, a balancing means on the carriage may be provided. In most embodiments of the present invention only one track is provided, although multiple tracks may be used if necessary.

To mill logs using the present invention, a substantially flat surface may be cut in a felled log. The track is then placed upon the flat surface and the chainsaw attached to the carriage. The carriage is then mounted upon the track. The carriage may then run up and down the track in what is preferably a straight line, although the actual shape of the motion is governed by the shape of the track. This however, is usually straight. 24851 1 The l og can then be milled as the operator of the lumber mill can make repeated straight cuts in the log at any desired width, which is the essence of milling. Typically the operator will make an initial cut in the log to remove unwanted semi-circular parts of the log. A second cut is then made and a substantially board-like portion of the log is removed. The edges of this board are trimmed by any means, and then loaded onto a carrying device. This operation is repeated many times, enabling the lumber mill operator to mill a felled log without removal of the log from the position in which it was felled.

By removing necessity for any heavy stand equipment, and by incorporating only a track and carriage, which typically can be made very compactly, the present lumber mill is operable in virtually any environment, and can do so in an environmentally friendly way.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention the step described above of cutting a flat surface in a felled log may not be carried out. The present invention may also be operable by directly placing the mill on a felled log and either cutting a flat surface using the mill or securing the mill to the log in some other way. Other modifications of the process described above may also be carried out, and the scope of the specification should extend to similar methods.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mill including a guiding means, conveying means and a motive means, said conveying means including a device for attaching a cutting apparatus and a mounting means, said mounting means allowing motion of said conveying means along said guiding means, said motive means allowing control of said motion by remote means. 11 248 In preferred embodiments of the present invention the motive means may be a winch or similar device. This winc^may be located at one end of the track, and is preferably maintained a sufficient distance away from the chainsaw so that sawdust, noise, or other safety hazards do not lead to safety problems. A rope may be attached from the winch to the carriage, enabling the carriage to be moved up and down the track by winding and unwinding of the winch. Other motive means may also be used.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention there may be provided two winches, one at each end of the track. However it is envisaged that the carriage need only be moved in one direction while the chainsaw is operating, and thus in many embodiments a second Vinch may be superfluous.

By providing a remote method for enabling movement of the carriage, the mill operator enjoys several advantages over operators of current mills. In addition to safety advantages, the current unit is faster to use, as the mill operator does not have to change position during the cutting operation. Also, if a tree is felled over a barrier such as a river, the operator does not have to traverse this barrier during milling.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mill including a guiding means, conveying means and a motive means, said conveying means including a device for attaching a cutting apparatus and a mounting means to allow motion of said conveying means along said guiding means, said motive means or conveying means allowing the control of said cutting apparatus by remote means.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention there may be provided a cable attachment from the carriage to the throttle of the 12 24 8 5 chainsaw. As the motive means is operated, for example by winding the winch handle, the cable may change its length, and may activate the throttle of the chainsaw. When the tension is removed from the winch rope, it is envisaged that the cable length will return to normal, and the throttle of the chainsaw will return to an idle position.

Various other means of controlling the operation of the chainsaw may be used. For example, there may be provided a cable separate from the winch rope for operation of the chainsaw throttle, or any other suitable means.

It should be appreciated that by remote control of the chainsaw throttle, a significant safety hazard in having to go near the chainsaw to turn it on or off is removed. Further this enables the lumber mill to be fully operable remotely, which gives it many of the advantages discussed earlier.

In further embodiments of the present invention there may be provided an additional framework to support the track in the present invention. For example, there may be provided a framework which may allow the track to be positioned above a piece of timber to be milled, without the necessity of an appropriate place (e.g. a flat portion of the log) on the timber being required for positioning on the track.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention this framework may be adjustable to allow blocks of wood of different sizes or shapes to be milled. In addition, there may be provided an adjustment means to conveniently move the wood to be milled to where the chainsaw may be used to mill the wood.

In these embodiments, this framework may also be foldable to ensure 13 24851 that the entire apparatus is completely portable. This framework may additionally be made of a light material (such as aluminium) to ensure that the unit is as portable as possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of milling objects including the use of a cutting apparatus and a milling apparatus, the milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, the method including the steps of: a) placing the guiding means on the object to be milled, and b) mounting the conveying means on the guiding means, and c) attaching the cutting apparatus to the conveying means, and d) allowing the conveying means to move along the guiding means.

As should be understood by the previous description in the specification, the method described above for milling objects (especially fallen trees) has a number of advantages over previous methods for milling objects. In particular, the above method of trees to be milled using a portable apparatus allows milling to occur with a minimum of time or labour usage.

The above method is mostly suitable for use with a portable milling apparatus as is described above. In this way the person milling the tree may simply place the milling apparatus on the fallen tree, and carry out the method as described above. In particular, it is envisaged that a single person may use the milling apparatus as described above, and significantly reduce previous difficulties in relation to milling trees. 14 248 5 11 Brief Description of Drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the track in the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a carriage in the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as used in milling of a log.

Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mopes for Carrying out the Invention With respect to Figure 1 there is illustrated a track 1.

Included in track 1 is an inverted V-shaped portion 2 and a C-shaped portion 3. These portions are joined by a flat segment 4.

As an alternative to flat portion 4, a box attachment 5 (shown by the dotted lines) may be used to join portions 2 and 3 of track 1.

By providing a flat segment 4 or box attachment 5, portions 2 and 3 of track 1 can be placed on a flat portion of a felled log (not shown). This 248 eliminates the time consuming step of separately attaching similar portions in the prior art to a flat surface, which is then placed on the felled tree. Thus the present invention enjoys a significant advantage over the prior art.

With regard to Figure 2 there is illustrated a carriage 10.

Carriage 10 includes two bar portions 11 which are aligned perpendicular to rod portions 12. At one end of rod portions 12 are provided bearings 13 which may be rotatable.

In between bar portions 11 are provided clamping plates 14. The separation of these plates is controlled by bolts 15, which may be tightened or loosened altering the distance between plates 14.

Comparison with the Granberg mill shows that bearings 13, which are designed to be inserted into the C-shaped portion 3 of Figure 1, are provided as an integral part of carriage 10. This was not done in the Granberg mill, and led to stabilisation problems.

With regard to Figure 3 there is illustrated a view of one embodiment of the present invention indicated by arrow 20.

In this embodiment carriage 10 is mounted upon track 1 as shown. The mounting consists of bar 11 being placed upon the inverted V-shaped portion 2 of track 1. This enables the carriage to be moved up and down the track 1 during milling.

In addition to this mounting means, bearing 13 is placed inside rotated U-shaped portion 3. As the bearing may rotate or slide, sliding motion of the carriage 10 is not inhibited, however rotational movement of the carriage 10 is prevented. One should note that overhang 21 of C-shaped 16 248511 portion 3 is configured so that bearing 13 fits closely inside C-shaped portion 3.

In particular, during operation of the lumber mill, when chainsaw blade 22 is being used to divide log 23 into vertical portions, substantial rotation or kick back of the chainsaw may lead to rotational movement of carriage 10 around pivot point 2. In previous mills this lead to stabilisation problems of the carriage. However one can see that in the present invention contact of bearing 13 with overhang 21 will prevent any rotation around pivot point 2, thus stabilising the carriage unit.

With regard to Figure 4 there is illustrated one embodiment 30 of the present invention as used in lumber cutting.

Winch 31 is attached to carriage 10 via a rope 35. Rope 35 is wound around a pulley 40 and attached to carriage 10. Carriage 10, as in Figure 3, is mounted upon track 1 and chainsaw 34 attached to carriage 10 via clamping means (not shown). The entire device is mounted upon a log 33 which is to be milled.

Mounted inside chainsaw handle 37 is a throttle switch 38 (see inset 1). When tension is applied to rope 35, cable 36 is shortened, thus pulling down throttle switch 38, extending return spring 39 and powering the chainsaw 34. When tension is removed from the rope 35, return spring 39 returns to its usual length, causing throttle switch 38 to return to an idle position.

By the means described above, chainsaw 34 is both remotely movable and remotely operable. Thus the operator of the chainsaw can mill felled trees while remaining distant from chainsaw 34, ensuring the operator's safety and comfort while using the device. 17 248511 A milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, the conveying means including a device for attaching a cutting apparatus, a first mounting means to allow motion of the conveying means along the guiding means, and a first receiving means, the guiding means including a second receiving means, the first and second receiving means acting together to stabilise the motion of the conveying means.

With regard to Figure 5 there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention including a framework 50. This framework 50 is attachable to track 51 and carriage 52 by a cross member 53 which may consist of an aluminium (or any other strung material) rod or strut.

As can be seen in this figure, a chainsaw 54, together with track 51 and carriage 52 may be positioned above a piece of wood 55 to be milled. The positioning of track 51 depends mainly on the adjustment of framework 50, which includes features as described as follows: Framework 50 includes a height adjustments means (namely a threaded rod 56) to control the height of cross member 53. The horizontal position of track 51 is also controlled by adjustment of cross member 53.

The position of wood 55 is controlled by adjustment portion 57. This adjustment means includes a strut 58 with a number of apertures inserted in it, and when wood 55 is required to be moved, it is a simple matter to move strut 58 a controlled amount, and to lock the strut 58 into position by inserting a pin into the aperture of the strut. As the apertures in strut 58 are positioned a prescribed distance apart, it is simple to control the distance that the wood 50 moves using this method.

The framework so allows the milling apparatus, the subject of the 18 248 present invention, to be used on standard blocks of timber without requiring the track to be mounted on the timber itself. This increases the ease of use of the present invention greatly.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the accompanying claims. 19

Claims (16)

24851 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Milling apparatus including guiding means and conveying means, the conveying means capable of motion along the guiding means, the guiding means adapted to restrict the motion of the conveying means to be substantially along the guiding means, whereby the conveying means includes a device for attaching a cutting apparatus, and a first receiving means to interact with the guiding means to stabilise the motion of the conveying means, and the guiding means includes a second receiving means adapted to partially enclose the first receiving means of the conveying means.

2. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereby the conveying means includes an attachment device for a cutting apparatus.

3. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 whereby the attachment device is a clamp.

4. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 3 whereby the second receiving means is a channel.

5. A milling apparatus as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the conveying means and guiding means include complementary mounting means to stabilise the motion of the conveying means.

6. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 5 whereby the mounting means of at least one of the conveying means or guiding means is a channel.

7. A milling apparatus as claimed in any one of the above claims whereby the conveying means may slide over the guiding mea^s. l&K *;/ ^ < k" .;20;2485^;

8. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a guiding means, a conveying means and a motive means, the conveying means adapted to allow motion of the conveying means along the guiding means, the motive means allowing control of the motion of the conveying means by remote means.;

9. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 8 whereby the conveying means includes a device for attaching a cutting apparatus.;

10. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 whereby the guiding means is adapted to stabilise the motion of the conveying means.;

11. A milling apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 8-10 whereby the guiding means and conveying means include complementary receiving means to stabilise the motion of the conveying means.;

12. A milling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8-11 whereby the motive means is located at one end of the guiding means.;

13. A milling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8-12 whereby the motive means is a winch.;

14. A milling apparatus as claimed in claim 9 whereby the cutting apparatus is controlled by remote means.;

15. A method of milling objects including the use of a cutting apparatus and a milling apparatus, the milling apparatus including a guiding means and a conveying means, both guiding and conveying means each including a receiving means, said receiving means adapted to act together to stabilise the motion of the conveying means,;the method including the steps of:;a) placing the guiding means on the object to be milled, and ;/jf;\ 24JUL 1996 n;* — A 21 '

16. # 17. 18. 19. 20. 2485^x b) mounting the conveying means on the guiding means, and c) attaching the cutting apparatus to the conveying means, and d) allowing the conveying means to move along the guiding means. A method of milling objects as claimed in claim 15 whereby the movement of conveying means is controlled by a remote means. A method of milling objects as claimed in claim 15 whereby movements of the conveying means is controlled by a winch. A method of milling objects as claimed in any one of the claims 15 to 17 whereby the guiding means includes at least one receiving means or mounting means to stabilise the motion of the conveying means. A method of milling objects as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 whereby the conveying means moves in substantially a straight line. A method of milling objects as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20 whereby operation of the cutting apparatus is carried out by remote means. A milling apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. A method of milling objects substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. N r X? ih \ 24 JUL 1396 MICHAEL THOMAS FULCHER by his Attorneys .TAMRfi WET.T.S 22