US1062685A - Footboard for wood-choppers. - Google Patents

Description

J. E. ANDRUS.

FOOTBOARD FOR WOOD CHOPPERS. APPLICATION FILED 0011, 1912.

Patented May 27, 1913.

INVENTOR 7(?, M00

WITNESSES: Z7 WW JAMES R. ATNDBUS, or WOODLAND, WASHINGTON.

FOOTBOARD FOR WOOD-CHOPPERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '27, 1913.

Application filed October 1, 1912. Serial No. 723,335.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES R. ANDRUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at W'oodland, in the county of Cowlitz and State of WVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foot boards for WVood-Choppers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to an improvement in foot boards for wood choppers and has for its object to provide such a foot board which is inexpensive in construction, which may be easily and quickly attached to or removed from a tree and which afiords perfect security to the chopper during his operations. I accomplish these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the device in position upon a tree. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same with the tree partly in section, showing the supporting wedge in place. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the supporting frame in detail. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a sustaining bar, or wedge.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 1 represents the base of the supporting frame, having a rightangularly disposed front portion 2. This upright portion may be made of a separate piece and secured to the base by any suitable means; but I prefer to form the base and upright all in one as here shown. The frame is constructed by making an incision into the forward end of the steel blank at a short distance from each edge and extending approximately midway therein. The intervening portion is then bent upwardly at right angles to the base forming the said upright. The lateral portion remaining at each side of the base is cut to a point forming a barb 3 adapted to be inserted into the bark or body of a tree. In the lower portion of the upright member is formed in its median line an opening 4, which has a continuation 5 leading from its upper side well toward the extremity of the upright. Along each side of the extended portion is fixed an angle iron 6, so that each of their adjacent faces forms a bearing surface in line with its respective edge of the slot. Braces 7 unite the extremity of the upright with the rear portion of the base which gives it the strength necessary to sustain any weight that may be placed upon it. The rear end of the base is rounded at 8 on a circle Whose center is at the aperture 9.

Through this aperture passes the bolt 10, upon which also is mounted the foot board 11, which is adapted to swing laterally as indicated at 11 Through an aperture in the board at a point just beyond the limit of the base is secured a bolt 12 having a flanged head 13 which engages over the rounded end of the base and thus sustains the board in a horizontal position as it swings on its pivot 10.

In Fig. 1 is shown a bar 14 for supporting the frame. This bar is provided with a wedge-shaped point 15 so that it can be driven into the tree trunk as seen in Fig. 2. Along the upper edge of the bar is formed a series of notches 17 of suitable size to receive the edge of the upright 2 when the frame is placed upon the bar, through the slot 5. Since some varieties of wood are harder than others, several notches are formed so that the wedge may be inserted to any desired distance, having a notch close to the body of the tree, in order that the frame may be supported therein, when the barbs are engaged in the bark, with the base and the foot board in a substantially horizontal position.

The upper edge of that portion which is intended to be driven into the tree is sharpened at 16 so that by driving downward or transversely on the head 18, the bar will cut its way through the wood and thus be easily removed from the tree.

The large opening 4 permits the ready insertion of the bar and the slot 5 together with the angle irons 6 fit close upon the sides of the bar and prevent lateral movement of the frame. With the body of the frame hanging below its point of support and the barbs 3 engaged in the tree at each side it will be apparent that the board may be swung to any desired angle and sustained there with the flange 13 engaged in the notches 19, so that the operator may work in perfect security.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described a bar having a plurality of notches in its upper edge and adapted to be driven horizontally into the body of a tree, an L-shaped frame with braces between the limbs having a vertical slot in one limb through which the said bar passes, the portion of the limb above said slot engaging either of said notches to sustain said limb against the body of the tree and barbs projecting forwardly from the base of the frame to engage in the tree.

2. In a device of the character described, a bar having a plurality of notches in its upper edge and adapted to be driven horizontally into the body of a tree, an L-shaped frame with braces between the limbs having a vertical slot in one limb through which the said bar passes, the portion of the limb above said slot engaging either of said notches to sustain said limb against the body of the tree and means on the frame to en gage the side of the bar to prevent lateral movement, a barb projecting forwardly from each corner of the base, a foot board mounted upon said base and adapted to swing in a horizontal plane and means for securing the foot board at any angle desired.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES R. ANDRUS. Witnesses:

E. E. DALE, B. G. LANE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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