WO2010015089A1

WO2010015089A1 - Articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device

Info

Publication number: WO2010015089A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Guy Lebreux
Original assignee: Jean-Guy Lebreux
Priority date: 2008-08-07
Filing date: 2009-08-07
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: CA2733525A1

Abstract

An articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device for harvesting tree, the boom comprises at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication. A joint assembly is positioned between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween. The joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments. Chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream arm segment to an upstream arm segment via the chamber.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

ARTICULATING BOOM FOR A SAWING AND CHIPPING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to mechanical arm devices. More specifically but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mechanical arms such as booms used in chipping and sawing apparatus are well known in the art.

[0003] For example, the art teaches a concrete distributing boom carrying a conveying conduit, which has at least two boom arms (or arm segments) that can be swiveled about horizontal articulation axes relative to one another or relative to a boom support. At least one of the boom arms is telescopically movable. In order to be adaptable to the telescoping movements, the conveying conduit is assembled from three interlinked conduit sections in the area of the telescoping boom arm. A first conduit section is rigidly linked with the stationary member, while a second conduit section is rigidly linked with the extensible telescoping member. The distributing boom further comprises an intermediate section which is connected with its ends to the first and the second conduit section and which is configured as a flexible pipe. The pipe has a 180° arch with constant bend that travels when the boom arm telescopes.

[0004] In another example, the art teaches a boom construction having a base, a first straight boom slidably mounted on the base, and a second, hinged boom pivotally mounted at one end to the base and at its other end to the front end of the first boom. Power jacks are provided for operating the second boom to move its other end toward or away from its one end so as to slide the first boom relative to the base. This boom construction is generally employed on a tree delimber with a tree delimbing unit mounted on the front end of the first boom, and tree gripping unit mounted on the base beneath the first boom. A rotating reel is advantageously provided on the base above the first boom for simultaneously winding and unwinding flexible feed and return hydraulic lines extending over the top of the boom, and connected to the delimbing unit, as the first boom slides.

[0005] A drawback of conventional booms for sawing and chipping apparatuses is that they include a hose member attached thereto for sucking the chips therein that is often damaged during articulation of the arm. Another drawback of conventional articulations for booms and other mechanical arm devices is that they do not provide a sufficient pivot amplitude.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide A sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom comprising:

[0009] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication; and [0010] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,

[0011] wherein chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream arm segment to an upstream arm segment via the chamber.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

[0013] sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to produce chipped elements, the sawing and chipping device comprising an exit for evacuating the chipped elements; and

[0014] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device for receiving the evacuated chips, the articulating boom comprising:

[0015] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication, and a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,

[0016] wherein chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream arm segment to an upstream arm segment via the chamber.

[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom comprising:

[0018] at least two adjacent arm segments; and

[0019] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising: [0020] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and provided to be guided along the guides;

[0021] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the guiding member is guided along the guides.

[0022] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

[0023] a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to produce chipped elements; and

[0024] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device and comprising at least two adjacent arm segments and a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising:

[0025] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and provided to be guided along the guides,

[0026] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the guiding member is guided along the guides.

[0027] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, the articulating boom comprising:

[0028] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof; and [0029] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, the pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the arm segments.

[0030] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

[0031] a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to produce chipped elements; and

[0032] an articulating boom mounted to the sawing and chipping device and comprising:

[0033] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof, and a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, the pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the arm segments.

[0034] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:

[0035] at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication; and

[0036] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between the adjacent arm segments,

[0037] wherein elements are provided to flow from a downstream the arm segment to an upstream the arm segment via the chamber. [0038] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:

[0039] at least two adjacent arm segments; and

[0040] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising:

[0041] a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of the adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of the arm segments and provided to be guided along the guides;

[0042] wherein when the arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis the guiding member is guided along the guides.

[0043] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an articulating mechanical arm for a device, the arm comprising:

[0001] at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof; and

[0002] a joint assembly between the adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, the joint assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of the pivotal movement, the pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of the arm segments.

[0044] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout and wherein:

[0046] Figure is a partial perspective view of an articulating boom in accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 2 is a lateral side broken view of a sawing and chipping assembly in accordance with an non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 3 is a section view of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3 thereof; and

[0049] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a lateral plate and movable member of the joint articulation assembly of the articulating boom of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Generally stated, in a non-exclusive embodiment thereof, the present invention provides an articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device having hollow arm segments and a joint assembly therebetween for providing a pivotal movement between the arm segments having an enclosure defining an enclosed chamber thereby allowing chipped elements to flow from a downstream boom arm segment to an upstream boom arm segment via the chamber. The enclosure includes a movable member that moves during the pivotal movement. The joint articulation assembly comprises a pivot assembly, a pair of guides and a guiding member. The pivot assembly includes a pair of support members pivotally interconnected via a pivot member defining a pivot axis. Each boom arem segment is mounted to a respective support member. The pair of guides are positioned at each lateral side of the arm segments. The guiding member is mounted to at least one of the arm segments and is configured to be guided along the guides.

[0050] With reference to the appended drawings, illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be described herein so as to exemplify the invention and in no way limit the scope thereof.

[0051] With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a sawing and chipping assembly 1 comprising an articulating arm assembly or boom 10 for being mounted to a sawing and chipping device 11 about an exit opening 13. The sawing and chipping device 11 provides for harvesting trees T and thus includes a tree conveyor 15 and as well as a saw and chipper unit 17 for chipping the tree T into chipped elements 18. The chipped elements 18 are contained in casing 19 and evacuated via the exit opening 13 and into the boom 10 for collection therefrom.

[0052] The articulating boom 10 comprises a plurality of arm segments 12 for being mounted to. Adjacent arm segments 12 are joined together at a joint 14 by a joint assembly or joint articulation assembly 16 interposed therebetween.

[0053] In the present non-restrictive illustrative example, the arm assembly

10 is a boom commonly used with chipping and sawing apparatuses. As such, the boom 10 comprises arm segments 12 which are hollow generally rectangular elongated structures. As trees T are harvested by the device 11 , they are sawed and chipped. The wood chips 18 flow out of the device 11 (see Figure 2) via the exit 13 and are vacuumed or otherwise sucked into and blown out of the boom 10 from an entry opening 20 to an exit opening 22. [0054] Of course, the skilled artisan will readily understand that the joint articulation assembly 16 disclosed herein can be provided for a variety of mechanical arm devices providing arm segments adjoined at a common joint.

[0055] A given pair of adjoined and adjacent arm segments 12 are pivotable about the joint 14 therebetween via a movement imparting device such as actuator 24. The actuator 24 comprises two elongated members 26A and 26B being pivotally linked together at a common end 28. Each elongated member 26A and 26B is pivotally mounted to a respective arm segment 12 about a given joint 14 at an opposite respective end 3OA and 3OB, respectively. The actuator 24 comprises a push rod 32 pivotally connected at the common end 28 for reciprocally pushing this common end 28 towards the joint 14, thereby causing the adjacent arm segments 12 to provide an extension movement, or retracting the common end 28 away from joint 14, thereby causing the arm segments 12 to provide a flexion movement. The push rod 32 is controlled by an actuation device (not shown). Of course other ways of moving the arm segments 12 about a common joint 14 can be provided within the scope of the present invention.

[0056] With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the joint articulation assembly 16 defines the joint 14 interposed between two arm segments 12.

[0057] The joint articulation assembly 16 comprises two opposite panels or plates 34A and 34B joined by a pivot assembly 36. Each plate 34A and 34B is mounted to a respective lateral side 38A and 38B of adjacent arm segments 12 about a joint 14. Each plate 34A and 34B has a generally triangular-like shape with a respective straight edge 40 and a sloped edge 42 meeting at a larger curved edge 44 at one end thereof and a short flat edge 46 at the other end thereof. In this way, a plate 34A and 34B extends at its curved edge 44 from a first segment 12' (see Figure 3) to an upstream second segment 12" at its flat edge 46. With reference to Figure 4, the plates 34A and 34B include a respective guide in the form of a groove 48 machined in their inner faces 50 having a linear portion 52 about the plate straight edges 40 and curved portion 54 about the plate curved edges 46. The guiding grooves 48 provide for the plates 34A and 34B to receive a movable member in the form of a mat 56 therebetween.

[0058] More specifically and with reference to Figures 1 , 3 and 4, the mat

56 is a generally rectangular strip of flexible and resilient material having a free end 58 and an opposite end 60 fixed to the first boom segment 12' via an attachment 62. The mat 56 includes lateral edges 64A and 64B that are snuggly and slidably fitted in the grooves 48 of the plates 34A and 34B, respectively. Hence, the mat 56 overlaps the first and second adjacent arm segments 12' and 12", respectively and is positioned at the top sides 65 of the adjacent arm segments 12' and 12". The mat 56 is strengthened by rigid laths 66 formed thereon.

[0059] The pivot assembly 36 includes a pivot member in the form of rod 68 mounted at each longitudinal end to the plates 34A and 34B for linking them together via holes 69. The pivot assembly 36 also includes a pair of support members 70' and 70" that are pivotally linked together at their respective adjoined ends 72' and 72" by the pivot rod 68. The support members 70' and 70" are generally triangular-like bodies having larger circular ends 72' and 72", respectively, that, as mentioned, pivot about the rod 68, as well as sloped supporting top sides 74' and 74" respectively and generally straight bottom sides 76' and 76", respectively. For each support member 70' and 70", the top and bottom sides, 74774" and 76776", extend from the circular ends, 72772", towards common peak ends 78' and 78", respectively.

[0060] The bottom sides 79 of the arm segments 12' and 12" are respectively mounted on the top sloped sides 74' and 74" of each support member 70' and 70", respectively. The arm segments 12' and 12" are spaced apart defining a modifiable gap 80 therebetween. In the example of a boom, wood chips 82 or other material flows from opening 82 of tubular boom segment 12' into opening 84 of the upstream tubular boom segment 12". The gap 80 is generally sealed by the articulation assembly 16.

[0061] The joint articulation assembly comprises an enclosure 81 that defines an enclosed chamber between the adjacent arm segments 12' and 12". In the example herein the enclosure 81 is defined by the mat 56, the support members 70' and 70" and the side plates 34A and 34B and the chamber is defined by the gap 80. As such, the chamber 80 provides an enclosed conduit between and in fluid communication with openings 82 and 84 of arm segments 12' and 12" respectively.

[0062] In operation, the actuator 24 causes the arm segments 12' and 12" to pivot relative to each other about the pivot axis defined by the pivot rod 68 between flexion and extension movements (as shown by arrows F and E in Figure

1)-

[0063] During flexion F, the actuator 24 moves the arm segments 12' and

12" towards each other. This movement is provided by the support members 70' and 70" being caused to pivot about rod 68 towards each other. This pivot movement causes the mat 56 to be pulled by the first boom segment 12', since its end 60 is fixed thereon. As the mat 56 is pulled in this fashion and slides along the grooves further into curved portion 54 and out of the linear portion 52. In this way the enclosed chamber 80 is decreased in size.

[0064] In one non-limiting example, the pivotal movement of the arm segments 12' and 12" is guided by the mat 56 which moves along the trajectory provided by the grooves 48 thereby allowing for a greater pivot amplitude to the arm segments during flexion. [0065] In another non-limiting example, the mat 56 only serves as part of an enclosure 81 for chamber 80.

[0066] During extension E, the arm segments 12' and 12" are moved away from each other by the actuator 24; again, the foregoing is provided by the supports 70' and 70" pivoting about the rod 68 so as to open the angle therebetween. The mat 56 is therefore pushed by the boom segment 70' into the linear portion 52 of the guiding grooves 48 and out of the curved portion 54. In this way, the chamber 80 is increased or enlarged in size.

[0067] The various features described hereinabove can be combined in a variety of suitable ways, as the skilled artisan will readily appreciate, so as to provide further embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the a ccompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, said articulating boom comprising:

at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication; and

a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between said adjacent arm segments,

wherein chipped elements are provided to flow from a downstream said arm segment to an upstream said arm segment via said chamber.

2. An articulating boom according to claim 1 , wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective openings being positioned adjacent to one another so as to provide for chipped elements to flow from said downstream arm segment to said upstream arm segment.

3. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said adjacent arm segments are pivotable between flexion and extension movements, wherein the size of said chamber is decreased during flexion and enlarged during extension.

4. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said enclosure comprises a movable element, said movable element being movable during said relative pivotal movement.

5. An articulating boom according to claim 4, wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of opposite plates mounted to said adjacent arm segments, said movable element being movably mounted to said opposite plates at each side thereof.

6. An articulating boom according to claim 5, wherein said opposite plates comprise respective inner faces with respective grooves, said movable element being mounted to said grooves for being guided along said grooves during flexion and extension.

7. An articulating boom according to claim 6, wherein a portion of each said grooves comprises a curved configuration.

8. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said movable element comprises one end thereof being fixedly mounted to one of said adjacent arm segments.

9. An articulating boom according to claim 8, wherein said movable element comprises one end thereof being fixedly mounted to said downstream adjacent arm segment.

10. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective top, bottom and lateral sides, said opposite plates being mounted to said lateral sides of said adjacent arm segments, said movable element being mounted to said top sides of said adjacent arm segments.

11. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said joint assembly comprises a pivot assembly, said pivot assembly comprising a pair of support members pivotally connected via a pivot member defining the pivot axis of said adjacent arm segments, each said support member being pivotally connected to a respective said arm segment.

12. An articulating boom according to claim 11 , wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective top, bottom and lateral sides, said support members being mounted to said bottom sides of said adjacent arm segments.

13. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said pivot assembly forms part of said enclosure.

14. An articulating boom according to claim 13, wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of opposite plates, said pivot member being pivotally mounted to said opposite plates.

15. An articulating boom according to claim 14, wherein said enclosure further comprises a movable member being movably mounted to said opposite plates.

16. An articulating boom according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a movement imparting device mounted to said adjacent arm segments for imparting said relative pivot movement thereto.

17. A sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to produce chipped elements, said sawing and chipping device comprising an exit for evacuating the chipped elements; and

an articulating boom mounted to said sawing and chipping device for receiving the evacuated chips, said articulating boom comprising:

at least one pair of hollow and adjacent arm segments being in fluid communication, and a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprises an enclosure defining a chamber between said adjacent arm segments,

18. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 17, wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective openings being positioned adjacent to one another so as to provide for chipped elements to flow from said downstream arm segment to said upstream arm segment.

19. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein said adjacent arm segments are pivotable between flexion and extension movements, wherein the size of said chamber is decreased during flexion and enlarged during extension.

20. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said enclosure comprises a movable element, said movable element being movable during said relative pivotal movement.

21. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 20, wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of opposite plates mounted to said adjacent arm segments, said movable element being movably mounted to said opposite plates at each side thereof.

22. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 21 , wherein said opposite plates comprise respective inner faces with respective grooves, said movable element being mounted to said grooves for being guided along said grooves during flexion and extension.

23. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 22, wherein a portion of each said grooves comprises a curved configuration.

24. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said movable element comprises one end thereof being fixedly mounted to one of said adjacent arm segments.

25. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 24, wherein said movable element comprises one end thereof being fixedly mounted to said downstream adjacent arm segment.

26. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof, said opposite plates being mounted to said lateral sides of said adjacent arm segments, said movable element being mounted to said top sides of said adjacent arm segments.

27. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said joint assembly comprises a pivot assembly, said pivot assembly comprising a pair of support members pivotally connected via a pivot member defining the pivot axis of said adjacent arm segments, each said support member being pivotally connected to a respective said arm segment.

28. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 27, wherein said adjacent arm segments comprise respective top, bottom and lateral sides, said support members being mounted to said bottom sides of said adjacent arm segments.

29. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 27 or 29, wherein said pivot assembly forms part of said enclosure.

30. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 29, wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of opposite plates, said pivot member being pivotally mounted to said opposite plates.

31. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 30, wherein said enclosure further comprises a movable member being movably mounted to said opposite plates.

32. A sawing and chipping assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 31 , wherein said further comprises a movement imparting device mounted to said adjacent arm segments for imparting said relative pivot movement thereto.

33. An articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, said articulating boom comprising:

at least two adjacent arm segments; and

a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprising:

a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of said pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of said adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of said arm segments and provided to be guided along said guides;

wherein when said arm segments are pivoted about the pivot axis said guiding member is guided along said guides.

34. A sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

a sawing and chipping device for sawing and chipping trees so as to produce chipped elements; and

an articulating boom mounted to said sawing and chipping device and comprising at least two adjacent arm segments and a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprising:

a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of said pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of said adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of said arm segments and provided to be guided along said guides,

35. An articulating boom for a sawing and chipping device, said articulating boom comprising:

at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof; and

a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of said pivotal movement, said pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of said arm segments.

36. An articulating boom according to claim 35, wherein said joint assembly further comprises a pair of support members pivotally connected by said pivot member, each said support member being mounted to the respective bottom side of each said arm segment.

37. A sawing and chipping assembly for harvesting trees comprising:

an articulating boom mounted to said sawing and chipping device and comprising:

at least one pair of adjacent arm segments comprising respective top, bottom and lateral sides thereof, and a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprising a pivot member defining the pivot axis of said pivotal movement, said pivot member being positioned adjacent the bottom sides of said arm segments.

38. A sawing and chipping assembly according to claim 37, wherein said joint assembly further comprises a pair of support members pivotally connected by said pivot member, each said support member being mounted to the respective bottom side of each said arm segment.

39. An articulating mechanical arm for a device, said arm comprising:

wherein elements are provided to flow from a downstream said arm segment to an upstream said arm segment via said chamber.

40. An articulating mechanical arm for a device, said arm comprising:

at least two adjacent arm segments; and

a joint assembly between said adjacent arm segments for providing a relative pivotal movement therebetween, said joint assembly comprising: a pivot assembly defining the pivot axis of said pivotal movement, a pair of guides positioned at each lateral side of said adjacent arm segments, and a guiding member fixedly mounted to at least one of said arm segments and provided to be guided along said guides;

41. An articulating mechanical arm for a device, said arm comprising: