JPS6328569B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pruning machine configured such that the cutting machine runs on a traveling body along annular guides fitted at intervals around the outer circumference of a tree trunk to cut branches around the tree trunk. It is.

This type of pruning machine requires lifting and supporting means for lifting and lowering the annular guide itself relative to the tree trunk. Each of the holding rollers is provided to be movable forward and backward relative to the annular guide, and each of these holding rollers travels in the vertical direction while rolling in contact with the surface of the tree trunk. However, the surface of the tree trunk is partially uneven, and when one of the pinching rollers reaches this unevenness, only that pinching roller moves partially forward and backward with respect to the tree trunk, and the annular guide is centered with respect to the tree trunk. As a result, the cutting machine running along this annular guide was misaligned with respect to the tree trunk, and branches around the tree trunk could not be cut to the same size.

This invention was made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and in response to partial irregularities on the surface of the tree trunk and changes in the diameter of the tree trunk, one of the gripping rollers in a set of two upper and lower rollers, for example, The upper and lower clamping rollers are configured to synchronize their rotations even when they come into contact with each other, so even if the upper clamping roller tries to enter the uneven part, the lower clamping roller restricts its movement, so the annular guide It is an object of the present invention to provide a pruning machine that can cut branches around a tree trunk to the same size without being misaligned with respect to the tree trunk.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on illustrated embodiments. First, the outline of the pruning machine according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The annular guide A, which has a larger diameter than the tree trunk T, has a rack 4 formed on its outer periphery, and the arc part a, which is a part of the annular guide A, is smaller than the diameter of the tree trunk T (the expected maximum diameter of the tree trunk). One end is pivotally supported to one end of the C-shaped body a' of the annular guide A by a pin 5, and the other end is connected to the other end of the C-shaped body a' by a pin 5'. It is constructed so that it can be removably pivoted at the end. Further, the cutting machine 7 used here is a chainsaw type, and is installed at one end of the transmission case 6. Power for cutting is received from a small engine E installed at the other end of the transmission case 6 via a transmission system within the transmission case 6. The transmission case 6 is equipped with a running body B, and this running body B is equipped with a pinion 10 (see FIG. 8) driven by the engine E, which is meshed with the outer peripheral rack 4 of the annular guide A. The running body B is rotated along the annular guide A by the rotation of the pinion 10, and the cutting machine 7 is rotated around the tree trunk T to carry out the cutting operation. In order to reliably turn this traveling body B along the annular guide A and to maintain good meshing between the pinion 10 and the rack 4, the traveling body B
pivotably supports arm b biased by spring 9;
Support wheels 8 and 8' are provided on this and the traveling body B, respectively, and are brought into pressure contact with the inner circumferential surface of the annular guide A.

Means for lifting and supporting the annular guide A relative to the tree trunk T can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the reference numeral 11 is a U-shaped support rod made of pipe, and the upper part near both ends of this support rod 11 and the U-shaped support rod 11
12, 12 and 1, respectively, approximately in the middle of the
2' is fixedly attached via a lower bolt/nut mounting piece 13. These support rods 12, 12, 12' are each fixed to an annular guide A (avoiding the arcuate portion a). Thereby, the U-shaped support rod 11 is linked to the annular guide A. A pair of support plates 15, 15 are welded near the support rod 12', and a support frame 16 is inserted between these plates and fixed with bolts and nuts 18, 18.
A gear box 19 is attached to this support frame 16, which includes a worm wheel 27 that receives power from a worm 26 (see FIG. 8), a gear 28 that is coaxially and directly connected, a gear 29 that meshes with this gear 28, 29, a rotary transmission system consisting of wheels 29', 29' coaxially connected to these gears 29, 29 is provided. And the above gear 2
Arms 20 and 20' are supported on sleeves 21 and 21 which are rotatable coaxially with the arms 20 and 20', and at the tips of the arms 20 and 20' are clamping rollers 1a and 1b that roll against the tree trunk T. It is pivoted. Wheels 32, 32 coaxially connected to the nipping rollers 1a, 1b and the wheels 29', 2
Sprocket chains 33, 33 are wound between the rollers 9' and 9', so that rotational power can be transmitted from the rotational transmission system to the nipping rollers 1a, 1b. Further, in order to press the holding rollers 1a, 1b against the tree trunk T, a tension coil spring 25 is stretched between locking plates 24, 24 provided at the ends of both arms 20, 20'.

The worm 26 is connected to a pinion 17 supported in an annular guide A via a shaft 26'. It meshes with the lock teeth 17a provided on the outer periphery.
The annular rotating frame C has an arc-shaped opening/closing part C'' with respect to the C-shaped main body C', and has a structure in which the opening/closing part C'' can be opened and closed to one side in the same way as the annular guide A. ing. Also, the annular guide A
In order to securely hold the support ring 8'
Separately, support rings 8a, 8a are provided, which are supported by the annular guide A at each flange portion and rolled into contact with the inner periphery of the annular guide A. The support ring 8' is equipped with a bearing having a cylindrical shaft 8b therein, and the cylindrical shaft 8b is fixed to the rotating frame C. A pin 8c on the traveling body B side is removably inserted into the cylindrical shaft 8b.

Further, a plate body 37, which has elongated holes 36, 36 formed in the intermediate portions of the arms 20, 20', respectively.
37 is fixedly installed, and the upper and lower ends of the control rod 39 are bent in the same direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the control rod 39 for the long holes 36, 36.
40 is inserted. The control rod 39 can rotate the inner end portions of the bent portions at both ends of the shaft portion perpendicular to the front portion of the frame 16 around the vertical axis, but the inner end portions of the bent portions are in contact with each other in the vertical direction. It is attached to support fittings 38, 38 so that it cannot be moved.

However, the movement is restricted so that the upper and lower arms 20, 20' rotate in a fan-like manner by the same amount. An actuating piece 42 pivoted by a pin 43 is arranged at one end of the frame 16, a string 41 is wound around a wheel 44 pivoted to the actuating piece 42, and both ends of the string 41 are connected to the plates 37, 37. wear. In addition, in the figure, the code 45
When the actuating piece 42 rotates upward, the support frame 1
A stopper 47 that abuts one end of the lever 6 and restricts the amount of rotation thereof is a tube into which a long operating lever 46 for operating the operating piece 42 is inserted. Also,
Control wires 68 and 70 are attached to the actuation piece 42 via a connector 69, and the other ends of these wires 68 and 70 are attached to an arm 67, which will be described later.

Further, connecting plates 50, 50 are welded to both ends of the U-shaped support rod 11, respectively.
A support frame 48 is fixed to 50 with bolts and nuts 51. Rod arms 52, 52' are pivotally supported in mounting holes 54, 54 formed in the support frame 48 by pins 53, 53', and the clamping rollers 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are attached to the tips of the rod arms 52, 52'. is pivoted. And each arm 52, 52'
A tension coil spring 56 is tensioned between the brackets 55, 55 provided at the tips of the clamping rollers 2a, 55.
2b, 3a, 3b are pressed against the tree trunk T.

A long hole 57 is provided near the middle of both arms 52, 52'.
Connecting pieces 58, 58 each having a hole 57 project therefrom, and both ends of a control rod 59, which is disposed on the frame 48 so as to be able to rotate around a vertical axis but not move vertically, are inserted into these elongated holes. The engaging ends 60, 60 bent in the same horizontal direction are inserted. That is,
The control rod 59 is attached to the support frame 48 by attaching the inner ends of the bent portions at both ends of the vertical shaft portion to the support metal fittings 72, 72.
The upper and lower arms 52, 52' are regulated by the angle 52 and 52' so that they cannot move up and down, but can rotate about the vertical axis, so that the amount of fan-shaped rotation of the upper and lower arms 52, 52' is approximately the same.

At the base of the arms 52, 52' there is a plate 61,
61' is provided with links 62, 6
A control link 64 is pivotally connected at both ends via 2'. This control link 64 is connected to the arm 6
7, which is pivotally supported in the center by a pin 65 in a pivot hole 66 drilled in the frame 48, and is rotated by pulling a control wire 68 attached to an arm 67, and is activated by a tension coil spring. 56
The arms 52 and 52' are opened against the force and have the function of separating the pinching rollers 2a and 2b from the tree trunk.

What is shown in FIG.
This is to ensure that each pair of arms b, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b rotates the same amount to keep the tree trunk always in the center of the annular guide A. Here, the U-shaped support rod 11 is equipped with a guide ring 35, a pivot shaft 90 is rotatably inserted into the guide ring 35, and rods 92 and 93 are connected to each shaft end via a universal joint 91. 92,93
are inserted into the long holes bored in each of the plates 37', 37' and 61', 61' fixed to the base side of each arm 20', 52', 52' (see Fig. 14), and connected to each other. This prevents one set of the clamping rollers from moving back and forth excessively due to irregularities on the surface of the tree trunk or changes in the diameter of the tree trunk. In addition, Rod 92,
93 is preferably provided with a length adjustment mechanism.

When performing pruning work, place the pruning machine at the bottom of the tree trunk T, pull out the pin 5' as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 2, open the arcuate part a, and
The opening/closing part C'' is opened and the tree trunk T is placed inside the annular guide A and the rotating frame C. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, each pinching roller 1
The operating lever 46 is inserted into the fitting tube 47 with the levers a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b being pulled inward by the tension coil springs 25 and 56.
When it is rotated as shown by arrow A in FIG.
As a result, the string 41 and the control wires 68, 70 are pulled together, causing both the clamping rollers 1a, 1b to move outward against the tension coil spring 25, and the clamping rollers 2a, 2b, 3a, 3
As shown in FIG. 12, b is also moved outward against the tension coil spring 56 to expand the internal gap, and as shown in FIG. Tree trunk T in the center
can be entered.

Next, when the operating lever 46 is rotated in the direction of the reverse arrow A so that the stopper 45 abuts against the support frame 16, each string 41 and control wires 68, 70 are loosened by the amount of tension that has been applied so far. , holding rollers 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b
3a and 3b are brought into pressure contact with each other by the tension coil springs 25 and 56, that is, brought together and pressed against the surrounding surface side of the tree trunk T, from three sides around the tree trunk T as shown by imaginary lines in FIG. Each of the pinching rollers is joined, and moreover, the pinching rollers 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 3b are brought into pressure contact with the tree trunk surface at the top and bottom on three sides.

In addition, a plurality of pinching rollers 1a, 1b, 2a,
When any of the rollers 2b, 3a, and 3b reaches a partial unevenness on the surface of the tree trunk T, only this roller tries to advance and retreat from the tree trunk T along the uneven surface. , 2a, 2b
(The same applies to 3a and 3b) in Figures 11 and 9,
As shown in FIG. 12, the upper and lower nipping rollers move in the same amount of fan-like rotation in the vertical direction in synchronization.
Moreover, the nipping rollers 1a, 1b, 2a,
2b, 3a, and 3b are linked by a mechanism as shown in FIG. 14, so that they move in synchrony. When reaching the uneven part, first, the control rod 59 engaged with the elongated hole 57 of the connecting piece 58 fixed to the arm 52' of the nipping roller 2a
The bent upper engaging end 60 of the lower arm 52' rotates in the horizontal direction to rotate the lower engaging end 60 locked in the elongated hole 57 of the connecting piece 58 of the lower arm 52'. The nipping roller 2b is also moved in the same direction, and the pair of upper and lower nipping rollers 2a and 2b move in a fan-like manner by the same amount with respect to the vertical plane, and are fixed to the arm 52' supporting this nipping roller 2b. One of the installed plate bodies 61' moves, and in conjunction with this, the pivot 90 rotates via the rod 93 and the universal joint 91, and the plate moves via the other universal joint 91 and rod 92. body 3
7' and 37 move, and furthermore, the arm 52' supporting the other pinching roller 3a via another pivot 90 moves, so that each of the pinching rollers 1a, 1
b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b move in sync,
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pruning machine from tilting in the horizontal direction with respect to the tree trunk axis, and the tree trunk T is substantially at the center position of the annular guide A, thereby preventing misalignment of the annular guide A with respect to the tree trunk T. Therefore, the cutting machine 7 traveling along the annular guide A does not shift, and branches around the tree trunk can be cut to the same size.

Therefore, with the arc part a closed and the opening/closing part C'' closed, and these parts fixed with pins, the engine E is
When started, the pinion 10 meshes with the rack teeth 4 and rotates, and the running body B moves along the circumference of the annular guide A due to the pressure rolling of the support wheels 8 and 8', and the cutting machine 7 It moves along the circumference of the tree trunk T while rotating and cuts branches one after another. Cutting machine 7
As the rotating frame C starts to rotate with respect to the annular guide A, the pinion 17 that meshes with the rack tooth 17a rotates, and the shaft 2
Power is transmitted to the worm 26 via 6'. This causes the transmission system to work, and both the pinching rollers 1a, 1b
can be forcibly rotated in the same direction, and by the rotation of both clamping rollers 1a and 1b that are in pressure contact with each other, the entire structure can be adjusted to correspond to irregularities on the outer periphery of the tree trunk T and changes in the diameter of the tree trunk. The pruning machine is always located on a vertical line to maintain horizontality of the pruning machine, and it moves upward in a straight line.
Cut the surrounding branches above one after another with the cutting machine 7,
We do pruning.

If the combination of gears in the gear box 19 is changed by pulling an operating string (not shown) from below, the holding rollers 1a and 1b rotate in opposite directions, allowing the entire structure to be lowered.

In the above embodiment, the rotary frame C was rotatably supported concentrically with respect to the annular guide A by three pairs of support wheels 8, 8', 8a, and 8a', but for the same purpose, FIG. As shown in , the rotating frame C is completely supported by the annular guide A via the rollers 34 provided in the annular guide A, and a simple fitting tube is used to connect the rotating frame C and the traveling body B. 8
Of course, a combination of b' and pin 8c' may also be used. When configured in this way, the support wheel 8
Even if 8' and 8' are omitted, the running motion of the cutting machine 7 relative to the annular guide A is reliably maintained.

As described in detail above, the present invention has an annular guide fitted at intervals around the outer periphery of a tree trunk. A pair of upper and lower clamping rollers are arranged so as to be able to press against each other, and the clamping rollers are pivoted to the tips of the upper and lower arms, and the base ends of the arms are integrally suspended from the annular guide. Pivotally attached to the frame, the upper and lower arms are always attracted to each other, and connecting pieces with elongated holes are provided at intermediate positions between the upper and lower nipping rollers, allowing rotation around the vertical axis through these elongated holes. Insert and connect the bent ends of the control rod attached to the frame so that it does not move in the vertical direction, and the upper and lower gripping rollers synchronize the upper and lower arms according to irregularities on the outer periphery of the tree trunk and changes in the diameter of the tree trunk. It is characterized in that it is configured to move forward and backward, and rotate toward and against each other. Therefore, a pair of upper and lower clamping rollers are arranged so as to be able to press each other toward the center of the annular guide from a plurality of directions around the outer periphery of the tree trunk, and the clamping rollers are pivotally mounted to the tips of the upper and lower arms, respectively. The upper and lower arms are configured to move and rotate synchronously in response to local irregularities on the tree trunk and changes in the diameter of the tree trunk. Even if one of a pair of pinching rollers rolls into contact with an uneven part, the upper and lower pinching rollers are moved in synchronization so that they are on the same vertical line, so the annular guide is perpendicular to the tree trunk axis. Maintains posture (levelling),
This has the advantage that branches can be cut more conveniently from the base.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the invention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of the pruning machine, Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the pruning machine.
Figure 4 is a partially cutaway side view of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a side view of the opposite side of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a plan view of the main parts with some parts omitted. shows a part of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 4, Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a part of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a part of Fig. 3. Side view, Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 9, Figure 1
Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in Fig. 5, Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in Fig. 9, Fig. 13 is a sectional view of an annular guide showing another embodiment, and Fig. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram of the holding roller. This is a drawing showing an example of a means for regulating. 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b... each pinching roller, 4... rack, 5... pin, 5'...
Pin, 6...Transmission case, 7...Cutting machine, 8,
8'...Support wheel, 8a, 8a...Support wheel, 8b...
...cylinder shaft, 8b'...fitting cylinder, 8c, 8c'...pin,
9... Spring, 10... Pinion, 11... U-shaped support rod, 12, 12, 12'... Support rod, 13... Lower bolt nut mounting piece, 15, 15... Support plate,
16...Support frame, 17...Pinion, 17
a...Rack tooth, 18,18...Bolt nut,
19...Gearbox, 20,20'...Arm,
21, 21... Tube metal, 24, 24... Locking plate, 2
5...Tension coil spring, 26'...Shaft, 27...
Worm wheel, 28... Gear, 29'... Gear, 29... Wheel, 32, 32... Wheel, 3
3, 33... Sprocket chain, 34, 34
...Roller, 35...Guide ring, 36,36
...Long hole, 37, 37'...Plate, 38, 38...
...Supporting metal fitting, 39... Control rod, 40, 40... Engaging end, 41... Strap, 42... Actuation piece, 43...
Pin, 44... Wheel, 45... Stopper, 45
...Operation lever, 47 ... Fitting tube, 48 ... Support frame, 50 ... Connection plate, 51 ... Bolt nut, 52, 52' ... Rod arm, 53, 53' ...
...Pin, 54, 54...Mounting hole, 55, 55...
Bracket, 56...Tension coil spring, 57,5
7... Long hole, 58, 58... Connection piece, 59... Control rod, 60, 60... Engaging end, 61, 61'...
...Plate, 62, 62'...Link, 64...Control link, 65...Pin, 66...Pivot hole, 67...
...Arm, 68...Control wire, 69...
...Connection tool, 70...Control wire, 72...
...Support, 90...Pivot, 91...Universal joint, 92, 93...Rod, T...Tree trunk, A...Annular guide, a...Circular arc, a'...C
Shape main body, E... small engine, B... traveling body,
b...Arm, c...Rotating frame, C'...C-shaped main body, C''...Opening/closing part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a pruning machine configured such that a cutting machine runs on a traveling body on annular guides fitted at intervals around the outer circumference of a tree trunk to cut branches around the tree trunk, the annular guide has annular guides attached to the tree trunk. In order to raise and lower the tree, a pair of upper and lower gripping rollers are arranged so that they can press against each other from multiple directions around the outer periphery of the tree trunk toward the center of the annular guide. The base end of the arm is pivotally connected to a support frame that hangs integrally from the annular guide, and the upper and lower arms are always attracted to each other, and elongated holes are provided at intermediate positions between the upper and lower gripping rollers. a connecting piece having a
The bent end engagement parts of the control rod, which is rotatable around a vertical axis and attached to the frame so as not to move in the vertical direction, are inserted into this elongated hole and connected, and the upper and lower clamping rollers Also, a pruning machine characterized in that the upper and lower arms move forward and backward in synchronization according to changes in the diameter of the tree trunk, and make contact.