Log transporter

Abstract

To provide a raw wood conveying machine which does not require a precision sensor and hydraulic pressure and is given in cheap cost.SOLUTION: A raw wood conveying machine 10 is an electrically-driven crawler and has a slant turntable 50. One end 73 of a raw wood 72 is mounted on the turntable 50 and fixed by a rope 76. An operator 77 grips a handle 15 and advances the raw wood conveying machine 10 as shown in the arrow (1). The operator 77 keeps watching the raw wood 72 during advancing. If a mirror 79 for visual recognition of rear part is arranged at the handle 15 as a rear monitor 78, the operator can visually recognize the rear part as required during advancing. The operator 77 can keep watching the raw wood 72 so a precise sensor is unnecessary. The raw wood is fixed by the rope 76 so hydraulic pressure is unnecessary.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a log transporter that transports logs by dragging them. [Background technology]

[0002] Mature trees are cut down at the felling site using axes and chainsaws. The felled trees (hereafter referred to as logs) are collected at a log yard. The log yard is set up facing a forest road, so the logs can be transported from the log yard by truck. To transport the logs from the felling site to the log yard, some means other than trucks are required.

[0003] The road from the felling site to the log storage area is a slope, making it difficult to bring in heavy machinery. Therefore, small and lightweight transport devices have been proposed as an alternative to heavy machinery (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Figure 1)).

[0004] Patent Document 1 will be explained with reference to the following figure. FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the basic configuration of a conventional conveying device. The conveying device 100 consists of a single crawler 101, a control unit 102 built into the crawler 101, a frame 103 supported by the crawler 101 and extending upward, a crab-claw shaped clamp 104 supported by the frame 103 and extending upward, a wedge 105 positioned between the pair of clamps 104, and a sensor 107 for the object to be conveyed attached to a log 106 sandwiched between the pair of clamps 104.

[0005] A sensor 107 for the transported object detects the left and right deviation of the log 106, and based on this detection information, the control unit 102 controls the traveling direction, etc., to correct the left and right deviation of the log 106. To remedy this, a crawler 101 with a width narrower than the outside diameter of the log 106 can be employed.

[0006] However, the conveying device 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. The conveying device 100 is expensive because it requires the sensor 107 for the conveyed object and the control unit 102 for performing complex control.

[0007] Furthermore, the transport object sensor 107 is handled by a worker who is accustomed to forestry work, and the transport object sensor 107 has a built-in CCD camera, GPS, direction sensor, and angle sensor (Patent Document 1, paragraph 0022). Because the transport object sensor 107 is a precision machine, the worker is required to have knowledge different from that of forestry work in order to handle it, which places a heavy burden on the worker.

[0008] Furthermore, the log 106 moves significantly up and down during transportation. A sensor 107 for the transported object is attached to the log 106. Because the sensor 107 for the transported object is a precision machine, it is prone to malfunction when subjected to strong up and down movements, and inspection, adjustment, and replacement of the sensor 107 for the transported object are required.

[0009] Therefore, the transport device 100, which requires the transport object sensor 107, is not suitable for traveling up a slope from a felling site to a log storage area.

[0010] In addition, the weight of the log 106 causes the wedge 105 to drop, and the wedge 105 closes the pair of clamps 104, but the clamping force of the pair of clamps 104 can weaken due to vibrations during the journey up the slope from the felling site to the log storage area, making it difficult to stably hold the log 106.

[0011] As a countermeasure, it is possible to use hydraulic pressure to open and close the pair of clamps 104. However, this countermeasure requires that a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic pump, a pressure-resistant hose, and a hydraulic valve be mounted on the frame 103, which makes the conveying device 100 heavy and expensive.

[0012] With the need to reduce the burden on workers and cut costs of transport equipment, there is a demand for an inexpensive log transporter that does not require precision sensors or hydraulics. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-92670 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive log transporter that does not require precise sensors or hydraulics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The invention according to claim 1 is a log transporter that transports a log by dragging it while placing one end of the log on the ground and the other end of the log on the ground, The log transporter includes a body, left and right crawlers provided on the left and right sides of the body, an electric motor provided on the machine body for rotating the left and right crawlers; a battery provided on the airframe for supplying electric energy to the electric motor; A handle extended from the body and held by an operator walking on the ground; a turntable that is obliquely provided on the body and supports the one end of the log, The electric motor is one. The left and right crawlers are rotated in the same direction at the same speed, The handle is shaped so that the worker can grip the log while visually observing the log, The turntable is characterized by comprising a support shaft erected on the body of the machine, a rotating plate rotatably supported by the support shaft and supporting one end of the log, and a support body rotatably mounted on the body of the machine and supporting the underside of the rotating plate.

[0016] The invention according to claim 2 is the log transporter according to claim 1, The device is characterized in that it has a first pin hole in the rotating plate, a second pin hole in the body, and a lock pin that passes through the first pin hole and is inserted into the second pin hole. Effect of the Invention

[0017] In the invention according to claim 1, the log transporter is provided with a spike member and a hook on the turntable, one end of the log is inserted into the spike member, and this end of the log is fixed to the turntable with a rope (or string, wire) and the hook. Compared to the prior art in which a pair of clamps are opened and closed hydraulically, the present invention does not require hydraulic pressure.

[0018] Furthermore, with the log transporter of the present invention, the operator can continue to visually monitor the logs during transport, which eliminates the need for sensors to monitor the condition of the logs.

[0019] If a speed difference is to be provided between the left and right crawlers, it would be effective to use two electric motors, but this would increase costs and weight.It would also be effective to use one electric motor and provide left and right side clutches, but this would increase costs and weight. In this regard, in the present invention, the log transporter is equipped with left and right crawlers, but since the left and right crawlers rotate in the same direction at the same speed, only one electric motor is required and left and right side clutches are not necessary, resulting in a lighter and less costly log transporter.

[0020] As described above, claim 1 provides an inexpensive log transporter that does not require precise sensors or hydraulics.

[0021] In the invention according to claim 2, the turntable can be made unrotatable by inserting a lock pin. If a brake that applies braking at any rotational position were provided, the cost and weight would increase accordingly. In this regard, the present invention has the advantage that the lock pin is inexpensive and lightweight. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a log transporter according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view of a log transporter according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view (conceptual diagram) of the log transporter without the turntable. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the main switch box. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a view taken along the arrow 5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a direction change. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a conventional conveying device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0024] In Fig. 1, as shown by the directional arrows, the direction in which the handle 15 extends is called "front", the opposite is called "rear", the right grip 16 side is called "right", and the left grip 18 side is called "left". The same applies to Fig. 2 and subsequent figures.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the log transporter 10 has a turntable 50 on top of the body 11, crawlers 14 including drive wheels 13 on the left and right sides of the body 11, a handle 15 extending forward from the body 11, and this handle 15 has a right grip 16 that the operator holds with his right hand and a travel speed control lever (Figure 3, symbol 17) that is operated with the right hand, and a left grip 18 that the operator holds with his left hand.

[0026] The structure of the body 11 may be any structure, such as a pipe frame structure or a plate structure. A main switch box 21 is attached to the handlebar 15 near the right grip 16. In addition, an idler wheel 23 is attached to the machine body 11 so as to be freely rotatable, and a crawler 14 is wound around this idler wheel 23 and the drive wheel 13.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a rotating plate 52, which is one of the components of the turntable 50, is attached obliquely to the machine body 11 so as to lower rearward (leftward in the figure).

[0028] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device in FIG. 1 without the turntable 50. 3, the machine body 11 is equipped with a drive shaft 26 that drives the left and right drive wheels 13, large and small sprockets 27, 28 and a chain 29 that drive the drive shaft 26, large and small gears 31, 32 that drive the small diameter sprocket 28, an electric motor 33 that drives the small diameter gear 32, and a potentiometer 35. A battery 34 that supplies power to the electric motor 33 is attached to the handle 15 (or the machine body 11).

[0029] The potentiometer 35 is a device that has an input shaft, and when this input shaft is turned from the outside, the resistance value changes, making it possible to adjust the voltage. The internal structure of the potentiometer 35 is simple, resistant to vibration, and inexpensive.

[0030] A lever 36 is attached to the input shaft of the potentiometer 35 , and a wire 37 extends from this lever 36 . The tip of this wire 37 is connected to the travel speed control lever 17 . The traveling speed of the log transporter 10 can be increased or decreased depending on the gripping amount of the traveling speed control lever 17.

[0031] Since there is one electric motor 33 and one drive shaft 26, the left and right crawlers 14 are rotated in the same direction at the same speed. To change direction, the operator lifts the handle 15 and moves the handle 15 to the right or left while reducing the ground contact area of ​​the left and right crawlers 14.

[0032] If a speed difference is to be provided between the left crawler 14 and the right crawler 14, it is effective to use two electric motors 33, but this increases costs and weight. It is also effective to use one electric motor 33 and provide left and right side clutches, but this increases costs and weight. In this regard, according to the present invention, since there is only one electric motor 33 and one drive shaft 26, the log transporter 10 can be made lighter and less expensive.

[0033] The main switch box 21 is disposed near the right grip 16, and a seesaw-type forward / reverse switch 38 is provided on the upper surface of the main switch box 21. The forward / reverse switch 38 may be of any type and style as long as it is a switch that is held in the operated position.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the forward / reverse switch 38 is not being operated, the operator holds the right grip 16 with his / her right hand 39. When switching from forward to reverse, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the right grip 16 is grasped with fingers 42 (all or part of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger) other than the thumb 41, and the thumb 41 is extended to operate the forward / reverse switch 38. When switching from reverse to forward, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the right grip 16 is gripped with fingers 42 other than the thumb 41, and the thumb 41 is extended to operate the forward / reverse changeover switch 38.

[0035] 5, the main switch box 21 has a built-in rotary key switch 43, and a key hole 44 of this key switch 43 is exposed. The key switch 43 is a three-position switch that has a "start" position in addition to "off" and "run".

[0036] As shown in Fig. 6, the log transporter is equipped with a control unit 45, which is electrically controlled by the control unit 45. The control unit 45 includes a CPU 46, which performs various processes. The key switch 43 and forward / reverse switch 38 are connected to the control unit 45, and the control unit 45 acquires switching information. A potentiometer 43 is connected to the control unit 45. The control unit 45 then controls a motor driver 47, which supplies electrical energy from the battery 34 to the electric motor 33.

[0037] The turntable 50 of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 7, the turntable 50 consists of a support shaft 51 erected on the body 11, a rotating plate 52 rotatably supported on this support shaft 51, and a support body 53 rotatably mounted on the body 11 and supporting the underside of the rotating plate 52. The support 53 may be a sliding plate such as a resin plate or a metal plate, but is preferably a plurality of support rollers 53 (for example, three arranged at a pitch of 120°).

[0038] More specifically, the support shaft 51 is rotatably attached via a bearing 55 to a bracket 54 that is erected on the machine body 11. The bearing 55 is preferably an inexpensive ball bearing, but may be a roller bearing, and any type is acceptable. The support shaft 51 may be a rotating shaft or a non-rotating shaft. In the case of a non-rotating shaft, a bearing may be disposed between the support shaft 51 and the rotating plate 52.

[0039] More specifically, the support roller 53 is rotatably attached via bearings 57 to a pair of brackets 56 erected on the machine body 11. The type of bearing 57 may be any, but a ball bearing, roller bearing, or plain bearing is preferred. Ball bearings are inexpensive. Roller bearings are more expensive than ball bearings but are highly durable. Plain bearings have a higher rotational resistance than ball bearings and roller bearings, but are extremely durable. As plain bearings, sintered metal plain bearings containing graphite grains can be used.

[0040] The upper surface of the rotating plate 52 is provided with a plurality of spike members 60 (two in this example) that dig into the logs. The spike members 60 are formed by hollowing out the upper edge of a long, narrow steel plate 61 in an arc shape, and forming a sawtooth portion 62 on the arc-shaped upper edge. The spike members 60 may be a plurality of needles that are directly erected on the rotating plate 52.

[0041] Hooks 63 for hanging ropes for binding logs are provided on the rotating plate 52. The number and shape of the hooks 63 are arbitrary, but the following shape is recommended. The hook 63 is, for example, composed of a U-shaped guardrail hook 64 and an L-shaped hook 65 disposed at the portion where the guardrail hook 64 ends. The guardrail / hook 64 has an end portion 64 a fixed to the rotating plate 52 , and a central portion 64 b fixed to the rotating plate 52 via a plate 66 . The L-shaped hook 65 is welded to the rotating plate 52 so as to protrude from the rear end of the rotating plate 52.

[0042] The means for fastening the logs may be a combination of the spike members 60 and a rope, or may be the spike members 60 alone, a rope (including a wire or string) alone, or other tools.

[0043] A first pin hole 67 is provided in the front part of the rotating plate 52. A bracket 68 is provided on the machine body 11, and a second pin hole 69 is provided in this bracket 68. This second pin hole 69 is provided at a position where it can communicate with the first pin hole 67. When the rotary plate 52 is in the neutral position, the first pin hole 67 overlaps with the second pin hole 69, allowing the lock pin 71 to be inserted from above.

[0044] The log transporter 10 of the present invention can be used to transport fixtures in addition to transporting logs. When the logs are to be transported, the lock pin 71 is removed from the first pin hole 67 and the second pin hole 69 to allow the rotating plate 52 to rotate freely.

[0045] Equipment includes chainsaws, axes, ropes, strings, chains, chain blocks, and workers' luggage, which are transported from the log yard to the felling site. When transporting these materials, the lock pin 71 is inserted into the first pin hole 67 and the second pin hole 69 to prevent the rotating plate 52 from rotating.

[0046] The operation of the log transporter 10 having the above-mentioned configuration will now be described. 8, one end 73 of a log 72 is lifted at a felling site by hand, a chain block, a pulley, a simple hoist, or other means. Then, the log transporter 10 is inserted into one end 73 of the log 72. One end 73 of the log 72 is lowered.

[0047] As a result, one end 73 of the log 72 rests on the rotating plate 52. The other end 74 of the log 72 remains on the ground 75. The spike members 60 bite into one end 73 of the log 72. In this state, the rope 76 is wound around one end 73 of the log 72, and the rope 76 is hung on the hook 63. In this way, one end of the log 72 is fixed to the rotating plate 52. The rope 76 may be a string, a chain, or a wire.

[0048] An operator 77 grips the handle 15 and moves the log transporter 10 forward as shown by the arrow (1). While moving forward, the operator 77 keeps an eye on the log 72. If a rear view mirror 79 serving as a rear monitor 78 is provided on the handle 15, the operator can visually check the rear as needed while moving forward.

[0049] The rear view mirror 79 can be a bicycle (or motorcycle) rearview mirror, so it is easy to obtain and inexpensive. If the outer diameter of the handlebars 15 is made the same as that of the bicycle handlebars, a commercially available bicycle rearview mirror can be used, which is preferable.

[0050] A garage entry monitor or a so-called drive recorder that is now installed in vehicles can be used as the rear monitor 78. That is, a rear camera is attached to the handlebar 15, and a monitor is attached to the handlebar 15.

[0051] If the drive recorder can record both forward and backward, it is possible to leave a record of the work. If a problem occurs during work, it is convenient because it makes it possible to verify the problem.

[0052] Next, the procedure for changing direction will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the log transporter 10 is moving forward as indicated by the arrow (2). If it is necessary to change direction, the worker manually changes the direction of the log transporter 10 as shown by arrow (3) in Figure 9(b). At this time, the rotating plate 52 does not rotate, and the body 11 and handle 15 change direction around the support shaft 51. This makes it easy to change the direction of the log transporter 10. Next, the log transporter 10 is moved forward as shown by arrow (4).

[0053] Then, the log 72 is dragged, and as a result, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the log 72 and the log transport machine 10 move forward in the changed direction.

[0054] As described in Figures 1 to 3, the log transporter 10 of the present invention does not require precision sensors or hydraulics, is small, lightweight, and inexpensive, and such a log transporter 10 can transport logs 72 from a felling site to a log storage area.

[0055] The lock pin 71 described with reference to FIG. 7 is a member that connects the first pin hole 67 and the second pin hole 69 with each other. 9(a) to (c), the lock pin 71 is not in communication and is inserted into a pin insertion plate (FIG. 3, reference numeral 81) attached to the handle 15. In other words, the pin insertion plate 81 is a storage location for the lock pin 71 when it is not in communication.

[0056] However, the lock pin 71 is easily lost. The lock pin 71 may be connected to the handle 15 with a string or chain, but the string or chain gets in the way. The undergrowth at the felling site makes it difficult to find the dropped lock pin 71.

[0057] As a countermeasure, multiple pin insertion plates 81 are provided on the handle 15 (or the machine body 11), and a lock pin 71 is inserted into each of the pin insertion plates 81. One of the multiple lock pins 71 is correct, and the rest are spares. If one is lost, the spare is used.

[0058] The pin holder plate 81 may be enlarged so that multiple lock pins 71 are inserted into one pin holder plate 81. Alternatively, the pin holder plate 81 may be replaced with a pin storage box with a lid. If it is a pin storage box, multiple lock pins 71 can be stored. However, the pin insertion plate 81 can be constructed from a simple rectangular thin steel plate, and the inserted lock pin 71 is exposed and always visible, which has the advantage of eliminating the need to search for the lock pin 71.

[0059] The log transporter of the present invention can be used not only to transport logs from a felling site to a log storage area, but also to transport logs to other locations. In addition, if the main purpose of the log transporter is to transport logs, it is permissible to use it for the secondary purpose of transporting items other than logs (such as fixtures). However, because the turntable is constantly tilted, secondary uses are limited. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention is suitable for a log transporter used to transport logs from a felling site to a log storage area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10...log transport machine, 11...body, 14...crawler, 15...handle, 33...electric motor, 34...battery, 50...turntable, 51...support shaft, 52...rotating plate, 53...support body (support roller), 60...spike member, 63...hook, 67...first pin hole, 69...second pin hole, 71...lock pin, 72...log, 73...one end of log, 74...other end of log, 75...ground, 76...rope, 78...rear monitor, 81...pin insertion plate.

Claims

1. A log transporter that transports a log by dragging it with one end of the log loaded and the other end of the log placed on the ground, The log transporter includes a body, left and right crawlers provided on the left and right sides of the body, an electric motor provided on the machine body for rotating the left and right crawlers; a battery provided on the airframe for supplying electric energy to the electric motor; A handle extended from the body and held by an operator walking on the ground; a turntable that is obliquely provided on the body and supports the one end of the log, The electric motor is one. The left and right crawlers are rotated in the same direction at the same speed, The handle is shaped so that the worker can grip the log while visually observing the log, said turntable comprises a support shaft erected on said body of the machine, a rotating plate supported rotatably by said support shaft and supporting said one end of said log, and a support body rotatably mounted on said body of the machine and supporting the underside of said rotating plate.

2. 2. The log transporter according to claim 1, A log transporter comprising: a first pin hole in the rotating plate; a second pin hole in the body; and a lock pin that passes through the first pin hole and is inserted into the second pin hole.

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