According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for splitting materials comprises a base defined by a surface and a perimeter, the base having a plurality of holes and configured to support the apparatus, a pair of sleeves, a cutting mean, a vertical guide configured to join with the base, and a crescent-shaped element configured to join with the vertical guide. The cutting mean comprises a bottom end and an upward facing wedge. The upward facing wedge comprises an upward facing thorn formed on a top end of the wedge, a pair of ribs formed on opposite sides of the wedge, and a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

Disclosed is an apparatus for mechanically splitting materials, including a body with a cutting element arranged relative thereto. The cutting element includes at least one cutting surface oriented vertically. The splitting apparatus includes the cutting element applying an upward pressure against the material which is split when a separate downward force is applied to the material. The body of the splitting apparatus also includes a safety element to protect the user from the cutting element; an elongate supporting element to distance the safety element from either or both the cutting element and a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; a stabilizing element to stabilize the splitting apparatus relative to a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; and optionally a deflecting element to deflect split materials away from the cutting element and container element to contain therewithin split materials produced during the splitting.

Disclosed is an apparatus for mechanically splitting materials, including a body with a cutting element arranged relative thereto. The cutting element includes at least one cutting surface oriented vertically. The splitting apparatus includes the cutting element applying an upward pressure against the material which is split when a separate downward force is applied to the material. The body of the splitting apparatus also includes a safety element to protect the user from the cutting element; an elongate supporting element to distance the safety element from either or both the cutting element and a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; a stabilizing element to stabilize the splitting apparatus relative to a surface on which the splitting apparatus is used; and optionally a deflecting element to deflect split materials away from the cutting element and container element to contain therewithin split materials produced during the splitting.

One embodiment for splitting a log comprises a first handle; a second handle; a unitary body wedge comprising a cutting wedge coupled to the first handle and a splitting wedge coupled to the second handle, wherein the first handle and the second handle are co-aligned along an axis of the log splitting tool when the cutting wedge and the splitting wedge form the unitary body wedge. As a user swings the log splitting tool in an overhead arc, driving the unitary body wedge into a log that is to be split, a cutting edge of the cutting wedge is driven downward into the log. The user spreads the first and second handles apart in opposing directions so that leverage created by the length of the first and second handles force the cutting wedge and the splitting wedge to separate apart from each other, causing the log to split.

One embodiment for splitting a log comprises a first handle; a second handle; a unitary body wedge comprising a cutting wedge coupled to the first handle and a splitting wedge coupled to the second handle, wherein the first handle and the second handle are co-aligned along an axis of the log splitting tool when the cutting wedge and the splitting wedge form the unitary body wedge. As a user swings the log splitting tool in an overhead arc, driving the unitary body wedge into a log that is to be split, a cutting edge of the cutting wedge is driven downward into the log. The user spreads the first and second handles apart in opposing directions so that leverage created by the length of the first and second handles force the cutting wedge and the splitting wedge to separate apart from each other, causing the log to split.

A tool for log-splitting is provided with a handle structure defining a long axis, and including a first handle and a second handle. The handles extend substantially parallel to the long axis. Coupled to the handles are an axe head including a first wedge and a second wedge with the axe head extending perpendicularly from the long axis of the handle structure to a sharpened edge. The wedges are coupled by a hinged joint providing for the first and second wedges selectively to be aligned together and to be separated. The first wedge includes a notch behind the sharpened edge and the second wedge includes a leading edge that, with the wedges aligned together, is positioned in the notch.

A tool for log-splitting is provided with a handle structure defining a long axis, and including a first handle and a second handle. The handles extend substantially parallel to the long axis. Coupled to the handles are an axe head including a first wedge and a second wedge with the axe head extending perpendicularly from the long axis of the handle structure to a sharpened edge. The wedges are coupled by a hinged joint providing for the first and second wedges selectively to be aligned together and to be separated. The first wedge includes a notch behind the sharpened edge and the second wedge includes a leading edge that, with the wedges aligned together, is positioned in the notch.

A system for a log splitter that is configured to automatically remove power to a pump and motor assembly for a hydraulic actuator when a valve assembly is in a position other than a first position causing the splitting assembly to advance in a first direction or a second position causing the splitting assembly to advance in an opposite first direction. The system incorporates one or more sensors (e.g., transducers) configured to detect different positions of the valve assembly and generate signals that may be processed by a system controller to respectively allow power to flow to or disallow power from flowing to the fluid pump. The disclosed system advantageously results in reduced overall power consumption and noise levels.

A system for a log splitter that is configured to automatically remove power to a pump and motor assembly for a hydraulic actuator when a valve assembly is in a position other than a first position causing the splitting assembly to advance in a first direction or a second position causing the splitting assembly to advance in an opposite first direction. The system incorporates one or more sensors (e.g., transducers) configured to detect different positions of the valve assembly and generate signals that may be processed by a system controller to respectively allow power to flow to or disallow power from flowing to the fluid pump. The disclosed system advantageously results in reduced overall power consumption and noise levels.

A log splitter is provided, wherein the log splitter includes a splitter housing, wherein the splitter housing defines a housing cavity, a splitter head, wherein the splitter head includes a splitter blade, a splitter butt plate and a splitter hydraulic cylinder, wherein the splitter head and splitter butt plate are configured to define a log cavity between the splitter blade and the splitter butt plate and wherein the splitter head is movably associated with the splitter housing and connected to the splitter hydraulic cylinder, such that the splitter head is movable along the length of the splitter housing.