WEDGE HOLDER FOR LOG SPLITTING

Abstract

A wedge holder system and kit and method for splitting a log having a polymer foam block member with a concave top surface forming a basin with raised left and right longitudinal sides paralleling a center axis, the top surface designed to conform to a rounded side of a log. A planar bottom surface of the block member is designed to rest on a log cross section. At least one slot portion through the foam block member is designed to hold an at least one metal wedge member vertically to drive the metal wedge into a log. At least one V-shaped notch portion for holding wood vertically may be disposed within at least one exterior longitudinal side portion of the polymer foam block member. Polymer foam block members may be adjacent or coupled lengthwise or vertically.

Claims

1. A wedge holder system for splitting a log using at least one metal wedge member, the wedge holder system comprising: a compressible, substantially cuboid, polymer foam block member with a substantially concave top surface forming a basin with raised left and right longitudinal sides, the longitudinal sides substantially paralleling a center axis substantially equidistant from the longitudinal sides, the top surface adapted to longitudinally rest on and conform to a rounded side of a log; a substantially planar bottom surface of the polymer foam block member adapted to rest on a horizontally disposed, substantially planar, log cross section; and at least one slot portion disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides, the at least one slot portion further disposed through the foam block from the top surface to a bottom surface and adapted to hold an at least one first wedge member substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, the slot portion further adapted to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one first wedge member.

2. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein at least one second slot portion is disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides, the at least one second slot portion further disposed through the polymer foam block member from the top surface to the bottom surface and adapted to hold an at least one second wedge member of comparable size to the first wedge member substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, the at least one second slot portion further adapted to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one second wedge member, the spacing between the slot portions substantially twice the length of either the first wedge member or the at least one second wedge member.

3. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein one or more additional slot portions are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides of the polymer foam block member, the at least one additional slot portion further disposed through the polymer foam block member from the top surface to the bottom surface, each additional slot portion adapted to hold wedge members of substantially different sizes from each other and the first wedge member.

4. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein at least one V-shaped notch portion is disposed within at least one exterior longitudinal side portion of the polymer foam block member adapted to vertically hold a log portion therein.

5. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 4 wherein the at least one V-shaped notch portion is disposed with angles of substantially fifty to seventy degrees.

6. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein the polymer foam block member is a first wedge block member disposed longitudinally adjacent to at least a second polymer foam block member, each polymer foam block member coupled to at least one other polymer foam block member to form an assembly of two or more polymer foam block members, the spacing between the nearest-to-each-other adjacent slot portions disposed on each adjacent polymer foam block member substantially twice the length of the at least one first wedge block member, the polymer foam block member assembly adapted to split a log disposed beneath.

7. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 6 wherein the polymer foam block members of the polymer foam block member assembly are slidably coupled by aligned notch portions, a soft vice afforded to logs or wedges disposed between contiguous side portions of the coupled polymer foam block members.

8. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein the polymer foam block member is disposed vertically below at least one second polymer foam block member and adapted to hold a log portion disposed through vertically aligned slot portions.

9. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein one or more polymer foam ridge portions are longitudinally disposed on each left and right longitudinal sides of the polymer foam block member.

10. The wedge holder system for splitting a log of claim 1 wherein the polymer foam block member is about five to seven inches by eleven to thirteen inches by sixteen to twenty inches in size.

11. A method or process for splitting a log member using a metal wedge member comprising: utilizing a compressible, substantially cuboid, polymer foam block member with a substantially concave top surface forming a basin with raised left and right longitudinal sides, the longitudinal sides substantially paralleling a center axis substantially equidistant from the longitudinal sides, the top surface adapted to longitudinally rest on and conform to a rounded side of the log member, the log member including at least one log, a log portion or a log biscuit; locating a substantially planar bottom surface of the polymer foam block member on a horizontally disposed or upright, substantially planar, log cross section; and providing for at least one slot portion disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides, the at least one slot portion being disposed through the foam block from the top surface to the bottom surface to hold an at least one first wedge member substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, the slot portion further adapted to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one first wedge member.

12. The method of splitting a log of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing at least one second slot portion is disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides of the polymer foam block member, the at least one second slot portion further disposed through the polymer foam block member from the top surface to the bottom surface and adapted to hold an at least one second wedge member of comparable size to the first wedge member substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, the at least one second slot portion further adapted to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one second wedge member, the spacing between the slot portions substantially twice the length of either the first wedge member or the at least one second wedge member.

13. The method of splitting a log of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing one or more additional slot portions are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides of the polymer foam block member, the at least one additional slot portion further disposed through the polymer foam block member from the top surface to the bottom surface, each additional slot portion adapted to hold wedge members of substantially different sizes from each other and the first wedge member.

14. The method of splitting a log of claim 11 further comprising the step of forming at least one V-shaped notch portion is disposed within at least one exterior longitudinal side portion of the polymer foam block member adapted to vertically hold a log portion therein.

15. The wedge holder process for splitting a log of claim 14 wherein the at least one V-shaped notch portion is disposed with angles of substantially fifty to seventy degrees.

16. The wedge holder process for splitting a log of claim 11 wherein the polymer foam block member is disposed longitudinally adjacent to at least one additional polymer foam block member, each polymer foam block member coupled to at least one other polymer foam block member to form an assembly of two or more polymer foam block members, the spacing between the nearest-to-each-other adjacent slot portions disposed on each adjacent polymer foam block member substantially twice the length of the at least one first wedge member, the polymer foam block member assembly adapted to split a log disposed beneath.

17. The wedge holder process for splitting a log of claim 16 wherein the polymer foam block members of the polymer foam block member assembly are slidably coupled by aligned notch portions, a soft vice afforded to logs or wedges disposed between contiguous side portions of the coupled polymer foam block members.

18. A log splitting kit comprising: a wedge holder member having a top surface with a concave portion and a bottom planar surface, the wedge holder member comprised of a polymer foam and including at least one slot portion formed vertically through the wedge holder member from the top surface to the bottom surface; and a metal wedge member having a substantial triangular shape or configuration with a flat head portion and a tip portion, wherein the wedge member is adapted to be inserted vertically through and supported upright by the at least one slot portion of the wedge holder member.

19. The log splitting kit of claim 18 wherein the concave portion of the top surface of the wedge holder member is configured from at least one set of polymer foam ridge portions longitudinally disposed on each left and right longitudinal sides of the polymer foam block member.

20. The log splitting kit of claim 18 further comprising a wedge holder member including a second concave or indented portion adapted to allow the wedge holder member to be located on a cross section or longitudinal end of a log member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the polymer foam block member and a wedge member used to protrude through the foam block member.

[0034] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the foam block member located on a top cross section of a log to be split.

[0035] FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the foam block member disposed longitudinally a log to be split located adjacent a top surface of the foam block member.

[0036] FIG. 1D illustrates the top view of the polymer foam block member.

[0037] FIG. 1E illustrates the bottom view of the polymer foam block member.

[0038] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the polymer foam block member with two equally sized slot members.

[0039] FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom view of the polymer foam block member with two equally sized slot members.

[0040] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate top and bottom views, respectively, of the polymer foam block member with two differently sized slot members.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the polymer foam block member with one V-shaped notch portion.

[0042] FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom side view of the polymer foam block member and the second polymer foam block member.

[0043] FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom side view of the polymer foam block member and the additional polymer foam block member wherein the polymer foam block members are slidably coupled.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of two polymer foam block members vertically adjacent with aligned slots.

[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the polymer foam block member one ridge portion disposed on one side portion of the polymer foam block member.

[0046] FIG. 8 a side view of the foam block member (in phantom view, dotted lines) disposed longitudinally over a log to be split located adjacent a top surface of the foam block member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0048] Referring to the figures and to which is included here in its entirety, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate a wedge holder kit 10 for splitting a log that has a compressible, substantially cuboid, polymer foam block member 100 with a substantially concave top surface 110 forming a basin with raised left longitudinal side 140 and right longitudinal side 160, the longitudinal sides substantially paralleling a center axis substantially equidistant from the longitudinal sides 150. In this example embodiment, wedge holder kit 10 includes a metal wedge member 30, which includes a sharp or wedge tip 32, and a flat head portion 34 for striking with a hammer, used to drive into a log or wood piece and split it. Wedge member 30 can be of various sizes and wedge angles depending on the size of log or wood to be split. Although not shown, wedge holder kit 10 also includes a hammer or sledgehammer for bigger logs to strike head 34 and drive it through slit 130 and into a log.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1C, the top surface 110 of foam block member 100 is designed to longitudinally rest on and conform to a rounded side of a log 20. In this way, log 20 is split longitudinally or lengthwise. FIGS. 1D and 1E illustrate top and bottom views of foam block member 100 with slot or slit 130 for which wedge 30 protrudes therethrough.

[0050] In a related embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, a substantially planar bottom surface 190 of the polymer foam block member 100 is designed to rest on a horizontally disposed, substantially planar, log cross section 20A of log 20. At least one slot portion 130 is disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides, the at least one slot portion 130 further disposed through the foam block 100 from the top surface 110 to the bottom surface 190 and is designed to hold an at least one first wedge member 30 substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 190, the slot portion 130 further designed to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one first wedge member 30. In another related embodiment, foam block member 100 includes an indentation on surface 190 to facilitate locating foam block member on cross section 20A of log 20.

[0051] FIG. 2A-2B illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder kit 10 for longer log splitting, which includes at least one second slot or slit portion 230 is disposed axially centered and substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides 140, 160, the at least one second slot portion 230 further disposed through the polymer foam block member 100 from the top surface 110 to the bottom surface 190 and designed to hold an at least one second wedge member 40 (having a wedge tip 42 and flat head 44) of comparable size to the first wedge member 30 substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 190, the at least one second slot portion 230 further designed to stretch without tearing to at least the maximum width of the at least one second wedge member 40, the spacing between the slot portions substantially twice the length of either the first wedge member 30 or the at least one second wedge member 40.

[0052] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate one embodiment of the wedge holder kit 10 for splitting a log wherein one or more additional slot portions 330 are disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides of, with reference to FIG. 1A, the polymer foam block member 100 with sides 140, 160, the at least one additional slot portion 330 further disposed through the polymer foam block member 100 from the top surface 110 to the bottom surface 190, each additional slot portion 330 designed to hold an additional wedge member (or members) 50 of substantially different sizes from each other and the first wedge member 30. In this example embodiment, wedge member 50 includes a wedge tip 52, a flat head 54 and a bulbous midportion 56 to facilitate log-splitting.

[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder foam block 400 for splitting a log (or a partial log) that the user desires to hold upright in order to split it further into smaller pieces for kindling for example. In this embodiment, the foam block member 400 includes a center portion 410 and two longitudinal sides 440 and 460 and a slit 430. The at least one V-shaped notch portion 402 is disposed within at least one exterior longitudinal side portion of, with reference to FIG. 1A, the polymer foam block member 140, 160 designed to vertically hold a log portion therein. In one embodiment of the wedge holder for log splitting, the at least one V-shaped notch portion 402 is disposed with angles of substantially fifty to seventy degrees.

[0054] FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder for log splitting, with reference to FIG. 1, the polymer foam block member 100 is disposed longitudinally adjacent to at least one second polymer foam block member 500, each polymer foam block member 100, 500 coupled to at least one other polymer foam block member 100, 500 to form an assembly of two or more polymer foam block members 502, the spacing between the nearest-to-each-other adjacent slot portions 130 disposed on each adjacent polymer foam block member 100, 500 substantially twice the length of the at least one first wedge member 30, the polymer foam block member assembly 502 designed to split a log disposed beneath.

[0055] FIG. 5B illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder kit 50for log splitting, with reference to FIG. 1A, the polymer foam block members 100, 500 of the polymer foam block member assembly 502 are slidably coupled by interlocking and aligned notch portions 510 and tabs 512 for longer log pieces that need splitting.

[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder assembly for log splitting, wherein, with reference to FIG. 1A, the polymer foam block member 100 is disposed vertically above at least one additional polymer foam block member 600 and designed to hold a log portion disposed through vertically aligned slot portions 130 and 630 along a longitudinal axis 650.

[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the wedge holder 70 for log splitting wherein one or more polymer left foam ridge portions 740, 742 and 744 and right foam ridge portions 760, 762 and 764 are longitudinally disposed on each left and right longitudinal sides of, with reference to FIG. 1A, the polymer foam block members 740, 760. The plurality of ridge portions described above facilitate splitting logs of various diameters on foam block 700 via slot or slit 730.

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates use of a metal wedge 30 inside the slot portion 130 within the polymer foam block member 100 (in phantom view, dotted lines for improved viewing of wedge movement through the foam block member 130) for slitting an exemplary log 20 upon striking of head 34 with a hammer.

[0059] The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,762,914; 10,232,229, and 10,610,742.

[0060] While the inventive concept has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure, many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concept will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventive concept pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.