Lumbering tool

Abstract

The present invention provides a strong, but lightweight, multi-function, portable lumbering tool which can be easily carried by an individual lumberjack operating alone in the forest. The tool combines a number of functions which permit an individual lumberjack to fell even large trees in a desired direction including a breaking iron for tipping a tree, a wedge for preventing a saw from binding in a partially cut tree, a hook for dragging and rolling felled logs or for freeing a partially felled tree caught on another tree. The tool may also be used as a spade for clearing around the trunk of a tree or for general purpose digging.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A unitary portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising: an elongated shaft;   a head integrally disposed on one end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge to facilitate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein, said head including a flared section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for the head against a tree trunk;   at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree;   one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head for preventing said head from being pressed out of said saw track under the weight of the tree;   a handle integrally disposed at the other end of and cooperative with said shaft to provide a lever for tipping the tree about a fulcrum provided by the thicker end of said head; and   a hook disposed with respect to said head and cooperative with a surface of said tool to provide canting functions.   
     
     
       2. A lumbering tool as in claim 1 further including: a transverse surface at the thicker end of said head to provide a means for impelling the head into a saw track.   
     
     
       3. A lumbering tool as in claim 1 wherein said handle includes a generally oval-shaped grooved perimeter extending transverse to the shaft and in the plane of the head suitable for gripping with one or both hands, the outermost surface of said handle providing a means for impelling said head into a saw track. 
     
     
       4. A lumbering tool as in claim 1 wherein said hook is tapered to a sharp point and integrally disposed on and extending from said thicker end of said head. 
     
     
       5. A lumbering tool as in claim 1 wherein said shaft is tapered from a relatively thin cross section at said handle end to a relatively thick cross section at said head end to provide a larger fulcrum for tipping the tree and to provide a stronger shaft. 
     
     
       6. A lumbering tool as in claim 4 further including a bracket integrally disposed on and extending transversely from the shaft in the plane of said head at a predetermined distance from said hook and operative to provide a canting surface cooperative with said hook for rolling a log. 
     
     
       7. A lumbering tool as in claim 1 further including a generally rectangular heel disposed at the thick end of said wedged head for providing a raised platform on which a partially tipped tree may rest to prevent the tree from leaning back after it has been partially tipped; the longitudinal length of said head being sufficient to allow the tree to slide along the face of said head as it is being tipped until it begins to fall without interference with said heel.   
     
     
       8. A unitary, portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising: an elongated shaft tapering from a relatively thick cross section at one end to a relatively thin cross section at the other end;   a head integrally disposed on said thicker end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge of the tool to facilitate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein, said head including a flared section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for said head against a tree trunk;   at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree;   one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head .[.for.]. .Iadd.from .Iaddend.preventing said head for being pressed out of a saw track under the weight of the tree;   a transverse surface at the thicker end of said head to provide a means for impelling the head into a saw track;   a hook tapered to a sharp point and integrally disposed on and extending from a corner of said thicker end of said head;   a bracket integrally disposed on and extending transversely from said shaft in the plane of said head at a predetermined distance from said hook and operative to provide a canting surface cooperative with said hook for rolling a log;   a handle integrally disposed at the thinner end of said shaft and including a generally oval-shaped grooved perimeter extending transversed to the shaft in the plane of the head suitable for gripping with one or both hands and having an outwardly facing rear surface for providing means for impelling said head into a saw track, said handle and said shaft cooperative to provide a lever for tipping the tree about a fulcrum provided by the thicker end of said head.   
     
     
       9. A unitary, portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising: an elongated shaft having a plurality of longitudinal cutouts therethrough to reduce its weight separated by transverse ribs, said ribs being spaced closer together toward a first end of said shaft and farther apart toward a second end of said shaft;   a head integrally disposed on said first end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge to faciliate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein said head including a flared section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for the head against a tree trunk;   at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree;   one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head for preventing said head from being pressed out of a saw track under the weight of the tree;   a heel disposed at the thick end of said head for providing a raised platform on which a partially tipped tree may rest to prevent the tree from leaning back after it has been partially tipped;   the longitudinal length of said head being sufficient to allow the tree to slide along the face of said head as it is being tipped until it begins to fall without interference with said heel;   a handle formed of an I beam and integrally disposed at the second end of and cooperative with said shaft to provide a lever for tipping the tree about a fulcrum provided by the heel;   a strap pivotally disposed on said shaft;   a hook pivotally and reversibly disposed on said strap in a plane perpendicular to that of said head for providing, when said hook is pointed toward said head, a cant hook for rolling a log, and when said hook is pointed toward said handle for providing a hook for dragging a log. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  A unitary portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising: an elongated shaft;   a head integrally disposed on one end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge to facilitate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein, said head including a flared section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for the head against a tree trunk;   a hook disposed on said head; and   a canting member integrally disposed on the shaft, extending laterally of the shaft and extending in a direction away from said hook, said canting member being disposed on the same side of said shaft as said hook so as to provide a canting surface cooperative with said hook for rolling a log. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11. A lumbering tool as in claim 10, wherein said hook is tapered to a sharp point and integrally disposed on and extending from said thicker end of said head. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 12. A lumbering tool as in claim 10, further including at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. A lumbering tool as in claim 10, further including one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head for preventing said head from being pressed out of said saw track under the weight of the tree. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. A unitary portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising:   an elongated shaft;   a head integrally disposed on one end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge to facilitate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein, said head including a section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for the head against a tree trunk,   a handle integrally disposed at the other end of and cooperative with said shaft to provide a lever for tipping the tree about a fulcrum provided by the thicker end of said head;   a hook disposed on said head; and   a canting member integrally disposed on the shaft, extending laterally of the shaft and extending in a direction away from said hook, said canting member being disposed on the shaft on the same side as said hook so as to provide a canting surface cooperative with said hook for rolling a log. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. A lumbering tool as in claim 14, wherein said hook is tapered to a sharp point and integrally disposed on and extending from said thicker end of said head. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. A lumbering tool as in claim 14, further including at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A lumbering tool as in claim 14, further including one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head for preventing said head from being pressed out of said saw track under the weight of the tree. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. A unitary portable, multi-function lumbering tool comprising:   an elongated shaft;   a head integrally disposed on one end of said shaft and having a wedge-shaped cross section tapering longitudinally from said shaft to a leading edge to facilitate its insertion into a saw track of a partially cut tree and to prevent a saw from binding therein, said head including a section extending in the plane of said head in a direction transverse to said shaft to provide a larger bearing surface for the head against a tree trunk;   a handle integrally disposed at the other end of and cooperative with said shaft to provide a lever for tipping the tree about a fulcrum provided by the thicker end of said head;   a hook disposed on said head; and   a canting member integrally disposed on said shaft, extending laterally of the shaft and extending in a direction away from said hook, said canting member being disposed on the same side of the shaft as said hook so as to provide a canting surface cooperative with said hook for rolling a log;   said shaft, said head, said canting member, said hook and said handle extending in the same horizontal plane. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. A lumbering tool as in claim 18, wherein said hook is tapered to a sharp point and integrally disposed on and extending from said thicker end of said head. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. A lumbering tool as in claim 18, further including at least one pointed edge projecting from a portion of said leading edge of said head for biting into a tree. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 21. A lumbering tool as in claim 18, further including one or more rearwardly facing barbs disposed on one surface of said head for preventing said head from being pressed out of said saw track under the weight of the tree. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 22. A lumbering tool as in claim 14, wherein said handle is generally oval-shaped, extends transverse to said shaft and in the plane of said head, and is suitable for gripping with one or both hands. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. A lumbering tool according to claim 14, further including a gripping member disposed on and extending transversely from the shaft having one end coupled to the shaft and another end coupled to an end of the canting member remote from the shaft. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 24. A lumbering tool according to claim 18, further including a gripping member disposed on and extending transversely from the shaft having one end coupled to the shaft and another end coupled to an end of the canting member remote from the shaft. .Iaddend.