초록 ▼

A tree harvesting guide bar adapted for treating stumps with a treatment material as the tree is being harvested is provided, and more particularly a valve arrangement for enabling connection of the guide bar inlet to treatment material sources on a variety of different harvesting machines is disclo

A tree harvesting guide bar adapted for treating stumps with a treatment material as the tree is being harvested is provided, and more particularly a valve arrangement for enabling connection of the guide bar inlet to treatment material sources on a variety of different harvesting machines is disclosed, such that the inlet not connected to the treatment material source does not need to be independently and manually plugged to prevent undesirable outflow.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A guide bar, comprising:an elongate bar having inner and outer ends and opposed first and second sides;a channel provided in at least one of the opposed sides and extending substantially along the length thereof;a conduit seated in the channel, the conduit having an inner and outer end, the condu

1. A guide bar, comprising:an elongate bar having inner and outer ends and opposed first and second sides;a channel provided in at least one of the opposed sides and extending substantially along the length thereof;a conduit seated in the channel, the conduit having an inner and outer end, the conduit having opposing inlets, the opposing in lets defining passageways into the conduit at a point at or near the inner end, the opposing inlets adapted to receive a treatment material from a source, such that the treatment material is directed into the conduit; anda check valve positioned in the conduit between the opposing inlets, the check valve movable from a first position to a second position, the check valve being responsive to the inflow of the treatment material through one of the opposing inlets whereby one of the opposing inlets is open, to allow treatment material into the conduit, and the other opposing inlet is closed to prevent outflow through the closed inlet.2. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein an end plug seals the inner end of the conduit and carries the check valve.3. A guide bar as defined in claim 2 wherein the check valve includes a flap that extends from the end plug to a point in the conduit past the opposing inlets, the flap being responsive to the flow of treatment material such that introduction of the treatment material from one opposing inlet forces the flap against the other opposing inlet, thereby preventing outflow of the treatment material through that opposing inlet.4. A guide bar as defined in claim 2, wherein the check valve is a collapsible tubular extension of the end plug, the tubular extension keeping the opposing inlets in a closed position, whereby introduction of the treatment material into one opposing inlet forces a portion of the tubular extension to collapse allowing treatment material to flow into the conduit.5. A guide bar as defined in claim 4, wherein the collapsing portion of the check valve pushes against the portion of the check valve covering the opposing inlet, thereby creating an enhanced seal to prevent outflow through that inlet.6. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein the check valve is a flexible layer adjacent to an inner walled portion of the conduit and overlying the opposing inlets, whereby a first portion of the flexible layer adjacent to one opposing inlet separates from the inner walled portion of the conduit in response to inflow of the treatment material allowing the treatment material to flow to the conduit, and a second portion of the flexible layer remaining against the opposing inlet preventing the treatment material from flowing out therefrom.7. A guide bar as defined in claim 6, wherein the separating first portion of the flexible layer of the check valve pushes against the second portion of the flexible layer, thereby creating an enhanced seal to prevent outflow through that inlet.8. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein the check valve is a flap having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured in the inner end of the conduit and the second end extending from the inner end to a point in the conduit past the opposing inlets, the flap being responsive to the flow of treatment material such that introduction of the treatment material from one opposing inlet forces the flap against the other opposing inlet, thereby preventing outflow of the treatment material through the other opposing inlet.9. A guide bar as defined in claim 8, wherein the flap has a cross-sectional curvature substantially similar to a cross-sectional curvature of a corresponding inner walled portion of the conduit.10. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein the conduit further comprises a plurality of perforations adapted for dispersing the treatment material.11. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are formed by a manufacturer.12. A guide bar as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of perforations are formed by a user.13. A method for treating stumps, comprising:providing a guide bar having opposed sides, a conduit adapted for dispersing a treatment material being disposed in at least one side, the conduit having a near end and an outer end, and opposing inlets in the guide bar and conduit at or near the near end;positioning a check valve in the conduit between the opposing inlets, the check valve movable from a first position to a second position, the check valve being responsive to the inflow of the treatment material through one of the opposing inlets whereby one of the opposing inlets is open, to allow treatment material into the conduit, and the other opposing inlet is closed to prevent outflow through the closed inlet;coupling one of the opposing inlets to a source for the treatment material; andintroducing the treatment material from the source to the coupled opposing inlet, whereby the check valve allows the treatment material to flow into the conduit and prevents outflow of the treatment material through the opposing inlet that is not coupled to the source.14. The method of treating stumps as defined in claim 13, wherein the check valve includes a flap that extends from the end plug to a point in the conduit past the opposing inlets, the flap being responsive to the flow of treatment material such that introduction of the treatment material from one opposing inlet forces the flap against the other opposing inlet, thereby preventing outflow of the treatment material through that opposing inlet.15. The method of treating stumps as defined in claim 13, wherein the check valve includes a collapsible tubular extension of the end plug, the tubular extension keeping the opposing inlets in a closed position, whereby introduction of the treatment material into one opposing inlet forces a portion of the tubular extension to collapse allowing treatment material to flow into the conduit.16. The method of treating stumps as defined in claim 13, wherein the check valve includes a flexible layer adjacent to an inner walled portion of the conduit and overlying the opposing inlets, whereby a first portion of the flexible layer adjacent to one opposing inlet separates from the inner walled portion of the conduit in response to inflow of the treatment material allowing the material to flow to the conduit and a second portion of the flexible layer remaining against the opposing inlet preventing the treatment material from flowing out of that opposing inlet.17. The method of treating stumps as defined in claim 13, wherein the check valve is a flap having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured in the inner end of the conduit and the second end extending from the inner end to a point in the conduit past the opposing inlets, the flap being responsive to the flow of treatment material such that introduction of the treatment material from one opposing inlet forces the flap against the other opposing inlet, thereby preventing outflow of the treatment material through the other opposing inlet.