Log lifter
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, the end portions of a heavy log to be cut up have been difficult to elevate and in most instances, this has been done by lever mechanisms with elevating members inserted between the ground and the log. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention includes a collapsible support stand which is adapted to straddle a log to be elevated and which has a hoisting mechanism supported thereon with a log gripping tong member for connecting the hoisting mechanism to the log to elevate the engaged portion of the log. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1. is a perspective view of my invention in operative position showing a portion of a log elevated thereby; 
     FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of my log lifter; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view specifically showing the connection between the supporting legs of the frame; and 
     FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the lifter unit with the legs shown in collapsed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A log lifter embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and includes a pair of supporting leg structures 10 and 12. A mounting platform 14 is rigidly connected to the upper end of the leg structure 10 as by being welded thereto. The other leg structure 12 is pivotally connected to the platform 14 by means of a pivot shaft 16. The portion of this pivotal connection formed at the top of the leg structure 12 is provided by an elongated sleeve 18 fixed to the top of the legs 12 as by a connecting plate 20. 
     The mounting plate 14 has a pair of depending flanges 14a through which the connecting shaft 16 is inserted with the sleeve 18 interposed therebetween. When the leg structure 12 is in extended operative position as best shown in FIG. 2, the top of the connecting plate 20 will engage the bottom surface of the mounting plate 14 disposed thereabove to form a positive rigid support for the leg structure 12. The leg structure 12 is held in extended operative position by a latch mechanism having a latch element 22 fixed to the edge portion of connecting plate 20 and having a notch 22a aligned with a releasable latch hook 24 having an operating handle 26. The latch hook 24 is pivotally mounted on the top of the mounting plate 14 as shown and a tension spring 28 urges the same into latched position. The end of the hook has a cam surface 24a for engaging the inner end of the notch 22a to cam the hook outwardly away from the inner end of the notch 22a to permit the hook to pass through the notch and ultimately close into latched position on the outside of the latch element 22. 
     A hoisting mechanism is mounted on the top of the plate and includes a flanged winding drum 30 journaled between the supporting elements of a bracket 32 fixed to the top of the mounting plate 14 as illustrated. One of the flanges of the winding drum has a gear wheel 34 fixed thereto and a driving pinion 36 is meshed therewith as best shown in FIG. 3. An operating wheel 38 is fixed to a drive shaft 40 which, in turn, is fixed to the pinion 36 to rotate the same. A locking pawl 42 is provided to positively hold the pinion wheel 36 against rotation. A cable 44 is connected to the drum 30 and is wound thereon between the flanges thereof as illustrated and extends through a suitable opening in the central portion of the mounting plate 14 as illustrated. 
     In the form shown, a log gripping unit in the form of a pair of pivotally connected tong elements 46 is provided, having the intermediate pin 46a thereof formed in spaced relation to the upper ends of the tong levers 46. The cable 44 is connected to the upper ends of the levers 46 as by a connecting yoke member 48 as best shown in FIG. 2. 
     The operator moves the leg structure into position where the log L is straddled between the two legs. The tong levers 46 are then expanded around the log and the lower hook elements 46b are closed against the log to securely grip the same. The hoist is then actuated to take up the cable 44 and lift the log into the desired position to facilitate cutting thereof. 
     It is to be understood that while there has been illustrated and described certain forms of the present invention, the invention is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.