Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operating relationship of a rotatably driven circular saw blade to an adjacent workpiece includes a base carrying an elongated slide plate having a longitudinal slot adjacent one end. An indexing assembly is disposed between the base and the elongated slide plate and engages within the slot of the slide plate to constrain one of its ends to longitudinal movement, and a crank rotatably connects the base to the medial portion of the slide plate. A first motor is mounted on the other end of the slide plate to rotatably support the blade, and a second motor may be carried by the base for rotating the crank to move the slide plate from side to side and up and down along the slot and thereby move the saw blade along an elliptical path. In operation, the second motor turns the crank to cause the blade to be brought into contact with the workpiece along a path generally parallel with a major axis of the elliptical path.

Abstract: An infeed assembly or mechanism for advancing wood sticks of random length through an end shaping machine or woodworking apparatus that has at least one end shaper and means for holding the sticks against displacement, while permitting travel thereof through the machine, in coaction with an underlying table that supports said sticks during the shaping of their ends as well as throughout the advancement thereof; said infeed assembly is composed of a feed shuttle mounted for reciprocal movement in a generally elliptical path or rhombic orbit longitudinally of the table and having upstanding means for projection above said table and engagement with said sticks during the feed stroke and for retraction below said table during the return stroke of said shuttle.

Abstract: A cutting head for forming finger joints in the ends of successively presented boards moved into engagement therewith, is slidably mounted for vertical reciprocation between two preselected cutting positions. The movement is imparted by a pressure fluid actuator which is cyclically actuated to urge the cutting head alternately into the preselected positions after each cutting operation. The apparatus facilitates shaping consecutive work pieces respectively into left and right hand mating finger joints with a single cutting head, requiring no manual effort or set-up between pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glue applicator for applying glue to an uneven generally vertical surface having a generally upright rotary brush with a compartmented doctor block at one side thereof. Glue is pumped into the feed compartment and onto the brush which then wipes it onto the work piece. Glue recovery means are provided below the brush for recycling unused glue, and a shield is preferably provided around part of the brush to minimize splattering. The doctor block compartment may be in the form of an open-sided tube, or may comprise a series of serrations in the doctor block.

Abstract: A pair of torque driven pneumatic tires serially feeds pre-assembled finger jointed boards, aligned end to end, along a path with sufficient force to overcome a drag force imparted to the boards at a point disposed in the longitudinal direction of travel. The drag force is produced by a retarding unit positioned downstream of the tires for engaging opposite surfaces of the boards passing therethrough with conforming bearing surfaces and producing uniform normal forces and friction thereupon. The boards along the path between the points of feed and drag are thus subjected to longitudinal compression facilitating complete interengagement in the finger joint.