Abstract: A turning device comprises turning members moveable between an idle position and an operational position, a sensor located upstream of the turning member, for scanning the wood pieces on a conveyor, and an deflector controlled by the sensor and adapted, when actuated, to selectively cause the turning member to be displaced to the operational position for turning a given elongated wood piece on the conveyor to a desired position. The turning member is pivotally mounted to a motorised chain for continuously displacing the turning member adjacent the conveyor. The turning member also includes a guide pin, and the chain drives the turning member along a closed-loop guide track, the turning member having its guide pin engaged in the track.

Abstract: A turning device for use in concert with a conveyor adapted to feed elongated wood pieces one-by-one to the turning device comprises at least one turning member moveable between an idle position and an operational position, a sensor located upstream of the turning member, for scanning the wood pieces on the conveyor, and an deflector controlled by the sensor and adapted, when actuated, to selectively cause the turning member to be displaced to the operational position for turning a given elongated wood piece on the conveyor to a desired position. The turning member is pivotally mounted to a motorised chain for continuously displacing the turning member adjacent the conveyor. The turning member also includes a guide pin, and the chain drives the turning member along a closed-loop guide track, the turning member having its guide pin engaged in the track.

Abstract: The loading device of the present invention is adapted for the high speed handling of lumber pieces, wherein the lumber pieces are fed side-by-side in bulk to the loading device by an inlet conveyor and are delivered by the loading device in a substantially constantly spaced relationship onto an outlet conveyor which carries the lumber pieces to another station, e.g. a classifier. The loading device comprises solely motorized mechanical components, including a number of synchronized cam-actuated tongs for picking up, grasping and transferring the lumber pieces from the inlet to the outlet conveyor. The tongs are mounted on a rotatable wheel and each displaced by a first cam system between open, closed and open positions thereof during each rotation the wheel.

Abstract: The loading device of the present invention is adapted for the high speed handling of lumber pieces, wherein the lumber pieces are fed side-by-side in bulk to the loading device by an inlet conveyor and are delivered by the loading device in a substantially constantly spaced relationship onto an outlet conveyor which carries the lumber pieces to another station, e.g. a classifier. The loading device comprises solely motorized mechanical components, including a number of synchronized cam-actuated tongs for picking up, grasping and transferring the lumber pieces from the inlet to the outlet conveyor. The tongs are mounted on a rotatable wheel and each displaced by a first cam system between open, closed and open positions thereof during each rotation the, wheel.