Rotary Disk Patents (Class 144/176)
  • Patent number: 5649579
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an apparatus for clamping a chipper knife (1) to a rotatable chipper disc (4) or drum so that the back surface (6) of the knife (1) is supported against a knife clamp (2) with a knife spacer (3), and that the knife clamp (2) and knife spacer (3) are movable relative to each other by means of the clamping element (5). The knife clamp (2) is provided with supporting surfaces (11, 12) which the back surface (6) of the knife (1) is adapted to lean against by at least two spaced-apart surfaces (11', 12'). The knife spacer element (3) includes a supporting surface (13) which is adapted to subject a front surface (14) of the knife (1) to a force acting between said supporting surfaces (11, 12) of the knife clamp (2) for bending the knife (1) between said supporting surfaces (11, 12) of the knife clamp (2) towards the knife clamp (2) so as to generate a compression stress in the free section of a front surface (16) of the knife (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventors: Pekka Kokko, Matti Kahilahti
  • Patent number: 5649578
    Abstract: An improved wood pulverizer is provided with a rotating disc studded with a plurality of curved tapered hammers. One or more anvils is secured to the pulverizer with the anvil having teeth and slots located adjacent the surface of the disc. The hammers of the rotating disc pass through the slots of the anvils as the disc rotates to tear and shard wood into bits and pieces for subsequent use or processing. The anvils of the present invention are formed with two or more useable surfaces so that the anvils can be removed, rotated, and replaced to present fresh cutting surfaces to the disc. Further, the anvils are formed by a series of bolted together anvil segments to allow replacement of only single segments in the event of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Dana Leguin
  • Patent number: 5638877
    Abstract: Apparatus for fashioning a pointed end on a stake includes a base on which is mounted a rotatably driven slotted circular disk having secured to one side thereof a plurality of cutting blades co-disposed in a radially outward arrangement within a cutting plane of the disk. A feed table is displaceably mounted on the base adjacent the cutting plane of the disk and supports a hollow cylinder having open ends for receiving a wooden stake and retaining a free end thereof in a predetermined angular cutting engagement with the cutting plane. Forward travel of the stake through the cylinder is limited by a stop member and lateral displacement of the stake relative to the cutting plane is provided by a handle operated cam that controllably moves the feed table to establish a predetermined depth of cut. The stake is rotated within the cylinder either manually or by a motor driven rotator which results in pinpointing the extended end of the stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Norman J. April
  • Patent number: 5575320
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a cutting tool assembly for mounting unto a rotatable chip forming head. It comprises a knife holder having a base portion which is adapted to be secured peripherally to the head and a cantilevered plate portion having a lower section integral with the base portion and an upper section extending obliquely over the base portion. The cantilevered arrangement of the knife supporting plate enables the lateral ejection of chips produced from a solid piece of wood during operation so that chips do not contact successive cutting tool assemblies as the head rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Les Ateliers Benoit Allard, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Brisson
  • Patent number: 5485873
    Abstract: An improved knife clamping system for use in an apparatus for processing wood, such as a flaker, chipper or waferizer, that employs a rotary disc or ring, cutting knives, holding locations mounted on the disc or ring to receive the cutting knives, clamping members to engage and hold the cutting knives in position and fasteners to mount the clamping members to the holding locations. The improvement comprises providing a surface having an undulating profile to engage against the cutting knives. The undulating surface can be formed on the clamping member, at the holding location or at both locations. The surface is shaped to deform to engage the cutting knives with a uniform clamping load upon securing of the fasteners to a pre-selected torque. The foregoing arrangement requires fewer fasteners while still maintaining an adequate clamping force on the cutting knives. This makes parts less expensive and reduces the time to change the knives as there are fewer parts to loosen and tighten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: CAE Machinery Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Crammond
  • Patent number: 5477900
    Abstract: An improved chute and spout assembly for use with a wood chipper that clears logjams by the use of hydraulic rams attached to the chute near the chipper. The rams move between an extended position, for moving the logs, and a retracted position, when the logs are sliding by gravity on the interior surface of the chute. The rams are oriented and spaced apart in order to move the logs when jammed without interfering with each other when more than one ram is extended into the interior of the chute to move the logs. When retracted, the ends of the rams are approximately flush with the interior surface of the chute. Each ram is independently controlled for flexibility in clearing logjams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: David A. Gray
  • Patent number: 5469902
    Abstract: A chopper has a straight knife clamped between a clamping member and a counter knife. The knife, clamping member, and counter knife are collectively positioned in a machined area formed in a holder that is in turn fitted within a larger recess formed in a chopping disk. A first fastener secures the knife holder to the chopping disk, a second fastener secures the clamping member to the knife holder, and a third fastener secures the counter knife to the knife holder. A projection formed in the counter knife engages a groove formed in the knife to properly align the knife and to inhibit entry of fibers into the space between the counter knife and the knife. The holder further includes a series of steps that position the counter knife and the clamping member, respectively, with respect to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: American Knife, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Sharp, Jan-Erik Jonsson
  • Patent number: 5469901
    Abstract: A disc hog for reducing timbers to wood chips and shards of a predetermined maximum size comprises a housing defining a disc-shaped interior cavity and a heavy metal disc disposed in the cavity and mounted for rapid rotation about its central axis. A feeder opening is formed in the housing and a chute is positioned to facilitate the feeding of timbers through the opening for presentation to the front surface of the rotating disc. Both the front surface and the rear surface of the rotating disc is studded with hammer blocks that protrude outwardly from the surface. The hammer blocks on the front surface are sized and configured to impact, tear apart, and shred a timber fed to the disc into wood chips and shards. The hammer blocks on the rear surface of the disc are sized and configured to reduce wood shards and chips to shards of smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Dana Leguin
  • Patent number: 5444904
    Abstract: A knife (12) are a holding and releasing mechanism (8) are oriented in the direction of a radius of a chipper disc (19). The holding and releasing mechanism (8) is pushed in the direction of the radius of the chipper disc to release the knife (12) and drawn in the opposite direction to fasten the knife in the chipper disc (19). The time consumed in replacing the knives is reduced and laborious manual operations can be avoided. The procedure can be automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.h.
    Inventor: Pekka Kokko
  • Patent number: 5427162
    Abstract: There is disclosed a wood shaving device which utilizes a rotating cutting member that supports a plurality of cutting blades which move past a stationary doctor bar. The cutting blades are arranged in a spaced-apart array on the shaving device, lying along non-radial paths so that the predominant action is a successive impact of individual cutting blades, rather than a simultaneous impact of two or more blades against the wood scrap. The cutting blades are preferably supported on a rotating cutting wheel which has a plurality of through apertures, with one each of the cutting blades removably mounted immediately adjacent each through aperture. The cutting blades are rotated past the doctor bar which restricts movement of the wood, resulting in a shaving action on the wood. The wood shavings pass through the through apertures of the cutting wheel and are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Jerry A. Carter
  • Patent number: 5417263
    Abstract: A log chipper is provided for allowing a lower horsepower rated motor to drive the chipper. Peak power demand is reduced by cutting shorter chips from large diameter logs, while the length of chips cut from logs of small and medium diameter continues to be of standard specified length, the length of chips cut from large diameter logs only being shortened. The feed rate for large diameter logs is reduced and will therefore result in a reduction of peak power demand achieved by the use of large diameter log positioning means. A first version of the large diameter log positioning means involves the placement of a raised platform on the wear plate where the outer perimeter of the large diameter log would otherwise contact the wear plate. A second version of the positioning means involves raising the heel of the knife clamp at a point where a portion of the outer perimeter of a large diameter log contacts the heel of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Ray B. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5409047
    Abstract: A chipper apparatus including a rotating disc with one or more knife assemblies mounted on the disc operable to produce wood chips under the cutting action of the knives. Each knife comprises an elongate knife body bounded by opposed cutting edges. The cutting edge further includes a contact surface for breaking apart and deflecting chips. The knife assembly includes interlocking keys for adjustable positioning of the knife in relation to a counter knife having multiple key recesses. The adjustable positioning of the knife permits the complete resharpening of the knife cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Ray B. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5373876
    Abstract: A chipping control device (9) to be mounted on a disc chipper and a disc chipper for keeping the piece size of the chips (8) removed from the wood (1) with a chipper blade (6) uniform. The chipping control device (9) is mounted on the outer surface of the blade disc (4) on the opposite side of the blade (6) such that the control device (9), when using the chipper, contacts the chips (7, 8) leaving the chipping opening (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Woodhandling Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Tahkanen, Aaro Klaavu, Alpo Kalliokoski
  • Patent number: 5363891
    Abstract: In one embodiment of saw tooth assembly, the tubular saw tooth is releasably inserted with friction fit inside the hollow of a tubular mount. In an alternate embodiment, it is the tubular mount which is releasably inserted with friction fit inside the hollow of the tubular tooth. In both cases, the hollows of the mount and tooth are coextensive, whereby a common axial through-channel is defined. The tubular mount is to be anchored to the peripheral edge of a circular saw discoid plate. The wood chip generated during circular saw operation can therefore freely engage through the common through-channel, i.e. through the whole saw tooth assembly, and escape therefrom. Wood chip clogging of the saw tooth during sawing operations is therefore substantially prevented, and the aerodynamic features of the circular are accordingly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Inventor: Fernand Plante
  • Patent number: 5348064
    Abstract: A chipper employs a rotary cutting disk with a plurality of radial knife assemblies. Each knife assembly has a reversible blade of generally trapezoidal cross section. The assembly has a knife holder and a knife clamp that sandwich the blade between them. An elongated load bar is seated in a recess in the clamp and supports a sloping surface at a concealed edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Nettles, Scott J. Boliver, Mark D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5323975
    Abstract: A wood chipping apparatus which includes a substantially closed chipping area for capturing and chipping slivers. The chipping apparatus includes a rotating cutting disk and a first anvil whereby most wood is chipped. Wood that is chipped passes through slots in the cutting disk to the discharge side of the apparatus. A second anvil or wear plate and an outer containing wall form, with the housing, the disk and the first anvil, a substantially closed compartment adjacent to, but downstream of, the first anvil. Wood parts that escape chipping by the first anvil and pass between the first anvil and the disk are trapped in the compartment until they are chipped by rotating blades which define, together with the disk and one side of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Fulghum Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Oscar T. Fulghum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5305811
    Abstract: A blade mounting for a chipper blade of a wood-chipping machine, the chipper blade having a back and a fore-part, the blade mounting including: a disk coverplate having an inner slope which bears against the back of the chipper blade; a blade holder having at least two grooves which are oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the blade holder and parallel to a plane of the chipper blade, the blade holder bearing against the fore-part of the chipper blade; adjusting screws located in the grooves in the blade holder; and dogs for underpinning a bottom edge of the chipper blade at at least two locations, the dogs being adjusted by the adjusting screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Inter-Wood-Maschinen GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Karl Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5293917
    Abstract: A method for the feeding of long pieces of wood into a disc chipper against a disc (3) equipped with blades in such a way that the piece of wood encounters the bladed disc at a sharp input angle, and a disc chipper. The sharp input angle is achieved by combining with the sharp inclination (.perspectiveto.) of the feeder chute (5) a sharp level slanting angle, whereupon the inclination of feeder chute (5) will be sufficient to feed wood against the blade disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Woodhandling Oy
    Inventor: Alpo Kalliokoski
  • Patent number: 5287901
    Abstract: A knife blade clamp for a Carthage-Norman type of log chipper and having a substantially right triangular cross-sectional contour having an upper face, back face and hypotenuse surface, is provided with a series of slots on its back face. The slots communicate between an elongated depression on the back face and the hypotenune surface. By virtue of the series of slots, there is less accumulation of fine dust adjacent the back face which would thwart the removability of the associated knife for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Steven C. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5274899
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the knife projection of regrindable, strip-shaped cutting tools which are each screwed releasably to a knife carrier (8) and which are releasably arranged together with the carrier, in an at least approximately radial direction, in the rotary-drivable disk (1) of a disk-type cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Dimetal S.A.
    Inventors: Dominique Sentagnes, Rony Callens, Karl Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5271440
    Abstract: A knife assembly for a disc type wood chipper includes a reversible disposable knife having a serrated back bearing surface positioned between a serrated knife clamp and a flat counterknife. The knife can be reground and advanced along the serrated clamping surface of the clamp so as to maintain a desired edge position with respect to the surface of the chipper disc and the anvil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Pacific/Hoe Saw and Knife Company
    Inventors: Joseph R. Bradstreet, Jr., Michael Cubbon, Ronald Danielson, Keith H. Hewitt, David S. Macey
  • Patent number: 5261469
    Abstract: A wood curl-making apparatus includes a rotating disc having cutting blades mounted so as to extend from the face of the disc to engage wood pieces fed to the disc. The blades are mounted in cutting blocks attached to the disc. The cutting blocks have curved curling surfaces which receive the wood shaving and force the shaving to curl. When the shavings have been removed, they fall in a tightly curled roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Harvey M. Severson
  • Patent number: 5236024
    Abstract: A counter blade is disclosed for use in a chipping machine which comprises a chipper disc rotatably mounted in the chipper frame by means of a shaft supporting the disc. The counter blade is attached to the chipper frame essentially at the intersection of a blade mounted in the chipper disc and the log to be chipped, in such manner that, on the side opposite to the chipping blade, the counter blade rests against the log to be chipped. The counter blade consists of a first and a second blade part placed at an obtuse angle relative to each other. According to the present invention, the counter blade consists of two essentially elongated elements having an arris forming the cutting edge of the counter blade at least on one of its longitudinal sides. The end faces of the counter blade elements are so formed as to permit connection to an adjacent counter blade element so that two counter blades form a continuous cutting edge of the counter blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Ake Svensson, Anders Olofsson, Ari Hannimaki, Pekka Kokko
  • Patent number: 5211688
    Abstract: A mechanized disc flaker for producing curled wood flakes having a rotatable disc plate, and one or more cutting knives mounted to the disc plate so as to provide for a slight "rake angle" defined in accordance with the invention as the angle made between the tool face and a plane perpendicular to the direction of tool travel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes rotatable and removable knife holders which permit the rake angle and the "cutting angle", defined in accordance with the invention as being the angle the cutting edge of the knife makes with the grain of the wood, to be modified to yield curled wood shavings having different geometries and characteristics. The preferred method of practicing the apparatus involves using a work piece having a certain moisture content which is directed against the work surface of the disc flaker using appropriate pressure all to provide for wood curls of desirable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Rice, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5205498
    Abstract: A cutting device for a chipper used in cutting up garden waste, such as branches, foliage, grass or the like, includes a rotatable cutter disk cooperating with a stationary counter knife located within a cutter housing. The counter knife extends across the cutter disk in a bridge-like manner. A counter brace along with a side support plate of the counter knife provide a support for the material to be chopped, so that a satisfactory cut is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: SABO-Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Ostermeier, Dieter Dell
  • Patent number: 5193597
    Abstract: A debris conveyor for removing limbs, bark and other debris from between a tree stripping apparatus and a tree chipping apparatus defines a path between the stripper and chipper and comprises a conveyor extending under the path for conveying debris away from between the stripper and chipper. In one aspect of the invention, the conveyor is provided with wheels and a frame adapted for trailering. In one embodiment of the invention, the conveyor includes a power source for powering the conveyor. In an alternative embodiment, the conveyor is adapted for connection with the power source from one of the stripper and the chipper. The stripper incluldes, in one embodiment a serpentine drive system for controlling stripping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Strong Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Strong
  • Patent number: 5188158
    Abstract: The exchangeable wear-resistant element serves to protect structural parts against abrasive wear. This exchangeable wear-resistant element comprises a base part formed of a tough material and a support part formed of a material possessing high wear resistance. The base part and the support part are interconnected at confronting faces or surfaces and the base part is provided with an attachment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Bohler Ybbstalwerke GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Gstettner, Alois Wimmer
  • Patent number: 5139063
    Abstract: A chipper for cutting uniform chips from a log has a sliver ring mounted on the rotary disc radially outside the cutting blade assemblies, and also has cooperating arcuate wrapper member and special sliver bedknife mounted on the front plate of the chipper housing. The wrapper member is concentric with the sliver ring and extends circumferentially around it for a distance, and also extends axially towards the disc and beyond the proximal face of the sliver ring to define a radial gap between the ring and the wrapper. The sliver bedknife extends across the face of the disc from one end of the arcuate wrapper. The sliver bedknife, the wrapper, and the sliver ring cooperate with one another to limit progression of slivers that are formed from wooden logs at the position of the stationary bedknife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Nettles, Mark D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5137219
    Abstract: A brush/wood chipper having a small diameter pressing feed cylinder adjacent and parallel to an anvil which is generally perpendicular to the feed disc, the cylinder also being adjacent the chipping disc. This feed cylinder is in an infeed chute, and presses the branches, twigs or other wood against the anvil while the wood is fed to and chipped by knives on the disc. The radially oriented knives are each canted relative to the chordal anvil so that, preferably assisted by a canted feed cylinder, the wood is forced toward the center of the chipping disc. The infeed chute has a wall generally at the center of the disc. The chips are propelled to a flow arrester for discharge into bags or bypassed to a discharge chute extension, using a control valve at the flow arrester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Wood Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Norval K. Morey
  • Patent number: 5129437
    Abstract: A knife holder for a rotary type wood chipper is in the form of a segment occupying a segmental portion of the proximal side of the cutting disk and extending to a chip slot of an adjacent knife from its associated knife assembly. The knife holder has a hardened helicoid proximal wear surface that faces the logs that are fed into the chipper. Each knife holder is formed of a base plate which removably mounts onto the disk and a wear plate that is replaceably attached onto the proximal side of the base plate. The wear plate is mechanically attached to the base plate by set screws and is also attached by a weld that runs along a peripheral chamfer. When the hardfacing surface on the wear plate becomes eroded, the wear plate can be removed and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Nettles, David E. Dillon, Norman R. Luffman, James C. Marti, Arthur A. Shattuck, Milton E. Howard
  • Patent number: 5097879
    Abstract: A mechanized disc flaker for producing curled wood flakes having a rotatable disc plate, and one or more cutting knives mounted to the disc plate so as to provide for a slight "rake angle" defined in accordance with the invention as the angle made between the tool face and a plane perpendicular to the direction of tool travel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes rotatable and removable knife holders which permit the rake angle and the "cutting angle", defined in accordance with the invention as being the angle the cutting edge of the knife makes with the grain of the wood, to be modified to yield curled wood shavings having different geometries and characteristics. The preferred method of practicing the apparatus involves using a work piece having a certain moisture content which is directed against the work surface of the disc flaker using appropriate pressure all to provide for wood curls of desirable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Rice, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5094280
    Abstract: A disk chipper for the production of wood chips, consisting of a rotatable chipping disk supported on an axle driven by at least one drive machine. The disk chipper of the invention is so implemented that at least three motors are drivably coupled to the axle of the chipping disk by means of a gear assembly, preferably a spur gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Kone Oy
    Inventors: Matti Kahilahti, Pekka Kokko, Ari Hannimaki, Kari Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 5088532
    Abstract: A method and mechanism for controlling the material feed of a machine for chipping wood or brush. The machine has a pair of coacting feed rolls which feed material to be chipped into a rotating chipper that is driven by an engine of variable speed. Hydraulic motors for driving each of the feed rolls are actuated when the speed of the engine is at least a selected high level appropriate for efficient chipping. If the material is of a size or composition to load the engine below a selected low level adverse to efficient chipping, the hydraulic motors are interrupted to stop feeding of the material to allow the engine to return to an efficient chipping speed. When the engine has recovered to at least the selected high level, the hydraulic motors are reactivated to again feed material into the chipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Eggers, Alan J. Yoder
  • Patent number: 5080153
    Abstract: A cutter head for a wood chipper has a circular disc and is mounted on a spindle by which the cutter head is rapidly rotated. The disc has at least one knife detachably connected thereto with its cutting edge exposed on the face of the disc engaged by the lengths of wood to be chipped. The connecting means comprise an actuating member releaseably seated against the rear face of the disc in a manner such that it may be moved parallel to the slot through which the knife extends. The knife is releaseably connected to the disc to enable its cutting edge to be advanced or retracted relative to the face of the disc engaged by lengths of wood and is also connected to the actuating member in a manner such that movements of the actuating member in either direction parallel to the knife receiving slot are attended by corresponding movements of the knife in directions normal to movements of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Carl D. Waterman
  • Patent number: 5060873
    Abstract: In a wood chipping machine having a rotating cutter disk, a wood chip separator comprising a plurality of fins attached to the back of the cutter disk, near the perimeter, for deflecting wood chips axially away from the cutter disk to minimize the cross over of wood chips to the infeed side of the cutter disk and to minimize the discard of wood chips with wood chaff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Strong Manufacturing
    Inventor: Donald E. Strong
  • Patent number: 5054703
    Abstract: A chipper knife assembly for a stump disintegrator is disclosed in which knife holder bodies radially span across pockets or openings formed in a rotating chipper disk. A reversible and replaceable blade insert with a plurality of selectable carbide edges is carried on the leading face of the holder body and fixed thereon by means of a threaded fastener inserted from the trailing face of the holder body through a hole formed between the trailing face and the leading face. The end of the fastener engages a threaded recess in the blade insert. The chipper knife assembly divides the chipper disk opening into a leading opening through which wood chips and other debris may pass for subsequent discharge and a leading opening which provides clearance and access to the threaded fastener for its removal and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Wood Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Norval Morey
  • Patent number: 5042730
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the conversion of rotating disc type wood chippers into a multi-purpose shredding device. Such wood chippers are typically equipped with a power driven rotating disc fitted with chipping knives mounted to the disc feed side and adjacent passageways thereto leading to the opposite disc side to a secondary processing chamber for the further processing of materials therewithin. By including channeling members about the passageways which alter the aerodynamics and material flow patterns on the disc feed side, buoyant feed materials (e.g. paper, plastic, etc.) can now be effectively processed with such wood chippers. A grating member can be placed at the material discharge to control the particle size of the discharged materials. An enclosed system fitted with a cyclone and agriculture baler permits the shredded materials to be continuously converted to small bales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Inventor: Vincent G. Hundt
  • Patent number: 5029626
    Abstract: The anvil rotor on a wood chip slicing machine is connected to its drive shaft via shear pins which extend into the hub of the rotor from a coupling which is mounted on the shaft. The coupling provides bearings for rotation of the rotor hub thereon when the shear pins are sheared as a consequence of an overload or load shock condition. The overload protection mechanism is applicable to other machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Acrowood Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Dean, Adrian Artiano, Gabriel M. Terrenzio
  • Patent number: 5020579
    Abstract: In a wood chipping machine, having a powered infeed material conveyor, an infeed control circuit for automatically adjusting infeed material capacity. The circuit has a monitor for monitoring infeed conveyor loading and a switch which is responsive to the monitor such that the infeed capacity is adjusted to accommodate large material when the conveyor loading reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Strong Manufacturing
    Inventor: Donald E. Strong
  • Patent number: 5004028
    Abstract: A chip slicer for slicing wood chips such as for use in a pulp preparation procedure with an annular housing having knives therein and a rotor therein with anvil means for carrying wood chips against the knives with a shaft extending coaxially for diving the rotor, a driving hub mounted on the shaft and connected to it, a driven hub rotatably mounted by bearings on the driving hub with each of the hubs having annular plates and shear pins extending axially between the plates of a strength to transmit normal rotational power and to shear upon forced stalling of the rotor with the driven hub permitting continued rotation of the driving hub within the driven hub and continued rotation of the shaft with forced stalling of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Beloit Corporation
    Inventors: James Adams, Richard Gobel, Bryan Lanham
  • Patent number: 4997018
    Abstract: A double-edged knife detachably mounted on a counter knife. The knife overlies surfaces inclined and oriented so that when the knife is clamped in place, it is held well rearwardly an edge in the knife which is exposed for cutting. Fasteners hold the counter knife and these are protected from damage by a shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Commercial Knife, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Carpenter, Robert M. Bayly
  • Patent number: 4977939
    Abstract: A chipper knife blade assembly for a rotary disk chipper has first and second flat knife blades of substantially identical construction, with one of the blades serving as a chipper blade and the other serving as a counterknife supporting the chipper blade. The counterknife is seated on a sloping support surface in a recess in the disk and has its proximal edge reposed against a support or a thrust bar. A bolt-down clamping member has a shouldered surface with a flat portion clamped down against a top surface of the chipper knife blade, and with a shoulder supporting the proximal edge of the chipper blade. In a preferred embodiment, the chipper blade projects about one-half inch to three-quarters inch beyond the cutting edge of the counterknife blade. With this arrangement, a warn cutting blade can serve a second useful life as a counterknife, absorbing the wear that results from the chips moving at high speed into the chip slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Company
    Inventors: Garth D. Depuy, Eugene A. Farrell
  • Patent number: 4972889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-feeding wood chunker having cutting instruments (1, 2) rotating in opposite directions but with the same speed, which have, on surfaces facing one another, at least one cutting blade (3.sub.1, 3.sub.2 and 4.sub.1, 4.sub.2), the blades being curved in the direction of rotation such that the leading part (3a, 4a) thereof is nearer to the periphery of the respective cutting instrument and that the trailing part (3a, 4a) thereof is nearer to the axis of rotation (1a, 2a) of the respective cutting instrument. According to the invention, the cutting instruments (1, 2) are arranged with the axes of rotation (1a, 1b) displaced a definite distance (B) from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Rodger A. Arola, Jorgen Marks
  • Patent number: 4964447
    Abstract: A horizontal disk wood flaking machine has two or more continuous feed conveyors each of which has a vertical chute or feed box that brings wooden logs to an upper surface of the cutting disk. The drive motor for the disk is situated below the disk at the under side of the machine, so that the power train is from the bottom upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Farrell, Mark D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4958775
    Abstract: A wood cutting knife is provided for producing wood chips or flakes. The knife includes a central cutting member, and two wing members positioned on opposite sides of the central cutting member. The height of the wing members determines the depth of cut of the cutting knife, including the central cutting member. Also provided is a wood processing machine for supporting such cutting knives which includes a plurality of anvil members configured to interact intimately with the cutting knives. Also provided is a breakaway feature between the cutting members and a supporting surface defined by the wood processing machine. The supporting surface is relatively smooth, and the cutting knives are mounted to the surface by weldments. If a cutting knife encounters unprocessable foreign material such as metal or rock, the knife breaks away from the supporting surface at the weldment connection, and severe damage to the supporting surface or machine is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Stanley Arasmith
  • Patent number: 4889169
    Abstract: A combination log debarking, log chipping unit having a debarking apparatus and a chipping apparatus mounted on a common chassis, the two apparatus are aligned for conveying logs from the debarking apparatus to the chipping apparatus. The two apparatus are separated by a space of about 6-10 feet to permit loose bark to be removed from the logs and thereby avoid bark contamination of the chip. A conveyor system between the two apparatus guides and conveys logs to the chipper. A single power source enables control over the feeding of the logs to synchronize log feeding with the chipper's chipping capability. A loader over the debarking apparatus provides convenient loading of the logs into the debarker. The power source and controls for the various operating components are all under the common control of the loader operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Peterson Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold N. Peterson, Larry A. Sprague
  • Patent number: 4887772
    Abstract: A knife assembly for a wood chipper has a cassette, a top blade holder, and a trapezoidal cross-section double-edge blade. The cassette is of profiled cross-section, with a full-width proximal section, a stepped-down blade holder support surface on an intermediate section, and a blade support surface on a distal or tip section. A proximally and downward sloping surface extends from a distal edge of the blade holder support surface to the blade support surface. The blade has substantially flat upper and lower surfaces so as to avoid structure which is susceptible to snapping or splitting under the stresses normally encountered in a chipping operation. One edge of the trapezoidal blade is exposed and extends forward of the cassette and the blade holder. The tapered ground surface that defines the concealed edge of the blade faces against the sloping surface of the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Carthage Machine Co., Div. of Industrial General Corp.
    Inventors: Mark D. Robinson, Eugene A. Farrell
  • Patent number: 4875631
    Abstract: A wood chipper is disclosed comprising a large rotational disc with a pattern of blade mounting pockets, usually in a spiral, on the front face, such that mounted chipping knives project diagonally from the face of the disc at an acute angle to the disc, with chip passage slots extending through the disc at these pockets; and hardened elongated ridges protruding from and integral with the disc face, offset from the pockets and slots toward the direction of rotation, these ridges being diagonally oriented relative to a radius of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Recycling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary M. Bardos
  • Patent number: 4865094
    Abstract: A long log waferizer for converting logs into wafers comprising a base, with a reciprocating hydraulic cylinder for controlling a wheeled movable frame adapted for linear reciprocating movement on the base. A motor is mounted to the movable frame to drive a rotary cutter that is also mounted to the movable frame. A log delivery chute adapted to direct logs in front of the rotary cutter is provided and the movable frame is moved by the hydraulic cylinder to advance the rotary cutter into the logs, the rotary cutter cutting the logs into wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Cae Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian T. Stroud, Jack Weavell, Cameron D. Mierau
  • Patent number: RE33840
    Abstract: A combination log debarking, log chipping unit having a debarking apparatus and a chipping apparatus mounted on a common chassis, the two apparatus are aligned for conveying logs from the debarking apparatus to the chipping apparatus. The two apparatus are separated by a space of about 6-10 feet to permit loose bark to be removed from the logs and thereby avoid bark contamination of the chip. A conveyor system between the two apparatus guides and conveys logs to the chipper. A single power source enables control over the feeding of the logs to synchronize log feeding with the chipper's chipping capability. A loader over the debarking apparatus provides convenient loading of the logs into the debarker. The power source and controls for the various operating components are all under the common control of the loader operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Peterson Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold N. Peterson, Larry A. Sprague