Abstract: Automatic power shearing apparatus and method for trimming sheet material into finished blanks comprising blade means, x and y axis feeding means and sheet feeding means including a first power driven means for moving the sheet in x and y directions and a second means responsive to a control acting to move the sheet in preselected directions by a constant counter balance against the first power driven means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for hacking brick specifically involving the stacking of uncured or green brick into a two course high brick stack prior to the bricks being transferred and stacked onto a kiln car for curing and drying. As a part of the method and apparatus of the present invention, slugs of brick material are received and successively pushed by a first pusher through a wire type brick cutter onto a receiving table, each slug resulting in a series of aligned bricks disposed in side-by-side relationship and referred to as a brick row. A vertically movable elevator assembly is mounted adjacent the supply table and includes at least two vertically spaced receiving levels formed therein with each receiving level being adapted to receive and support a row of bricks. As the elevator assembly is actuated up and down, individual brick rows are pushed into each of the respective receiving levels of the elevator assembly.

Abstract: A cutter for the armor of a BX cable or the like wherein the cable to be cut is held firmly in a cable guide by a manually actuated cable clamp, the clamped cable being movable into armor-cutting engagement with a fixed power driven circular saw, and means for fine adjustment of the cable, clamp and saw being provided.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for feeding signatures from a saddle to a trimmer mechanism includes a transfer apparatus which moves each signature in turn from the saddle onto a conveyor assembly at a delivery station. The conveyor assembly includes a plurality of chains having pusher fingers which engage the trailing edges of the signatures. The pusher fingers move the signatures into the trimmer mechanism. The pusher fingers on the conveyor assembly are registered relative to a stop in the trimmer mechanism to at least partially register the signatures before they enter the trimmer mechanism. The transfer assembly, which moves the signatures from the saddle to the conveyor assembly, is effective to positively grip each signature in turn by applying a clamping force to opposite sides of the signature. These clamping forces are continuously applied to the signature from the time it leaves the saddle until it is deposited on the conveyor assembly where it is engaged by the pusher fingers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming and grading lumber during transport thereof along a conveyor through a trimming device in which the lumber is cut at both root and top ends; said method comprising, arranging the lumber transverse a conveyor, initially cutting at the root end, directing the remanent transversely of the conveyor to a stop positioned to intercept the top end thereof and located less than one multiple of a length module unit, directing the remanent in the return transverse direction to one of a plurality of finger members, each located one length module from the other in a row transverse the conveyor, making the first top end cut, turning the remanent about its axis for inspection of all sides thereof and directing the remanent to a second cutter for a final top end cut determined by the number of length module units desired, the selection of length being controlled by adjustable stop means.

Abstract: A sawmill assembly allows a single operator to selectively control both cutting to length and gang sawing of cants to make pallet stock, eliminating the danger and labor of hand feeding a gang saw, and allowing efficient use of wood by operator selection of gang saw cut direction. A rapidly-acting improved cant turner is disclosed.

Abstract: Slicing apparatus having a magazine with upright inwardly inclined product receptacles on a rotatable member for carrying comestible workbodies in a circular path past a rotating knife in a table recess to sever slices from the bottom of workbodies, table height adjustment for controlling the thickness of slices being severed, a unitary plastic or like guard for the knife, knife sharpening apparatus carried by the guard, and a guard surrounding the rotatable workbody carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding objects to a transport mechanism and transport and delivery mechanisms for the objects, and, in particular, apparatus for feeding books to, transporting them through the cutting stations of and delivering them from a two-station, three-knife book trimmer. The feed mechanism includes a hopper for holding books, a prestripper for stripping a book from the hopper and moving it part way to the front knife cutting station and pushers, which continue to feed the book to the first cutting station, with means coordinating the prestrippers and pushers. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of displaceable, e.g. upper transport belts and a plurality of belts in opposition to the displaceable ones, e.g. lower transport belts, which clamp the book, respectively, from above and below. While clamping the book, the transport belts travel with it to the side knife cutting station, halt for side knife trimming, and then move the book beyond the second station to the delivery mechanism.