Abstract: An overload clutch for a torque transmission is disclosed which comprises a rotatable drive member coaxially coupled to a rotating driven member. One of the drive member and driven member, hereinafter referred to as the first member, comprises an annular band delimiting a central space, the annular band having a cylindrical inner face provided with at least one engaging element. The other one of the drive member and driven member, hereinafter referred to as the second member, is mounted within the central space and comprises a radially expandable mechanism provided with at least one coupling element. The radially expandable mechanism is movable between an expanded position, where the at least one coupling element is positively engaging the at least one engaging element to couple the first member to the second member for rotation together, and a retracted position, where the at least one coupling element is disengaged from the at least one engaging element, thereby releasing the first member from the second.

Abstract: An overload clutch for a torque transmission is disclosed which comprises a rotatable drive member coaxially coupled to a rotating driven member. One of the drive member and driven member, hereinafter referred to as the first member, comprises an annular band delimiting a central space, the annular band having a cylindrical inner face provided with at least one engaging element. The other one of the drive member and driven member, hereinafter referred to as the second member, is mounted within the central space and comprises a radially expandable mechanism provided with at least one coupling element. The radially expandable mechanism is movable between an expanded position, where the at least one coupling element is positively engaging the at least one engaging element to couple the first member to the second member for rotation together, and a retracted position, where the at least one coupling element is disengaged from the at least one engaging element, thereby releasing the first member from the second.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are for controlling a longitudinal shifting of an elongated piece along a predetermined length SL as said piece moves transversely within a plane at a given speed PS. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal arm having a given length PL pivotable within the plane to shift the piece; a flexible link operatively mounted around the arm to contact the piece as the arm is pivoted to shift the piece; a controllable pivoting means for pivoting the arm according to an angle &thgr; determined in relation to the predetermined length SL and the given length PL; and a controllable driving means for driving the flexible link around the arm according to a speed SS determined in relation to the speed PS of the piece and the angle &thgr; so that the longitudinal shifting is controlled.

Abstract: A sort bin for unloading sorted lumber pieces on a conveyor comprises a compartment having first and second spaced-apart walls for containing the lumber pieces in a pile, an entry located at an upper portion of the compartment for introducing lumber pieces, and an exit located at a bottom portion, the conveyor being below the exit and spaced apart therefrom. A support for supporting the pile of lumber pieces is movable along a course extending between an upper position adjacent to the entry and a lower position below the exit of the compartment, and has side members for preventing a spill of lumber pieces on the conveyor when the support is in its lower position. One of the side members is pivotable between a standard position and an unloading position.

Abstract: A sort bin for unloading sorted lumber pieces on a conveyor is disclosed. The sort bin comprises a compartment having first and second spaced-apart walls for containing the lumber pieces in a pile, an entry located at an upper portion of the compartment for introducing lumber pieces, and an exit located at a bottom portion, the conveyor being below the exit and spaced apart therefrom. The sort bin further comprises a support for supporting the pile of lumber pieces contained in the compartment. The support is movable along a course extending between an upper position adjacent to the entry and a lower position below the exit of the compartment; and has side members for preventing a spill of lumber pieces on the conveyor when the support is in its lower position. One of the side members is pivotable between a standard position and an unloading position.

Abstract: A lumber transfer system for transferring lumber pieces conveyed on a main conveyor to an upper conveyor is provided by the present invention. The lumber transfer system comprises a pivotable loading ramp movable between a loading position to direct the lumber pieces from the lower conveyor toward the upper conveyor and a standby position where the ramp is set out of the way of the lumber pieces conveyed on the main conveyor. The lumber transfer system further comprises a controllable pushing mechanism for engaging and pushing a lumber piece conveyed on the main conveyor onto and along the ramp when the ramp is in the loading position until the lumber piece reaches the loading end of the upper conveyor. The lumber transfer system further has a controller to control and synchronise the pushing mechanism and the movement of the loading ramp.

Abstract: The method and apparatus are for controlling a longitudinal shifting of an elongated piece along a predetermined length SL as said piece moves transversely within a plane at a given speed PS. The apparatus comprises a longitudinal arm having a given length PL pivotable within the plane to shift the piece; a flexible link operatively mounted around the arm to contact the piece as the arm is pivoted to shift the piece; a controllable pivoting means for pivoting the arm according to an angle &thgr; determined in relation to the predetermined length SL and the given length PL; and a controllable driving means for driving the flexible link around the arm according to a speed SS determined in relation to the speed PS of the piece and the angle &thgr; so that the longitudinal shifting is controlled.

Abstract: A wrapping machine is disclosed, for wrapping an article. The machine is designed for wrapping five surfaces of the article except the bottom thereof. The machine has detectors for determining the length of the front surface and the back surface of the article in order to provide a web piece having an adequate size for wrapping the article. The machine may have blowers for folding the web piece and providing a clean and net wrapped article. A method for wrapping an article is also provided.

Abstract: A wrapping machine is disclosed, for wrapping an article. The machine is designed for wrapping five surfaces of the article except the bottom thereof. The machine has detectors for determining the length of the front surface and the back surface of the article in order to provide a web piece having an adequate size for wrapping the article. The machine may have blowers for folding the web piece and providing a clean and net wrapped article. A method for wrapping an article is also provided.

Abstract: The saw trimmer is used for trimming lumber pieces. The saw trimmer comprises a conveyor for longitudinally moving lumber pieces across the saw trimmer. The lumber pieces are transversely disposed on the conveyor with reference to the longitudinal direction. A plurality of adjacent drop saw assemblies are located above the conveyor. Each drop saw assembly comprises a circular saw blade parallel to the longitudinal direction, a corresponding hydraulic motor and an actuated positioning system for selectively raising and lowering the saw blade. Each lumber piece is held during the trimming thereof by a retaining assembly comprising a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel elongated rails positioned above the conveyor and extending longitudinally. These rails engage the upper surface of the lumber pieces. A plurality of rolls are positioned under a corresponding rail with an upper edge emerging above the conveyor and are driven into rotation. These rolls engage the bottom surface of the lumber pieces.