Abstract: An article sorting nesting device includes an article delivery device, a rack assembly and a collection device under operation by a controller to transport, sort and nest random articles into a particular configuration. The rack assembly is arranged at an angle and incrementally displaced relative to the delivery device to position empty shelves adjacent the delivery device to successively receive the articles by gravity. The controller controls which articles from the shelves are delivered in sequence to a collection device based on a sensed length, width or color of each article. The collection device collects the selected sequential articles and arranges them in the particular configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing random width wood-boards and selecting a matched set according to their surface colors and widths. The boards are manually placed on a conveyor, from a stacked supply, and subsequently measured for width and color. Thereafter, each board is electronically identified, incrementally tracked and stored in a linear array above the conveying surface. After filling the storage level to its full capacity, a microprocessor in combination with an incremental encoder, selects and matches a set of boards from the stored inventory, while continuously restoring its full capacity, and queuing the best blended order of contiguous boards. Moreover, the matching set of boards will have an overall dimension that falls within a prescribed value.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing random width wood-boards and selecting a matched set according to their surface colors and widths. The boards are manually placed on a conveyor, from a stacked supply, and subsequently measured for width and color. Thereafter, each board is electronically identified, incrementally tracked and stored in a linear array above the conveying surface. After filling the storage level to its full capacity, a microprocessor in combination with an incremental encoder, selects and matches a set of boards from the stored inventory, while continuously restoring its full capacity, and queuing the best blended order of contiguous boards. Moreover, the matching set of boards will have an overall dimension that falls within a prescribed value.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology are presented for automatically infeeding workpieces to a saw. A first workpiece is selected at an input station. A servo-driven friction belt system is connected to the input station, and advances the workpiece under a laser projection system. The laser projection system projects a laser pattern onto the workpiece, the laser pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the blade configuration of a fixed arbor gang rip saw. Finally, there is a pinch roller system for removing the workpiece from the friction belt system and moving the workpiece into the saw, while maintaining the workpiece's orientation under the laser pattern. Also provided is a sensor for measuring the board width while moving on the servo-driven friction belt system, where the width is input to a computer controlling the friction belt system and which determines the optimum laser pattern.

Abstract: The present invention represents a further extension of the automation of the various steps of the wood gluing process. This invention presents a method for automatically selecting and transmitting to further work stations appropriately size pieces of stock which, when glued together (utilizing variations of the apparatus shown in the art for glue such strips together) saves time in the formation of the end products.

Abstract: The present invention represents a further extension of the automation of the various steps of the wood gluing process. This invention automatically selects and transmits to further work stations appropriately sized pieces of stock which, when glued together (utilizing various of the apparatus shown in the art for gluing such strips together), saves time in the formation of the end products. Information concerning the operation of the invention is recorded by customer number or other code to provide a permanent record of the results of the invention's operation.

Abstract: The present invention represents a further extension of the automation of the various steps of the wood gluing process. This invention automatically selects and transmits to further work stations appropriately sized pieces of stock which, when glued together (utilizing various of the apparatus shown in the art for gluing such strips together), saves time in the formation of the end products.

Abstract: A conveyor chain and conveyors using such chain in which a plurality of elongate links are joined together with a plurality of pins and a plurality of spacers. Each pin penetrates terminal end portions of two pairs of links for chaining the links into first and second spaced apart side length portions and the links and pins cooperate for transmitting tensile stress imposed on the chain. Each of the plurality of spacers is penetrated by at least one pin and has a carrier portion projecting laterally from the chain for engaging an object to be moved with the chain. As used in certain specific conveyors, the conveyor chain includes clips for receiving and gripping rod-like axles and grippers for partially encircling a pair of objects to be moved with the chain, all as described more fully hereinafter.

Abstract: A jaw for use in a clamp in which there are two relatively movable jaws on a frame to clamp board stock between them, said jaw including a body and a face plate having a rib abutting the face of said body as a horizontal fulcrum for rocking of the face plate, and a spring device engaging both said body and the rear side of said face plate on at least one side of said rib and constituting a resilient mounting of said face plate on said jaw body providing for even distribution of the clamping force to the upper and lower portions of the boards, one form of the resilient mounting means including two brackets held on the jaw body by a tension spring connecting the brackets and extending in a groove across the front side of the face plate, each bracket having resilient arms engaging the back of the face plate at opposite sides of said fulcrum.