Abstract: Methods and Apparatus to increase the efficiency of roll-forming and leveling systems are described herein. An example strip material processing apparatus includes a first drive system to drive an exit workroll at an exit of the strip material processing apparatus, and a second drive system to drive an entry workroll at an entry of the strip material processing apparatus, where the strip material is to travel through the strip material processing apparatus from the entry to the exit. The example strip material processing apparatus also includes a controller to provide a first command reference to the first drive system to drive the exit workroll at the first command reference.

Abstract: A timber-working device having a first pivoting drive arm and a second pivoting drive arm, and a timing link for connecting them. The timing link includes an elongate member having a first end and a second end. A first aperture is at the first end and a second aperture at the second end. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture is elongate along the length of the member.

Abstract: A stump cutter bit for use with a stump cutting apparatus of the type utilizing a cutting wheel or drum rotated about a rotational axis wherein the cutting tool is attached to the cutting wheel or drum. The cutting tool supports the stump cutter bit. The cutting bit having a front face including a plurality of surfaces including an outer surface, an inner surface, and in intermediate surface located between the outer and inner surface.

Abstract: A cutting wheel for use with a stump cutting apparatus. A plurality of tool holders are secured to the cutting wheel, and there are a plurality of apertures in each tool holder. Each aperture has a cutting tool or tooth mounted therein so that each tool holder supports more than one cutting tool or tooth. In some embodiments, the cutting wheel includes first and second sections. The first and second sections including a support member, with a tool holder attached to the support member. Each of the first and second sections having a notch therein, the respective notches cooperating to form a joint between the first and second sections.

Abstract: An adjustable pocket-cutting device includes a body, a router, an actuation lever assembly, and a stop lever assembly. The actuation lever assembly includes an actuation lever pivotally mounted on the housing at an actuation lever pivot, a router mount, and pivots from a retracted position to a deployed position. The stop lever assembly adjustably limits the sweep of the router bit into the work clamped to the worktop and includes a stop lever adjustably mounted to the housing, a stop pin extending through a clearance opening in the housing and across a thickness of the actuation lever such that it abuts against an abutment surface of the actuation lever to limit the sweep of the router bit as the router assembly pivots to the deployed position. A method of using the adjustable pocket-cutting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gear assembly that includes a cutting gear having an outer edge and an inner edge, wherein a plurality of gear teeth is formed on the outer edge thereof; and an internal gear having an outer edge and an inner edge. The internal gear further includes a plurality of gear teeth formed on the inner edge thereof, wherein the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear are adapted to engage the gear teeth formed on the outer edge of the cutting gear; a plurality of troughs, wherein each trough in the plurality of troughs is formed between two of the gear teeth formed on the inner edge of the internal gear; and a plurality of debris discharge channels, wherein each debris discharge channel is formed at the bottommost portion of each trough and extends away from the trough toward the outer edge of the internal gear.

Abstract: A system and method for automated bending of wood strips. The system includes an preprogrammed automated robot arm that is fitted with a gripper for grasping and manipulating the wood board around a hot mandrel in order to bend the wood into intricate bent shapes. The wood strips are first soaked in water so that they pliable to bend around the mandrel. The heated mandrel plasticizes the lignin to allow the fibers to reorient in the wet wood strips thus fixing or locking the wood in the bent shape. The grippers are preferably pneumatic grippers formed from two plates that move towards each other to grasp or clamp onto the wood strip. A friction plate urges the wood strips against the heated mandrel to provide consistent and constant contact between the wood strip and the surface of the hated mandrel.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for processing the timber logs intended to be used in the construction of a log structure. The robotic apparatus includes at least a vertical clamp assembly, a horizontal clamp assembly, a roller clamp assembly, a central log processing assembly, and a conveyor. The central log processing assembly allows multiple processes to be performed sequentially on the same machine requiring much less equipment and less labor in the handling and processing of the logs. By utilizing multiple tool masts, a primary mast can be performing a primary process while the secondary mast is selecting the tool appropriate to the next or secondary process.

Abstract: A positioning system for attachment to a vehicle for operation of a power tool by a ground-based operator sitting in the vehicle provides a telescoping mast attached to the vehicle, a pivot bracket connecting an upper arm to the upper portion of the telescoping mast, mounting means for mounting the power tool on the upper arm; and power means for operating the power tool from the operator's position in the vehicle.

Abstract: A collapsible log splitting assembly with safety perimeter splits a log with a parabolic-shaped blade, a blade housing having a plurality of ridges for separating the split log further, and a perimeter barrier for retaining the log upright while splitting, and protecting an operator from contact with blade. The assembly has an upright disposition that is pivotally collapsible into a planar configuration when not in use. The assembly has a base that is for support on a surface. The base includes a pair of brackets. A pair of sleeves pivotally join with the brackets, pivoting about the brackets. A pair of shafts slide within sleeves, sliding between operational and collapsed positions. A cutting apparatus comprises a blade housing that houses a parabolic blade, and extends between the shafts. Ridges along the base housing separate the log into smaller components. The perimeter barrier detachably attaches to top end of the shafts.

Abstract: A pencil-centering assembly for use in pencil sharpeners or the like that includes a frame; a linking member rotatably mounted within the frame; a plurality of pencil contact levers, wherein each contact lever includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each pencil contact lever is adapted to engage the linking member, wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever, in combination with the other pencil contact levers, defines a pencil insertion aperture having a center axis, and wherein the bottom portion of each pencil contact lever extends in to the pencil insertion aperture to about the same distance; and at least one biasing member in contact with the linking member, wherein the biasing member exerts force on each pencil contact lever by way of the linking member sufficient to bias each pencil contact lever toward the center axis of the pencil insertion aperture.

Abstract: A stump grinder has a grinding arm that durably mounts a rotatable grinding wheel by securing the drive shaft of a motor to the grinding wheel such that a pair of bearings within the motor support one side of the grinding wheel and by supporting the other side of the grinding wheel with a stub shaft received within a third bearing. The grinding arm is laterally offset on the frame of the stump grinder to have a swing angle that is not symmetrical relative to the width of the frame, but with the swing angle starting at one side of the frame and then traversing across substantially the entire width of the frame to improve the ability of the operator to see the grinding wheel. A single joystick is movable in orthogonal directions corresponding to desired up and down and side-to-side pivoting motions of the grinding arm. The joystick includes a depressible trigger for starting and stopping the operation of the grinding wheel.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a log splitter with an extendable, or otherwise movable, work zone to increase the accessibility of the work zone for a user and improve movability of the log splitter. The log splitter may be configurable to be in an extended position, a compact position, a vertical position, or a moving position. In the extended position, the log splitter may split logs in a horizontal direction, and in the vertical position the log splitter may split logs in a vertical direction. When the log splitter is in the moving position and/or the compact position an operator of the log splitter may manually move the log splitter to a new position and/or location, or tow the log splitter with a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of preparing a log splitter comprising a first beam supporting a moveable blade configured for splitting logs and a second beam extending between two wheels, the method comprising: elevating the first beam in relation to the second beam while the first beam is connected to the second beam by a rigid element that is pin jointed at a first end to the first beam and at a second end to the second beam; rotating the first beam horizontally about a vertical connection until the first beam is oriented perpendicular to the second beam; and attaching a tow bar beneath the first beam and parallel with the first beam.

Abstract: Comminution process of wood chips to produce wood particles, by feeding wood chips in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with crosscut fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as for tree trimming, includes a mobile carriage having a frame and a pedestal supported by the frame. The apparatus further includes a boom, such as a telescoping boom that is secured to the pedestal through a boom support. The pedestal is pivotable with respect to the carriage frame so that the boom may be selectively operated in a variety of orientations. The mobile carriage of the apparatus is sufficiently compact to fit though tight openings, while also being capable of stably supporting boom extension for operation of a distal end of the boom at elevated heights.

Abstract: A debarking chain having passing links; the passing links being substantially rounded in order to permit the passing links to pass through adjacent links such that the orientation of the passing link relative to its adjacent links can change at random in order to randomly distribute the wear and stress from any impact of adjacent or next to adjacent links on the passing links so that the overall wear life of the present debarking chain is extended over similar chain with elongated, oblong links of the prior art. The invention also includes a debarking drum having a plurality of debarking chains having at least one, preferably a plurality of passing links, as well as a debarking device having such a debarking drum. The debarking device preferably includes a chipping device and a method of using the same.

Abstract: Utilities (e.g., apparatuses, systems, methods, etc.) for use in loading power equipment such as log splitting apparatuses onto cargo trailers or the like in manners that increase the number of assembled log splitting apparatuses that can be loaded onto the cargo trailers (or otherwise result in more efficient loading of assembled log splitting apparatuses onto the cargo trailers) while facilitating assembled presentation of the log splitting apparatuses after unloading from the cargo trailer.

Abstract: A labeled article, a method of making the labeled article, and a label for use in such method, contemplate the manufacture of an article having an article body made of a moldable material, and a label, integral with the article body and having an outer label surface coplanar with the outer article body surface. The label is inserted into the mold and molded into place as the article body is molded. The label has an outer film ply defining the outer label surface, a printable sheet ply inward from said outer film ply, and an adhesive layer between the outer film ply and the printable sheet ply. The outer film ply has a length and a width greater than the length and width of the printable sheet ply. The outer film ply extends beyond the printable sheet ply adjacent all edges of the printable sheet ply and shields the printable sheet ply from exposure to the environment surrounding the labeled article.

Abstract: A log splitter apparatus and method for splitting logs includes an upward facing wedge and a shroud secured to the upward facing wedge. The shroud can have a positioning aperture defined therein that is positioned over the upward facing wedge to position an associated log on the upward facing wedge for splitting of the associated log by the upward facing wedge when a downward force is applied to the associated log at an upper end of the associated log that is opposite a downward end positioned at or adjacent the upward facing wedge.