Patents Examined by W. Donald Bray
  • Patent number: 6629549
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a lathe attachment for installation on a portable bandsaw mill, for turning round shafts from wood blocks on the portable bandsaw mill. The lathe attachment has an elongated chassis, a tailstock and a headstock mounted on opposite ends of the chassis for holding and rotating a wood block along the chassis. Bindings are provided to retain the chassis to the cross beams of the portable bandsaw mill. In another aspect of the invention, a number of symmetrical facets are firstly sawed along the wood block prior to turning the wood block. The turning of a round shaft on the bandsaw mill is preferably effected while the alignment of the wood block or shaft makes an acute angle with the direction of movement of the bandsaw head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Yves Rioux
  • Patent number: 6626214
    Abstract: A cutter for a wood planing machine includes a block piece having a blade-mounting face that is formed with a positioning groove, and a blade attached to the blade-mounting face and having a plurality of positioning tabs projecting into and engaging the positioning groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Teng-Fu Hu
  • Patent number: 6622761
    Abstract: The invention relates to a delimbing apparatus for processing elongated pieces, particular tree trunks (S), which apparatus (1) comprises a frame structure (2) to be suspended at the end of a boom assembly in a working machine, at least one means, articulated in relation to said frame structure, for processing the trunk (S), and actuators (31a, 31c, 51a, 51b) for controlling the position and force effect (F) of said means. In the invention, said actuators comprise at least one joint (100) driven by a pressurized medium and comprising a joint frame (101), a joint arm (103) swivelled in said joint frame, and a blade structure (105, 106) fitted in said joint, by means of which blade structure the pressure effect of the pressurized medium produces said swivelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Plustech Oy
    Inventors: Marko Paakkunainen, Mauri Marttila
  • Patent number: 6622762
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric hand tool (6) with an electric motor contained in a housing, which drives a chip-removing tool (8). The mounting section (14) of a mounting rail (1) is mounted in a detent locking fashion onto the mounting base (3) of the electric hand tool (6). A carriage-shaped component equipped with a compass point (12) is mounted onto this mounting rail (1) and/or a parallel fence (9, 10) can be adjustably positioned on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joao Bergner, Uwe Engelfried, Martin Noack
  • Patent number: 6619345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking shaft arrangement for a debarking machine (1). A number of rotatable debarking shafts (3) extending parallel to the advancing direction of the logs (2) are provided with a number of teeth (4) extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft (3) and adapted to strip bark off the logs transversely to the lengthwise direction of the logs. The teeth (4) are designed to be effective in both rotating directions of said rotatable debarking shafts (3), and the debarking shafts (3) are designed to be reversibly mounted in the debarking machine. Reversible debarking shafts equipped with bi-directionally effective teeth permit renewal of worn teeth on a debarking shaft by reversing the orientation of the shaft relative to the debarking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Jouni Havumaki, Pekka Kokko, Bruce Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 6619347
    Abstract: A combination workpiece positioning, hold-down and anti-kickback device for a work table having a fence against which a workpiece is guided, includes a non-rotatable positioning member having an arcuate cam surface at one edge for engaging a side surface of a workpiece on the work table; an adjustment device for moving the positioning member in lengthwise and transverse directions relative to the workpiece and for locking the same thereat; a pivot pivotally mounting the positioning member to the adjustment device; a spring for biasing the positioning member in a pivot direction into engagement with the side surface of the workpiece; a non-rotatable hold-down member having a second arcuate cam surface at one edge for engaging an upper surface of the workpiece; an adjustment device for moving the hold-down member in lengthwise, transverse and vertical directions relative to the workpiece, and for locking the same thereat; a pivot pivotally mounting the hold-down member to the second adjustment device; and a sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Jukoff, Ethan Dean
  • Patent number: 6619346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking machine for the debarking of logs and for the expulsion of at least some of the removed bark from a wood flow passing through the debarking machine. The debarking machine having a number of rotating debarking shafts extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the logs to be fed therethrough. The debarking shafts are provided with a number of teeth adapted to strip bark off the logs transversely to the lengthwise direction of the logs and at the same time to convey the logs transversely relative to said shafts. The shafts, together with the teeth thereof constitute at least a section of a support surface upon which the logs travel through the debarking machine. For feeding the logs into the debarking machine, its admission end is provided with a conveyor adapted to positively feed the logs through an opening in the admission end of the debarking machine. The feed rate and feed force of the conveyor are preferably regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Jouni Havumaki, Pekka Kokko, Bruce Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 6615884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking shaft (3) for a debarking machine (1). The debarking shaft (3) has its teeth (4) designed as a number of annular tooth rims (20), each of said tooth rims comprising two or more releasably connected elements (21, 22), having the outer periphery provided with the teeth (4) and said elements being adapted to be fitted around a body member (25) of the debarking shaft (3) by way of press clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Andritz Oy
    Inventors: Jouni Havumaki, Pekka Kokko, Bruce Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 6612349
    Abstract: A plate joiner including a fence support, a drive, and a fence system. The fence support includes a cutter and a contact surface, which defines a cutter slot. The cutter is arranged and configured to protrude from fence support through cutter slot to make a plunge cut into a surface of a workpiece when the contact surface is pressed against the surface and the cutter is plunged into the workpiece by pushing on a rearward handle portion of the tool. The drive is arranged and configured to rotatably drive the cutter through a motor. As shown in the drawings a preferred fence system includes an angle adjustment system arranged and configured to position the fence at a wide range of fence angles and, at any selected distance from a top face of the workpiece to the fence, the distance from the top face of the workpiece to the cutter remains constant as the front fence angle is adjusted. A preferred fence system includes a trunnion which pivotally couples the front fence to the fence system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Smith, Earl R. Clowers
  • Patent number: 6609546
    Abstract: A process for creating a distressed surface for an article of furniture, and an article of furniture incorporating a distresses surface. The process includes the steps of selecting at least one piece of material having at least one planar surface and opposed side edges, mechanically forming grooves along at least one of the opposed side edges of the piece of material, and adjoining multiple pieces of material so formed to create a surface of an article of furniture that has a distressed appearance. The article of furniture includes a surface having a distresses appearance that is adhered to a substrate to create the face of the article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Bobb, Mike Washburn, Brian K. Moore
  • Patent number: 6609545
    Abstract: A cutting head structure for a wood splitter utilizing a frame member. The frame member includes a bottom, a pair of sides, and a top to form an open chamber. The open chamber has a first opening for receiving a wood mass and a second opening to receive the divided or split portions of the wood mass. At least one knife is located in the open chamber and includes a blade having a single, continuous, curved cutting edge which faces the opening through which the wood mass is fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Ian Van Gelder
  • Patent number: 6609547
    Abstract: The log splitter of the present invention is interchangeably mounted to a skid loader in the same manner as conventional attachments, wherein the skid loader longitudinal axis and log splitter longitudinal axis are perpendicular. The log splitter has a mounting frame, a H-beam connected to the mounting frame, and a piston assembly and blade connected to the H-beam. The mounting frame has a top lip and a bottom flange. The skid loader has an attacher that engages the top lip and bottom flange of the mounting frame. The skid loader may supply power to the log splitter, so that the piston assembly pushes the head towards the blade. A user controls the orientation of the attacher, and hence the log splitter. The log splitter can pick a log off the ground, the skid loader can move while holding a log, and the log splitter can split a log over a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Ron P. Machkovech
  • Patent number: 6607016
    Abstract: A jig having a guide block and a repositionable clamp for use with a saw for hand cutting tails and pins on the ends of boards to form a dovetail joint. The guide block has four planar sides that are joined to form a substantially square tube, the ends of which define guide faces that form an oblique angle with any plane orthogonal to the planar side of the guide block. A pair of magnets within the body of the guide block, each covered by a low friction pad firmly engage the saw and keep it in contact with the guide faces throughout the cutting operation. The guide block also has two orthogonal wing surfaces for positioning the guide block against a face of a board to orient the guide faces either: (a) square to the end of the board and at an angle to its faces, or (b) square to its faces and at an angle to the end of the board. The repositionable clamp is secured to the guide block for clamping it to the board in either of the two alternative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steve K. Jones
  • Patent number: 6607017
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for carving a uniformly carved portion and a variably carved portion in a workpiece in a single pass. The apparatus consists of a uniform carving head fixed relative to the workpiece and a variable carving head that is movable simultaneously in two directions substantially perpendicular to the motion of the workpiece. A control system, which may include a programmable computer, controls the motion of the variable carving head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Konstantin N. Kulikov, Karim Esmailzadeh
  • Patent number: 6606940
    Abstract: Calender that includes a stand, an upper roll, a lower roll, and at least two center rolls arranged between the upper and the lower rolls. The calender also includes at least two cylinders, where the at least two center rolls are supported on the stand by the at least two cylinders. Each of the at least two cylinders include a discharge path that is controlled over more than ¾ of a piston stroke for lowering the at least two center rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Schneid, Joachim Hinz, Peter Wiemer
  • Patent number: 6604562
    Abstract: A tree pusher for safely felling trees. The tree pusher controls and determines the direction in which the tree falls, using a base, a frame, a detachable head which engages the tree trunk, and an extendable screw-type trailer jack that is repairable/replaceable during operation and capable of bearing the weight of a large tree, for urging the frame and the head against the trunk of the tree. For use on uneven ground, the tree pusher is provided with a base extension. A chain is used to connect the base of the tree pusher to the trunk of the tree, to prevent movement of the base when the jack is activated. The tree pusher can be readily moved to the job site, and can be used on any type of terrain, including hard surfaces, and for any type of tree, including trees with rotten wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Wayne J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6601620
    Abstract: A stump cutter includes a rotary drum, holders mounted on the drum, and cutting bits mounted in respective bores of each holder for rotation relative thereto. Each cutting bit includes a shank having a pocket formed in a front end thereof in which the cutting tip is brazed, wherein an outer lip of the shank tightly grips an outer side surface of the cutting tip with a thermal shrink fit. The cutting tip includes a circular cutting edge formed by the intersection between portions of the front surface and side surface of the cutting tip, which surface portions intersect at a ninety degree angle. The front surface of the cutting tip includes raised radial ribs spaced circumferentially therearound for inducing rotation of the cutting bit during a cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Sandvik Rock Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Monyak, Lars-Åke Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6595251
    Abstract: An improved portable work bench includes a structural body, and a platform disposed on and frictionally contacting the structural body. In addition, the platform includes an override mechanism for allowing horizontal movement of the platform along the structural body. Further, the portable work bench may include a plurality of legs for supporting the structural body. The structural body may be tubular and preferably has a trapezoidal cross-section. Such work bench can be used by disposing the platform on the structural body, so that the platform frictionally contacts the structural body. Then the user can mechanically override the static friction between the platform and the structural body and move the platform horizontally along the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Adan Ayala, Ronald Quiram
  • Patent number: 6595252
    Abstract: A method of producing the floor-bridging units, which increases production rate of the floor-bridging units. First rough lumber beams are fed through a planer, which planes the lumber to the required consistent size tolerance. The planed lumber is transferred to a cut-off saw to cut the legs. The legs are transferred to a dado machine and a dado slot is cut into the lumber. The legs are transferred to a joining station to form the X member, where the dado slots are joined into a dado joint by gluing and stapling the joint. The X member is transferred to a trimming station to be trimmed. At the same time flanges are being made by cutting sheet lumber in strips and then into rectangles to form the flanges. The flanges are transferred to a nailing jig, while glue is applied to the trimmed ends of the legs of the X members. The X members with the applied glue are transferred to the nailing jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne L. Bassett, Darwin R. Bassett
  • Patent number: 6591878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for clamping a knife. A front side of the knife includes a recess and the knife is clamped between an outer clamping member adapted to receive the back side of the knife, and a inner clamping member adapted to receive the front side of the knife, the inner clamping member making contact with the front side of the knife at two spaced locations thereon, wherein at least one of the locations is outside the recess and the other is inside the recess, wherein the width of the recess normalized by the overall width of the knife yields a result that is preferably no more than about 0.22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Charles Hinchliff