Abstract: A timing assembly (200) for a manufactured wood products press (66) is provided. The manufactured wood products press includes a first drive shaft (120) coupled to a first platen (90) and second drive shaft (120) coupled to a second platen (90). The first and second platens are disposed within the manufactured wood products press in an opposed manner. The timing assembly includes a housing (202) and a plurality of timing gears (204) disposed within the housing. The plurality of timing gears are operatively connected to the first and second drive shafts for simultaneously driving the first and second drive shafts in an eccentric path.

Abstract: A lock assembly (100) is provided. Such a lock assembly includes a housing (120) and a pin assembly (129) disposed within the housing. The pin assembly is selectively actuatable between a locked position, where a pin (140) is displaced into engagement with first and second frame members (104 and 106), and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A press unit (20) for a manufactured wood press (60) is provided. The press unit includes a housing (80), a platen (90), and a drive assembly (76) disposed within the housing. The drive assembly is coupled to the platen to drive the platen in a non-linear motion. More specifically, the drive assembly includes a shaft having concentric and eccentric portions which are disposed on separate axes. Rotation of the eccentric portion about its respective axis causes movement of the platen in the non-linear motion.

Abstract: A press assembly is shown having a plurality of aligned press modules having a lower platen and an oppositely-disposed upper platen, the press modules defining a channel through the press assembly. A resinous wood fiber mat is fed into the channel. The upper and lower platens are driven along synchronized circular paths of travel such that the mat is compressed between the platens and is propelled by the platens through the channel. The platens are connected to eccentric shaft drive assemblies that move the platens along the desired circular path. The action of the eccentric shafts of each module are interconnected and coordinated by gear box units, and the gear box units are interconnected by intermediate gear boxes to synchronize the press assembly. A plurality of motors drives the eccentric shafts, and the supplied power may be distributed by the gear boxes.

Abstract: A lock assembly (100) is provided. Such a lock assembly includes a housing (120) and a pin assembly (129) disposed within the housing. The pin assembly is selectively actuatable between a locked position, where a pin (140) is displaced into engagement with first and second frame members (104 and 106), and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A press assembly is shown having a plurality of aligned press modules having a lower platen and an oppositely-disposed upper platen, the press modules defining a channel through the press assembly. A resinous wood fiber mat is fed into the channel. The upper and lower platens are driven along synchronized circular paths of travel such that the mat is compressed between the platens and is propelled by the platens through the channel. The platens are connected to eccentric shaft drive assemblies that move the platens along the desired circular path. The action of the eccentric shafts of each module are interconnected and coordinated by gear box units, and the gear box units are interconnected by intermediate gear boxes to synchronize the press assembly. A plurality of motors drives the eccentric shafts, and the supplied power may be distributed by the gear boxes.

Abstract: A press unit (20) for a manufactured wood press (60) is provided. The press unit includes a housing (80), a platen (90), and a drive assembly (76) disposed within the housing. The drive assembly is coupled to the platen to drive the platen in a non-linear motion.

Abstract: A timing assembly (200) for a manufactured wood products press (66) is provided. The manufactured wood products press includes a first drive shaft (120) coupled to a first platen (90) and second drive shaft (120) coupled to a second platen (90). The first and second platens are disposed within the manufactured wood products press in an opposed manner. The timing assembly includes a housing (202) and a plurality of timing gears (204) disposed within the housing. The plurality of timing gears are operatively connected to the first and second drive shafts for simultaneously driving the first and second drive shafts in an eccentric path.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming and heating a compressed composite wood product. The method includes introducing a mat assembly of resinated discrete wood elements into an oscillating compression press. Once the material is within the oscillating compression press, the compression/release oscillation is controlled to form the material. Specifically, the compression/release oscillation is controlled to heat the mat assembly to a to at least a cure temperature of the resin.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming a compressed product. The method includes introducing a material into a press that is oscillating between a compression phase and a release phase. The material has a compression recovery response time when compressed and released. The compressed product is formed by repeatedly compressing the material during the compression phase and releasing the material during the release phase.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming a compressed product. The method includes introducing a material into a press. The material has a flow direction through the press. The press is arranged to have at least one platen oscillating between a compression phase and a release phase. The at least one platen is configured to impart a compressive force onto the material during the compression phase such that the force is applied initially at an acute compression vector angle relative to the material flow direction. As a function of the angled compressive force, the material is transported a distance through the press and then released during the release phase.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming and heating a compressed composite wood product. The method includes introducing a mat assembly of resinated discrete wood elements into an oscillating compression press. Once the material is within the oscillating compression press, the compression/release oscillation is controlled to form the material. Specifically, the compression/release oscillation is controlled to heat the mat assembly to a to at least a cure temperature of the resin.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming a compressed product. The method includes introducing a material into a press that is oscillating between a compression phase and a release phase. The material has a compression recovery response time when compressed and released. The compressed product is formed by repeatedly compressing the material during the compression phase and releasing the material during the release phase.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of forming a compressed product. The method includes introducing a material into a press. The material has a flow direction through the press. The press is arranged to have at least one platen oscillating between a compression phase and a release phase. The at least one platen is configured to impart a compressive force onto the material during the compression phase such that the force is applied initially at an acute compression vector angle relative to the material flow direction. As a function of the angled compressive force, the material is transported a distance through the press and then released during the release phase.

Abstract: A fastener includes a male fastener and a cooperating female fastener where the male fastener element is operated by at least one elongated deformable the wall of a compartment and an ed wall with which the male fastener is integrally connected and from which the male fastener forms a projection. For example the elongated deformable wall(s) of the compartment may be deformed by pressure in the compartment so that deformation of the deformable wall deforms the end wall and moves a free end of the projection remote from the wall of the compartment between a latching position and an unlatching position when the deformable wall is deformed.

Abstract: A method of drying veneer sheets by continuously shingling discrete wood veneer-sheets to form a layup where the leading edges of adjacent sheets are offset by a distance X with the lower, veneer sheet leading in the direction of movement the one there above and continuously feeding the so formed layup in the direction of movement into a drier where the veneer sheets while still in the layup are dried. The dried veneer sheets are then separated into discreet dried veneer sheets and are thereafter individually tested.

Abstract: A method of producing a consolidated composite wood product composed of discrete wood elements and a binder by forming a layup and preheating only a central longitudinal portion of the layup by application of microwave energy across the longitudinal axis and then pressing to consolidate the layup and applying further microwave energy in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the application of the preheating microwave energy through the sides of the compressed layup in the press.