Combined Patents (Class 144/3.1)
  • Patent number: 11400531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to engine-driven tool (1) comprising a rotatable work tool (2) and an engine (4) for propelling a first driving pulley (28) via a clutch wheel (30) comprised in a power transferring unit (27) and having an outer edge. The first driving pulley (28) and the clutch wheel (30) arc arranged to rotate around a common driving axis (38). The power transferring unit (27) comprises an endless drive belt (9) that is arranged propel the rotatable work tool (2) when the first driving pulley (28) is propelled. A fan arrangement (13) is arranged to convey air front a dust channel (11) formed between a shielding cover (8) and the rotatable work tool (2), and comprises a fan turbine (26) that is connected to a fan pulley (29) connected to the drive belt (9) is arranged to propel the fan pulley (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Karlsson
  • Patent number: 10919236
    Abstract: The process for the manufacture of windows/doors (1), characterized by the fact that it comprises the following steps: providing at least one inner panel (2) for windows/doors; providing a plurality of plastic profiled elements (3) for windows/doors, each of the profiled elements (3) comprising at least two areas to seal (5), coupleable to the areas to seal (5) of the other profiled elements (3), and at least one longitudinal slot (6), in which a respective perimeter side (4) of the inner panel (2) is insertable; performing a step of mechanical machining by chip removal on at least one of the areas to seal (5); heating the areas to seal (5); coupling the heated areas to seal (5) to one another by pressing the profiled elements (3) one against the other to maintain the areas to seal (5) in mutual contact and define the frame for windows/doors, the coupling taking place with the inner panel (2) inserted in the longitudinal slots (6) to define a window/door (1) which is composed by the frame and by the inner
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Graf Synergy S.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrea Vaccari, Gilberto Verrini
  • Patent number: 10857692
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for cutting wood workpieces, such as logs and cants, into desired products. In various embodiments, after a log is chipped into a cant, the cant may be scanned and re-optimized based on the new scan data and information about the source log, such as simulated orientation parameters, a 3D model, and/or potential cut solutions. In other embodiments, data from multiple sensor types may be used in combination to detect splits in logs, cants, or both. Optionally, re-optimization and split detection techniques may be used in combination to improve wood volume recovery, value, and/or throughput speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas G. Strasky, Stephen Doiel, Gerald David Larson, Robert Arnold, Ryan Munion, Dimitrios Paul Marinakis
  • Patent number: 10647018
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for shape sawing wood. Specifically, embodiments include an infeed with laterally displaceable positioning rolls and a longitudinal axis between the positioning rolls. The embodiments further include a saw box with a frame and a plurality of saws coupled with a plurality of vertical arbors within the frame. In certain embodiments, the frame is operable to move laterally or rotationally with respect to a horizontal axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventor: Conrad Bullion
  • Patent number: 10239224
    Abstract: A lumber handling method identifies the existence and direction of crowning in dimensional lumber and automatically orients the board and specifies a cutting direction prior to a saw cutting the board into one or more board segments to be used in a structural board assembly, such as in a truss or a wall panel. Crowning is a curve that occurs along a narrow convex edge of a board, wherein the curve is about an axis that is perpendicular to the board's widest face. In some examples, a board's crown is detected by a row of photoelectric sensors. In some examples, the method involves calibrating the sensors by passing a straight board past the sensors. In some examples, the convex and/or concave edges of the board are marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Steven L. Aylsworth
  • Patent number: 10217188
    Abstract: Spatially variable data associated with a geographical region such as a map or image from multiple samples acquired by one or more airborne vehicles taken across sub-regions of the geographical region may be aggregating and displayed. High-resolution image data of a geographical region acquired by one or more airborne vehicles may be obtained. The image data may comprise images corresponding to sub-regions of the geographical region. The images may be acquired at an image resolution corresponding to a first spatial frequency. Individual images may be analyzed to determine statistical information corresponding to the sub-regions of the geographical region. The statistical information corresponding to the sub-regions of the geographical region may be provided, for presentation to a user, by resampling the statistical information based on a second spatial frequency. The second spatial frequency may be equal to or less than the first spatial frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SlantRange, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ritter, Michael Milton
  • Patent number: 9999987
    Abstract: Provided is a method for bucking a stem that utilizes the combination of moving sensor and a fixed sensor. The fixed sensor measures a location of a first end of the stem travelling on a conveyor to determine a travel distance the first end has moved past the fixed sensor. The movable sensor measures a location of a second end of the stem to determine a sensor distance between the fixed sensor and the movable sensor. The length of the stem is determined by adding the travel distance to the sensor distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Griffin Lumber Company
    Inventors: Jesse Slade Griffin, William Henry Griffin, Jeremy Joseph Griffin, Charlie Julian Griffin
  • Patent number: 9975189
    Abstract: Shaft cutting machine that is able to cut short size shaft composes of machine structure of which its part supporting the installing of short size shaft feeding in part. This feeding in part could fit with short size shaft in horizontal. The shaft is to be sent to rail that support the moving of shaft. This supporting rail support the mechanical pushing of short size shaft located behind moving that compose of the structure of forth-back axis be able to moving in-out for push the shaft that need to cut out by blade the short shaft that is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: THAISAKOL GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Kakehata
  • Patent number: 9630337
    Abstract: A production technology for natural bamboo fibers is applied in producing woven bamboo fibers, non-woven bamboo fibers, and reinforcing composite bamboo fibers. The woven bamboo fibers are produced by steps of cutting to a certain length, slicing, flattening, softening, dividing, debonding, rinsing, soaking in oil, drying, and opening. The non-woven bamboo fibers and the reinforcing composite bamboo fibers are produced by steps of cutting to a certain length, slicing, flattening, softening, dividing, debonding (optional), rinsing, and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Jianxin Peng
  • Patent number: 9604424
    Abstract: The present technology provides a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire. The method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire uses a laminated sheet having a predetermined length and an inner liner layer formed from the laminated sheet through a step of cure-molding the tire with end portions of the laminated sheet lap-spliced. In the method, when at least the sheet made of thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin composition obtained by blending the thermoplastic resin and the elastomer is cut into the predetermined length, the cutting is performed by using an edge tool having a non-sharp edge under a temperature condition not lower than 60° C. and not higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Seto, Yuichi Hara, Hirokazu Shibata
  • Patent number: 9518405
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to grasping accessories for utility tractors, particularly, for hydraulically-operated front end loader attachments for skid loaders. The purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose accessory that protects an operator from loose debris while allowing the operator to remain in the tractor cab while grasping, pulling, and/or lifting bulky objects that would normally require the operator to step away from the cab or request the assistance of one or more persons. Such objects may include planted trees, bushes, or posts that require removal from the soil and transportation for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Curtis Hull
  • Patent number: 9470015
    Abstract: A grasping attachments for utility tractors is provided and, particularly, a hydraulically-operated front end loader attachments for skid loaders is provided. The multi-purpose attachment allows an operator to remain in the tractor cab while grasping, pulling, and/or lifting bulky objects that would normally require the operator to step away from the cab or request the assistance of one or more persons. Such objects may include planted trees, bushes, or posts that require removal from the soil and transportation for disposal. The attachment includes a fixed jaw and a pivoting jaw, where the fixed jaw is positioned relative to the frame of the attachment such that there is a larger area between the jaws to surround and grasp an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Curtis Hull
  • Patent number: 9284747
    Abstract: A door hardware locating tool includes a first side wall having a first side, a second side opposite, and a cavity defined between the first and second sides. The door hardware locating tool further includes a second side wall coupled to the first side wall and extending substantially parallel to the first side wall, a center wall disposed between the first and second side walls, a clamping mechanism operable to clamp a door between the first and second side walls, and an insert at least partially located within the cavity and translatable along the first side wall between a first position and a second position. The insert includes an aperture sized to receive a cutting tool. In the first position, the aperture is located a first backset distance from the center wall, and in the second position, the third aperture is located a second backset distance from the center wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan C. Ward
  • Patent number: 9221189
    Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus and method for perforating a beam. The apparatus comprises a main longitudinal support structure to support the beam. A cutting zone is located along the main longitudinal support structure. Controllable translating means translate the beam longitudinally in the cutting zone. A detector detects a presence of the beam in the cutting zone and in response, a router is controllably moved substantially orthogonally and transversally with respect to the beam, while the beam is translated. The combined controlled movement of the router and the beam results in a perforation of the beam following a predetermined perforation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: BOIS D'INGENIERIE HYBRID JOIST INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lachance, Benoit Maille, Pierre Martel, Steeve Lepine
  • Publication number: 20150047743
    Abstract: A harvester head, comprising a measuring wheel apparatus with a measuring wheel configured to roll along a tree trunk when the trunk is fed through the harvester head, and a power device configured to swivel the measuring wheel apparatus and to keep the measuring wheel pressed against the tree trunk. The measuring wheel is configured to remain in an elevated position in relation to the frame structure of the harvester head, wherein the measuring wheel also has a supporting position to support the trunk and to provide a supporting force that does not let the trunk fall against the frame structure. A measuring wheel apparatus which is applicable in a harvester head, comprising a measuring wheel with a supporting position to support a tree trunk, and which comprises a stopping member configured to stop the swinging motion of the measuring wheel apparatus when the measuring wheel assumes said supporting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Juho Keskinen, Kari Hanne, Mika Hannonen, Heikki Pyykko
  • Publication number: 20150027586
    Abstract: A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Juergen F. Trost, Glenn L. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20140363606
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an apparatus (1) for the fabrication of an endless band (300) containing fiber material, in particular wood, comprising at least the following method steps: providing at least one fiber material block, the fiber material block having a face side; cutting off a plate element (31) from the face side of a fiber material block, the plate element (31) having a cutting surface from the fiber material block, a main surface facing the cutting surface, and an edge surface connecting the cutting surface and the main surface; arranging in relation to each other the cutting surface of the plate element (31) and a fiber material block such that the main surface of the plate element (31) follows the face surface of the fiber material block, wherein said face surface forms the main surface of a further plate element; connecting the plate element and the further plate element by a connecting means; cutting off the further plate element from the face side of the fiber material block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: PADANA AG
    Inventors: Achim Moeller, Christian Korn, Andreas Knauff
  • Publication number: 20140261891
    Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise knives and cutting systems for forming a predetermined impression into a wood layer and methods associated therewith. In some aspects a cutting system comprises at least one knife, and a means for rotating the wood block about a rotation axis. Each knife of the at least one knife can have a cutting portion and a base portion, wherein the cutting portion comprises a cutting surface defining a pattern. The at least one knife can be operatively positioned relative to the wood block such that, upon rotation of the wood block about the rotation axis, the peripheral surface of the wood block is urged against the cutting surface of the at least one knife to form the wood layer and the pattern defined on the cutting surface of the at least one knife is configured to form the predetermined impression into the wood layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bryan Boggs, Michael Scott Standridge, Jason Richard Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140238548
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for shape sawing wood. Specifically, embodiments include an infeed with laterally displaceable positioning rolls and a longitudinal axis between the positioning rolls. The embodiments further include a saw box with a frame and a plurality of saws coupled with a plurality of vertical arbors within the frame. In certain embodiments, the frame is operable to move laterally or rotationally with respect to a horizontal axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Conrad Bullion
  • Publication number: 20140238547
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for shape sawing wood. Specifically, embodiments include an infeed with laterally displaceable positioning rolls and a longitudinal axis between the positioning rolls. The embodiments further include a saw box with a frame and a plurality of saws coupled with a plurality of vertical arbors within the frame. In certain embodiments, the frame is operable to move laterally or rotationally with respect to a horizontal axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: U. S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad Bullion
  • Publication number: 20140137987
    Abstract: Jaw-type devices are disclosed which are designed to be utilized by heavy equipment, such as tractors, front-loader machines, skid steers, mini track loaders, fork lifts, etc., to grasp, cut, move, lift or otherwise manipulate a variety of objects, such as trees, rocks, hay bales, paper bales, potted plants, etc. The jaw-type devices are configured to be removably attached to a piece of heavy equipment, e.g. through a standard mount such as a three-point hookup or front-loader universal quick attachment plate such as are typically provided on heavy equipment, and to receive a variety of interchangeable attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Scott Jahn
  • Publication number: 20140069554
    Abstract: A harvester is provided for felling and processing a tree, the harvester including traction devices and a harvester head. The harvester includes an integrated hydraulic system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head. More particularly, the harvester includes an integrated load sense system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Calin Raszga, Mark Breutzman
  • Publication number: 20140000761
    Abstract: A production technology for natural bamboo fibers is applied in producing woven bamboo fibers, non-woven bamboo fibers, and reinforcing composite bamboo fibers. The woven bamboo fibers are produced by steps of cutting to a certain length, slicing, flattening, softening, dividing, debonding, rinsing, soaking in oil, drying, and opening. The non-woven bamboo fibers and the reinforcing composite bamboo fibers are produced by steps of cutting to a certain length, slicing, flattening, softening, dividing, debonding (optional), rinsing, and drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jianxin Peng
  • Publication number: 20130299046
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and an apparatus for cutting a tree. In the method a delimbing & crosscut device cutting branches and able to cut the trunk of a tree is controlled upwards along the trunk of a tree intended to be removed and when it ascends to cut the branches of the tree that are in its way. The delimbing & crosscut device is controlled to ascend and descend along the trunk of the tree step-by-step by alternately increasing and shortening the length of the delimbing & crosscut device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MECLIMB OY
    Inventor: Mauri Helenius
  • Patent number: 8424576
    Abstract: A bar has interior and exterior ends. The bar has a projection depending from the interior end. The projection is adapted to be slidably supported between the ways. The assembly also includes a support positioned above the exterior end. The support includes a recess positioned above the bar. The support is adapted to receive and support a base of a mitre saw. A spacer is adapted to couple the support with respect to the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Wallace W. Coyner
  • Publication number: 20120183365
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power tool includes a housing having a first opening formed therein with a motor being contained within the housing. The tool includes a device for sharpening a writing implement. The sharpening device is at least partially contained within the housing and accessible through the first opening which permits the writing implement to be inserted into the sharpening device. The sharpening device is operatively connected to the motor such that operation of the motor drives the sharpening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Stanley Rozycki, Donald Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 8201597
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing wood lagging blankets includes a board singulator, a board spacer, a wire strand feeder, and a fastener applicator. The board singulator includes an infeed and infeed queue, and a selectively actuable stop. The board spacer includes a spacing conveyor and may be selectively actuable according to instructions from a programmable controller, wherein the fastener applicator mounted aligned vertically over said at least one strand of wire to fasten by fasteners at least one strand of wire down onto the boards on said spacing conveyor to thereby form a lagging blanket of spaced apart boards spaced with substantially constant gapping between the boards, wherein said lagging blanket is tethered together as a stable matrix of laterally aligned, constantly spaced boards, and wherein the lagging blanket is sized to wrap completely around a desired circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Adelard Bouchard
  • Patent number: 8141603
    Abstract: A guide arm for a gang sawmill is provided adjacent to an inlet of a gang saw and is movable about a pivot pin depending on the actual curvature of a cant to adjust (continuously or fixed) the position of an incoming cant to maximize the yield of usable boards produced by the gang saw by moving the cant relative to the saw as a conveyor feeds the cant through the gang saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick M Conry, Russell Kennedy, Chris Raybon, Russell Roberson
  • Patent number: 8066039
    Abstract: An apparatus cuts rail ends for cabinet doors. Infeed and outfeed carriages are reciprocally movable along spaced apart tracks, and a transverse carriage is reciprocally moveable between the tracks. An arbor between the tracks supports and rotates a cutter. Clamps on the carriages selectively clamp a workpiece, so a workpiece clamped to the infeed carriage is carried past the arbor to cut an end of the workpiece, transferred to the transverse carriage, carried a desired distance towards the outfeed carriage, clamped to the outfeed carriage, carried past the arbor again to cut a second end of the workpiece, and released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin J. Arvin
  • Patent number: 8051886
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating the decorative face of a panel to simulate the visual effect of a distressed panel. The decorative face may include at least a layer of wood or the like. The method may involve passing the panel with respect to two or more distressing tools. The passing may be performed in an automated way by first driving means. The method may also involve advancing the distressing tools intermittently toward the moving panel to apply distress marks. The intermittently advancing may be performed in an automated way by second, third and optional further driving means. At least one of the passing of the panel and the advancing of the distressing tools toward the moving panel may be performed according to an irregular rhythm in order to obtain irregularly spaced distress marks. At least one of the first driving means, the second driving means, the third driving means, and the optional further driving means is steered by and therefore coupled to program means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Unilin Flooring NC LLC
    Inventors: John Colhouer Tappan, Christopher Brian Tussey, Brian Keith Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7997308
    Abstract: A wood working machine includes a mounting plate assembly for supporting a cutting tool, the assembly including a base plate, first and second intermediate plates on the base plate, and first and second guide plate elements pivotally supported on the intermediate plates, and a cutting tool support plate slidably disposed between the guide plate elements, the guide plate elements being positionable at angular intervals with respect to the intermediate plates, whereby the cutting tool support plate is slidably movable on the base plate between the guide plate elements at a prescribed angle. The mounting plate assembly may include laser sources providing crossed laser beams for positioning the tool bit of the cutting tool near a work piece, and light sources for illuminating the tool bit. A digital sensor may be included for positioning of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Lewis E. Stepp
  • Publication number: 20110169284
    Abstract: There is disclosed a combination chopsticks and chopstick rest which are manufactured as a single unit. Bending the end of the chopsticks unit at a pair of incised grooves separates the chopstick rest. The remaining portion of the chopsticks unit comprises a pair of coherent chopsticks separated by a transverse cut and leaving a short uncut portion at the thickest end of the article. The chopsticks are separated by pulling them apart. The chopsticks may then be rested upon the previously separated rest, which may be imprinted with advertising, logos or other text and graphics, thus keeping the tips of the chopsticks off the eating surface and free of dirt, debris and germs, as well as keeping the eating surface clean. A method of manufacture of the combination chopsticks and chopstick rest is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel S. Rosen
  • Patent number: 7926524
    Abstract: In a wood processing plant, planks are typically split into strips and then passed through an automated cross-cutting saw station to remove defects such as knots, cracks or flash. One defect which also occurs is the hit and miss defect caused by a planer and/or a sander. In order to improve the performance of the cross-cutting saw station, color is applied to the wood prior to being planed and sanded. The cross-cutting saw station is then modified to optically inspect the wood for the presence of color, indicating a hit and miss defect, and to remove the portions of the wood containing color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Prolam, Societe En Commandite
    Inventor: Benoit Risi
  • Patent number: 7882865
    Abstract: A boom unit for a tree processing machine having a boom with a square cross-section. The boom unit has a boom support with a front boom mounting at the front end of the support and a rear boom mounting at the rear end of the support. The boom is movably mounted through the front and rear boom mountings and is positioned to have a corner of the boom on the bottom and an opposite corner of the boom on the top directly over the bottom corner. The front mounting has a pair of front, bottom rollers arranged in a v shape to cradle the boom with the bottom corner of the boom between the rollers and a single, top, guide member above the bottom rollers and centered with respect to the bottom rollers to ride on the top corner of the boom to hold the boom against the bottom rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Laurent Denis
  • Publication number: 20110011497
    Abstract: An apparatus for clipping ends of a book of sheets comprises a first detector for detecting a first end of the book of sheets, a clipper positioning system and a first clipper including a knife. The clipper positioning system is adapted to automatically position the first clipper to a proposed first clipping position based on the detected first end of the book of sheets. A method of processing a plurality of sheets comprises assembling the plurality of sheets into a book of sheets, detecting a first end of the book of sheets to propose a first position for clipping the book of sheets, positioning a first clipper based on the detected first end of the book of sheets, advancing the book of sheets to an infeed conveyor, detecting, the presence of the book of sheets in the infeed conveyor, advancing the book of sheets to the first clipper, clipping the first end of the book of sheets, and advancing the book of sheets from the first clipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: PADANA AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Lacroix
  • Patent number: 7870880
    Abstract: An optimizing planer infeed system for feeding an array of workpieces downstream to a planer includes an apparatus for setting the size of the gaps between successive linearly aligned workpieces so that each gap between successive workpieces provides enough time for at least one of movable cutting elements in the planer and movable guiding elements to be moved to their optimized position corresponding to the next successive workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. McGehee, Patrick Doyle
  • Patent number: 7870879
    Abstract: An automated saw system for cutting a crooked piece of lumber with a mitered end and a length. The saw system includes a saw for cutting the piece of lumber, a lumber feed conveyor for feeding the piece of lumber to the saw, and a sensor that measures a deviation amount by which the piece of lumber deviates from an idealized straight piece of lumber. A controller communicates with the sensor to adjust either the saw or the conveyor in response to the detected deviation amount so that the piece of lumber is cut to correspond to a cut of the idealized straight piece of lumber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome E. Koskovich
  • Patent number: 7861751
    Abstract: A wood product assembly includes a cutter subassembly and a skewing assembly. A cutter positioning body is movable by a slewing assembly along a slewing axis. A spindle housing is mounted to the cutter positioning body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A spindle, to which a cutter, such as a sawblade or chipper head, is affixed, is mounted to the spindle housing for rotation about a spindle rotation axis by a cutter driver. The skewing assembly is coupled to the spindle housing to position the spindle rotation axis to a selected angular orientation to position the cutter at a selected skew angle. In some examples the cutter driver comprises a drive source fixedly secured to a frame and an extendable length universal-joint driveline assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: McGehee Development Company LLC
    Inventor: Ronald W. McGehee
  • Patent number: 7857021
    Abstract: A system for positioning a workpiece in an optimized position. In one embodiment a marking device places a mark on the workpiece prior to the workpiece passing through a scanner cooperating with an optimizer. The optimizer determines the optimized position of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece is identified by a first camera. The mark may be used as a point of reference such that the workpiece may be positioned in the optimized position by rotating the workpiece relative to the orientation of the mark. A turning mechanism rotates the workpiece to position it in the optimized position. A further camera identifies the orientation of the mark while the workpiece is being rotated. A processor compares in real time the orientation of the workpiece with the optimized position to determine if the workpiece is in the optimized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventors: Murray Boyd, Sandy Webster, Roland Davyduke, Ronald H. Pobuda, Carl Flatman, Rory M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7857017
    Abstract: A deforestation apparatus includes a tractor having a power source, a torque converter connected to said power source and driving a power take-off shaft, a cutting implement operably coupled to said power take-off shaft, wherein said torque converter amplifies torque to the power take-off when the cutting implement decreases in angular velocity relative to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kodiak Kutters, LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Thompson
  • Patent number: 7849894
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a log rotation verification system having an optimizer configured to determine an optimized cutting solution for the log and configured to identify an optimized rotational position, and a position indicator applicable to a log to indicate a reference rotational position of the log. A log rotator may be configured to rotate the log to reduce the difference between the reference rotational position and the optimized rotational position. And, a primary detector may be configured to detect a current rotational position of the position indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Strebig, Christopher W. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 7743802
    Abstract: A wood product assembly includes a cutter and skewing assemblies. A cutter positioning body is movable by the slewing assembly along a slewing axis. A spindle housing is mounted to the cutter positioning body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A spindle, to which a cutter, such as a sawblade or chipper head, is affixed, is mounted to the spindle housing for rotation about a spindle rotation axis by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a fixed position drive motor and a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly comprises a hollow drive shaft sleeve and a drive shaft. The drive shaft sleeve extends at least part way through the drive motor and is rotatable by the drive motor. An end of the drive shaft is slidably housed within and rotated by the drive shaft sleeve. The skewing assembly is coupled to the spindle housing to position the spindle rotation axis to a selected angular orientation to position the cutter at a selected skew angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: McGehee Development Company LLC
    Inventors: Ronald W. McGehee, Shawn Joseph Guibergia, Joseph William Kneer
  • Publication number: 20100147420
    Abstract: A motor for a tree processing machine is provided. The motor includes a mechanism configured to drive a wheel. The wheel is configured to engage a portion of a tree. The motor also includes a housing containing the mechanism. The motor further includes an encoder. The encoder is configured to be operably coupled to the mechanism. The encoder is also configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of a portion of a tree engaged by the wheel. The encoder is contained in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Grant William Voermans
  • Patent number: 7712494
    Abstract: A log profiler for sawing surfaces into and along the length of a log may be characterized as including a saw carriage selectively translatable along a track, a pair of log holders on the track for holding the log suspended over and along the track and adapted to selectively rotate the log about its long axis, a linear double-acting saw blade mounted on a blade carriage, the blade translatable linearly along the blade carriage relative to both the blade carriage and saw carriage, the blade carriage selectively rotatable and selectively elevatable relative to the saw carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Janzen
  • Patent number: 7708041
    Abstract: A component mill for producing wooden construction components has a pair of input rollers spaced from a pair of output rollers, wherein each comprises a pair of vertically-stacked pinch rollers. The mill has an overhead X- and Y-axis track system for scrolling a high speed router bit dangling underneath a high speed motor in X- and Y-directions as the input and/or output rollers pass a board for trimming by the spinning, and perhaps scrolling and not stationed still, router bit. A control system controls the input and output rollers, and X- and Y-axis track system in concert to form a selected design of a wooden construction component output from an inputted board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin M. Troesser
  • Patent number: 7650917
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for forming an arched top door facing, and the resulting facing. The system includes a panel, a table and a cutting assembly. The panel has a first surface intended to be interiorly disposed and a second surface intended to be exteriorly disposed. At least one boss extends from the first surface. The table has a planar surface and a locator extending outwardly from the planar surface. The locator cooperates with the boss to locate the panel on the planar surface. The cutter assembly is operatively associated with the table, and includes a blade spaced from the locator. The blade engages the panel and forms a curved edge in the panel when one of the blade and the panel is rotated about the locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Steven K. Lynch, Mark A. Ruggie, Jason Caulk
  • Patent number: 7617852
    Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily holding logs within cutting-off machines including two plates (60), each of which exhibits a plurality of pressers (61) and an appendix sliding within a guide (7). The plates (60) are associated with an actuator (8) which drive them, under control, in a substantially straight movement in the direction of the relevant guides (7). The pressers are disposed in mirror-like and parallel relationship to each other, that is, orthogonally to the logs (2) to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Fabio Perini
  • Publication number: 20090194199
    Abstract: A guide arm for a gang sawmill is provided adjacent to an inlet of a gang saw and is movable about a pivot pin depending on the actual curvature of a cant to adjust (continuously or fixed) the position of an incoming cant to maximize the yield of usable boards produced by the gang saw by moving the cant relative to the saw as a conveyor feeds the cant through the gang saw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick M. Conry, Russell Kennedy, Chris Raybon, Russell Roberson
  • Publication number: 20090194201
    Abstract: A cutting-apparatus is used to slice a plurality of timber-sections from a log-segment that has a wedge-shaped cross-section. Before the step of slicing the log-segment into the individual timber-sections, there is a prior step of cutting a shape and configuration into the bark-edge-region of the log-segment. This includes cutting the intended outer profiles of timber-sections that eventually will be sliced from the segment. Thereafter, slicing the elongated segment produces timber-sections which have their cross-sections and edges already fully formed by the prior cutting step. The shape and configuration, that is pre-cut into the bark-edge-region, comprises a plurality of edge-face-cuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew Karl Knorr
  • Publication number: 20090188584
    Abstract: A wood working machine is described that includes a mounting plate assembly for supporting a cutting tool, the mounting plate assembly including a base plate, first and second spaced apart intermediate plates on the base plate, and first and second guide plate elements pivotally supported on respective first and second intermediate plates, and a cutting tool support plate slidably disposed between the first and second guide plate elements, the guide plate elements including means defined therein for positioning each of the guide plate elements at selected angular intervals with respect to the respective first and second intermediate plates, whereby the cutting tool support plate is slidably movable on the base plate between the guide plate elements at a prescribed angle. The mounting plate assembly may include laser sources providing crossed laser beams for accurately positioning the tool bit of the cutting tool near a work piece, and light sources for illuminating the tool bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Lewis E Stepp