Abstract: The method of producing a shower tray using a shower tray blank is disclosed. The method may comprise identifying a drain location on the shower tray blank. The method may further comprise deflecting the shower tray blank at an internal location relative to a shower tray perimeter of the shower tray blank along the depth dimension to a deflected state. The method may also comprise cutting the shower tray blank along a plane generally perpendicular to a depth dimension of the shower tray blank when the shower tray blank is in the deflected state to form the shower tray and a discarded portion. An apparatus for producing a shower tray is also disclosed.

Abstract: A building product and method for manufacturing a building product made from an oriented polymer composition which can be split to provide a surface of the building product with a plurality of visible fibrils to form an aesthetic representative of split wood.

Abstract: A koozie and method of making a same. A suitable log is first selected. The size of the log can vary depending upon the size of the desired koozie. The log is cut into at least one segment. The segments are secured to a table. Next, the segments are hollowed leaving a bottom plane and a stem extending from the bottom plane. Thereafter the stem is removed. This provides a koozie made from a log.

Abstract: The present invention therefore provides an improved apparatus and integrated method for producing barrel staves. The apparatus measures the profile of unfinished stave workpieces and based on the width and shape of the stave, as well as other parameters such as the type of barrel that is required, the edges of the stave are trimmed accordingly. This ensures fewer rejected staves, less waste in that the width of the unfinished stave is continuously measured across its entire length with minimum depth of cut required, and most importantly, barrel staves having extremely accurate jointed edges ensuring superior finished barrels have an internal surface that is free from undesirable spacing between the staves, utilizing less labor than hitherto known apparatus.

Abstract: A chair and method of construction with the chair being comprised of a single flat sheet of a bendable material capable of supporting a human body. A longitudinal slit extends between the upper and lower edges and is spaced from the upper edge. The slit is offset from an adjacent side edge wherein the slit separates portions of the sheet into a large area portion and a small area portion. The large area portion is bent with alternating bends, to provide a chair configuration with support of a back, hips, thighs, and knees of a person seated thereon. The small area portion of the sheet is bent with alternating bends to provide an armrest support for the person seated on the chair. The chair is directly supported on the ground at the bend configured for supporting the hips and at the lower edge of the sheet, without any separate leg elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing adhesively bonded wood composite products (10, 13, 24, 24a, 25a) from raw logs (1) having substantially the same raw wood length, wherein the wood composite products can be connected to form a freely selectable wood composite width and/or wood composite length, wherein substantially every raw log (1) is split in each case in the longitudinal direction into log parts (2, 20, 21) and into outer slab parts (34) and, after drying and subsequent levelling, profiling (23) is produced on opposite side surfaces (18c, 18d, 37) of each log part (2, 20, 21).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for machining a locking groove (9) into a groove flank (5, 6) of a panel comprising an upper and a lower side, whereby the locking groove is provided in the part of the joint groove (4) surrounded by the groove flanks, whereby the locking groove is machined by means of a rotating milling tool (12), comprising a drive (14), a milling head (13), a transmission device (11) for the rotational movement and a mounting for the milling head. The milling has a free radius (r) at least on the mounting side due to the mounting and, during the machining of the locking groove, the milling head (13) has at least a significant proportion of the free radius (r) thereof, in particular, the entirety thereof located in the part of the joint groove surrounded by groove flanks.

Abstract: An improved method and arrangement for increasing the yield in the production of edge glued laminations for the manufacture of edge glued laminated panels from thin timber. The edge glued laminations are manufactured from planed boards with residual waney edge by longitudinal sawing on an edging line including an upper and lower inlet feed conveyor, and edging machine and an upper and lower outlet feed conveyor, the edging machine preferably including a number of saw blades which are laterally adjustable, and the feed conveyors including endless belts of reinforced rubber 5-10 mm thick, having an underside provided with longitudinal channels with a width of 2-10 mm and a depth of 2-10 mm, the feed conveyors running on a number of tracked rollers adapted to the belts. An edge glued laminated panel based on varying lamination widths manufactured according to the method is also described.

Abstract: This patent application describes a method to produce wood chips with the intention of reducing the energy consumption in the subsequent process steps for pulp production. With the present method wood chipping is done in a wood chipper where the chipping tool (3) has an angle ? (4) within the interval of 75° to 105° between the fibre direction of the log and the side of the tool which faces the chip (2). Angles in this interval will cause an axially directed compression of the chip which will cause a cracking of the wood during chipping.

Abstract: Surface structured decorative boards (1) having a first and a second opposite edge (1I and 1II respectively). The board (1) include an upper side decorative surface (2) an upper side surface structure and a base layer. The structure is comprised by at least two surface grades (10) forming a decorative surface pattern on said upper side, said pattern being applied in predetermined fixed positions (P) on the first and the second edges (1I and 1II respectively). The first edge pattern positions (PL) and the second edge pattern positions (PR) are matched so that the pattern continues over the first and second edges (1I and 1II respectively) of adjacent boards (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a “2 by” (or “2×”) wood construction member, e.g. a 2×4 or a 2×6, having conventional width and thickness but which has a longitudinal cross sectional area which is less than the longitudinal cross sectional area of a regular corresponding 2 by. The reduction in cross section area is achieved by removing material from a longitudinal major surface, e.g. a side or edge surface. When such a member is used in the wall of stick house, a wiring channel is thereby provided. Also disclosed are methods of making such a member.

Abstract: An automated floor board texturing cell includes a programmable robot that stores, or has access to, a plurality of patterns. The robot automatically selects a stored pattern for at least one of the floor boards introduced into the cell. The robot textures the floor boards to exhibit the selected pattern. The robot may select a pattern for a batch of floor boards or for each individual floor board. Pattern selection can be random or based on stored information such as a production schedule.

Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compressed wood product includes cutting out a blank piece from raw wood, the blank piece having a shape in which a circularly closed marginal part makes a first plane, only one space of two spaces divided by the first plane has an undulation that includes a plurality of convex vertices, a vertex of which height from the first plane is higher is located at a position closer to a geometrical center of the circularly closed marginal part among arbitrary two vertices of the plurality of convex vertices when being viewed on a second plane that passes the two vertices and is perpendicular to the first plane, the blank piece having a volume obtained by adding an amount by which a volume of the blank piece is decreased by compression; softening the blank piece cut out; and compressing the softened blank piece in a water-vapor atmosphere having temperature and pressure higher than those of atmospheric air to deform the blank piece into a shape substantially like a bowl.

Abstract: A compressed wood product includes a wood whose shape is taken while a volume decreased by compression is previously added, wherein a direction intersecting a fiber direction of the wood is set to a compression direction, and the wood is formed by being subjected to compressive force.

Abstract: A process for sub-dividing a laminated flooring substrate into a plurality of laminated flooring planks and a system therefore are described. The process can include providing a laminated flooring substrate having a decorative pattern on a core wherein the decorative pattern can include a plurality of indicators, and independently detecting the indicators with a plurality of detecting devices, each assigned a respective indicator. The detecting devices can individually obtain the position of the detected indicators and a control unit can align a separate saw blade per each position detected. The system includes a cutting unit with individually adjustable saws or an alignment device configured to align the laminated flooring substrate with the saws, to cut the laminated flooring substrate along positions relative to the detected indicators, for example, in the center thereof or off-set therefrom.

Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention is a new and novel modular raised wall paneling system and method of manufacture that is economical, labor non-intensive, and can be easily constructed for a variety of room configurations and dimensions. The modular raised wall paneling system of the present invention comprises a plurality of individual panel sections having a joint there between, wherein a panel section includes a recess portion forming the appearance of a raised panel thereon. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the panel sections include along opposed longitudinal edges a tongue and a groove such that the panel sections can be disposed in parallel side-by-side mating relationship such that the tongue of one panel section is received in the groove of an adjacent panel section.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener that facilitates the sharpening of pencils by any one or more of the following: preventing injury; automatically sharpening pencils without manual manipulation; providing status indicators during sharpening; and/or allowing varying degrees of sharpness to be selected.

Abstract: A system is provided for creating bevel edges on a plank. In some embodiments, the system comprises two bevel-cutting tools disposed in fixed positions and two guided cylinders disposed to independently move two edges of a plank to within varying degrees of contact with the bevel-cutting tools. Separate controllers can be provided to independently control the time, frequency, and rate of movement of the guided cylinders. Methods are provided for creating the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank. A method for creating irregular bevel edges on a plank is also provided as are a system and method that use a plank production line operation. A plank having irregular beveled edges and the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank is also provided.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing multi piece curved molding from planar material including the steps of, milling locating holes in the bottom side of sheet material proximate ends of curved sections, milling curved section from sheet material including the finished outer radius, the finished inner radius and milled ends, milling the profile to produce the profiled top side on curved section, placing locating holes in corresponding locating pins in a precision cut off fixture and precision cutting ends of curved section thereby producing a precision cut end and discarding waste portion.

Abstract: An improved machine for pointing a wooden stake having a cutting tool that includes a movable plunger having motion coordinated with the feed and ejection motion of the stakes in the machine that assures that any debris entrapped in the cutting tool is dislodged and discharged from the cutting tool during the interval between the discharge of an already-pointed stake and the feeding of an un-pointed stake.

Abstract: A process for treating wooden logs to prevent cracking and increase durability includes the steps of cutting a longitudinal slot along the length of the log, forming a generally V-shaped notch by drying the log to a desired moisture content, charring the log to a desired coloration, bathing the log in a protective solution, and drying the log. The slot is cut to a point less than or equal to the radius of the log. The charring of the log can be accomplished by the use of a blowtorch.

Abstract: A method of processing a wooden piece includes making holes each having a bottom in a wooden piece; softening the wooden piece with the holes; and compressing the softened wooden piece to deform the wooden piece into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining the outer profiles of rectangular work pieces includes side and base fences for orienting a rough work piece upon a table. Edges of the rough work piece are cut (e.g., the rough work piece is sized), shaped, and optionally sanded while the rough work piece remains in place. The rough work piece may be rotated in a way that defines four square edges therefrom.

Abstract: A method of processing a wooden piece into a predetermined shape by compressing the wooden piece, includes bending a raw-material piece which is a wooden piece to be processed and is placed in a humid condition of high temperature, cutting out a blank-material piece from the raw-material piece bent in the bending so that the blank-material piece includes at least a part of a bent portion of the raw-material piece, and compressing the blank-material piece cut out in the cutting out in a water vapor atmosphere of a temperature and a pressure higher than those of an atmospheric air.

Abstract: A wooden stake sharpening machine moves a conical cutting head along a linear path into engagement with a clamped wooden stake blank to affect sharpening thereof. A walking beam conveying apparatus moves a wooden stake blank into position from a supply bin where a clamping apparatus holds the stake blank in place while the cutting head moves onto the stake to form a point thereon. The drive mechanism moves the conveyor in coordination with the linear movement of the cutting apparatus, which trips a switch to actuate the clamping mechanism as the cutting head moves toward engagement with the stake blank. The conveyor then moves the sharpened stake toward a collection area while moving another stake blank into position for sharpening as the cutting apparatus is retracted away from the stake, thus providing an automated stake sharpening machine with a minimal number of moving parts.

Abstract: A method for producing a formed wooden article by cutting out a primary blank member from a raw wood and forming the same into a final three-dimensional shape having a substantially uniform thickness, comprises: a primary compression step in which the primary blank member is compressed by primary molding dies, and the primary blank member is processed into a primary compressed article having a high compression portion in a vicinity of portions of the primary blank member corresponding to a die surface; a secondary blank processing step in which the primary compressed article is cut and processed into a secondary blank member; and a secondary compression step in which the secondary blank member is compressed by using secondary molding dies and the final three-dimensional shape is transferred onto the secondary blank member.

Abstract: A method as well as a bonding installation for machining of wood workpieces. At least one machining aggregate is provided where in the supplying and discharge region one conveying system each is arranged. Besides machining of the front end region by the machining aggregate also other machinings are carried out on the wood workpiece.

Abstract: A flat bamboo element fabrication method for making flat bamboo elements by trimming prepared bamboo cane and cutting the trimmed bamboo cane into a number of bamboo bars of equal length and width and then delivering each bamboo bar through the gap in between the bottom ramming roller and upper ramming roller of a ramming machine for ramming into a flat bamboo element that has a crack pattern therein. In an alternate form, the upper ramming roller has parallel circular cutter blades for cutting each rammed flat bamboo bar into multiple flat bamboo elements.

Abstract: A jig for cutting box joints on a table saw, including guide bar clamps adapted to be joined to guide bars of a table saw; a spacer joined to the guide bar clamps; a spacer strip joined to the spacer, the spacer strip defining spacer apertures; a board clamp joined to an engagement pin, the engagement pin engaging one of the spacer apertures of the spacer strip; and mechanism for offsetting pairs of boards such that grooves and projections on a pair of boards is cuttable offset from a corresponding pair and method of use including joining a jig to a table saw; clamping at least two pairs of boards to the jig; positioning the clamped boards relative to the table saw; cutting a groove through all boards; repositioning the clamped boards relative to the table saw; cutting another groove spaced apart from the first groove; repeating the steps of repositioning and cutting another groove until grooves have been cut from one edge to an opposing edge with projections disposed between the grooves; and interlacing the

Abstract: An automated floor board texturing cell includes a programmable robot that stores, or has access to, a plurality of patterns. The robot automatically selects a stored pattern for at least one of the floor boards introduced into the cell. The robot textures the floor boards to exhibit the selected pattern. The robot may select a pattern for a batch of floor boards or for each individual floor board. Pattern selection can be random or based on stored information such as a production schedule.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener that facilitates the sharpening of pencils by any one or more of the following: preventing injury; automatically sharpening pencils without manual manipulation; providing status indicators during sharpening; and/or allowing varying degrees of sharpness to be selected.

Abstract: A baseball or softball bat which enables a ball to fly farther than a conventional bat. The bat is made of metal, wood or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and its cylindrical ball-hitting part has an axial cross section shape as follows: a lot of concave-surfaced grooves and convex-surfaced ridges are arranged in parallel alternately along the circumference of the bat and the convex parts are round and curved outward. The concave and convex parts are covered by a cylindrical sheet of polyurethane elastomer or similar material. Also, a metal baseball or softball bat is manufactured by grooving the cylindrical ball-hitting part surface by a lathe using a roller.

Abstract: A method for constructing tambour slats using a system of router bits. The router bit system can include at least two router bits, one of which may have a semi-spherical nose cutting surface and a concave ‘S’ shaped ogee cutting surface; and the other of which may have a ‘S’ shaped ogee cutting surface and a concave quarter round cutting surface. The method for constructing a tambour slat can include milling a groove in a strip of material. The strip of material with a groove may then be milled to form a tongue and a neck portion that may slide into a groove milled in another strip of material. The milling operations may be performed by a router fitted with the router bits from the router bit system. By using the router bit system, each strip of material may yield up to two tambour slats.

Abstract: A disposable wooden utensil includes a handle having a distal end and an opposite neck end. A load-engaging member extends cantilevered from the neck end in generally coplanar alignment with the handle so as to form a neck between the handle and the load-engaging member. A raised dorsal ridge is formed substantially medially along the handle and extends substantially along the load-engaging member.

Abstract: A carving assembly 10 for use in duplicating a blank or form. The carving assembly 10 includes stylus 112 and a tool holder 120 which are coupled together using a slidable carriage 14 to allow any movement of the stylus to cause a cutting tool 121 mounted in the tool holder 120 to move in the exact same manner. Carriage 14 is mounted upon a frame, assembly which permits sliding motion in two orthogonal directions 101, 102.

Abstract: A method for making the core of a door of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). A billet of AAC is provided from which slabs are cut to the approximate dimensions of the door core. A reinforcing band is secured about the perimeter of a slab. The thickness of the slab is then sized for the door core as by sanding. The door is finished by applying skins to the core surfaces and trim to the reinforcing band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stud system where each respective stud (2) includes flanges (4, 4a) which are directly attached to each other and which constitute an essentially monolithic entity. Said flanges are formed of a wane edge wood material (3) in such a manner that each respective flange includes a bevelled side portion (6) which is directed towards the inner portion of said stud. A side portion is formed as a contact surface (8) for intermeshing co-operation with a corresponding contact surface (8) at an adjacent flange. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such studs where a first flange strip (4) is formed to include a generally toothed first contact surface (8) which is arranged in an inter-mesching disposition with a corresponding contact surface (8) at a corresponding second flange strip (4a). Further, the present invention relates to a method at such stud systems.

Abstract: The method of forming timbers especially for use as webs in timber roof trusses comprising feeding timbers in a predetermined path with the timbers extending transversely to the direction of feed and, as the timbers are so fed, shaping the ends thereof to rounded form, and apparatus for carrying out said method comprising conveyors for feeding the work, a saw for cutting the timbers to length, and cutters for the end shaping.

Abstract: System, including apparatus and method, involves processing materials in opposite directions between two machines along a processing path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing window coverings slidably extendable from a bay into an aisle of a retail outlet. The method includes the steps of locating the center of the window covering relative to a cutting station utilizing a half scale for removing a portion of the window covering from each of its ends.

Abstract: The present invention is an attachment fixture that is used in conjunction with a single-pass radius molding system to manufacture elliptical arches. The attachment fixture includes a vertical beam, a horizontal self-centering rack mounted at top end of the vertical beam, a swivel base attached at bottom end of the vertical beam, and a holding clamp attached to the swivel base.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distressing a wooden plank give the plank an antique, aged appearance. The preferred method includes four independent steps. The plank is run through an inventive machine operative to impart a random saw blade distressing on the plank. This step is preferably carried out as a single stream in a machine having a plurality of saw arbors, each driven by its own rotating cam. To impart the most random pattern, each cam preferably has a different shape and rotates at a different speed. The plank is preferably fed into a roller having raised portions operative to produce random dents and impressions into the plank. This step is preferably carried out in multiple streams using a machine having a large roller or drum with protrusions affixed thereto. The plank is then fed into a profile sander having one or more wire wheels operative to apply a surface texture to the plank, then sanding and smoothing the plank with abrasive wheels.

Abstract: A programmable furniture texturing robotic system includes a programmable multiaxis robot fixed to a support frame and a table fixed to a support frame such that they form an integrated unit and the programmable multiaxis robot has a furniture texturing tool unit attached to the end of the robot arm. The furniture texturing tool unit is attachable to and detachable from the arm of the robot and is either a furniture chattering tool unit or a furniture distressing multitool turret. The furniture chattering tool unit has a circular saw blade which produces surface chatter marks when it is dragged across the surface of a furniture part. The furniture distressing tool unit has a plurality of furniture distressing tools, each of which produce a plurality of furniture distress marks including simulated wood rot, worm holes, hatchet marks, rock marks, wood split marks, crooked vein lines, and cigarette burn marks.

Abstract: A method for determining warp potential of wood. One embodiment comprises nondestructively obtaining lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles of wood—such as trees, logs, or lumber—then determining warp potential of the wood based on the lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles. The method typically comprises measuring plural lengthwise shrinkage rates and plural grain angles to determine warp potential. Where the wood comprises lumber, lengthwise shrinkage rate and grain angle measurements typically are made on at least one major planar surface of the lumber at at least two measuring points separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the lumber. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine lengthwise shrinkage rates using electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, and combinations thereof. Working embodiments of the method use ultrasound energy to determine lengthwise shrinkage rates and grain angles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of sawing a log in order to provide a high yield of vertical-grained pieces of lumber. According to the invention, this is achieved by sawing from the log not only pieces of lumber which are triangular or sector-shaped in cross-section but also essentially plane-parallel boards between adjacent pairs of the pieces which are triangular or sector-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: A keying system for a miter joint with a work holder for engaging the outer surfaces of the boards when assembled. A flat planar tool guide is fixed to the work holder and has a slot that receives and guides a router tool to cut a slot through both boards triangularly shaped in its longitudinal direction and shaped in cross section as the cutting tool. Keys having a shape complementary to the slots in both directions are fixed in the slots to both decorate and support the joint.

Abstract: A programmable furniture texturing robotic system includes a programmable multiaxis robot fixed to a support frame and a table fixed to a support frame such that they form an integrated unit and the programmable multiaxis robot has a furniture texturing tool unit attached to the end of the robot arm. The furniture texturing tool unit is attachable to and detachable from the arm of the robot and is either a furniture chattering tool unit or a furniture distressing multitool turret. The furniture chattering tool unit has a circular saw blade which produces surface chatter marks when it is dragged across the surface of a furniture part. The furniture distressing tool unit has a plurality of furniture distressing tools, each of which produce a plurality of furniture distress marks including simulated wood rot, worm holes, hatchet marks, rock marks, wood split marks, crooked vein lines, and cigarette burn marks.

Abstract: A method of fabricating bamboo slats into bamboo blinds, wherein bamboo wood is cut into bamboo strips of predetermined length. The bamboo strips are polished, then boiled in a hydrogen peroxide solution for bleaching the strips. The bamboo strips are then spliced into raw bamboo slats of a predetermined thickness. Next, the bamboo slats are subjected to grinding. Subsequently the bamboo slats are primed, and then molded by heat pressing. Holes are then punched in the bamboo slats for insertion of a pull cord, so that the finished bamboo slats can be assembled into a Venetian blind.