Chipping Or Planing Patents (Class 144/373)
  • Patent number: 6543497
    Abstract: For use as a wood intermediary and the like in industry, an essentially wedge-shaped wood flake with opposite concave and convex surfaces that converge at an imaginary tip outside the flake dimensions. The tip is located beyond the flake a distance of typically between 40% and 100% of the flake length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Dietz
  • Patent number: 6510880
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus which cuts certain wood pieces, commonly referenced as “mill ends,” such that the chips can be used to make paper, cardboard and other recyclable materials. The use of a horizontal drum in combination with a horizontal anvil and a “moving cavity” which orients elongate elements, is likewise contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley Dale Arasmith
  • Patent number: 6484770
    Abstract: A wood chipping method and a disc chipper provided with knives (4). The chips (11), after having separated from a log (3), pass through a chip opening (12) in the disc (1) and hit an impact surface (10) located after a knife. Along different portions of the knife (4), a stronger impact effect is caused in proximity to the centre than in proximity to the outer periphery of the disc. The direction of the impact surface (10) deviates more from the direction of the rear surface (15) of the knife in proximity to the centre of the disc than in proximity to the outer periphery of the disc. The distance of the connecting line between the rear surface (15) of the knife and the impact surface (10) from the cutting edge (16) of the knife can be longer on the outer periphery of the disc than in the centre of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Woodhandling Oy
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 6470932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a surfacing machine includes centering assembly having a plurality of individually movable biasing element sets, comprising an upper element and a lower element. Each element set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the element set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a valve. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each element set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower element of an element set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing element would automatically move the same amount when the valve is closed. When the valve is open, the upper and lower elements are free to move independently, allowing the centerline to be easily positioned as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Timesavers, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Grivna, Peter Loring
  • Patent number: 6457500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as “lilypads”, such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Stanley Dale Arasmith
  • Patent number: 6405769
    Abstract: Material-recovery apparatus for obtaining usable, uniformly-dimensioned blanks from scrap. Apparatus is small, and economical in manufacture and operation, using only a single lifting jack and vertical support unit to support the tool-and-feed-roller housing. Feed-roller tensioning units for exerting downward force on rollers have a spring-biased bell-crank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Thom L. Labrie
  • Publication number: 20020043297
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling a log. In a profiler having first and second knives disposed on a rotating disc, a mounting member is adapted to mountably receive both the first and second knives so that each blade has a point on its cutting edge that is proximate a point that is on the cutting edge of the other knives. Preferably, the points are end most points and abut one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Bradley R. Stager, John S. Luecke
  • Patent number: 6330895
    Abstract: A log flaking and loading method and apparatus. First and second pairs of cutting heads have cutting heads spaced apart to receive a log passed therebetween and thereby to cut two substantially parallel sides. The log is first cut by the first pair of cutting heads, rotated about its elongate axis, and cut by the second pair of cutting heads to produce a four-sided cant. The logs are preferably stored ahead of the first pair of cutting heads in corresponding carriers, which are preferably held in a magazine for dispensing the loaded carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Carpenter, Robert M. Bayly, Bradley R. Stager
  • Patent number: 6296029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a planer machine includes centering sectional shoe assembly positioned in close proximity to opposed cutting heads, between the cutting heads and a centering feed assembly. The shoe assembly includes a plurality of individually movable pressure shoe sets, comprising an upper shoe and a lower shoe. Each shoe set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the shoe set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each shoe set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower shoe of a shoe set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing shoe would automatically move the same amount. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Timesavers, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Grivna
  • Patent number: 6289954
    Abstract: A system for converting wood products into viable base construction materials consisting of a support structure, a central structure consisting of a low speed, high torque, hydraulic motor which drives a central drive shaft to which a planing table is rotatably attached. Four or more feed chutes are radially attached to the outer supports and the logs are sliced over eight blades arranged on the planing table. An alternative embodiment consists of a rotary cutting device where logs are fed to cutting blades rotating below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Ernest V. Harper
  • Patent number: 6289950
    Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, two pairs of supporting rods respectively extending upright from the base, a cutter carriage including a pair of parallel carriage seats mounted movably and respectively on the pairs of the supporting rods, an emery axle mounted rotatably on the carriage seats and movable upward and downward relative to the carriage seats, and an axle height adjusting unit including a lever mounted on the carriage seats above the emery axle, and a pair of linkage plates interconnecting the lever and the emery axle. The lever is an eccentric rod, and is turnable about a horizontal axis so as to move the emery axle upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Pei-Lieh Chiang
  • Patent number: 6283180
    Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base having posts and a seat mounted on the posts, a cutter carriage mounted on the posts, a rotary cutter mounted on the cutter carriage, a height adjusting unit for adjusting the height of the cutter carriage, and a height indicator including a lever having one end mounted on the seat and the other end projecting upwardly from the seat, a roller guide unit including a roller guide pivoted on the lever, and a flexible string passing through the roller guide. The string is secured to the cutter carriage at one end. The height indicator further includes an urging member interconnecting the work table and the other end of the string. The string has a reference segment that extends between the ends of the lever and that is exposed from the lever so that the moving distance of the reference segment can be measured with reference to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Pei-Lieh Chiang
  • Patent number: 6279628
    Abstract: A wood planing machine includes left and right pairs of posts fixed uprightly at left and right mounting sides of a machine base. A cutter carriage is disposed above the machine base, and has opposite end portions mounted respectively, vertically and movably on the posts. A cutter unit is disposed on the carriage. A carriage locking mechanism locks the cutter carriage at a selected height relative to the machine base. A thickness adjustment device is mounted on the cutter carriage for adjusting thickness to be removed from a workpiece by the cutter unit, and includes a pointer-retaining case that is fixed on the cutter carriage, and that is formed with a vertical row of positioning groove units, a vertical measuring disposed on the pointer-retaining case, and a vertical stop shaft. The shaft extends rotatably and is mounted vertically and movably on the pointer-retaining case, and has a lower contact end abutting against the machine base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: P & F Brother Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Chiu-Tsun Chang
  • Patent number: 6267164
    Abstract: A chip and method for producing wood pulp. First, second and third pairs of substantially parallel sides are formed by cleaving, cutting and cutting, respectively. The sides of the second pair of sides are cut by a first knife so as to be spaced between about 2 to 8 mm. The sides of the third pair of sides are cut by a second knife so as to be spaced a greater distance apart than the first pair. The sides of the first pair of sides are cleaved substantially along the grain direction so as to be spaced also a greater distance apart than the sides of the first pair. The sides of the third pair of sides are cut so as to be substantially perpendicular to the sides of the first pair of sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Thomas Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6196284
    Abstract: An improved wood pulverizer is provided with a rotating disc studded with a plurality of curved tapered hammers. One or more anvils is secured to the pulverizer with the anvil having teeth and slots located adjacent the surface of the disc. The hammers of the rotating disc pass through the slots of the anvils as the disc rotates to tear and shard wood into bits and pieces for subsequent use or processing. The anvils of the present invention are formed with two or more useable surfaces so that the anvils can be removed, rotated, and replaced to present fresh cutting surfaces to the disc. Further, the anvils are formed by a series of bolted together anvil segments to allow replacement of only single segments in the event of damage. Improved chip sizing grates are also provided with the grates having replaceable reversible gullet liners and grate rings formed by ring segments that together define a grate liner. Rotor rings are provided in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Dana Lequin
  • Patent number: 6167929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling a log. In a profiler having first and second knives disposed on a rotating disc, a mounting member is adapted to mountably receive both the first and second knives so that each blade has a point on its cutting edge that is proximate a point that is on the cutting edge of the other knives. Preferably, the points are end most points and abut one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Stager, John S. Luecke
  • Patent number: 6164352
    Abstract: A wood surfacing method and apparatus. A projecting surface projects from a cutting head adapted for rotating a knife about an axis. An article of wood is fed toward the cutting head. The projection projects from the cutting head, behind the knife with respect to the direction of rotation of the cutting head. The projection is adapted to make contact with the wood with a force that is substantially constant as the wood is fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Key Knife
    Inventor: Tobias L. Simonsen
  • Patent number: 6164350
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing or releasing a blockage occurring in a flow of tree trunks supplied to a wood chipper via a feed hopper and for securing an uninterrupted flow of timber to the chipper. At least one lifting arm is insertable to project through an opening defined in a hopper. The lifting arm is inserted to raise tree trunks wedged in the hopper and release blockages. The duration of the lifting arm insertion is controlled momentarily for limiting the amount of tree trunks supplied to the chipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Anders Olofsson, Ulf Perhson
  • Patent number: 6125897
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as "lilypads", such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley Dale Arasmith
  • Patent number: 6058992
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling a log. In a profiler having first and second knives disposed on a rotating disc, a mounting member is adapted to mountably receive both the first and second knives so that each blade has a point on its cutting edge that is proximate a point that is on the cutting edge of the other knives. Preferably, the points are end most points and abut one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Stager, John S. Luecke
  • Patent number: 6056030
    Abstract: The invention concerns a knife disc arrangement of a disc chipper, said arrangement comprising a rotating knife disc (1), knives (3), wear plates (4) and supporting strips (11) supporting the wear plates. The invention also concerns a hinge strip acting as a supporting strip (11) for the wear plate. The knives are supported against the direction of rotation of the disc by fitting the base edge (9) of the knife against a supporting surface (10). The supporting surface (10) supporting the base edge of the knife (3) is located in the supporting strip (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Woodhandling Oy
    Inventor: Arvo Jonkka
  • Patent number: 6053223
    Abstract: A tool wheel rotatably mounted in a disc chipper. The tool wheel includes a plurality of chip outlets. Each chip outlet comprises an elongated aperture extending through the tool wheel. At least one of the ends of the chip outlet is integrally made in the basic material of the tool wheel in a beveled fashion relative to the center axis of the tool wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Reijo Kilpelainen, Anders Olofsson
  • Patent number: 6032707
    Abstract: A drum assembly for a wood chipper includes a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and a plurality of pockets disposed circumferentially about the drum. The drum assembly also includes a plurality of blades operatively connected to the drum, one of the blades partially overlapping one of the pockets. Each of the pockets has a depth greater than a width thereof and a capacity to hold a wood volume of a maximum size of wood being chipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tramor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Boyd Morey, Michael John Peterman, Brian Lee Bloomquist
  • Patent number: 6021827
    Abstract: The machine for surface working of wood workpieces solves the problem of the quality wood workpieces working when passing over the working area of the working head, and when leaving it. The longitudinal central axis of the oblong static rotor, with therein fixed axes inserted and mounted, and front circular plates fixed onto it, is for the .alpha. angle staggered from the perpendicular to the front surface of the guiding plate in a way that the front circular plate is for the .beta. angle staggered from the guiding plate front surface. The .alpha. angle and the .beta. angle are preferentially of the same size, and their size changes inversely proportionally to the size of the outer diameter of the front circular plate, whereby the outer diameter of the rotor preferentially also represents its drive pulley at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Ledinek Gregor, Ledinek Pavel
  • Patent number: 6016855
    Abstract: A hood assembly for wood chipper includes a housing and a cutting assembly partially disposed within the housing. The hood assembly also includes a first hood partially enclosing the cutting assembly and fixedly connected to the housing and a second hood pivotally connected to the housing and having a closed position covering the cutting assembly and an open position extending away from the cutting assembly. The hood assembly further includes a removable hood pin to secure the first and second hoods together in the closed position and a hood pin plunger assembly connected to the first hood and cooperating with the hood pin and having a bent handle to allow an operator to actuate the hood pin plunger assembly to remove the hood pin after the cutting assembly has stopped rotating to move the second hood to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Tramor, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Boyd Morey
  • Patent number: 6003572
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing wood chips as raw material in the production of mechanical pulp in order to reduce energy consumption. The process includes irreversibly deforming a plurality of fibers of at least one piece of wood in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fibers. The wood fibers include summerwood fibers. The irreversible deformation is accomplished through mechanical treatment. The apparatus used includes one or several tools arranged so that the forces created during the process act in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fibers so as to irreversibly deform the fibers across the grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: STFI
    Inventor: Andreas Uhmeier
  • Patent number: 5975169
    Abstract: A method and a feeding chute for feeding logs (10) into a disc chipper by means of the gravity. The logs (10) are supported laterally by means of adjacent bottom portions (31, 32) of the chute (3) and shoulders between those. The logs are turned parallel with the longitudinal direction of the chute by means of a moment (M) which occurs when the direction of the main axis (27) of the ellipse forming the shearing surface of the log deviates from the direction (27') perpendicular to a the direct line (30) drawn via the rotating center (28) of the blade disc and the center (29) of the ellipse. The bottom portions (31, 32) of the chute are inclined around a longitudinal axis in such a way that from two adjacent bottom portions of the chute, the one (31) further away from the rotating axis of the disc forms a bigger angle (.beta.') with respect to the horizontal plane than the angle (.beta.") formed by the portion (32) closer to the rotating axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Woodhanding Oy
    Inventors: Arvo Jonkka, Antti Tohkala, Hannu Tahkanen
  • Patent number: 5964264
    Abstract: An improved strander, and methods of operating the same, alternately delivers material into a housing element through at least two feeding points so that material fed through the first feeding point can be stranded during movement of the housing element in a first direction. Material fed into the strander through the second feeding point can be stranded by the housing element on its return movement in a second direction. Thus, the stranding process can continue nearly continuously throughout each working cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Pekka Kokko
  • Patent number: 5957178
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as "lilypads", such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Stanley Dale Arasmith
  • Patent number: 5934348
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fabricating strands from round wood are disclosed. The strands have a length of between 200 and 350 mm in the direction of the wood fibers and have a width of between 1 and 15 mm. The strands are fabricated from profiled logs. In the cross-section of the logs, residual areas outside a center piece are defined, the center piece being the area intended to be dissected into beams or boards at a later stage. The residual areas are provided with longitudinal slits by cutting or sawing. The strands are then cut out of the residual areas until the residual areas are entirely removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Hans Dietz
  • Patent number: 5904304
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) having a rotating fiberizing disc (26, 226 or 326) for fiberizing wood blocks (100) to produce fibrous elements is described. The apparatus includes a housing (12) within which is mounted the disc. The disc is provided with a series of rows (32, 232 or 332) of teeth (28, 228 or 328) on the front planar face (26A, 226A or 326A) as well as a scraper (30, 230 or 330). The wood block is advanced to the face of the disc in a manner such that its long grain direction can be controlled at various angles with respect to the path of the circularly travelling teeth and thereby changing the nature of the resulting fibrous elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Alan A. Marra
    Inventors: Alan A. Marra, Vic Marra
  • Patent number: 5873397
    Abstract: An improved wood pulverizer is provided with a rotating disc studded with a plurality of curved tapered hammers. One or more anvils is secured to the pulverizer with the anvil having teeth and slots located adjacent the surface of the disc. The hammers of the rotating disc pass through the slots of the anvils as the disc rotates to tear and shard wood into bits and pieces for subsequent use or processing. The anvils of the present invention are formed with two or more useable surfaces so that the anvils can be removed, rotated, and replaced to present fresh cutting surfaces to the disc. Further, the anvils are formed by a series of bolted together anvil segments to allow replacement of only single segments in the event of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Dana Lequin
  • Patent number: 5829500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing sideways curved wood wool fibers. The apparatus comprises a flat rotatable disc (2), in the surface of which is provided at least one knife assembly (7) comprising a thickness knife (8) which projects slightly above the surface of the disc (2) and which has a cutting edge extending substantially radially and further comprising width knives (9) positioned as seen in the direction of rotation of said disc (2), ahead of said thickness knife (8) and having a cutting edge extending substantially tangentially. The width knives (9) are positioned in the immediate vicinity of the thickness knife (8), whereas their cutting edge may engage the thickness knife (8). Further the apparatus is provided with at least one feeding device (5) for feeding the disc (2) with wood blocks (6) to be cut up into fibers. Further a run-up guide may be positioned ahead of the width knives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Bau-und Forschungsgellschaft Thermoform AG
    Inventor: Gerrit Jan Van Elten
  • Patent number: 5816303
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the relative positions of a first component and a second component of a power tool includes a drive rod which interconnects the first and second component. The drive rod has a plurality of external threads in meshing engagement with a plurality of internal threads located on one of the first and second components. An internally threaded element preferably in the form of a backlash nut is also in meshing engagement with the plurality of internal threads. A biasing member is interdisposed between the internally threaded element and one of the first and second component. In a preferred form, the apparatus is incorporated into a power tool for woodworking or metal forming and is operative for eliminating play in the threaded interconnection of the components which is most evidence upon reversal of movement of the drive rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Louis M. Shadeck
  • Patent number: 5803143
    Abstract: Wood wafers are produced by feeding logs to a rotary cutter head drum with the longitudinal axis of the logs disposed substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the drum. The drum mounts a plurality of wafer cutting head units arranged in a V-shaped pattern with the apex of the V trailing the base thereof and with the cutting blades defining the ends of the base positioned at the opposite ends of the operative length of the drum. Each wafer cutting blade having a cutting edge disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the drum and offset circumferentially and axially from an adjacent cutting blade so that the cut produced by a cutting blade overlaps the cut produced by the next adjacent preceding cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Bobby G. Willis
  • Patent number: 5782278
    Abstract: The invention is meant for a cant forming arrangement of the kind with at least two rotational chipping heads with a basic cut off conical form where they each have a basic conical main surface and a small end, whereby the chipping heads are arranged in pairs with the small ends turned opposing one another and equipped with replaceable knives which are arranged on the respective chipping head's main face with the purpose to surface a log on two opposing sides, through length feeding of a log between the chipping heads, while they are rotating, and that the wood which is removed is made directly to chips by the knives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Disk Knife System i Sverige AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Larsson
  • Patent number: 5762122
    Abstract: A mechanized disc flaker for producing curled wood flakes having a rotatable disc plate, and one or more cutting knives mounted to the disc plate so as to provide for a slight "rake angle" defined in accordance with the invention as the angle made between the tool face and a plane perpendicular to the direction of tool travel. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes rotatable and removable knife holders which permit the rake angle and the "cutting angle", defined in accordance with the invention as being the angle the cutting edge of the knife makes with the grain of the wood, to be modified to yield curled wood shavings having different geometries and characteristics. The preferred method of practicing the apparatus involves using a work piece having a certain moisture content which is directed against the work surface of the disc flaker using appropriate pressure all to provide for wood curls of desirable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Rice, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5738156
    Abstract: A removable cutterhead insert for use in a helical cutterhead for an industrial woodworking machine, the helical cutterhead including a generally cylindrical portion, a plurality of circumferential, spaced grooves extending into the cutterhead body from the periphery of the cylindrical portion and adapted to receive the removable cutterhead inserts, and fasteners for removably securing the cutterhead inserts in the grooves; the cutterhead insert includes a mild steel insert body and two blade units; the insert body having raised portions having triangular pockets formed therein so as to have two inwardly-facing flat portions, a hole to receive the fasteners for removably securing the cutterhead insert in the grooves between the inwardly-facing flat portions and two bolt holes to secure the two blade units to the insert body; and the blade units are triangular with cut-off corners each including a blade edge and configured so as not to occlude the countersunk hole and to have the blades edges disposed to align
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: John S. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5725464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic replacement of rim shaped size reduction tools by means of a programmed sequence control which is started according to the present invention when the power consumption of the size reduction machine rises due to the wear of the acting edges. An essential component of the invention is a locking system allowing the automatic engaging and disengaging of the knife rim from its carrying disc. The system consists essentially of three locking bolts fastened on the tool rim and in which catch notches, located behind the carrying disc, the locking nose of the locking unit snaps in being pressed by a spring. To disengage the tool rim, the hydraulically actuable plunger presses the locking unit whereby the locking nose snaps out of the locking bolt so that the forcing spring can now force the tool rim from its carrying disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pallman Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Pallmann
  • Patent number: 5692548
    Abstract: A drum chipper for chipping wood material includes a chipping drum having a blade mounted at an opening formed through a circumferential surface of the drum. The drum includes an internal conical surface positioned for a chip to flow radially inwardly from the blade towards the conical surface and outwardly through an axial face of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Tibbe Breimer Bouwers, Thomas Alan Eggers
  • Patent number: 5682934
    Abstract: A overhead power tool guide including a template that has short walls with long walls therebetween. The template has a pair of guide rails fixedly attached to an upper surface. Included is a tool guide that is formed from a pair of steel angle irons that are coupled together by a pair of bars at a first and a second end. Each angle iron has a lower member with a threaded bolt at the first end and the second end. The lower members of the tool guide support a hand-held power tool therebetween. Lastly, a plurality of guide cups are coupled to the upper surface of the template, and capable of supporting the tool guide. Each guide cup has an upper cup member with a threaded projection that is capable of screwing into the upper surface of the template. The upper cup member receives a head of the threaded bolt. Whereby, the plurality of guide cups support the tool guide in variable orientations with respect to the guide rails of the template, when the hand-held power tool is positioned between the tool guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Richard V. Rybski
  • Patent number: 5655582
    Abstract: An anvil for a wood chipper includes an anvil body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and longitudinally extending side surfaces between the top and bottom surfaces. At least one of the side surfaces is adapted to accept an insert shaped and dimensioned to fit into the adapted side surface of the body. Means within the body for firmly holding the insert in contact with the adapted side surface are also provided. The insert presents a leading edge functioning as the anvil's leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Gilles Morin
    Inventor: Gilles Morin
  • Patent number: 5653275
    Abstract: A method of planing a variety of widths of workpieces includes transporting workpieces through a machining area having a rotating cutterhead that includes a series of helically mounted cutting blades spaced circumferentially on the cutterhead and positioned such that one cutting blade engages the workpiece simultaneously as another cutting blade disengages the workpiece, the transporting step including consistently arranging the workpieces with respect to the rotating cutterhead so that the dimension of each workpiece parallel with the axis of rotation of the cutterhead has a value W and the cutterhead being such that the spacing between the cutting blades being such thatW/[(.pi. D(cot .phi.))/N] is an integer, in whichD is the cutterhead diameter,N is the number of cutting blades and.phi. is the helix angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: John S. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5649578
    Abstract: An improved wood pulverizer is provided with a rotating disc studded with a plurality of curved tapered hammers. One or more anvils is secured to the pulverizer with the anvil having teeth and slots located adjacent the surface of the disc. The hammers of the rotating disc pass through the slots of the anvils as the disc rotates to tear and shard wood into bits and pieces for subsequent use or processing. The anvils of the present invention are formed with two or more useable surfaces so that the anvils can be removed, rotated, and replaced to present fresh cutting surfaces to the disc. Further, the anvils are formed by a series of bolted together anvil segments to allow replacement of only single segments in the event of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Dana Leguin
  • Patent number: 5647417
    Abstract: A long-timber chipping machine has a timber feed channel for receiving longitudinally arranged timbers, advanced using a timber-advancing device to a vertically movable chipping device positioned at the downstream end of the feed channel. The chipping device has a rotatable cutter ring equipped with chipping cutters on its cylindrical inner wall, which defines a chipping chamber. The chamber is aligned with the downstream end of the feed channel. To improve the chipping, a curved timber-receiving plate projects into the chipping chamber from the downstream end of the feed channel, which also has a matching curved base. The curvature of the plate and the base match the curvature of upper cylindrical inner wall of the cutter ring so that the upper cylindrical inner wall can be lowered closely to the plate, leaving only a very small clearance and exposing all of the timbers to the chipping cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Inter-Wood-Maschinen GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Karl Schaefer, Gerd Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5617908
    Abstract: A substantially cylindrical cutter head for cutting chips from wood. The cutter head has a body formed of disc-shaped body sections mounted in a substantially axially aligned position. Double-edged knives are mounted on the perimeter of the cutter head body, and also on the end of the cutter head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Key Knife, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Toogood
  • Patent number: 5485873
    Abstract: An improved knife clamping system for use in an apparatus for processing wood, such as a flaker, chipper or waferizer, that employs a rotary disc or ring, cutting knives, holding locations mounted on the disc or ring to receive the cutting knives, clamping members to engage and hold the cutting knives in position and fasteners to mount the clamping members to the holding locations. The improvement comprises providing a surface having an undulating profile to engage against the cutting knives. The undulating surface can be formed on the clamping member, at the holding location or at both locations. The surface is shaped to deform to engage the cutting knives with a uniform clamping load upon securing of the fasteners to a pre-selected torque. The foregoing arrangement requires fewer fasteners while still maintaining an adequate clamping force on the cutting knives. This makes parts less expensive and reduces the time to change the knives as there are fewer parts to loosen and tighten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: CAE Machinery Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Crammond
  • Patent number: 5477899
    Abstract: A machine tool for machining a workpiece fed in a transporting direction through the machine tool has a support surface for the workpiece and at least one upper rotary tool positioned above the support surface. At least one lower rotary tool is positioned below the support surface. A supporting device for supporting the workpiece during machining with the at least one lower rotary tool has a pressing device with at least one first pressing member upstream of the lower rotary tool and at least one second pressing member downstream of the lower rotary tool. The supporting device further includes at least one abutment member positioned above the pressing device. The workpiece is pressed upwardly by the at least one first and second pressing members against the at least one abutment member during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Michael Weinig Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5469901
    Abstract: A disc hog for reducing timbers to wood chips and shards of a predetermined maximum size comprises a housing defining a disc-shaped interior cavity and a heavy metal disc disposed in the cavity and mounted for rapid rotation about its central axis. A feeder opening is formed in the housing and a chute is positioned to facilitate the feeding of timbers through the opening for presentation to the front surface of the rotating disc. Both the front surface and the rear surface of the rotating disc is studded with hammer blocks that protrude outwardly from the surface. The hammer blocks on the front surface are sized and configured to impact, tear apart, and shred a timber fed to the disc into wood chips and shards. The hammer blocks on the rear surface of the disc are sized and configured to reduce wood shards and chips to shards of smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Dana Leguin
  • Patent number: 5458172
    Abstract: A debarking and chipping apparatus mainly for coniferous trees, intended for the production and recovery of bark chips and chips for digestion from small trees (5) having a diameter of 4-20 cm. The apparatus is made up of a debarking unit (1), which debarks and cuts the bark into bark chips, and the debarking unit is followed by a chipper (2) which turns the heartwood (16) into chips for digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Kauko Rautio