Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting timber pieces as the same are transversely conveyed include for each timber piece, pairs of supporting members, each including a hook arm and an adjacent straight arm supported by a respective support member mounted on the conveyor. The straight arm forms a part of an angular arm member which is supported both on the support member to which the hook arm is fixed and to the support member which precedes that support member in the direction of travel of the conveyor. The timber pieces are dropped in accordance with a preset program through the movement of the hook and straight arms relative to each other.

Abstract: A device for drop-sorting timber comprises a series of hooks for carrying timber pieces and a conveying system for advancing the hooks to drop positions over timber compartments. The hooks can be pivoted at selected positions to drop their timber pieces and are so formed that while being advanced the open end of a hook is effectively closed by the next following hook to prevent premature discharge.

Abstract: The size and shape of a body is determined by rolling it between the plates of capacitors, the dielectric constant of which is thereby changed. A capacitor scans sections of the body along its longitudinal axis to detect its diameter and surface faults, a second determines the body's length and a third determines the position of the body. The changes in dielectric constant are compared with those produced by a body of known size and shape so that the size and shape of the body can be determined.

Abstract: An improved fully mechanized sawmill is provided which is composed of structurally independent modules which are removably mounted on a platform composed of a plurality of side-by-side longerons supported horizontally on files of spaced-apart vertical piers and columns. The longerons provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the files of piers and columns perpendicularly to the cutting axis of the sawmill, and the modules mounted thereon provide horizontal stress support for the platform along the ranks of the piers and columns parallel to the cutting axis. In addition, improved mechanisms and techniques are provided for handling and selecting the sawlogs to be cut, for selecting and distributing the pieces cut therefrom according to shape and utility, and for stacking and handling the distributed pieces at preselected locations according to shape and utility.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for selectively sorting timber into different compartments. When a compartment is filled, it is emptied onto a conveyor for removing the timber from the apparatus. Each of the compartments includes a flexible support which can be lowered beneath the dividing wall of the compartment to form an opening through which the timber can empty onto the conveyor. The flexible support is then pulled tightly to ensure that all of the timber leaves the compartment.