By Varying Distance Between Band And Work-support Surface Patents (Class 83/813)
  • Patent number: 9028172
    Abstract: An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen R. Clark, II, Michael Todd Martin, Gary L. Siems
  • Patent number: 8696245
    Abstract: An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen R. Clark, II, Michael Todd Martin, Gary L. Siems
  • Patent number: 8573106
    Abstract: The portable sawmill is constructed on a frame having a series of mechanisms for loading and manipulating a log thereon and removing boards cut from the log. Powered tines load a log onto a vertically adjustable log deck, the deck including powered mechanisms for turning and securing the log in the desired orientation for cutting. Cuts are made by a horizontally traveling band saw. The saw has no vertical adjustment. Board thickness is determined by the height of the vertically adjustable log deck. Cut boards are removed by a board sweep that pushes the board laterally from the top of the log onto a tray. The saw travels along the tray to push the board longitudinally onto a suitable platform for transport. All of the above mechanisms are controlled hydraulically from a single operator station on the mill, thus freeing the operator from many manual tasks and increasing production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Larry C. Burton
  • Publication number: 20130283992
    Abstract: A log adjustment system for a portable saw mill having a saw head and a bed includes a pair of substantially parallel elongate supports, at least two transverse members, and an adjustable toe board. The first transverse member extends between the elongate supports. The second transverse member extends parallel to the first transverse member. The adjustable toe board extends in a gap defined between the first transverse member and the second transverse member. The adjustable tool is configured to be supported at a plurality of heights adjacent to the first and second transverse members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Luc Belzile
  • Patent number: 8475081
    Abstract: An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen R. Clark, II, Michael Todd Martin, Gary L. Siems
  • Patent number: 8365643
    Abstract: A band saw machine which has an endless band saw blade hung around a driving wheel and a driven wheel rotatably supported by a saw blade housing that is capable of moving vertically. The band saw machine also includes a pair of guide posts for vertically guiding the saw blade housing between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, wherein an upper traveling part of the band saw blade is disposed at one side of the front and rear sides of the guide posts, and a lower traveling part of the band saw blade is disposed at the other side of the front and rear sides of the guide posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shoji Aihara, Minoru Gotoh, Fumiaki Nemoto, Akio Seto
  • Patent number: 8261643
    Abstract: A method for dismantling pallets includes hanging a pallet on the upstream end of a cantilevered support having a substantially horizontal top surface with the bottom surfaces of the upper deck boards of the pallet resting on the top surface of the cantilevered support and with the stringer boards and lower deck boards extending downwardly from the top surface, advancing the hanging pallet in a downstream direction along the cantilevered support toward a band saw blade which lies directly on the top surface of the cantilevered support and defines a cutting plane aligned with the top surface of the cantilevered support, thereby automatically aligning the band saw blade with the pallet joints between the upper deck boards and the stringer boards; and advancing the pallet past the band saw blade to separate the upper deck boards from the stringer boards at the pallet joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pallett Recyclers LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Cosgrove, Randall W. Wink, David L. Dippel
  • Publication number: 20110138985
    Abstract: A friction winch and braking system for a sawmill having a cutting mechanism for sawing lumber. The friction winch and braking system allows for easy, one-handed raising and lowering of the sawmill head within the sawmill carriage and the automatic braking of the sawhead at the vertical plane chosen by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Norwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter DALE
  • Publication number: 20110138984
    Abstract: A pallet dismantler includes a frame, a first drive roller rotatably coupled to the frame, and an arm pivotably coupled to the frame. A sleeve member is rigidly coupled to the arm. An axle extends from the sleeve. A second drive roller is rotatably coupled to the axle. An adjustable ratchet member extends between the arm and the frame. The adjustable ratchet member is operable to adjust the position of the second driver roller relative to the first drive roller. A blade member is trained on the first and second drive rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Ambrose Bedel
  • Publication number: 20110000356
    Abstract: A height adjustment device for a band saw includes a manual driving unit and an automatic driving unit. When one of the manual driving unit and the automatic driving unit is damaged, the user can operate the other to adjust the height where a saw blade guiding device is located, thereby ensuring a smooth running of the production line and improving the production efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Chun-Jung Chen
  • Patent number: 7770575
    Abstract: The sawing machine according to the invention comprises a double portal structure (11) with two pairs of uprights (11.1), along which slides a respective ram (13). The rams (13) bear four support shafts (15), superposed in pairs and each supporting a coaxial roller, respectively a plurality of coaxial pulleys (18), mutually juxtaposed in packet fashion, having coplanar races according to respective vertical planes. A shaft (15) rotates integrally with the respective roller, or with the respective packet of pulleys (18). The other rollers, or packets of pulleys (18) are idle. On sets of four coplanar races is wound a corresponding wire or cutting tool (19) in closed loop, to execute the cut in a corresponding vertical plane of a block of material (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Co.Fi.Plast S.r.l.
    Inventor: Emilio Brocco
  • Publication number: 20100180985
    Abstract: The portable sawmill is constructed on a frame having a series of mechanisms for loading and manipulating a log thereon and removing boards cut from the log. Powered tines load a log onto a vertically adjustable log deck, the deck including powered mechanisms for turning and securing the log in the desired orientation for cutting. Cuts are made by a horizontally traveling band saw. The saw has no vertical adjustment. Board thickness is determined by the height of the vertically adjustable log deck. Cut boards are removed by a board sweep that pushes the board laterally from the top of the log onto a tray. The saw travels along the tray to push the board longitudinally onto a suitable platform for transport. All of the above mechanisms are controlled hydraulically from a single operator station on the mill, thus freeing the operator from many manual tasks and increasing production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Larry C. Burton
  • Patent number: 7261027
    Abstract: A sawing machine includes a workbench, a band saw pivotally installed on the workbench, a weight movable between an idle position on the workbench and a working position on the band saw and an adjustable torque provider for providing an adjustable torque to the band saw. The adjustable torque is set to a maximum when the weight is in the idle position in order to lift the band saw from the workbench. The adjustable torque is set to a minimum when the weight is in the working position in order to lower the band saw toward the workbench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7201092
    Abstract: A band saw is disclosed to includes a holder frame, which is movable along two vertical guide rods above the machine base and holds a saw blade and a saw blade driving mechanism, a nut fixedly provided at the top of the holder frame, a vertical motor mounted on a connecting frame at the top of the guide rods, and a screw rod threaded into the fixed nut and rotatable by the vertical motor to move the holder frame along the guide rods to the desired elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Vivian Wang
  • Patent number: 7096769
    Abstract: An automatic top slice removal device includes a frame, a lower conveyor belt and an adjustably mounted upper conveyor belt extending generally parallel with and spaced from the lower conveyor belt. A meat product slicing device includes a blade interposed between the upper conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt to separate a top slice from the remainder of the meat product. A top slice separator plate is adjustably mounted between the upper conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt and positioned rearwardly adjacent and vertically aligned with the blade and extends rearwards therefrom to maintain separation of the top slice and the remainder of the meat product between the belts. Finally, a top slice removal conveyor belt is positioned rearwards of the top slice separator plate and below the upper conveyor belt to remove the top slice from the remainder of the meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventors: Henry Biggs, Steve Korteley
  • Patent number: 6966246
    Abstract: A horizontal band saw includes a base assembly, a sawing mechanism and a bevel cutting adjustment device. The base assembly includes a frame and a conveyer. The frame has a transverse passage. The conveyer is mounted in the transverse passage of the frame. The sawing mechanism is pivotally mounted on the frame and includes a housing. The housing is pivotally mounted on the frame and has a bottom and a cutting window above the conveyer. The bevel cutting adjustment device is mounted on the frame, connects to the bottom of the housing and is used to pivot the sawing mechanism relative to the conveyer so that the horizontal band saw can make a bevel cut in a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Roger Yeh
  • Patent number: 6895843
    Abstract: A resaw apparatus and method of sawing a succession of boards from a cant of a succession of cants. A band saw is vertically positioned to cut the succession of boards from the cant as the cant is reciprocated through the saw. A pivoted raker gate downstream of the band saw's blade engages the cut board and prevents it from passing through the saw in the reverse direction. A vertically movable live hold-down roller upstream of the saw blade presses down on the cant during sawing. A measuring device measures the cant's height prior to sawing the first board from the cant. When the raker gate moves into its vertical position after the cut board passes, the saw blade is raised slightly to avoid contact with cant splinters on the reverse pass. Each cant is processed to completion before sawing the next cant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Ennis J. Hurdle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6832538
    Abstract: Foam sponge cutting apparatus with both vertical and horizontal cutting devices. A vertical cutting device and a horizontal cutting device are disposed on the blade strip frame of the apparatus body. The horizontal cutting device can be moved up and down, while keeping in a horizontal state. By means of the horizontal cutting device, the foam sponge can be easily stably cut along horizontal cutting lines on the working bench. The vertical cutting device can be moved left and right, while keeping in a vertical state. By means of the vertical cutting device, the foam sponge can be cut into products with various irregular or curved shapes in vertical direction. therefore, one single foam sponge cutting apparatus can achieve both horizontally and vertically cutting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Ber-Fong Hwang
  • Patent number: 6772665
    Abstract: A resaw apparatus and method of sawing a succession of boards from a cant of a succession of cants. A band saw is vertically positioned to cut the succession of boards from the cant as the cant is reciprocated through the saw. A pivoted raker gate downstream of the band saw's blade engages the cut board and prevents it from passing through the saw in the reverse direction. A vertically movable live hold-down roller upstream of the saw blade presses down on the cant during sawing. A measuring device measures the cant's height prior to sawing the first board from the cant. When the raker gate moves into its vertical position after the cut board passes, the saw blade is raised slightly to avoid contact with cant splinters on the reverse pass. Each cant is processed to completion before sawing the next cant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ennis J. Hurdle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6766725
    Abstract: An elevation adjusting device of a belt-form saw machine is disclosed. An elevation adjusting unit has two elevation adjusting rods. A lower end of each elevation adjusting rod is installed with a screw rod. The machine table has two oil pressure rotary units. A universal linkage of a universal connector is connected between the two oil pressure rotary units. The oil pressure rotary units are screwed to the screw rods of the elevation adjusting rods so that the elevation adjusting rods of the screw rod will rise upward or descend so as to adjust the elevation of the saw teeth of the saw unit to a desired value. A universal linkage of a universal connector is connected between the two oil pressure rotary units so that the screw rods rise and descend synchronously, and thus the two elevation adjusting rods rise and descend synchronously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Roger Yeh
  • Patent number: 6722248
    Abstract: A bi-directional cutting band mill apparatus utilizes two band saws mounted on a carriage for cutting horizontal sections from logs through successive back and forth passes across each log as the carriage reciprocates on a lower frame wherein a section of the log is cut with one band saw in one pass and then a next section of the lumber is cut by the other band saw as the carriage travels in the opposite direction in the following pass. The bi-directional cutting band mill apparatus includes structural elements that allow for the coincident raising and lowering of both band saws and structural elements that provide for the sequential and incremental adjustment of each band saw preparatory for cutting the sections from the log so that each respective band saw can be positioned for making the appropriate depth of cut through the section of the log during that respective pass of the respective band saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Dwight H. Johnston, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6655429
    Abstract: A saw mill includes a base frame having a front and a rear and being sized and configured to support a log; saw apparatus having a cutting blade and being connected with the base frame for horizontal movement in a cutting stroke from a start position near the front of the base frame to an end position near the rear of the base frame and in a return stroke back to the front of the base frame and being for cutting in a generally horizontal plane a board from the log; power apparatus for powering the saw apparatus; at least one pushback arm connected to the saw apparatus and being sized and configured to engage and eject the board from atop the log during the return stroke; and, a board guide apparatus extending generally forwardly from the saw apparatus and including a crossbar and plurality of fingers connected with the crossbar and positioned to engage and guide the board in a desired path as it is being ejected from the log, each finger including an upper link connected to the crossbar and a lower link hinge
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wood-Mizer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Tekulve, Scott Laskowski
  • Patent number: 6532850
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dissecting logs in a sawing installation are disclosed. The installation having a reciprocally moving longitudinal conveyor for moving the logs reciprocally through a double band saw assembly utilizing band saw blades having sawing teeth both on a forward longitudinal edge and a rearward longitudinal edge thereof. As a consequence, the log is sawn both during the forward stroke and during the backward stroke of the reciprocally moving conveyor. Between subsequent strokes the band saw blades are displaced radially with respect to the conveying direction such that during each stroke the log first comes into contact with an outward band saw blade and then with an inward band saw blade, both relative to the log axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Esterer WD GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jean Gunnar Bergvall, Nikolaus Gössl
  • Patent number: 6293000
    Abstract: A table saw for use in dismantling wood pallets is provided with a table and band saw blade having course over table to cut nails between face boards and stringers as pallet is moved through blade. Table has convex, arcuate fence about which pallet may be twisted to facilitate cutting of nails. Table is shiftable horizontally relative to the saw blade to adjust position for use by single operator with short pallets or two operators with long pallets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Smetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Smets
  • Patent number: 6269724
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous web of material from a block of material is disclosed. The block is preferably a cylindrical block having a base and a generally vertical central axis extending generally orthogonally from the base. The apparatus comprises a rotatable platen such that the block may be rotatably supported, and a milling cutter for displacing portions of the block defining a displaced portion near the base of the block. A blade is positioned generally parallel to the central axis of the block, the blade positioned to cut into the block a predetermined distance from the central axis. The blade has a portion operatively disposed within the displaced portion of the block. The apparatus also comprises a drive mechanism for rotating the platen; as well as a linear drive mechanism for linearly decreasing the predetermined distance of the blade from the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David Albert Sabatelli, Charles Zell Smith, III, Robert John Steller, Eric Richard Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6230602
    Abstract: A resaw includes a frame having at least one head. The head includes a horizontal mounting beam with four wheels operatively mounted to the mounting beam. The wheels comprise an inner pair of wheels and an outer pair of wheels. The centers of the inner wheels are vertically offset from the center of the outer wheels. A band blade is mounted about the four wheels to define a first blade portion and a second blade portion which are spaced from each other. A single head can simultaneously make two slices in a cant to cut two or more boards from the cant. The inner and outer wheels can be moved as a unit relative to the path of travel of a cant and the inner wheels can be moved relative to the outer wheels to enable adjustment of the thickness of the boards cut from the cant. In variations, the resaw can have two heads, and each head can have one, two, or more band blades. With a two head resaw, four slices can simultaneously be made in the cant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Edward L. Baker
  • Patent number: 6128992
    Abstract: A saw for removing opposing deck boards from a pallet. A pair of band saws are suspendedly and pivotally mounted to a frame. Guide fingers extend between the saw blades to engage the opposing surfaces of pallet deck boards to automatically position the saw blades with the junctions between deck boards and pallet runners. An upwardly extending bed is cantileverly mounted to the saw supporting the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Smart Products of Indiana, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Waechter, Thomas A. Waechter
  • Patent number: 6044741
    Abstract: A unitary tray and blade guide frame including longitudinal members extending from rigid, integral attachment with a back tray. An end frame member transversely, rigidly mounts to the longitudinal frame members and the back tray. A blade guide mounts to the back tray, with its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the back tray. A thickness tray slidably mounts in slots formed in the longitudinal frame members. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the thickness tray. A food product workpiece extends downwardly from a reciprocatably displaceable workpiece retaining carriage, and rests on the upper surface of the thickness tray. The carriage advances the workpiece into a blade, which removes a slice from the workpiece. The lower surface of the remaining workpiece slides against the upper surface of the blade guide and the back tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: J. E. Grote Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Sapp, Thomas L. Lease, Thomas A. Hochanadel
  • Patent number: 6038954
    Abstract: A portable bank saw sawmill which includes a specially designed tubular frame with four rigid tubular posts attaching the overhead track system to the lower deck frame. Logs are placed and secured on the lower frame, the bandsaw assembly moves longitudinally of the frame by use of the overhead track, to make successive cuts with the saw. A hydraulic motor driving a sprocket and chain turns threaded rods to raise and lower the cutting assembly from the overhead track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Frank Keener
  • Patent number: 5666872
    Abstract: A tapering apparatus is mounted on a table platform for tapering a sheet of foam insulation. The apparatus utilizes a rotating wire through which a current is applied in order to heat the wire. The temperature of the wire is maintained above the melting temperature of the foam insulation so that the insulation is melt and cut as it is forced across the wire. A conductive wire forms an endless belt positioned around a pair of rotatable sheaves. The wire is responsive to the angular rotation of the drive sheave. The sheaves are vertically adjustable in order to set a desired height and cutting angle for the tapering of the sheet of insulation. The current flowing through the wire is controlled such that the wire is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the foam insulation. A variable speed motor is connected to the drive sheave which is used to rotate the wire about the sheaves. The sheet of foam insulation is then forced into the rotating wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventors: Kevin McDonald, Douglas A. McDonald, Jerold C. Gardner
  • Patent number: 5584215
    Abstract: The instant invention is a tire cutting apparatus which operates in conjunction with a conventional band saw providing a used tire treatment mechanism that is affordable to purchase and maintain. A tire support assembly having flexible bands to expand to the inner perimeter of a tire casing is used with tire rotational speed controlled by a motor which frictionally engages an outer perimeter of the tire. The tire casing is further stabilized during the cutting operation by a wheel platform which supports a conventional band saw. The tire casing is rotated during or by band saw operation cutting the tire casing in two equal halves with smooth edges. The apparatus further includes an enclosure providing a catch basin for material cut from the tire and a cover allowing the apparatus to be stored or used as a work table. Wheels allow the enclosure to be easily moved and stood upright in a corner should space be a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventors: Christopher Rundle, Michael Borell
  • Patent number: 5320017
    Abstract: A roll slicing machine includes an endless conveyor belt moving in a first horizontal direction and having rolls thereon, a pressure applying arrangement spaced above the conveyor which can engage the tops of the rolls, and a roll slicing knife provided vertically between the conveyor and the pressure applying arrangement. The pressure applying arrangement includes an endless belt movably supported by two spaced rollers, and a pair of rollers rotatable about horizontal axes are movably supported above the lower reach of the belt and biased downwardly into engagement with the lower reach of the belt. The rollers engage the belt at locations which are approximately aligned with each other in the direction of movement of the belt portion and are approximately adjacent each other in a direction transverse to the belt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: LeMatic, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale S. Lecrone
  • Patent number: 5213022
    Abstract: The invention is a portable band sawmill which is able to make bi-directional horizontal cuts, as well as vertical cuts. A special carriage with a U-shaped inner member pivotally connecting two band saw wheel support members makes this possible. The wheel support members of the saw blade carriage are pivotally connected at one end to traveler assemblies which are, in turn, movably connected to vertical members of a generally rectangular, vertical sub-frame. The sub-frame spans the width of, and is, in turn, movably connected at two or more points, at least one on each side, to a generally rectangular horizontal main-frame. The horizontal main-frame supports a log to be cut. The vertical sub-frame is moved back and forth on the main-frame to provide horizontal cuts. The saw blade carriage is moved up and down on the vertical sub-frame by the traveler assemblies to provide horizontal cuts at different heights, and/or vertical cuts. The saw blade carriage, which supports the band saw, can rotate 0.degree.-180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Douglas L. Elgan
  • Patent number: 5076124
    Abstract: Apparatus for sizing and bandsaw cutting of meat, wherein the pieces of product to be cut are mounted in a magazine for rotation around a path which intercepts a sensor means and a bandsaw, with the pieces resting on a vertically adjustable horizontal table, the sensor means being disposed in the surface of the table to sense the area of the lower face of the product, thereby to enable automatic adjustment of the level of the table so that the bandsaw cuts a slice of product of required size from the lower end of the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: AEW Engineering Co Limited
    Inventor: John A. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 5035166
    Abstract: A sawmill includes a band saw mounted on a trolley. The trolley carries the band saw back and forth across the length of a log to cut it into boards. A log supporting table is adjustable to accomodate logs of various size. The trolley rails descend incrementally after each cut to reposition the band saw blade for the next cut. The length of each increment, or board thickness, is user selectable by way of an indexable detent bar and limit switch combination. The thickness across the board is held uniform by a pressurized bellows that maintains the proper blade strain in the band saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: L. J. Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Carlson, Larry L. McCumber
  • Patent number: 4660454
    Abstract: A portable bandsaw mill, readily made sufficiently light in weight to be carried by two people, having a saw unit supported on rollers, so that the saw unit can be readily guided and the cut controlled and adjusted manually. A ground-supported support frame or unit provides guide tracks spaced apart on opposite sides of a log or other workpiece, on which the saw unit can be rollingly advanced. The ends of the guide tracks are supported in end frames by structure enabling the levels of the guide tracks to be conveniently adjusted for successively lower passes of the saw unit through the log. Guide beam ends are capable of independent adjustment to accommodate differences in level between the four corners of the support unit. A manually advanced rolling saw head of the saw unit includes two bandsaw pulleys, each having a bandsaw blade entrained thereon, one being an idler pulley and the other a drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Inventor: Paul Elsey
  • Patent number: 4606254
    Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing curved wall portions of a heat insulating wall, and particularly for cutting a block of heat-insulating synthetic foam material over a contour embracing a section of a container surface to be insulated, has a chain saw with a cutting tool which slides along an outer edge of a flexible web and has a turning axes in which it is driven for running, a drive for running the cutting tool along the outer edge of the flexible web and including two rotary elements, upright guiding elements each located at a respective end of the chain saw and arranged to guide the latter for upward and downward movements between a plurality of upright positions, a drive for displacing the chain saw in an upright direction and including two displacing elements arranged to act upon a respective end of the chain saw in synchronism with one another, a drive for inclining the turning axes of the cutting tool of the chain saw relative to one another and about a horizontal axis extending in a cutting directio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Wezel GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhardt Schmalz
  • Patent number: 4603610
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing uniform pieces of meat or other product when cut or sawn from a non-uniform thickness lump. A band saw or the like is adjustable in position to produce different depths of cut piece under the control of signals produced by a control unit. The control employs a keypad for entering numerically the target weight for the cut pieces and an assumed density value for the product. A display unit displays the numerical values entered. A weighing device checks the weight of each cut piece (or batch multiple cut pieces) to produce the actual weight (or average weight) of the cut piece(s) and the control unit compares the actual or average value with the expected value of weight and adjusts the density value if required. The area of the end face of the product is measured by sampling the height of the end face of the product as it passes a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: John A. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4589320
    Abstract: An improved height adjustable log support is provided for use in a portable sawmill having a horizontally extending blade run and a means for mounting the blade for longitudinal movement along and above the log. The log support includes a log receiving platform supported for vertical movement, lifting means and a cable connecting the platform to the lifting means. The lifting means includes a bar mounted for rotational movement, a bar driving means, such as a crank arm, and a ratchet and pawl for indexing incremental steps of rotational movement of the bar. The log bearing platform is raised incrementally as the cable connected therewith is wound onto the incrementally rotated bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Kasco Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Paul G. Kaster
  • Patent number: 4481849
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the raising and lowering of a cutting head assembly of a horizontal bandsaw machine. The apparatus comprises a sensing member for sensing the top surface of a workpiece to be cut and an actuating device which is operatively coupled to the sensing member. The actuating device switches from a first state to a second state when the sensing member senses the top surface of the workpiece. A carrier device is operatively coupled to the actuator wherein the position of the carrier is movable with respect to the cutting edge of the blade of the bandsaw when the actuator is in the first state and the position of the carrier is fixed with respect to the cutting edge of the bandsaw when the actuator is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 4441396
    Abstract: An apparatus utilizing an endless blade for splitting hides, textile products and the like. A fixed assembly carries upper and lower cylinders or rollers for feeding the workpiece to the blade. A mobile or movable assembly carries the blade mounted on two spaced pulleys and is adjustable with respect to the rollers in order to change the spacing between the blade edge and the feeding plane between the rollers. Also mounted on the movable assembly is a sharpening device in the form of two grinding wheels which are biased toward the blade edge. A blade positioning mechanism controlled by a photocell sensing the position of the blade edge maintains the blade edge in the desired position relative to the rollers despite erosion of the blade due to sharpening and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Societe MERCIER Freres
    Inventors: Georges Mercier, Jacques Mercier, Pierre Buisson
  • Patent number: 4420997
    Abstract: A machine for portioning meat, comprising a rotatable meat containing drum which moves the meat in a circular path intersecting the cutting flight of a bandsaw, the meat sliding around on a table on to a depth stop in the form of a flush conveyor which assists transport of the meat through the cutting station and to a downstream separating station at which a deflector engages the cut slice of meat below the level of the bandsaw to push said cut slice out from under the main joint, so that the said slice is further transported by the conveyor to an outlet while the main joint is retained by the drum and drops down back on to the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: AEW Engineering Co. Limited
    Inventor: John A. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4391173
    Abstract: A shearing cradle to support a sheep in a reclined position on rollers. Shearing device situated between a pair of rollers, so that as the rollers rotate, the sheep is shorn by the shearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: Colin C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4356746
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a horizontally arranged bandsaw and one or more rotary meat holders arranged to feed primal cuts of meat downwards and onto the bandsaw to be cut into portions. A depth stop, which may be adjustable, determines the thickness of the cut portion. In a preferred form, the bandsaw is substantially totally enclosed and two meat holders are provided, one of which may be loaded while meat in the other is being portioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: AEW Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John A. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4307641
    Abstract: This mill comprises two parallel guide rails which are releasably attached to the upper ends of two spaced, vertically disposed end frames, the lower ends of which are releasably attached to two parallel, elongate skid members, which can be dragged along the surface of the ground to move the mill from one site to another. Two pointed log pins are carried by vertically adjustable blocks on the two end frames, with the pointed ends of the pins facing toward each other to be engageable in opposite ends of a log for supporting a log above the ground, and beneath the two guide rails. A chain saw carriage, which is slidable on the guide rails, supports a chain saw beneath the rails to have its cutting chain travel in a generally horizontal plane, and in position to cut elongate strips from a log when the carriage is moved manually from one end of the guide rails to the other. A device is also provided for adjusting the chain saw vertically on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Inventor: Robert Shapleigh
  • Patent number: 4266457
    Abstract: A cutter that can be mounted to a workpiece for cutting a cope at a prescribed arc at a selected radius and angle. A support frame mounts a band saw for pivotal movement about a first axis, parallel to the saws cutting flight. The support frame is mounted to a central workpiece clamp for pivotal movement about a second axis that is parallel to the first. The clamp secures the workpiece to the support frame, centered on a plane parallel to the first axis. The saw blade can thus be swung through an arc representing the outside diameter of a second workpiece that is to intersect at a prescribed angle with the clamped workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Robert A. Balch
    Inventors: Robert A. Balch, Charles E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 4210051
    Abstract: A band knife splitting machine with two superposed feed rolls and an endless moving band knife. The two feed rolls are respectively journalled at the ends of two intersecting pivoting levers and the end of the lever for the lower feed roll is pivoted above the plane of cutting while the end of the lever for the upper feed roll is pivoted below the cutting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Fortuna-Werke Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Fingerle, Gerd Lotzwik
  • Patent number: 4111085
    Abstract: A machine for cutting compound curvature surfaces on a workpiece by a linear or longitudinally extending straight line cutting element that is adjustably movable relative to the workpiece located on a bed of the machine. The cutting element is relatively movable or adjustable to the machine bed in any one of five variable axes or directions, as well as movable or adjustable about any two or more of the five axes or directions of movability and adjustability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: George William Johnson
  • Patent number: 4048883
    Abstract: A band type roll slicer comprising a conveyor to feed rolls along a path to an endless band type knife having one section supported above said conveyor and parallel thereto, power means to drive said knife to move said section continuously between opposite sides of said conveyor, and a yieldable pressure unit mounted above said section of said knife and engageable with the upper surfaces of rolls upon said conveyor to apply limited pressure thereto while being sliced by said knife entirely through said rolls in parallelism with the bottom surfaces thereof so that the top and bottom sections of the rolls when completely sliced therebetween will be superimposed in vertical registry and the bottom sections will be of uniform thickness throughout the entire area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Inventor: Dale S. Lecrone