Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

Abstract: A station (10) for shearing wood sheets from a log comprises a shearing blade (18) and a pair of chucks (16) supporting log gripping means (21). The chucks are powered to rotate around an axis (20) parallel to the blade and the gripping means (21) are movable to change the inclination of the gripped log with respect to said chuck rotation axis.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for cutting veneer sheets from a tapered flitch (one-half of a veneer log which has been sawn in half longitudinally) that places the veneer producing face of a tapered flitch in a stable, parallel relationship with the veneer slicing knife, thereby allowing full utilization of the natural taper of a veneer log.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for cutting veneer from a tapered flitch so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the outside, or veneer-producing zone, of a flitch. A flitch is mounted to a staylog and oriented so that the veneer-producing zone is parallel to the veneer-slicing knife and the staylog is rotated to move the flitch past the veneer-slicing knife. In some embodiments, the flitch is mounted to the staylog so that the flitch mounting surface is in a non-parallel relation to the staylog mounting surface. In alternative embodiments, the flitch mounting surface is positioned adjacent the staylog mounting surface, and the staylog, or just the staylog mounting surface, is oriented to position the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife.

Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a mandrel for holding multiple flitches. The mandrel has a first axis about which it is rotated. A knife and pressure bar assembly is provided on a first reciprocable carriage. The carriage is reciprocated toward and away from the first axis of rotation as the flitches are carried around the first axis of rotation on the mandrel. The mandrel is reciprocated along the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the mandrel, coupled with reciprocation of the carriage and mandrel respectively toward and away from the first axis of rotation and along the first axis of rotation, causes veneer to be sliced sequentially from the multiple flitches.

Abstract: A flitch table is provided for mounting a flitch for slicing of veneer from the flitch by a knife. The flitch includes a mounting side which lies adjacent the table when the flitch is mounted to the table. The mounting side includes grooves which extend generally transversely of the direction of relative movement between the flitch and the knife during the slicing of veneer. The table includes dogs for projecting into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table to fix the flitch to the table for slicing of the flitch and guide rails between adjacent dogs longitudinally of the table. The guide rails also project into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table. The dogs have a flitch fixing position in which the flitch is fixed to the table by the dogs and a flitch releasing position in which the flitch is not fixed to the table by the dogs. A rack and pinion mechanism drives the dogs between the fixing and releasing positions.

Abstract: A veneer slicer having a flitch carried by a rotating carriage. A knife and pressure bar are carried on a reciprocating carriage which moves back and forth relative to the carriage. The carriage includes clamping elements for holding multiple flitches.

Abstract: A process for slicing logs to produce a veneer comprises passing a log to be sliced through a curved cutting path having a varying radius of curvature about a fixed axis and contacting the log with a cutting means for slicing a veneer therefrom.

Abstract: A device for shearing wooden logs, comprising a beam on which the log is secured and guidedly supported for rotation about an axis, a blade and a pressure bar, and adjusting means for adjustment of the variation of the radius of the curved cutting path and of thickness of the sheared sheets is disclosed.