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US3848646A
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Method and apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths
Assignee: Edward Hines Lumber Co
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A piece of lumber is fed flat to the infeed end of a marking station, tilted on edge and driven endwise into the marking station where defects in the piece are detected and marked with a retroreflective material. The marked piece moves to a defectcutting station where it is driven endwise past a pair of defectcutting saws until a marked defect is sensed between the saws to stop movement of the piece and actuate the saws to remove the defective section. The clear piece downstream of the saws is measured and, if longer than a minimum length range, diverted to a cut-to-length saw station. If within the minimum length range, it is diverted to a ''''core block'''' sort. If shorter than the minimum range, it is diverted to junk. The piece upstream of the saws is measured and diverted in the same manner as the downstream piece except that upstream pieces longer than the minimum length range resume travel past the defect saws. Longlength sensors at the defect station determine if a piece contains any one of several specified defect-free long lengths and if so, set a stop downstream of the defect saws corresponding to the longest specified clear length sensed and then actuate only one of the defect saws to cut the piece to such length when the piece reaches the set stop. Such piece is then diverted directly to a sorting station. Random length clear pieces transferred to the cut-to-length station are pressed against a series of depressible stop-sensors determining various specified lengths, driven endwise over the stop-sensors past a length saw until one of the stop-sensors is released, then driven in reverse against the released stop. The length saw then strokes to cut the piece to specified length, after which the piece is sorted according to length as determined by the released stop-sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 T Miles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:01
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27G; B27G1/00; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/14; B27B; B27B1/00; B27B1/002; B27B27/00; B27B27/10; B27B5/00; B27B5/16; B27B5/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/166; Y10T83/465; Y10T83/4653; Y10T83/4656; Y10T83/4664; Y10T83/525; Y10T83/533; Y10T83/541; Y10T83/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for clear-cutting lumber to random and specified lengths comprising in combination: a defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means, means for driving a piece of lumber endwise across the cutting plane of said cutting means, means for sensing a defect in said piece at said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means to remove the sensed defect in responSe to said defect-sensing to provide a random clear length of lumber, means for transferring said random clear length from said defect-cutting station to a cut-to-length station, said cut-to-length station including length-cutting means, means for sensing the longest specified length in a given clear random-length piece, and means responsive to a specified-length sensing for positioning said clear random length with respect to said length-cutting means so as to enable said lengthcutting means to cut said random length to the longest specified length sensed, and means operable to actuate said length-cutting means in response to the positioning of said random length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for clear-cutting lumber to random and specified lengths comprising in combination: a defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means, means for driving a piece of lumber endwise across the cutting plane of said cutting means, means for sensing a defect in said piece at said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means to remove the sensed defect in responSe to said defect-sensing to provide a random clear length of lumber, means for transferring said random clear length from said defect-cutting station to a cut-to-length station, said cut-to-length station including length-cutting means, means for sensing the longest specified length in a given clear random-length piece, and means responsive to a specified-length sensing for positioning said clear random length with respect to said length-cutting means so as to enable said lengthcutting means to cut said random length to the longest specified length sensed, and means operable to actuate said length-cutting means in response to the positioning of said random length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including length-sensing means at said defect-cutting station for sensing a specified long clear length in a piece and means including said driving means and stop means downstream of said cutting means operable in response to a sensing of said length-sensing means for positioning said piece with respect to said defect-cutting means for cutting said piece to said specified long clear length and for actuating said defect-cutting means in response to positioning of said piece for cutting to said length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means at said defect-cutting station for sensing a random clear length less than a specified short clear length and means operable in response to said short-length sensing for diverting said random short clear length from said defect-cutting station to a collection point remote from said cut-to-length station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said defect-cutting means includes a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting elements having parallel cutting planes extending normal to the path of travel of lumber at said defect-cutting station, said cutting elements being operable automatically in unison in response to a defect-sensing to cut a defective section from said lumber and at least one of said elements being operable singly in response to a sensing of a specified long clear length downstream of said one element to cut a clear piece of lumber to said specified length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said defect-sensing means is positioned for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting elements and is operable as part of a control means to deactivate said driving means and activate said cutting elements simultaneously in response to a defect sensing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for clear-cutting lumber to random and specified lengths comprising in combination: a defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means, means for driving a piece of lumber endwise across the cutting plane of said cutting means, means for sensing a defect in said piece at said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means to remove the sensed defect in response to said defect-sensing to provide a random clear length of lumber, means for transferring said random clear length from said defect-cutting station to a cut-to-length station, said cut-to-length station including length-cutting means, means for sensing the longest specified length in a given clear random-length piece, and means responsive to a specified-length sensing for positioning said clear random length with respect to said length-cutting means so as to enable said length-cutting means to cut said random length to the longest specified length sensed, and means operable to actuate said length-cutting means following the positioning of said random length, said means for transferring including an inclined slideway extending downwardly between said defect-cutting station and said cut-to-length station, and movable lumber-support means at said defect-cutting station operable in response to a defect-cutting to drop a resulting random clear length of lumber onto said slideway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for clear-cutting lumber to random and specified lengths comprising in combination: a defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means, means for driving a piece of lumber endwise across the cutting plane of said cutting means, means for sensing a defect in said piece at said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means to remove the sensed defect in response to said defect-sensing to provide a random clear length of lumber, means for transferring said random clear length from said defect-cutting station to a cut-to-length station, said cut-to-length station including length-cutting means, means for sensing the longest specified length in a given clear random-length piece, and means responsive to a specified-length sensing for positioning said clear random length with respect to said length-cutting means so as to enable said length-cutting means to cut said random length to the longest specified length sensed, and means operable to actuate said length-cutting means following the positioning of said random length, said means for transferring including an inclined slideway extending downwardly between said defect-cutting station and said cut-to-length station, and movable lumber-support means at said defect-cutting station operable in response to a defect-cutting to drop a resulting random clear length of lumber onto said slideway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including sorting means downstream of said cut-to-length station for sorting to length clear pieces from said cut-to-Length station, said sorting means including an inclined slideway means leading downwardly from said cut-to-length station, said slideway means including multiple sorting gates for diverting specified lengths to a series of sorting stations, said sorting gates being selectively operable in response to specified-length sensings at said cut-to-length station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a marking station upstream of said defect-cutting station including means for marking defects with a sensitive material capable of being sensed by said sensing means at said defect-cutting station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 including transfer means between said marking station and said defect-cutting station including means for transferring pieces of lumber first endwise from said marking station, then edgewise, then endwise again into said defect-cutting station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a marking station upstream from said defect-cutting station including means for marking defects with a sensitive material to which said defect-sensing means is responsive, sorting means downstream from said cut-to-length station for sorting clear-cut pieces to length, and transfer means between said marking station and said defect-cutting station and between said defect-cutting station and said cut-to-length station for transferring pieces between said stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein there is primarily endwise transfer of pieces through said marking station and to said defect-cutting station and primarily edgewise transfer of pieces from said defect-cutting station to said cut-to-length station and from said cut-to-length station to said sorting means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, and means for actuating one of said pair of cutting means singly to cut a clear portion of a piece extending downstream of said one cutting means to a specified clear length.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, and means for actuating one of said pair of cutting means singly to cut a clear portion of a piece extending downstream of said one cutting means to a specified clear length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for deactivating said conveying means in response to a defect sensing so as to position the sensed defect between said pair of cutting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including lumber support means for supporting a piece of lumber in said path and movable away from a supported lumber piece following activation of said pair of cutting means to divert the supported piece laterally downwardly from said path under the influence of gravity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 including an inclined sorting slideway means and an inclined transfer slideway means declined in opposite directions below said lumber support means and diverter means at the juncture of said slideways operable following a cutting operation for diverting lumber sections dropped from said path onto one or the other of said slideway means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including infeed means at an infeed end of said linear path upstream of said cutting means including sensor means for sensing the presence of a piece of lumber at said infeed end and means engageable with said piece in response to a presence sensing of said sensor means for conveying said piece endwise toward said defect-cutting means along said path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including length-sensing means downstream of said cutting means for measuring a specified minimum length of lumber extending downstream of said cutting means and means for diverting lengths greater than said specified minimum length from said path to a second cutting station and for diverting lengths less thAn said specified minimum length to a sorting means removed from said second cutting station.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 including second length-sensing means upstream of said cutting means for measuring a specified minimum length of lumber extending upstream of said cutting means and means operable to divert upstream lengths less than said specified minimum upstream length from said path to said sorting means removed from said second cutting station and operable to convey upstream lengths greater than said specified minimum upstream length along said path toward said cutting means for processing by said defect-sensing and -cutting means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, means along said path for sensing a specified long clear length in a given piece of lumber, and means including said conveyor means operable in response to a specified long-length sensing for positioning said piece with respect to one of said pair of defect-cutting means and for actuating said one defect-cutting means in a manner to cut said piece to the specified long clear length sensed.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, means along said path for sensing a specified long clear length in a given piece of lumber, and means including said conveyor means operable in response to a specified long-length sensing for positioning said piece with respect to one of said pair of defect-cutting means and for actuating said one defect-cutting means in a manner to cut said piece to the specified long clear length sensed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said specified long clear length-sensing means includes means for sensing the longest of multiple specified long clear lengths and wherein said means operable in response to said sensing includes means for positioning said piece with respect to said one cutting means in a manner so as to cut from said piece the longest clear length sensed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 including means operable to divert random clear lengths less than said specified long clear length to a cut-to-length cutting station and for diverting clear lengths cut to said specified long clear length to a collection point removed from said cut-to-length station.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said long clear length-sensing means includes a defect sensor along said linear path upstream of said pair of cutting means and at least one end-of-piece sensor along said path downstream of said cutting means for sensing the leading end of a piece, with the distance between said upstream defect sensor and said downstream end-of-piece sensor determining said long specified clear length, said long clear length-positioning means including a stop means positioned downstream of said end-of-piece sensor and spaced from said one cutting means a distance corresponding to said specified long clear length.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 including a plurality of end-of-piece sensors spaced along said linear path downstream of said pair of cutting means determining a plurality of specified long clear lengths and a plurality of extendible stops downstream of said end-of-piece sensors, each stop corresponding to a different one of said end-of-piece sensors, and means operable in response to a sensing of the longest specified clear length to extend the corresponding one of said stops into said path to determine the cutting position of a piece downstream with respect to said one defect-cutting means to enable cutting the longest specified clear length sensed.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing To cut a defective section from said piece, first measuring means for measuring a specified minimum cut length extending downstream from said pair of cutting means and means for diverting random lengths greater than said specified minimum length from said linear path to a cut-to-length cutting station and for diverting random lengths less than said specified minimum length to a collecting station bypassing said cut-to-length station, second measuring means for measuring a minimum cut length extending upstream from said cutting means and means for diverting upstream lengths less than said specified minimum upstream length from said path to a collection station bypassing said cut-to-length station and for reactivating said conveyor means to convey upstream lengths greater than said minimum specified upstream length along said path toward said pair of cutting means, third measuring means for measuring a specified long clear length in a piece of lumber extending from the leading end of said piece, and means operable in response to a measurement of said specified long clear length in a piece for positioning said piece with respect to one of said pair of cutting means so that the specified long clear length extends downstream from said one cutting means and for activating said one cutting means only to cut said specified long clear length from said piece.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a pair of closely spaced-apart defect-cutting means having parallel cutting planes extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect between said pair of cutting means, means for actuating said pair of cutting means simultaneously in response to a defect sensing To cut a defective section from said piece, first measuring means for measuring a specified minimum cut length extending downstream from said pair of cutting means and means for diverting random lengths greater than said specified minimum length from said linear path to a cut-to-length cutting station and for diverting random lengths less than said specified minimum length to a collecting station bypassing said cut-to-length station, second measuring means for measuring a minimum cut length extending upstream from said cutting means and means for diverting upstream lengths less than said specified minimum upstream length from said path to a collection station bypassing said cut-to-length station and for reactivating said conveyor means to convey upstream lengths greater than said minimum specified upstream length along said path toward said pair of cutting means, third measuring means for measuring a specified long clear length in a piece of lumber extending from the leading end of said piece, and means operable in response to a measurement of said specified long clear length in a piece for positioning said piece with respect to one of said pair of cutting means so that the specified long clear length extends downstream from said one cutting means and for activating said one cutting means only to cut said specified long clear length from said piece.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
360 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to specified lengths comprising: length-cutting means defining a cutting plane, stop bar means extending normal to said cutting plane and including a series of programmable depressible stop and length-sensing means spaced at predetermined distances from and on one side of said cutting plane corresponding to specified lengths of lumber to be cut, means for delivering a random length of lumber to a position extending along said stop bar means with one end of said piece adjacent said cutting plane, drive means for pressing said piece toward said stop bar means to depress one or more of said stop and sensing means and for driving said piece endwise in opposite directions along said stop bar means, and control means operable in response to the presence of said piece along said stop bar means first to operate said drive means in one direction to drive said random length toward said cutting plane until a depressed one of said stop and sensing means is released and then in response to such release to reverse said drive means to drive the opposite end of said random length against said released stop means and then to actuate said cutting means to cut said random-length piece to the longest specified length as sensed by said stop and sensing means, said length-cutting means being at a length-cutting station and including: a defect-cutting station above said length-cutting station, said defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means operable to cut defective sections from a length of lumber to produce clear pieces of random length, said defect-cutting means including a defect-cutting plane determining one end of a clear piece and being in approximate vertical alignment with said length-cutting plane, said delivering means including inclined slide means extending between said defect-cutting station and said length-cutting station, and movable lumber-support means at said defect-cutting station movable from a support position above said slide means for supporting lumber at said defect-cutting station in parallel relation to the supported position of lumber at said length-cutting station, to a release position for dropping a clear piece from said defect-cutting station onto said slide means for sideways gravity delivery to said length-cutting station.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
360 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to specified lengths comprising: length-cutting means defining a cutting plane, stop bar means extending normal to said cutting plane and including a series of programmable depressible stop and length-sensing means spaced at predetermined distances from and on one side of said cutting plane corresponding to specified lengths of lumber to be cut, means for delivering a random length of lumber to a position extending along said stop bar means with one end of said piece adjacent said cutting plane, drive means for pressing said piece toward said stop bar means to depress one or more of said stop and sensing means and for driving said piece endwise in opposite directions along said stop bar means, and control means operable in response to the presence of said piece along said stop bar means first to operate said drive means in one direction to drive said random length toward said cutting plane until a depressed one of said stop and sensing means is released and then in response to such release to reverse said drive means to drive the opposite end of said random length against said released stop means and then to actuate said cutting means to cut said random-length piece to the longest specified length as sensed by said stop and sensing means, said length-cutting means being at a length-cutting station and including: a defect-cutting station above said length-cutting station, said defect-cutting station including defect-cutting means operable to cut defective sections from a length of lumber to produce clear pieces of random length, said defect-cutting means including a defect-cutting plane determining one end of a clear piece and being in approximate vertical alignment with said length-cutting plane, said delivering means including inclined slide means extending between said defect-cutting station and said length-cutting station, and movable lumber-support means at said defect-cutting station movable from a support position above said slide means for supporting lumber at said defect-cutting station in parallel relation to the supported position of lumber at said length-cutting station, to a release position for dropping a clear piece from said defect-cutting station onto said slide means for sideways gravity delivery to said length-cutting station.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a defect-cutting means having a cutting plane extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect in a lumber piece traveling along said path, means for actuating said cutting means in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, movable lumber-support means for supporting a piece of lumber in said path and upstream and downstream from said cutting means, and inclined slideway means extending downwardly from and below said path along a plane generally parallel to said path, said lumber-support means being movable away from a supported piece in response to operation of said cutting means to drop a supported piece onto said slideway means, said slideway means includes an inclined transfer slideway extending downwardly in one direction from said path and an inclined sorter slideway extending downwardly in an opposite direction from said path, and diverter means at the juncture of said sorter and transfer slideways below said support means and pivotable to positions to define extensions of said slideways for directing pieces dropped from said path selectively onto one or the other of said slideways.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a defect-cutting means having a cutting plane extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect in a lumber piece traveling along said path, means for actuating said cutting means in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, movable lumber-support means for supporting a piece of lumber in said path and upstream and downstream from said cutting means, and inclined slideway means extending downwardly from and below said path along a plane generally parallel to said path, said lumber-support means being movable away from a supported piece in response to operation of said cutting means to drop a supported piece onto said slideway means, said slideway means includes an inclined transfer slideway extending downwardly in one direction from said path and an inclined sorter slideway extending downwardly in an opposite direction from said path, and diverter means at the juncture of said sorter and transfer slideways below said support means and pivotable to positions to define extensions of said slideways for directing pieces dropped from said path selectively onto one or the other of said slideways.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 including length-sensing means along said path upstream and downstream of said cutting means and operable to position said diverter means so that (1) lumber portions extending upstream and downstream of said cutting means of less than a specified length are diverted onto said sorter slideway after cutting and (2) lumber portions extending downstream of said cutting means of greater than said specified length are diverted onto said transfer slideway.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
372 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a defect-cutting means having a cutting plane extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect in a lumber piece traveling along said path, means for actuating said cutting means in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, movable lumber-support means for supporting a piece of lumber in said path and at said cutting means, and inclined slideway means extending downwardly from and below said path along a plane generally parallel to said path, said lumber-support means being movable away from a supported piece following operation of said cutting means to drop a supported piece onto said slideway means, said slideway means including a transfer slideway extending downwardly in one direction from said path and a sorter slideway extending downwardly in an opposite direction from said path, diverter means at the juncture of said sorter and transfer slideways for directing pieces dropped from said path selectively onto one or the other of said slideways, length-sensing means along said path upstream and downstream of said cutting means and operable to position said diverter means so that (1) lumber portions extending upstream and downstream of said cutting means of less than a specified length are diverted onto said sorter slideway after cutting and (2) lumber portions extending downstream of said cutting means of greater than said specified length are diverted onto said transfer slideway, selectively applied lumber stop means along said path at a predetermined distance from one of said pair of cutting means, and a defect sensor upstream of one of a closely spaced pair of said cutting means and a lumber sensor downstream of said cutting means at a distance from said upstream defect sensor corresponding to said predetermined distance, said defect and lumber sensors being operable to apply said lumber stop means when said lumber sensor senses a lumber piece before said upstream defect sensor senses a defect in said piece, and means operable to actuate only said one cutting means of said pair when said piece abuts said stop means, to cut said piece to a specified clear length.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
372 words
An apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths comprising: means for conveying lumber endwise along a linear path, a defect-cutting means having a cutting plane extending across said path, defect-sensing means for sensing the presence of a defect in a lumber piece traveling along said path, means for actuating said cutting means in response to a defect sensing to cut a defective section from said piece, movable lumber-support means for supporting a piece of lumber in said path and at said cutting means, and inclined slideway means extending downwardly from and below said path along a plane generally parallel to said path, said lumber-support means being movable away from a supported piece following operation of said cutting means to drop a supported piece onto said slideway means, said slideway means including a transfer slideway extending downwardly in one direction from said path and a sorter slideway extending downwardly in an opposite direction from said path, diverter means at the juncture of said sorter and transfer slideways for directing pieces dropped from said path selectively onto one or the other of said slideways, length-sensing means along said path upstream and downstream of said cutting means and operable to position said diverter means so that (1) lumber portions extending upstream and downstream of said cutting means of less than a specified length are diverted onto said sorter slideway after cutting and (2) lumber portions extending downstream of said cutting means of greater than said specified length are diverted onto said transfer slideway, selectively applied lumber stop means along said path at a predetermined distance from one of said pair of cutting means, and a defect sensor upstream of one of a closely spaced pair of said cutting means and a lumber sensor downstream of said cutting means at a distance from said upstream defect sensor corresponding to said predetermined distance, said defect and lumber sensors being operable to apply said lumber stop means when said lumber sensor senses a lumber piece before said upstream defect sensor senses a defect in said piece, and means operable to actuate only said one cutting means of said pair when said piece abuts said stop means, to cut said piece to a specified clear length.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 including means operable to position said diverter meanS to divert said piece of specified clear length onto said sorter slideway after operation of said one cutter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |