US3554249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for grading and classifying debranched tree-trunks and similar roundwood according to the usefulness of the wood contained therein, and an apparatus for putting the method into effect
Assignee: Kockums Industri AB
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Filing: 1968-04-17
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-04-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for grading and classifying debranched tree trunks or similar roundwood. The apparatus includes a system for sensing change in diameter of the wood along its length; and for registering differences in diameter along the length of the wood. A device then determines the degree of crookedness of the wood along its length and registers the crookedness of the wood whereafter signals are sent in response to variations in diameter of the wood and in response to varying degree of crookedness of the wood. Upon receipt of these signals the wood is cut or marked or sorted according to a predetermined program based upon standard norms for saw wood and pulpwood.
Inventors
- 👤 Anders Ingvar Arnelo
- 👤 Nils August Arnelo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/04; G06Q10/043; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/14; B23; B23D; B23D36/00; B27; B27B; B27B1/00; B27B1/007; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/0035; G01F; G01F17/00; G06F; G06F7/00; G06F7/60; G06F7/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of grading and classifying debranched tree trunks and similar roundwood according to the usefulness of the wood contained therein, the method comprising the steps of gathering information concerning corresponding cross and longitudinal dimensions of each trunk by automatically sensing magnitudes characteristic of these dimensions, and from said information proportioning the division of the trunk crosswise according to a predetermined yield program based on cross dimensions of the trunk and at least one of the properties of length, taper and degree of crookedness of said trunk.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of grading and classifying debranched tree trunks and similar roundwood according to the usefulness of the wood contained therein, the method comprising the steps of gathering information concerning corresponding cross and longitudinal dimensions of each trunk by automatically sensing magnitudes characteristic of these dimensions, and from said information proportioning the division of the trunk crosswise according to a predetermined yield program based on cross dimensions of the trunk and at least one of the properties of length, taper and degree of crookedness of said trunk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising marking the trunk at those positions at which it is to be divided crosswise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein division of the trunk is automatically controlled in dependence of the proportioning thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 3, comprising sorting the logs which result from the crosswise division of the trunks in response to the proportioning thereof and controlling the sorting automatically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising determining the volume of wood in each trunk simultaneously with the proportioning thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising sensing properties characteristic of the extent to which each trunk tapers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising sensing properties characteristic of the extent to which each trunk is crooked.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for grading and classifying debranched tree trunks and similar roundwood according to the usefulness of the wood contained therein, said apparatus comprising means for automatically sensing the magnitudes of properties characteristic of the corresponding cross and longitudinal dimensions of each trunk, and means controlled by said magnitude of the characteristic properties for proportioning the division of the trunk crosswise in dependence of a predetermined yield program based on cross dimensions of the trunk and at least one of the properties of length, taper and degree of crookedness of said trunk.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for grading and classifying debranched tree trunks and similar roundwood according to the usefulness of the wood contained therein, said apparatus comprising means for automatically sensing the magnitudes of properties characteristic of the corresponding cross and longitudinal dimensions of each trunk, and means controlled by said magnitude of the characteristic properties for proportioning the division of the trunk crosswise in dependence of a predetermined yield program based on cross dimensions of the trunk and at least one of the properties of length, taper and degree of crookedness of said trunk.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, including means controlled by the proportioning means for marking each trunk at those positions where it is to be divided crosswise.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, including means controlled by the proportioning means for automatically dividing the wood crosswise.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, including means controlled by the proportioning means for automatically sorting the logs which result from the crosswise division of the trunks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the proportioning means includes means for determining the volume of wood in each trunk.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the proportioning means includes means for sensing the magnitude of properties characteristic of the taper of each trunk.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the proportioning means includes means for sensing the magnitude of properties characteristic of the extent to which each trunk is crooked. 15 An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensing means is movable relative to the trunk to be sensed and includes arms capable of being brought into contact with the periphery of such trunk and the positions of which can be sensed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arms are radially movable so that the radially inner ends thereof come into yielding contact with the periphery of the trunk being sensed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arms are pivotally supported to be yieldingly swung so that one end thereof comes into contact with the periphery of the trunk being sensed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each arm has an end which comes into contact with the periphery of the sensed trunk and a roller at saId end adapted to roll along the surface of the trunk,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, comprising means for sending signals to the proportioning means in response to the rolling of at least one of the rollers of the arms along the trunk being sensed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, comprising a bar pivotably mounted on each of the arms at the end thereof adjacent the sensed trunk, said bar having one end with a roller adapted to roll along the surface of the trunk and another end which carries means adapted also to come into contact with the periphery of the trunk.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said means on said arm comprises a second roller adapted to roll along the surface of the trunk and means are provided for sending signals to the proportioning means in response to the rolling of at least one of the rollers on said bars along the trunk being sensed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, comprising means for sensing the slope of said bars relative to the arms supporting the same.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |