US3604563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lumber sorter
Assignee: Moore Dry Kiln Co
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Filing: 1970-01-28
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1990-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A drop sorter for lumber having a frame and plurality of lumber delivery bays and an unloading lumber accumulation sling assembly positioned within each delivery bay. Each sling assembly includes an elongated rigid element having opposite end portions and opposite side portions, a pair of flexible chains respectively supportingly connected to the opposite end portions of the element on one of its side portions with means including a pair of drums connected to the frame for reeling in and paying out each of the pair of chains. Each assembly further includes a plurality of spaced flexible chains each having one of their end portions respectively supportingly connected to the element on its other side portion with means including a plurality of drums connected to the frame for reeling in and paying out each of the plurality of chains. The spacing distance between adjacent ones of the plurality of chains is less than the length of the boards being delivered to the bay whereby the boards are supported on the plurality of chains between the element and the means for reeling the plurality of chains. The distance between the pair of chains is greater than the length of the boards being delivered to the bay whereby an accumulated load of boards are automatically unloaded from the plurality of chains through and between the pair of chains upon paying out of the pair of chains by their respective means for reeling and simultaneously lowering the element.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael P Ronan Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:49
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/933; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102; Y10S414/103; Y10S414/104
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
In a drop sorter for lumber having a frame and plurality of lumber delivery bays and an unloading lumber accumulation sling assembly positioned withiN each delivery bay, the improvement wherein each said assembly comprises an elongated element having opposite end portions and opposite side portions, a pair of reelable members respectively supporting said opposite end portions of said elongated element adjacent one said side portion thereof, means connected to said frame for reeling in and paying out each of said pair of reelable members, a plurality of spaced reelable members each having one of their end portions respectively supporting said elongated element on the other said side portion thereof, means connected to said frame for reeling in and paying out each of said plurality of reelable members, the spacing distance between adjacent of said plurality of reelable members being less than the length of the boards being delivered to the bay whereby the boards are supported on said plurality of members between said elongated element and said means for reeling said plurality of reelable members, the distance between said pair of reelable members being greater than the length of boards being delivered to the bay whereby an accumulated load of boards are automatically unloaded from said plurality of reelable members through and between said pair of reelable members upon paying out of said pair of reelable members by their respective means for reeling and simultaneously lowering of said elongated element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
In a drop sorter for lumber having a frame and plurality of lumber delivery bays and an unloading lumber accumulation sling assembly positioned withiN each delivery bay, the improvement wherein each said assembly comprises an elongated element having opposite end portions and opposite side portions, a pair of reelable members respectively supporting said opposite end portions of said elongated element adjacent one said side portion thereof, means connected to said frame for reeling in and paying out each of said pair of reelable members, a plurality of spaced reelable members each having one of their end portions respectively supporting said elongated element on the other said side portion thereof, means connected to said frame for reeling in and paying out each of said plurality of reelable members, the spacing distance between adjacent of said plurality of reelable members being less than the length of the boards being delivered to the bay whereby the boards are supported on said plurality of members between said elongated element and said means for reeling said plurality of reelable members, the distance between said pair of reelable members being greater than the length of boards being delivered to the bay whereby an accumulated load of boards are automatically unloaded from said plurality of reelable members through and between said pair of reelable members upon paying out of said pair of reelable members by their respective means for reeling and simultaneously lowering of said elongated element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for reeling said pair of reelable members includes a pair of drums spacedly mounted to said frame, said pair of drums being rotatable to reel in and pay out each of said pair of reelable members, said means for reeling said plurality of reelable members includes a plurality of drums spacedly mounted to said frame, said plurality of drums being generally horizontally spaced from said pair of drums and being rotatable to reel in and pay out each of said plurality of reelable members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 2 wherein said pair of drums is spacedly mounted to a first shaft, said first shaft being rotatably mounted to said frame, said pair of drums being rotatable with said first shaft to simultaneously reel in and pay out said pair of reelable members, said plurality of drums are mounted at spaced intervals to a second shaft, said second shaft being rotatably mounted to said frame and generally horizontally spaced from said first shaft, said plurality of drums being rotatable with said second shaft to simultaneously reel in and pay out said plurality of reelable members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said pair and plurality of reelable members includes a flexible chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated element is a rigid and a generally unbendable element whereby adjacent ones of said plurality of reelable members are spacedly maintained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of reelable members has one of their end portions respectively connected to said opposite end portions of said elongated element adjacent one side portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacing distance between adjacent ones of said plurality of reelable members is equal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 further comprising an accumulator assembly positioned within each delivery bay, each said accumulator assembly being positioned adjacent the top of the delivery bay and attached to said frame, each said accumulator assembly being adapted and arranged to receive and hold boards being delivered to the bay during the time interval when said sling assembly is unloading and being repositioned within the bay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 8 wherein each said accumulator assembly includes a pair of arms and a shaft, said pair of arms being mounted to said shaft at an obtuse angle with respect to each other, said shaft beinG rotatably mounted to said frame closely adjacent the top of the delivery bay and adjacent the point of entry of boards into the delivery bay, said shaft and attached pair of arms being rotatable from an accumulating position whereby boards entering the delivery bay are accumulated and held on said shaft and pair of arms to a nonaccumulative position whereby boards entering the delivery bay pass said pair of arms and are delivered to said sling assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 9 wherein each said accumulator assembly includes a second pair of arms mounted to said shaft, said second pair of arms being generally horizontally spaced from said pair of arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of reelable members is of equal length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the drop sorter for lumber as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of reelable members is of equal length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2322655A
Cited
US3506142A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |