Method and apparatus fof feeding and guiding logs to woodworking machines

Claim 2

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means movable transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, and holddown means separate from said centering means acting from above said path for urging the log downwardly on said path.

Claim 3

Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said centering means includes a pair of centering devices positioned on opposite sides of said path to be movable towards and away from said path generally in horizontal planes.

Claim 4

Apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said centering devices are pivotally mounted to swing towards and away from said path.

Claim 5

Apparatus defined in claim 3 further including drive and control means for moving said centering devices in unison and such that the centering devices are always symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said path throughout their travel.

Claim 6

Apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said drive and control means includes coupling means coupling said centering devices together and a hydraulic fluid motor for operating both centering devices through said coupling means.

Claim 7

Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said holddown means is located down path of said centering means.

Claim 8

Apparatus defined in claim 6 further including drive and control means for releasing the driving force on said centering devices and for increasIng the driving force on said holddown means after the log has been centered by said centering means.

Claim 9

Apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said drive and control means includes a first fluid motor operatively connected to said centering means to drive the same, a second fluid motor operatively connected to said holddown means to drive the same, a source of high-pressure moTive fluid, a source of low-pressure motive fluid, and reversing valve means for alternately connecting said sources of motive fluid with said first and second fluid motors.

Claim 10

Apparatus defined in claim 1 further including at least two of said centering means and two of said holddown means, said centering means being spaced along said path with one holddown means being located between said centering means and with the other holddown means being located down path of the last centering means.

Claim 11

Apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said centering means includes a flap member which engages the log.

Claim 12

Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said holddown means includes a member pivoted at one end for swinging movement in a vertical plane parallel to said path and being free at the other end for engaging a log.

Claim 13

Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyer means includes endless chains defining said path and for moving the logs along said path, said chains having teeth for engaging the log, said teeth being dimensioned so as to slide relative to the log when excessive driving forces are imparted to said chains.

Claim 14

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, holddown means acting from above said path for urging the logs downwardly on said path, and means at an inlet section of said conveyer means for rotating the log about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 15

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, holddown means acting from above said path for urging the logs downwardly on said path, and means at an inlet section of said conveyer means for rotating the log about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 16

Apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein said last-recited means includes two rollers mounted for rotation about an axis generally parallel to said path and means for raising and lowering said rollers into and out of engagement with the underside of a log.

Claim 17

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, and holddown means acting from above said path for urging the log downwardly on said path, said conveyer means including frame mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to said path intermediate the ends of the conveyer for changing the inclination of the conveyer path, and wherein there is further included a second conveyer means situated before said first conveyer means and in generally longitudinal alignment with said first conveyer means, said second conveyer means being situated adjacent the inlet end of said first conveyer means, said second conveyer means including a frame mounted for pivotal movement between its ends about an axis transverse to said pivotal path of conveyance for changing the inclination of its path whereby the paths of said first and second conveyer means may be inclined downwardly towards each other such that a log will contact said conveyer means only at essentially two points thereby permitting the log to rotate under its own weight about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 18

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, and holddown means acting from above said path for urging the log downwardly on said path, said conveyer means including frame mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to said path intermediate the ends of the conveyer for changing the inclination of the conveyer path, and wherein there is further included a second conveyer means situated before said first conveyer means and in generally longitudinal alignment with said first conveyer means, said second conveyer means being situated adjacent the inlet end of said first conveyer means, said second conveyer means including a frame mounted for pivotal movement between its ends about an axis transverse to said pivotal path of conveyance for changing the inclination of its path whereby the paths of said first and second conveyer means may be inclined downwardly towards each other such that a log will contact said conveyer means only at essentially two points thereby permitting the log to rotate under its own weight about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 19

Apparatus defined in claim 15 further including log-rotating means situated between said first and second conveyer means for positively engaging and rotating the log about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 20

Apparatus defined in claim 16 further including means for raising and lowering said log-rotating means into and out of engagement with a log.

Claim 21

Apparatus defined in claim 17 wherein said log-rotating means includes a pair of rollers mounted for rotation about axes parallel to the path of conveyance.

Claim 24

The method defined in claim 19 further including the step of decreaSing the engagement of said members on said log while increasing the holddown engagement on the log after the log is centered.

Claim 25

The method defined in claim 19 further including the steps of again centering the log on the longitudinal axis of the path after it is held down and again holding the log down after it is centered the second time.

Claim 28

The method defined in claim 22 wherein the log is rotated by placement on two conveyers inclined downwardly towards each other such that the log contacts the conveyers at two points respectively which permits the log to rotate under its own weight about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 29

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, and holddown means acting from above-said path for urging the logs downwardly on said path, said centering means including a pair of centering devices positioned on opposite sides of said path to be movable towards and away from said path generally in horizontal planes, said centering devices each including an endless movable member which engages the log.

Claim 30

Apparatus for feeding logs comprising in combination, conveyer means for moving logs along a generally horizontal path, centering means acting transversely of the conveyer means for moving a log towards alignment with the longitudinal axis of said path, and holddown means acting from above-said path for urging the logs downwardly on said path, said centering means including a pair of centering devices positioned on opposite sides of said path to be movable towards and away from said path generally in horizontal planes, said centering devices each including an endless movable member which engages the log.