US3631976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bin for lumber sorter
Assignee: Sierra Pacific Industries
•
Filing: 1970-02-05
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-02-05
Abstract
Abstract An expansible bin for receiving graded and sized lumber is provided between an overlying sorting conveyor and an underlying takeout conveyor. The bin includes at least two underlying and spanning bunks supported at either end by depending cables gathered and released from point immediately below the sorting conveyor. When the bunks are initially filled with lumber, they are drawn immediate the release point of the sorting conveyor to prevent board splitting due to droppage. As lumber accumulates in the bins, the bunks are sequentially lowered to provide together with the cable a bin of constantly expanding volume. When full, the bunks are lowered parallel to and below the takeout conveyor to provide for gradual placement of the sized and graded lumber in the bin on the takeout conveyor, and the cables released from one end of the bunks to permit the lumber to be converged away.
Inventors
- 👤 Sheldon L Coffelt
- 👤 Paul R Allen
- 👤 John B Crook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:24
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a lumber sorter having an upper sorting conveyor for releasing lumber at preselected points along its conveyed path, means for removing accumulated lumber from positions underlying said preselected points, and a plurality of bin means therebetween, each bin means disposed for receiving lumber from one of the preselected discharge points along the path of said sorting conveyor and depositing lumber on said removing means therebelow, the improvements in said bin means comprising: at least one member for forming bottom of said bin means, said member vertically movable between said sorting conveyor and removing means therebelow; vertical cable supports attached to said member for maintaining said member in a position for supporting lumber accumulated thereon, and cooperating with said bottom means to form part of said bin means; and means for taking up and letting out said cables from points overhead of said removing means to maintain an interval between said member and the release point of said sorting conveyor sufficient to prevent splitting of said lumber upon release to the bin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a lumber sorter having an upper sorting conveyor for releasing lumber at preselected points along its conveyed path, means for removing accumulated lumber from positions underlying said preselected points, and a plurality of bin means therebetween, each bin means disposed for receiving lumber from one of the preselected discharge points along the path of said sorting conveyor and depositing lumber on said removing means therebelow, the improvements in said bin means comprising: at least one member for forming bottom of said bin means, said member vertically movable between said sorting conveyor and removing means therebelow; vertical cable supports attached to said member for maintaining said member in a position for supporting lumber accumulated thereon, and cooperating with said bottom means to form part of said bin means; and means for taking up and letting out said cables from points overhead of said removing means to maintain an interval between said member and the release point of said sorting conveyor sufficient to prevent splitting of said lumber upon release to the bin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said removing means comprises a conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said cable supports depend from points immediately below the path of said sorting conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
In combination: an upper sorting conveyor for releasing lumber at preselected discharge points along its conveyed path; a lower and underlying takeout conveyor for conveying away lumber; at least one horizontal member located at a discharge point of said sorting conveyor and movable between a first position below the path of said takeout conveyor and a second position immediately below the discharge point of said sorting conveyor; cable supports attached to said member for maintaining said member is support disposition for supporting lumber discharged from said discharge points said cable supports forming sidewalls for maintaining lumber on said horizontal member; means for taking up and letting out said cable supports from points over the path of said takeout conveyor for raising and lowering said member in said supporting disposition; and means for releasing said cables from said member, when said member is in said first position below the path of said takeout conveyor, whereby lumber accumulated in said bin can be conveyed by said takeout conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
In combination: an upper sorting conveyor for releasing lumber at preselected discharge points along its conveyed path; a lower and underlying takeout conveyor for conveying away lumber; at least one horizontal member located at a discharge point of said sorting conveyor and movable between a first position below the path of said takeout conveyor and a second position immediately below the discharge point of said sorting conveyor; cable supports attached to said member for maintaining said member is support disposition for supporting lumber discharged from said discharge points said cable supports forming sidewalls for maintaining lumber on said horizontal member; means for taking up and letting out said cable supports from points over the path of said takeout conveyor for raising and lowering said member in said supporting disposition; and means for releasing said cables from said member, when said member is in said first position below the path of said takeout conveyor, whereby lumber accumulated in said bin can be conveyed by said takeout conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 4 and wherein said horizontal members have attached at one end thereof an upwardly extending vertical member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
In combination, a lumber sorter comprising: an upper sorting conveyor for releasing graded and sized boards at preselected points along its conveyed path; a lower takeout conveyor for conveying away sized, graded and accumulated lumber; said lower takeout conveyor having a conveyed path underlying the path of said sorting conveyor; elongated spanning members for forming a bottom supporting surface for lumber-accumulating bins, a plurality of said members being placed below Each said preselected point of said upper sorting conveyor; said members aligned parallel to the paths of said conveyors and movable between a first position immediately under the release point of said sorting conveyor and a second position below the path of said takeout conveyor; cable supports attached to each end of said spanning members and disconnectably connected at at least one end of said spanning members and depending from points overlying the path of said lower conveyor; means for taking up and letting out said cable supports to raise and lower said spanning members between said first and second positions; and means for sequentially lowering said horizontal members from said first position towards said second position responsive to lumber accumulated on said spanning members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
In combination, a lumber sorter comprising: an upper sorting conveyor for releasing graded and sized boards at preselected points along its conveyed path; a lower takeout conveyor for conveying away sized, graded and accumulated lumber; said lower takeout conveyor having a conveyed path underlying the path of said sorting conveyor; elongated spanning members for forming a bottom supporting surface for lumber-accumulating bins, a plurality of said members being placed below Each said preselected point of said upper sorting conveyor; said members aligned parallel to the paths of said conveyors and movable between a first position immediately under the release point of said sorting conveyor and a second position below the path of said takeout conveyor; cable supports attached to each end of said spanning members and disconnectably connected at at least one end of said spanning members and depending from points overlying the path of said lower conveyor; means for taking up and letting out said cable supports to raise and lower said spanning members between said first and second positions; and means for sequentially lowering said horizontal members from said first position towards said second position responsive to lumber accumulated on said spanning members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 6 and wherein said takeout conveyor comprises a plurality of endless side-by-side belts and each said spanning member is movable to a second position below and to the side of said endless belts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said cable supports prevent movement of said lumber on said lower takeout conveyor when connected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said cable supports form sidewalls for said lumber-accumulating bins.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3080052A
Cited
US3255895A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |