US3737053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lumber stacking apparatus
Assignee: Coe Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-01-03
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A lumber stacking apparatus is described for successively depositing layers of boards one on top of another to form a stack in which each board in a layer is horizontally spaced to enable the boards to be efficiently dried in a subsequent drying operation. The apparatus has a forked layer support means with projecting arms that receive and successively transport the layers over a stacking station and in front of a stripping means. The arms are lowered over the stack and then pulled back past the stripping means to strip the layer from the arms and onto the stack. The stripping means has an abutment surface that is inclined to shift the layer sideways as the arms are pulled back to space the boards as they are dropped from the arms.
Inventors
- 👤 S Lunden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/16; B65G57/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a lumber stacking apparatus for successively depositing layers of boards one on top of another to form a stack, a board separating means for horizontally spacing the boards as they are deposited on the stack, comprising: a layer support means having an inclined surface for receiving and supporting a layer thereon, in which the layer support means is horizontally movable for moving the layer support surface from a first position overlying the stack to a second position to one side of the stack; a stripping means adjacent the one side of the stack having an inclined abutment surface angularly oriented at a vertical angle to the horizontal for projecting into the path of the layer supported on the inclined layer support surface as the layer support surface moves from the first position to the second position; a drive means operatively connected to the layer support means for moving the layer support means in a horizontal plane from the first position to the second position to move the board supported on the layer support means closest to the one side against the inclined abutment surface to strip the layer from the inclined support surface while simultaneously progressively moving said closest boArd along the inclined abutment surface toward the one side as the layer is being stripped to progressively shift the layer horizontally toward the one side to space each board as each board is deposited onto the stack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a lumber stacking apparatus for successively depositing layers of boards one on top of another to form a stack, a board separating means for horizontally spacing the boards as they are deposited on the stack, comprising: a layer support means having an inclined surface for receiving and supporting a layer thereon, in which the layer support means is horizontally movable for moving the layer support surface from a first position overlying the stack to a second position to one side of the stack; a stripping means adjacent the one side of the stack having an inclined abutment surface angularly oriented at a vertical angle to the horizontal for projecting into the path of the layer supported on the inclined layer support surface as the layer support surface moves from the first position to the second position; a drive means operatively connected to the layer support means for moving the layer support means in a horizontal plane from the first position to the second position to move the board supported on the layer support means closest to the one side against the inclined abutment surface to strip the layer from the inclined support surface while simultaneously progressively moving said closest boArd along the inclined abutment surface toward the one side as the layer is being stripped to progressively shift the layer horizontally toward the one side to space each board as each board is deposited onto the stack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a lumber stacking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the vertical inclined angle of the abutment surface is adjustable to vary the horizontal spacing between the boards.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the lumber stacking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the layer support means includes wedge-shaped arms having an inclined top surface defining the support surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
In the layer stacking apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the stripping means includes stripping arms positioned between the wedge-shaped arms having an inclined surface facing the stack defining the abutment surface in which the abutment surface is oriented at a vertical angle in relation to the inclined support surface that is greater than the vertical angle of the abutment surface to the horizontal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the lumber stacking apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the stripping means has drive means for automatically incrementally raising the abutment surface after each layer of boards is placed on the stack in preparation for stripping a succeeding layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
238 words
A lumber stacking apparatus for successively depositing layers of boards one on top of another to form a stack, with boards being horizontally spaced, comprising: a framework adjacent a side of the stack; a forked layer support means having extending arms in which the forked layer support means is horizontally movably mounted on said framework for moving forward with the arms extending over the stack and for moving rearward in a horizontal plane with plane with the arms retracted, in which the arms have downwardly inclined support surfaces for receiving and supporting a layer of boards thereon; a power drive means operatively connected to the forked layer support means for selectively moving the forked layer support means forward and rearward over the stack; a stripping means mounted on a framework adjacent to one side of the stack having abutment surface spaced between the arms and projecting into the path of the layer supported on the inclined support surface as the forked layer support means is moved rearward to strip the layer off the support surface and onto the stack; in which the abutment surface is oriented at an inclined vertical angle in relationship to the horizontal to cause the board closest to the side of the stack to move horizontally as the layer is being stripped, to progressively shift the layer horizontally toward the one side to space the boards as the boards are deposited upon the stack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
238 words
A lumber stacking apparatus for successively depositing layers of boards one on top of another to form a stack, with boards being horizontally spaced, comprising: a framework adjacent a side of the stack; a forked layer support means having extending arms in which the forked layer support means is horizontally movably mounted on said framework for moving forward with the arms extending over the stack and for moving rearward in a horizontal plane with plane with the arms retracted, in which the arms have downwardly inclined support surfaces for receiving and supporting a layer of boards thereon; a power drive means operatively connected to the forked layer support means for selectively moving the forked layer support means forward and rearward over the stack; a stripping means mounted on a framework adjacent to one side of the stack having abutment surface spaced between the arms and projecting into the path of the layer supported on the inclined support surface as the forked layer support means is moved rearward to strip the layer off the support surface and onto the stack; in which the abutment surface is oriented at an inclined vertical angle in relationship to the horizontal to cause the board closest to the side of the stack to move horizontally as the layer is being stripped, to progressively shift the layer horizontally toward the one side to space the boards as the boards are deposited upon the stack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
175 words
A lumber stacking apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the stripping means includes a cross frame carrying said abutment surface that is vertically movable adjacent to one side of the stack and wherein the power drive means moves the arms over the cross frame when the forked layer support means is moved forward and wherein the forked layer support means is also mounted for moving downward when the arms are fully extended and for moving upward when the arms are fully retracted and wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive means operatively connected to the forked layer support means for moving the extended arm downward to position the supported layer immediately above the stack in front of the abutment surface and for moving the retracted arms upward to receive a succeeding layer; and a control means responsive to the lowering of the supported layer immediately above the stack to activate the power drive means to retract the arms rearward past the abutment surfaces to strip the layer from the arms and onto the stack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
A lumber stacking apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising: board stops mounted on the framework adjacent the side of the stack; inclined gravity rollers mounted on the framework for conveying boards by gravity toward the stops to form a layer on thE framework; feed means for successively feeding boards onto the gravity roller; and means responsive to the movement of the forked layer support means for tilting the arms upward above the gravity rollers as the forked layer support means is moved forward to pick up a layer from the gravity rollers and raise the supported layer above the stops and carrying the supported layer forward over the stack and in front of the stops.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |