Automatic cut-off saw

Claim 1

A cut-off saw mechanism comprising a machine bed over which lumber pieces to be cut to predetermined length are adapted to be fed, a cut-off saw structure on the bed movable between cutting and inactive positions, power means connected with the saw structure to move it between said positions, a sensing element in the path of movement of lumber pieces across said bed operatively connected with said power means and dictating the operation of the latter, a feed roller for lumber pieces moving across said bed shiftable into and out of active engagement with said pieces and a cooperating lumber clamping brake element shiftable with the feed roller, an operating linkage for said feed roller and brake element common to both, a movable operator connected directly with the movable saw structure and operated by movement of the latter and having a connection with said linkage, whereby movement of the saw structure to said inactive position will shift the feed roller and the brake element to lumber feeding and release pOsitions, respectively, and movement of the saw structure to the cutting position will shift the feed roller and brake element to non-feeding and holding positions, respectively, said machine bed having a hinged section immediately upstream from said sensing element and a lumber piece engaging hammer above said hinged section, a second operating linkage connected with the hinged bed section and hammer and common to both and said movable operator connected with said second operating linkage in such a manner that the final movement of said saw structure toward the cutting position will cause the second linkage to swing the hinged bed section to a lumber dumping position and to simultaneously move said hammer into contact with the lumber piece just cut to length.