US3811487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic sawmill
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-10-19
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1991-10-19
Abstract
Abstract In an automatic sawmill, a caliper device measures the diameter of an incoming log and the log is then positioned against a pair of backstands over a log receiving carriage. A plurality of cutting devices are positioned relative to the carriage, and the speed control for the carriage is predetermined, in response to the log diameter. The diameter measurement is supplied to data processing circuitry which provides outputs indicative of ''''sets'''' to be taken by the aforementioned backstands and cutting devices for sawing the log into a number of cants, boards, or slabs in a manner making optimum use of the log content.
Inventors
- 👤 R Brewster
- 👤 L Warren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:01
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27B; B27B31/00; B27B31/08; B27B1/00; B27B13/00; B27B29/00; B27B29/08; B27B29/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
The method of operating an automated sawmill having plural cutting means, said method comprising: measuring a given tapered log presented for sawing, providing in response to such measurement a plurality of cutting instructions corresponding to the log size measured, describing for such log size, a center cant as well as one or more additional boards permitted by the log diameter, starting at a datum plane proximate and parallel to one side of said log and at an angle with respect to the other side of said log, wherein said instructions approximately centrally locate a cant parallel to said datum plane and said additional boards parallel thereto with symmetry and board thicknesses determined according to predetermined increments of thickness and width which can be accommodated within the log diameter, establishing relative positioning between said given log and said cutting means and the symmetry of said log relative to said cutting means according to said cutting instructions in correct alignment for implementing the same, and propelling said log through said cutting means in a direction parallel to said one side of said log.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
The method of operating an automated sawmill having plural cutting means, said method comprising: measuring a given tapered log presented for sawing, providing in response to such measurement a plurality of cutting instructions corresponding to the log size measured, describing for such log size, a center cant as well as one or more additional boards permitted by the log diameter, starting at a datum plane proximate and parallel to one side of said log and at an angle with respect to the other side of said log, wherein said instructions approximately centrally locate a cant parallel to said datum plane and said additional boards parallel thereto with symmetry and board thicknesses determined according to predetermined increments of thickness and width which can be accommodated within the log diameter, establishing relative positioning between said given log and said cutting means and the symmetry of said log relative to said cutting means according to said cutting instructions in correct alignment for implementing the same, and propelling said log through said cutting means in a direction parallel to said one side of said log.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
221 words
The method of operating an automated sawmill to cut tapered logs, said sawmill having plural cutting means wherein said automated sawmill is provided with memory capabilities, said method comprising: storing in memory a plurality of cutting measurements corresponding to a plurality of log diameters describing, for each such diameter, at least a center cant of given thickness, as well as one or more additional boards of predetermined thicknesses on either side of said center cant within the log diameter starting in sequence from a datum plane parallel to one side of said log and at an angle with respect to the other side of said log, said cant and board being parallel to said datum plane, wherein said measurements place the center cant near the log center, while varying the number, size, symmetry of arrangement, and sequence of said boards in predetermined increments according to the combination which can be accommodated within the log diameter, measuring a given diameter of a given tapered log presented for sawing, and in response thereto accessing corresponding log cutting measurements from memory, relatively positioning said given log and said cutting means according to the cutting measurements accessed, in correct alignment for implementing said cutting measurements, and propelling said log through said cutting means in a direction parallel to the said one side of said log.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
221 words
The method of operating an automated sawmill to cut tapered logs, said sawmill having plural cutting means wherein said automated sawmill is provided with memory capabilities, said method comprising: storing in memory a plurality of cutting measurements corresponding to a plurality of log diameters describing, for each such diameter, at least a center cant of given thickness, as well as one or more additional boards of predetermined thicknesses on either side of said center cant within the log diameter starting in sequence from a datum plane parallel to one side of said log and at an angle with respect to the other side of said log, said cant and board being parallel to said datum plane, wherein said measurements place the center cant near the log center, while varying the number, size, symmetry of arrangement, and sequence of said boards in predetermined increments according to the combination which can be accommodated within the log diameter, measuring a given diameter of a given tapered log presented for sawing, and in response thereto accessing corresponding log cutting measurements from memory, relatively positioning said given log and said cutting means according to the cutting measurements accessed, in correct alignment for implementing said cutting measurements, and propelling said log through said cutting means in a direction parallel to the said one side of said log.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said increments comprise nominal 2-inch and 1-inch thicknesses, with 2-inch thickness cutting instructions being given in first priority as the diameter of the log permits, and wherein the allocation of such increments on either side of said center cant is selected in such manner as to prevent as much imbalance in center cant position as would decrease the total board feet output or necessitate remanufacturing due to edge curvature of the center cant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 2 further including charging the log transversely toward the sawmill to a position for carrying out the said cutting measurements as regards positioning of the center cant, and further positioning at least one of said cutting means relative to the center cant to provide thickness spacing relative to said center cant for sawing said one or more additional boards.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The method according to claim 2 including charging spaced locations on said log transversely toward said sawmill substantially independently of one another to positions in equal spaced relation to the center line of the sawmill in order to locate one side of said log in parallel relation with respect to said sawmill center line so the log can then be propelled through said cutting means in a direction parallel to the said one side of said log, said positions being established according to the said cutting measurements for positioning said log relative to at least one of said cutting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 2 including sawing and chipping said log wIth cutting means according to said cutting measurements.
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) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |