US3826164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel cutting method and apparatus
Assignee: WETOMA CORP
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Filing: 1972-11-15
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract This is a method and apparatus for cutting accurately sized panels, for example, from sheets of particleboard, hardboard, fiberboard, plywood, plastics and other panel material, to be used in furniture making, home building, cabinets, etc. The method and apparatus are concerned with improving the speed and efficiency of existing machines and include what is referred to as cascade gauging on a machine with either one or two axis of movement.
Inventors
- 👤 J Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:22
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23D; B23D47/00; B23D47/04; B23D47/042; B27; B27B; B27B5/00; B27B5/02; B27B5/06; B27B5/061; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0448; Y10T83/0476; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/4577; Y10T83/4579; Y10T83/462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side-by-side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, and varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side-by-side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, and varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of grasping the rear marginal edges of the stacks and affecting feeding of the various stacks from the grasped rear marginal edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of causing all of the strip stacks to be cut to stop at the saw line at the same time at the end of each feeding step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of feeding those strip stacks that are not to be fed a short distance forwardly at the beginning of a feeding step for the other strip stacks and then reverse feeding them a somewhat greater distance so that during the next saw cut the rear edge of the nonfed already cut panels and the forward edge of the nonfed strip stacks will be spaced somewhat from the saw line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an apparatus for differentially feeding individual strip stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips, a table defining an axis, means for feeding a plurality of strip stacks in side by side relation along the axis, a saw station toward one end where a saw is arranged to take lateral cuts across the axis, means for feeding the strip stacks predetermined steps to the saw line and means for varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks at the saw line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an apparatus for differentially feeding individual strip stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips, a table defining an axis, means for feeding a plurality of strip stacks in side by side relation along the axis, a saw station toward one end where a saw is arranged to take lateral cuts across the axis, means for feeding the strip stacks predetermined steps to the saw line and means for varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks at the saw line.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of differentially feeding and cutting a plurality of strip stacks to form variously sized panels, including the step of positioning all of the strip stacks in side by side relation on a plane surface for movement in a defined direction to a crosscutting station, providing an upright along an edge of the support extending in the defined direction, biasing all strip stacks from time to time laterally against the upright, and positioning the strip stack that is to receive the most crosscut next to the upright.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of differentially feeding and cutting a plurality of strip stacks to form variously sized panels, including the step of positioning all of the strip stacks in side by side relation on a plane surface for movement in a defined direction to a crosscutting station, providing an upright along an edge of the support extending in the defined direction, biasing all strip stacks from time to time laterally against the upright, and positioning the strip stack that is to receive the most crosscut next to the upright.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 further characterized by and including the step of arranging the strip staCks laterally from the upright in descending order according to the number of crosscuts to be taken in each.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of feeding and cutting a plurality of elongated strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning a first group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking crosscuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, and feeding all of the strip stacks in the second group to and through the saw line without cutting to fully eject the first group from the saw line area.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of feeding and cutting a plurality of elongated strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning a first group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking crosscuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, and feeding all of the strip stacks in the second group to and through the saw line without cutting to fully eject the first group from the saw line area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 8 further characterized by and including the step of slowing the feeding of the second group just prior to contact with the rear marginal edge of the first group so that the second group will not be traveling at full feeding speed when contact is made.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9 further characterized by and including the step of resuming full feeding speed of the second group thereafter so that the second group will be accelerating when contact is made.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 8 further characterized by and including the steps of stopping the feeding of the second group just prior to contact with the rear marginal edge of the first group, and resuming feeding of the second group thereafter so that the second group will be accelerating when contact is made.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8 further characterized by and including the step of varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks in the group.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of forming accurately dimensioned panels from sheets of material, including the steps of positioning a number of sheets in a stack, feeding the stack along a first axis in predetermined steps to a first crosscutting station, cutting the stack laterally at the first cutting station after each step into a plurality of side by side laterally disposed strip stacks, thereafter feeding the side by side strip stacks laterally along a second axis to a second crosscutting station, cutting the strip stacks at the second cutting station in a direction lateral to the second axis, and varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks at the second cutting station.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of forming accurately dimensioned panels from sheets of material, including the steps of positioning a number of sheets in a stack, feeding the stack along a first axis in predetermined steps to a first crosscutting station, cutting the stack laterally at the first cutting station after each step into a plurality of side by side laterally disposed strip stacks, thereafter feeding the side by side strip stacks laterally along a second axis to a second crosscutting station, cutting the strip stacks at the second cutting station in a direction lateral to the second axis, and varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks at the second cutting station.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, providing a plurality of individual feeding units spaced laterally across the defined path, engaging the strip stacks with the feeding units to affect feeding thereof, rendering inoperative those feeding units that are either aligned with the longitudinal edges of the strip stack or spaced so as not to engage any of the stacks, affecting feeding of the strip stacks by the feeding unit that are operative, and dry cycling the inoperative units at the same time so that the wear pattern on all feeding units will be the same.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, providing a plurality of individual feeding units spaced laterally across the defined path, engaging the strip stacks with the feeding units to affect feeding thereof, rendering inoperative those feeding units that are either aligned with the longitudinal edges of the strip stack or spaced so as not to engage any of the stacks, affecting feeding of the strip stacks by the feeding unit that are operative, and dry cycling the inoperative units at the same time so that the wear pattern on all feeding units will be the same.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, and causing all strip stacks that are to be cut to arrive and stop at the saw line at the same time at the end of each feeding step.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, and causing all strip stacks that are to be cut to arrive and stop at the saw line at the same time at the end of each feeding step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 15 further characterized by and incLuding the step of stopping all of the stacks being fed a certain distance short of the saw line until all strip stacks being fed have been so stopped, and then feeding all strip stacks together to be cut the certain distance so that they arrive at the saw line at the same time.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, reverse feeding the said one strip stack a small amount after a cut, and feeding the said one strip stack the distance of the predetermined step plus an amount equal to the small reverse feed so that any backlash in the machine members will be offset.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the other so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, reverse feeding the said one strip stack a small amount after a cut, and feeding the said one strip stack the distance of the predetermined step plus an amount equal to the small reverse feed so that any backlash in the machine members will be offset.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of some of the strip stacks relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, reverse feeding the strip stacks a small amount after a cut, and feeding the strip stacks the distance of their individual predetermined steps and, at the end thereof, feeding the strip stacks an additional amount equal to the small reverse feed so that any backlash in the machine members will be offset.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of some of the strip stacks relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, reverse feeding the strip stacks a small amount after a cut, and feeding the strip stacks the distance of their individual predetermined steps and, at the end thereof, feeding the strip stacks an additional amount equal to the small reverse feed so that any backlash in the machine members will be offset.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, feeding a selected strip stack forward a short distance after a cutting step and then reverse feeding it a somewhat greater distance so that the rear edge of its previously cut panel and the forward edge of its remaining strip stack will be spaced somewhat from the saw line, and feeding the other strip stacks through the next feeding step while holding the said one strip stack stationary.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of differentially feeding individual stacks of a plurality of elongated panel strips along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form various sized panels, including the steps of positioning a plurality of the strip stacks side by side with their long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line, varying the amount of feed of at least one strip stack relative to the others so that panels of different sizes will be cut from the various strip stacks, feeding a selected strip stack forward a short distance after a cutting step and then reverse feeding it a somewhat greater distance so that the rear edge of its previously cut panel and the forward edge of its remaining strip stack will be spaced somewhat from the saw line, and feeding the other strip stacks through the next feeding step while holding the said one strip stack stationary.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of feeding a plurality of elongated panel strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form panel stacks, including the steps of positioning at least one strip stack with its long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stack in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts between steps, feeding the strip stack forward a short distance after a cut and then reverse feeding it after a cut so that the rear edge of the previously cut panel will be spaced somewhat from the forward edge of the remaining strip stack so that a gap is created of a certain width at the cut line.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of feeding a plurality of elongated panel strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line at a crosscut station to form panel stacks, including the steps of positioning at least one strip stack with its long dimension in the defined path, feeding the strip stack in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts between steps, feeding the strip stack forward a short distance after a cut and then reverse feeding it after a cut so that the rear edge of the previously cut panel will be spaced somewhat from the forward edge of the remaining strip stack so that a gap is created of a certain width at the cut line.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of feeding and cutting a plurality of elongated strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning a first group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the second group of strip stacks to the saw line, and slowing the feeding of the second group just prior to contact with the rear marginal edge of the first group so that the second group will not be traveling at full feeding speed when contact is made.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of feeding and cutting a plurality of elongated strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning a first group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second group of strip stacks side by side in the defined path, feeding the second group of strip stacks to the saw line, and slowing the feeding of the second group just prior to contact with the rear marginal edge of the first group so that the second group will not be traveling at full feeding speed when contact is made.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 21 further characterized by and including the step of resuming full feeding speed of the second group thereafter so that the second group will be accelerating when contact is made.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 21 further characterized in that the step of slowing the feeding of the second group includes the step of stopping the feeding of the second group just prior to contact with the rear marginal edge of the first group, and resuming feeding of the second group thereafter so that the second group will be accelerating when contact is made.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 21 further characterized by and including the step of feeding all of the strip stacks in the second group to and through the saw line without cutting to fully eject the first group from the saw line area, reverse feeding all of the strip stacks in the second group until they clear the saw line area and then feeding the second group of strip stacks in predetermined steps to the saw line to cut the strip stacks into various size panels.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of feeding and cutting strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning the first strip stack in the defined path, feeding the first strip stack in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second strip stack in the defined path, feeding the second strip stack to and through the saw line without cutting to fully eject the first strip stack panels from the saw line area, and then reverse feed the second strip stack back through the saw line so that crosscut may be taken thereon to form it into panels.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of feeding and cutting strip stacks along a defined path to a saw line to form panels, including the steps of positioning the first strip stack in the defined path, feeding the first strip stack in predetermined steps to the saw line and taking cuts to form the strip stacks into panels, positioning a second strip stack in the defined path, feeding the second strip stack to and through the saw line without cutting to fully eject the first strip stack panels from the saw line area, and then reverse feed the second strip stack back through the saw line so that crosscut may be taken thereon to form it into panels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |