Patent US3828928A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3828928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Log-sorting apparatus
Assignee: KOCKUMS CANCAR CORP KING STREET AND COCHRAN AVE TALLADEGA AL A CORP OF
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A log-sorting apparatus includes a trough conveyor having a continuously driven endless chain moving closely spaced logs endwise past several sorting stations spaced along the conveyor. Kicker arm devices at one side of the conveyor at each station rotate across the log path to push a selected log from the opposite side thereof. The displaced log engages both a backstop and an endstop which limit its lateral and endwise movement and deflect it downwardly to an appropriate cross conveyor. Each kicker arm device has a pair of horizontal kicker arms radiating in opposite directions from a common vertical shaft. In their inactive conditions, the arms extend alongside the conveyor. When activated by the presence of a selected log, the shaft rotates through one-half a revolution so that only one of the two arms of each device swings horizontally across the conveyor to push the selected log therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 O Roderick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:00
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
In a system for conveying logs or other objects along a conveyor path, apparatus for removing said objects laterally from said conveyor path at predetermined stations along said path, said means comprising: kicker arm means at one side of said conveyor path at one of said stations, means for moving said kicker arm means unidirectionally in a curved path through a complete kicking cycle from said one side across said conveyor path and back to said one side of said conveyor path without retracing said curved path as an object travels along said conveyor path through said one station and while said arm means moves in a plane of said conveyor path to engage a side of said object and push said object from an opposite side of said conveyor path at said one station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a system for conveying logs or other objects along a conveyor path, apparatus for removing said objects laterally from said conveyor path at predetermined stations along said path, said means comprising: kicker arm means at one side of said conveyor path at one of said stations, means for moving said kicker arm means unidirectionally in a curved path through a complete kicking cycle from said one side across said conveyor path and back to said one side of said conveyor path without retracing said curved path as an object travels along said conveyor path through said one station and while said arm means moves in a plane of said conveyor path to engage a side of said object and push said object from an opposite side of said conveyor path at said one station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said kicker arm means has only a unidirectional rotary motion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said kicker arm means comprises a kicker arm rotatable through said conveyor path about an axis normal to said conveyor path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both said curved path of said kicker arm means and said conveyor path lie in a common generally horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said kicker arm means comprises a kicker arm rotatable about a substantially vertical axis at said one side of said conveyor path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including backstop means positioned on the opposite side of said conveyor path from said kicker arm means in a position for limiting the lateral movement of objects displaced from said conveyor path by said kicker arm means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said backstop means includes an object-confronting face portion extending alongside and parallel to said conveyor path and normal to the direction of displacement of objects from said path, said face portion being biased to a position closely adjacent said conveyor path but being mounted for momentary rearward displacement away from said conveyor path upon being engaged by an object displaced form said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to calim 7 including end stop means positioned on the opposite side of said conveyor path from said kicker means and at the downstream end of said backstop means, in a position for limiting the downstream travel of objects alongside said conveyor path upon displacement of said objects from said conveyor path by said kicker means and rearward displacement of said backstop means, said endstop means having a face portion for engaging the leading end of of a displaced object, said endstop face portion facing in a direction upstream of said conveyor path and normal to said backstop face portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to calim 7 including end stop means positioned on the opposite side of said conveyor path from said kicker means and at the downstream end of said backstop means, in a position for limiting the downstream travel of objects alongside said conveyor path upon displacement of said objects from said conveyor path by said kicker means and rearward displacement of said backstop means, said endstop means having a face portion for engaging the leading end of of a displaced object, said endstop face portion facing in a direction upstream of said conveyor path and normal to said backstop face portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including end stop means positioned on the opposite side of said conveyor path from said kicker means and downstream of and adjacent to said backstop means in a position for limiting the downstream travel of objects alongside said conveyor path upon displacement of said objects from said conveyor path by said kicker means and after engagement with said backstop means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for removing logs or other objects from a conveyor path comprising; a kicker arm means mounted at one side of a conveyor path for rotation about an axis normal to said arm and said path, said arm means extending in a plane of said conveyor path, said arm means being of sufficient length to extend across said path upon rotation thereof about said axis, and means for rotating said arm means about said axis so as to move said arm means in one direction of rotation only from said one side of said path across said path and back to said one side for displacing an object from an opposite side of said path during rotational movement of said kicker arm means across said conveyor path.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for removing logs or other objects from a conveyor path comprising; a kicker arm means mounted at one side of a conveyor path for rotation about an axis normal to said arm and said path, said arm means extending in a plane of said conveyor path, said arm means being of sufficient length to extend across said path upon rotation thereof about said axis, and means for rotating said arm means about said axis so as to move said arm means in one direction of rotation only from said one side of said path across said path and back to said one side for displacing an object from an opposite side of said path during rotational movement of said kicker arm means across said conveyor path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein said conveyor path is generally horizontal and said axis of rotation is generally vertical so that said arm means moves in a generally horizontal plane across said conveyor path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein said arm means extends alongside said conveyor path in the inactive condition of said arm means and rotates through a partial revolution across said path during one operating cycle of said arm means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein there is a pair of said arm means spaced apart along said one side of said conveyor path, said rotating means being operable to rotate both said arm means simultaneously across said conveyor path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein there are a pair of said arm means positioned along said one side of sAid conveyor path near one another, each said arm means of said pair including two kicker arms radiating in opposite directions from a common central shaft rotatable about said axis, said two arms of each arm means of said pair extending alongside said conveyor path in the inactive condition of said pair, said rotating means being operable to rotate one kicker arm of both said arm means simultaneously across said path during one operating cycle of said pair.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said one kicker arm of both arm means moves in the same rotational direction across said conveyor path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said kicker arms of both arm means of said pair move in the same rotational direction across said path, said rotational direction being in the general direction of movement of objects along said conveyor path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the rotational direction of movement of said arm means across said path is in the general direction of movement of objects along said path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system for conveying logs or other objects along a conveyor path, apparatus for removing said objects laterally from said conveyor path at predetermined stations along said path, said means comprising: kicker means at one side of said conveyor path, means for moving said kicker means unidirectionally in a curved path from said one side across said conveyor path and back to said one side of said path while moving in a plane of said conveyor path to push an object from an opposite side of said conveyor path, said kicker means following an arcuate path of at least approximately 180* in passing from said one side of said path across said conveyor and back to said one side.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system for conveying logs or other objects along a conveyor path, apparatus for removing said objects laterally from said conveyor path at predetermined stations along said path, said means comprising: kicker means at one side of said conveyor path, means for moving said kicker means unidirectionally in a curved path from said one side across said conveyor path and back to said one side of said path while moving in a plane of said conveyor path to push an object from an opposite side of said conveyor path, said kicker means following an arcuate path of at least approximately 180* in passing from said one side of said path across said conveyor and back to said one side.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for removing logs or objects from a conveyor path comprising: a kicker arm means mounted at one side of a conveyor path for rotation about an axis normal to said arm and said path, said arm means extending in a plane of said conveyor path, said arm means being of sufficient length to extend across said path upon rotation thereof about said axis, and means for rotating said arm means about said axis so as to move said arm means from said one side of said path across said path and back to said one side for displacing an object from an opposite side of said path, said arm means comprising a pair of kicker arms radiating in opposite directions from a common central shaft rotatable about said axis.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for removing logs or objects from a conveyor path comprising: a kicker arm means mounted at one side of a conveyor path for rotation about an axis normal to said arm and said path, said arm means extending in a plane of said conveyor path, said arm means being of sufficient length to extend across said path upon rotation thereof about said axis, and means for rotating said arm means about said axis so as to move said arm means from said one side of said path across said path and back to said one side for displacing an object from an opposite side of said path, said arm means comprising a pair of kicker arms radiating in opposite directions from a common central shaft rotatable about said axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
94 words
A log-sorting apparatus comprising: conveyor means for conveying logs endwise along a conveyor path, kicker arm means at each station on one side of said path for displacing a log traveling in said path laterally to the opposite side of said path, kicker-operating means for moving said kicker arm means in a plane of said conveyor path from an inactive position at said one side unidirectionally in a curved kicker path across said conveyor path and back to said one side without retracing said kicker path to push a log from said opposite side.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
94 words
A log-sorting apparatus comprising: conveyor means for conveying logs endwise along a conveyor path, kicker arm means at each station on one side of said path for displacing a log traveling in said path laterally to the opposite side of said path, kicker-operating means for moving said kicker arm means in a plane of said conveyor path from an inactive position at said one side unidirectionally in a curved kicker path across said conveyor path and back to said one side without retracing said kicker path to push a log from said opposite side.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 including log-sensing means at each said station for detecting the presence of a log on said conveyor means at said station and activating said kicker-operating means upon sensing the presence of a selected log.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 including backstop means at each station on the opposite side of said conveyor path from said kicker means for limiting the lateral travel of a log from said conveyor means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 including end stop means at each station on said opposite sides of said conveyor path near a downstream end of said backstop means for limiting the endwise travel of a log displaced from said conveyor path by said kicker means and engaged by said endstop means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said kicker means at each station includes a kicker arm mounted for rotation about an axis normal to said conveyor path and offset to one side of Said conveyor path, said arm having a length sufficient to extend across said conveyor path upon rotation of said arm and being rotatable in one direction only across said path, said direction corresponding to the general direction of travel of logs along said conveyor path.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said kicker means at each station includes at least two kicker arms mounted for rotation about separate, parallel axes normal to said conveyor path, said kicker-operating means being operable to rotate said arms simultaneously across said conveyor path.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said kicker means at each station includes a pair of rotary kicker arm devices, each kicker arm device of a pair including two kicker arms radiating in opposite directions from a common central shaft having an axis of rotation normal to said conveyor path, said two kicker arms of each said device extending alongside said conveyor path in the inactive condition of said kicker-operating means, said kicker-operating means being operable to rotate said central shafts of said pair simultaneously through a one-half revolution during each operating cycle to rotate one arm of each said device of said pair simultaneously across said conveyor path.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
120 words
A log-sorting apparatus comprising: conveyor means for conveying logs endwise along a conveyor path, a log-sorting station positioned along said conveyor path, a kicker means at said station including at least one kicker arm movable across said conveyor path during the presence of a log at said station to displace a log moving along said path laterally to one side of said path at said station, and log-limiting means at said station on said one side of said path for limiting lateral sidewise and endwise movement of a log displaced from said path at said station, said kicker arm being sufficiently long such that it maintains engagement with a displaced log at least until said log engages said log-limiting means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
120 words
A log-sorting apparatus comprising: conveyor means for conveying logs endwise along a conveyor path, a log-sorting station positioned along said conveyor path, a kicker means at said station including at least one kicker arm movable across said conveyor path during the presence of a log at said station to displace a log moving along said path laterally to one side of said path at said station, and log-limiting means at said station on said one side of said path for limiting lateral sidewise and endwise movement of a log displaced from said path at said station, said kicker arm being sufficiently long such that it maintains engagement with a displaced log at least until said log engages said log-limiting means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said log-limiting means defines a generally vertically extending pocket at said station bounded by a sidewall and a downstream end wall for receiving and aligning logs displaced from said path.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said log-limiting means includes a backstop means operable to limit lateral sidewise travel of a log from said path, said backstop means including a log-confronting face portion extending alongside and parallel to said conveyor path and biased to a position closely adjacent to said conveyor path at the vertical level of said path for guiding a log in its endwise downstream travel following its displacement, said face portion being mounted for limited rearward movement upon engagement by a displaced log to enable the displaced log to drop downwardly between said face means and said conveyor path, and endstop means operable to limit downstream endwise movement of a log after said log engages said backstop means, said endstop means including a face portion normal to said backstop face portion for engaging and stopping the downstream endwise travel of a displaced log along said backstop face portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |