US3990937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminated beam press
Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
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Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1976-11-09
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Expires: 1995-12-08
Abstract
Abstract In a laminated beam press apparatus a predetermined number of wooden members are conveyed through an adhesive spreader and then are individually transferred laterally into a re-orienting transfer conveyor. The re-orienting transfer conveyor is then moved vertically downward to deposit the collected wooden pieces in a press section. The press platens are closed in order to cure the beam. After curing, the press is open and the re-orienting transfer conveyor then moves vertically upward through the press section, thereby removing the laminated beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Knowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:10
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27M; B27M3/00; B27M3/0013; B27M3/0026; B27M3/0033; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1749; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1761; Y10T156/1798
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A laminated beam press apparatus comprising: means to selectively spread adhesive on the top of a plurality of individual elongated members, in horizontal orientation; a vertically movable re-orienting transfer conveyor, comprising: means to pick a predetermined number of said individual members from the generally horizontal orientation and transfer them to a substantially vertical side-by-side orientation, and means to move the members in their vertical orientation downwardly to a position where they rest atop a substantially horizontally supporting surface; a press section having at least two laterally opposed platens extending longitudinally in close proximity to the supporting surface and movable laterally relative to each other in order to bring the members into a pressed relationship; and means to open the platens after pressing and remove the laminated beam from the press section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A laminated beam press apparatus comprising: means to selectively spread adhesive on the top of a plurality of individual elongated members, in horizontal orientation; a vertically movable re-orienting transfer conveyor, comprising: means to pick a predetermined number of said individual members from the generally horizontal orientation and transfer them to a substantially vertical side-by-side orientation, and means to move the members in their vertical orientation downwardly to a position where they rest atop a substantially horizontally supporting surface; a press section having at least two laterally opposed platens extending longitudinally in close proximity to the supporting surface and movable laterally relative to each other in order to bring the members into a pressed relationship; and means to open the platens after pressing and remove the laminated beam from the press section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 in which the means to pick and transfer the members from a horizontal to a vertical orientation is comprised of a plurality of pickup fingers extending outwardly from the transfer conveyor and which are indexed around so as to pick individual elongated members off of one side of a lateral transfer conveyor and carry them to a vertical orientation within the re-orienting transfer conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 in which the means to move the elongated members downwardly is comprised of an actuating cylinder attached to the re-orienting transfer conveyor adapted to move the transfer coveyor to a vertical position below the supporting surface and then back to a position for picking more members from the horizontal orientation and transferring them to a vertical orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 in which the press section is comprised of pairs of opposed platens extending longitudinally the length of the supporting surface which each pair having an actuating cylinder to open and close the pair.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 in which the means to remove the beam from the press section is comprised of the top edges of the pickup fingers as the re-orienting transfer conveyor moves vertically upward through the press section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 further including an outfeed conveyor that is generally in the same horizontal plane as that along the top edges of the pickup fingers and adjacent thereto when the re-orienting transfer conveyor is in its uppermost position arranged and adapted to accept a laminated beam as the pickup fingers are caused to move laterally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 further including a plurality of pivotal arm members spaced longitudinally along the press section arranged and adapted to be pivoted in order to overlie the members within the press section so as to hold and constrain the members during pressing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 further including a second laminated beam press apparatus positioned opposite the other side of the lateral transfer conveyor.
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) | 1979-11-09 | 1980-05-10 | 1980-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-09 | 1984-05-10 | 1984-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-09 | 1988-05-10 | 1988-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |