US4068695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for cutting wood
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-04
•
Granted: 1978-01-17
•
Expires: 1996-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is shown for cutting logs into lumber by first cutting the logs into elongated wedge-shaped segments and then cutting the segments into boards. A pair of opposed spaced-apart chucks grip the ends of the log, and a saw mounted on a carriage makes longitudinal and radial cuts approximately to the center line of the log. The log is rotated incrementally by the chucks between cuts to produce the wedge-shaped segments. After all cuts have been made, the chucks release the segments and the segments are then resawn into boards.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Kenneth Seaman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:54
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27B; B27B5/00; B27B5/16; B27B5/18; B27B1/00; B27B1/005; B27B29/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/4607; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/654; Y10T83/6545; Y10T83/6547; Y10T83/6561; Y10T83/6667; Y10T83/768; Y10T83/7684; Y10T83/7693
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of cutting a log into lumber comprising: gripping opposed end portions of the log at a plurality of spaced-apart intervals by longitudinally compressing the log between a pair of opposed chucks, the chucks having radially extending blades for gripping the log; cutting the log radially and longitudinally between said spaced-apart intervals to form a plurality of wedge-shaped elongated segments; holding the segments at said spaced-apart intervals with said chuck blades to prevent relative movement between the segments; and releasing the segments after all said cuts have been made.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of cutting a log into lumber comprising: gripping opposed end portions of the log at a plurality of spaced-apart intervals by longitudinally compressing the log between a pair of opposed chucks, the chucks having radially extending blades for gripping the log; cutting the log radially and longitudinally between said spaced-apart intervals to form a plurality of wedge-shaped elongated segments; holding the segments at said spaced-apart intervals with said chuck blades to prevent relative movement between the segments; and releasing the segments after all said cuts have been made.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the log is cut by incrementally angularly rotating the log between successive longitudinal and radial cuts, and wherein said rotation is produced by rotating the chucks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 and further comprising the step of resawing the segments into boards after the segments have been released.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for cutting a log into lumber, the apparatus comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced-apart chucks adapted to hold a log longitudinally therebetween by engaging adjacent end portions of the log; b. means operatively coupled to the chucks for causing the chucks to grip and release the log; c. a saw located adjacent to the chucks and adapted to engage and cut the log radially; d. carriage means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative longitudinal movement between the saw and the log to cut the log longitudinally while being cut radially; e. rotational means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative angular rotational movement between the saw and the log between said cuts, so that the log is cut into elongated wedge-shaped segments by rotating the log between said cuts; and f. the chucks including a plurality of projections in the form of radially extending angularly spaced-apart blades adapted to partially penetrate the segment ends to prevent relative movement therebetween, thereby permitting the saw to pass partially through the chucks to complete the longitudinal cuts in the log.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for cutting a log into lumber, the apparatus comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced-apart chucks adapted to hold a log longitudinally therebetween by engaging adjacent end portions of the log; b. means operatively coupled to the chucks for causing the chucks to grip and release the log; c. a saw located adjacent to the chucks and adapted to engage and cut the log radially; d. carriage means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative longitudinal movement between the saw and the log to cut the log longitudinally while being cut radially; e. rotational means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative angular rotational movement between the saw and the log between said cuts, so that the log is cut into elongated wedge-shaped segments by rotating the log between said cuts; and f. the chucks including a plurality of projections in the form of radially extending angularly spaced-apart blades adapted to partially penetrate the segment ends to prevent relative movement therebetween, thereby permitting the saw to pass partially through the chucks to complete the longitudinal cuts in the log.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the carriage means is coupled to the saw to move the saw longitudinally relative to the log, and wherein said rotational means is coupled to the chucks, so that rotation of the chucks causes the log to rotate relative to the saw.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the saw is adapted to cut the log radially to the central axis of the log.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotational means includes means for producing predetermined incremental angular movement of the log relative to the saw between cuts, the incremental angular movement being proportional to the number of segments produced from the log.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said rotational means includes means for producing predetermined incremental angular movement of the log relative to the saw between cuts, the incremental angular movement being proportional to the number of segments produced from the log.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and further comprising resawing apparatus for cutting the wedge-shaped segments into boards.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for cutting a log into lumber, the apparatus comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced-apart chucks adapted to hold a log longitudinally therebetween by engaging adjacent end portions of the log; b. means operatively coupled to the chucks for causing the chucks to grip and release the log; c. a saw located adjacent to the chucks and adapted to engage and cut the log radially; d. carriage means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative longitudinal movement between the saw and the log to cut the log longitudinally while being cut radially; e. rotational means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative angular rotational movement between the saw and the log between said cuts, so that the log is cut into elongated wedge-shaped segments by rotating the log between said cuts; f. the chucks including a plurality of angularly spaced-apart projections adapted to partially penetrate the segment ends to prevent relative movement therebetween; and g. the chucks including a hub having elastic spacer means located therein for enabling the chuck to pivot and align with the end portions of the log.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for cutting a log into lumber, the apparatus comprising: a. a pair of opposed spaced-apart chucks adapted to hold a log longitudinally therebetween by engaging adjacent end portions of the log; b. means operatively coupled to the chucks for causing the chucks to grip and release the log; c. a saw located adjacent to the chucks and adapted to engage and cut the log radially; d. carriage means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative longitudinal movement between the saw and the log to cut the log longitudinally while being cut radially; e. rotational means operatively coupled to one of the saw and the chucks for producing relative angular rotational movement between the saw and the log between said cuts, so that the log is cut into elongated wedge-shaped segments by rotating the log between said cuts; f. the chucks including a plurality of angularly spaced-apart projections adapted to partially penetrate the segment ends to prevent relative movement therebetween; and g. the chucks including a hub having elastic spacer means located therein for enabling the chuck to pivot and align with the end portions of the log.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1908713A
Cited
US2695044A
Cited
US3388729A
Cited
US3448780A
Cited
US3920058A
Cited
US3946774A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-16 | 1981-07-18 | 1982-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-16 | 1985-07-18 | 1986-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-16 | 1989-07-18 | 1990-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |