Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise against a planar saw, comprising: (a) means for determining the locations of the ends of the log's center axis in one plane; (b) a computer for electronically determining a theoretical reference line which connects the axis ends with each other; (c) means for determining the location of the log's center axis at a point between the log ends, in said one plane; (d) means for electronically comparing the distance between the last mentioned axis location with the position of the reference line at said point; and (e) means for turning the log until said distance is optimized; whereby a maximum amount of the log axis curvature is disposed in the plane of the saw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise against a planar saw, comprising: (a) means for determining the locations of the ends of the log's center axis in one plane; (b) a computer for electronically determining a theoretical reference line which connects the axis ends with each other; (c) means for determining the location of the log's center axis at a point between the log ends, in said one plane; (d) means for electronically comparing the distance between the last mentioned axis location with the position of the reference line at said point; and (e) means for turning the log until said distance is optimized; whereby a maximum amount of the log axis curvature is disposed in the plane of the saw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, (a) said first-named determining means comprising a pair of scanning cameras disposed to scan the contour lines of the log from above, and the locations of said lines, for transmitting corresponding signals to said computer; (b) said second-named determining means comprising a further camera disposed to scan the contour lines of the log from above at said point for transmitting corresponding signals to said computer; and (c) said turning means being under the control of said computer; whereby said distance is automatically optimized as a minimum distance.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise against a planar saw to minimize the amount of log axis curvature lying out of a plane parallel to the plane of the saw, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the locations of the ends of the log's center axis in one plane; (b) utilizing these locations to electronically determine a theoretical reference line which connects the axis ends with each other; (c) determining the location of the log's center axis in said one plane at a point between the log ends; (d) electronically comparing the distance between the last-mentioned axis location with the position of the reference line at said point; and (e) turning the log until said distance becomes optimized.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise against a planar saw to minimize the amount of log axis curvature lying out of a plane parallel to the plane of the saw, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the locations of the ends of the log's center axis in one plane; (b) utilizing these locations to electronically determine a theoretical reference line which connects the axis ends with each other; (c) determining the location of the log's center axis in said one plane at a point between the log ends; (d) electronically comparing the distance between the last-mentioned axis location with the position of the reference line at said point; and (e) turning the log until said distance becomes optimized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 3 comprising the further steps of: (a) locking the log in the attained rotational position; (b) providing a second reference line which is fixed in relation to the plane of the saw; (c) electronically comparing the position of said theoretical reference line with said second reference line for coincidence; and (d) in response to any lack of coincidence, shifting the ends of the log in a horizontal plane to attain said coincidence.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise along a saw line against a planar saw, comprising the steps of: (a) at a location laterally offset from the saw line, simultaneously electronically scanning the log dimensions and storing such information in a computer; (b) at said location, under the control of the computer, rotating the curved log to place the curvature of the log in a plane parallel to the plane of the saw; (c) locking the rotational position of the log; (d) feeding the log laterally away from said location and generally into the saw line; (e) under the control of the computer and in response to information stored therein, independently adjusting the positions of the ends of the log in a direction transverse to said saw line; and (f) advancing said log endwise to the saw; whereby a second log may be disposed at said location and scanned as soon as the first log has been laterally fed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for adjusting the position of a curved log to be fed endwise along a saw line against a planar saw, comprising the steps of: (a) at a location laterally offset from the saw line, simultaneously electronically scanning the log dimensions and storing such information in a computer; (b) at said location, under the control of the computer, rotating the curved log to place the curvature of the log in a plane parallel to the plane of the saw; (c) locking the rotational position of the log; (d) feeding the log laterally away from said location and generally into the saw line; (e) under the control of the computer and in response to information stored therein, independently adjusting the positions of the ends of the log in a direction transverse to said saw line; and (f) advancing said log endwise to the saw; whereby a second log may be disposed at said location and scanned as soon as the first log has been laterally fed.