Patent US4638440A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4638440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Feeding and data entry system for lumber trimmer
Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co
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Filing: 1984-10-01
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2004-10-01
Abstract
Abstract In a feeding and data entry system for a lumber trimmer, the data entry zone is located upstream and substantially adjacent a lug loader. An operator reads the grader's marks when each incoming board is stopped and inputs the data into a programmable logic controller having a first-in, first-out memory unit. Once the data is input, the respective board is loaded into the next set of lugs on the lug chain and travels through the trimmer. The controller causes the correct saws to move into the path of the board to make the proper cuts. The controller then directs the trimmed board to its proper sort location.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Brough
- 👤 James C. Borgen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:48
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/4093; B; B23; B23D; B23D59/00; B23D59/008; B27; B27B; B27B25/00; B27B25/04; B27B5/00; B27B5/16; B27B5/22; B27B5/228; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A feeding and data entry system for a lumber trimmer, comprising: a first conveyor means for bringing marked boards to a data entry zone where each board makes at least one step within the zone, a second conveyor means for accepting boards from the first conveyor means, a data processing and control means for receiving and sending data, a loader means for transferring each board to the second conveyor means only after data is entered into the data processing and control means indicative of at least the decision of the location of trimming cuts, and means for tracking each board as it moves on the second conveyor means into the trimmer and for activating the selected saws to make the trim cuts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A feeding and data entry system for a lumber trimmer, comprising: a first conveyor means for bringing marked boards to a data entry zone where each board makes at least one step within the zone, a second conveyor means for accepting boards from the first conveyor means, a data processing and control means for receiving and sending data, a loader means for transferring each board to the second conveyor means only after data is entered into the data processing and control means indicative of at least the decision of the location of trimming cuts, and means for tracking each board as it moves on the second conveyor means into the trimmer and for activating the selected saws to make the trim cuts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 including a first-in, first-out memory means within the data processing and control means for storing a predetermined number of sequentially made decisions on boards at the data entry zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 including means for an operator to electronically enter decision data into the data processing and control means including a panel having touch keys indicative of at least trim locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 further including means to move the second conveyor means at a constant speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2 in which the second conveyor means is a lug chain having a plurality of lug sets uniformly spaced apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 in which the loader means is a lug loader.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 in which the tracking means includes an encoder for generating signals to track each board after its data is input to a location at least through the trimmer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 further including means within the tracking means for causing each board after it passes through the trimmer to be directed to a predetermined location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 in which the data processing and control means includes a programmable logic controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 including keys on the panel indicative of sort location downstream from the trimmer.
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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) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |