Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~56C~0~
L~ or~ -- u~l~
FIEI.D or~ q~ NV~.Nq~lo~
This invention is directed to an apparatus for
S single feeding elongated cylindrical objects to suitable
processing apparatus. In a specific application, this
invention is directed to an apparatus which is capable
c;f sorting log.s of varying diameter and feeding them one
at a time to a log processing apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF T~lE INVENT _
It has been a long standing problem in the
cylinder handling industry to efEiciently take a cylin-
drical object from a random group of cylindrical objects
of various sizes and orientations, align the single
object in a predetermined direction and direct it to a
- cylinder handling apparatus. This problem arises in the
log handling industry. Numerous mac~ines and processes
have been designed over the years in an effort to
develop an apparatus and a method of efficiently hand-
ling a wide range of logs of varying diameters and
lengths mixed butts and ends and aligning them one at a
time in a common clirection and feeding them ~ithout
interruption to a log processing machine such as a
debarker or a chip and saw apparatus.
The applicant is aware oE the ~ollowing
patents which disclose various devices for processing
lo~s.
Canadian
Patent No. Issue Date Inventor
-7~9,36~ July 9, 196~ ~hlste~lt
920,5~ Fcbruary G, l973 I.inclblom
- ~LZ560~)Z
, .
922,659 March 13, 1973 Rysti
9~0,~20 December 30, 1975 ~lart~ell and
Gunnerman
9~9,427 May 1~ 76 Valo
1,048,562 February 13, 1979 Danielsson and
Ekhoiln
1,114,~08 December 15, 19~1 Valo
Uni.ted States
Patent No.
2,751,781 June 26, 1956 McConnell
3,584,726 June 15, 1971 Hartzell
Ideally, a log handling apparatus capable of
10 . handling a group of logs of various diameters, lengths
and orientations, and single feeding them in an aligned
manner to a log processing apparatus should be able to
run without interruption ,and be capable of feeding tne
logs to the log processing apparatus virtually end to
end with one another. In this way, a maximum number of
logs are processed in a given time. Elowever, in
practice, apparatus designed for this purpose are prone
to breakdown, complexity, or do not carry out the job of
separating the logs individually and feeding them one at
a time without frequent interruptions. Thus, it is not
uncommon for the apparatus to fail to make a separation
between individual logs and thus, the operator must stop
the machine, separate the plurality of logs and ensure
that they are fed one at a time to the log processing
apparatu.s. Interruptions of this sort are costly ancl
labour intensive.
O~ the devices disclosed and claimed in the
reerences listed, two devices in particular are pur-
ported to successful.l.y select a log froln a ~roup of lo~s
arl(l feed it to a log process;.ll~3 ar~paratus~ The ~hlstedt
-- 2
~25i~0C~
patent, Canadian Patent No. 7~9,36~, discloses an
apparatus for the selection and sidewise delivery of
selected sets of long rollable objccts o~ varying
diameters from a closely spaced group of such objects,
such as logs. In the device, a lift arm holds the logs
back in the "up" position, and releases one log while in
the "down" position. At the same time, a second log is
aliowed to lodge in a pocket to hold back remaining
logs. The Ahlstedt apparatus appears to deal adequately
with logs oE relatively uniform diameter but it appears
to be weaX in dealing with logs of small diameter mixed
with logs of large diameter. Lodqing of a small log in
- the retaining pocket would increase the llkelihood that
a ~ollowing larger diameter log would be pushed over the
smaller log and hence disrupt operat.ion.
Canadian Patent No. 1,11~,408, Valo, discloses
and claims an apparatus which is desi~ned specifically
for the purpose of handling logs of varying diameter and
feedirig them one at a time to a log proccssing appara-
tus. However, the apparatus disclosed is relativelycomplex, expensive, and in practice has been found to be
prone to breakdown due to its complexity. The apparatus
utilizes a dual disc arrangernent for separating the
logs. The two di3cs rotate on separate shafts in
opposite direction and are provided with peripheral
notches which, in the extreme positions of the rotary
rnovement of the discs, are directed substantial].y toward
the inlet end and the outl.et sicle. In practice, it has
been found that the Valo apparat~s callnot be operated
~0 cficicntly at hi.c3h speed wi.tllout Ercquellt hrcakdown.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invent~d a reliable rnechanical device
which is capclble of selectin~ lo~s o~ varying diameter
and lengths and single feeding them end to end to a log
processing apparatus.
Logs are taken from a deck or unscrambler and
loaded onto the sloped skid plates of a log feeder ~hich
permits the lo~s to ~oll in a single layer until they
abut the log ahead, or a contoured pocket of my device.
The pocXet is contoured to hold small logs back or
conversely allow larger logs to roll further ahead. My
device includes a series of specifically shaped lift
arms which are simultaneously swung upward in an arc.
These arms lift one log out of the pocket and simultane-
ously prevent all other logs from entering the pocket.
When the arms reach their high point of movë-
ment, the single raised log rolls over the top of the
pocket. ~he arms then drop to their original rest
position which then allows the logs on the skids to roll
forward until the next log rests against the pocket and
is ready to be li.fted. Varying lengths of logs can be
handled by adding or deleting arms and skid plates. Any
size of logs can be handled by scaling the machine
accordingly up or down.
The invention is directed to a cylinder
handling apparatus comprising: (a) means for receiving
and holding a plura].ity of cylindrical objects of
varying diameter and length parallel to and abutting one
another in a ro~; and (b) means for separating and
raising the the ~orelnos-t cy1;ndrical object frolll the
~25600Z
secondarily disposecl cylindrical obje~cts in the row and
dispensing the oremost cylindrical object frorn the
apparatus. The receiving me;lns may have an inclined
upper ~ace ~ith the lower end thereoE shaped to restrain
the cylindrical objects on the face. 'rhe restraining
shape may be in the form of a contoured pocket ~hich is
positioned between the lower. end of the incline~ upper
face and a secondary inclined face, which is on the
opposite side of the pocket and is at a higher elevation
than the lower portion of the initial inclined face.
The contoured pocket may have constructed therein a
protruding abutment face which serves to hold cylindri~
cal ob~ects of smaller diameter at a position hi~her up
the inclined upper face than cylindrical objects o~ a
larger diameter.
The separating and raising means moves between
an upper position and a lower position relative to the
receiving means. The separating and raising me~ns may
have thereon a face which, when the separating and
raising Ineans is in an upper position, aligns generally
with the secondary inclined face of the receiving means.
The separating and raising means Jnay have therein a
convex shaped recess wh;ch serves to restrain the
secondarily disposed cylindrical object, as the ~oremost
cylindrical ol~ject is being separated and raise~ by the
separating and raising means. The separating and
raising means m~y also have an upwardly extendin~
~rojection locatcd between the convex recess and the
aligning ace of the separ~tirlg alld raising d~vice, the
projection serving to ~xtend betweerl the foremost and
~2S6t:~02
the secondary disposed cyl:indLical objects ~s th-
scparating alld raisincJ meclns is raised. The restraining
surf~ce of tll--3 convex rect3ss tends to move away from the
secondary disposcd cylindrical o~ject as the separating
ancl rclising means is returnecl to its lower position.
The upper surEace of the separating and raising means is
below the upper surface of the receiving means w~en the
separating and raising means is in the lower position.
DRA~ GS
In the drawings:
FIGURE 1 represents a perspective view of the
single log feeder;
FIGURE 2 represents a perspective view of the
log unscrambler in comhination with the single log
feeder;
FIGURE 3 represents a plan view of the log
unscrambler-sinc3]e log feeder combination arranged to
feed logs to a log barker;
FIGURE 4 represents a side elevation view of
the singl--~ log feeder;
FIGURE 5 represents a side elevation view of a
skid plate;
- FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, in sequencc, represent
side elevation views illustratirlg the manner in which a
single log feeder receives logs of varying diameter
from a log unscrambler, separates t~em, and fee~s tllem
one at a time to a log processing apparatus.
_T~ILE.~ D~SCRIPTION OF ON~ EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Reerring to FIGUR~ 1, which represcnts a
pcr~.pt-3ctivc vi-~ of th--3 sintJlc IocJ ~te~lcr, tl~e sinc31t3
1L256002
.
]og feeder 1 is construc~ed oE a linear series o~ later-
ally extending alternating slcid plates 4 and lift arms
6. '~e series Oe sXid plates 4 relnains stationary,
while the series of lift arlrls 6 are arranged to be
raised or lowered, as required, about a common pivot
shaft 8, which extenc~s throuyh the skid plates ~ and
lift arms 6. The skid plates 4 and lift arms 6 are
grouped in pairs. The number of skid plates 4 and lift
arms 6 can be varied as required to accommodate the
dimensions of all log handling mills, and various
lengths of logs. Moreover, the spacing between the
respective skid plates 4-lift arms 6 combinations need
not be uniform. Thus, the sp~cing between the respect-
ive pairs of skid plates 4 and lift arms 6 may be varied
in order to accommodate and fit with existin~ log hand-
liny e~uipment as installed in the log handling mill.
The governing factor is that the spaces between t~e
respective pairs of skid plates 4 and lift arms 6 should
be less than the length of the logs being handled so
that the logs do not drop between the respective pairs
of skid plates 4 and lift arms 6. It is also not manda-
tory that the skid plates 4 and lift arrns 6 alternate.
In certain circumstances, it may be useful. to have two
lift arms 6 between two pl~tes 4.
Rcferring to FIG~RE 2, ~hich represents a
perspective view of the single log feeder 1 in combina-
~ion with a log unscrambler 2, which leads to the single
loy feeder 1, the purpose of the lo~ unscrambler 2 is to
arrange a group oE loys in parallel. The unscrambler
face obstructs t~e transEer of logs thereby st~aighten-
1256~
ing thelrl parallel to its Eace. Chains with flights or
lugs large enough to pick up the largest log are placed
on climbing chains in rows across the face of the
unscrambler 2. As the c].imbing chains move past the
pile of logs against the face of the unscrambler 2, the
flights pick logs up, usually one at a time, and raise
them ir. parallel upwardly along the inclined upper slope
of.the unscrambler 2 to the top of the unscrambler 2.
When the logs reach the top of the unscrambler 2, they
roll to the right (as seen in FIGUR~ 2) down the upper
skid face of the single log feeder 1. The skid face, as
can be seen in FIGURE 2 is inclined downwardly in a
. direction opposite to the d.irection of incl.ination of
the unscrambler 2. In FlGURE 2, the series of lift arms
6 are shown i.n the lower position. The lift arms 6 of
the single log feecler 1 are operated by hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders. The unscrambler 2 is usually
driven by a power source which operates through a
hydraulic or electric motor chain drive and air clutch
mechanism 3. As can be recognized, other suitable drive
mechanisms are Eeasible for either apparatus.
Referring to FIGURE 3, which represents a plan
view of the single log feeder 1 in combination with a
log unscrambler 2 on one side and a barXer infeed 24 on
the other side, the log unscrambler 2 is conventional,
and well known in the log handlin~ art. The unscrambler
2 does not represent part of the applicant's invention.
The unscrambler 2 consists oE a series oE parallel log
conveying teeth and chains 5, or tlle li~e, whi.ch move
arld raise the loys i.n an inclilled upwardly manner in the
~ _
~25i6~)02
direction oE the arrow. F:[CURE 3 illustrates in det~il
the mann~r in which a pl.ural.ity of skid plates ~ and
lift arms 6 in pairs, are arranged parallel to one
another in a linear series. The skid plates 4 al.ternate
respec~ively with accompanying lift arms 6 and cxtend in
the same direction as the direction of movement of the
unscrambler 2. A long pivot shaft 8 extends at right
ahgles througll the plurality oE parallcl pairs of skid
plates 4 and lift arms 6. The shaft 8 pivots frcely
relative to the skid plates 4. Elowever, the pl~rality
of lift arms 6 are affixed to the shaft 8 and ar~
mounted by suitable securing means at respective points
along the leng-th of the pivot shaft-8. The pivo~ shaft
8 is journalled for rotation withirl suitable supporting
bearing means. Since each lift arm 6 is firmly secured
at its point of connection to the pivot shaft 8, and the
pivot shaft 8 is free to rotate within the bearing
means, the plurality of lift arms 6 can be moved alter-
nately between a lower position and an upper position by
rotating the pivot shaft 8. FIGURE 3 also illustrates a
plurality of cylinder mounts 10 which are adapted to
receive respective hydraulic piston-cylinder meclanism
(not shown) which are used to raise or lower the lift
arms 6. FIGURE 3 also illustrates on the side opposite
the un~crambler 2 the infeed 24 of an appropriate log
handling apparatus such a5 a lo~ barker or log C~lip and
saw apparatus. .The ineed 24 as depicted in FIGURE 3
travels in the clirection of thc arrow~ and receives logs
cleposite-l thereon in end to end relati.onship by the lift
3~ arrns 6. In practice, the infeed call ~rclvel in cither
1256~102
direction.
FIGURE 4, w11ich represents a side elevation
view of the single log feeder 1 in combination with a
dotted-line representation of the unscrambler 2, illus-
trates the manner in which the lift arm 6 moves between
a lower and an upper position relative to skid plate 4.
The lift arm 6 depicted in solid line indicates the
upper position of the lift arm 6. In the lower posi-
tion, the lit arm 6 is shown in dotted lines. As
lQ discussed previously, the lift arm 6 is afixed to pivot
shaft 8. A hydraulic cylinder-piston means 12, which is
mountèd on cylinder mount 10, moves the lift arm 6
between a lower pos.ition and an upper position. .FIGURE
4 also illustrates the basic fralne 22 of the single log
- 15 feeder 1. The frame 22 is of sufficiently strong
construction to support the weight of the plurality of
lift arms 6, skid plates 4, shaft 8, cylinders 12 and
the weight of logs rolling down the upper faces of the
skid plates 4 and the.lift arms 6.
FIGURE 5 represents a detailed side elevation
detailed view of the construction of the skid plate 4.
The skid plate 4 has constructed therein a shaft recess
14, which permits the pivot shaft 8 to extend latera.lly
without interference through the skid plate 4. A sXid
plate bar 16 is bolted or welded in place to bridge the
upper part of the shaft recess 14. This bar 16 pcrmits
logs to roll downwardly without intererence along the
upper edye oE skid plate 4. The lon~ initial skid face
of ski.d plate ~ is identifi.ed as 34 in I~IGURE: 5. Tlle
s~id plate 4 aJ.so has a short terminal skid face 36, as
-- 10 --
i0()2
seen in FIGURE 5. The upper portion of the skid plate 4
has a contoured pockct 18 constructed between the
initial skid face 34 and th~ terrnincll skid ac~ 36.
Located ~ithin the overall contoured pocket 1~ is a
small log abutment face 20. In practice, the dimensions
of tlle skid plate 4 and the contourcd pocket 18, includ-
ing the small log abutrnent face 20, are constructed to
accor~nodate the dia~neters of the sizes of logs which are
to be typically handled by the single log feeder. The
range of diameters, for example, 3-1/2" to 9", 4" to
16", 6" to 20", etc., while depending on the size of the
rnachine, all work on the same principle. The single lvg
feeder is typically constructed to accommodate logs with
diameters ranging from 4 inches to 16 inches. Elowever,
as can be readily recognized, the dimensions of the skid
plate 4 can be increased in order to accommodate logs of
larger diameter. Bearings for the feeder 2 are mounted
on a flate plate and gussetted to the side of the skid
plate. If need be, for extra load carrying capacity,
intermediate bearings supporting shaft 8 can be
installed.
FIGURES 6, 7 and ~3 in sequence illustrate the
manner in which the single log feeder 1 separates a
small log 26 from a group of logs including a large
log 2~ and delivers the small log 26 to the infeed 24 of
a typical barker apparatus or c11ip and saw apparatus.
In l~IGURE 6, the lift arm 6 i5 shown in its lo~er
position. The small lo~ 26 and the larg~ log 2~ rest
side-by-side on the downwardly incJined initial skid
3() Eace 34. The lOg5 26 and 2~ have bcen deposited on skid
~ 256~)02
surface 34 by unscrambler 2. Irhe small log 26 abuts the
small log abu~ment face 20. The purpose raf the small
109 abutment face 20 is to hold the small log 26 par-
t.ially upwar~y and to the right (as seen in FIGUR~ 6)
along the inclined initial skid face 34. If the small
log abutrnerlt face 20 wrre not present, the small log 26
would rest at the base of the contoured pocket 18, the
large log 28 would be permitted to advance further down
the inclined initial skid face 34 (to the left, as seen .
in FIGURE 6) and hence ~hen tlle lift arm 6 was raised,
there would be a good possibility that both the small
log 26 and large 109 28 would be raised upwardly and
dumped onto the infeed 24. This would not be acceptable
since it is important that only a sing].e Iog be put on
the infeed 24. More than one log would create problerns
for the log processing apparatus. lf both logs 26 and
28 were dropped on the infeed 24, the operator must stop
the single log feeder 1 for a short period of time while
the two logs were separated and fed individually in
linear series on the infeed 2~.
As seen in FIGUR~ 7, when the lift arm 6 is in
a raised position, its upper skid face 30 aligns more or
less with terminal skid face 36 of skid plate 4. ~s
lift arm 6 moves upwardly, its log separator point 32
divides the small log 26 from the large log 28. The
facr 30 lifts the small 109 26 upwardly, while at the
same time the point 32 moves large log 28 upwardly and
rearwardly along the initial ski(l face 34. Small log 2G
then rol].s alollcl ski.r.l face 30 of lift arm 6, ovcr
- ~.2 -
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terminal skid face 36, ancl onto the infeed 24, as can beseen in FIGURI~ 8.
Meanwhile, as demonstratcd in FIGUR~ 8, the
lift arm 6 returns to its lower position, thereby
permitting large log 2~ to ro].l downward].y along the
initial skid face 34, so that it comes to rest against
conto~r pocXet 18. However, as FIGUR~ 8 illustrates,
when a large log is involved, large log 28 is not held
back, if at all, by small log abutment face 20. Thus,
large log 28 can rest farther down the inclined surface
of initial skid face 34. When lift arm 6 is again
raised, separator point 32 JnOVeS upwardly behind the
large log 28, and ahead of the log which follows the
large log 28, and thereby separates the two.logs. As
the lift arm 6 moves upwardly, it raises large log 28
upwardly so that it can ultimately roll over terminal
s~id face 36 and onto the infeed 24.
As can also be seen in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the
. lift arm 6 is constructed to have therein a pocket in
the shape of an arc 38, which serves the purpose of
holding bacX sm~ll logs. When large logs are involved,
such as the large log 28 shown in FIGURE 7, the 109 is
held bacX by separator point 32. However, if a small
log is first in line, it rests against arc 38. The
con-tour of arc 3c3 is designed so that as lift arm 6
moves downwardly, the arc 3~3 ~ends to move away from the
log which it is holdin~. It has been found that when
arc 38 has a radius which is coincident w.ith the axis o~
~)ivot sh~t 8, arc 3~ tends to l~i.lld aqaillst tlle log as
lift arm 6 i9 being lowered. 'rh~ls, to prcvent binding,
- ].3 -
00~
it is advantagcous to have the pivot point of the radius
of arc 3~ at a location slightly above the axis of pivot
shaft 8. In this way, the arc 38 tends to move slightly
away from the log being held by the arc 3~ as lift arm 6
is lowered.
It has been Eound that the single log
feeder 1, in operation, is very reliable, sturdy, not
prone to breakdown, and can be operated at high rates of
speed. All components making up the construction of the
single log feeder 1 are of rugged construction, and
require virtually no maintenance.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the
art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many
alterations and modifications are possible in the
practice of this invention without departing from the
~pirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is to be construed in accordance with the
substance defined by the following claims.
.
