Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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$ ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR CONVEYOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable support, particularly
for a conveyor, which enables the conveyor to be adjusted
vertically and horizontally, and through a combination of
adjustments as between a pair of supports, the conveyor can be
adjusted for skew, taper and roll.
' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is an ongoing need to develop lumber handling systems
t0 for reducing logs into lumber whereby the maximum percentage of the
available wood is utilized for lumber production. Logs arE
irregularly shaped and vary greatly in dimension, and the lumber
produced therefrom is rectangular in cross section but has a wide
range of cross section and lengthwise dimensions.
'$
Consider.that a log is tapered, curved and/or out of round.
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A scanner will establish the configuration and enter the
data for computer evaluation. The computer determines the
maximum boards of various dimensions that will fit that
configuration as well as the cutting pattern for achieving
that production. Then the log handling and/or log break
down apparatus in response to the computer input follows the
desired cutting pattern to produce the computed lumber
pieces from that log.
There are numerous developments that have been
made to the various components of the log handling and break
down apparatus. The present invention applies to the infeed
system, e.g., a conveyor or conveyors from which the logs
are fed into the break down apparatus which may include,
e.g., chippers and saws. Whereas conveyors have typically
been adjustable only for elevation and side movement, the
objective of the present invention is to provide
adjustability for skew and tilt and preferably roll, as well
as elevation and side movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect, the invention provides a
conveyor assembly comprising: a front conveyor support
mounted on a front support base and a rear conveyor support
mounted on a rear support base, and an elongated conveyor
bed extended between and supported on said conveyor
supports; said conveyor supports as mounted on the support
bases and the conveyor bed as supported on the conveyor
supports cooperatively structured to provide lateral,
vertical and pivotal movement of the conveyor bed relative
to the support bases for selective orientation of said
conveyor bed up and down, side to side, skew and tilt; a
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first set of at least first and second motors between the
front conveyor support and front support base providing
vertical movement and lateral movement as between the front
conveyor support and front support base, and a second set of
at least first and second motors between the rear conveyor
support and rear support base providing vertical movement
and lateral movement as between the rear conveyor support
and rear support base; and a control for independent control
of the first and second sets of motors and between the first
l0 and second motors of each set of motors for independent
lateral and vertical movement of the conveyor supports
relative to the conveyor bases.
In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the support assemblies for the conveyor bed
include mechanism for independently raising and lowering the
leading or trailing end of the conveyor bed and thus the log
being conveyed and for independently side shifting the
leading or trailing end of the
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conveyor.
In one embodiment of the invention, the complexity
of adjustments is accomplished with two cylinders for
each support. The two cylinders are anchored to a
stationary base at opposed sides of the conveyor bed and
extend angularly in a cross over relation to a movable
conveyor support at opposite sides of the bed. Each
cylinder is movable independently but cooperatively to
side shift (in either direction), raise and lower that
end of the conveyor bed. The pairs of cylinders (a pair
for each support base) are cooperatively manipulated to
achieve a variety of adjustments to the orientation of
the conveyor bed.
Whereas the above embodiment of the invention is capable of
performing all of the movements described, i.e., side and elevation
movements as well as skew, tilt and roll, the cross over
arrangement of the cylinders may not be as stable as other
arrangements for controlling these movements. A number of
embodiments are disclosed herein that have features that
accordingly may be preferred over that of the arrangement whereby
cylinders are crossed.
The conveyor is provided with a pivotal mounting as between
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the conveyor bed and the stationary bases in that the conveyor bed
is not simply side shifted and elevated but is angularly shifted
relative to the bases.
Movements of the supports can be made as a single adjustment
to align a log relative to subsequent apparatus or the movements
may be ongoing. Consider that a log being conveyed is slightly
curved. The log may be oriented by the conveyor to feed the log's
leading end into a saw. As the log feeds through the saw, the
conveyor position can be continuously adjusted to accommodate the
curve of the log. (This movement .s referred to as side slewing.)
A similar ongoing adjustment can :.e made for feeding a truncated
log past a chipper, i.e., the frcnt end of the conveyor can be
raised or lowered to tilt the log as the log is fed through the
chipper (tilt slewing).
A further use of the preferred multiple adjustment feature
would be the raising of both right side or both left side support
positions. This angularly adjusts a log on the conveyor to provide
log roll positioning.
All of the above as well as numerous additional benefits will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reference to the
detailed description and the drawings referred to therein.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side view of an infeed conveyor system
incorporating the adjustable support of an embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 is an end view of the infeed system as viewed on view
lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3A and 3B are views in diagram form showing examples of
~positional movement of the conveyor bed of the infeed system of
Fig. 1:
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable
support for the infeed system:
Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable
support for the infeed system;
Fig. 8 illustrates the infeed system being skewed by side
shifting the adjustable supports of Figs. 6 and 7;
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of an
adjustable support for the infeed system: and
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of an
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adjustable support for the infeed system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Wood products, such as logs or cants hereafter collectively
referred to as a log L, that are to be processed into lumber pieces
are controllably oriented and positioned to maximize production of
lumber from the log L.
There are varied conveyor systems or assemblies that are
utilized to convey an oriented log L into subsequent processing
equipment. Fig. 1 illustrates one type of a conveyor system 10.
The conveyor system 10 includes a log turner 12 that will rotate
the log L into the desired rotative orientation such as in a horns
down position. Log turners are well known in the industry and,
therefore, log turner 12 is not detailed. In this embodiment, the
conveyor system has a flighted chain 14 in combination with
overhead rollers 16 to effectively hold and transport the oriented
log L on the conveyor system 10. The rollers 16 are pivotally
movable upwardly and downwardly toward the flighted chain 14 to
accommodate different sizes of logs. The rollers 16 and the
flighted chain 14 will hold the log L captive in its oriented
position as it is being transported on the conveyor system 10. The
log L as it is being transported by the conveyor system 10 is
scanned by scanners 18 and 20. The scan data from the scanners 18
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and 20 is input to a computer 22. The computer 22 will
analyze the scan data and compute a desirable array of
lumber pieces that can be generated from the log L. The
computer further determines the need to adjust the log
position relative to the processing equipment, e.g., saws
and chippers, to obtain the desired breakdown of the log L.
The computer may determine, for example, that the
log needs to be elevated or lowered relative to the
processing equipment and/or the log may require shifting
laterally to one side or the other. The adjustable support
of the conveyor system is arranged to accordingly adjust the
position of the log L being conveyed on the conveyor
system 10.
Figs. 1, 2, 3A and 3B illustrate the conveyor
system 10 that incorporates one example of an adjustable
support of an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 2, the conveyor system 10 has
support bases 26 on which cylinders 28 are pivotally mounted
by pivot pin 29 at the left side of base 26 (as viewed in
Fig. 2) and cylinder 30 is pivotally mounted at the right
side of pivot pin 31. The rod end 32 of cylinder 28 is
pivotally mounted at the side opposite connecting pin 29 to
the support frame 40 of the conveyor system 10. The rod
end 34 of the cylinder 30 is pivotally mounted opposite its
connecting pin 31 to the support frame 40. The
cylinders 28, 30, as seen in Fig. 2, form an X pattern
whereby the cylinder 28 crosses the cylinder 30.
A pair of cylinders 28, 30 (Fig. 1) are coupled to
the frame 40 near one end designated as 42 and another pair
of cylinders 28, 30 are coupled to the frame 40 near the
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opposite end designated as 44. The crossed pattern of the
cylinders 28, 30 provides a rigid and stable support
mechanism due to the triangulation effect. Tie rods 46 are
coupled to one of the bases 26 and the frame 40 to prevent
longitudinal movement of the frame 40.
The controlled extension and retraction of the
cylinder rods of the cylinders 28, 30 provide for controlled
positioning of the frame 40. The uniform extension of the
cylinder rods of cylinders 28, 30 will elevate the frame 40.
The uniform retraction of the cylinder rods of
cylinders 28, 30 will lower the frame 40.
Fig. 3A illustrates the manner of elevating and
lowering the frame 40 of the conveyor system 10 which will
in effect elevate or lower a log L received on the flighted
chain 14. The frame 40 is elevated by the uniform extension
of the cylinder rods of the cylinders 28, 30. The frame 40
is shown in the elevated position in dashed line. As shown,
the rods of the cylinders 28, 30 have been extended an equal
distance. Similarly the frame 40 is lowered by the uniform
retraction of the cylinder rods of the cylinders 28, 30.
The frame 40 is shown in the lowered position in solid line.
The cylinder rods of the cylinders 28, 30 extend an equal
distance. The equal extension of the cylinder rods of the
cylinders 28, 30 will maintain the frame 40 on the reference
center line of the conveyor 10.
Fig. 3B illustrates the frame 40 that has been
offset from the center line by extending the cylinder rod of
the cylinder 30 a greater distance than the cylinder rod of
the cylinder 28. The frame 40 shown in solid lines is
offset to the left of the center line. Similarly the
frame 40, as shown in dash lines, is offset to the right of
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the center line by extending the cylinder rod of the
cylinder 28 a greater distance than the cylinder rod of the
cylinder 30. It will be appreciated that the positions
illustrated are given by example and that the frame 40 may
be positioned at any location within the travel limits. The
frame 40 is illustrated at different heights for
illustration purposes and the computer will readily
determine the required length of the cylinder rods for any
positions of the frame 40 within the allowable range of
movement of the rods.
One pair of cylinders 28, 30, e.g., at end 42, is
operable separately from the other pair at end 44. This
provides for varied positioning of the frame 40 and the
log L received on the conveyor 10. The cylinders 28, 30 at
end 42 may, for example, have their cylinder rods extended
one distance and the cylinders 28, 30 at end 44 may have
their rods extended a different distance. Referring again
to Fig. 3A, the frame 40 at end 44 may be elevated to the
position indicated by the dashed outline and the frame 40 at
end 42 may be elevated to the position indicated by the
solid outline. This provides a longitudinal tilt to the
frame 40 to further control the positional adjustment of the
log L on the conveyor 10.
Similarly the frame 40 may be offset at 42 as
indicated by the dashed outline of Fig. 3B and offset at 44
as indicated by the solid outline. This will skew the
frame 40 laterally as well as tilt the frame 40
longitudinally.
In the event that it is desirable for a log to be
fed into the saws or chippers to accommodate a bottom or
side taper, the orientation of the conveyor and thus the log
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may be continuously adjusted by the computer adjusting the
cylinders as the log is fed into the processing equipment.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another example of an
adjustable support for the conveyor system or assembly 10.
Pedestal assemblies 60 support the conveyor bed or frame 40
and as will be explained, have mechanism to provide
elevation in the vertical direction and side shifting of the
conveyor bed transverse to the
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flow path of the conveyor. The pedestals 60 have support carriages
62 that are movable upwardly and downwardly on the pedestal base
61. The support carriages 62 are guided on the pedestal base 61 by
guide ways 64. A cylinder 68 is provided to elevate and lower the
support carriages 62 on the pedestal base 61. The cylinder 68 is
coupled to a toggle arm assembly 70 which in turn is coupled to the
support carriage 62. When the cylinder 68 is retracted, it will
pivot the toggle arm assembly 70 to elevate the carriage 62
relative to the pedestal base 61 and when the cylinder 68 is
extended, it will pivot the toggle arm assembly in the opposite
direction to lower the carriage 62 relative to the pedestal base
61. Each carriage 62 has a flat support pad 74 that supports the
conveyor bed 40. A shaft 76 fixedly attached to the conveyor frame
or bed 40 extends outwardly from the frame 40 and is affixed at
each end to a support pad 78. The pads 78 of the conveyor bed 40
are mated to the pads 74 of the support carriages 62. The pads 74
and 78 have a low co-efficient of friction and the conveyor bed 40
is thus slidably movable relative to the carriages 62. A side
shift cylinder 82 is fixedly mounted to one of the carriages 62 and
has its cylinder rod end coupled to the frame or bed 40. Extension
of the cylinder 82 will side shift the frame or bed 40 relative to
the pedestal base 61 with the pad 78 of the conveyor bed 40 sliding
on the support pad 74 of the carriage 62. The retraction of the
cylinder 82 will side shift the conveyor in the opposite direction.
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A tie rod 46 (Fig. 4) is coupled to the frame 40 and a bracket 26
to prevent longitudinal movement of the frame 40.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate another example of an adjustable
support for the conveyor 10. The adjustable support of Fig. 6 has
pedestal bases 80 on which an adjustable support carriage is
mounted. Bearing blocks 82 are mounted on each of the pedestal
bases 80 and support a pivot shaft 84. The pivot shaft 84 is
rotatable in the bearing blocks 82 but are not slidably adjustable
in the blocks.
A lift frame 88 is fixedly mounted on the pivot shaft 84. The
lift frame 88 has legs 90 that are mounted on the pivot shaft 84
with the legs 90 being joined by a cross member 92. The cross
member 92 is coupled to a lift cylinder 94 which is arranged to
pivot the lift frame 88 on the pivot shaft 84. A slide shaft 96 is
mounted in bores 98 of the legs 90 of the lift frame 88. The slide
shaft 96 is slidably movable in the bores 98. The slide shaft 96
has two flat portions 104 on which slide pads 106 are mounted. The
frame or bed 40 of the conveyor has pads 108 in engagement with the
pads 106 mounted to the slide shaft 96. The slide shafts 96
support the conveyor bed 40. Retraction of the cylinder 94 pivots
the lift frame 88 which moves the slide shaft 96 upward to elevate
the conveyor bed 40. Extension of the cylinder 94 pivots the lift
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frame 88 in the opposite direction to lower the conveyor ~~d 40.
An opening is provided in the sides of the frame 40 to ~rovide
clearance for the shaft 88 as the conveyor bed is either e=evated
or lowered.
A side shift cylinder 100, which is mounted to the li== frame
88, is coupled to the slide shaft 96 and is arranged to s_;dably
move the slide shaft 96 in the bores 98 of the legs 90. =_ pivot
pin 110 extends through the slide shaft 96 and engages pin c=ackets
112 on the frame 40 of the conveyor. One of the slide s~__=is 96
and one of the pin brackets 112 has a circular bore 114 tc =eceive
the pin 110 and the other slide shaft 96 and other bracket =12 has
an elongate slot 116 to receive the pin 110 (Figs. 7 and 8',. This
arrangement does not require a tie rod to prevent lonc_~sdinal
movement. The pin 110 fitting in the bore 114 _=vents
longitudinal movement.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of an
adjustable support for the conveyor assembly or system. Pedestal
bases 120 are provided as the basic support structure. The
pedestal bases 120 have a top pad 126 on which bearing blocks 122
are mounted. The blocks 122 have pads 124 in contact with the top
pads 126 of the pedestal bases 120. The blocks 122 are acco=dingly
slidably moveable on the pedestal bases 120. A shaft 128 is
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rotatably mounted in the blocks 122 and not axially moveable.
Eccentric lobes 130 are fixed'_y mounted to the shaft 128 with
the lobes 130 being fitted in slee~:es 132 provided in the frame 40
of the conveyor. A lift cylinder .36 is mounted to the frame 40 of
the conveyor 10 and has a cylinder end 138 on a bracket 140 that is
coupled to the shaft 128 and tr.us the lobes 130. Extension and
retraction of the cylinder 136 thus will pivot the shaft 128 in the
bearing blocks 122 and the lobes 130 in the sleeves 132. When the
cylinder 136 is extended, the sha=~ 128 and the lobes 130 will be
rotated about the axis of the si:aft 128 and the lobes 130 will
cause the frame 40 of the conveyor to elevate. Similarly when the
cylinder 136 is retracted, the sha=t 128 and the lobes 130 will. be
rotated so that the frame 40 of ~~~ conveyor 10 will be lowered.
A side shift cylinder 144 is mounted to a support bracket 146
that is affixed to the pedestal bases 120. The cylinder 144 has a
four-way universal type mount 148 to permit the cylinder 144 to
pivot in all directions. The cyli::der end 150 of the cylinder 144
is coupled to a bracket 152 mounted to the frame or bed 40 of the
conveyor 10. Extension and retraction of the cylinder 144 will
cause the frame 40 to move sideways relative to the flow path of
the material on the conveyor 10. The conveyor bed 40 is slidably
movable sideways by the movement cf the bearing blocks 122 on the
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pads 126 of the pedestal 120. The conveyor is prevented from
moving longitudinally by the tie rod 46 as illustrated in Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 illustrates by example the conveyor (of Figs. 6 and 7)
side shifted (skewed) by moving one of the slide shafts 96 in one
direction and by moving the other slide shaft 96 in the opposite
direction. The frame 40 as it is side shifted pivots on the pins
110. The pivoting causes the frame 40 to move on the pads 106 on
the slide shaft 96.
The adjustable support of the present invention provides the
capability of side shifting the conveyor at either or both of the
supporting structures and the side shifting may be in the same or
opposite directions. Similarly each end of the conveyor may be
elevated or lowered independent of the other end. The computer
from the scan data controls the elevation and skew of the log L on
the conveyor 10. It will. be appreciated that the computer will
control both the skew and elevation based on the scan data and will
perform the required movements as the log is being conveyed.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate another example of an
adjustable support for the conveyor system or assembly 10 that was
briefly described in the parent application. Base units 180 are
provided for the adjustable support and are positioned near each
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end of the frame 40 of the conveyor assembly. A tie rod 46 (such
as illustrated in Fig. 4) is provided to prevent longitudinal
movement of the conveyor assembly. One end of lift cylinders 182
and 184 have one end pivotally mounted to the base unit 180. The
opposite end of the cylinders 182 and 184 are pivotally coupled to
brackets 183 extending from the frame 40 of the conveyor assembly.
Uniform extension and retraction of the cylinders 182, 184 will
elevate and lower the frame 40.
1(1 A cylinder 186 has one end pivotally mounted to the base 180
and its other end pivotally mounted to a bracket 188 extending from
the frame 40.
The arrangement of the adjustable support of Figs. 12, 13 and
1_'~ 14 provides controlled movement of the frame 40 of the conveyor
assembly. As previously mentioned uniform extension of the
cylinders 182, 184 will elevate the frame 40 without side shifting
or rotation of the frame 40. The cylinders 182, 184 on one base
may be extended independent or to a different degree than the
2C1 cylinders 182, 184 on the other base. The frame 40 may thus be
tilted from end to end by elevating one end to a different height
than the other end. Similarly the cylinders 182, 184 on one base
may be retracted to a different degree than the cylinders 182, 184
on the other base.
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Extension or retraction of the cylinder 186 on one base 180
independent of the cylinders 182, 184 will side shift the frame 40
relative to that base 180. The cylinder 186 on the other base may
be extended or retracted in the same direction as the first
S cylinder 186 to shift the frame 40 ir. the same direction.
Extension or retraction of the cylinder 186 on the other base may
be extended or retracted in a direction opposite that of the first
cylinder 186 so that the frame 40 is side shifted in one direction
relative to one base and is side shifted in the opposite direction
relative to the other base.
Coordinated movement of the cylinders X82, 184 and 186 on the
bases 180 provides the capability of routing, side shifting,
elevating and/or lowering the frame 40 of she conveyor assembly.
As shown in Fig. 13, for example, the cylinder 184 has been
retracted, the side shift cylinder 186 has been extended and the
cylinder 182 has been extended. The cylinders 182 and 184 are
extended and retracted sufficiently such that they remain in the
vertical plane when the side shift cylinder 186 is extended. This
coordinated movement of the cylinders causes the frame 40 to tilt
side to side (rotate) and log L received on the conveyor to be
rotated a few degrees.
Fig. 14 illustrates another example of the coordinated
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movement of the cylinders 182, 184 and I86. In this example the
cylinder 184 is retracted, the cylinder 182 is extended and the
cylinder 186 is extended. This coordinated movement side shifts
the conveyor frame 40 as well as tilting the frame 40 which rotates
S the log L.
While only a few examples have been illustrated, it will be
appreciated that the frame 40 may be moved in unlimited variations
by the coordinated movement of the cylinders and/or independent
movement of the cylinders.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and
variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, one variation would have a
cylinder at each side of the conveyor support and a third
horizontal cylinder at each support for stabilizing and side
positioning as differentiated from the crossed cylinders described
above. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the
embodiments described and illustrated but is to be determined from
the appended claims.
