Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Background of InventIon
.
This inventi~on -relates to impr~ved s-awmi~ll methods and
apparatus, and more part~cularl~ relate~ to an l~mproved
sawmill design and operating concept. In addit~on, the
invention relates to a novel sawmill concept wherein improved
methods and apparatus are prov~ded for performing certain of
the various functions now performed in sawmills of conventional
design.
It is well known that trees are har~ested to provide
lumber and wood pulp, and that such felled trees are carried
to sawmills for this purpose after being de-topped and delimbed,
and perhaps also debarked. It is also well known that the
sawlogs are sliced into lumber, railroad ties or timbers, and
the like, by longitudinall~ carr~ing them to and from a
revolving circular saw. It is further well known to provide
; mechanical devices for moving and handling the sawlogs in the
sawmill, and also to provtde other such devices for moving
and handling the lumber and timbers which are produced. What
is not well known is that, because of economic and social
changes occurring during the past few decades, a need has
arisen for a different type of sawmill. More particularly,
wnat is required is a sawmill which is simpler, easier, cheaper
and much quicker to erect and put into operation, which is
als`o operable with a minimum number of persons, which is
simpler and easier to maintain and repair, and which may be
convenientl~ disassembled~for removal'and ré-erection at
another operating site.
A sawmill may be characterized as a system wherein
certain functions or steps in a process are performed. The
initial point in the proce~s may be considered to be the
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"log deck" ~here sa~logs are pos~,ti~oned ~n a manner such
that they may~be taken, one at a t~me, to be cut i~nto lumber
and the like. Thus, a "nose sect~on" is preferably provided
between the log deck and the carr~age and saw section for
the purpose of selecting and transferring each sawlog to
the carriage which travels back and forth between a revolving
circular saw blade.
W~en a slice is taken from a sawlog or cant which is
secured on the carriage, it may be either a board or timber,
la or it may be a so-called "slab" which is useless for purposes
of providing lumber. It is desirable to segregate different
pieces at the time they are cut from the sawlog, and thus
means is preferably provided for depositing a slab on a first
conveyor section leadin~ to a chipper or the like, and for
depositing lumber and timber-sized pieces on two or more
other different conveyors leading, respe~tively, to lumber
and railroad tie "decks." --
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the typical
sawmill is a large and complex system which is expensive and
time-consuming to install and put into operation. However,
the cost and,complexity of sawmills has been greatly enhanced,
during recent years, by the need to mechanize as much of the
operation as possible. This, in turn, has resulted in making
sawmills relatively permanent installations, which is incon-
sistent with an inherent need to be moved, from time-to-time,
to more convenient sites. Accordingly, the many small,
relatively portable sawmills of the past have now been largely
replaced by a proportionately fewer number of much larger and
relatively permanently installed sawmills which are, in turn~
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completely dependent on a transportation system which can
accumulate and suppl~ sa~lo~s ~Eom a w~de area.
Accordingly, t~ere has long been a need for a mechanical
sawmill which requires a minimum num~er of personnel to
operate, but which i5 also capable of being erected in a
shorter length of time, ~h~ch can be disassembled and removed
to another operating site without effectively being destroyed
; as an operating unit, and which is simpler and therefore
easier and cheaper to maintain. The various features and
techniques which are employed to provide the large sawrnills
of the prior art are inherently inconsistent with providing
all of these features in the same operating unit, and thus
simplicity and portability have accordingly been sacrificed
in favour of mechanization.
These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with
the present invention~ and novel sawm~ll methods and apparatus
are herewith disclosed for providing a sawmill which is
operable with a minimum number of persons, which is relatively
simple and quick to erect and put into operation at a
2Q substantially lower cost, which may be easily disassembled
and reassembled at a new location, and which further includes
improved and novel component sections for performing various
of the aforementioned functions or steps.
y ~f Invention
In a preferred form of the present invention, a novel
sawmill design is provided wh~ch is basically comprised of
a platform formed by a plurality of piers or columns arranged
in ranks and files and carrying a plurality of hollow longi-
tudinal structural members hereinafter referred to as "longerons
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which extend or l~e acros~s the ~a~ous files o~ p~er~ or
columns to provide two preselected ~unctional or operating
levels. The various operatl~ng sections of the m~ll is
therefore composed of a plural~ty of "modules" which are
merely set down in straddle fashion on the longerons at
various locations relative to the vertical cutting plane or
"saw line" of the mill, as well as with respect to the -two
operating levels.
As will hereinafter be apparent, mounting khe modules
lQ on a platform of this type can be done in only a few days,
and thus a sawmill of this type can also be erected in a
fraction of the time required to erect a conventional
sawmill. More important, however, a sawmill of the type
contemplated by the present invention can be disassembled
and re-erected at another site by merely unfastening and
removing th~ modules from the longerons, (as well as dis-
connecting the various pneumatic and electrical conduits and
connections which are necessarily provided between the various
modules).
It will be seen in the detailed description hereinafter
provided that the platform is itself a feature of the present
invention~ wherein the platform is basically a plurality of
vertical support members arranged in a rank and file to
support a plurality of longerons carried by files of these
vertical members at one of two operating levels or elevations.
The longerons, which connect the files of piers or columns,
provide strength to the assemblement of piers, columns and
longerons, in a lateral direction perpendicular to the
cutting line of the sawmill, and the modules which straddle
and rest on the longerons connect and strengthen the assembled
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sawmill in the lateral dixect~on parallel to the cutt~ng
line.
Althou~h a sawmill constructed ~n this fashion will
basically perform the same functi~ons as those performed or
sought to be per~ormed By conyentional sawmills, redesign
of the sawmill to incorporate the ~lodular concept has per-
mitted or required redesign of the modules whereby they are
structurally independent of each other ~except for inter-
connection of electrical cables and pneumatic hoses, etc.).
Thus, many if not all of the various modules are not limited
in usefulness to the sawmill system and method of the present
invention, but may be effecti~ely interconnected in and
operated as a part of a conventional sawmill. For example,
the various log, lumber and tie deck assemblies hereinafter
described are substantiàl improvements over corresponding
portions of conventional sawmills, and the lumber and tie
stacker assemblies may be used with particular advantage in
any type of sawmill or other similar system, as will herein-
after be apparent.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision
of various novel devices and kechniques for mechanically
handling not only the sawlogs which are sought to be cut, but
also the boards, timbers and other pieces severed therefrom.
In addition to the aforementioned lumber and tie stacker
apparatus, novel and improved means is provided with the
carriage and saw section or module for selectlvely depositing
the saw several pieces on one of th~ee different convéyor
sections depending on whether the piece is a slab, a plank
or board, or a railroad tie or other like size of timber.
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~lso, novel routi~g means is provided for -transferring
bo~rds or ties from the conveyo:r sections -to selected ones of
a plu~ality of lumber and tie deck assemblies and other
components o~ the sys-tem, all ~ithout the use of any manual
~ labor other th~n the sawmill operator. Accordingly, not only
is the sawmill of the present invention cheaper and easier to
erect, it may ideally be operated by only one person as will
h.erein.after be apparent,
~ Thus, this invention contemplates an improved modular
: 10 sa~nill wh.ich. comprises a platform assembly composed of a
plur~l~ty o~ vertical supporting members spaced in ranks and
files and a pluxality of longerons each.horizontally disposed
on one of the ~iles of supportin~ members ~or forming a vertical
supporting ~rame structurally independent of the other ~ertical
supporting ~rames and further establishin~ at different pre~
selected elevations a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal
operating planes bisected by a vertical cutting plane, and
a carriage and saw section removably mounted on a plurality
of the longerons at a selected one of the operating planes for
receiving and longitudinally slicing a sawlog longitudinally
arranged in the cutting plane. A self-contained and independent-
ly operable first deck section is removably mounted on and
straddles a plurality of longerons at the one of the planes
on the opposite side from the carriage and saw section for
receiving and supporting sawlogs arranged parallel to the
cutting plane ancl for laterally travelling the supported ~.
sawlogs. A self--contained and independently operable conveying
section ~s removably mounted on and straddling a plurality oE
the longerons at another l.ower one oE the operating planes
and parallel with and spaced on the opposite side of the cutting
plane from the carriage and saw section for receiving and
longitudinally routing slices of sawlogs cut by the carriage
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and saw section along selected one of a plurality of -travel
paths parallel with the cutting plane. A stoP means is
independently operable to stop a selected one of the slices
at the one preselected location, a removal means is responslve
to the stop means for laterally removing the stopped slice
from the conveyor assembly, and a self-contained deck section
is removably mounted on and straddling a plurality of the
longerons and independently operable to receive and store the
stopped slice from the removal means.
These and other features and advantages of the present
~- invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, wherein reference is made to the figures of
- the accompanying drawinas.
In t~e Drawings:
- Figure 1 is a simplified conceptual representation of
the operating levels of a sawmill embodying the concept of the
; present invention.
- Figure 2 is a simpli~ied functional representation of
the various functional modules, in a sawmill as depicted in
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Fig. 1, with respect to its sawline or cutting axis.
Figure 3 is a simplified pictorial representation of a
~.
-~ platform suitable for the purposes of the present invention.
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Figure 4 is a more detailed pictorial representation of
- a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3.
Figure 5 is a simplified pictorial representation of
one of the components of the structure illustra-ted in Fig. 4,
~i~ appearing with Figs. 1, 6 and 7.
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Figure 6 is a simplified pictorial representation of
- one of the parts of the component depicted in Fig. 4, appearing
with Figs. l, S and 7.
~ Figure 7 is a simplified pictorial representation of
`~ another part of the component depicted in Fig. 4, appearing
~ with Figs. 1, 5 and 6.
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Figure 8 is a pictorial representation o~ anotller por-tion
of the supporting platform depicted in E~igure 3.
Figure 9 is a pictorial representa-tion oE ano-ther
: different portion of the s~ructure depicted in Pigure 3,
- appearing with Figure 3.
E'igure 10 is a pictorial representation of a further
different portion of the structure depicted in Figure 3.
Figure 11 is a pictorial view of a portion of one of
the components of the sawmill depicted yenerally in Figure 2.
Figure 12 is another different view of the structure
depicted ln Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a simplified pictorial view of another of
the .component parts of -the sawmill depicted generally in
-~ Figure 2.
.: Figure 14 is a simplified pictorial view o~ another
- portion of the sawmill depicted generally in Figure 2O
Figure 15 lS a pictorial representation of another
component of the sawmill depicted in Figure ~.
~ 20 Figure 16 is a different representation of the apparatus
:~ depicted In Figure 15.
~:. Figure 17 is another view of -the apparatus depicted in
~ ~ Figures lS and 16.
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`~ : Figure 18 is a more detailed pictorial view of another
dif~erent component of the sawmill generally represen-ted in
Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 19 is a pictorial view, par-tly in cr~ss section,
i~ of the in-ternal details of the apparatus depicted in Figure 18
S
Figure 20 is another pictori~l view of the apparatus
illustrated in FicJures 18 and 19~
Figure 21 is a pictorial representation of a portion
of the apparatus depicted in Figures 1~-2~, appearing with
Figures 2, 22 and 23.
Figure 22 is another different pictorial representation
of.the apparatus illustrated in ~igure 21, appearing with
, Figures 2, 21 and 23.
~ Figure 23 is a further different pictorial view of a
: 10 portion of the apparatus depicted in,Figures 21 and 22,
appearing with Figures 2, 21 and 22.
Figure 24 is a pictorial representation, partly in cross
section, of the internal details of a portion of the appara-tus
- depicted in Figure 18.
; Figure 25 is another view of the apparatus depicted in
Figure 24.
Figure 26 is a pictorial representation of the details
of another portion of the apparatus depicted in Figure 18
illustra-ting the position of cer-tain components duriny its
operation.
Figure 27 is another view of the apparatus depicted in .. ........
,' Figure 26.
Figure 28 is another diff,erent v,iew o~ the apparatus
, depicted in Figures 26 and 2i.
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Figure 29 is a pictorial representation of ano-ther
portion of the apparatus decpited in FicJures 26-280
.~ : Figure 30 is a similar pictorial view of the apparatus
,~ illustrated in Figure 29.
Fiyure 31 is a different pictorial view o~ the apparatus
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depicted in Figures 29-30~
Figure 32 is a pictorial representation of ano-ther
portion of the sawmill depicted in Figures 1-3.
Figure 33 is a different pictorial view of the ~pparatus
depicted in Figure 32.
Figure 34 is another pictorial view of the apparatus
depicted in Fiyures 31~32.
. Figure 35 is a functional diagram of a portion of the
pneumatic operating components and system employed in a
sawmlll oE the type embodying the concept of the presen-t
invention~ ' :
Figure 36 is a functional diagram of a portion of the
electrical operating components and system employed in a
sawmill of the type embodying the concept of the present
invention.
Figure 37 is a pictorial representa-tion of means for
protecting and supporting electrical cables and leads
required to energize the apparatus deplcted in Figure 36.
Figure 38 is a pictorial representation, partly in
cross section, of the apparatus depicted in Figure 37.
Figure 39 is an exploded pictorial representation of
a portion oE the apparatus illustrated in Figure 3~
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Detailed Descriptiorl
As hereinbefore explained, the present invention con-
templates a sawmill which is composed of a plurality of
modules each mounted on a supporti.ny platform at a particular
location and at one o three func-lional elevations hereinafter
reerred to as Elevations I, II and III. Reerring now to
Figure 1, there may be seen a simplified functional repre-
sentation o a sawmill embodyiny this concep-t with respect
to such locations and different levels or elevations.
i0 Accordingly, it will be seen that the depicted sa~mill is
composed of a log deck assembly 2 which is perpendicularly
arranged with respect to a carriage and saw section 6. As
will hereinafter be explained in detail, the motive power or ~ -
the carriage and saw section 6 may be provided by a suitable
feedworks base section 4 aligned longi-tudinally with such
carriage and saw section 6. The log deck assembly 2 is
interconnected with the carriage and saw section 6 by a nose
section 3 aligned longitudinally with the log deck assembly 2,
and which is perpendicular to the carriage and saw section 6.
Referring again to Figure 1, it will be seen that the
sawmill further includes suitable roller bed sections 9 and
10, and a slab conveyor section 11, which are aligned parallel
with, and along the side of, the carLiage and saw section 6.
; Perpendicular thereto and displaced "downstream" from the
carriage and saw section 6, there may be seen a pair oE lumber
deck assemblies 12 and 13 arranged side-by-s.ide and extending
at right angles from the roller bed sections 9 and 10 in one :
direction therefromi and a transfer deck assembly 22 extendiny
in an opposite direction from the end of the roller bed sections
3q 9 and 10. As will be fur-ther explained in detail, the purpose
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of the roller bed secti.on 9 is to carry l~u~er from -the
carriage and saw sectlon 6 to a selected one oE the two
lumber deck assemblies 12 and 13, whereas the purpose of
the o~ler roller bed section 10 is to carry railroad ties
or other larger such pieces from the carriage and saw section
6 to the transfer deck assemb:Ly 22. There may be further
seen a third roller bed section 15 arranged perpendicularly
to and across the opposite end of the transfer deck assembly
22,in parallel with the other two roller bed sections 9 and
10, which connects the transfer deck assembly 22 with the
four tie deck assemblies 16-19.
Referring again to Figure 1, it will be seen that the
lumber deck assemblies 12 and 13 are each respectively inter-
.~ connected with the lumber roller bed section 9 by one of a
pair of lumber stacker sections 20-21, and also by one of a
pair of pull-off assemblies 20A-21A, and that the transfer
deck assembly 22 is interconnected with the timber roller
bed section 10 by another pull-of.f assembly 22A. In addition,
. the transfer deck assembly 22 is joined at its other end to
the thir~d xoller bed section 15 by a trimmer section 14 and
a push-off assembly 14A.
As hereinafter stated, eac~l of the various aforementioned
.~ components are further positioned at one of three levels or
elevations, depending upon thelr respective functions within
the system. In particular, the various lumber and tie deck
:~ assemblies 12-13 and 16-19, as well as the trans~er deck
~ .
~ :~ assembly 22, are located at Elevation I, as are the three
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~ roller bed sections 9-10 and 15. Similarly, the various
~ stacker and pull-off sections 20-21 and 23-26 are loca-ted ~ .
~ 30 at Elevation I, which is the lowest of the three functional
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elevations in the system. ri'he log deck assen~ly 2 ancl nose
section 3 are located at Ele~-ation II, and the carriage and
saw section 6 is located at Elevation II~ which is the
hiyhes-t functional eleva-tion in the system. The posi-tion of
feedwords base 4 is at Elevation I.
~ s will hereinafter be explained in detail, sawlogs are
positioned along the length of the log deck assembly in a
manner parallel to the carriage and saw section 6. Accordingly,
the nose section 3 operates to select and transfer a sawlog
from the log deck assembly 2 to the carriage and saw sec-tion 6,
preferably by rolling it or pushing it sideways onto the
carriage portion of the carriage and saw section 6. After the
log is properly secured thereon, the log is then carried
longitudinally back and forth to slice it into lumber or
railroad ties or the like, each board or other piece tending
to fall sideways from the carriage and saw section 6 onto the
appropriate one of the two roller bed sections 9-10. Those
pieces considered to be lumber are, of course, longitudinally
carried by the roller bed section 9 to the appropriate one
of ~he two lumber deck sections 12-13.
. As will hereinafter be explained in detail, the function :.
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o~-the two pull-off sections 20A-21A is to transfer the .
.
: board or other piece onto the corresponding one of the two
~: stacker sections 20-21, and that component may thereafter be
employed to transfer such piece onto the selected one of the
two lumber deck assemblies 12-13. Railroad ties and other ~.
~, .
~such larger pieces or timbers provided by the carriage and :~
. saw section 6 w111, as hereinbefore stated, be deposited ~;
longitudinally on the other roller bed section 10 to ~e carried :
to the transfer deck assembly 22. Accordingly~ such railroad
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tie or timber is removed onto the transfer deck assembly 22
by another pull-off section 22~ similar in desiyn and function
to ~he pull-off assemblies 20A-21A hereinbefore rnen-tioned,
whereby the transfer deck assembly 22 may carry such tie to
the trimmer section 14. Thereafter, the tie is transferred
onto the third roller bed section 15 by either a push-off
assembly 14A, or by another pu].l-off assembly, for transfer
to the appropriate one of the four tie deck assemblies 16-19.
The system will also include four tie stacker sections 23-26,
and four pull-off assemblies 23A-26A, for the purpose of
removing such ties from the roller bed section 15, and for
the purpose of thereafter stacking them appropriately onto
one of the four tie deck assemblies 16-19 as will hereinafter
be explained in detail.
Referring now to Figure 2, there may be seen another
functional representation of the various components of the
sawmill depic-ted in Figure 1, wherein these components are
depicted with respect to movement of sawlogs and lumber
throughout the system. Accordingly, the system may be seen
to include a rub bar assembly 5 which prevents the carriage 27
from being thrown from the rails of the carriage and saw
section 6 by the impact of the slapper bar 37 (see Figure 14)
on a sawlog being driven onto the carriage 27, a driving
means 195 of conventional design for energizing the rotary
saw (not spec:ifically depicted in Figures 1 and 2), and a
suitable cage or control booth 30 for accommodating the
operator of the sawmill. Further, there may be seen that the
sawmill includes a conveyor belt section 11 which is composed
of an endless belt arranged beside and parallel with the
carriage saw section 6 for carrying away slabs and other debris
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not suitable for use as lumber or railroad ties or tile like.
Fiyure 2 also depic-ts the location of each triple leg
assembly 200, which is a component more particularly described
and depicted in Figures 10-12.
Referring now to Fiyure 3, there may be seen another
differen-t pictorial representation of the sawmill illustrated
in Figures 1~2 and more particularly showing the platform
hereinbe~ore described for the purpose of supportiny the
various modules and components at the appropriate one of the
three elevations hereinbefore mentioned with respect to
Figure 1 In particular, the platform may be seen to be
composed of a plurality of vertical s-trength members hereinafter
referred to as piers 44, which are adapted to provide -the
lowest Elevation I. ~ similar vertical strength member,
hereinafter referred to as a column 45, is used to provide
support for components located at the intermediate Elevation II.
In addition,:it may be seen that extension members 70 may be
located on top of piers 44 for -the purpose of also providing
. support at the intermediate Elevation II.
The highest Elevation III r~ay be considered to be the
top surface of the rails 74 of the carriage and saw section.6,
and which is composed of a pair of railroad-type rails 74,
each mounted on a raiI bed member 73, which, for present
purposes, may be a rectangular hollo~ channel member or
other suitable structural device.
Referring again to Figure 3, it may be seen that the
columns 45 are intended to support both the log deck assembly
- . (not depicted in Figure 3) and the nose section 3, as well
as a portion o:F each of the two rail bed members 73. Piers 44
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are provided to carry longerons 50, AS may be seen in
Figure 4, and the rail bed members 73 rnay therefore be
supported on the upper ends of extension members 70 moun-ted
on these lonyerons. ~`he feedworks base 4, which supports
a feedworks 42 for driving the carriage 27, is cen-trally
supported at Elevation I by a pair of piers 44. It
also includes the return stop assembly 32 which, in turn,
is centrally supported at Elevation II by vertical extension
memkers 70 mounted on piers 44, and is also connected to
- 10 one end of the two rail bed members 73 for the purpose of
structurally inteyrating these components into the assembly
formed by the platform. As may be further seen, a second
stop assembly 31 is mounted at the opposite ends of the
rail bed members 73, at Elevation I, on one of the two
longerons 50 which support the first lumb~r deck assembly 12,
although it is also interconnected with the other ends of
the two rail bed members 73 to achieve s-tructural unity.
As hereinbefore stated, the platform composed of the
; piers 44, columns 45 and other members are connected together
into a structural unit by the various modules such as the
carriage saw section 6 and the lumber and tie deck assemblies
12-13 and 16-19 which are mounted thereon. As indicated
in Figure 3, however, one or more diagonal braces 46-47 may
be suitably employed at points adjacent the ends of the
carriage saw section 6, however, because of stress created
by movement of the carriage 27 and its impact upon one or
the other of the two stop assemblies 31-32.
The carriage 27, which is depicted in Figure 3 and which
functions to support a sawlog intended to be cut into lumber,
.
l 30 may be of any suitable design such as that illustrated in
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U. S. Paten-t No. 3,566,933. Accordinyly/ the carriage 27
may include -two or more knee assemblies 2~-29 and o-ther
components such as an appropr:iate carriacJe dial 179 to
indicate the lateral position of the knee assemblies 28-29
and sawlog (not depicted) on the carriage 27. Accordingly,
the control booth 30 is appropriate].y positioned adjacent to
but OIl the opposite side of the circular saw blade 34, not
only to better observe the cutting operation provided by
the saw blade 34 but also to observe readings indicated by
the dial 179.
. ~eferring again to Figures 2-3, it will be seen that
the depicted sawmill is basically composed of a plurality
of functional components or modules which are interconnected
together on a platform composed, fundamentally,of piers 44,
columns 45 and longerons 50. The piers 44 and columns 45
are, of.course, arranyed in ranks and files to provide
vertical support for the modules, and the longerons 50
provide strength to the platform along the files of piers
44 and/or columns 45. Accordingly, when a module such as -:
the lumber deck 12 is disposed on two longerons 50, it also
provides strength between the ranks o~ piers 44 which support
it.
. .
Referring now to Figure 4, there may be seen a partial
. but different view of the pla-tform depicted in Figure 3 and
composed of the various vertical structural members here-
inbefore reEerred to as piers 44. Each of these piers 44 may
be seen to be provided at its upper end with an inverted
short saddle member 51 composed of a piece of channel or the
:
like, and of a size to receive and hold, without bindiny, a
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1~51755
square tubular member re~erred to as a longeron 50. Tl-e
purpose o~ the various longerons 50, whlch are carried on
files of piers ~, is to estab:Lish the aforementioned lowest
functional Elevation I in the sawmill, and thus these
longerons 50 operate to support either a vertical extension
member 70 or an operating modu:le such as the lumber deck
assembly 12. It will therefore be seen tha-k the lumber
deck assembly 12 is composed of a pair of lony saddle members
71 which, in turn, each include a spaced~apart pair oE
chain assemblies 86 and 87. Lur~er is loaded on the two
chain assemblies 86~87, and may therefore be moved laterally
thereon by means of movement of movable chains therein (not
depicted).
Since Elevations I and II are established by the
longerons 50, it will be apparent that piers 44 and columns
45 must be appropriately mounted. As may be seen in Figures
5-7, such mounting is pre~erably perfonned by digging a .:
posthole 52 an appropriate depth in the earth 63, by disposing
in such posthole 62 a base pad assembly 57, and by supporting
such base pad assembly 57 in the pos-thole 62 by means of
concrete 64. More particularly, the base pad assembly 57
may be seen to be composed oE a rectangular metal plate 58
and three lengths of metal supporting rod 59-61 each having
one end built in *he manner of a right angle. l'he angular
ends of the rod 59-61 are appropriately welded to the underside
of the plate 58, as suggested in Figure 6, whereby the plate .
58 will provide a supporting pad for the pier 4~ when the
- base pad assembly 57 is appropriately mounted in the hole 62.
~ After the concrete 64 has set, its level is measured by ~:
conventional means for the purpose of determining the length
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of the pier 44 which is necessary -to support a longeron 50
at Elevation I. In this respect, the height o~ ~levation I
above the surface of the earth 63 is not signiflcan-t, but
the height of Eleva-tions II and III above Elevation I is,
of course, material to the operation of the sawmill.
Referring again to Figure 5, it will be seen that the
pier 44 (or column 45) ls preferably welded on-to the upper
surface of the plate 58 of the base pad assembly S7 and that
two or more sleeves 52-53 or other tubular members are appro-
priately welded to the sides of the inverted shor-t saddle 51
; which is positioned on the upper end of the pier 44. It will
; be noted upon use of the present invention that the weight of
the various components souyht to be supported on the longerons
S0 will be sufficient to provlde immobility of these modules
and components and corresponding structural integrity to the
platform composed of the piers 44, columns 45 and longerons 50.
In some instances, it may be desirable to further secure one
portion of the platform to another, and thus it may be seen
in Figures S and 7 that a U-tie bolt 54 may be inserted over
the longeron 50 and through the sleeves 52-53, whereby the
longeron 50 may be further connected to the pier 44 by nuts
55-56 on the ends of the U-tie bolt 54. I-t will also be seen,
however, that this manner of interconnecting the components of
the platform may also be used, as will hereinafter be depicted,
to connect the modules and components of the system to the
longerons 50 of the platform, and that both erection and dis-
assembly of the sawmill are relativelv simple and rapid
expedients. The various piers 44 and columns 45 must, of
course, be cut from the plates 58 of the various base pad
;~ 3a assembles S7, and may not be re~useable if they are too short
- to support a longeron 50 at ~leva-tion I at the new site.
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It is not ordinarily practical, however, -to salvaye the
base pad assemblies 57 which are embedded i~ the concrete-
filled holes 62.
Referring now to Figure 8, there may be seen a detailed
and pictorial representation of the portion of the platform
depicted in Fiyure 3 and composed of the portion supporting
the carriage and saw section 6. More particularly, it may
be seen that the rail bed members~73 are composed of a pair
of rails 74 each mounted on elongate rectangular hollow members
which are positioned on either cross-tie members 206, which
are channel members carrying a pair of spaced-apart inverted
short saddles 51, or on cross~tie extension assemblies 72
which, in turn, are mounted on longerons 50 at Elevation I.
As further indicated in Figures 3 and 8, some of these
longerons 50 are supported at Elevation I by piers 44, and
some are supported at the intermediate Blevation II by columns
45, depending on whether the longerons 50 are located to carry
a cross-tie 206 or a cross-tie extension assembly 72. As
may further be seen in Figure 8, a cross-tie assembly 72 is
a:unit composed of a pair of v.ertical extension members 70
mounted on a long saddle member 71 and carrying a cross-tie
member 77. Referring agairl to Figure 8, it will be noted i
that the long saddle member of the cross-tie extension
assembly 72~is provided with a pair of sleeves 76 on each side
at a location adjacent the lower ends of the vertical extension
members 70. Accordingly, the cross-tie extension assembly 72
may be fixedly secured to the longeron 50 upon which it rests
by a plurality of U-tie holts 54 inserted through the sleeves
76 and extending around either the longerons S0 or the short
, : :.
saddle member 5.L on the upper end of the pier 4A.
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Similar sleeves 76 may be provided on the adjacent sides
of the inverted saddle members 76 positioned on the upper
ends of the vertical ex-tension members 70 for the purpose of
containing U~tie bolts 54 in the manner hereinbefore explained.
It will be noted, however, that these upper positioned U-tie
bolts 54 engage a snubbing block 75 which is welded or
otherwise affixed to the sides of the rail bed support member
73. Each rall bed member 73 rests in one of the short saddle
members 51 of the cross-tie member 77, and thus the short
saddle members 51 are provided with sleeves 76 located to
correspond with the location of the sleeves 76 on the inverted
saddle member 51 fixed to the upper end of the column 45.
Accordingly, the rail bed member 73, which is also provided
with a second pair of snubbing blocks 75 at this location, -
may be secured to the cross-tie channel member 206 and ::
columns 45 ~y means of longer U-tle bolts 54 extending throuyh : :~
the sleeves 76 on both the upper inverted short saddle member
51 fastened to the cross-tie saddle 206, and the lower inverted
saddle member 51 fastened to the upper end of the column 45.
Referring now to Figure 9, there may be seen a more
detailed pictorial representation of the major components of
the platform and carriage and saw section 6 depicted in Figure
: 3. More particularly, it may be seen that the rails 74 are . :
mounted on the upper surface of the rail bed members 73 and
:~ .
~that the ends of the rail bed members 73 are arranged to mate
with the base members of the two stop assemblies 31 and 32.
: : More particularly, the rail bed members 73 are each connected
- ~ to the base members 85 by means of connectin~ bolts 80 and
nut 81 extending:through each of a pair of sleeves 78 and 79
~; 3~ ;mounted on the rai~l bed member 73 and base member 85,
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respectively. ReferrincJ now -to the first s-top assel~bly 32,
it will be seen that this module is composed o~ a pair of
leg men~ers 83 mounted on the two base members 85 and
supporting in horizon-tal arrangement a shoc]c-absorbiny
bumper 49 in a channel-like bumper holcler 82. S-trength is
provided against impacts on the bumper 49 by angle brackets
84 as well as the tie-bolt 80 which interconnects the rail
bed member 73 to the base member 85.
It will be noted in both Figure 3 and E'iy~re 9 that the
base member 85 of the stop member 32 rests not only on the
vertical extension memkers 70 of a cross-tie extension 72
but also on the floor 43 of -the feedworks base 4 which carries
the feedworks 42. Accordingly, the floor 43 is also provided
with a saddle member 65 to rest on the longeron 50 which is
carried by the pier 44, and which supports the floor 43 of
the feedworks base 4.
Referring again to Figure 9, it may be seen that the
other stop assembly 31 is more simply composed of a pair of
vertical leg members 83 supporting an impact-absorbing bumper
48 mounted horizontally across the two base members 85 in a
similar bumper holder 82. The leg members 83 are further
joined to the base members 85 by a pair of short angle
brackets 199. The stop assembly 31 is supported by a cross-
tie extension assembly 72 on a pair of piers 44, and on
another pair oE piers 44 by a further assembly of components
wh.ich include a cross-strut 90 spanning and interposed between
the two base members 85 and a pair of horizontal stru-ts 89,
a special vertical extension column 70A and an angle bracket
70B. The special vertical extension column 70A is mounted on
. . .
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a short saddle member 65 for suitably engaginy a lonyeron
50 carried by the second pair of piers 44.
Referring now to Figure 13, there may be seen another
pictorial view of a portion of the carriage and saw section
6 and also the rela-ted portions of both the supporting plat-
form and the rail bed sections 9 and 10 and the conveyor
belt section 11. More particularly, there may be seen a
pictorial illustration of the longeron 50 extending across
two or more piers 44 at Elevation I and supporting the
vertical extension column 70 which carries the rail 74 mounted
on the rail bed member 73. There may also be seen a more
detailed illustration .of both the roller bed sections 9 and 10
as mounted on the longeron 50, and also the conveyor belt
section 11 as disposed on the longeron 50. As hereinbefore
stated, the carriage 27 which rides on the rails 74 is adapted
to carry a sawlog longitudinally with respect to the roller
b~d sections 9 and 10 and in gripping contact with the knee .
assemblies 28 on the carriage 27.~ The first cut taken from
: a sawlog will produce a "slab" having no value for lumber
purposes but which lS salvageable for purposes of conversion
to pulp. Accordingly, when a slab is produced the flip board
102 which is a portion of the slab flip board section 7 is
arcuately raised about the hinge 103 and the slab (not depicted
in Figure 13) may then fall into the space between the higher
support member 107 adjacent the carriage 27 and the lower
~; support member 108 and extension support member 109 on the
:~ opposi:te side. More particularly, the slab will fall into
. the U-trough 97 and onto the endless belt 113 wilich, as indicated
in Figure 2, will move to carry the slab a~7a~ fro~ the carriage
a ~ and saw section 6 to an appropr.iate discharge point such as a
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conventional chipper assembly (not depicted)O It may be seen
in Figure 2 that the endless belt depicted in Fic;ure 13 must
travel over a substantial distance. Accordinyly, and as further
depicted in Figure 13, the conveyor bel-t section 11 may
suitably include one or more belt support rollers 96 located
beneath the conveyor belt section 11 for supporting -the return
portion of the endless belt 113.
Referring again to Figure 13, it will be seen that the
flip board 102 rests on the lip portion of a suitable support
lQ member 106, which is mounted on the upper end of the higher
support member 107, and which extends toward and immediately
underneath the projecting lip or edge of the deck of the
carriage 27. The purpose of the support mernber 106 is to
span the gap between the carriage 27 and the slab flip board
102.
Referring ayain to Figure~13, it will be seen tha-t the ~-
two roller deck sections 9 and 10 are composed of a plurality
of rollers 110 rotatably mounted between channels 111 which,
in turn, are mounted on an array of spaced-apart lower support
members 108. The purpose of the extension support member 109
is to provide for angular positioniny of both the flip board
102 which is a portion of the slab flip board section 7 and
the flipboard 104 which is a portion of the lumber flip board
8. The two flip boards 102 and 104 are mounted to form an
inclined plane extending generally from the deck of the
carriage 27 at Lts upper end and to the rollers 110 of the
second roller bed section 10 at its lower end. Accoxdingly, if
the piece severed from the sawloy on the carriage 27 is a slab
or otherwise relatively worthless piece, the flip board 102 is
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raised pivotally about the hinge 103 by a pneumatic cylinder
(not depic-ted) whereby the severed piece will thereupon fall
onto the endless bel-t 113. If the severed piece is of
salable size and shape, however, the first flip board 102
is left resting on the support member 106, and the second
flip board 10~ may be elevated about its hinye portion 105
by suitable means such as a pneumatic cylinder (not depicted).
In this event, the severed piece wi]l roll across the support
member 106 and first flip board 102 and thereafter onto the
rollers 110 composing the first roller bed section 9. As
hereinb~fore stated, the first roller bed section 9 is arranged
to carry pieces to the lumber deck assemblies 12~13. Accord-
ingly, the second flip board 103 will only be raised if the
severed piece is of lumber dimension, and it will be left
down on the upper end of the exténsion support member 109 if
the severed piece is, instead, suitable for railroad tie
purposes or the llke. In this even-t, the severed piece will
roll across the support member 106 and both flipboards 102
and 104 to the rollers of the second roller bed section 10
and may then be carried down to the receiving end of thè
transfer deck assembly 22.
It will be noted that the rollers 110 are provided with
belt grooves 116 for receiving driving belts, whereby the
rollers 110 may be rota-ted by suitable means to travel the
severed pieces to their intended destinations. In addition,
curb rails 112 are appropriately included to keep the
severed pieces from sliding off of the rollers 100 during
thelr travel thereon. ~
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16~5~L~55
As hereinbefore stated, it is a concept o~ this
invention to provide a sawmill composed of modules which,
though functionally interconnec-ted wi~h each other, are
substantially structurally independent of each other.
Furthermore, it is another concept or feature of the inven-
tion that certain modules are constructed according to a
standard design where,by they may be interchangeable, and
whereby parts from one module may each be substitu-ted fox
parts used for a different purpose in another module, as a
temporary expedient to maintain productivity during relatively
'short i~tervals.
As an example of the interchangeability of various
modules in the system depicted herein, it should be noted that
the log deck assembly 2 is substantially the same as the .
lumber deck assemblies 12-13, the transfer deck assembly 22,
and also the four tie deck assemblies 16-19. The different
nomenclature employed herein is, therefore, not intended to
.. .. .
indicate a difference in construction but only a difference
in function or purpose within ~he system.
Referring now to Figure 14, there may be seen a more
detailed pictorial view of the log deck assembly 2 as it is
functionally interconnected with the nose section 3 and
, carriage and saw section 6. As hereinbefore stated, the
only difference between the log deck assemblies 2 and the
lumber deck assemblies 12~13, transfer deck assembly 22 and
the tie deck assembly-16-19, i5 its location and function
within the saw mill hereinbefore described with respec-t to '~
Figures 1-3. Accordingly, the log-deck assembly 2 (and also
,
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the o~er xe~erenced modulesL ma~ be seen to be ~ stxuctural
unit resting upon a pa~r of spaced apart lQn~erons 50 which,
together with the aforementioned columns 45 comprise the
supporting platform, The log deck assembly 2 is composed
of the two chain assemblies 86-87 supported on a pair of
long saddle members 71 by a plurality of vertical support
members, whereby a plural~ty of saw logs 98 may rest on a
pair of endless chains 100. A suitable drl~ing means 101 is
also preferably included for the purpose of connecting power
through an appropriate gear reduction assembly 118 and driving
chain 119 to drive the chains 100 in a manner to carry the
saw logs 98 from one end of the log deck assembly 2 to the
other end. More particularly, saw logs 98 which are brought
to the saw mill by trucks and the like and loaded onto the
log deck assembly 2 at one end, and are then carried by
chains 100 to the other end of the log deck assembly 2 for
discharge, one-by-one, onto the nose section 3 of the saw
mill. Accordingly, control means (not depicted in Figure 14~
will be appropriately located in the control booth 30 whexeby
2a the operator can start and stop travel of the saw logs 98 as
may be desired.
Referring again to Figure 14, there may be seen a more
detailed pictorial representation of one especially suitable
form of nose section 3 and which is more particularly
described and explained in the copending patent application,
Serial No. 470,338, which was filed May 16, 1974, now U.S.
Patent No. 4,094,220, June 13, 1978. Accordingly, it will be
noted that the nose section 3 is designed to provide two ;
functions, i.e., the nose section 3 selectively accepts
saw logs 98 from the log deck assembly 2 for transfer to
: -
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l~S lL~7S~
the carriacJe 27 of the carriage and saw section 6, and it
also operates to manipula-te any saw log 98 which may become
juxtaposed bet~een the log deck assembly 2 and the carriage
and saw section 6. Thus, the nose section 3 is provided
with two or more crescent-shaped stop and loader members 36
which are rotatable about a driving shaft 36A, and which have
a curvilinear edge to catch and support a saw log 98. More
particularly, when the stop and loader members 36 are rotated
in a counter-clockw se direction, the outwardly curving
surface 36B of each loader member 36 will be ro-tated below
the top of the log deck assembly 2 and the inwardly curving
surface or edge 36A will be presented to accept the sa~ log
98 at the end of the log deck assembly 2. After a saw log 98
has rolled onto the curved edge 36A of the loader members 36,
the log members 36 are rotated in an opposite clockwise
direction to dump the saw log 98 carried thereon onto the
sloping rails 39, and also to elevate the outwardly curved :
edges 36B of the log members 36 to block any other saw log 98
irom rolling off of the log deck assembly 2 and onto the nose
section 3.
As previously noted, a well formed saw log 98 will tend
to roll up the rails 39 and into abut.ting engagement with
the knee as~semblies 29 of the carriage 27, whereby the saw
: log 98 may be engaged by the dogs of the knee assemblies 29
and carried to the saw blade 34. Many saw logs 98 are crooked
or~have;flattened portions along thelr clrcumference, and
may:even have a vestage of one or more branches extended from :
their surfaces, whereby such saw logs 98 may not roll along
: the rails 39 in a proper mannerO In the event such an irregular
::
~:: 30 or reluctan-t saw~ log 98 does no-t -travel entirely along the -~
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lenyth ~ the ra:Lls 39 to the deck o~ ~he carriaye 27, o~ if
such sawlog 98 becomes irrec;ularly posi~tioned on the rails 39,
a slapper bar 37 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction
to strike the sawlog 98 Erom beh:ind and drive i-t onto the deck
o~ the carriaye 27.
As hereinbefore stated, the nose section 3 is one of the
modules which is structurally independent of the other portions
o the sawmillO Accordingly, it may be seen that the nose
section 3 is also provided with a pair oE long saddle members
71 to permit the nose section 3 to be mounted as a unit on the
longerons 50 which carry both the log deck assembly 2 and the
carriage and saw section 6.
Referring again to Figure 14, it will be seen that the
carriage 27, which is positioned on the rails 74 carried by
the rail bed members 73, is located between the rub bar
assembly 5 and the nose sec-tion 3. More particularly, the
carriage 27 travels from a location between the rub bar assembly
S and the nose section 3 to and past -the circular saw blade 34.
When a sawlog 98 is discharged ~rom the loader arms 36 onto
the rails 39, it does not usually strike -the knee assembly 29
with heavy impact. ~hen the sawlog 98 on the rails 39 is struck
by the slapper bar 37, however, the sawlog 98 will often strike
.
the knee assembly 29 with an impact suEficient -to drive the
carriage 27 of~ of he rails 74. Thus, the rub bar assembly 5
~; is located to backup the carriage 27 at this point.
s further indi~ated in Figure 1~, t~le rub bar assembly 5
:
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S~L7~5
is comprised o~ a pair o~ vertical struts 93, wh:ich support an
impac-t-absorbing bumper 91 located in a channel-like bumper
holder 92, and which are vertically mounted on long sad~le
; members 71. The rub bar assembly 5 further conveniently has
angle brackets 94 to réinforce the vertical struts 93 against
impact delivered by the sa~log 98 through the knee assemblies
29 and the deck of the carriage 27.
~ s indicated in Figure 14, the nomenclature "sawlog"
is conventionally applied to a log which has not previously
been longitudinally sliced. After a sawlog has received at
least one cu-t by the circular saw 34, however, the portion
remaining on the deck of the carriage 27 is conventionally
referred to as a "cant." Accordingl~, the appara-tus depicted
in Figure 14 illustrates the carriage 27 as supportiny a
cant 99. ~
It should be noted that the various modules are no-t only
constructed so as to be installed i.n the system by merel~
supporting them on the longerons of the platform; many of them ~ .
are ~urther designed so as to properly space themselves, one
from another, according to function. .For example, the long
. saddle members 71 of the log deck assembly 2, the nose section
3, ana the rub bar section 5, and the cross-tie saddle member
~: 206 of the carriage and saw section ~, are of predetermined
~;~ lengths such tllat, when butted together on the longerons 50,
:~ these modules wi.ll be spaced together in a properly functional
manner within the sawmill. Since these components must also
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be located with r~sp~c~ to the saw line illustrated in
Figure 2, however, it will firs-t be necessary to locate
either the nose assembly 3 or the carriage and saw section 6
with respect to the saw line, beEore the other modules can
be properly installed.
Referring again to Figure 3, it will be noted that i~
a board or tie is to be delivered to an appropriate location
along the lengths of the roller bed section 9-10, some means
must be provided for stopping the board or tie as it travels
along these components. This may be done by stopping .the
rotatlon of the roller members 110, but this is unsatisfactory
since the board or tie will tend to continue slidin~ ~orward
along the surfaces of the immobilized roller members 110.
Referrillg now to Figures 15-17, there may be seen a
plurality o~ pictorial views of a stop assen~ly 115 which may
be used to selectively stop a board or tie as desired, and
which is pxeferably interconnected with a triple l~y 200 in
one or the other of the various roller bed sections 9-lp and
15, as will further be explained. More particularly, the
stop assembly 115 may be composed of a plate 120 pivotally
mounted on a rocker bar 121 by a pair of spaced-apart sleeve
members 122-123. ~he rocker bar 121, in turn, is pivotally
mounted between a pair of spaced-apart vertical arms 124-125
having a pivot rod 137 located between their lower ends. The
- vertical arms 124-125 are, in turn, interconnected with a
pair o~ vertical support members 130-131 by means oE a pa.ir
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of pivot arms 132 and 134 ill-l;erconnected at one cnd -l:o the
rocker bar 121, and at their other ends to a pivot rod 138
e~tending between the two vertical support members 130-131.
~nother pair oE lower pivot arms 133 (only one being visible)
are interconnec-ted between the vertical arms 124-125 and the
vertical support mernbers 130-131 by the pivot rod 137 at one
end and another pivot rod 136 a-t. the o-ther end. In addition,
a pneumatlc cylinder 139 is pivotally anchored at one end to
the pivot rod 136 by a spacing sleeve 171, and its piston rod
140 is pivotally linked to the rockqr bar 121. As indicated
in Figure 15A, extension of the pis-ton rod 140 ro-tates the
vertical arms 124-125 to raise the upper edge of the plate
120 above the level of the channels 111 which support -the .
roller members 110 of the roller...deck assemblieso
~lternatively, and as indicated in Figure 16, retraction of
the piston arm 140 will lower the vertical arms 124-125 to
retract the plate 120 below the upper surfaces of the roller
members 110. Thus, when the plate 120 is elevated as
indicated in Figure 15A it will block a board or timber 114
being carried by the roller members 110~ On the other hand,
if the plate 120 is retrac~ed as in Figure 16, the timber 114
can travel past wi-thout interference by the s-top assembly 115.
Referring again -to Figures 15-17, it may be seen tha-t
an appropriate limit switch 129 may be interconnec-ted with one
' of the two vertical support members 130-131 to position its
~ whis~er 128 to be enga~ed by an actua-tor arm assembly 127
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fixed to the rear surface o~ tlle plate 120. More particularl~,
the plate 1~0 is normally tilted ayainst the upper ends of
the vertical arms 124-125 by suitable spriny means 126 to
lower the end of the actuator arm assembly 127 below the
whisker 128. When the-plate 120 is elevated to stop a
timber 114 as indicated in Figure 15A, the colliding timber
114 will rotate the plate'120 only far enough to cause the
actuating arm assembly 127 to lift -t'he whisker 128 and thereby
actuate the limit switch 129. This,.as will further be
explained, will ac-tuate the appropriate pull-off assembly to
remove the timber from the particular roller bed section.
Referring now to Figure 15B, it may be seen that the
actuator arm assembly 127 is preferably composed of a s~uare
hollow tube 127A of a length'sufficient to reach from the
plate 120 to the whisker 128 of the limit switch 129. In
addition, a shorter length of rectangular tubing 127B is
also provided immediately beneath the square tube 127A.
The plate 120 tends to receive very heavy impacts, and thus
the purpose of the rectangular or oblong tubing 127B is to
provide support for the s~uare tube 127A.
Referring now to Figure 18, there ma~ be seen a simplified
pictorial representation of the pull-off assembly 23A, wherein
it may be seen how its two pull-off arms 141~142 of -this
portion of the sawmill are functionally positioned with respect
; to both the roller bed se'ction 15 which in-terconnects with
: the our tie deck assemblies 16-19, and also with respect to
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the lifting arms 161-163 of -~he stacker section 23. A5
hereinbcEore stated, tin~ers are deposited~ one at a time,
on the roller bed section 15 to be carried lonyi~udinally to
the appropriate one of the Eour ~ie deck assemblies 16-19,
the appropriate one being selected by eleva-tion of -the
plate 120 of a stop assembly 115 as hereinbefore mentioned.
When the timber strikes the plate 120 and thereby actuates
the limit switch 129 contained therein, this will actuate a
pneumatic cylinder within each of the two pull-off arms 141-
142, as will hereinafter be explained. Each of these -two
cylinders is interconnected with a dogging tooth 143 or 145
which projects above the upper surface of the two pull-off
arms 141-142 on the opposite side of the timber, and thus
retraction of the piston rods connected to these te.eth 143
and 145 will drag the timber sideways across the pull-off
arms 141-142 and, accordingly, onto the arms 161-163 of the
tie stacker assembly 23. ::
: Referring more particularly to Figures 19 and 20, there
may be seen a detailed representation of the internal
components of the pull-off arm 141 depicted in Figure 18
. and which is similarly representative of the internal
: configuration oE the other pull-off arm 142. Accordingly,
the pull-off arm 141 may be seen to be a rectangular hollow
member haviny a larger section 141A containing a sui.table
pneumatic cylinder.l~8, and a smaller section 141B haviny a
slot 144 in its upper surface. The cylincler 148, which is
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~O5~ 755
suitably anchored by pin 159, has the free travclincJ end o~
its piston rod 149 connected to a suitable link bar 152 by
a clevis 150 and clevis pin 151, and the link bar 152 is
preferably disposed within the smaller portion 141B of the
pull-o~f arm 141 on a pai.r of rollers 153 ~only one visible
in Figure 19). The dogginy tooth 143, in turn, is pivotally
interconnected by a plvot pin 155 be-Lween a pair o spaced-
apart tooth brackets 154 ~only one visible in Figure 19)
mounted on top of the link bar 152. Referring again to
1~. Figure 19, it will be seen that a suitable switch 156 is
arranged in the larger por-tion 141~ with a whisker 157
disposed to be deflected b~ an actuator projec-tion 158,~which
i5 moun-ted on the side ~ the link bar 152, and which
ac-tuates the switch 156 upon retraction of the piston shaft
149 into the cylinder 148.
Referring ayain to Figures 19 and 20, it may be seen
how the tooth 143 is arranged and adapted to engage the timber
147 to draw it onto the arms lGl-16~ of the tie stacker, upon
retraction of the piston rod 149 into the cylinder 148, but
2Q to underride the timber 1~7 whenever the piston rod 149 is
extended from the cylinder 1~8. The advantage thereby derived
is that the pu11-off assembly will onl~ move a timber 147 in
one direction and will not push it back onto the roller bed
section 15 upon extension o~ the piston rod 149 for -the
- purpose o~ taking a subsequent timber Erom the roller bed
section 15, :
.
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~L~S~IiL75i~;
ReEerring now to Fiyures 21-23, there may be seen a rnore
detailed pictorial representation of the link bar 152 and pull-
off tooth 143. Accordinyly, the lin~; ba.r 152 May be seen to
be a rec-tanyular body having pinhole 160 at one end ~or receiviny
the clevis pin 151, and~having a pair of rollers 153 mounted
adjacent its other end. The actuator 158 may be seen to be an
angular projection mounted on the side o~ the link bar 152 at
a location suitable for timely enyagement of the whisker 157
of thé limit switch 156 depic-ted in Figures 18 and 19. The
dogging tooth 143 may be seen to be a flat body having a right~
triangular configuration and secured between the two tooth
brackets 154 on top of the link bar 152 by means of the tooth :~
pivot pin 155, and further having laterally projecting portions
which act as counterweights to maintain the tooth 143 in a
normally erect position relative to the link bar 152.
Referring again to ~igure 22, it may be seen that the
engaging surface 143B of the tooth 143 is the longer right side
of the triangle defined by the tooth 163, and that when the
hypotenuse side 143A is driven against the timber 147 depicted
20 in Figures 19 and 20, the tooth 143 will yieldably rotate under
the timber 147 instead of displacing it from its location on
the tie stacker arms 161-163. Alternatively, when the engaging
surface 143B of the tooth is brough-t into contact with a timber
147 or the like, the tooth 143 is rotated cloc~ise to bring
its short side i.nto abutting engagement with the top of the
link bar 152, whereby further rotation oE the tooth 143 is
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~D517~S
prevented, and w~lercby the l;ooth 143 then oL~poses l~he tir~er
147 to displace i t along the leng-th of the arms 161-163 of
the tie s-tacker asserrbly.
Referring again to Fiyure 2, it will be noted that the
timbers which are received from the trimmer section 14 are
pushed on-l;o the roller bed section 15 by a push-off assembly
14A. ~rhis component of the system is entirely the same as the
pull-off asserr;bly 20A, excep-t tha-t its tooth 143 is reverse~
with respect to its position as indicated in Figure 22, and
that the cylinder 148 and piston rod 149 in Figures 19 and 20
are. operated in a manner opposite to that hereinbefore described.
With such an arrangement, the hypotenuse side 143~ oE the tooth
143 will be drawn yieldably against the timber, to rotate the
tooth 143 under the timber during retraction of the piston rod
149 into the cylinder 148, and the enyaging side 143B of the
tooth 143 will be pushed into contact with the timber to shove
it from the trimmer section 14 onto the roller bed section 15
upon extensior~ of the plston rod 149 from the cylinder 148.
Alternatively, of course, a pull-off assembly may be used at
this location in the system instead of the push-off assembly 14A.
ReEerring again to Figure 18, it will be seen that the tie
stacker por tion of the pull-o~ and tie stacker assembly 23 is
composed of an arrangement of three liting arms lGl-163 which
are fixedly positioned on a rotatable cross-bar 169, whereby
rotation o:~ the cross-bar 169 will elevate the li:Eting arms
:
161-163 to deposit timbers carried thereon onto the liftin~ :
:~ ' .. :~
-;
.~ . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . :.
1~5i1755
pads 180 and 1~:l oE ~ e tie deck assembly 1~.
Referrin~ now to Figures 29-31, there may be seen how the
lifti}lg arms lGl-163 may be elevated by an arrangement of
components i.nterconnected with the ccnter arrn 163 and composed
of pneuma-tic cylinders 231 and 237. More particularly, cylinder
231 is anchored between a pair o:E spaced-apart elevation arms
230-230A which are pivotally mounted at one~ end on the cross-bar
169, and which are pivotally com~ected to the cylinder 231 by
an anchor pin 235 slidably disposed in a spacing sleeve 244
10 extending between the arms 230-230A and fixedly attached to the
base of the cylinder 231. The piston arm 232 extending from
the cylinder 231 is interconnected with a bracket 246 on the
lower surface of the center arm 163 by a clevis 233 and clevis
pin 234.~ The other pneumatic~cylinder 237, which is anchored
at its base between the arms 230-230A by a sleeve 245 and
anchor pin 236, is connected at its other end through the piston
shaft 238 to a bracket 241 mounted on a short saddle 24~ by a
clevis 239 and clevis pin 240. The short saddle 242 i.s, in turn,
mounted on a brace 243 or ot~.er suitable portion of the platform
hereinbefore d.escribed, by U-tie bolts (not depicted) as
previously explained.
: The particular tie stacker configuration depicted in Figures
, -:
29-31, wherein two cylinders are employed instead of only one, `
provides a number of advantayes over the stackers and other
:
similar apparatus of the prior art. In the first instance, it
will be noted that whenever it i5 sought to elevate the center
`: :
,.: . : ~ .
. . ~; ; , .... , . . . , . . :
~L~53L7~
arm 163 with only one cylinder, the cylinder will necessarily
assume a very sharp angle oE attitude with respec-t to the
center arm 163 ei-ther at the beyinning oi~ the elevation or at
its point oE termina-tion in a ver tical position, ~or the reason
that the arm 163 is being rotated through a relatively large
angle (i.eO, 90 or more)O With the two-cylinder arrangement
depicted in Figures 29-31, however, the cylinders 231 and 237
always maintain a subs tantial angle of attitude rela-tive to
the li~ting arm 163, at all poin ts of travel between horizon~L1
and vertical. This, in turn, provides a second advantage
wherein the amount of pneumatic driving force required when
the arms 161-163 are either at horizontal or vertical may be
substantially reduced. In other words, when only a single ~ -
cylinder is employed it must have a capability which is
sub~tantially greater than the con~blned capability of both of
the two cylinders 231 and 237 employed as hereinbefore described. ~ -
A third advantage, which is particularly importan-t,
derives from the fact that the colTbination of the two cy~inders
231 and 237 permlts the~ elevation of the lif ting arm 163 ~ith
- 20 a~more controllable amoun-t oE force at all positions during
its rotation between horizontal and ver tical. Thus, the
,
lif ting arm 163 can be moved at a speed such that the timbers
~ . .
147 carried thereon are not thrown forward onto the lLfting
~; pads 180 and 181 of the tie declc asse~ly 18 but are stacked
thereon in the manner sought to be provided with this apparatusO
; In this respect, it should be noted that pneuma tic cylinders
: ~ ' ' : '.
-- 39 --
.... . .
~S~7~5
tend to vary Wit}l respect to their internal friction, and
thus it is difficult to control such cylinders in ~ preselected
manner whenever close tolerances o~ movernen-t are required~ By
using a two-cylinder arrangement rather tllan only ~ne, as in
the case of the prior art, the two cylinders tend to cooperate
in this regard, whereby they effectively operate as a sinyle
cylinder having a driving Eorce w'nich averages out the
variations arising because of difEerences oE internal Eriction
in their internal components.
In normal operation of this apparatus, it is conventional
as well as desirable -to actua-te the pull-off arms 141-142 to
load five timbers 147 onto the lifting arms 161-163 o~ the tie
stacker assembly 23, before the arms 161-163 of the tie
stacker assembly are elevated to deposit this stack oE til~bers
147 onto the tie deck assembly 18. In actual operation,-each .:
timber 147 may be deposited.across the lifting arms 161-163
only to the extent that the dogging teeth 143 and 145 can
travel along the slots 144 and 146 in the pull-o-Ef arms 141-142. ..
As each timber 147 is pulled onto the lifting arms 161~163 by
the dogging teeth 143 and 145 in -the pull-off arms 141-142,
the subsequent timber 147 will push the precedi~ timber or
timbers thereon Eurther down the lifting arms 161-163. Such
travel will only occur, however, until the first tin~er loaded
thereon comes into abuttiny engayement with the angular stops
: : 166-lZ8 mounted on the three li~tiny arms 161-163. Thereupon,
the cylinder 174 1oca-ted within the center lifting arm 163
.
-- ~0 -- .
:
, .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .
lOS~75~ii
may be actuated to retract the piston sha~t 17G until the
clampiny tooth 165 grips the last loaded tim~er 147 and draws
all five timbers into locking engagement against the stop 168.
Thus, the five tir~ers are held secured together by the
clamping tooth 165 during elevation of the lifting arms
161-163 by the cylinders 231 and 237, thereby avoiding any
tendency Eor the stack of five timbers 147 to topple over in
disarxay on the tie deck assembly 18.
Referring again to Figures 24-25, it will be seen that
the clamping tooth 165 is a T-shaped component having its
shank portion pivotally connected to the free traveling end . ~.
of the piston shaEt 176 by a clevis 177 and clevis pin 178
and having rollers 172 for facilitating movemen-t of the
clamping tooth 165 within and along the length of the center
: lifting arm 163. It will also be seen that the clamping tooth
is only ex-tended up throuyh the slot 164 and above the surface ~:
of the lifting arm 163 when the piston shaft 176 is retracted :
to briny the clamping tooth 165 into engagement with the ~.
timbers 147. Thus, a portion of the lower wal} section o~ the
20 ; lifting arm 163 is: preferably bent outwardly thereo~ in the
manner of a downwardly extending flap 173, where~y the rollers :::
.
.
~ of the clamping tooth 165 will roll downwardly on this flap
.
173 to drop~-~he engaging portion of the clamping tooth 165
below the upper surface of the lifting arm 163, and whereby
:~ ; tlmbers 147 may be~drawn onto the lifting arms 161-163 of
the tie stacker assembly without inter~erence by the
:
~5~L7~Si
clampillg tooth 165.
Referring now to Figures 18 and 26-2~, it may be seen
that the outer lifting arms 161-162 are eacll provided with
a suitable stack pusher member 190 pivotally mounted thereon
by means of sleeve bearings 215 and 216. In addi-tion, lifting
pads 180-181 are appropriately mounted adjacent the inner
sur~aces of the two chain assemblies 86-87 of the tie deck
assembly 18. More particularl~l the liEting pad 180 may be
seen to be pi~o-tally supported with respect to the chain
assembly 86 by means of a shorter pivot arm 183 at one end of
the lifting pad 180 and a longer pivot arm 182 at its other
end~ In additi.on, a pneumatic cylinder 184 is interconnected
by a pin 186 xotatably linked to a bracket 185 mounted on or
adjacent the lower surface of the chain assembly 86 a.nd having
its piston rod 187 connected to the lower end of the longer
pivot arm 182 by a clevis and pin assembly 188. Accordingly,
when the piston rod 187 is extended -from the cylinder 184,
the lifting pad 180 will be elevated by the pivot arms 182-183
above the upper surface of the chain assembly 86, and when the
piston rod 187 is retracted, the lifting pad 180 is retracted
below the upper surface of the chain assembly 86. Although
! not specifical:Ly depicted in the accompanying drawings, it
will be noted that the lifting pad 181 is similarly connected
to~and movable with respect to the other chain asse~ 87.
Referring again to Figures 26-28, it will be noted that
when t~e center arms 161-163 are elevated to a vertical
2-
~L~5~1l7S~i
position, the piston rod 187 is ex-tended ~rorn tlle cylin~er
184 to elevate the pads 180 and 181 above their respective
chain assemblies ~6-87, and the stack of timbers 147 carried
thereon may then be deposited on the lifting pads 180-181.
~ len another five timbers have been received onto -the
lifting arms 161-163 oE the tie stac]cer section 20, and when
the arms 161-163 are again elevated to a ver.tical position,
this additional stack of timbers will again be se-t down on the
elevated lifting pads 180-181. To prevent the second stack of
10. timbers from interfering with the first deposited stack of
timbers 147, it will be noted that the ro-ta-table s-tack pusher
190, which is rotatable freely in the appropriate one of the
two bearings 215-~16, and which is balanced to keep -the posltion
depicted in Figures 26-28, will be brought into abutting engagement
with the first stack of tlmbers 147 to push them forward along the
two lifting pads 180-181. Each time the lifting a.rms 161-163 are
elevated to a vertical position, the two stack pushers 190 will
therefore be brought into abutting engagement with the preceding ..
stack or stacks o~ timbers to shove them out of the way and to
~ thereby preven-t them from belng toppled over by the arrival of
the subsequent stack o~ timbers 147.
As hereinbefore explained, lumber which is carried by the
roller bed sec-tion 9 for loading onto the lumber dec}c assemblies
.12 and 13 must be deposited thereon by means of the two lumb2r
stacker sections 20-21 depicted in Figure 2. The lumber stacker
: section 20 depicted in Figures 32-34 is basical.ly the same as
'
- 43 -
.
.
'7S~;i
the tie stacker section 23 depic-ted and dcscribe~ in Figures
18 and 24-28, and is thereEore eleva-t~d by the same t~pe oE
apparatus depicted in ~ ures 29-31. ~ccordinyly, i-t will be
seen in Fiyure 32 that the lul~ber stacker section 20 is comprised
of three liftiny arms 161A-163A fixedly mounted on an appropriate
cross-bar 169A. It is not necessary to stack lumber received
onto the liftiny arms 161A-163~, however, and thus the center
lifting arm 163A need not contain clampiny apparatus such as
the cylinder 174 and clamping tooth 165 depicted in Figures
lQ. 24-25. The center arm 163A therefore need not be provided with
the slot 164 which is required to accommodate the clamping tooth
165, as depicted in Fiyure 32, but it is always convenien-t for
purposes o interchangeability to use components of like designO
As hereinbefore stated, lumber received onto the lifting
arms 161A-163A is not required to be neatly stacked in the
same manner as are ~he timbers 147 which are carried by the
1iting arms 161-163 of the tie stacker assembly, and it
is only necessary that such lumber be displaced completely
from the roller bed section 9 before the lifting arms 161A-
2a l63A are elevated to deposit the lumber onto the lumber
deck assemb1y 12. However, the two outside liftiny arms161A-162A of the lumber stacker 20 are preferably provided
with a pair of upwardly projecting triangular fins 210-211
to cause lumber dragged thereon by the dogging teeth
1~3 and 145 of the pull-off arms 141-142, to jump
forward down the length of the lifting arms 161A-1~3A
- 44 -
' ~
,
~5iL75~
In this respect, it will be no-te~ th~t thc smaller ~in 210
ls preferably located adjacen-t the end of each of the t~o
liftiny arms 161A-162A, and that the larger ~in 211 is located
furtller down the lengtll of the arms 161A-162Av In addition,
each of the two fins 210~211 is positioned with its lon~er side
directed toward the lumber being received from the roller bed
section 9.
Referriny ayain to Figure 32, it will be notecl that since
the lumber received onto the liftiny arms 161A~163A is not
intended to be neatly stacked on-to the lumber deck assembly 12,
as hereinbefore explained, the stack pusher members 190
depicted in Figures 18 and 26-28 are not required. On the
other hand, it is desirable to provide means for preventing .
lumber piled onto the lumber deck assembly 12 from falling
back onto the lifting arms 161A-163A, and thus discs 213 214
are preferably mounted rotatably in the sleeves 215-216
for preventing this from occurringO
Referring now to Figures 33-34, i-t will be seen how
lumber 207 which is drawn onto the lifting arms 161A-163A by
the dogging teeth 143 and 145 of the pull-off arms 141~142
wil} tend to sweep over the fins 210 and 211 to be piled in
a random fashion on the lifting arms 161A-163Av When the
liftincJ arms 161A-163~ are elevated to a vertical position, the
lumber 207 tends to fall forward onto the rotatable discs
213-214. Since these discs 213-214 are both freely rotatable ~.
in the sleeves 215-216, however, the lumber 207 will continue
' ~
:
' ' .
:"'
~ L~S~SS
fort~ard, aw~y froln tlle vert:i.cally erect liEtin~ arms 161~-
163A onto the chain assemblies 86~87 of the lumber deck
assembly 12. Since the ].ul~er deposited thereon may be
accumulated in a random fashion, as hereinbefore sta-ted,
the lumber deck assembly 12 need no-t be provided with -the
lifting pads 180-1~1 and actuating componen-ts therefor, as
previously described with respect to Figure 18.
Referring now to Figures 10-120 there may be seen a
detailed pictorial representation oE the triple ley 200
hereinbefore mentioned with respect to Figure 2, and more
especially illustrating how this component is employed in the
sawmill structure to provide a number of functions and
benefits. More particularly, the triple leg 200 is designed
to couple two or more portions of the various roller bed
sections 9-10 and 15 together as operating units, and to
support the assembled roller bed sections 9-10 and 15 on the
piers 44 at the Elevation I. In addition, the triple leg 200
is designed to provide means for.coupling driving power from
one portion of the roller bed section to another, and to
support an idling roller 193, as will hereinafter be e~plained,
Other functions oE the triple leg 200 include providing support
~or either porl:ion 141A or portion 141B oE a pull-o~f assemlly
141, and to support two or more such pull-off assemblies ..
either in side-~y-side relationship or in reverse relationship
wherein one of the two pull-off assemblies has had its tooth
143 reversed ~o provide push~ofE rather than pull-off, as in
:
~ , ' ' .
~ - 46 -
~ ':
~L~5~S5
- the case o~ the push-off ass~n~ly ~mployed -~o trclnsf~r ties
OlltO the roller bed sec-tion 15 from the tri~ner section 14.
Also, the triple leg 200 provides support Eor the lif-ting
arms 161-163 of each of the -tie s-tacker assemblies, and also
for the lumber stackers depicted in Figure 32~
Referring more particularly to Figure 11, it will be seen
that the triple leg 200 is composed of a pair o~ upright
leg brackets 223-224 spaced apart along a short saddle 205
' and each haviny a pair of oppositely projecting arms 203 .. -
adapted to be bolted to the adjacent ends of the channel members `
111 of the roller bed section 10 or the like. The short
saddle 205 is, of course, mountable on the appropri~te longeron
50, and therefore is preferably provided with sleeves 7G for
holding two or more u-tie bolts 54. As may further be seen in
Figure 11, the upper portion of each of the two ley brackets
223-224 is provided with a pair of upwardly extending'support
arms 202 spaced adjacent the.ends of the channel members 11,
and another pair of inside support arms 204. It will tjhus be
seen that a pair of arms 202 and 204 function to support a
pull-off assembly 141, or the idler roller member 193 may be
~ocated therebetween as illustrated in Figure 11.
Referring again to Figures 11-12~ it will be seen tha-t
the space between adjacent outside and inside support arms
202 and 204 accommodates the smaller portion 141B of a
pull-off assembly 141, wheréas the space between the two
inside arms 204 will,accommodate the larger portien 141A of
~al5175~i
such a pull-o~ assel~ly. AccordincJly, two pull-of~ assemblies
141 may be lai~ side-by-side, as hereinbefore explained.
Referring again to Figure 11, it may be seen how the
triple leg 200 functions as a connecting link for driving the
various roller members 110 in two separate sections o~ a
roller bed section 10 or the like. More particularly, it will
be seen that -the roller members 110 in one of the ~wo sections
will be interconnected by an endless drive belt 192, which is
passed about a driving sheave or pulley 191 adapted to carr~
two beltsO The second belt 198 carried by the two sheaves 191
is an endless member extending over a pair of pulleys 189, each
of which is slidably mounted in a vertical slot 197 in the
adjacent vertical leg bracke-t 223 or 224 of the triple leg
200. Accordingly, the two pulleys 189 ma~ be secured in the
slot 197 at an appropriate position by suitable bolts or
lockLng means 196, in order to apply the proper amount of
tension to the connecting belt 198. Thus, rotation of the :
belt 192 in the lefthand section of the roller bed, which ~:
rotates the roller members 110 therein, will also rotate the
connecting~belt 198 by rotatiny the sheave 191. Rotation of
the connecting belt 198 will, of course, rotate the sheave ~ .
191 and roller members 110 in the other section oE the
: roller bed section.10.
.
As hereinbe~ore stated, the triple leg 200 provides a
- suitable means Eor positioniny the stop asse~bly 115, which
; is described in Figures 15-17. Thus, the vertical support
: ~ - 48 ~
L7S5
m~mbers 130-131, which provi~e support for tlle pivot arn~
132-134, may ~e seen to be positioned between the two leg
brackets 223-224.
As hereinbefore stated r it is the func-tion of the triple
leg 200 also to provide support for the lifting arms 161-163 of
the tie stacker assembly depicted in Figure 18. Only one of
the three leys of the tie stacker need be supported, however,
and thus a sinyle rest 201, haviny the configura.tion of an
angle member, may be fixed to one of the two support arms
202-203, as lndicated in Figures 10-11.
With reference to the pull-off assemblies 141, which may be
laid across and supported by the triple ley 200, it should be
noted that these assemblies are preferably provided with some
form (not depicted) or projection for engaging one or more
of the support arms 202 and 204. Accordingly, tllis prevents
the pull-off assemblies 141 from being displaced horizon-tally
while resting on the triple leg 200.
Referring now to Figure 35, there may be seen a simplified
functional illustration of the major pneumatically actuated
driving means hereinbefore mentioned with respect to the
other components. In particular, there may be seen in Figure ~ .
~: ~ 35 a functional representation of a suitable source of pneumatic .
pressure 250, which source 250 is suitably connected through
line 251 to the pressure input ports B of each oE a plurality
of solenoid-actuated valves 252-256 which, in turn, have an
exit port A vented to the atmosphere, an outlet pressure por=
_~9_
~S~5~3;
C opened to intake port B upon actuation of the respective
solenoid, and an intake port D coupled to a hydraulic return
line 252B. l~e normal position of each of these valves
252~256 is to couple intake port B to exit port D therein.
Thus, when the valve is actuated, port D will be interconnected
with port A to provide an exhaust or return route to atmosphere,
and ports B and C will be interconnected to route pneumatic
pressure from the source 250 and pressure line 251 to the
components sought to be energizedO
Referring in particular to Figure 35, it will be seen
that the actuating cylinder of the stop assembly 115 is
normally in a retrac-ted position to position the plate 120
below the surface of the roller bed section. IE the solenoid
260 is ~nergized, however, pneumatic pressure will be coupled ~.
across ports B and C to the pressure line 252A leading to -the -
pressure port P of the pneumatic cylinder 139, and the exhaust
line 252B leading from the exit port R of the c~linder 139 will
be connected through ports A and D in the valve 252 to
~ atmosphere. Thus, energiziny the solenoid 260 will e~tend the
shaft 140 to elevate the plate 120 to intercept the tim~er 114,
as indicated in Figure l5A. Releasing the valve 252, however,
wiIl cause it to revert to its normal position wherein ports
A and C are connected to -the atmosphere, and pressure from the
source line 251 through ports B and D will cause the piston
shaft 140 to be~retracte~ within the cylinder 139. Referring
again to Figure 35, it will be seen that sinca the pull-oEf
: .:
~ - 50 -
.
~ i
~ s~o~s
assem~lies are ~Jenerall~ provided in pairs, tlle plleulnatic
system depic-ted in Fiyure 35 herein will incorporate at least
two cylinders 148 with piston rods 149. As indlcat~d, the
normal position oE the valve 253 is with ports A and C
interconnected and ports B and D interconnected. r~-us, when
the valve 253 is actuated and ports B and C are then
interconnected, pressure rom line 251 will be applied to line
253B and the upper intake port R of the cylinder 148. Thus,
pressure from line 253B into port R in the cylinder 148 will
cause retraction of the piston rod 149 therein, line 253A between
port P of the cylinder 148 and port D of the valve 253 beiny
the return route for this cylinder 148
As hereinbeore stated, there are.two cylinders involved
with two pull-of arms. It is especially desirable that bo-th
cylinders operate in synchronism with each other, and thus
lines 254A-B are interconnected respectively to ports P and R
o cylinder 148A, the same as with lines 253A-B and cylinder
1~80
As indicated in Figure 35, the cylinder 174 which
20 positions the clamping tooth 165 is interconnected to be
.controlled by the same control valve 255 which is interconnected
to control the two lifting cylinders 231 and 237 depicted in
Fiyures 29-31. The reason for this is that it is necessary
to draw the clamping tooth 165 into compression against the
stack o;:five timbers 147 at the very instant that the
liftiny cylinders 231 and 237 are ener~ized to raise the liting
- 51 -
., .
:.. . - .
~1~5~75i~
arms 161-163 On t}le otller hand, it rn~y also ~c seen in
Figure 35 that the cylinder 174 has its piston rod 176
extended whenever the piston rods 232 and 238 are retr~c-~ed
within cylinders 231 and 237. This is accomplished by
coupling por-ts P of the~li:Eting cylinders 231 and 237 to the
pressure line 255A which interconnects port C of the valve
255 with port R of the clamping cylinder 174. Similarly, ports
R of the lifting cylinders 231 and 237 are in-terconnected with
line 255B which is interconnected with port P of the clamping
cylinder 174. ~ccordingly, when the control valve 255 is
energized, pressure from line 251 will be delivered through
ports C and B of the valve 255 and line 255~ to extend piston
rods 232 and 238 at the same time that piston rod 176 is
retracted within the cylinder 174 to engage -the clamping
tooth 165 against the stack of timbers 147.
In this regard it should be noted that the clamping
cylinder 174 i.s not only smaller, rela-tive to the lifting
c~linders 231 and 237, but it lS faster acting due to the
fact that piston rod 176 will only travel a relatively short
distance in either direction along its length. Accordingly,
when the valve 255 is actuated, the clamping cylinder 174
:~ will immediately draw the clamping tooth 165 into engagement
with the stack of timbers 1~7 before the lifting cylinders 231
and 237 have lifted the liting arms 161-163 even a short
:distance rom horizontal. On the other hand, when the control
valve 255 is released for the purpose of returnin~ the lifting
" -52- ;
arms 161-163 to hori~ontal, L~le cylillder :L74 will react
immediately to disengaye the clamping tooth 165 from the
stack of timbers 147 before the liEtiny cylindcrs 231 and
237 have effectively moved away from vertical. 'l'hus, the
lifting arms 161-163 may be lowered awa~ from vertical, leaving
the stack of timbers 147 standing undisturbed on -the li~ting
pads 180-181~
It should be noted that the lifting pads 180-181 are
normally permitted to remain erect until a suitable number of
stacks of timbers 147 have been deposited thereon, and the
lifting arms 161-163 have been returned to horizontal at the
end of a cycle. Accordingly, control valve 256 ma~ be
energized to connect power through line 256A to port R in
the cylinder 184 which positions the liftiny pad 180, and
also to port R of the matching c~linder 1~4A which controls the
other lifting pad 181. Thus, piston rods 187 and 187A will be
retracted simultaneously to lower the two lifting pads 180-181
as a unit to deposit the accumulated stacks of timbers 147
onto the chains 100 of the chain assemblies 86 and 87 of the
tie deck assembly 18. The chains lOO may then be shifted
by the driving means 101 depicted in Figure 14 to transport
the timbers to another location to make room for a next
succeeding accurnulation of timbers. De-energi~ing the solenoid
264 will permit the control valve 256 to be returned to normal,
whereby pressure from line 251 will again be supplied through
ports B and D of the valve, and line 256B to ports P of the
;i;
,
. , , , . . ~
... . ; . : .. . . . ..
5~'755
cylinders 1~ alld 184A. Tllis will ayain e};tend the piston
rods 187-187~ to re-eleva-te the liftiny pads 180-181, line
25GA providing an exhaust route from ports R of the cylinders
184-184A to por-ts A and C of the valve 256.
As hereinbefore stated, the dogying tooth 143 may be
rcversed to permi-t the pull-ofE arms 141 and 142 in Figure
18 to operate as a "push-off" assernbly. Referring again to
Figure 35, thereEore, if the cylinder 148 is incorporated in
an assembly 141 which is used to push ra-ther than pull, then
line 253A will be connected to port R of the cylinder 148, and
line 253B will be connected to port P, whereby the piston rod
149 will move oppositely of the manner hereinbefore explainedO
It will further be noted that the limit switch 156 depicted
in Figures 19-20 must be repositioned whereby its whisker 157
will be actuated upon extension of the piston rod 149, rather
than by retracticn for pull-off purposes. ~ppropriately,
therefore, the switch 156 may be located at the end of the
small portion 141B of the assembly 141 whereby the whisker 157
may, for example, be deflected by the link bar 152 or one of
the rollers 153.
Referring now to Figure 36, there may he seen a simplified
schematic diagram illustrating the elec-trical circuits and
control switches for operating examples oE the various
comp~onents hereinbefore described. In particular, circuitry
illustrated therein is representative of -the circuits required
to control and energize the roller bed section 15, the roller
; ,
,.~
~C~5~SSi
bed section 9, the valves 253-254 which are necessar~ to
operate any one of the various pull-off assen~lies, the
valve 255 which is re~uired -to opera-te any of the tie or
lumber stacker sections, the mo-tor 101 which eneryizes any
one of the tie deck assemblies 16 19, and the valve 256
which operates any one of the lifting pads which may be
found on any one oE the -tie deck assemhlies 16-19. For
purposes oE simplification, it will be noted that those
switches represented in Figure 36 by double-dashed lines
will be found located in the control booth 30, and those
switches represented in Figure 36 by only a single dashed
line will be found located on or adjacent the component
sought to be controlled.
Referring again to Figure 36~ therefore, it will be
seen that a master switch 271 is provided for connecting
power from a suitable electrical source 270 to the circuitry
which,:i~ turn, includes a stop relay switch 272 for
energizing the solenoid of the stop positioning relay 274
in any of the various stop assemblies 115 which are located
20 ~ throughout the system, and which are illustrated in Figures
15-17. Accordingl.y, when the relay 274 is energized, it will
be seen to couple power through the first of three sets of
con-tacts~to the solenoid 260 by way of a stop override switch
273, and also to couple power through its second set of
contacts to hold the rela~ 274 closed aEter the switch 272
::: , : .
is reopened~ In addition, power is connected through the :~
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~L~Sl'75~
third set of con-tacts oE the relay ~74 -to cncrgi~e ~he
motor 288, whereby the platc 120 is now clevated to intercep-t
the timber 114 being carried on the xollers 110 of -the roller
bed section 15. As hereinbefore stated, switch 129 is closed
by impact of the timber 114 on the plate lZ0, whereby power is
coupled through the firs~ set of contacts of the stacker
safety relay 292 to energize the solenoid of the pull-off
relay 290. Note that the pull-off relay 290 may be energized
at any time by the pull-off star-t switch 276. The pull-off
relay 290 will now close to couple power from the normally
closed pull-off return switch 277 and the two normally closed
switches 156 and 156A to be found inside the two pull-off
assemblies 141~142, to latch the pull-off relay 290 closed.
Power to the solenoid of the stop positioning relay 2~4 will
now be broken to reopen the relay 274, and the solenolds
261-262 of .the pull-off control valves Z53-254 will now be
energized to pull the timber 114 off of the roller bsd
sectLon 15 and onto the lifting arms 161-163 of the tie
stacker assembly 23. Note aIso that when -the pull-off relay
290 is energized, the motor 288 which drives the roller bed
sectLon 15 is de-energized because of reopeni.ng of the stop
control relay 274. :
As hereinbefore stated, retraction of the ~iston arms
149-149A will open the two switches 156 15GA, thereby
, .,. :
disconnecting power from the solenoid of the pull-of~ relay
Z90, whereby the solenoids 261-263 will be de-enercJized
- 56 -
~L~S~L7S~
alld the teeth of tlle pull-off asse~lies w:ill bc Lc-turned
to their norma]. position. ~len five ties 147 have been
drawn onto the liftinc~ arms 161-lG3 of the tie s-tacke.r
assembly 23, and ~hen switch 170 has been closed, power
will now pass throuyh the app.ropriate contacts oE the now
reclosed pull-ofE relay 290 an.d the middle contacts of the
normally closed stacker safety relay 292 to energize -the
solenoid of the stacker relay 2910 Closiny this component
will connect a latching circuit -to the relay by way of its
first two contacts and the stacker limit and return switches
279-280, and will connect power through its second t~o
contacts to energize the solenoid 263 of the stacker control
valve 255. Accordingly, the lifting arms 161-163 of the tie
stacker assembly will now be elevated.
As soon as the arms 161-163 are elevated a short
interval, however~ the stacker safety switch 281 will be
released to close its bottom contacts to energize the
stacker safety relay 292. Power will now be disconnected
from the solenoid of the pull-off relay 290 to keep the pull- .
~ offs from operating while the lifting arms 161-16~ of the :
stacker section are in an elevated position. In addition,
power is further disconnected from the coil of the stacker
: relay even though the switch 170 is still ~losed by the
weight of the ties 147. Note further that, when the s-tacker
: . safety relay 292 is opened, the lifting pads-may not be
retracted even if the solenoid 264 of the pad control valve
~: ~: ' '' '
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~[D5175~ii
256 is eneryi~ed by closurc oE the pad do~n li.mi-l; switch 282.
~hen t~le li~-ting arms lGl-163 reach their full point of
elevation, ~his will open the stacker limit switcll 279 to
break the latching circuit which is holding the stacker relay
closed. Note that this same effect can be achieved, of
course, by opening the stacker return control switch 280
located in the control booth 30. Power will now be removed
from the solenoid 263 of the stacker control valve 255,
whereby the liEting arms 161-163 will be returned to their
horizontal position to await arrival of the next ti~ber being
carried on the roller bed section 15. At this poin-t, it will
be noted that the stacker safety switch 281 is returned to
its normal position, thereby breaking the circuit to the .
coil of the stacker safety relay 292, which will now revert to :~ :
its closed position, reconnecting power to -the pad-down limit ::
switch 282. If this component has been closed, the solenoid
264 of the pad control valve 256 will be energized to
actuate cylinders 184-184Ao In this regard, it may be noted
that solenoid 264 may be energized at any time by closure
of the lifting pad control switch 283.
~ As hereinbefore explained, whenever a preselected number
- of stacks of ties has been received on the lifting pads 180
181, the pads-down limik switch 282 will he closed to
~ connect power to the solenoid 264 of the pad control valve
: 256. The pads 180-181 will now be retracted by the cylinders
184-:84A un-il the deck start switches 286-287 (one being .
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~L~53L7~iS;
actuated`by each pad) are closed to couple power to the rnotor
101 which shifts the stacks oE ties along the ti~ deck
assembly and away from the pads until the pads-down limit
switch is released to de-energize solenoid 264. The pads
180-181 will then be.re-elevated to release the deck start
switches 286-287 and thus de-energize the motor 101. ~len
a stack of ties is carried to a certain distance along the
tie deck assembly, however, it will eventually depress and
close the deck limit switch 285 to disconnect power to the
coil of the deck safety relay 293. If the deck control
switch 284 is positioned as illustrated in Figure 36, power
will now be connected through the upper pair of contacts oE
the deck safety relay 293 to provide a latching circuit for
:this component, and power will be disconnected from the deck ~:
start switches 286-287 to stop the motor 101 and thereby
prevent ties from being carried off the end of the tie deck
- assembly. Positioning the deck control switch 284 to its
alternative position wlll break the latching circuit to the
deok safety relay 293 to permit it to return to its normal
position, and will also connect power to re--energize the
~motor 101 as long as long as switch 284 is in its alternative
position~ - :
As may be seen in.Fi~ures 32~34e a typical lumber deck
assembly 12 will not ~e provided with the li~ting pads 180-
: :
~ ~ : 181 which are incorporated with the tie deck assemblies~ In
:: ~ : : : ,
~ addition, the motor 288 which operates the roller bed section
~ :
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~0~7~;
15 ~i.ll not be involved wi l:h the opercltioll oE -the :Lur[~er
stackcrs, bu-t thc lumber roller bed section 9 haviny motor
289 will be involved. 2:~ccordi.ngly, the lif tiny arrns 161A-
163A oE the lumber s tacl;er 20A depicted in Fiyure 32 will be
eleva ted upon ac kuation or closure of swi tch 212 to again
connec-t power to the relay 2 91, the same as hereinbef ore
described. ~ctuation of the switch 129 will ac3ain close the
pull-off relay 290 to pull a board or plank onto the lif-ting
arms 161~-163A oE the lumber s tacker 20. Note -tha-t power is
.now applied through the bot-tom two contacts of relay 290 to
energize the lur[ber roller bed stop relay 294 to break the
energized circui t to the motor 289 which drives the roller
bed sectiorl 9.. When switch 212 is closed, this will again
energize the relay 291 to again energize the solenoid 263,
as hereinbefore describedO As soon as switch 212 is closed,
power will be connected through -the stacker safe ty s~7itch 281
to energize the tie deck motor 101, as well as to energize
the stacker reIay 291o As soon as the lif ting arms 161A-163
are elevated far enough to release the stacker safety switch
281, however, power will be removed from the tie deck motor
. 101 and will be cormected to actuate the stac]cer safety relay
292. Thus, i:he lumiber deck assernbly will be actuated -to
carry lumber previously deposited thereon only far enoucJh to
remove it frorn lurr~ber again being deposi ted thereon by the
rising lif ting arms 161~~163A~ .
As hereinbefore stated, the hollow lonyerons 50 are not .
~- .... .
-- 60 --
~S31'755
only employed to support the various modulcs buk arc also
used to provide support as well as protection ~or clectrical
cables which mus-t necessarily be e~tcnded between the
components previously discussed with respect to Fiyure 36.
On the other hand, a~cess is required to these cables a~
points intermediate the ends of the longerons 50, and also
provision must be had for connectiny other similar ducts
to the longerons 50 at selected locations between their ends.
Referring now to Figures 37-39, therc may he seen
pictorial illustrations of apparatus which has been found
particularly suitable for this purpose. Referring more
especially to Figure 37, there may be seen an exemplary form
of duct assembly 300 whic~ includes a ~unction box 301
adapted to be in-terconnected~between an aperture 305 (see
Figure 38) in the bottom of the longeron 50 and a rectangular-
duct extendiny at right angles to the longeron 50. More :
especially, the junction box 301 may be seen to be provided
with curvilinear surfaces 302 to support the cables 310
contained the.rein ayalnst deformation or dan~ge, such surfaces
or curvilinear wall portions 302 being conveniently provided
by taking a one-fourth round section of the wall of a metal
tube or the like of proper radiusO The junction box 301 m~y
be seen to be interconnected with an inverted short saddlè
51 which, as hereinbefore described, may be connect~d ~ith
.
. : the longeron 50 by means of U-tie bol~s 54 and sleeves 761
Re~erring now to Figure 38, it may be seen that access
,
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~95~L7S~i
may be had to the cables which transfer from -l:]-le junction box
301 to the longeron 50, eitller by disconnectiny -the U-tie
bolts 54 and removing the junction box 301 from the longeron
50, or by removing the access door 303 which is connected to
the end of the ~unction box 301 by means of screws 304 or
other suitable fasteners.
As indicated in Figures 37-3~3, provision ma~ be required
for connecting an extension duct 306 ,to the duct 308
at an angle less than 90. This may be conveniently ef~ected '' '
by providing a pair of' pipe sections. 307 to tlle sides of an
aperture in the duct 308, and by thereafter welding the
extension 306 to the pipe sections 307. The advantage of ~.
employing pipe sections 307 in this manner is that their
surfaces are rounded to protect the cables from abrasion,
and thus similar componen ts may conveniently be used at
the aperture 305 in the longeron 50~ . .': '
Referring now to Figure 390 there may be seen a pictorial
representation of the components which secure and protec-t
electricàl cables 310 when extending ou-t of a duct 308 or ,
the like. ~lore particularly it will be noted that brackets
311:1may be secured to spaced-apart edges oE the encl of the
duct 308, and may also be provided with threaded apertures , .. -
for receivi.ny the screws 304. The opening in the end of the
duct 308 is preferably closed l;;y a pair of plates 312-313,
- each of which has a screw aper-ture 315 :for matching the hole
~in the brackets 311, and which is also providcd with one or
:
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~L~5175;5
More spaced-apart circular recesses 316. ~ccordinyly, when
the plates 312-313 are secured to the end oE the duct 308
by the screws 304, the end oE the duct 303 wlll be closed
except for one or more holes ormed by the matching recesses
316. Thus, one or more suitable couplings 314 are preferably
provided in the recesses 316 to fixcdly secure cables passing
out of the duct 308 in the manner dcpicted in Fiyure 38.
~ote also that means such as the plates 312-313 may be
employed instead of the access door 303 in Fiyure 38.
Referring again to Figure 14, it will be noted that the
elevation and tilt of the rails 39 of the nose section 3
should be rather precisely established in order that a sawlog
98 will roll properly onto the deck oE the carriage 27.
Accordingly, a plurality of shims 2~5 and the like are
preferably included as a part oE the nose section 3, whereby
the positioning of this module mayt from time to time, be
selectively convenient.
Referring again to F:igure 4, it will be noted that lumber
deck assembly 12 is depicted as straddling two longerons 500
~ Such an assembly may be constructed to straddle or rest on
.
: three or mo.re longerons 50 to accommodate boards of greater
length, of course, without departing from the concept of the
present invention. In~this regard, the log deck assembly 2,
t3le nose section 3,~and the o-ther modules of the system may
be similarly adapted.
~: The concept of a modular-type sa~mill dcpends, oE course,
~:
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~6~5~7SS
Oll the de~inition o~ the term "module." As use(i ~lerein,
therefore, a module is any component o~ -the system which,
like the nose sec-tion 3 and loy deck section 2, is both
self-contained and independen-tly operable. ~ccordinyly,
the componen-ts descrïbed and depicted herein, which are
considered to be modules are the loy deck section 2, the nose
section 3, the carriage and saw section 6, the conveyor
assembly as hereinaf-ter described, each of the two lumber
deck assemblies 12-13, the transfer deck assembly 22, and
each o~ the tie deck assemblies 16-19. '~he conveyor
assen~ly is composed o~ the two roller bed sections 9-10
and -the conveyor belt section 11, the various triple leys
200 interconnected therein, the stop assemblies 145 in the
triple legs 200, and the flip board sections 7-80 The pull-
of~ assemblies 20A-21A, and other like components, are also
a part of ~he conveyor assembly inasmuch as they are supported
by the triple legs 200 rather than being disposed on
longerons 50. Similarly, the lumber s-tacker sections; 20-21
and the tie stacker sections 23~26 are part of the lumber
20 ~ deck and tie deck assemblies 12-13 and 16~19, respectively,
since the~ are mounted on these components rather than on
longerons 50 as sel~-contained modules.
Re~erring again to Figures 1 and 2, it should be no-ted
that the log deck assembly 2, the two lumber deck assemblies
12-13, the transfer deck assembly 22, and the four tie deck
assemblies 16-19 are all basically -the same in design~ ~ny
~ . ' ".
-64-
~5~S~
dif ferences such as th~ tie stackers 23-2G are adcliti.ons
only, and tllus all of -these components are basically
interchangea~le.
It will be apparent from the foreyoing that many other
variations and modifications may be made in the structures
described herein without substantially departing from the
basic concept of the present invention. ~ccordingly, it
should be clearly understood that the. forms of the invention
described herein and depicted in the accompanyiny drawings
are exemplary only and are not intended as limitations in
the scope of the present invention~
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