Patent ID: 6240821
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B23D,B27B,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus configured to separately orient and position first and second different boards having edges and first and second board axes, respectively, and to simultaneously feed the first and second boards along first and second saw axes, respectively, into at least one saw, the apparatus comprising:a lateral feed mechanism configured for displacing the boards in a lateral direction transverse to the saw axes to a staging area,the staging area having first and second alignment axes parallel with and spaced known equal distances from the first and second saw axes, respectively, the first and second alignment axes being spaced apart from one another a distance generally equal to the distance between the first and second saw axes;a first pair of spaced apart, movable stops located at the staging area and configured for abutting the edge of the first board, the first pair of stops being cooperatively and independently moveably with respect to one another in the lateral direction to orient the first board axis parallel with the first alignment axis, and to position the first board axis in a common vertical plane with the first alignment axis, such that the first board axis is parallel with and spaced a known distance from the first saw axis;a second pair of spaced apart, movable stops independent from the first pair of stops and located at the staging area proximal to the first pair of stops and configured for abutting the edge of the second board, the second pair of stops being cooperatively and independently moveably with respect to one another in the lateral direction to orient the second board axis parallel with the second alignment axis, and to position the second board axis in a common vertical plane with the second alignment axis, such that the second board axis is parallel with and spaced a known distance from the second saw axis, and such that the first and second boards are separately oriented and separately positioned with respect to the alignment axes;a displacement arm located proximal to the staging area and movable between the staging area and a feed area a distance generally equal to the distance between the first and second alignment axes and the first and second saw axes, respectively, the arm being configured for engaging and simultaneously displacing the first and second boards together in the lateral direction from the staging area to the feed area, the arm having a length sized to extend to both the first and second boards, such that the first and second boards are simultaneously displaced laterally equal distances from the staging area to the feed area;first and second spaced apart grips attached to the arm and configured for releasably engaging the first and second boards, respectively, the first and second grips being spaced apart from one another a distance generally equal to the distance between the first and second saw axes and the first and second alignment axes;a longitudinal feed mechanism located in the feed area and configured for engaging and feeding the first and second boards in a longitudinal direction transverse to the lateral direction into the at least one saw along the first and second feed axes, respectively.