Patent ID: 6032564
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B23D,B27B,Y10T

Abstract:
A saw carriage apparatus for cutting a stem having a butt end into segments, comprising:a plurality of linearly-movable carriages having wheels, each of said plurality of linearly movable carriages being disposed in linearly-aligned relationship with respect to each other for receiving the stem and selectively cutting the stem into segments;a fixed carriage disposed substantially adjacent to an end one of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages, said fixed carriage comprising a butt plate for engaging the butt end of the stem;a fixed gear rack disposed beneath said plurality of linearly-movable carriages;a gear rotatably carried by said plurality of linearly-movable carriages, said gear engaging said gear rack;fixed rails located beneath each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages for receiving said wheels of each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages in linearly-adjustable relationship;rollers rotatably carried by each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage for receiving the stem and positioning the stem against said butt plate;a saw provided on each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage for cutting the stem into segments responsive to positioning said plurality of linearly-movable carriages with respect to the stem by traversal of said gear rack by said gear and receiving the stem on said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage;a pair of stem clamps carried by each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage for clamping the stem on said rollers and securing the stem for cutting by said saw; anda pair of segment ejectors carried by each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage adjacent to said stem clamps for ejecting the segments from each of said plurality of linearly-movable carriages and said fixed carriage.