Lumber positioner

A lumber positioner having one or more parallel straight decks, and one or more parallel angle decks disposed transversely of, and adjacent a straight deck to extend at an angle thereto. One or the other of the straight deck or angle deck, is raised and lowered so that at least a portion of a piece of lumber extending across aligned lumber carrying surfaces of respective decks, can be transferred between a normal position, corresponding to the piece sitting on the lumber carrying surface of the straight deck, and a position vertically spaced therefrom in which it is sitting against a lumber contacting surface of the angle deck, so that the lumber piece can travel in a direction along either as desired. Preferably, a plurality of straight decks are constructed alike with each having at least one section. One or the other of each straight deck section, and each angle deck, is preferably provided with a plurality of elevated sections for carrying or moving lumber, spaced therealong from adjacent elevated sections thereon a distance equal to a lug spacing times the number of sections or angle decks present. As a result, one of the elevated sections will pass below the upper surface of each chain, while another appears above the other end thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a lumber positioner adapted to lengthwise 
position a piece of lumber prior to trimming to length. 
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
In a typical dimension lumber mill, prior to trimming, pieces of lumber are 
moved sideways along a lugged transfer deck (which includes a plurality of 
spaced apart, lugged chains) by abutting respective sets of moving lugs 
thereon. The lumber pieces if scanned, pass through an electronic scanner 
which determines the shape of the pieces of lumber and activates varying 
saws above a following trimmer saw deck to trim the lumber pieces for a 
maximum efficient utilization of them. However, the saws are typically 
spaced apart a distance of about two feet from one another, so that 
depending upon the physical end defects of the lumber pieces, up to almost 
two feet on each end could be wasted from each lumber piece by the 
electronic scanner activating the correct saw to eliminate the end defect 
thereon. Given the volume of lumber processed by a typical lumber mill, 
such can result in considerable wastage of useful wood. In order to 
minimize such wastage, a lumber positioner has previously been developed 
which utilizes a plurality of rollers driven in a direction at right 
angles to the transfer deck, along with a means to transfer lumber along 
the transfer deck, but above the rollers when the desired lengthwise 
movement has been obtained. The lumber can have its end forced to abut an 
angled fence as a result of movement by the rollers acting on the board. 
When on the rollers the lumber also continues to move sideways, thereby 
resulting in a selected amount of lengthwise movement against the angled 
fence, and is raised above the rollers at a time previously determined. 
Such an arrangement though has the disadvantage that wet or icy lumber 
will often slip on the rollers while still being moved sideways, so that 
the previously determined optimum lengthwise movement does not take place. 
Such slippage is emphasized by the attempt of the rollers to suddenly 
impose a lengthwise acceleration on the piece of lumber. In addition, such 
devices suffer from the fact that tapered ends of the pieces of lumber 
abutting the angled fence can be so weak as to collapse or break under 
impact by the rollers against the angled fence, so that the optimum 
lengthwise movement of the piece of lumber will be overshot. Further, such 
a device suffers from the fact that it can only position provided that the 
boards have previously been even-ended against a fence. 
It is desirable then to have a lumber positioning device which can 
relatively accurately move pieces of lumber selected lengthwise distances, 
and which preferably has a relatively high rate at which it can handle 
lumber. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A lumber positioner is provided, which broadly comprises a straight deck 
with a lumber carrying surface movable along it, so as to move lumber 
sitting on it in the direction of the straight deck. An angle deck is 
disposed transversely of, and extending at an angle adjacent to the 
straight deck. The angle deck has a lumber contacting surface which will 
move lumber positioned against it, in the direction of the angle deck. 
This lumber contacting surface is alignable with the lumber carrying 
surface of the straight deck. An angle and straight deck drive means is 
provided for driving both of the lumber carrying surface and lumber 
contacting surface, such that they are maintained in alignment when the 
deck drive means is driven. An elevator means, when activated, can lower 
or raise one of the foregoing two surfaces, such that at least a portion 
of a piece of lumber sitting on the lumber carrying surface, can be 
lowered on to or raised from the lumber contacting surface. It should be 
noted that throughout this application, the angle between any straight 
deck or straight decks, and angle deck or angle decks, is measured between 
a vector pointing along the straight decks in the direction in which they 
normally move, and which vector commences from a position adjacent an 
outfeed end of the straight deck. 
In the preferred embodiment of the positioner, the lumber contacting 
surface comprises a lumber carrying surface, upon which at least a portion 
of a piece of lumber can sit. In this embodiment, at least a portion of a 
piece of lumber extending across (which does not necessarily mean 
contacting) aligned lumber carrying surfaces of respective decks, can be 
raised or lowered preferably between an upper, normal position, 
corresponding to the piece of lumber sitting on the lumber carrying 
surface of the straight deck, and a lower position sitting on the lumber 
carrying surface of said angle deck. 
The preferred embodiment of the lumber positioner described, has a straight 
deck set with a plurality of spaced apart, parallel, straight decks. Each 
of the straight decks can have one, or a plurality of parallel, sections, 
and the term "deck" as used in this application can denote the presence of 
one or more sections. Each of the sections has a lumber carrying surface 
spaced along the deck from the lumber carrying surfaces of any other 
sections thereof. The lumber carrying surfaces of corresponding sections 
in the straight decks define respective sets of alignable lumber carrying 
surfaces of the straight deck, each of which sets is alignable with a 
corresponding set of lumber carrying surfaces of said angle deck. The set 
of lumber carrying surfaces of the straight deck can move lumber sitting 
thereon in the direction of the straight decks. An angle deck set is 
provided which has a plurality of spaced apart, parallel angle decks, 
disposed transversely of, and in alternating sequence with the straight 
decks to extend at an acute angle thereto. Each angle deck can have one or 
more sets of respective, alignable lumber carrying surfaces thereof, each 
of which sets is alignable with a corresponding set of lumber carrying 
surfaces of said straight deck. The lumber carrying surfaces of the angle 
deck are arranged to move lumber sitting thereon in the direction of the 
angle decks. Angle and straight deck drive means is provided which is 
analogous to that described above. An elevator means is further provided 
which is connected so that when activated it moves each set of alignable 
lumber carrying surfaces of said straight deck independently of any other 
sets thereof, between an upper and a lower position, in which the set is 
above and below respectively, the corresponding set of lumber carrying 
surfaces of the angle deck. By such an arrangement, a piece of lumber 
extending across aligned members of both corresponding sets, can be 
transferred between respective positions sitting thereon. 
Each of the angle decks and the straight deck, or the straight deck 
sections, preferably comprise continuous belts. The angle decks preferably 
all have the same number of sections, and the sets of alignable lumber 
carrying surfaces of the straight deck set preferably comprise surfaces of 
sets of alignable elevated sections disposed on outer sides of respective 
belts. The elevator means in such case is connected to move each set of 
elevated sections between the upper and lower positions by moving the 
corresponding set of straight deck sections between upper and lower 
positions thereof, respectively, such that the upper surface of the chains 
of the straight deck sections when in the upper or lower position, are 
below the lumber carrying surfaces of the angle decks. 
Preferably a plurality of elevated sections are provided on each belt of 
each straight deck section, such elevated sections being spaced apart on 
each belt a distance equal to the number of sections of the straight deck 
times the lug spacing. By such arrangement, at any given time during 
operation of the positioner with the various lugs aligned, there will be a 
number of equally spaced sets of aligned elevated sections on the upper 
surfaces of the straight decks, equal in number to the number of straight 
deck sections. Lugs are usefully provided on both deck sets, adjacent the 
rear ends of respective elevated sections, and from positions adjacent the 
rear ends of respective lumber carrying surfaces of the angle deck set. 
A lumber positioning apparatus incorporating the previously described 
lumber positioner, as well as a method by which such lumber positioner 
operates, are also provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
The positioner disclosed in the drawings of FIGS. 1 through 5a, consists of 
a frame 2 with suitable levelling feet 3. A straight deck set consists of 
four essentially identically constructed straight decks 4, having infeed 
ends 5 and outfeed ends 6 which also define infeed and outfeed ends 
respectively of the positioner. Each straight deck 4 has four essentially 
identically constructed sections 8, 10, 12 and 14, in the form of four 
runners, corresponding sections in each straight deck 4 having been 
numbered the same. Each straight deck section (again each being in the 
form of a runner) has a frame 16 with a curved guide 18 adjacent the input 
end of the deck, and an end 20 pivotally mounted on pivot 22. A sprocket 
24 is driven by a shaft 26 rotatably mounted on frame 2, shaft 26 in turn 
being driven by any "synchronized" drive source from a trimmer saw for 
reasons which will become apparent later. An endless belt in the form of 
endless chain 30 is disposed on frame 16 and about sprocket 24. Chain 30 
of section 8 has three elevated sections 32, spaced apart on chain 30 such 
that only one entire elevated sections is on the upper side of chain 30 at 
any one time (the "upper side" of a belt being the uppermost linear side, 
and excluding the downsloping portion of the belts of the straight deck 
set near the outfeed end of it). The chains 30 on sections 10, 12, and 14 
are constructed similarly to chain 30 on section 8, except the elevated 
sections have been numbered 34, 36, and 38, respectively. The elevated 
sections of corresponding sections form sets of aligned elevated sections, 
namely a set of elevated sections 32, a set of elevated sections 34, a set 
of elevated sections 36, and a set of elevated sections 38. The sets of 
elevated sections define on their surfaces 33, respective sets of 
alignable lumber carrying surfaces, which in operation of the positioner 
are aligned as shown in FIG. 1, each set being spaced from the next 
adjacent set by a distance defined as a "lug spacing". The spacing of 
elevated sections 32 on any one chain is equal to the number of sections 
in each straight deck multiplied by one lug spacing. Each elevated section 
32, 34, 36, 38 is provided with a lug 40 extending from adjacent rear end 
thereof in a direction away from the corresponding chain 30 in the manner 
as shown most clearly in FIG. 2. 
An angle deck set is provided which consists of five essentially 
identically constructed angle decks 42, each angle deck consisting of only 
one section (in the form of a runner). Each angle deck has a frame 44 
which in turn includes idler sprocket 46 adjustably slidably mounted on an 
infeed end portion 48 of frame 44. Each angle deck 42 further includes a 
sprocket 50 connected to a shaft 52. Shaft 52 is provided with a sprocket 
54 thereon, for driving the angle deck. Each angle deck 42 has a 
continuous belt in the form of a chain 56 disposed about the corresponding 
frame 44 and sprocket 50. Chain 56 has a total of eight lumber carrying 
surfaces, consisting of two of each of lumber carrying surfaces 58, 60, 
62, and 64, which lumber carrying surfaces are simply portions of the 
outer surface of chain 56. A plurality of lugs 66 are provided, each of 
which extends from the outer side of a chain 56 adjacent the rear end of 
each corresponding lumber carrying surface 58, 60, 62, or 64 of all of the 
angle decks 42, and hence of the angle deck set. Corresponding lumber 
carrying surfaces of the angle deck set are numbered alike, and such 
corresponding surface are alignable by adjusting the relative rotational 
positions of the sprockets 50 on shaft 52. Furthermore, each such set of 
corresponding lumber carrying surfaces, namely set 58, set 60, set 62, and 
set 64, are alignable with corresponding sets of ramps 32, 34, 36, and 38, 
respectively, of the straight deck set, by adjusting the relative 
rotational positions of sprockets 58 and 24, by adjusting either or both 
of the foregoing sets about their respective shafts 52 and 26, as 
previously described. FIG. 1 of course shows each set of aligned lumber 
carrying surfaces 32, 34, 36 and 38, of the straight decks 4, each in 
alignment with a corresponding set of aligned lumber carrying surfaces 58, 
60, 62, and 64, respectively, of the angle decks 42. A shear plate 43 is 
provided to extend lengthwise adjacent each angle deck 42, while 
transversely sloping upward to a corresponding chain 56 of that angle 
deck. 
An outrigger runner 114 is also provided as part of the positioner. 
Outrigger runner 114 is present to support the ends of pieces of lumber 
which may extend over it as they are moving sideways or lengthwise on the 
positioner. To accomplish such purpose with minimum friction, outrigger 
runner 114 is provided with a surface having a low coefficient of 
friction, and upon which an end of a piece of lumber can rest and move 
lengthwise. The chain of runner 114 is driven at the same speed as chains 
30 of the straight deck 4, by means of the chain being engaged over 
sprocket 116 which is in turn disposed on drive shaft 26. 
Elevator means are provided which consist of pistons 70, 74, 78, and 82 
connected to the frame 2, respective connecting links 71, 75, 79, and 83 
pivotally connected to the ends of piston rods of respective pistons, 
elevator shafts 69, 73, 77, and 81 fixedly connected to the ends of 
respective drive links, and link sets 68, 72, 76, and 80 the members of 
each set of which are connected to corresponding sections of straight 
decks 4 and a corresponding elevator shaft. Each of the link sets 68, 72, 
76, and 80 has an upper link pivotally connected to a pair of ears fixedly 
attached to a corresponding straight deck section, and a lower link 
pivotally attached at one end to a lower end of the upper link and fixedly 
attached at the other end to a corresponding elevator shaft. The upper 
links of the link sets 68, 72, 76, 80 are the same length, while the lower 
links thereof are progressively shorter moving through the link sets in 
the foregoing order. In addition, the connecting links become 
progressively shorter proceeding in the order of links 71, 75, 79 and 83. 
As a result of the arrangement of the foregoing components, movement of a 
piston rod of any of the pistons, between extreme positions thereof, will 
result in rotation of a corresponding elevator shaft. Such in turn will 
act through attached link sets to pivot attached corresponding sections of 
the straight decks 4 about pivot points 22, so as to move them between an 
upper position (such as shown in FIG. 2) and a lower position, and as a 
result move the surfaces of a corresponding ramp set between an upper 
position and a lower position. When any set of corresponding sections of 
the straight decks 4 are in the upper position, the surfaces of a 
corresponding set of ramps at that time disposed on the upper sides of 
respective belts, extend above a plane defined by upper surfaces 31 of the 
chains of the straight deck sections when in their upper positions and 
above the chains 56 of the angle decks 42. Furthermore, such set when in 
the lower position, extends below the upper surfaces of chains 56. 
As an example of the above, piston 74 with its piston rod in the fully 
extended position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, holds the set of 
sections 10 of straight decks 4 in its upper position, and hence holds the 
set of ramps 34 in its upper position. In such a position, the upper 
surfaces of chains 30 of straight decks 4, are still below the lumber 
carrying surfaces of chains 56 of angle decks 42. This avoids interaction 
between the chains of the straight deck and lumbers moving on the angle 
deck. When the piston rod of piston 74 is retracted to its fully retracted 
position, elevator shaft 73 rotates thereby moving the attached set of 
links 72, which in turn moves the set of corresponding sections 10 of 
straight decks 4 to its lower position, and hence moves the set of 
elevated sections 34 to its lower position such that such set when on the 
upper side of respective belts 30 now have their surfaces below the upper 
surfaces of chains 56 of angle decks 42. The other sets of corresponding 
sections of the straight decks 4 are raised and lowered between their 
upper and lower positions by means of their corresponding link sets, 
connecting links, and pistons, in an analogous manner to that described. 
However, it will be noted that pistons facing in the reverse direction 
from piston 74, such as piston 70, will extend from its fully retracted 
position to its fully extended position in order to lower its attached set 
of corresponding sections of straight decks 4 (which in the case of piston 
70 would be sections 8). It will be appreciated of course that the lower 
link of the link sets 68, 72, 76, and 80, are made shorter proceeding 
through the link sets in the foregoing order (or from right to left in 
FIG. 2) and their corresponding connecting links are also made shorter, so 
that all of the straight deck sections are pivoted about their pivot 
points 22 to be raised and lowered the same distances. That is, since for 
example link set 80 is positioned closer to the pivot point 22 of its set 
of corresponding sections 8 of straight decks 4 than are the other link 
sets, only a shorter vertical movement of link set 80 is required to 
accomplish the same vertical change in height of sections 8 as would be 
accomplished by the other link sets which are spaced further away from the 
pivot points 22 of their respective sets of corresponding straight deck 
sections. 
In a typical installation, the lumber positioner described is installed 
between a transfer deck 84 and a trimmer infeed deck 100, the outfeed and 
infeed ends respectively thereof, only being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The 
transfer deck 84 has five continuous chains 86 passing over respective 
sprockets 94, which are rotatably adjustable on transfer deck drive shaft 
96 to drive the transfer deck set 84, in particular the chains 86 thereof. 
The chains 86 are provided with sets of respective, aligned lugs 92 
thereon. The transfer deck 84 can be said to be aligned with the straight 
deck set, with an outfeed end of the former disposed adjacent an infeed 
end of the latter. Shaft 96 of the transfer deck 84 is driven by sprocket 
98 from a suitable drive source such that the transfer deck set 84 is 
driven at the same rate as the straight deck set. 
The trimmer infeed deck 100 is likewise aligned with the outfeed end of the 
lumber positioner described, the infeed deck 100 having five sections 102 
each of which again includes a continuous belt in the form of chain 108 
disposed about a corresponding idler sprocket 104, and shaft 52. Chains 
108 are provided with sets of aligned lugs 110. 
Both the transfer deck 84 and infeed deck 100 are synchronized at identical 
rates (i.e. lug rates) with the straight deck in the manner to be 
described, as a result of the spacings between lumber carrying surfaces 
(including ramps) thereon, and as a result of the relative speeds at which 
the chains of the three decks are driven. As is about to be described, 
each chain of the straight deck sets is driven at a speed faster than the 
transfer deck 84 and trimmer infeed deck 100 by a proportion equal to one 
quarter of the distance between adjacent lugs 40 of any given chain 30 of 
the transfer deck 4, divided by the distance between adjacent lugs 92 on 
any given chain 86 of the transfer deck 84, which latter distance is the 
same as the distance between lugs 110 on trimmer saw deck 100. The chains 
56 of the angle deck set are of course driven at a linear speed somewhat 
faster than the chains 30 of the straight deck but at the same lug rate 
thereof, in order to maintain each set of aligned elevated sections, for 
example elevated sections 32 or elevated sections 34, in alignment with 
the corresponding set of lumber carrying surfaces of the chains 56 of the 
angle deck set (in the previous examples sets of surfaces 58 and 60, 
respectively). All of the deck sets can be driven from the same source of 
motive power, namely from a trimmer saw, the differential drive rates 
being accomplished by using different sized drive sprockets on respective 
drive shafts. 
In existing installations to which the lumber positioner described is to be 
retrofitted, normally the transfer deck 84 will be part of the infeed deck 
100. To fit in the lumber positioner described, the transfer deck 84 would 
be shortened, creating infeed deck 100 and the lumber positioner described 
interposed therebetween as has already been described and shown in the 
figures. Preferably, the straight deck set and angle deck set are 
positioned at a height such that the surfaces 33 of the elevated sections 
when on the upper side of respective belts and in the upper position, are 
above the lumber carrying surfaces 90 of the straight decks 86. This is to 
accomplish more positive transfer and acceleration of a piece of lumber 
from the transfer deck set to the straight deck set, the chains 30 of the 
straight deck set again moving at a faster speed than the chains 86 of the 
transfer deck set 84. 
In the preferred mode of operation of the lumber positioner and lumber 
positioning apparatus described, a piece of lumber 112 is moved along a 
set of aligned lumber carrying surfaces 90 by the chains 86 of transfer 
deck 84, as a result of abutting a corresponding set of aligned lugs 92. 
Typically, but not essentially, such lumber has been ended to a straight 
fence (not shown) on the infeed deck and thereby has an end aligned with 
lumber line 120, so as to facilitate removal should such be necessary 
where a piece of lumber is uselessly deformed. Lumber 112 then passes 
through an optical scanner (not shown) of a known type, which together 
with appropriate computer hardware and software connected thereto, 
ascertains what, if any, lengthwise movement of the piece of lumber 112 
will be required for maximum efficient utilization of such piece of 
lumber. When on the transfer deck 84, the piece of lumber need not be at 
any particular lengthwise position therein, as lengthwise positioning will 
be accomplished by the positioner. Of course, the foregoing is subject to 
ensuring that the lumber will be adequately supported at any point on the 
positioner to which it may move. This is unlike conventional positioners 
where the lumber pieces must all first be positioned with their ends 
abutting a straight end fence. 
The piece of lumber then moves along to the outfeed end of transfer deck 
set 84 to be transferred onto the infeed end of the straight deck set. 
Such transfer is accomplished by synchronization of a set of ramps on a 
corresponding set of straight deck sections, with a set of lumber carrying 
positions of the transfer deck 84, in a manner shown particularly in FIG. 
3. In FIG. 3, the transfer sequence is shown for the lumber 112 being 
transferred from the set of lumber carrying positions 90 to the set of 
ramps 32. Corresponding letters after any reference numerals in FIG. 3, 
designate corresponding positions of various components at increasing time 
increments. Immediately prior to the piece of lumber 112 being transferred 
to the straight deck set, the set of elevated sections 32 and the piece of 
lumber 112 are shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. After a period of time the 
piece of lumber 112a has been pushed onto the higher elevated section 32a 
by lug 92a and is riding on set 32a such that lugs 92a are now receding 
behind the piece of lumber 112a. After a further period of time the piece 
of lumber 112 has moved to the position 112c on the set of ramps at 32c. 
The set of lugs 40 on set of ramps 32 are now at positions 40c behind the 
positions of the piece of lumber 112c, while the set of lugs at positions 
92c continue to fall behind the set of elevated sections at positions 32c, 
such that after passage of further time, the upper ends of lugs 92 will 
clear the piece of lumber 112 as the former are brought past positions 92c 
and down around sprocket 94. 
The piece of lumber continues to move along the transfer deck set on set of 
ramps 32, and if longitudinal or lengthwise positioning thereof is 
required, the piston of cylinder 70 is moved from its extreme retracted 
position to its extreme forward position to thereby move the set of 
elevated sections 32 from the upper to the lower position. As a result of 
foregoing, the piece of lumber 112 is deposited upon the corresponding set 
of lumber carrying surfaces 58 on the chains 56 of angle decks 42. The 
positioning of lugs 40 adjacent a rear end of the ramps 32, is such as to 
leave a space between such lugs 40 and piece of lumber 112 so that when 
piece of lumber 112 is transferred to the angle deck set in the foregoing 
manner, and begins to move lengthwise as a result of movement therealong, 
it will not become hung up or caught on lug 40. However, lugs 40 are 
present should positive pushing of lumber 112 be required. When the piece 
of lumber 112 has moved an appropriate distance along angle decks 42, as 
determined by the computer, the set of ramps 32 is again raised into the 
upper position by activation of cylinder 70 to retract the piston thereof 
into the extreme retracted position. As a result, the piece of lumber will 
be lifted off the set of lumber carrying surfaces 58 on the angle deck 
set, and will again be carried directly transversely straight along the 
straight deck set. The piece of lumber then is transferred onto the infeed 
deck 100 as a result of the synchronization between the chains thereon and 
the chains of the straight deck set as shown most clearly on the left-hand 
side of FIG. 3. Of course, lumber is fed onto the straight deck set from 
the transfer deck set 84 at a rate such that at any given time, a piece of 
lumber is being carried by each of the sets of aligned elevated sections, 
or their respective sets of lumber carrying surfaces on the angle deck 
set. Thus, twelve pieces of lumber can be positioned. as required by the 
positioner for every complete rotation of the chains 30 of the straight 
deck set, in other words four pieces of lumber every time a set of aligned 
elevated sections has travelled a distance equal to the distance between 
the ramps on any chain of a straight deck. 
It should be noted that the function of shear plates 43 is to prevent 
drooping ends of pieces of lumber adjacent chains 56 of angle decks 44, 
from interfering with the operation of chains 56 by pushing against their 
sides as the lumber is moved sideways. This is accomplished by the angled 
surfaces of plates 43 causing such ends to slide upwardly thereover onto 
or above the upper surface of chains 56. 
Various modifications to the lumber positioner and lumber positioning 
apparatus as described, are of course possible. One such modification 
comprises simply making the angle decks 42 straight. However, such results 
in a more complicated drive means for the angle deck sets being required. 
In addition, a straight angle deck set loses the advantage of lowered 
lengthwise velocity of the piece of lumber as it travels toward the curved 
end of the angle decks. Such lowered lengthwise velocity facilitates 
transfer back to the ramp sets of the straight deck set, since otherwise a 
larger sudden lengthwise deceleration of the piece of lumber would be 
required. Also, positioning accuracy is improved with curved angle 
sections since a greater transverse movement is required for a given 
lengthwise movement. Furthermore, other shapes of the angle decks 42 are 
possible. In addition, all of the straight decks could have three, four, 
five, or other numbers of sections. Each angle deck could consist of other 
than continuous belts as described. For example, each angle deck could be 
a series of rollers, each series extending at a 90.degree. angle to the 
straight decks (i.e. arranged to move lumber at 90.degree. to the straight 
deck). In such a case, a movable end fence movable in the direction 
90.degree. to the straight deck, would determine the lengthwise movement 
of the lumber. 
Broadly then, it will be seen that in the invention, the basic requirement 
is for an angle deck set and a straight deck set, with appropriately 
alignable lumber carrying or lumber contacting surfaces. Each deck of 
either of the sets may have more than one such surface, with the spacing 
therebetween being as already described. 
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing 
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the 
practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope 
thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in 
accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.