Lumber loading system and method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces using same

A lumber loading system for transferring lumber pieces. The lumber loading system comprises a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis; at least one lumber piece grasping assembly operatively connected to the driving shaft and rotating about the longitudinal axis; and a longitudinal positioning system connected to the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly. The at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and is operative to initially grasp a section of a corresponding lumber piece extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, temporarily maintain the section of the lumber piece and subsequently release the lumber piece. The longitudinal positioning system moves each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly independently along the longitudinal axis, during rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis. A method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces is also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of lumber loading and trimming. More particularly it relates to a lumber loading system for transferring lumbers between a first carrier assembly and a second carrier assembly while positioning the lumber longitudinally and to a method of operation of the system for performing the same.

BACKGROUND

In the field of lumber production, loading systems are commonly used to individually transfer lumber pieces between a first carrier assembly and a second carrier assembly. Typically, upon loading of the lumber pieces on the second carrier assembly by such a loading system, each one of the lumber pieces are loaded between cleats (or lugs, or cleat sets) of the second carrier assembly and can be subsequently processed individually in the production line.

For example and without being limitative, loading systems are generally used to transfer the lumber pieces on a carrier assembly (or conveyor), following the planing of the lumber pieces, to subsequently perform trimming and/or sorting thereof. Typically, in order to perform the trimming and/or sorting, each lumber piece is individually marked and is subsequently loaded by the loading system onto the carrier assembly. Once it is loaded on the carrier assembly, each lumber piece corresponding to a specific cleat (or lug, or cleat set) is identified (for example by reading the previously generated mark or tracking); the trimming position is determined according to optimization parameters based on characteristics of the lumber piece (e.g. curvature data, modulus of elasticity data, etc.); the lumber piece is moved longitudinally on the carrier assembly (i.e. the lumber piece is moved along its length as it is conveyed transversally to its length on the carrier assembly) to be positioned properly for trimming; the trimming is performed as the lumber piece is moved by the carrier assembly along the production line; and the lumber piece is subsequently sorted for subsequent operations.

It will be understood that, each operation of the above described sequence of operations for performing trimming and/or sorting requires space along the carrier assembly, thereby resulting in substantial longitudinal space being required for the system performing these operations as the lumber pieces are conveyed. For example, seeFIG. 1showing a prior art system for performing trimming and sorting of lumber pieces. Moreover, some operations which are intrinsically linked (such as the longitudinal positioning of the lumber pieces and the trimming thereof) are performed sequentially, thereby resulting in increased production time and a possible loss of precision due to the transfer of the lumber pieces between the performance of the operations.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved loading system and method of operation thereof, which would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first general aspect, there is provided a lumber loading system for transferring lumber pieces conveyed in a conveying direction defined by a conveying axis. The lumber loading system comprises a driving shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis; at least one lumber piece grasping assembly operatively connected to the driving shaft and rotating about the longitudinal axis along with the driving shaft; and a longitudinal positioning system connected to the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly. The at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and is operative to initially grasp a section of a corresponding one of the lumber pieces with the corresponding one of the lumber pieces extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, temporarily maintain the section of the lumber piece and subsequently release the lumber piece. The longitudinal positioning system moves each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly independently along the longitudinal axis, during rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system further comprises guiding shafts rotating along with the rotation of the driving shaft and extending along the longitudinal axis. The guiding shafts support each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly slidably mounted thereon. Each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly is movable longitudinally along corresponding ones of the guiding shafts.

In an embodiment, the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly each include a carriage slidably engaged with the corresponding ones of the guiding shafts. The carriage comprises at least one lumber supporting member engaging a first surface of a corresponding lumber piece and at least one lumber grasping member selectively engageable to a second surface of the lumber piece, opposed to the first surface thereof.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal positioning system comprises a linear actuator connected to the carriage of each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly and selectively driving the corresponding carriage along the longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system comprises a plurality of lumber piece grasping assemblies angularly spaced apart around the driving shaft.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the conveying axis.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system further comprises a trimming assembly configured and positioned to trim at least one end of the lumber pieces transferred by the lumber loading system. The trimming assembly comprises at least one trimmer having a trimming blade operatively connected to a motor driving the trimming blade in rotation.

In an embodiment, the trimming assembly includes a first trimming assembly and a second trimming assembly. The first trimming assembly is positioned to trim a first end of the lumber pieces transferred by the lumber loading system at a first angular position about the longitudinal axis and the second trimming assembly is positioned to trim a second end of the lumber pieces transferred by the lumber loading system at a second angular position about the longitudinal axis, angularly distal from the first angular position.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal positioning system is configured to position each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly in a first longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis, prior to a corresponding one of the lumber pieces maintained thereby reaching the angular position of the first trimming assembly, and to position each one of the at least one lumber piece grasping assembly in a second longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis, prior to the corresponding one of the lumber pieces maintained thereby reaching the angular position of the second trimming assembly.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system further comprises at least one supplemental supporting assembly operative to grasp, temporarily maintain and subsequently release a supplemental section of the lumber pieces along the longitudinal axis, during a least a portion of the transfer of the lumber pieces.

In an embodiment, each one of the at least one supplemental supporting assembly comprises at least one support wheel mounted to the driving shaft and having a supplemental lumber engaging surface engageable to a first surface of the lumber pieces and at least one supplemental lumber grasping member selectively engageable to a second surface of the lumber pieces, opposed to the first surface thereof.

In accordance with another general aspect, there is also provided a method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of successive lumber pieces. For each one of the successive lumber pieces, the method comprising the steps of: conveying the lumber piece in a conveying direction defined by a conveying axis; grasping the lumber piece using a lumber piece grasping assembly with the lumber piece extending longitudinally substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying axis; maintaining the lumber piece using the lumber piece grasping assembly during rotation of the lumber piece grasping assembly about the longitudinal axis and simultaneously displacing the lumber piece grasping assembly longitudinally along the longitudinal axis, to position the lumber piece at a predetermined longitudinal position thereof; and releasing the lumber piece from the lumber piece grasping assembly.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determining an optimized longitudinal position of the lumber piece and wherein the predetermined longitudinal position is the optimized longitudinal position.

In an embodiment, the step of grasping the lumber piece using a lumber piece grasping assembly includes pivoting at least one pivoting finger in an engaged configuration to engage a surface of the lumber piece and press a portion of the lumber piece against a lumber supporting surface of the lumber supporting member of the lumber piece grasping assembly.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of trimming at least one end of the lumber piece. The step of trimming at least one end of the lumber piece is performed after the step of displacing the lumber piece grasping assembly longitudinally and before the step of releasing the lumber piece from the lumber piece grasping assembly.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of initially trimming a first end of the lumber piece and subsequently trimming a second end of the lumber piece. The steps of trimming a first end of the lumber piece and trimming a second end of the lumber piece are performed at different angular positions of the lumber piece grasping assembly about the longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the steps of displacing the lumber piece grasping assembly longitudinally along the longitudinal axis comprises performing a first longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly prior to the step of trimming a first end of the lumber piece and performing a second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly following the step of trimming the first end of the lumber piece and prior to the step of trimming the second end of the lumber piece.

In an embodiment, the method further comprising the steps of: grasping at least one additional section of the lumber piece being transferred, using at least one supplemental supporting assembly; temporarily maintaining the at least one additional section of the lumber piece using the at least one supplemental supporting assembly; and releasing the lumber piece from the at least one supplemental supporting assembly.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: grasping a first additional section of the lumber piece being transferred, using a first subset of the at least one supplemental supporting assembly, following the step of performing the first longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly and prior to the step of trimming the first end of the lumber piece; releasing the lumber piece from the first subset of the at least one supplemental supporting assembly following the step of trimming the first end of the lumber piece and prior to the step of performing the second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly; grasping a second additional section of the lumber piece being transferred, using a second subset of the at least one supplemental supporting assembly, following the step of performing the second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly and prior to the step of trimming the second end of the lumber piece; and releasing the lumber piece from the at least one supplemental supporting assembly following the step of trimming the second end of the lumber piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.

Although the embodiments of the lumber loading system and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the lumber loading system, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right” and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting.

Moreover, although the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise particular steps of a method, not all of these steps are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable sequence of operations may be used for the method, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom, by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring generally toFIGS. 2 to 7, in accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a lumber loading system20. The lumber loading system20is configured to cooperate with a first carrier assembly12positioned upstream of the lumber loading system20along a production line (not shown) and operative to convey successive lumber pieces16towards the lumber loading system20and at least a second carrier assembly (not shown) positioned downstream of the lumber loading system20along the production line and operative to receive the lumber pieces16from the lumber loading system20and subsequently convey the lumber pieces16away from the lumber loading system20. The lumber pieces16are elongated workpieces conveyed in a conveying direction (i.e. conveyed in a direction defined by a lumber conveying axis X). For example and without being limitative, the lumber pieces16can be elongated planed lumber, such as wood planks or the like. Hence, one skilled in the art will understand that the lumber loading system20can be part of a production line which extends along the lumber conveying axis X thereof, substantially perpendicular to the length of the lumber pieces16and where the lumber pieces16are transversally conveyed along the lumber conveying axis X of the production line. In other words, the lumber pieces16are conveyed along the lumber conveying axis X of the production line (and extend longitudinally substantially transversally to the lumber conveying axis X), as they are conveyed along the first carrier assembly12, the lumber loading system20, and the second carrier assembly (not shown).

The lumber loading system20is configured to transfer the lumber pieces16from the first carrier assembly12to the second carrier assembly (not shown) and perform longitudinal movement (i.e. longitudinal positioning) of each one of the lumber pieces16, as they are being transferred (i.e. simultaneously with the transfer movement thereof). In order to perform the longitudinal displacement of the lumber pieces16during the transfer thereof, the lumber loading system20includes a driving shaft21rotatable about a longitudinal axis Y and at least one longitudinally movable lumber piece grasping assembly22(i.e. at least one lumber piece grasping assembly22movable along the longitudinal axis Y) operatively connected to the driving shaft21. The lumber piece grasping assembly22is operative to grasp a section of a transferred lumber piece16, with the lumber piece16extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y, temporarily retain the section of the transferred lumber piece16as the lumber piece grasping assembly22is rotated about the longitudinal axis Y and moved longitudinally along the longitudinal axis Y, and subsequently release the transferred lumber piece16.

In the embodiment shown, a plurality of angularly spaced-apart lumber piece grasping assemblies22are operatively connected to the driving shaft21, each lumber piece grasping assembly22transferring a corresponding lumber piece16. Hence, in operation, each lumber piece grasping assembly22, grasps, maintains, longitudinally positions and releases a corresponding lumber piece16, such that multiple lumber pieces16can be simultaneously transferred and longitudinally positioned by the lumber loading system20. Each lumber piece grasping assembly22is independent, such that each lumber piece16temporarily maintained by a corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22can be independently moved longitudinally to reach a desired longitudinal position thereof, as it is being transferred.

In the embodiment shown, each lumber piece grasping assembly22includes a carriage30slidably mounted relative to the driving shaft21(and relative to the longitudinal axis Y). More particularly, in the embodiment shown, the lumber loading system20includes guiding shafts24rotatable along with the rotation of the driving shaft21and extending along the longitudinal axis Y, with the carriage30being slidably mounted to the guiding shafts24, to be freely movable therealong. Hence, each carriage30is slidable with regard to the corresponding guiding shafts24, in order to the positioned according to the longitudinal axis Y, as will be described in more details below.

One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), other assemblies could be provided to allow the movement of the carriage30of each lumber piece grasping assembly, along the longitudinal axis Y. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment (not shown) the lumber loading system20could include a supporting base mounted to the driving shaft21and rotating therewith, with the supporting base including guiding shafts extending along the longitudinal axis Y, for each corresponding carriage30operatively connected to the driving shaft21and each carriage30including sliders slidably engaged with the corresponding guiding shafts.

To grasp, temporarily retain and subsequently release the lumber pieces16, the carriage30of each lumber piece grasping assembly22further includes at least one lumber supporting member34engaging a first surface of a corresponding lumber piece16and at least one lumber grasping member38selectively engageable to a second surface of the lumber piece16, opposed to the first surface thereof.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 to 7, each carriage30has two lumber supporting members34spaced apart along the longitudinal axis Y. Each lumber supporting member34has a lumber supporting surface35defined at an outer edge thereof, with a projecting tooth36extending substantially radially therefrom and engaging the first surface of the lumber piece16. The carriage30further includes a lumber grasping member38, embodied by two pivoting fingers39pivotable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The pivoting fingers39are each positioned proximate to a corresponding lumber supporting member34.

In the engaged configuration, each pivoting finger39is pivoted to engage the second surface of the lumber piece16, thereby sandwiching a portion of the lumber piece16between a section of the lumber supporting surface35of the lumber supporting member34and the corresponding pivoting finger39(i.e. pressing the portion of the lumber piece16against the section of the lumber supporting surface35) and firmly maintaining the lumber piece16therebetween. In an embodiment, in the engaged configuration, each pivoting finger39presses the portion of the lumber piece16against at least portion of the projecting tooth36of the lumber supporting surface35of the lumber supporting member34.

In the disengaged configuration, each pivoting finger39is pivoted away from the second surface of the lumber piece16(i.e. away from the lumber supporting surface35of the corresponding lumber supporting member34) and is disengaged therefrom. Therefore, when the pivoting fingers39are pivoted from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration, the grip is released on the lumber piece16. In an embodiment, the pivoting fingers39are each connected to a rotary actuator40pivoting the corresponding pivoting finger39between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration and vice-versa. In the embodiment shown, the rotary actuators40are pneumatic actuators. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the rotary actuators40could be of another type such as, for example an electric actuator or the like.

One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments, the lumber piece grasping assembly22operative to firmly maintain the lumber piece16being transferred, could differ from the embodiment shown. For example and without being limitative, more or less than the two spaced apart lumber supporting members34could be provided and/or the lumber supporting members34could be free of projecting tooth36. Moreover, more or less than the two pivoting fingers39could be provided and/or a component different from a pivoting finger could be used for the lumber grasping member38. Furthermore, an assembly different from the above described guiding shafts and sliders could be provided to allow movement of the carriages30relative to the driving shaft21, along the longitudinal axis Y. For example and without being limitative, a longitudinally displaceable clamp or other types of longitudinally displaceable engaging member could be used.

Referring to more particularly toFIGS. 5 and 7, to move the lumber piece16longitudinally (i.e. along the longitudinal axis Y) as it is being transferred by the lumber loading system20, the lumber loading system20further includes a longitudinal positioning assembly50moving each lumber piece grasping assembly22longitudinally along the longitudinal axis Y. For example and without being limitative, inFIG. 7, one of the carriage30of a lumber piece grasping assembly22is shown in a longitudinal position different from the longitudinal position of the other carriages30. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the carriage30moves relative to the guiding shafts24as it is being displaced longitudinally.

In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal positioning assembly50includes a linear actuator59connected to each carriage30by a connecting shaft57and linearly displacing the corresponding carriage30along the longitudinal axis Y. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, each linear actuator59includes a servomotor which allows a precise control of the linear position of the corresponding carriage30. One skilled in the art will understand that, several types of linear actuators (or motors) could be used as part of the servomotor, such as, without being limitative, a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, or the like. The linear actuator59performs longitudinal positioning of each carriage30during rotation of the driving shaft21, thereby resulting in longitudinal movement of the corresponding lumber piece16grasped by the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22, during its transfer.

One skilled in the art will again understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), a longitudinal positioning assembly50different than the embodiment shown could be used for performing the longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assemblies22.

For example and without being limitative, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the longitudinal positioning assembly50could include a positioning cam and a positioning cam follower mounted to each carriage30of a lumber piece grasping assembly22and engageable with a corresponding positioning cam and a return cam and a return cam follower mounted to each carriage30and engageable to the corresponding return cam for returning the carriage to an initial carriage position, following the longitudinal positioning thereof. In such an embodiment, during operation, the positioning cam could be actuated to drive the cam follower and displace the carriage30along the longitudinal axis Y. Following the longitudinal positioning of the carriage30by the combination of the positioning cam driving the positioning cam follower, the carriage30could be driven back to an initial longitudinal position through engagement of the return cam follower with the return cam. An actuator could be provided to move the positioning cams in order to induce movement to the corresponding carriages30, through the positioning cam follower, and position the carriages30in the desired longitudinal positions.

In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal positioning assembly50can move the lumber piece grasping assemblies22in a first direction along the longitudinal axis Y and a second direction opposed to the first direction also along the longitudinal axis Y. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the longitudinal positioning assembly50can move the lumber piece grasping assemblies22of at least about 6 inches in the first direction and at least about 6 inches in the second direction, thereby providing a longitudinal travel distance of at least about 12 inches.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system20carries each transferred lumber pieces16between a grasping position and a release position along at least about 90° and less than about 270° and, in a particular embodiment, less than about 180°.

In the embodiment shown, the lumber loading system further includes at least one supplemental supporting assembly80for engaging and supporting the corresponding lumber pieces16, along supplemental sections thereof, during the transfer of the lumber pieces16. In the embodiment shown, the supplemental supporting assembly80includes at least one support wheel82mounted to the driving shaft21and operating as supplemental lumber supporting members84. The support wheel82has a supplemental lumber engaging surface85and supplemental projecting teeth86extending substantially radially therefrom and substantially angularly aligned with the projecting teeth36of the lumber piece grasping assemblies22. The supplemental supporting assembly80also includes supplemental lumber grasping members88, embodied by supplemental pivoting fingers89pivotable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration (similar to the above described engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration of the pivoting fingers39of the lumber grasping member38of the lumber piece grasping assembly22). The supplemental pivoting fingers89are each connected to a rotary actuator87pivoting the corresponding supplemental pivoting finger89between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration and vice-versa. In the embodiment shown, the rotary actuators87are pneumatic actuators. One skilled in the art will however understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the rotary actuators87could be of another type such as, for example an electric actuator or the like.

As can be seen in the Figures, the lumber grasping members88are substantially angularly aligned with the lumber grasping members38of the lumber piece grasping assemblies22, to clasp the corresponding section of one of the lumber piece between the corresponding supplemental pivoting finger89(or angularly aligned set of pivoting fingers89) and at least a section of the corresponding one of the supplemental teeth86.

In the embodiment shown, the at least one support wheel82of each one of the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80is fixedly mounted to the driving shaft21(i.e. is not displaceable along the longitudinal axis Y) and has sections (i.e. a corresponding supplemental tooth86and lumber grasping members88) angularly aligned with each corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22. Hence, the supplemental grasping members88thereof are operative to grasp and retain the corresponding sections of the lumber piece16engaged by each supplemental supporting assembly80, once the lumber piece16has been properly positioned longitudinally by the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22. In other words, the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80can grasp the corresponding section of the lumber piece16at a later time than the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22, once the lumber piece grasping assembly22has been positioned longitudinally, such that the lumber piece16has reached the desired longitudinal position.

As will be described in more details below, in an embodiment, the supplemental supporting assembly80allow a section of a corresponding lumber piece16to be maintained, for example during and/or following the trimming thereof (i.e. until the lumber piece16is released by the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22). This allows a better trimming as the lumber piece is maintained in a section proximal to where the lumber piece is trimmed and prevents a trimmed section (a section release from the lumber piece following the trimming) to fall and thereby potentially interfere with the proper functioning of the apparatus.

In an embodiment, the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80could include a first subset80aof supplemental supporting assemblies80and a second subset80bof supplemental supporting assemblies80, with the first subset of supplemental supporting assemblies80aand the second subset of supplemental supporting assemblies80bengaging separate sections of a lumber piece16. In an embodiment, the supplemental lumber grasping members88of the first subset of supplemental supporting assemblies80aand the second subset of supplemental supporting assemblies80bcould engage the lumber piece16at different angular position around the longitudinal axis, for example in order to match the trimming performed at the corresponding angular position.

One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80could include lumber supporting members84spaced apart along the longitudinal axis Y with independent freely movable sections (i.e. independent portions including a supplemental lumber engaging surface85and a supplemental lumber grasping member88, for example embodied by at least one supplemental pivoting finger89pivotable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration) substantially angularly aligned with a corresponding carriage30around the driving shaft21, rather than the support wheel82of the embodiment shown. In an embodiment (not shown), each one of the independent sections can be operatively connected to the driving shaft21, to be freely longitudinally movable therealong. Hence, in such embodiments, the supplemental lumber grasping member88can be operative to grasp and retain the section of the lumber piece substantially simultaneously to the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22, such that the independent freely movable sections of the supplemental supporting assembly80are independently moved along with the corresponding lumber piece16being moved longitudinally, as a result of the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22being driven longitudinally by the longitudinal positioning assembly50. In other words, in such embodiments, the independent freely movable sections of the supplemental supporting assembly80are not actuated but rather simply movable with regard to the longitudinal axis Y, along with the corresponding lumber piece16it temporarily grasps.

In an embodiment, the lumber loading system20includes an electronic control system (not shown) operatively connected to the actuators40of the lumber grasping member38and/or the linear actuators59of the longitudinal positioning assembly50and/or the actuators87of the supplemental grasping members88of the supplemental supporting assembly, such that the operations of the components of the lumber piece grasping assembly22, the longitudinal positioning assembly50and/or the supplemental supporting assembly80, for grasping, maintaining, longitudinally moving and releasing the transferred lumber piece16, are synchronized. Hence, each transferred lumber piece16is moved longitudinally as sections of the transferred lumber piece16are being maintained and supported by the lumber supporting member34and the lumber grasping member38. In an embodiment, the electronic control system can receive data relative to each lumber piece16in order to perform the specific longitudinal displacement for each one of the lumber piece16being transferred as will be described in more details below.

For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, a scanning assembly can scan the lumber pieces16conveyed on the first carrier assembly12to examine the lumber pieces16and generate optimization parameters thereof related to the longitudinal positioning of each lumber pieces16, with the electronic control system controlling the components of the lumber piece grasping assembly22, the longitudinal positioning assembly50and/or the supplemental supporting assembly80according to the received optimization parameters.

Referring toFIGS. 2 to 7, in the embodiment shown, the lumber loading system20further includes a trimming assembly60operative to perform trimming of at least one end of the lumber pieces16transferred and longitudinally positioned by the lumber loading system20. The trimming assembly60includes at least one trimmer62having a trimming blade64operatively connected to a motor66driving the trimming blade64in rotation. In such an operation, each lumber piece16being transferred by the lumber loading system20can consequently be adequately positioned longitudinally (through longitudinal movement of the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22) for the trimming blade64to engage the lumber piece16at the desired position and therefore trim the lumber piece16according to optimization parameters specific to the lumber piece16.

In an embodiment, the trimming assembly60can include a plurality of trimmers62spaced apart along the longitudinal axis Y and/or a plurality of trimming blades64spaced apart along the longitudinal axis Y and operatively connected to the motor66of a trimmer62for driving the trimming blades64in rotation. Hence, the trimming assembly60can include multiple trimmers62or multiple trimming blades64positioned along the longitudinal axis Y and engageable to a section of the lumber pieces16for performing trimming thereof. Therefore, in such an embodiment a smaller longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece16by the longitudinal positioning assembly50can be required to position the lumber piece16adequately, relative to a trimming blade64, to perform the trimming thereof. In other words, in such an embodiment, the lumber piece16is only required to be positioned longitudinally relative to the trimming blade64closest to the section of the lumber piece16that is to be trimmed.

For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment, where the longitudinal positioning assembly50can move the lumber piece grasping assemblies22of about 6 inches in the first direction and about 6 inches in the second direction, thereby providing a longitudinal travel distance of about 12 inches, the multiple trimmers62or multiple trimming blades64positioned along the longitudinal axis Y can be spaced apart of a distance of about 12 inches along the longitudinal axis Y. One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments where the longitudinal positioning assembly50can move the lumber piece grasping assemblies22of a different distance, the distance between the multiple trimmers62or multiple trimming blades64along the longitudinal axis Y can be adjusted to substantially match the longitudinal travel distance provided by the longitudinal positioning assembly50.

In an embodiment, each one of the multiple trimmers62or multiple trimming blades64positioned along the longitudinal axis Y can be selectively and independently movable transversally to the longitudinal axis Y (for example in a substantially downward/upward movement), such that the trimmer62or trimming blade64closest to the section of the lumber piece16that is to be trimmed can be moved toward the lumber piece16to perform the trimming. For example and without being limitative, each one of the multiple trimmers62or multiple trimming blades64can be connected to a linear trimmer actuator68activable to selectively move the corresponding trimmer62or trimming blade64in the substantially downward/upward movement to proceed to the trimming of the lumber piece16. In an embodiment, the linear trimmer actuator68can be a pneumatic actuator. One skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments, the linear trimmer actuator68can be of another type, such as, a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, or the like.

In the embodiment shown, the lumber loading system20includes a first trimming assembly60aand a second trimming assembly60b, each trimming the lumber pieces16at a different angular position, as the lumber pieces16are being transferred. In the embodiment shown, the first trimming assembly60aincludes a single trimmer62and is positioned upstream of the second trimming assembly60b, along the lumber conveying axis X. The second trimming assembly60bincludes multiple trimmers62substantially angularly aligned along the longitudinal axis Y. The combination of the first trimming assembly60aand the second trimming assembly60ballows each lumber piece16transferred by the lumber loading system20to be trimmed twice, with the lumber piece16being moved longitudinally between the first trimming assembly60aand the second trimming assembly60b.

In view of the above, it will be understood that the lumber piece grasping assemblies22of the lumber loading system20can each be independently moved longitudinally by the longitudinal positioning assembly50prior to reaching the angular position where the first trimming assembly60aengages the piece of lumber16and be again moved longitudinally by the longitudinal positioning assembly50after moving past the angular position where the first trimming assembly60aengages the piece of lumber16and before reaching the angular position where the second trimming assembly60bengages the piece of lumber16. Such a combination allows production of lumber pieces16of many different lengths, without being limited to the distance between two of the multiple trimmers62or trimming blades64of a single trimming assembly.

In an embodiment the electronic control system (not shown) can also be operatively connected to the trimming assembly60(i.e. operatively connected to the trimmers62, the motor66associated to a trimmer blade64and/or the trimmer actuator(s)68for selectively moving the trimmers62trimming blades64transversally to the longitudinal axis Y) and therefore allow synchronization of the operations of the trimming assembly60with the operations of the components of the lumber piece grasping assembly22, the longitudinal positioning assembly50and/or the supplemental supporting assembly80, for grasping, maintaining, longitudinally moving, trimming and releasing the transferred lumber piece16.

One skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment, the lumber loading system20can be free of trimming assembly60. For example and without being limitative, in an embodiment (not shown), the trimming assembly60can be provided along the second carrier assembly (not shown) onto which the lumber pieces16are loaded in the optimized longitudinal position, given the longitudinal movement thereof provided by the lumber loading system20loading the lumber pieces16onto the second carrier assembly.

In view of the above, the lumber loading system20is configured to allow the lumber pieces16to be positioned longitudinally during transfer thereof between components of a production line (e.g. between the first carrier assembly12and the second carrier assembly (not shown)). Therefore, in operation, the above described lumber loading system20provides a solution that minimizes the space along a production line for performing multiple tasks by performing the longitudinal positioning of the lumber pieces16(and in an embodiment the trimming of the lumber pieces16) during the transfer performed by the lumber loading system20. Hence, in an embodiment, the longitudinal positioning (and in an embodiment the trimming) of the lumber pieces16does not interfere or negatively impact on the speed of operation of the lumber loading system20, the driving shaft21of the lumber loading system20being allowed to rotate continuously to transfer the corresponding lumber piece16from the first carrier assembly12to the second carrier assembly.

The lumber loading system20having been described above, a sequence of operation of the lumber loading system (i.e. a method for simultaneous loading and longitudinal displacement of lumber pieces) will now be described in more details below.

In operation, the lumber pieces16are successively in a conveying direction defined by a lumber conveying axis X. The lumber pieces16are conveyed transversally on the first carrier assembly12, towards the lumber loading system20. During the conveying of the lumber pieces16(or previous manutention thereof) each lumber piece16is examined to generate optimization parameters thereof. Using the optimization parameters, an optimized longitudinal position of the lumber piece16is determined (or calculated). For example and without being limitative, the optimized longitudinal position can correspond to the longitudinal position best suited to perform an optimized trimming of at least one end of the lumber piece16.

When each successive lumber piece16reaches the lumber loading system20, in an embodiment, the lumber piece16is momentarily held against a stopper (not shown) until the lumber loading system20is ready to grasp the lumber piece16. When the lumber loading system20is ready to grasp one of the successive lumber pieces16, the stopper is retracted and the lumber piece16is moved towards a corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22. The lumber piece grasping assembly22grasps a section of the lumber piece16and maintains the section of the lumber piece16in a firm grip, with the lumber piece16extending longitudinally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Y. The rotation of the driving shaft21subsequently rotates the lumber piece grasping assembly22and the transferred lumber piece16held by the lumber piece grasping assembly22, about the longitudinal axis Y.

In an embodiment, in order to perform the step of grasping the lumber piece16, the piece grasping assembly22pivots at least one pivoting finger39in an engaged configuration to engage a surface of the lumber piece16and thereby sandwich a portion of the lumber piece16between a lumber supporting surface35of the lumber supporting member34of the piece grasping assembly22and the at least one pivoting finger39(i.e. press a portion of the lumber piece16against the lumber supporting surface35of the lumber supporting member34of the piece grasping assembly22), to firmly maintain the section of the lumber piece16therebetween.

The method further includes the step of moving the lumber piece grasping assembly22longitudinally, to position the lumber piece16at the optimized longitudinal position thereof, while the lumber piece16is maintained by the lumber piece grasping assembly and the lumber piece grasping assembly is rotated about the longitudinal axis Y. In other words, during the transfer of the lumber piece16(i.e. during the rotation of the lumber piece grasping assembly22retaining the lumber piece16) about the longitudinal axis Y, the corresponding lumber piece grasping assembly22is moved longitudinally (i.e. moved along the longitudinal axis Y of the driving shaft21) to position the lumber piece16in the previously determined optimized longitudinal position thereof. Hence, the lumber piece16is moved longitudinally as it is held firmly by the lumber piece grasping assembly22, as a result of the longitudinal movement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22.

In an embodiment, the method includes the further step of trimming at least one end of the lumber piece16, during the transfer of the lumber piece16. (i.e. during the rotation of the lumber piece grasping assembly22retaining the lumber piece16). Hence, during the transfer of the lumber piece16, at least one end of the lumber piece16is trimmed by a trimming assembly60. The step of trimming the end of the lumber piece16is performed subsequently to the lumber piece being positioned longitudinally, therefore allowing the lumber piece16to be trimmed according to the optimized parameters for longitudinal positioning thereof. Once again, in such an embodiment the end of the lumber piece16is trimmed as the lumber piece16is held firmly by the lumber piece grasping assembly22(i.e. as the lumber piece16is loaded by the lumber loading system20between the first carrier assembly12and the second carrier assembly (not shown)).

In an embodiment, the step of trimming at least one end of the lumber piece16includes the step of initially trimming a first end of the lumber piece16and subsequently trimming a second end of the lumber piece16. The steps of trimming a first end of the lumber piece16and trimming a second end of the lumber piece16are performed at different angular position of the lumber piece grasping assembly22about the longitudinal axis Y.

In an embodiment, the steps of moving the lumber piece grasping assembly22longitudinally while the lumber piece16is maintained by the lumber piece grasping assembly and the lumber piece grasping assembly is rotated about the longitudinal axis Y includes performing a first longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22prior to trimming a first end of the lumber piece16and performing a second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22following the trimming of the first end of the lumber piece16and prior to trimming the second end of the lumber piece16.

In an embodiment, the method includes the further step of grasping at least one additional section of the lumber piece being transferred, using at least one supplemental supporting assembly80grasping a section of the lumber piece16and maintaining the lumber piece16in a firm grip. The rotation of the driving shaft21once again rotates the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80and the transferred lumber piece16held by the lumber piece grasping assembly22, and the supplemental supporting assembly80about the longitudinal axis Y.

In an embodiment, where the step of trimming at least one end of the lumber piece16includes the step of initially trimming a first end of the lumber piece16and subsequently trimming a second end of the lumber piece16, the at least one supplemental supporting assembly80can include a first subset80aof supplemental supporting assemblies80and a second subset80bof supplemental supporting assemblies80. In such an embodiment, the method can include the steps of grasping a first additional section of the lumber piece16being transferred, using the first subset80aof supplemental supporting assemblies80, prior to trimming a first end of the lumber piece16(and following the first longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22); releasing the first additional section of the lumber piece being transferred prior to the second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22; and grasping at least a second additional section of the lumber piece16being transferred, using the second subset80bof supplemental supporting assemblies80, prior to trimming a second end of the lumber piece16(and following the second longitudinal displacement of the lumber piece grasping assembly22).

The method finally includes the step of releasing the lumber piece16onto the second carrier assembly (not shown). In other words, the lumber piece16is subsequently released by the lumber piece grasping assembly22(and the supplemental supporting assemblies80if such assemblies are used to maintain supplemental sections of the lumber piece16) onto the second carrier assembly (not shown) and is conveyed transversally on the second carrier assembly (not shown) away from the lumber loading system20.

In an embodiment, the above-described steps are coordinated by a control system (not shown) based on the optimization parameters for each of the lumber pieces. One skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment, other mechanism or method could be used to coordinate the operation of the components to perform the above-described steps.