Carcass splitting machine

Apparatus for splitting one or two carcasses while the latter are held in a vertical, stationary position. The cutting means comprises a band saw arranged so as to provide two cutting edges in order that the two carcasses may be split at the same time. The band saw is supported on a frame, and means are provided for moving the band saw vertically on the frame through the carcasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is generally related to butchering apparatus and, 
more particularly, is directed towards an apparatus for splitting a 
carcass vertically while the carcass is held stationary. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The prior art illustrates several different machines and techniques for 
splitting carcasses. For example, my own prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,904,826 
sets forth a frame-mounted carcass splitting saw blade in which the 
carcass is moved upwardly relative to the stationary saw blade. The saw 
blade is disposed about a triangular pulley and motor arrangement, and is 
therefore limited to cutting a single carcass at a time. 
My later U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,989 discloses a carcass splitting machine in 
which a band saw is disposed at a 45.degree. angle to the direction of 
travel of the carcass along overhead rails. While this apparatus is also 
limited to cutting a single carcass at a time, it is nevertheless valuable 
for its teaching of a carcass splitting machine which may be adapted to 
and made part of mass production techniques. 
Other U.S. patents in this general art area of which I am aware include: 
Nos. 701,345; 2,711,196; 3,523,327; and 3,995,350. The first-named patent 
to Hughes (701,345) teaches a non-reciprocating knife which is movable 
vertically through a single carcass; Daniel (2,711,196) teaches a slotted 
guide 44 through which band 16 passes; O'Neilly (3,523,327) teaches a 
vertically movable saw for splitting a carcass which, however, requires an 
operator for manually controlling same; while Ekstam (3,995,350) generally 
sets forth an apparatus for splitting carcasses in which the slaughtered 
carcasses arrive on an overhead suspension track and are suspended 
vertically prior to passage through the apparatus. 
While each of the above-identified references set forth a machine which may 
have its own unique advantages, none of the foregoing references teaches 
or suggests a fully automatic dual-carcass splitting machine which may be 
readily incorporated into a mass production slaughterhouse, in the manner 
to be described in more detail hereinafter. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a new, 
improved and unique carcass splitting machine which overcomes any and all 
of the deficiencies noted above with respect to the prior art devices. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unique 
carcass splitting machine which is fully automatic in that no manual 
operator intervention is required, and which may be readily incorporated 
into existing slaugherhouses. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carcass 
splitting machine which enables two carcasses to be split at the same 
time. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a carcass 
splitting machine which employs a saw band that uniquely travels through a 
stationary carcass in order to split same, and which may be further 
adapted to split two carcasses on the same downward stroke of the saw 
band. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a carcass splitting 
machine which holds the carcasses to be split stationary prior to cutting, 
thereby enabling a more perfect cut to be made. 
The foregoing and other objects are attained in accordance with one aspect 
of the present invention through the provision of apparatus for cutting 
carcasses, which comprises a frame, means coupled to the frame for 
supporting at least one carcass, a band saw, means coupled to the frame 
for supporting the band saw, means for driving the band saw, and means for 
moving the band saw supporting means along the frame so as to split the 
carcass. 
More particularly, the carcass supporting means comprises means for 
stationarily supporting the carcass against vertical movement as the band 
saw supporting means moves along the frame. The carcass supporting means 
may include means for supporting two carcasses, the band saw supporting 
means operative so as to split the two carcasses substantially 
simultaneously. 
In accordance with more specific aspects of the present invention, the 
frame includes vertical support members to which the band saw supporting 
means are movably coupled, and the band saw is oriented substantially 
horizontally by its supporting means. The carcass supporting means 
comprises a guide rail supported by the frame and having a pair of spaced 
openings therein for permitting passage of the band saw therethrough. The 
guide rail is adapted to receive roller carriers from which the carcass or 
carcasses are supported, the guide rail including means formed therein for 
positioning the roller carriers thereon at predetermined locations. 
In accordance with more specific objects of the present invention, the 
vertical support members include two pair of forward and rearward spaced 
frame members. The band saw supporting means includes a front support 
member coupled between the pair of lower frame members and a rear support 
member coupled between the pair of rearward frame members. The band saw 
supporting means more particularly comprises four pulleys which are 
disposed adjacent the ends of the front and rear support members and about 
which the band saw is endlessly disposed. The means for driving the band 
saw is connected to one of the support members, while means for adjusting 
the tension of the band saw is coupled to the other of said support 
members. 
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, means are 
connected to the band saw supporting means for stabilizing the band saw 
and the carcass during the splitting of the latter. The stabilizing means 
more particularly comprises at least one support bar that extends parallel 
to the band saw and having a bifurcated guide connected to one end 
thereof. The guide is positioned on both sides of the band saw, and its 
outer surface is adapted to contact a carcass during the splitting thereof 
.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate 
identical or corresponding parts throughout the respective views, and more 
particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof, there is illustrated in front and 
side views, respectively, a preferred embodiment of a carcass splitting 
machine according to the present invention. 
The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a frame which forms a 
substantially rectangular solid. The frame includes forward vertical frame 
members 10 and 12, and rear vertical frame members 14 and 16, which are 
mutually parallel. The vertical frame members 10, 12, 14 and 16 are 
connected at their lower ends by lower horizontal frame members 18 and 20. 
Although four such lower horizontal frame members are provided for, only 
two are illustrated in these drawings. 
The vertical frame members 10, 12, 14 and 16 are interconnected at their 
upper ends by upper horizontal frame members 22, 24, 26 and 28 which are 
best illustrated in FIG. 1. Extending between the front and rear upper 
horizontal frame members 22 and 26 and between and parallel to the side 
upper horizontal frame members 24 and 28 are a pair of additional upper 
horizontal frame members 30 and 32. The entire frame structure may be 
bolted or otherwise secured to the floor F of a slaughterhouse by means 
of, for example, brackets 34 and 36 (FIG. 3). 
Mounted on top of upper horizontal frame members 28 and 30 is a horizontal 
support plate 38 upon which is mounted a reversible motor 40 which is 
connected to a suitable power source and control (not shown). Although but 
a single reversible motor 40 is illustrated, it should be understood that 
same may be replaced by a pair of motors. 
As illustrated more particularly in FIG. 2, extending downwardly from the 
underside of plate 38 is an elongated vertical support 42 which is 
positioned parallel to and spaced from a similar elongated vertical 
support 44, the latter of which is secured to the underside of upper 
horizontal frame member 32. Vertical supports 42 and 44 have connected at 
their lower ends a horizontal guide rail 46 which is adapted to be placed 
within a cut away section of a slaughterhouse guide rail, represented by 
end portions 72 and 74. 
A plurality of carcass carriers 48, 50, 52 and 54 are adapted to be moved 
along guide rails 72, 46 and 74 so as to move carcasses C1 and C2 through 
the frame of the present invention. Each of the carcass carriers include a 
hook 56, 58, 60 and 62 extending from the lower portion thereof, and a set 
of double rollers 64, 66, 68 and 70 for riding over the rails 72, 46 and 
74. 
The end of rail 72 adjacent to guide rail 46 is supported by an additional 
vertical support member 76 (FIG. 3) which is secured to the underside of 
the upper horizontal frame member 28 by a pair of bolted brackets 78 and 
80. To the lower end of vertical support 76 is connected a bowed member 82 
for accommodating the rollers 64 of carcass carrier 48. A similar 
additional support (not shown) is also provided for the end of rail 74 
which is adjacent the distal end of rail 46. This additional support is 
connected to the underside of upper horizontal frame member 24. 
Referring back to FIG. 2, the guide rail 46 is seen to include a pair of 
small, arcuate depressions 84 and 86 which serve as positioning means for 
the rollers of the carcass carriers. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2 
rollers 66 and 68 have come to rest in depressions 84 and 86, 
respectively, which enables carcasses C1 and C2 to be properly 
stationarily positioned with respect to the band saw cutting means, in a 
manner to be described in more detail hereinafter. 
FIG. 2 also clearly illustrates a pair of gaps 88 and 90 between the 
adjacent ends of aligned guide rails 72, 46 and 74 to permit passage of 
the band saw therebetween, to be described in more detail below. 
The reversible motor 40 stationarily mounted on the support plate 38 
controls the upward and downward movement of a band saw cutting means 
which is indicated generally by reference numeral 92. As clearly 
illustrated in FIG. 4, the band saw cutting means 92 includes an endless 
band saw 94 which is disposed about four rectangularly positioned pulleys 
96, 98, 100 and 102. Pulleys 96 and 98 are mounted on a front movable band 
saw support 104, while pulleys 100 and 102 are mounted near the respective 
ends of a rear movable band saw support 106. At the end of front and rear 
supports 104 and 106 are positioned four roller bearing assemblies 110, 
112, 114 and 116 for permitting vertical movement of the band saw cutting 
means 92 along the vertical frame members 10, 12, 14 and 16. 
Each of the roller bearing assemblies 110, 112, 114 and 116 are of 
substantially identical construction. For example, bearing assembly 110 
includes a pair of support plates 118 and 120 which support three shafts 
122, 123 and 124 therebetween. Mounted on the shafts 122, 123 and 124 are 
three rollers 126, 127 and 128 (see also FIG. 2) which form a roller 
bearing for the end of support 104 about vertical frame member 10. 
Secured to the front band saw support 104 is a band saw drive motor 130 
which is coupled to a drive pulley 98 via a drive belt 132, which is 
preferably enclosed. 
Secured to the rear band saw support 106 is a saw blade tensioner indicated 
generally by reference numeral 134. Saw blade tensioner 134 includes an 
outer roller 136 for contacting the saw blade 94. Roller 136 may be 
adjusted outwardly or inwardly by means of a threaded shaft 138 controlled 
by a knob 140, the entire apparatus being secured to support 106 by a 
mounting bracket 142. 
Associated with the diagonally opposite roller bearing assemblies 110 and 
116 are a pair of carcass stabilizer assemblies indicated generally by 
reference numerals 144 and 146. The carcass stabilizer assemblies 144 and 
146 are designed to hold the carcasses C1 and C2 in proper position 
against the force exerted by the band saw blade 94 during operation. The 
stabilizer assemblies 144 and 146 are substantially identical in 
construction, and stabilizer 144 is seen to include an elongated guide arm 
148 which extends through and is supported by a guide 150 that is 
connected to the horizontal support post 104. At the forward end of arm 
148 is mounted an upper support 152 (FIGS. 3 and 4) from the forward 
portion of which extends a curved, bifurcated finger support 154 through 
which blade 94 passes in operation and against the forward surface of 
which the carcass C1 being split is positioned. Assembly 146 stabilizes 
carcass C2 in substantially the same manner. 
The manner of moving the band saw cutting means 92 vertically will now be 
set forth with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The output of the reversible 
motor 40 is coupled to a gearbox 156 by means of a belt, cable, chain or 
like drive device 158. Box 156 turns a shaft 160 upon which are mounted a 
pair of sprocket wheels 162 and 164. The sprocket wheels 162 and 164 
respectively drive a pair of chains 166 and 168. 
Chain 166 in turn drives a sprocket wheel 170 which is connected to one end 
of a shaft 172 which is supported on top of upper horizontal frame member 
22 by a pair of support bearings 175 and 177. At the other end of shaft 
172 is mounted sprocket wheel 174, while a third sprocket wheel 176 is 
positioned adjacent sprocket wheel 170. Sprocket wheel 176 drives a chain 
178 which is vertically disposed along vertical frame member 10. To the 
lower end of frame member 10 is mounted a sprocket wheel 180 for receiving 
chain 178. Sprocket wheel 180 is mounted to frame member 10 by a mounting 
plate 182. 
The vertically disposed drive chain 178 is fastened as at 184 to a bracket 
186 which extends from the side of plate 118 of the roller bearing 
assembly 110. Clearly, as motor 40 is actuated, the motion is transmitted 
through chains 158, 166 and 178 so as to move the roller bearing assembly 
110 therewith. 
The sprocket wheel 174 mounted on the distal end of shaft 172 drives 
another vertically disposed chain 186 whose lower end is secured by a 
sprocket wheel 188 secured by mounting plate 190 to the lower portion of 
vertical frame member 12. Chain 186 is connected to roller bearing 
assembly 112 as at 192 in a fashion similar to that just described. 
The chain 168 driven off the sprocket wheel 164 from motor 40 operates in a 
similar, substantially simultaneous manner to control the vertical 
movement of the roller bearing assemblies 114 and 116. More particularly, 
chain 168 drives a sprocket wheel 194 which is secured to a shaft 200 for 
rotating same. Also disposed on shaft 200 are a pair of sprocket wheels 
195 and 202 for respectively driving a pair of vertical chains, chain 198 
being illustrated in FIG. 3. A cooperating sprocket 194 is mounted to the 
lower portion of vertical frame member 14. Chain 198 is connected to 
roller bearing assembly 114 as at 204. 
In operation, the motor 40 is initially actuated to bring the band saw 
cutting assembly 92 to its uppermost position where it lies above guide 
rails 72, 46 and 74. Either one or two carcasses C1 and C2 are then rolled 
to the appropriate position within the frame, defined by depressions 84 
and 86, by means of the carcass roller carriers 48, 50, 52 and 54. The 
drive motor 130 for the band saw 94 is then actuated, and motor 40 is then 
operated to lower the assembly 92. As may be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 
4, the portions 94.sub.1 and 94.sub.2 of the band saw 94 are disposed in 
perfect alignment with the center of the carcasses C1 and C2. As the 
assembly 92 moves downwardly to intersect the carcasses C1 and C2, the 
stabilizing assemblies 144 and 146 are moved into contact with the 
respective carcasses, and the same are split substantially simultaneously, 
and perfectly down the middle. 
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention 
are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, while roller 
bearings have been illustrated as the means for moving the cutting 
assembly vertically on the frame, clearly equivalent structures, such as 
cogs, sleeved posts, and the like, may be used. Equivalent forms of power, 
such as hydraulic pressure or the like, may be substituted for the 
electric motors, and the chain drive may be replaced with steel ropes or 
the like. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the 
appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as 
specifically described herein.