Patent Description:
The present invention also relates to a machine for working wooden panels and the like.

More in detail, the invention relates to a working group of the above type, designed and manufactured, in particular to allow a finishing or rounding of the edges of wooden panels and other materials.

In the following, the description will be directed to the working of the edges of panels made of wood, but it is clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

As is known, currently, in the finishing of wooden panels, edge-banding tapes are applied to the lateral edges of the panels, by means of so-called edge-banding machines.

Said edge-banding machines generally comprise one or more rounding devices for rounding off the excess of the edging tapes previously applied typically by glue on the edges of each panel, while the panel itself is moving on a sliding plane.

Typically, said edge banding machines comprise a first rounding device for rounding a first horizontal edge or lower horizontal edge of the panel edge, and two portions of the respective vertical edges, and a second rounding device, different from the first rounding device, for rounding a second horizontal edge or upper horizontal edge, and the further two portions of the respective vertical edges.

Furthermore, in general, each rounding device, movable on a respective guide, comprises a first actuator, capable of moving the respective rounding device in such a way that it interferes with the panel, and a second actuator, different from the first actuator, capable of moving, towards said panel, a support (called head, in jargon), on which a motor is installed, to drive the tool to carry out the rounding or trimming operation on the edges of said panel.

Currently, the movement of said head and, therefore, of said tool, is carried out through the use of linear guides and respective skids coupled to said linear guides.

The presence of these linear guides and of the respective skids allow the head to be moved towards said panel to carry out the specific machining on said panel.

However, a drawback of these known solutions is that they do not allow the head to be moved effectively due to high weight and friction.

Furthermore, another drawback of these solutions according to the prior art is that they involve high costs and encumbrances.

In the light of the above, it is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior art described above by providing a working group for adjusting the finishing of the surfaces of wooden panels and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a working group for adjusting the finishing of surfaces of wooden panels and the like, which allows guiding the movement, towards the panel, of the support on which the motor is installed to drive the tool for machining the panel, and, therefore, guiding the movement of the respective tool coupled to said motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a working group, which is highly reliable, relatively simple to manufacture, and at competitive costs if compared to the prior art.

It is, therefore, specific object of the present invention a working group for working a panel made of wood and the like, wherein said panel is movable along an advancing direction, and wherein said working group comprises: a frame, a working tool for working said panel, an engine, coupled to said working tool, for activating said working tool, a support, on which said engine is fixed, wherein said support is coupled to said frame, and an actuator, associated to said frame, for moving said support, with respect to said frame, from a resting position to an operating position, wherein said support is moved closer to said panel along a direction having at least one component perpendicular to said advancing direction of said panel, allowing the working of said panel by means of said working tool, wherein said working group is characterized in that said support is coupled to said frame by means an elastic system for driving the movement of said support along said direction.

According to the invention, said elastic system comprises a first lamella arranged between said support and said frame, and a second lamella arranged between said support and said frame, wherein said first lamella and said second lamella are elastically deformable along said direction.

Still according to the invention, when said support is in said resting position, said first lamella may be arranged on a first plane, and said second lamella is arranged on a second plane, substantially parallel to said first plane.

Always according to the invention, said elastic system comprises a third lamella arranged between said support and said frame, and a fourth lamella arranged between said support and said frame, wherein said third lamella and said fourth lamella are elastically deformable along said direction, and wherein, when said support is in said resting position, said third lamella is arranged on a third plane and said fourth lamella is arranged on a fourth plane, said third plane and said fourth plane being substantially parallel to said first plane and said second plane respectively.

Conveniently according to the invention, said third plane may coincide with said first plane, and said fourth plane may coincide with said second plane.

Further according to the invention, when said support is in said operating position, each of said lamellae may form a respective angle with respect to said respective plane.

Still according to the invention, said direction may be perpendicular to said advancing direction of said panel.

Advantageously according to the invention, each of said lamellae may have a respective first and second end, said support may have a seat for housing the first end of a respective lamella, and said frame may have a seat for housing the second end of a respective lamella.

Further according to the invention, each first end and each of second end of said lamellae may be fixed, by means of fixing means, to said seat of said support and to said seat of said frame respectively.

Still according to the invention, each of said seats may be shaped so as to prevent the rotation of the respective lamella with respect to each of said seats.

Always according to the invention, said elastic system may comprise one or more elastomeric elements.

It is further object of the present invention, a machine for working a panel made of wood or the like, comprising a working bench for supporting said panel, wherein said panel is movable along an advancing direction, said machine being such that it comprises at least one working group for working said panel.

In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated with the same numerical references.

With reference to <FIG>, the working group for adjusting the finishing of surfaces of wooden panels P and the like, generally indicated with the reference number <NUM>, substantially comprises a frame <NUM>, a working tool <NUM> for working each panel P movable along an advancement direction D1, a motor <NUM>, coupled to said working tool <NUM>, a support <NUM>, coupled to said frame <NUM>, and an actuator <NUM> for moving said support <NUM> with respect to said frame <NUM>.

In particular, in the present embodiment, said frame <NUM> is substantially "L"-shaped. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, said frame <NUM> can also have a different shape.

Furthermore, as can be seen in particular from <FIG>, in the embodiment that is described, the working tool <NUM> is a rounding cutter.

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, said working tool <NUM> can be a different tool for working said panel P, such as, for example, a bevel cutter. Furthermore, the working group <NUM> can provide a number of working tools greater than one, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

As said, the working tool <NUM> is coupled to the motor <NUM>. Therefore, said motor <NUM> allows, in use, to operate said working tool <NUM> to carry out the specific machining on said panel P.

Furthermore, with particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, said motor <NUM> is fixed to the support <NUM> by means of fixing means <NUM>.

In the embodiment described, said fixing means <NUM> comprise fixing screws and/or bolts. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, said fixing means <NUM> can be of a different type from what has been described.

As will be better described below, said support <NUM> is coupled to said frame <NUM> by means of an elastic system <NUM>.

Furthermore, as said, the working group <NUM> comprises an actuator <NUM>, associated with said frame <NUM>, to move said support <NUM>, with respect to said frame <NUM>.

In particular, said actuator <NUM> is able to move said support <NUM> with respect to said frame <NUM>, from a rest position to an operating position, in which said support <NUM> is approached to said panel P along a direction D2, having at least one component perpendicular to said advancement direction D1 of said panel P, to allow the working of said panel P by means of said working tool <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, this direction D2 is parallel or substantially parallel to the Z-axis of a Cartesian reference system XYZ, while the advancement direction D1 of said panel P is parallel or substantially parallel to the X-axis of the Cartesian reference system XYZ.

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the direction D2, along which the movement of the support <NUM> is guided, and the advancement direction D1 of said panel P may be different from what has been described.

Furthermore, said actuator <NUM> comprises movement means <NUM> for moving said support <NUM> from said rest position to said operating position.

In particular, said movement means <NUM> are capable of assuming a retracted position, in which they do not exert a pressure on said support <NUM>, and an extracted position, exerts a pressure on said support <NUM>.

In the embodiment described, said movement means <NUM> contacts said support <NUM> both in said retracted position, as well as in said extracted position.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, said actuator <NUM> is an actuator of the pneumatic type.

However, this actuator <NUM> can be an actuator of a different type, such as, for example, an electric, hydraulic, or electromagnetic actuator, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

As said, the elastic system <NUM> allows guiding the movement of said support <NUM>, with respect to said frame <NUM>, along said direction D2.

With particular reference to <FIG>, in the invention, said elastic system <NUM> comprises a first lamella <NUM>, arranged between said support <NUM> and said frame <NUM>, and a second lamella <NUM>, different from said first lamella <NUM> and arranged between said support <NUM> and said frame <NUM>.

According to the invention, when said support <NUM> is in said rest position, said first lamella <NUM> is arranged on a first plane P1, and said second lamella <NUM> is arranged on a second plane P2, in which said second plane P2 is substantially parallel or parallel to said first plane P1.

In particular, said first lamella <NUM> and said second lamella <NUM> are arranged in such a way as to be elastically deformable along said direction D2.

Furthermore, said elastic system <NUM> comprises a third lamella <NUM>, arranged between said support <NUM> and said frame <NUM>, and a fourth lamella <NUM>, different from said third lamella <NUM>, and arranged between said support <NUM> and said frame <NUM>.

In particular, when said support <NUM> is in said rest position, said third lamella <NUM> is arranged on a third plane P3 and said fourth lamella <NUM> is arranged on a fourth plane P4, in which said third plane P3 is substantially parallel or parallel to said first plane P1 and fourth plane P4 are substantially parallel or parallel to said first second P2.

As can be seen in <FIG>, in the present embodiment of the present invention, said third plane P3 matches with said first plane P1, and said fourth plane P4 matches with said second plane P2.

However, in other embodiments, said third plane P3 may not match with said first plane P1 and said fourth plane P4 may not coincide with said second plane P2.

Similarly to what has been said above, also said third lamella <NUM> and said fourth lamella <NUM> are arranged in such a way as to be elastically deformable along said direction D2.

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the arrangement and number of said lamellas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be different from what is described. For example, said elastic system <NUM> can provide two lamellas arranged parallel along said direction D2 or on said plane P1 or said plane P2.

In the embodiment that is described, each lamella <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is made of metal such as, for example, stainless steel. However, the material of each lamella <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be different such as, for example, C75 hardened harmonic steel, which has a high degree of elasticity, or other harmonic steel with high carbon and silicon content, or plastics or composites.

Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, said elastic system <NUM> comprises one or more elastomeric elements arranged between said support <NUM> and said frame <NUM>.

Each of said lamellas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has a respective first end <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' and a respective second end <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", opposite to said respective first end <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'.

Furthermore, again as regards the support <NUM>, said support <NUM> has a plurality of seats <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' obtained on the ends of said support <NUM>.

In particular, each first end <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' of each lamella <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is housed in a respective seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' of said support <NUM> and fixed to said respective seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' by means of said fixing means <NUM>.

Similarly, with reference to the frame <NUM>, said frame <NUM> has a plurality of seats <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' obtained on it and facing said seats <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>'.

Furthermore, each second end <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>" of said respective lamellas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is housed in a respective seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' of said frame <NUM>, and fixed to said respective seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' by means of said fixing means <NUM>.

In particular, each seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is shaped in such a way as to prevent the rotation of the respective lamella <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to it.

In the embodiment described, each seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is shaped in such a way as to prevent the rotation of said respective first end <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' of said lamellas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> on said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, or to prevent their rotation with respect to said support <NUM>, and therefore only allow folding.

Similarly, each seat <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>', <NUM>' is shaped in such a way as to prevent the rotation of said respective second end <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>" of said lamellas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> along said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, or to prevent its rotation with respect to said frame <NUM> and therefore only allow folding.

As can be seen from <FIG>, in another embodiment of the present invention, said machining assembly <NUM> comprises a damping member <NUM> for damping the vibrations produced by the movement of said support <NUM>, with respect to said frame <NUM>, along said direction D2.

In particular, said damping member <NUM> is arranged between said frame <NUM> and said support <NUM>, in parallel to said elastic system <NUM>.

More specifically, in the embodiment that is described, said damping member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is arranged around said means <NUM> for moving said actuator <NUM>.

However, in other embodiments, the shape and arrangement of said damping member <NUM> may be different, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the embodiment that is described, said damping member <NUM> is a bumper made of elastic material, preferably of rubber.

However, in other embodiments, the material of said damping member <NUM> may be different from what is described.

With reference to <FIG>, in a further embodiment of the present invention, said working group <NUM> comprises an actuation device <NUM>, operatively connected to said movement means <NUM>, to actuate, by means of said movement means <NUM>, said support <NUM> along the D2 direction.

Furthermore, said machining assembly <NUM> comprises an adjusting member <NUM>, arranged between said actuator <NUM> and said actuation device <NUM>, to adjust the movement of said support <NUM> between predetermined configurations or operating positions.

In the embodiment that is described, said adjusting member <NUM> is made of elastic material.

In other embodiments, the material of said adjusting member <NUM> can be different from what has been described.

Said adjusting member <NUM> allows increasing the number of operating configurations with respect to the operating configurations of the mechanical type defined by said actuation device <NUM>.

In fact, in use, said adjusting member <NUM> is compressed proportionally to the pressure exerted by said adjusting device <NUM> along said direction D2, so as to adjust the movement of said support <NUM> along the same direction D2, allowing the return to the initial position at the restoration of the initial pressure.

Therefore, said adjusting member <NUM> allows regulating the movement of said motor <NUM> installed on said support <NUM>, so as to actuate said working tool <NUM> to carry out the specific machining on said panel P.

In particular, in the embodiment that is described, said adjusting member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is arranged below said actuation device <NUM>, in series with said elastic system <NUM> and said damping member <NUM>.

However, in other embodiments, the shape and the arrangement of said adjusting member <NUM> can be different, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, said working group <NUM> can also comprise only said adjusting member <NUM>, without the presence of said damping member <NUM>.

The operation of the working group <NUM> described above is as follows.

Initially, the panel P is moved along said direction D1 towards said working group <NUM>.

When said panel P is positioned in correspondence with said working group <NUM>, said working group <NUM> is moved, by means of a further actuator (not shown in the figures), so as to be positioned, in use, near the edge of said panel P to work.

Subsequently, said support <NUM> is moved, by means of said actuator <NUM>, from said rest position to said operating position, along said direction D2, with respect to said frame <NUM>.

When said support <NUM> is in said rest position, said first lamella <NUM> and said third lamella <NUM> are parallel or substantially parallel to said first plane P1 or said third plane P3, while said second lamella <NUM> and said fourth lamella <NUM> are parallel or substantially parallel to said second plane P2 or said fourth plane P4.

Therefore, each of said lamellae <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> does not undergo any elastic deformation along the direction D2.

When, on the other hand, with particular reference to <FIG>, said support <NUM> is in said operating position, each of said lamellae <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> forms a respective angle α, β, γ, δ with respect to said respective plane P1, P2, P3, P4.

Each one of said angles α, β, γ, δ is comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

As can be seen from <FIG>, in the embodiment described, said angles α, and γ are equal to each other, and said angles β and δ are equal to each other.

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, said angles α, β, γ, δ can assume different values.

Therefore, each of said lamellae <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is elastically deformed along said direction D2.

In particular, the bending of each lamella <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> allows to linearly guide the movement of said support <NUM> along said direction D2.

This allows said working group <NUM> to adjust the rounding or trimming operation, carried out by the working tool <NUM>, without oscillations or undulating movements of the motor <NUM> and, therefore, of the working tool <NUM> itself, during the movement of the support <NUM>, to which said motor <NUM> is fixed.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of the machine M for working wooden panels P and the like, according to the present invention, is shown.

In the embodiment that is described, said machine M is an edge-banding machine.

However, in other embodiments, the machine M can be a different type of machine than the one described here.

Said edge-banding machine M comprises a working bench <NUM>, having a longitudinal development along the X-axis of the Cartesian reference system XYZ, to support said panel P.

In particular, said panel P is movable on said working bench <NUM> along the direction of advancement D1, in which, as said, the direction of advancement D1 is parallel or substantially parallel to said X-axis.

Said machine M comprises the working group <NUM> according to the present invention.

In particular, in the embodiment that is described, said working group <NUM> is movable along a sliding guide <NUM>, so that said working group <NUM> has a component of motion parallel to said direction of advancement D1 of said panel P.

In fact, said working group <NUM> is moved along said sliding guide <NUM> by means of a further actuator (not shown in the figures), so as to be arranged, in use, near the edge of said panel P to be machined.

Therefore, since said sliding guide <NUM> has a predetermined inclination with respect to said work plane <NUM>, said working group <NUM> has a speed component parallel to said advancement direction D1 of said panel P, or to said X-axis.

Subsequently, said support <NUM> is moved by said actuator <NUM>, with respect to said frame <NUM> and towards said panel P, to allow said tool <NUM> working said panel P.

The movement along said direction D2 is guided by the elastic system <NUM>, elastically deformable along said direction D2, and included in said working group <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Working group (<NUM>) for working a panel (P) made of wood and the like, wherein said panel (P) is movable along an advancing direction (D1), and wherein said working group (<NUM>) comprises:
a frame (<NUM>);
a working tool (<NUM>) for working said panel (P);
an engine (<NUM>), coupled to said working tool (<NUM>), for activating said working tool (<NUM>);
a support (<NUM>), on which said engine (<NUM>) is fixed, wherein said support (<NUM>) is coupled to said frame (<NUM>); and
an actuator (<NUM>), associated to said frame (<NUM>), for moving said support (<NUM>), with respect to said frame (<NUM>), from a resting position to an operating position, wherein said support (<NUM>) is moved closer to said panel (P) along a direction (D2) having at least one component perpendicular to said advancing direction (D1) of said panel (P), allowing the working of said panel (P) by means of said working tool (<NUM>);
wherein said support (<NUM>) is coupled to said frame (<NUM>) by means an elastic system (<NUM>) for driving the movement of said support (<NUM>) along said direction (D2);
characterized in that said elastic system (<NUM>) comprises
a first lamella (<NUM>) arranged between said support (<NUM>) and said frame (<NUM>) and
a second lamella (<NUM>) arranged between said support (<NUM>) and said frame (<NUM>),
wherein said first lamella (<NUM>) and said second lamella (<NUM>) are elastically deformable along said direction (D2); and
when said support (<NUM>) is in said resting position, said first lamella (<NUM>) is arranged on a first plane (P1), and said second lamella (<NUM>) is arranged on a second plane (P2), substantially parallel to said first plane (P1),
wherein said elastic system (<NUM>) comprises:
a third lamella (<NUM>) arranged between said support (<NUM>) and said frame (<NUM>); and
a fourth lamella (<NUM>) arranged between said support (<NUM>) and said frame (<NUM>);
wherein said third lamella (<NUM>) and said fourth lamella (<NUM>) are elastically deformable along said direction (D2); and
wherein, when said support (<NUM>) is in said resting position, said third lamella (<NUM>) is arranged on a third plane (P3) and said fourth lamella (<NUM>) is arranged on a fourth plane (P4), said third plane (P3) and said fourth plane (P4) being substantially parallel to said first plane (P1) and said second plane (P2) respectively.