Patent ID: 12240140

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be explained with reference to the attached non-limiting drawings. To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the present invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although example embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or examples. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing “a” constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

Also, in describing the example embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified. Such other components or steps not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar components or steps that are developed after development of the disclosed technology.

While certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

FIG.1[Prior Art] illustrates a conventional planermill trimmer2having individually mounted conventional hold-down shoes5. Even though the conventionally mounted hold-down shoes5allow for all thicknesses of lumber, they are still far too aggressive for 6 inch thick lumber12and thicker, hammering off the back-end of the lumber12and do not allow high speeds to meet customer requirements on the 1 and 2 inch thick lumber12.

FIGS.3-6illustrate a planermill trimmer2having an improved hold-down shoe assembly4mounted thereon. The hold-down shoes6in the present invention can have the same shape and design as the conventional hold-down shoes5, with the exception of being able to provide a flatter sliding surface angle36than the conventional hold-down shoes5. Examples of a suitable angle36is 1 to 25°, preferably from 1 to 20°, more preferably from 1 to 15°, even more preferably from 1 to 10°.

In an example of the present invention produced, the hold-down shoes6were mounted on the assembly body30with about 2 feet between centers of the hold-down shoes6. Any desired distance between the hold-down shoes6can be utilized. The assembly body30comprised a tube that spanned across the front of the planer trimmer2and allowed the lumber12to pass beneath the assembly body30. Each of the hold-down shoes6has an associated airbag8. The air-bag8can be adjusted to add additional hold-down pressure (bias) on the lumber12being end trimmed. Air-bags8are now well known and any suitable air-bag8and associated equipment to operate and control the air-bag8can be utilized.

Since the entire assembly body30with all of the hold-down shoes6can be adjusted up and down in relation to the conveyor10, the angle36for each different size of lumber can remain the same and the hold-down shoes6do not hammer off the back of the lumber12when the angled lumber surface16contacts the lumber12. Furthermore, each piece of lumber12can now come gently into the angled lumber surface16without fear of rolling larger lumber12, such as square 4 inch×4 inch or 6 inch×6 inch lumber12.

FIGS.4-7illustrate a lifting/lower device movably connecting the assembly body30to the body mount31. The lifting/lowering device is configured to move the assembly body30in relation to the body mount31and in a first direction away from the lumber bias surface14and towards the conveyor10, and in a second direction toward the lumber bias surface14. The lifting/lowering device comprises a lifting/lowering gear22having gear teeth23that is mounted on a gear drive shaft26driven by a lifting/lowering motor28, a lifting/lowering toothed plate24having plate teeth25, and the plate teeth25engaging the gear teeth23. The lifting/lowering gear22and the gear drive shaft26are on the body mount31and the lifting/lowering toothed plate24is connected to the assembly body30. In the example shown in the FIGS., the assembly body30is held so that its movement is limited to straight up and down only by the use of four sets of lifting/lowering gears22and associated lifting/lowering toothed plates24. Rotating the gear drive shaft26rotates the lifting/lowing gears22which moves the lifting/lowering toothed plates24in relation to the lifting/lowering gears22.

In order to add strength in a y-axis (vertical) for the full-spanning tube (assembly body30) with the hold-down shoes6attached, several racks (gear22and plate24) can be attached across the span of the assembly body30.FIG.7shows one of these racks up-close. The gear drive shaft26not only lifts the hold-down shoes6and assembly body30when rotated, but acts as an equalizer or stabilizer so that each end of the assembly body30is lifted equally, keeping the hold-down shoe assembly4parallel with the flow of the lumber12on the conveyor10, i.e. not tilted. The lifting/lowing toothed plate24can be mounted to the assembly body30using an adjustable tie rod27to make adjustments for any manufacturing discrepancies or assembly body30deflection. Lifting and lowering of the assembly body30lifts and lowers all of the hold-down shoes6at the same time to adjust for the thickness of the lumber12. The sliding surface angle36is preferably not changed during the lifting and lowering of the assembly4.

The lifting/lowering motor28can be a servo motor (with encoder feedback) for setworks placement. If desired, the lifting/lowering motor28can be replaced with a hand-crank for manual adjustment. Another example of the lifting/lowering device includes an electric or hydraulic cylinder, with or without electronic feedback. In the present example, the lifting/lowering motor28was an electric motor with absolute encoder (for position feedback) and electric brake for holding position during operation. In this manner, the settings can be the same for a number of shifts or days. A self-locking reducer can be utilized. However, a brake is preferably used to ensure that the assembly body30does not move during operation of the planermill trimmer2. The settings of the servo motor hold-down shoes can be done by a computer system40based on the product thickness being manufactured.

In the current design, the mechanism will mount directly to the front of the Timber Automation trimmer, but it is envisioned that future designs for trimmers manufactured by other OEMS, the mechanism could be made free-standing as well.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

2Planermill trimmer3Trimmer4Hold-down shoe assembly5Prior art hold-down shoe6Hold-down shoe7End trimming saw8Air bag10Conveyor12Lumber14Lumber bias surface16Angled lumber surface18Anti-kick-back stop19Stop movable mount20Shoe movable mount22Lifting/lowering gear23Gear teeth24Lifting/lowering toothed plate25Plate teeth26Gear drive shaft27Adjustable tie rod28Lifting/lowering motor30Assembly body31Body mount34Bias towards conveyor36Sliding surface angle40Computer system

It is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the invention. Words used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. In addition, the advantages and objectives described herein may not be realized by each and every embodiment practicing the present invention. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular structure, steps and/or embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, processes and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.