Patent ID: 7712495

Claim:
A machine for forming a point on wooden stakes, comprising: a frame; a supply bin supported on said frame for holding a quantity of unsharpened wooden stake blanks; a conveyor system supported on said frame to move said stake blanks from said supply bin in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said stake blanks onto a sharpening station where said stake blanks are formed with said point, said conveyor system further being operable to leave said stake blanks in a stationary position at said sharpening station before moving sharpened stakes in said transverse direction from said sharpening station to a delivery station after said point has been formed; a clamping apparatus supported on said frame to clamp said stake blank at said sharpening station while said stake blank is in said stationary position; a cutterhead mounted on said frame for axial movement with respect to said stake blank toward and away from said sharpening station for engagement with said stake blank clamped onto said sharpening station to form said point thereon while being held in said stationary position, said cutterhead forming said point while said stake blank is in transit from said supply bin to said delivery station; and a drive mechanism supported on said frame for powering the operation and movement of said cutterhead, the operation of said conveyor, and the operation of said clamping apparatus.