Patent ID: 7536939

Claim:
An apparatus for guiding and driving a plank along a given path towards cutting tools for curve sawing the plank based on at least one parameter of the plank, the apparatus comprising: evaluation means for evaluating the plank and generating a signal representing the at least one parameter of the plank; a frame; a platform mounted on the frame and having a support surface for supporting the plank, the path along which the plank is to be guided and driven being defined on the support surface of the platform, said platform further comprising at least one support plate displaceable transversally in relation to the path, in response to the signal, via at least one actuator; a first guide and drive mechanism mounted on the platform for receiving, guiding and driving the plank along the path on the support surface, the first mechanism comprising two first guide and drive elements arranged on opposite sides of the path and being displaceable at an angle with respect to the path; a second guide and drive mechanism mounted on the platform for guiding and driving the plank from the first mechanism along the path on the support surface up to the cutting tools, the second mechanism comprising two second guide and drive elements arranged on opposite sides of the path and being substantially parallel to the path; and displacing means for displacing the guide and drive elements from second mechanisms in parallel and equidistant in relation to the path, in response to the signal, and for displacing the guide and drive elements from the first mechanism independently and at an angle with respect to the guide and drive elements from the second mechanism; wherein the guide and drive elements of the mechanisms located on a same side of the path are connected by a pivot axis, and are provided with an endless belt having an exterior contact surface for cooperating with the plank to be guided; wherein at least one of the guide and drive elements of the second mechanism is mounted onto the at least one support plate so as to be displaceable transversally in relation to the path; and wherein the first and second mechanisms each comprise means for independently exerting a pressure onto their respective guide and drive elements on each side of the plank in response to the signal.