Patent ID: 7007729

Claim:
A log charging apparatus for placing a log onto the horizontal upper run of an endless sharp-toothed chain conveyor continuously traveling in a given direction toward the vertical saw means of a sawmill, comprising: (a) first support means for supporting a log horizontally at an upper log turning station above, parallel with, and spaced from the sharp chain conveyor; (b) primary scanning means for scanning the log at said log turning station to determine that optimum plane of orientation of the log about its horizontal longitudinal axis that would permit the saw means to produce from the log the optimum amount of usable wood; (c) log turning means for rotating the horizontal log at said log turning station about its longitudinal axis toward a desired charging orientation in which said optimum plane of orientation is vertical; (d) clamping means operable from a released condition to a clamped condition to clamp the log in its desired charging orientation; (e) charging means for lowering said clamping means, while in said clamped condition, in such a manner as to transport the horizontal log longitudinally forwardly and downwardly toward a lower hand-off station adjacent the sharp chain conveyor; and (f) overtravel hand-off means at said hand-off station for simultaneously: (1) pressing the log forwardly and downwardly into engagement with the teeth of the sharp chain conveyor, and (2) operating said clamping means to its released condition.