Patent ID: 8151677

Claim:
A panel feeding and sawing machine comprising: a support surface; a panel saw device for dividing associated wood panels supported on the support surface; a movable device for moving associated wood panels on the support surface in a first direction toward the panel sawing device and in a second direction away from the panel, sawing device, said second direction being opposite said first direction; a plurality of pickup elements mounted on the movable device and each selectively operable between an opened position and a gripping position, said pickup elements adapted to selectively grip and retain associated wood panels located on the support surface when in the gripping position and adapted to release associated wood panels located on the support surface when in the opened position; wherein at least a first pickup element of said plurality of pickup elements is movable relative to the movable device and relative to at least one other of said plurality of pickup elements in both the first and second opposite directions when the first pickup element is in the gripping position.