Patent ID: 7419047

Claim:
An apparatus for positioning lumber pieces comprising: i) a length of continuous track loop to translate lumber pieces to be positioned operable for movement in a direction along its length, said pieces moving in a direction generally perpendicular to their longitudinal direction along said track loop; ii) a plurality of paddles spacedly disposed along the length of the continuous track loop, each of said paddles slideably mounted along bearing ways coupled to said track loop, and wherein each of said paddles form a lumber seat for contacting an end of a lumber piece, each of said paddles being laterally displaceable across a width of the track loop; iii) brake means operable to lock the lateral position of each of said paddles; and iv) a positioning cam for controlling the brake means to position the paddle and activateable between a locked position preventing lateral movement of the paddle lumber seat and a released position allowing lateral movement of the paddle lumber seat.