Patent ID: 8770910

Claim:
An automatic stacker for stacking beams from a moving production line, wherein the automatic stacker comprises: a. controllable hydraulic components comprising a hydraulic motor in communication with a hydraulic fluid supply; b. a drive assembly connected to the controllable hydraulic components; c. a control assembly connected to the drive assembly and the controllable hydraulic components; d. load bearing bidirectional moving members simultaneously and in tandem operated by the drive assembly for supporting and conveying a stack of beams; e. a stacking fork assembly for receiving beams in sequence using gravity from the moving production line, forming the stack of beams from beams received in sequence, and for pivoting and placing the formed stack of beams from the moving production line onto the load bearing bidirectional moving members, wherein the stacking fork assembly comprises: (i) a plurality of forks, wherein each fork has an accumulating edge and an accumulation stop, and wherein each fork has a beam stop forming a radius from a pivot point, wherein the beam stop prevents beams from the moving production line from moving while the plurality of forks pivot from a receive position to a stacking position or prevents beams from the moving production line from moving while the plurality of forks pivot from the stacking position to the receive position; and (ii) a shaft for supporting the plurality of forks in parallel, wherein the shaft, the plurality of forks, or combinations thereof, engage the controllable hydraulic components, and wherein the controllable hydraulic components pivot the plurality of forks mounted to the shaft simultaneously and synchronously from the receive position to the stacking position and back to the receive position; and f. a full tier sensor mounted to the stacking fork assembly for sensing when the stack of beams reaches a preset quantity.