Patent ID: 7819150

Claim:
A machine for shaping an end of an elongate wooden work piece to form a pointed tip on said work piece, said machine comprising: a frame; an elongate first shaft rotatably supported by said frame along a rotational axis, said first shaft having a first channel extending axially therethrough; an elongate second shaft disposed in said first channel and configured for rotation with said first shaft, said second shaft further configured for axial movement relative to said first shaft, said second shaft having a first end and a second end; a cutting head having a connection end and an aperture end opposingly displaced along said rotational axis, said connection end connected to said first shaft for rotation of said cutting head therewith, said cutting head further having a plurality of knives configured to form a pointed end on the work piece as said cutting head rotates, each of said plurality of knives having an edge angled relative to said rotational axis, said plurality of edges further configured non-parallel and non-intersecting with one another, rotation of said edges defining a cutting zone within said cutting head; and a plunger connected to said first end of said second shaft, said plunger selectively movable between opposing first and second positions, said plunger being substantially disposed within said first channel when in said first position, said plunger extending substantially into said cutting zone when in said second position, whereby movement of said plunger from said first position toward said second position dislodges any portion of the work piece that remains in the cutting zone thereby enabling said cutting head to accept a subsequent work piece.