A separator or escapement mechanism is disclosed which separates or holds one of serially movable objects, such as the second or nth object from the exit end of a support structure. This support may be a sloping ramp so that the objects, if of circular cross section, may roll toward the exit end. The object at the exit end may be held by a stop and the second or nth object may be engaged by a bar holder along the upper surface thereof regardless of the dimension of such object within a given range of sizes. The bar holder moves along a first path at an acute angle to second and third paths, the second path being the path of movement of the upper surface of the maximum size objects and the third path being the path of movement of the upper surface of minimum size objects. The first path intersects the ramp surface at approximately the exit end and is disposed at an acute angle to such ramp surface. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A rotary log singulator for singulating logs received from an intake station to a downstream discharge station. The apparatus includes at least two longitudinally displaced rotating drums and at least one lifting and separating bar located adjacent to and upstream of the drums. The rotating drums have two perimeter portions defined by two chord stretches joined at an outwardly facing obtuse angle. Logs received by the drums are supported and rotationally transferred within the perimeter portions defined by the chord stretches. The lifting and separating bars are driven by a shaft connected to or synchronized with the shaft which drives the rotating drums and are displaced vertically up and down as the rotating drums rotate. The timing cycle between the lifting and separating bars and rotating drums is such that when the first chord stretch of the perimeter portions of the drums is transverse to the lifting and separating bar, the lifting and separating the bar is in a lower position allowing a log to rest on the chord stretches of the drum. As the drum rotates the log toward the discharge station, the lifting and separating bars move vertically upward to separate the downstream log from other upstream logs and advance the downstream log onto the next perimeter portion of the drum if the center of gravity of the log is downstream of the separating surface of the lifting bar. As the lifting bars move upward, they also serve as a barrier to prevent other upstream logs from reaching the drum, thereby singulating logs. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting and separating bars are horizontally adjustable to enable the apparatus to effectively singulate a wide range of log diameter sizes.
