 |
Claims  |
|
|
Having described by invention with the particularity set forth above, what
is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for successively positioning sticks on layers of wood,
comprising a frame; accumulator chain means rotatably carried by said
frame on an accumulator chain axle in substantially horizontal, linearly
advancing disposition for receiving the sticks by gravity in spaced
relationship with respect to each other; drop gate means carried by said
frame beneath said accumulator chain means; positioner chain means
rotatably carried by said frame on a positioner chain axle beneath said
drop gate means in substantially horizontal, linearly advancing
disposition for selectively receiving sticks from said accumulator chain
means by gravity responsive to operation of said drop gate means and
transporting the sticks over the layers of wood along a path of travel;
drive means operatively connected to said accumulator chain means and said
positioner chain means in driving relationship; diverter means pivotally
carried by said positioner chain means for selectively pivoting into the
path of travel of the sticks and displacing the sticks from said
positioner chain means onto the wood in a selected spacing responsive to
advancement of said positioner chain means; stick retaining means
pivotally carried by said positioner chain means for selectively pivoting
into the path of travel of the sticks on said positioner chain means and
preventing the sticks from prematurely exiting said positioner chain means
prior to advancement of said positioner chain means, responsive to
displacement of the sticks from said positioner chain means by said
diverter means; and carriage assembly means vertically slidably carried by
said frame and wherein said positioner chain means, said diverter means
and said stick retaining means are mounted on said carriage assembly
means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly means further
comprises a pair of carriage braces spanning each end of said frame, a
plurality of carriage guides mounted on said carriage braces and slidably
carried by said frame and spaced positioner chain channels disposed in
horizontal orientation on said carriage braces and wherein said positioner
chain means, said diverter means and stick retaining means are disposed
between said positioner chain channels and further comprising at least one
lift cylinder means operatively connected to each end of said frame and
one of said carriage braces, respectively, for raising and lowering said
carriage braces, said carriage guides, said positioner chain channels,
said positioner chain means, said diverter means and said stick retaining
means in concert on said frame.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:
(a) nib means provided on said positioner chain means in the path of the
sticks for engaging the sticks and positioning the sticks uniformly on
said positioner chain means;
(b) advancing chain means carried by said positioner chain channel in
rotatable linearly advancing disposition and extending above said
positioner chain means substantially parallel to the path of travel of the
sticks, said advancing chain means adapted to travel faster than said
positioner chain means and engage the sticks for relocating the sticks on
said positioner chain means, wherein the sticks are suspended in release
configuration over the wood; and
(c) resilient disc means rotatably carried by said positioner chain axle
for clamping the sticks between said resilient disc means and said
positioner chain means and preventing rotation of the sticks during travel
of the sticks from the top portion of said positioner chain means to the
bottom portion of said positioner chain means.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising nib means provided on said
positioner chain means in the path of the sticks for engaging the sticks
and positioning the sticks uniformly on said positioner chain means.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising advancing chain means
carried by said carriage assembly means in rotatable linearly advancing
disposition and extending above said positioner chain means substantially
parallel to the path of travel of the sticks, said advancing chain means
adapted to travel faster than said positioner chain means and engage the
sticks for relocating the sticks on said positioner chain means, wherein
the sticks are suspended in release configuration over the wood.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising resilient disc means
rotatably carried by said positioner chain axle for clamping the sticks
between said resilient disc means and said positioner chain means and
preventing rotation of the sticks during travel of the sticks from the top
portion of said positioner chain means to the bottom portion of said
positioner chain means.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) nib means provided on said positioner chain means in the path of the
sticks for engaging the sticks and positioning the sticks uniformly on
said positioner chain means;
(b) advancing chain means carried by said carriage assembly means in
rotatable, linearly advancing disposition and extending above said
positioner chain means substantially parallel to the path of travel of the
sticks, said advancing chain means adapted to travel faster than said
positioner chain means and engage the sticks for relocating the sticks on
said positioner chain means, wherein the sticks are suspended in release
configuration over the wood; and
(c) resilient disc means rotatably carried by said positioner chain axle
for clamping the sticks between said resilient disc means and said
positioner chain means and preventing rotation of the sticks during travel
of the sticks from the top portion of said positioner chain means to the
bottom portion of said positioner chain means.
8. The apparatus of claim i further comprising programmable controller
means operably connected to said drop gate means, said diverter means and
said stick retaining means for orchestrating operation of said drop gate
means, said diverter means and said stick retaining means and locating the
sticks on the wood in a selected spacing.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising carriage assembly means
vertically slidably carried by said frame and wherein said positioner
chain means, said diverter means and said stick retaining means are
mounted on said carriage assembly means in vertically adjustable
relationship with respect to the frame responsive to operation of said
programmable controller means.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:
(a) nib means provided on said positioner chain means in the path of the
sticks for engaging the sticks and positioning the sticks uniformly on
said positioner chain means;
(b) advancing chain means carried by said carriage assembly means in
rotatable, linearly advancing disposition and extending above said
positioner chain means substantially parallel to the path of travel of the
sticks, said advancing chain means adapted to travel faster than said
positioner chain means and engage the sticks for relocating the sticks on
said positioner chain means, wherein the sticks are suspended in release
configuration over the wood; and
(c) resilient disc means rotatably carried positioner chain axle for
clamping the sticks between said resilient disc means and said positioner
chain means and preventing rotation of the sticks during travel of the
sticks from the top portion of said positioner chain means to the bottom
portion of said positioner chain means.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said carriage assembly means further
comprises a plurality of carriage guides slidably carried by said frame,
brace means connecting said carriage guides and two sets of positioner
chain channels disposed in spaced, horizontal orientation on said brace
means and wherein said positioner chain means, said diverter means and
said stick retaining means are disposed between said sets of positioner
chain channels, respectively, and further comprising at least one lift
cylinder means operably connected to each end of said frame and said
carriage assembly means, said lift cylinder means also operably connected
to said programmable controller means for raising and lowering said
carriage guides, said positioner chain channels, said positioner chain
means, said diverter means and said stick retaining means in concert on
said frame responsive to operation of said programmable controller means.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising endless advancing chain
means carried by said positioner chain channels and extending above said
positioner chain means parallel to the path of travel of the sticks, said
endless advancing chain means adapted to travel faster than said
positioner chain means and engage the sticks for relocating the sticks on
said positioner chain means, wherein the sticks are suspended in release
configuration over the wood.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising nib means provided on said
positioner chain means in the path of the sticks for engaging the sticks
and positioning the sticks uniformly on said positioner chain means.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising resilient disc means
rotatably carried by said positioner chain axles for clamping the sticks
between said resilient disc means and said positioner chain means and
preventing rotation of the sticks during travel of the sticks from the top
portion of said positioner chain means to the bottom portion of said
positioner chain means.
15. Apparatus for successively positioning spacing sticks on layers of
stacked lumber, comprising a fixed frame; a pair of accumulator chains
disposed in spaced, substantially parallel, horizontal and rotatable
relationship on said fixed frame and a plurality of accumulator chain
cleats carried by said accumulator chains in parallel, spaced sets for
receiving the spacing sticks in spaced relationship; a plurality of
normally closed, fluid-operated drop gates carried by said fixed frame
beneath said accumulator chains in spaced relationship; a carriage
assembly vertically slidably carried by said frame, said carriage assembly
disposed over the lumber; a pair of rotatable positioner chains disposed
in spaced, substantially parallel, substantially horizontal relationship
on said carriage assembly beneath said accumulator chains and said drop
gates and a plurality of positioner chain cleats carried by said
positioner chains in parallel, spaced sets for sequentially receiving the
spacing sticks from said accumulator chains and said drop gates,
respectively, and transporting the spacing sticks over the lumber along a
path of travel; drive meals mounted on said carriage assembly and operably
connected to said accumulator chains and said positioner chains in driving
relationship; a plurality of fluid-operated diverter means pivotally
carried by said carriage assembly in spaced relationship between said
positioner chains; and a plurality of stick retaining means pivotally
carried by said carriage assembly in spaced relationship between said
positioner chains, whereby said drop gates are operated to sequentially
drop the spacing sticks from said accumulator chains to said positioner
chains and fill said positioner chain cleats, said carriage assembly is
lowered in sequence over the lumber, selected ones of said diverter means
are pivotally operated to engage corresponding ones of the spacing sticks
and reposition the spacing sticks on said positioner chain cleats for
diversion to, the lumber in a preselected spacing responsive to limited
advancement of said positioner chains and said stick retaining means are
pivoted into the path of travel of the spacing sticks on said positioner
chains and prevent premature exiting of the spacing sticks from said
positioner chain cleats, respectively.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising programmable controller
means operably connected to said carriage assembly, said drop gates, said
diverter means and said stick retaining means for orchestrating operation
of said carriage assembly, said drop gates, said diverter means and said
stick retaining means and locating the spacing sticks on the lumber in a
selected spacing.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a pair of endless
rotatable advancing chains carried by said carriage assembly in spaced
relationship with respect to each other and extending above said
positioner chains substantially parallel to the path of travel of the
spacing sticks, said endless rotatable advancing chains adapted to travel
faster than said positioner chains and engage the spacing sticks with said
positioner chain cleats for relocating the spacing sticks on said
positioner chain cleats, wherein the spacing sticks are suspended in
release configuration over the lumber.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a positioner chain axle
provided in said carriage assembly and resilient disc means rotatably
mounted on said positioner chain axle for clamping the spacing sticks
between said resilient disc means and said positioner chain cleans,
respectively, and preventing rotation of the spacing sticks during travel
of the spacing sticks from the top portion of said positioner chains to
the bottom portion of said positioner chains.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising spaced positioner chain
channels carried by said carriage assembly on each side of said positioner
chains and nib means provided on said positioner chain channels in the
path of the spacing sticks for engaging the sticks and positioning the
spacing sticks uniformly on said positioner chains.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising at least one fluid lift
cylinder operably connected to each end of said frame and said carriage
assembly, said fluid lift cylinder also operably connected to said
programmable controller means for raising and lowering said carriage
assembly responsive to operation of said lift cylinder and said
programmable controller means.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:
(a) a pair of endless rotatable advancing chains carried by said carriage
assembly in spaced relationship with respect to each other and extending
above said positioner chains substantially parallel to the path of travel
of the spacing sticks, said endless rotatable advancing chains adapted to
travel faster than said positioner chains and engage the spacing sticks
for relocating the spacing sticks on said positioner chain cleats wherein
the spacing sticks are suspended in release configuration over the lumber;
and
(b) a pair of resilient discs rotatably carried by said carriage assembly
substantially in alignment with said positioner chains respectively, for
clamping the spacing sticks between said resilient discs and said
positioner chains and preventing rotation of the spacing sticks during
travel of the spacing sticks from the top portion of said positioner
chains to the bottom portion of said positioner chains.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising spaced positioner chain
channels carried by said carriage assembly on each side of said positioner
chains and nib means provided on said positioner chain channels in the
path of the spacing sticks for engaging the spacing sticks and positioning
the spacing sticks uniformly on said positioner chains.
23. A method of successively positioning spacing sticks in a selected
spaced relationship, on tiers of lumber, comprising the steps of
accumulating spacing sticks on spaced, oppositely-disposed pairs of
accumulator chain cleats provided on a pair of spaced accumulator chains;
operating a drop gate positioned beneath said accumulator chains and
delivering the spacing sticks from said accumulator chain cleats to
spaced, oppositely-disposed pairs of positioner chain cleats provided on a
pair of positioner chains disposed over the lumber and beneath said drop
gate and said accumulator chains; positioning the spacing sticks above the
lumber along a path of travel by rotation of the positioner chains;
lowering said positioner chains and said positioner chain cleats over the
lumber; operating pivoting diverter assemblies from retracted mode into
extended mode and repositioning the spacing sticks on selected ones of the
positioner chain cleats; operating pivoting stick retaining assemblies
from retracted mode into extended mode and retaining assemblies from
retracted mode into extended mode and retaining the spacing sticks on said
positioner chain cleats for a selected period of time; sequentially
advancing said positioner chains and said positioner chain cleats for
displacing the spacing sticks over the lumber; operating the diverter
assemblies and stick retaining assemblies from extended mode into
retracted mode, respectively; and raising said positioner chains and said
positioner chain cleats.
24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of
locating a pair of advancing chains in the path of the spacing sticks and
operating said advancing chains faster than said positioner chains for
advancing the spacing sticks into contact with said positioner chain
cleats.
25. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of
operably connecting a programmable controller to said drop gate, said
diverter assemblies and said stick retaining assemblies and operating said
programmable controller to orchestrate operation of said drop gate, said
diverter assemblies and said stick-retaining assemblies.
26. The method according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of:
(a) locating a pair of advancing chains in the path of the spacing sticks
and operating said advancing chains faster than said positioner chains for
advancing the spacing sticks into contact with said positioner chain
cleats; and (b) operably connecting a programmable controller to said drop
gate, said diverter assemblies and said stick retaining assemblies and
operating said programmable controller to orchestrate operation of said
drop gate, said diverter assemblies and said stick-retaining assemblies. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
2. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to stacking of wood such as lumber and plywood for
drying or other purposes and more particularly, to retainer arm assemblies
provided in an automatic stick laying apparatus for maintaining spacing
sticks in position for positioning the spacing sticks on stacked tiers of
lumber in selectively spaced relationship to provide proper ventilation
between the respective layers or tiers of lumber.
At a very early date it became obvious that lumber must be cured prior to
use in order to avoid, or at least minimize, warping due to drying. In the
early sawmill days "green" lumber was stacked in "ricks" which defined an
inverted "V" configuration, where it was air-dried to reduce the moisture
content and provide reasonably straight boards for building purposes. With
the development of modern sawmills, the rate of processing and drying or
curing of "green" lumber increased to the point that it became impractical
and unprofitable to stack lumber in this "rick drying" fashion, and other
techniques were devised to accomplish this purpose. The lumber is now
stacked for kiln drying or air drying and the stacking is preferably
accomplished in multiple rows and layers or tiers by inserting between
each tier or layer of boards a number of small spacing sticks which keep
the layers spaced and provide ventilating passages through the stack to
expose both the upper and lower surfaces of the boards in the stack to the
drying air. This procedure serves the purpose of processing a large number
of boards of selected size in a relatively short period of time, thereby
providing more favorable sawmill economics.
3. Description of the Prior Art
The stacking of lumber has been accomplished by various apparatus and
techniques in modern times. U.S. Pat. No. 2,928,559, dated Mar. 15, 1960,
to D. E. Mosely, details a "Lumber Stacker" which includes a mechanism for
receiving boards from a source of supply, gathering the boards in layers
and depositing the layers on the stack being formed and further including
a mechanism for inserting multiple spacing sticks between each layer as
the lumber is stacked, to space the layers in tiers. U.S. Pat. No.
3,352,434, dated Nov. 15, 1967, to W. H. Zuercher, details a "Stick Placer
Apparatus". The device features a constant feed of sticks on slats from a
removable cartridge to insert the stick between successive layers of a
stack of lumber and space the lumber for drying. A "Lumber Spacer and
Stick Layer" is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,133, dated Oct. 21, 1980,
to Charles L. Johnson. The lumber spacer automatically separates lumber in
parallel alignment, drops spacer sticks on top of the stacked lumber and
subsequently stacks more lumber on top of the spaced sticks. U.S. Pat. No.
4,360,303, dated Nov. 23, 1982, to Alpo Rysti, details a "Method and
Apparatus for Locating Spacer Strips Between Layers of Timber Packages".
The device positions spacer strips between vertically adjacent layers of
timber by locating multiple spacer strips supported by distribution
members over the top layer of the timber package and activating multiple
depressers, which are operatively associated with a frame structure,
downwardly to engage respective spacer strips and guide the strips into
position on the top layer of the timber package. U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,360,
dated Sep. 9, 1986, to H. Forslund, details an "Installation for Stacking
Piles of Lumber Separated by Sticks". The device includes a number of sink
compartments adapted to receive various types of lumber and a lumber
conveyor designed to bring lumber from a loading point for unsorted lumber
to the sink department. The lumber conveyor also transports sticks to the
sink compartment for separation of the lumber in stacked tiers. A "Sticker
Placer Apparatus" is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,233, dated Jan. 31,
1989, to Edward Ritola. The apparatus includes multiple inclined sticker
feed pockets designed to hold facing sticks and adapted to displace one
stick at a time from the mouth of the sticker pocket to a variable height
of lumber beneath the pocket. U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,152, dated Mar. 7, 1989,
to Larry A. Gillingham, et al, details a "Sticker Positioning Apparatus
for Use With Lumber Stacker". This apparatus includes an unscrambling
conveyor that feeds six spacers from a bulk supply to a crowder feed
conveyor, in order to supply sticks to a timed release mechanism. The
release mechanism is operated by a cam device to sequentially present the
individual spacer sticks in timed fashion to an endless distribution
conveyor, where they are moved to the top of a lumber stack and accurately
positioned in spaced relationship on the lumber. "A Stick Delivery
Apparatus" is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,803, dated Nov. 7, 1989, to
Wade Q. Whiddon. The device includes a frame, a stick conveyor supported
on the frame for movement between a stick supply station and a stick
transfer station. The stick conveyor includes structure for transporting
sticks from the supply station and for delivering the sticks to the
transfer station in spaced, parallel relationship and additional apparatus
is provided for replacing the sticks on stacked lumber beneath the frame.
It is an object of this invention to provide retainer arm assemblies in an
automatic stick laying apparatus for mounting over stacks of lumber,
plywood or pressboard and maintaining spacing sticks in position for
automatically placing spacing sticks on each successive layer or tier of
lumber, plywood or pressboard in preselected, spaced relationship to
facilitate drying or other disposition of the vertically spaced lumber,
plywood or pressboard.
Another object of this invention is to provide multiple, spaced retainer
arm assemblies in an automatic stick laying apparatus, which apparatus is
characterized by a fixed frame, an accumulator mounted on the fixed frame
for receiving and accumulating multiple spacing sticks, one or more drop
gates attached to the fixed frame below the accumulator and a carriage
assembly movably mounted on the fixed frame and fitted with parallel chain
channels provided with positioner chains having spaced positioner chain
cleats for receiving spacing sticks from the accumulator and drop gate(s).
The retainer arm assemblies operate with multiple, spaced diverter
assemblies attached to the chain channels for retaining the spacing sticks
on the positioner chain cleats and allowing sequential displacement of the
spacing sticks from the positioner chain cleats, respectively, and
relocating the spacing sticks in selected spaced relationship on
successive stacks of lumber located beneath the stick laying apparatus by
sequential limited advancement of the positioner chains.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an automatic stick
laying apparatus characterized by a fixed frame, an accumulator mounted on
the fixed frame for receiving and accumulating multiple spacing sticks,
spaced drop gates attached to the fixed frame below the accumulator, a
carriage assembly movably mounted on the fixed frame and fitted with
parallel chain channels provided with positioner chains having spaced
positioner chain cleats for receiving spacing sticks from the accumulator
and drop gates and multiple, spaced retainer arm assemblies and diverter
assemblies attached to the chain channels. The retainer arm assemblies are
equipped with retainer arms programmed with the diverter assemblies for
retaining the spacing sticks on the respective positioner chain cleats
until the proper time arrives for sequentially displacing the spacing
sticks from selected ones of the positioner chain cleats and relocating
the spacing sticks in selected spaced relationship on successive stacks of
lumber located beneath the stick laying apparatus.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic stick
laying apparatus which is characterized by a fixed frame, an accumulator
mounted on the fixed frame for receiving and accumulating multiple spacing
sticks, spaced drop gates attached to the fixed frame below the
accumulator, a carriage assembly movably mounted on the fixed frame and
fitted with parallel chain channels provided with positioner chains having
spaced positioner chain cleats for receiving spacing sticks from the
accumulator and drop gates and multiple, spaced diverter assemblies and
retainer arm assemblies attached to the chain channels and orchestrated
for sequentially pivoting into the path of selected ones of the spacing
sticks, and sliding the spacing sticks to the edges of the positioner
chain cleats while retaining the spacing sticks on the edges of the
positioner chain cleats, respectively, and subsequently relocating the
spacing sticks in selected spaced relationship on successive stacks of
lumber located beneath the stick laying apparatus by advancement of the
positioner chains.
A still further object of this invention is to provide an automatic,
computer-operated stick laying apparatus which utilizes a pair of
vertically adjustable, horizontal, endless accumulator chains mounted on a
fixed frame and fitted with spaced accumulator chain cleats for
accumulating a supply of spacing sticks from a stick supply device, drop
gates mounted on the fixed frame beneath the accumulator, a pair of
vertically adjustable positioner chain channels horizontally mounted on
the fixed frame and receiving a pair of spaced endless positioner chains
provided with spaced positioner chain cleats and fitted with a pair of
companion advancing chains, for receiving spacing sticks in a selected
sequence from the accumulator through the drop gates and carrying the
spacing sticks into proper positions above stacked tiers of lumber located
beneath the stick laying apparatus, where the spacing sticks are
maintained on the respective positioner chain cleats. The
computer-operated stick laying apparatus further includes spaced diverter
assemblies and retainer arm assemblies located between the positioner
chain channels in spaced relationship for sequentially displacing the
spacing sticks on selected positioner chain cleats while preventing the
spacing sticks from prematurely exiting the positioner chain cleats,
respectively. Corresponding release of the spacing sticks from the
positioner chain cleats is effected by sequential limited advancement of
the positioner chains, to position the displaced spacing sticks in a
selected spacing on successive layers of lumber and vertically space the
layers of lumber for drying purposes.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method for automatically
placing spacing sticks in a selected pattern on successive tiers of
stacked wood products such as lumber, plywood or the like, which method
includes the steps of spacing the spacing sticks in a
horizontally-positioned, endless chain accumulator, sequentially dropping
the spacing sticks through adjacent gates to locations between parallel
sets of spaced positioner chain cleats attached to a pair of horizontal
endless positioner chains located above the lumber, locating the spacing
sticks over the lumber by operation of the positioner chains, maintaining
the spacing sticks on the positioner chain cleats by operation of spaced
retainer arm assemblies, causing selected spacing sticks to be displaced
to preselected positions on the positioner chain cleats by operation of
spaced diverter assemblies, lowering the positioner chains and spacing
sticks to a point immediately over the top layer of lumber, and advancing
the positioner chains to deposit the spacing sticks in the selected
pattern on the lumber, repositioning the retainer arm assemblies and
diverter assemblies into the pre-diverting configuration and raising the
positioner chains to receive additional spacing sticks from the
accumulator.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method for placing
spacing sticks on tiers of lumber in a selected pattern or spacing,
wherein the spacing sticks are loaded from a stick supply apparatus on a
horizontal accumulator between adjacent sets of parallel accumulator chain
cleats. The sticks are then selectively distributed to empty positioner
chain cleats located on a pair of horizontal endless positioner chains
through spaced drop gates and the positioner chains next automatically
locate the spacing sticks in proper orientation over the lumber. Spaced
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies then operate to displace
the spacing sticks on the positioner chain cleats and prevent the spacing
sticks from prematurely exiting the positioner chain cleats, respectively.
The carriage assembly is then lowered to a point immediately over the top
layer of lumber as the spaced retainer arm assemblies maintain the spacing
sticks on the chain cleats, where preselected numbers of spacing sticks
are displaced from corresponding chain cleats by operation of the selected
diverter assemblies as the positioner chains are advanced a short
distance, to place the sticks on the lumber in the selected pattern. The
retainer arm assemblies and diverter assemblies are then repositioned and
the carriage assembly is raised to receive additional spacing sticks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the invention are provided in a new and improved
automatic stick laying apparatus and method for laying spacing sticks on
successive tiers of lumber, which apparatus includes a fixed frame and a
carriage assembly slidably mounted on the fixed frame above an area where
lumber is to be stacked. The fixed frame further supports a stick supply
apparatus which interfaces with a pair of horizontally-spaced, endless
accumulator chains fitted with accumulator chain cleats for accumulating
spacing sticks and multiple, spaced, programmable controller-operated,
cylinder-actuated drop gates located beneath the accumulator chains. A
pair of spaced, parallel chain channels, fitted with corresponding endless
positioner chains, are located on the carriage assembly beneath the
accumulator chains and drop gates and the positioner chains are provided
with spaced chain cleats For sequentially receiving the spacing sticks by
operation of the drop gates. Advancing chains are also provided in the
carriage assembly and operate with the positioner chains and a pair of
rubber discs to seat the spacing sticks on the positioner chain cleats for
transporting the spacing sticks to preselected positions over the lumber
to be stacked. Multiple cylinder-actuated diverter assemblies, cooperating
with corresponding retainer arm assemblies, all mounted in spaced
relationship on the positioner chain channels and controlled by
programmable controller, computer, or alternative control devices, operate
to displace and stabilize, respectively, the spacing sticks on "the chain
cleats during lowering of the carriage assembly, after which the
positioner chains are advanced in sequence to deposit the spacing sticks
in spaced relationship on the underlying tiers of lumber to vertically
space the lumber in stacked layers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view, partially in section, of a preferred embodiment of
the automatic stick laying apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the automatic stick laying apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along line 3--3 of the automatic stick
laying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating the
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies;
FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line 3A--3A of one set of the
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the idler end of the automatic stick laying
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, further illustrating a set of the
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the drive end of the automatic stick laying
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, still further illustrating a set of the
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the idler end of the automatic stick laying
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view, taken along line 7--7 of the automatic stick
laying apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating the
diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies;
FIG. 8 is a series of sectional positional views, more particularly
illustrating a preferred operation of the diverter assemblies and retainer
arm assemblies and the automatic stick laying apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 1-7; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a typical leg cylinder and retainer arm
cylinder of a diverter assembly and a retainer arm assembly coupled to a
solenoid valve, more particularly illustrating a preferred operation of
the diverter assemblies and retainer arm assemblies of the automatic stick
laying apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to FIGS. 1--3 and 6 of the drawings, in a preferred
embodiment the automatic stick laying apparatus of this invention is
generally illustrated by reference numeral 1. The stick laying apparatus 1
is characterized by a frame 2, fitted with vertical frame legs 3, frame
end braces 4 and frame side beams 5, oriented over stacked tiers of lumber
55, separated by spacing sticks 53 and resting on lumber supports 56. The
frame legs 3 and lumber supports 56 are resting on a supporting surface 7,
such as concrete, metal or other material. A carriage assembly is
generally illustrated by reference numeral 9 and is mounted on the frame
legs 3 of the frame 2 in vertically slidable relationship by means of four
carriage guides 10. The carriage guides 10 are separated by a pair of
horizontal top carriage braces 11 and bottom carriage braces 12,
respectively, and two sets of positioner chain channels 14 are disposed in
spaced, parallel, facing relationship on the spaced bottom carriage braces
12, as further illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 6. It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the positioner chain channels 14 may be
welded or otherwise secured to the bottom carriage braces 12, further
according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. As further
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, a pair of lift cylinders 47 are mounted on
the frame end braces 4 by means of lift cylinder mount brackets 51,
respectively, and the corresponding cylinder piston rods 48 of the lift
cylinders 47 project vertically downwardly and receive a rod clevis 49.
Each rod clevis 49 is attached to a clevis bracket 50, bolted or welded to
the corresponding top carriage brace 11, for securing the respective
cylinder pistons 48 to the top carriage braces 11 in the carriage assembly
9, as further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6. Accordingly, it will be
appreciated that the entire carriage assembly 9, carriage guides 10, top
carriage braces 11, bottom carriage braces 12 and positioner chain
channels 14 may be vertically adjusted with respect to the frame 2 and the
lumber 55 by operation of the lift cylinders 47 in concert, as further
hereinafter described.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and 5 of the drawings, a shaft drive sprocket 15
is mounted on a positioner chain drive sprocket shaft 16, disposed between
corresponding ends of the positioner chain channels 14 and mounted on the
bottom carriage brace 12 at the drive end of the carriage assembly 9. The
positioner chain drive sprocket shaft 16 is journalled for rotation in
this position by a pair of shaft bearings 17, mounted on the bottom
carriage brace 12, which is welded, bolted or otherwise secured to the
corresponding carriage guides 10, respectively. A pair of positioner chain
sprockets 18 are also attached to the positioner chain drive shaft 16 in
spaced relationship and in alignment with the respective spaces between
each of the two sets of positioner chain channels 14, as further
illustrated in FIG. 3. A positioner chain drive motor 20 is mounted to one
of the bottom carriage braces 12 by means of a bracket (not illustrated)
to align the corresponding drive motor sprocket 21 with the shaft drive
sprocket 15 and facilitate connection of the shaft drive sprocket 15 to
the drive motor sprocket 21 in driving relationship by means of a drive
chain 22. A stick return guide 29 is welded to the carriage guides 10 and
spans the drive end of the carriage assembly 9. A positioner chain idler
shaft 24 is journalled for rotation at the opposite or idler end of the
carriage assembly 9 by means of another pair of shaft bearings 17, mounted
on a shaft mount channel 13, secured to the bottom carriage brace 12, as
further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. A pair of positioner chain sprockets
18 are secured to the positioner chain idler shaft 24 in spaced
relationship between the respective sets of positioner chain channels 14
in alignment with the corresponding positioner chain sprockets 18, mounted
on the positioner chain drive sprocket shaft 16 at the drive end of the
carriage assembly 9. A pair of positioner chains 25 are mounted on the
respective aligned sets of positioner chain sprockets 18 between the
corresponding spaced sets of positioner chain channels 14 and are driven
in parallel, spaced relationship by operation of the positioner chain
drive motor 20 and rotation of the positioner chain drive shaft 16 and
positioner chain idler shaft 24. A series of spaced nib plates 23 are
welded to the positioner chain channels 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and
project into the path of travel of the spacing sticks 53, to orient the
spacing sticks 53 such that the widest cross | | |
