CA2581797A1 - Lath or stick placing apparatus - Google Patents
Lath or stick placing apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CA2581797A1 CA2581797A1 CA 2581797 CA2581797A CA2581797A1 CA 2581797 A1 CA2581797 A1 CA 2581797A1 CA 2581797 CA2581797 CA 2581797 CA 2581797 A CA2581797 A CA 2581797A CA 2581797 A1 CA2581797 A1 CA 2581797A1
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- dispensed
- elongated article
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Abstract
A placing apparatus for laths, spacing sticks or the like is provided. The placing apparatus includes a magazine in which the laths are stacked in their upright orientation, that is on one of their side surfaces. Dispensed laths are successively dispensed from the bottom of the magazine. A positioning mechanism is provided.
It receives the dispensed laths in the upright orientation, translates them towards a pick-up location and pushes them into the flat orientation as they are being translated. A gripping mechanism is provided for picking the dispensed laths at the pick-up location and lowering them onto a tiered lumber surface, where they are released.
It receives the dispensed laths in the upright orientation, translates them towards a pick-up location and pushes them into the flat orientation as they are being translated. A gripping mechanism is provided for picking the dispensed laths at the pick-up location and lowering them onto a tiered lumber surface, where they are released.
Description
LATH OR STICK PLACING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to machinery for the lumber industry and more particularly concerns an apparatus and a method for placing laths or sticks on tiers of lumber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Finished lumber is commonly stacked for drying and/or shipping purposes.
Sticks io or "spacing sticks" are commonly used to hold apart successive tiers of lumber while drying, while in the context of lumber packaging, laths are inserted between layers of lumber transversally to the length of the wood, in order to preserve the integrity of a package of lumber during and after shipment. Although laths and sticks usually have different characteristics related to their particular use, they both are generally thin strips made of wood, typically, or another appropriate material such as cardboard or the like.
The placement of laths or sticks on a tier of lumber is an operation which is usually automated in modern sawmills, and the need for an ever increasing production speed requires that the speed of this operation be optimized.
In the prior art, many machines have been devised for placing laths or sticks onto stacks of lumber one by one. Examples of such machines are for example shown in US patents nos. 4,264,253 (KENNISON); 4, 801,233 (RITOLA); 5,636,965 (NEWNES et al.); 6,655,902 (DUBE et al.); and 6,439,829 (JOHNSON) as well as in Canadian patents nos. 2,237,951 (BARON et al.) and 2,200,656 (NEWNES et al.).
Typical lath laying machines include a magazine holding a stack of laths and a mechanism picking-up the bottom-most lath from the magazine and bringing it to its destination onto the tiered lumber, where it is generally placed transversally to the lumber before the next layer of lumber is added to the stack. In these prior art lath placers, the laths may be stacked in the magazine along their length either flatly, i.e. with the flat faces of consecutive laths touching or upright, i.e. with the sides of consecutive laths touching.
When using a magazine filled with laths stacked upright, it is necessary to turn the laths on their flat sides before placing them of the tiered lumber. In known lath placers of this type, the bottom-most lath of the stack is first received upright on a conveyor where it is pushed laterally towards a pick-up location, to be gripped by io pincers or the like. A turning mechanism rotates the pincers by about 90 degrees, thereby turning the lath held within on its flat side. The turned lath is then lowered towards the tier of lumber and laid thereon by releasing the pincers. A
drawback of lath placers of this type is that the placing of a given lath requires several steps, which each require time and therefore slow down the process. In addition, the mechanism controlling the pincers has to be fairly complex as it must both rotate to pivot the lath, and move vertically to bring the lath to its destination.
There is therefore a need for an improved lath or stick placer which alleviates at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a lath or stick placing apparatus of the type using a magazine holding a stack of laths piled upright, which is more efficient than prior art machines described above.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method of placing laths or sticks onto tiered lumber.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is therefore provided a placing apparatus for placing elongated articles, such as laths or sticks, onto a tiered lumber surface. Each elongated article has an upright orientation and a flat orientation along its length.
The placing apparatus first includes a magazine for holding a stack of the elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation. The magazine has a bottom dispensing opening for successively dispensing the elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article.
The placing apparatus also includes a positioning mechanism for receiving the io dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation, and translating it from beneath the magazine to a pick-up location. The positioning mechanism further pushes on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated.
Finally, the placing apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism adjacent to the magazine. The gripping mechanism is selectively movable between a retracted position for gripping the dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location, and an extended position for releasing the dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
According to another object of the present invention, there is also provided a method for placing elongated articles onto a tiered lumber surface. Each elongated article has an upright orientation and a flat orientation along a length thereof. The method includes the following steps:
a) holding a stack of the elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation;
b) successively dispensing the elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
c) receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same to a pick-up location, pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
d) gripping the dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to machinery for the lumber industry and more particularly concerns an apparatus and a method for placing laths or sticks on tiers of lumber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Finished lumber is commonly stacked for drying and/or shipping purposes.
Sticks io or "spacing sticks" are commonly used to hold apart successive tiers of lumber while drying, while in the context of lumber packaging, laths are inserted between layers of lumber transversally to the length of the wood, in order to preserve the integrity of a package of lumber during and after shipment. Although laths and sticks usually have different characteristics related to their particular use, they both are generally thin strips made of wood, typically, or another appropriate material such as cardboard or the like.
The placement of laths or sticks on a tier of lumber is an operation which is usually automated in modern sawmills, and the need for an ever increasing production speed requires that the speed of this operation be optimized.
In the prior art, many machines have been devised for placing laths or sticks onto stacks of lumber one by one. Examples of such machines are for example shown in US patents nos. 4,264,253 (KENNISON); 4, 801,233 (RITOLA); 5,636,965 (NEWNES et al.); 6,655,902 (DUBE et al.); and 6,439,829 (JOHNSON) as well as in Canadian patents nos. 2,237,951 (BARON et al.) and 2,200,656 (NEWNES et al.).
Typical lath laying machines include a magazine holding a stack of laths and a mechanism picking-up the bottom-most lath from the magazine and bringing it to its destination onto the tiered lumber, where it is generally placed transversally to the lumber before the next layer of lumber is added to the stack. In these prior art lath placers, the laths may be stacked in the magazine along their length either flatly, i.e. with the flat faces of consecutive laths touching or upright, i.e. with the sides of consecutive laths touching.
When using a magazine filled with laths stacked upright, it is necessary to turn the laths on their flat sides before placing them of the tiered lumber. In known lath placers of this type, the bottom-most lath of the stack is first received upright on a conveyor where it is pushed laterally towards a pick-up location, to be gripped by io pincers or the like. A turning mechanism rotates the pincers by about 90 degrees, thereby turning the lath held within on its flat side. The turned lath is then lowered towards the tier of lumber and laid thereon by releasing the pincers. A
drawback of lath placers of this type is that the placing of a given lath requires several steps, which each require time and therefore slow down the process. In addition, the mechanism controlling the pincers has to be fairly complex as it must both rotate to pivot the lath, and move vertically to bring the lath to its destination.
There is therefore a need for an improved lath or stick placer which alleviates at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a lath or stick placing apparatus of the type using a magazine holding a stack of laths piled upright, which is more efficient than prior art machines described above.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an efficient method of placing laths or sticks onto tiered lumber.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is therefore provided a placing apparatus for placing elongated articles, such as laths or sticks, onto a tiered lumber surface. Each elongated article has an upright orientation and a flat orientation along its length.
The placing apparatus first includes a magazine for holding a stack of the elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation. The magazine has a bottom dispensing opening for successively dispensing the elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article.
The placing apparatus also includes a positioning mechanism for receiving the io dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation, and translating it from beneath the magazine to a pick-up location. The positioning mechanism further pushes on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated.
Finally, the placing apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism adjacent to the magazine. The gripping mechanism is selectively movable between a retracted position for gripping the dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location, and an extended position for releasing the dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
According to another object of the present invention, there is also provided a method for placing elongated articles onto a tiered lumber surface. Each elongated article has an upright orientation and a flat orientation along a length thereof. The method includes the following steps:
a) holding a stack of the elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation;
b) successively dispensing the elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
c) receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same to a pick-up location, pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
d) gripping the dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location;
e) moving the gripped dispensed elongated article towards the tiered lumber surface; and f) releasing said dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
Other features of the present invention will be better understood upon reading of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FfGs. 1 to 9 are side views of a lath placing apparatus according to a first io embodiment of the invention, showing the sequence of steps for transferring a lath from a magazine towards and onto a tiered lumber surface, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a bottom-most lath from the magazine received in the upright orientation by the positioning mechanism and starting to be pushed toward the pick-up location;
FIG. 2 shows the lath still being pushed towards the pick-up location and being simultaneously turned from the upright to the flat orientation;
2o FIG. 3 shows the lath having been turned in the flat orientation and still supporting the next bottom-most lath in the magazine;
FIG. 4 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism still being pushed towards the pick-up location, the next bottom-most lath being supported by the abutment member;
FIG. 5 shows the lath at the pick-up position beneath the gripping mechanism and starting to be picked-up by the latter;
3o FIG. 6 shows the lath held by the gripping mechanism while the support plate is being retracted back to its initial position;
FIG. 7 shows the picked-up lath starting to be lowered towards the tier of lumber and the next bottom-most lath having been lowered by gravity on the support plate of the pushing mechanism;
Other features of the present invention will be better understood upon reading of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FfGs. 1 to 9 are side views of a lath placing apparatus according to a first io embodiment of the invention, showing the sequence of steps for transferring a lath from a magazine towards and onto a tiered lumber surface, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a bottom-most lath from the magazine received in the upright orientation by the positioning mechanism and starting to be pushed toward the pick-up location;
FIG. 2 shows the lath still being pushed towards the pick-up location and being simultaneously turned from the upright to the flat orientation;
2o FIG. 3 shows the lath having been turned in the flat orientation and still supporting the next bottom-most lath in the magazine;
FIG. 4 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism still being pushed towards the pick-up location, the next bottom-most lath being supported by the abutment member;
FIG. 5 shows the lath at the pick-up position beneath the gripping mechanism and starting to be picked-up by the latter;
3o FIG. 6 shows the lath held by the gripping mechanism while the support plate is being retracted back to its initial position;
FIG. 7 shows the picked-up lath starting to be lowered towards the tier of lumber and the next bottom-most lath having been lowered by gravity on the support plate of the pushing mechanism;
5 FIG. 8 shows the gripping mechanism in its extended position, and releasing the picked-up lath on the tier of lumber; and FIG. 9 shows the gripping mechanism returning back to its retracted position to be ready for picking up the next lath.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lath.
FIGs. 11 to 19 are side views of a lath placing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, also showing the sequence of steps for transferring a lath from the magazine towards and onto a tiered lumber surface, in which:
FIG. 11 shows a bottom-most lath from the magazine received in the upright orientation by the positioning mechanism;
2o FIG. 12 shows the lath starting to be pushed toward the pick-up location and being simultaneously turned from the upright to the flat orientation while the next bottom-most lath is retained by the retractable holder;
FIG. 13 shows the lath further in the process of being turned in the flat orientation;
FIG. 14 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism in the flat orientation;
FIG. 15 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism in the flat orientation being pushed towards the pick-up location;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lath.
FIGs. 11 to 19 are side views of a lath placing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, also showing the sequence of steps for transferring a lath from the magazine towards and onto a tiered lumber surface, in which:
FIG. 11 shows a bottom-most lath from the magazine received in the upright orientation by the positioning mechanism;
2o FIG. 12 shows the lath starting to be pushed toward the pick-up location and being simultaneously turned from the upright to the flat orientation while the next bottom-most lath is retained by the retractable holder;
FIG. 13 shows the lath further in the process of being turned in the flat orientation;
FIG. 14 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism in the flat orientation;
FIG. 15 shows the lath on the positioning mechanism in the flat orientation being pushed towards the pick-up location;
FIG. 16 shows the lath at the pick-up position beneath the gripping mechanism and starting to be picked-up by the latter;
FIG. 17 shows the lath held by the gripping mechanism;
FIG. 18 shows the lath still being held by the gripping mechanism while the support plate is being retracted back to its initial position;
FIG. 19 shows the support plate fully retracted to its starting position and receiving io the next lath in the magazine.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals and in order to lighten the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a preceding figure.
The present invention concerns apparatuses and a method for placing elongated article on a tiered lumber surface. The expression "elongated article" is used herein to refer to laths, spacing sticks, or any object of the kind one may wish to place between tiers of lumber. As such, the elongated article is preferably made of wood but may also be made of any other appropriate material such as plastic, metal or cardboard.
In the description of preferred embodiments below, the present invention will be applied to the placement of laths in particular and the "elongated articles"
will be referred to as laths to simplify the reading of the present description. One skilled in the art will however understand, as explained above, that the principles of the invention could equally be applied to stick placers of other machines placing similar articles.
Referring to FIG. 10, a typical lath 2 is shown. A lath 2 generally has a rectangular cross-section, and therefore has two opposite flat surfaces 7 and two opposite side surfaces 8. Preferably, a lath is placed on the tiered lumber on one of its flat surfaces 7, which is referred to hereinafter as "the flat orientation". By contrast, to positioning the lath on one of its side surfaces 8 will be referred to as "the upright orientation". It will be understood that the laths need not have a perfectly rectangular cross-section and that other shapes could be considered.
Referring to FIGs. 1 to 9, a first embodiment of a placing apparatus 10 for placing ts laths 2 on a tiered lumber surface 6, and its operation, is illustrated.
The tiered lumber surface 6 receiving the laths is preferably embodied by successive layers of lumber 4 being packaged for transport, or for drying in the case of sticks.
In practice, the laths 2 are disposed transversally to the length of the tiered lumber 4, but the actual longitudinal orientation of the laths 2 once placed on the lumber 4 is 20 irrelevant to the present invention. The present invention could be used to place one or more lath(s) 2 per lumber tier, as well as for placing laths 2 at each lumber tier or only after a predetermined number of layers in a given package.
The placing apparatus 10 first includes a magazine 12 for holding a stack 14 of 25 laths stacked in their upright orientation, that is, on one of their side surfaces as explained above. Although the magazine 12 is shown as strictly vertical in the accompanying drawings, it could be slightly slanted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the laths 2 could be stored in the magazine 12 at a slight angle with respect to the vertical without departing from 30 the meaning of "upright orientation" as it is understood herein. The magazine 12 can be formed by any structure adapted to hold more than one lath 2 in the stacking arrangement described above. It can have a width sufficient to provide some horizontal play for the laths 2 inside, as long as they remain stacked in their upright orientation. It will be noted that the laths need not be all of the same size and width, as will be clear from the description of another embodiment further s below. The magazine has a bottom dispensing opening 13 for dispensing the laths 2 successively, that is, one by one. The laths 2 are therefore gravity-fed out of the magazine 12. A lath having been dispensed from the magazine 12 will be referred to as a "dispensed lath 2a".
io Each dispensed lath 2a is received and moved by a positioning mechanism 20.
The positioning mechanism receives the dispensed lath 2a in the upright orientation, and translates it from beneath the magazine 12 to a pick-up location 28, as will be explained further below. Advantageously, the positioning mechanism 20 also pushes on the dispensed lath 2a to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is 15 being translated.
Preferably, the positioning mechanism 20 includes a support plate 21 movable along a generally horizontal course. The support plate preferably has a lower landing 22, on which is received the dispensed lath 2a once it is dispensed from 20 the magazine 12 (see FIG. 1), an upper landing 23, on which is received the dispensed lath 2a in the flat orientation after it has been pivoted (see FIG.
3), and a riser 24 between the two. The riser 24 preferably defines a sloping angle.
The lower landing 22, upper landing 23 and riser 24 may for example be embodied by variations in the thickness of the support plate 21. During the positioning of a 25 dispensed lath 2a, the support plate preferably moves at a generally constant speed in a forward direction (towards the right in FIGs. 1 to 9), and is afterwards retracted by translation in the opposite direction to get the next dispensed lath.
The positioning mechanism 20 further comprises an actuator (not illustrated) for 30 moving the support plate 21 back and forth along its horizontal course. The actuator may be embodied by any actuator known in the art, such as for example a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric cylinder, a rotational cylinder, a screw, a cogwheel, a pivot means or any combination thereof.
The positioning mechanism 20 preferably also includes a stopper 26. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 1 to 9, the stopper is embodied by a structural element having an elbow shape forming a substantially right angle. The angling portion of the stopper may be rounded as shown. In accordance with a first preferred variant of the invention, the height of the stopper 26 with respect to the level of the support plate 21 is fixed and the apparatus is then used for placing io laths of a single specific width. In accordance with a second variant of the invention, the height of stopper 26 is adjustable so as to adjust to any width of lath.
The stopper 26 is positioned in proximity to the dispensing opening 13 of the magazine 12, preferably slightly below and to the side, in the forward direction of travel of the support plate 21. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stopper 26 and the riser 24 of the support plate are designed and disposed to impose together a torque on the dispensed lath 2a as it is being translated, to effect the required pivoting of the dispensed lath 2a in the flat orientation.
Although a 90-degree elbow-shape stopper is shown in FIGs. 1 to 9, it is worth mentioning that any stopper capable of blocking a translational movement of the top part of a 2o dispensed lath while it is being pushed towards the pick-up location is considered within the scope of the present invention.
The support plate 21 further preferably includes an abutment member 25, which may for example have the shape of a rectangular block as shown. The abutment member 25 may advantageously serve to push the dispensed lath 2a towards the pick-up location 28 after it has been pivoted in the flat orientation, and therefore lies on the upper landing 23. Optionally, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 1 to 9, the abutment member 25 may also be in registry with the dispensing opening of the magazine 12 for a portion of the travel of the support plate 21, therefore 3o blocking the fall of the next lath 2b in the magazine 12 and preventing it from being dispensed while the dispensed lath 2a is being translated, as better shown in FIGs. 3 to 6.
The placing apparatus 10 also includes a gripping mechanism 16 in proximity to 5 the positioning mechanism 20. The gripping mechanism is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the gripping mechanism is adapted to grip the dispensed lath 2a having arrived to the pick-up location 28 (see FIGs. 4 to 6). Once the dispensed lath 2a has been properly gripped, the gripping mechanism 16 moves to the extended position ( see lo FIG. 7) where it releases the dispensed lath 2a onto the tiered lumber surface 6 (see FIG. 8). In the preferred embodiment, the gripping mechanism 16 then moves back to the retracted position (see FIG. 9) and remains retracted until the next lath arrives.
The gripping mechanism 16 may be embodied be any appropriate mechanism allowing a lath beneath the mechanism to be picked-up and lowered towards, and released on, a tier of lumber. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 9, this mechanism 16 includes a wall member 30 receiving a first extremity 32 of the dispensed lath which extends forward relative to the movement of the 2o dispensed lath 2a when it reaches the pick-up location 28. A rotatable member 17, which is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the translation of the support plate, is also provided and preferably includes a pincer projection 18 which comes into contact with the second extremity 34 of the rear of the dispensed lath 2a. In this manner, the dispensed lath 2a is firmly gripped between the wall member and pincer projection 18. Preferably, the wall member 30 and rotatable member are mounted on a frame 36 which is movable between the retracted and extended positions. An appropriate actuator, such as for example a cylinder actuator 19, is provided for moving the frame 36.
3o As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art, a variety of other mechanisms could be used to embody the gripping mechanism and the present invention is not limited to the components described above. In one possible variant, vacuum nozzles as described for example in US 5,863,176 could alternatively be used.
Still referring to FIGs. 1 to 9, a method for placing laths on a tiered lumber surface, according to an embodiment using the apparatus described above, will be described.
Referring to FIG. 1, the method includes a first step of holding a stack 14 of laths 2 io or other elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation, that is, on one of their side surfaces as opposed to their flat surfaces. A magazine 12 may advantageously be provided for this purpose. The method then includes a step of successively dispensing the lath 2, each thereby successively defining a dispensed lath 2a. As will be noted in FIG. 1 in the embodiment illustrated therein, the dispensed lath 2a provides support for the next bottom-most lath 2b in the magazine 12, preventing it from being dispensed at this stage of the method.
Referring to FIGs. 2 to 4, the method next includes a step of receiving the dispensed lath 2a in its upright orientation, and translating it to a pick-up location 2o 28 while pushing on the dispensed lath 2a to pivot it in the flat orientation, as it is being translated. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensed lath 2a is received on a support plate 21 as disclosed above, that is having a lower landing 22, an upper landing 23 and a riser 24 therebetween. The support plate 21 is moved along a generally horizontal course. In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate moves generally from left to right at a preferably constant speed while the dispensed lath is being translated, and is retracted back to its original position once the dispensed lath 2a has reached the pick-up location. Preferably, the dispensed lath 2a is first received on the lower landing 22 (see FIG. 1), and is then translated towards a stopper 26. As best seen in FIG. 2, the stopper 26 and the 3o riser 24 of the support plate impose together a torque on the dispensed lath 2a as it is being translated to pivot it in the flat orientation. In practice, the stopper pushes on the upper right side of the dispensed lath 2a, while the riser pushes on the lower left side, resulting in a torque. Once pivoted, the dispensed lath 2a is preferably received on the upper landing 23 in its flat orientation, as best seen in FIG. 3. At this stage, an abutment member 25, preferably provided on the support plate 21 adjacent the upper landing 23, abuts on the rear side of the dispensed lath 2a and pushes on it towards the pick-up location (see FIG. 4). It will be noted that right after pivoting the dispensed lath 2a still provides support for the next bottom-most lath 2b in the magazine, but that this function is transferred to the abutment member 25 when it comes in registry with the magazine 12. Preferably, lo the abutment member 25 keeps on preventing the next lath 2b from being dispensed while the dispensed elongated article is being translated to the pick-up location and until the support plate 21 is retracted back to its original position.
The method then includes a step of gripping the dispensed lath 2a once the pick-up location 28 has been reached, using an appropriate gripping mechanism 16.
Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, it can be seen that it this embodiment a first extremity 32 of the dispensed lath 2a is received against a wall member 30. A rotatable member 17 having a pincer projection 18 preferably rotates about an axis perpendicular to the moving of the support plate 21 so as to bring the pincer projection 18 in contact with a second (rear) extremity 34 of the dispensed lath 2a, while the first (front) extremity 32 of the dispensed lath 2a reaches a wall member disposed at the end of its course. As can be seen on FIGs. 5 and 6, the pincer projection 18 may act to push the dispensed lath 2a for the last portion of its course towards the wall member 30.
Once then dispensed lath 2a is firmly gripped and held between the pincer projection 18 and wall member 30, the support plate is preferably translated back towards the magazine 12 and away from the dispensed lath 2a, as seen in FIG.
6.
In this manner the path underneath the dispensed lath 2a is cleared.
Referring to FIG. 7, the method next includes a step of moving the gripped dispensed lath 2a towards the tiered lumber surface 6. In the illustrated embodiment, as explained previously, the components of the gripping mechanism 16 are mounted on a frame 36 which is vertically movable under the effect of an appropriate actuator, such as actuating cylinder 19.
Referring to FIG. 8, the method next includes a step of releasing the dispensed lath 2a onto the tiered lumber surface 6. This is preferably accomplished by rotating the rotatable member 17 in a direction opposite to its previous rotation, 1o thereby freeing the dispensed lath 2a from the grip of the pincer projection 18.
Referring to FIG. 9, the gripping mechanism is shown being retracted back to its retracted position. It is to be noted in this figure that the support plate 21 has also been retracted to its original position, and that the lower landing 22 receives the next lath 2b to be dispensed now that it is no longer retained within the magazine 12.
Referring to FIGs. 11 to 19, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. It will be noted that in these drawings, the movement of the dispensed lath is shown from right to left.
In this case, it will be noted that the stopper 26 is embodied by a rounded wall proximate the magazine 12. The rounded wall is preferably part of a frame structure mounting the gripping mechanism 16. In this embodiment, a dampening member 38 is provided for dampening the pivoting of the dispensed lath 2a. The dampening member 38 preferably includes an arm 39 having a first extremity 40 pivotaAy mounted to the apparatus 10, and a second extremity 42 provided with a roller 44. The second extremity 42 projects towards the dispensing opening 13 so that the roller 44 engages the dispensed lath 2a as it pivots (see FIG. 12).
The presence of a dampening member may be advantageous for handling larger laths.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dampening member 38 is preferably disposed so that the roller 44 will engage the dispensed lath 2a only if it is larger than a predetermined thickness.
Although the dampening member has been shown herein as a pivoting arm, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that it could be replaced by a device which is linerarly movable either vertically, horizontally or at an angle, by a rotational device, by a spring-actuated device or a combination of such devices.
Another particular feature of this embodiment is the addition of a retractable holder to 46 engaging the next lath to be dispensed 2b to retain it in the magazine 12. The retractable holder is preferably spring actuated. As can be best seen in FIGs.
13 to 18, through the entire translation of the dispensed lath 2a towards the gripping mechanism 16, the retractable holder 46 applies pressure on one of the flat surfaces of the next bottom-most lath 2b, pushing it against the opposite wall of the magazine 12.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
FIG. 17 shows the lath held by the gripping mechanism;
FIG. 18 shows the lath still being held by the gripping mechanism while the support plate is being retracted back to its initial position;
FIG. 19 shows the support plate fully retracted to its starting position and receiving io the next lath in the magazine.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an example embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals and in order to lighten the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a preceding figure.
The present invention concerns apparatuses and a method for placing elongated article on a tiered lumber surface. The expression "elongated article" is used herein to refer to laths, spacing sticks, or any object of the kind one may wish to place between tiers of lumber. As such, the elongated article is preferably made of wood but may also be made of any other appropriate material such as plastic, metal or cardboard.
In the description of preferred embodiments below, the present invention will be applied to the placement of laths in particular and the "elongated articles"
will be referred to as laths to simplify the reading of the present description. One skilled in the art will however understand, as explained above, that the principles of the invention could equally be applied to stick placers of other machines placing similar articles.
Referring to FIG. 10, a typical lath 2 is shown. A lath 2 generally has a rectangular cross-section, and therefore has two opposite flat surfaces 7 and two opposite side surfaces 8. Preferably, a lath is placed on the tiered lumber on one of its flat surfaces 7, which is referred to hereinafter as "the flat orientation". By contrast, to positioning the lath on one of its side surfaces 8 will be referred to as "the upright orientation". It will be understood that the laths need not have a perfectly rectangular cross-section and that other shapes could be considered.
Referring to FIGs. 1 to 9, a first embodiment of a placing apparatus 10 for placing ts laths 2 on a tiered lumber surface 6, and its operation, is illustrated.
The tiered lumber surface 6 receiving the laths is preferably embodied by successive layers of lumber 4 being packaged for transport, or for drying in the case of sticks.
In practice, the laths 2 are disposed transversally to the length of the tiered lumber 4, but the actual longitudinal orientation of the laths 2 once placed on the lumber 4 is 20 irrelevant to the present invention. The present invention could be used to place one or more lath(s) 2 per lumber tier, as well as for placing laths 2 at each lumber tier or only after a predetermined number of layers in a given package.
The placing apparatus 10 first includes a magazine 12 for holding a stack 14 of 25 laths stacked in their upright orientation, that is, on one of their side surfaces as explained above. Although the magazine 12 is shown as strictly vertical in the accompanying drawings, it could be slightly slanted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the laths 2 could be stored in the magazine 12 at a slight angle with respect to the vertical without departing from 30 the meaning of "upright orientation" as it is understood herein. The magazine 12 can be formed by any structure adapted to hold more than one lath 2 in the stacking arrangement described above. It can have a width sufficient to provide some horizontal play for the laths 2 inside, as long as they remain stacked in their upright orientation. It will be noted that the laths need not be all of the same size and width, as will be clear from the description of another embodiment further s below. The magazine has a bottom dispensing opening 13 for dispensing the laths 2 successively, that is, one by one. The laths 2 are therefore gravity-fed out of the magazine 12. A lath having been dispensed from the magazine 12 will be referred to as a "dispensed lath 2a".
io Each dispensed lath 2a is received and moved by a positioning mechanism 20.
The positioning mechanism receives the dispensed lath 2a in the upright orientation, and translates it from beneath the magazine 12 to a pick-up location 28, as will be explained further below. Advantageously, the positioning mechanism 20 also pushes on the dispensed lath 2a to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is 15 being translated.
Preferably, the positioning mechanism 20 includes a support plate 21 movable along a generally horizontal course. The support plate preferably has a lower landing 22, on which is received the dispensed lath 2a once it is dispensed from 20 the magazine 12 (see FIG. 1), an upper landing 23, on which is received the dispensed lath 2a in the flat orientation after it has been pivoted (see FIG.
3), and a riser 24 between the two. The riser 24 preferably defines a sloping angle.
The lower landing 22, upper landing 23 and riser 24 may for example be embodied by variations in the thickness of the support plate 21. During the positioning of a 25 dispensed lath 2a, the support plate preferably moves at a generally constant speed in a forward direction (towards the right in FIGs. 1 to 9), and is afterwards retracted by translation in the opposite direction to get the next dispensed lath.
The positioning mechanism 20 further comprises an actuator (not illustrated) for 30 moving the support plate 21 back and forth along its horizontal course. The actuator may be embodied by any actuator known in the art, such as for example a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric cylinder, a rotational cylinder, a screw, a cogwheel, a pivot means or any combination thereof.
The positioning mechanism 20 preferably also includes a stopper 26. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 1 to 9, the stopper is embodied by a structural element having an elbow shape forming a substantially right angle. The angling portion of the stopper may be rounded as shown. In accordance with a first preferred variant of the invention, the height of the stopper 26 with respect to the level of the support plate 21 is fixed and the apparatus is then used for placing io laths of a single specific width. In accordance with a second variant of the invention, the height of stopper 26 is adjustable so as to adjust to any width of lath.
The stopper 26 is positioned in proximity to the dispensing opening 13 of the magazine 12, preferably slightly below and to the side, in the forward direction of travel of the support plate 21. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stopper 26 and the riser 24 of the support plate are designed and disposed to impose together a torque on the dispensed lath 2a as it is being translated, to effect the required pivoting of the dispensed lath 2a in the flat orientation.
Although a 90-degree elbow-shape stopper is shown in FIGs. 1 to 9, it is worth mentioning that any stopper capable of blocking a translational movement of the top part of a 2o dispensed lath while it is being pushed towards the pick-up location is considered within the scope of the present invention.
The support plate 21 further preferably includes an abutment member 25, which may for example have the shape of a rectangular block as shown. The abutment member 25 may advantageously serve to push the dispensed lath 2a towards the pick-up location 28 after it has been pivoted in the flat orientation, and therefore lies on the upper landing 23. Optionally, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 1 to 9, the abutment member 25 may also be in registry with the dispensing opening of the magazine 12 for a portion of the travel of the support plate 21, therefore 3o blocking the fall of the next lath 2b in the magazine 12 and preventing it from being dispensed while the dispensed lath 2a is being translated, as better shown in FIGs. 3 to 6.
The placing apparatus 10 also includes a gripping mechanism 16 in proximity to 5 the positioning mechanism 20. The gripping mechanism is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the gripping mechanism is adapted to grip the dispensed lath 2a having arrived to the pick-up location 28 (see FIGs. 4 to 6). Once the dispensed lath 2a has been properly gripped, the gripping mechanism 16 moves to the extended position ( see lo FIG. 7) where it releases the dispensed lath 2a onto the tiered lumber surface 6 (see FIG. 8). In the preferred embodiment, the gripping mechanism 16 then moves back to the retracted position (see FIG. 9) and remains retracted until the next lath arrives.
The gripping mechanism 16 may be embodied be any appropriate mechanism allowing a lath beneath the mechanism to be picked-up and lowered towards, and released on, a tier of lumber. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 1 to 9, this mechanism 16 includes a wall member 30 receiving a first extremity 32 of the dispensed lath which extends forward relative to the movement of the 2o dispensed lath 2a when it reaches the pick-up location 28. A rotatable member 17, which is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the translation of the support plate, is also provided and preferably includes a pincer projection 18 which comes into contact with the second extremity 34 of the rear of the dispensed lath 2a. In this manner, the dispensed lath 2a is firmly gripped between the wall member and pincer projection 18. Preferably, the wall member 30 and rotatable member are mounted on a frame 36 which is movable between the retracted and extended positions. An appropriate actuator, such as for example a cylinder actuator 19, is provided for moving the frame 36.
3o As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art, a variety of other mechanisms could be used to embody the gripping mechanism and the present invention is not limited to the components described above. In one possible variant, vacuum nozzles as described for example in US 5,863,176 could alternatively be used.
Still referring to FIGs. 1 to 9, a method for placing laths on a tiered lumber surface, according to an embodiment using the apparatus described above, will be described.
Referring to FIG. 1, the method includes a first step of holding a stack 14 of laths 2 io or other elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation, that is, on one of their side surfaces as opposed to their flat surfaces. A magazine 12 may advantageously be provided for this purpose. The method then includes a step of successively dispensing the lath 2, each thereby successively defining a dispensed lath 2a. As will be noted in FIG. 1 in the embodiment illustrated therein, the dispensed lath 2a provides support for the next bottom-most lath 2b in the magazine 12, preventing it from being dispensed at this stage of the method.
Referring to FIGs. 2 to 4, the method next includes a step of receiving the dispensed lath 2a in its upright orientation, and translating it to a pick-up location 2o 28 while pushing on the dispensed lath 2a to pivot it in the flat orientation, as it is being translated. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensed lath 2a is received on a support plate 21 as disclosed above, that is having a lower landing 22, an upper landing 23 and a riser 24 therebetween. The support plate 21 is moved along a generally horizontal course. In the illustrated embodiment, the support plate moves generally from left to right at a preferably constant speed while the dispensed lath is being translated, and is retracted back to its original position once the dispensed lath 2a has reached the pick-up location. Preferably, the dispensed lath 2a is first received on the lower landing 22 (see FIG. 1), and is then translated towards a stopper 26. As best seen in FIG. 2, the stopper 26 and the 3o riser 24 of the support plate impose together a torque on the dispensed lath 2a as it is being translated to pivot it in the flat orientation. In practice, the stopper pushes on the upper right side of the dispensed lath 2a, while the riser pushes on the lower left side, resulting in a torque. Once pivoted, the dispensed lath 2a is preferably received on the upper landing 23 in its flat orientation, as best seen in FIG. 3. At this stage, an abutment member 25, preferably provided on the support plate 21 adjacent the upper landing 23, abuts on the rear side of the dispensed lath 2a and pushes on it towards the pick-up location (see FIG. 4). It will be noted that right after pivoting the dispensed lath 2a still provides support for the next bottom-most lath 2b in the magazine, but that this function is transferred to the abutment member 25 when it comes in registry with the magazine 12. Preferably, lo the abutment member 25 keeps on preventing the next lath 2b from being dispensed while the dispensed elongated article is being translated to the pick-up location and until the support plate 21 is retracted back to its original position.
The method then includes a step of gripping the dispensed lath 2a once the pick-up location 28 has been reached, using an appropriate gripping mechanism 16.
Referring to FIGs. 5 and 6, it can be seen that it this embodiment a first extremity 32 of the dispensed lath 2a is received against a wall member 30. A rotatable member 17 having a pincer projection 18 preferably rotates about an axis perpendicular to the moving of the support plate 21 so as to bring the pincer projection 18 in contact with a second (rear) extremity 34 of the dispensed lath 2a, while the first (front) extremity 32 of the dispensed lath 2a reaches a wall member disposed at the end of its course. As can be seen on FIGs. 5 and 6, the pincer projection 18 may act to push the dispensed lath 2a for the last portion of its course towards the wall member 30.
Once then dispensed lath 2a is firmly gripped and held between the pincer projection 18 and wall member 30, the support plate is preferably translated back towards the magazine 12 and away from the dispensed lath 2a, as seen in FIG.
6.
In this manner the path underneath the dispensed lath 2a is cleared.
Referring to FIG. 7, the method next includes a step of moving the gripped dispensed lath 2a towards the tiered lumber surface 6. In the illustrated embodiment, as explained previously, the components of the gripping mechanism 16 are mounted on a frame 36 which is vertically movable under the effect of an appropriate actuator, such as actuating cylinder 19.
Referring to FIG. 8, the method next includes a step of releasing the dispensed lath 2a onto the tiered lumber surface 6. This is preferably accomplished by rotating the rotatable member 17 in a direction opposite to its previous rotation, 1o thereby freeing the dispensed lath 2a from the grip of the pincer projection 18.
Referring to FIG. 9, the gripping mechanism is shown being retracted back to its retracted position. It is to be noted in this figure that the support plate 21 has also been retracted to its original position, and that the lower landing 22 receives the next lath 2b to be dispensed now that it is no longer retained within the magazine 12.
Referring to FIGs. 11 to 19, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention. It will be noted that in these drawings, the movement of the dispensed lath is shown from right to left.
In this case, it will be noted that the stopper 26 is embodied by a rounded wall proximate the magazine 12. The rounded wall is preferably part of a frame structure mounting the gripping mechanism 16. In this embodiment, a dampening member 38 is provided for dampening the pivoting of the dispensed lath 2a. The dampening member 38 preferably includes an arm 39 having a first extremity 40 pivotaAy mounted to the apparatus 10, and a second extremity 42 provided with a roller 44. The second extremity 42 projects towards the dispensing opening 13 so that the roller 44 engages the dispensed lath 2a as it pivots (see FIG. 12).
The presence of a dampening member may be advantageous for handling larger laths.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dampening member 38 is preferably disposed so that the roller 44 will engage the dispensed lath 2a only if it is larger than a predetermined thickness.
Although the dampening member has been shown herein as a pivoting arm, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that it could be replaced by a device which is linerarly movable either vertically, horizontally or at an angle, by a rotational device, by a spring-actuated device or a combination of such devices.
Another particular feature of this embodiment is the addition of a retractable holder to 46 engaging the next lath to be dispensed 2b to retain it in the magazine 12. The retractable holder is preferably spring actuated. As can be best seen in FIGs.
13 to 18, through the entire translation of the dispensed lath 2a towards the gripping mechanism 16, the retractable holder 46 applies pressure on one of the flat surfaces of the next bottom-most lath 2b, pushing it against the opposite wall of the magazine 12.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
Claims (22)
1. A placing apparatus for placing elongated articles onto a tiered lumber surface, each elongated article having an upright orientation and a flat orientation along a length thereof, the placing apparatus comprising:
- a magazine for holding a stack of said elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation, said magazine having a bottom dispensing opening for successively dispensing said elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
- a positioning mechanism for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same from beneath said magazine to a pick-up location, said positioning mechanism pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
and - a gripping mechanism adjacent to the magazine, said gripping mechanism being selectively movable between a retracted position for gripping said dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location, and an extended position for releasing said dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
- a magazine for holding a stack of said elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation, said magazine having a bottom dispensing opening for successively dispensing said elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
- a positioning mechanism for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same from beneath said magazine to a pick-up location, said positioning mechanism pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
and - a gripping mechanism adjacent to the magazine, said gripping mechanism being selectively movable between a retracted position for gripping said dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location, and an extended position for releasing said dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
2. The placing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a support plate movable along a generally horizontal course underneath the magazine.
3. The placing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support plate comprises:
- a lower landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article from the magazine in the upright orientation;
- an upper landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the flat orientation after pivoting thereof; and - a riser between said lower and upper landings.
- a lower landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article from the magazine in the upright orientation;
- an upper landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the flat orientation after pivoting thereof; and - a riser between said lower and upper landings.
4. The placing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said positioning mechanism further comprises a stopper extending proximate the dispensing opening of the magazine, the support plate moving the dispensed article when on the lower landing towards said stopper, the stopper and the riser of the support plate imposing together a torque on the dispensed article as it is being translated to effect said pivoting thereof in the flat orientation.
5. The placing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stopper has an elbow shape forming a substantially right angle.
6. The placing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said stopper comprises a rounded wall proximate said dispensing opening of the magazine.
7. The placing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a dampening member for dampening the pivoting of the dispensed elongated article.
8. The placing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dampening member comprises an arm having a first extremity pivotally mounted to said apparatus, and a second extremity provided with a roller, said second extremity projecting towards said dispensing opening to engage said dispensed elongated article.
9. The placing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said support plate comprises an abutment member adjacent the upper landing and opposite said lower landing, said abutment member abutting and pushing on the dispensed elongated article after pivoting thereof.
10. The placing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said abutment member prevents a next one of said elongated articles in the magazine from being dispensed while the dispensed elongated article is being pushed thereby to the pick-up location.
11. The placing apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a retractable holder engaging a next one of said elongated articles in the magazine to prevent the same from being dispensed while the dispensed elongated article is being translated to the pick-up location.
12. The placing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises:
- a frame, and an actuator for moving said frame between the retracted and extended positions; and - holding means mounted on said frame for holding the dispensed elongated article.
- a frame, and an actuator for moving said frame between the retracted and extended positions; and - holding means mounted on said frame for holding the dispensed elongated article.
13. The placing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said holding means comprise:
- a wall member receiving a first extremity of the dispensed elongated article when reaching the pick-up location; and - a rotatable member rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the moving of said support plate, said rotatable member having a pincer projection for contacting a second extremity of the dispensed elongated article.
- a wall member receiving a first extremity of the dispensed elongated article when reaching the pick-up location; and - a rotatable member rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the moving of said support plate, said rotatable member having a pincer projection for contacting a second extremity of the dispensed elongated article.
14. A method for placing elongated articles onto a tiered lumber surface, each elongated article having an upright orientation and a flat orientation along a length thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
a) holding a stack of said elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation;
b) successively dispensing said elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
c) receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same to a pick-up location, pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
d) gripping said dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location;
e) moving the gripped dispensed elongated article towards the tiered lumber surface; and f) releasing said dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
a) holding a stack of said elongated articles stacked in their upright orientation;
b) successively dispensing said elongated articles, each thereby successively defining a dispensed elongated article;
c) receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation and translating the same to a pick-up location, pushing on the dispensed elongated article to pivot it in the flat orientation as it is being translated;
d) gripping said dispensed elongated article at the pick-up location;
e) moving the gripped dispensed elongated article towards the tiered lumber surface; and f) releasing said dispensed elongated article onto the tiered lumber surface.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the receiving and translating of step c) comprises receiving the dispensed elongated article on a support plate, and moving said support plate along a generally horizontal course.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the support plate comprises:
- a lower landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation;
- an upper landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the flat orientation after pivoting thereof; and - a riser between said lower and upper landings.
- a lower landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the upright orientation;
- an upper landing for receiving the dispensed elongated article in the flat orientation after pivoting thereof; and - a riser between said lower and upper landings.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein step c) further comprises moving the dispensed elongated article when on the lower landing of the support plate towards a stopper, the stopper and the riser of the support plate imposing together a torque on the dispensed article as it is being translated to effect said pivoting thereof in the flat orientation.
18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein step c) comprises providing an abutment member on the support plate adjacent the upper landing and opposite said lower landing, said abutment member abutting and pushing on the dispensed elongated article after pivoting thereof.
19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein step c) comprises preventing a next one of said elongated articles from being dispensed while the dispensed elongated article is being translated to the pick-up location.
20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the gripping of step d) comprises the substeps of:
i. receiving a first extremity of the dispensed elongated article against a wall member when reaching the pick-up location; and ii. rotating a rotatable member having a pincer projection about an axis perpendicular to the moving of said support plate, so as to bring the pincer projection in contact with a second extremity of the dispensed elongated article.
i. receiving a first extremity of the dispensed elongated article against a wall member when reaching the pick-up location; and ii. rotating a rotatable member having a pincer projection about an axis perpendicular to the moving of said support plate, so as to bring the pincer projection in contact with a second extremity of the dispensed elongated article.
21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, comprising an additional step between steps d) and e) of translating the support plate back towards the magazine and away from the dispensed elongated article.
22. The method according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the releasing of step f) comprises rotating the rotatable member in a direction opposite to the rotating of substep d)ii.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US78005906P | 2006-03-08 | 2006-03-08 | |
| US60/780,059 | 2006-03-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2581797A1 true CA2581797A1 (en) | 2007-09-08 |
Family
ID=38561332
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2581797 Abandoned CA2581797A1 (en) | 2006-03-08 | 2007-03-08 | Lath or stick placing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2581797A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104608065A (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-05-13 | 章建平 | Auxiliary device for vice material discharging |
| CN113636324A (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2021-11-12 | 晟通科技集团有限公司 | Material storage equipment and feeding device |
-
2007
- 2007-03-08 CA CA 2581797 patent/CA2581797A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104608065A (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-05-13 | 章建平 | Auxiliary device for vice material discharging |
| CN113636324A (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2021-11-12 | 晟通科技集团有限公司 | Material storage equipment and feeding device |
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