US2263036A - Cant barking machine - Google Patents

Description

E. l. FLA'YrEBoE E-r Al. 2,263,036

CANT BARKING MACHINE Nov. 1s, 1941.

Filed Sept. 6, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- e FZATEoE C. /665 f www ATTORNEY JJ mi] w imi, l@

rmi N NOV. 18, 19,41*.- E L FLATEBQE ET AL 2,263,036

CANT BARKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1958 8 Sheets-Shea*l 3 yV/L @www ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1941.4 E ,.-LATEBE ETAL 2,263,036

V CANT BARKING MACHINE Filed sept. e, 1938' s Smeets-sheet 4 vENToR E/ .e .FLArfoE Lm C 51665 BY ATToRNEYa Nov. 18, 1941. E; l. FLATEBOE ETAL CANT ARKING MACHINE Filed sept. e, 1958 Y s sheets-sheet 5 NH2 l. LAT/5601s m ILL/4M C 6766s vf) BY ATTORNEY N0v 18, 1941-y FLATEBOE ETAL 2,263,036A

CANT BARKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ws RWM v`W n mr. A u mun mmm n fu W m m Nov. 18, 1941. E. l. FLATEBE TAL CANT BARKING MACHINE Fled sept. 6. 1938 I 8 sheets-sheet 'l NOV- 18, 1941- E. l. FLATEBOE ET-I CANT BARKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1938 V8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ENTOR A T5605 HA r. -L

WmAT'roRNEYs M31. WQ

)NQ e www Patented Nov. 18, 1941 K CANT BARKING MACHINE ,L j l Y Einar'l. Flateboeana william clinton Briggs, .g if l f Everett, Wash. f

Application Septemberv, 1938, Serial No.'e228,15`98` l z'oimmis.V (o1. 14492081 This invention relatesjto machines for the barking and cleaning'of wood slabs, cantsand blocks preparatory to their being used in the making of pulp for the manufacture of paper.l f

More particularly, the l, invention relates to those types of machinesgenerally referredto in the pulp wood industry as barkers;; the present machine being designed especially for `the vremoval ofbark, pitchseams and pockets,'stained portions and various other defective areas that might be found in vwood slabs, cants or blocks as prepared for the-making of pulp as used in thev manufacture of paper.

EXDlanatoryto the present invention, it will herebe lstatedthat in thelmaking `oflpulp from wood,y particularlyv that which is to `be used in the manufactureofpaperof the better grades', yit

.is extremely desirable that the vwood to be used be-entrely free of all bark, stained or rotted poritions, pitch and all discoloredand defective areas that are detrimental tojvthe appearance of the paper in `its finished state. f In order that nofsuch defective parts of thefwood shall appearin Athe pulp, it is necessarythat each piece of Wood,`be

`fore being ground or divided, .be inspectedand that all defective parts thereof be removed. Heretofore, various mechanical devices have been employed for doir1g a"material amount of this ,l work,but because of the character or construction of `such machines,` their use has been more or less limited to roughingoi operations, and it is still required that a `considerable amountk of the work ofcleaning thepieces be `doneby hand. Such manual orlhand work `isslow and is difficult, especially when the pieces of wood worked on arel large and heavy. Furthermore; hand `Work is relatively expensive as comparedjto the mechanical operation,` and manifestly mechanical fbarking or cleaningis preferred, provided it will take -care ofthe maximum amount of the Work. l, 4 p r It is the general'ckase that barkingmachines vas heretofore employed have provided means `whereby the pieceo'f Wood tov be cleaned is supported andfaxially rotated to present thesurfaces that are to bepleanedA to a barking'tool, and usually the tool hasrloeen mounted for move- Ament along thepieoe." Also, boring `machines of various kindshave beenfemployed forthe rernoval yof knots, `buttoour knowledge, previously employed machines have provided that the piece be held substantially stationarywhile the routing, barking or boringtool is swung to `different vpositionsalong the length of the piece, and we are not aware of any machine in which the tool f boring.` Itis our belief that the above mentioned types of machines now generally in use are not as`economical, nor as practical, `especially for the handling of large pieces, as 'would beamachine wherein theftool'used is designed" for bothrouting *and boring operations and wherein `the piece to be operated on is universally movable with respect'to the tool,and the tool, while adjustable to some extent, is substantially stationary while inuse.," `f y lnview-ofthe ab've,"it has been the principalobject,` of this'invention to provide a machine that` is capableofhandling relatively large and heavy pieces 'of wood, and wherein the removal of defects iseffe'dted'by airelatively stationary toolof novell character, designed bothfor boring and forrouting and Wh'ereinthe support for thepiece being worked upon is movableV both longitudinally and transverselyof the piece and also provides for its rotationj thus to provide for presenting anyselected-"portion or area of the piece toi the tool for removal of whatever defect adjustablesupport for van electrically driven arbor ,on which thereis fixed aj combined routingr and boring too l, and adjacent whichl tool is a track on which is mounted a horizontally movajbleV carriagereduipped with means in the form of chucking headsor clamps `formounting and sup.-

`porting a slab `drfleant of 'wood horizontally therein for `rotation, While lateral movement relative to the tool,lis` providedinthe lateral shiftinglof the clamps so thatthe rrouter head or the boring toolmaybe caused to `contact any desired area of the piece for cleaning it of whatever defectit may contain.- y

Other objects of'the invention reside in the provision `of novel mechanical means for raising acant or slab in the machine to clamping position, and whereby, when released from the clamps, the piece maybe discharged `laterally from` the niac'hine, I f

VStill `further objects of the invention reside in the specific details of construction of the combined router and boring tool, also in those parts of the machine whereby the movement of the piece being worked upon is controlled.

Various other objects reside in the details of construction and in the combination of -parts associated with or forming a part of the movable carriage, and in their relationship and mode of operation for the accurate and expeditious handling of the piece being worked upon.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, we have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine and illustrating, in dotted lines, the lower limit of vertical adjustment of the routing and boring tool and lateral travel of the cant.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the router and drill.

Fig. 5 is an axial section of the router and drill on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the tool supporting column and carriage, substantially on line 6-46 in Fig. 2. y

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 'I-1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the carriage and clamping devices for supporting the slab or cant, as seen on line 8-8 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail on line 9-9 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the carriage, and particularly illustrating the means for lateral adjustment of the clamping devices.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section on line II-II in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail illustrating vthe cant lifting and discharge mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of the hydraulic system employed.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- The router head, presently to be described in detail, is designated in its entirety by reference numeral I, and is coaxially fixed upon one end of a horizontally disposed shaft, or arbor 2, eX- tending from a supporting housing 3, which is xedly mounted on the upper end of a vertically disposed tubular column 4. The column 4, in turn, is slidably fitted for vertical, telescopic travel in a tubular supporting standard 5 that is xed to a base plate `Ii resting upon and xed tothe foundation or floor 1 upon which the machine is disposed.

As will be observed best by reference to Fig. 6, the arbor, or shaft, 2 is rotatably mounted in the housing 3 by means of anti-friction bearings, designated by reference numerals 8 and 8a, and it is equipped at that end opposite the end carrying the router head, with a driving pulley wheel 9. The wheel 9 is alined with a drive pulley wheel IIJ fixed on the shaft IIa of an electric motor II. Both pulley wheels, 9 and I0, Iare grooved to accommodate a plurality of V-belts, designated at I2, whereby the driving connection between the motor and the arbor 2 is effectively completed.

The electric motor II is xedly mounted upon a horizontal table, or base, I3', that is formed as a part of a cap I3 on the column 4 which mounts the housing 3, and thus the motor and router head will move upwardly or downwardly in accordance with the vertical adjustment of the column 4.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the column 4 is held against rotation in the standard 5 by means of a longitudinal key I4 that is fixed to and extends the length of the column and is tted for movement in a keyway I4 provided in the standard wall. The column is adapted to be vertically adjusted and to be held at any of its different positions of adjustment by a hydraulic lift-mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder I5 that is contained coaxially within the standard 5 and which rests at its lower end against the base plate 3. Reciprocally tted in the cylinder is a piston 20 having extending upwardly therefrom and through a packed gland 22 in the upper end head 23 of the cylinder. At its upper end, the piston rod is threaded onto a fitting 25 which is fixed by a cross bolt, or pin, 26 to the cap I3 on the upper end of the column 4.

To actuate the piston upwardly or downwardly within the cylinder I5, and thus effect a corresponding adjustment of the column, and also to hold the column against movement when at any definite position of adjustment, we utilize a hydraulic medium under pressure. This medium is admitted into or from the lower end of the cylinder through a pipe connection 21 and a channel 21' in the cylinder wall, and it is likewise admitted into or from the upper end of the cylinder through a pipe connection 28 and a channel 28. rIhe pipes 2'I and 28 are adapted to be selectively connected with a source of pressure medium, through the adjustment of `a fourway valve, as designated at 29; this valve having a connection 29a. with a source of supply of pressure medium indicated by the pipe 39 in Fig. 14 and a connection 29hy with an exhaust pipe 3|. The valve control is such that the pressure medium, preferably city water, can be applied to either end of the cylinder while exhausted from the other end, thus to adjust the column 4 to a desired height. It is understood also that when the valve 29 is closed, the piston will be locked against movement in either an upward or downward direction, and the router head I will then be held at a fixed position with reference to its up or down limits of travel.

As will be observed by reference to Figs. 3 and 6, the router head I is disposed at one side of the supporting column. Also, it will be noted that at that same side of the column, and extending in a direction at a right angle to the direction of the axis of the router, is a track on which a carriage 32 is mounted for back and forth travel. The track comprises two parallel, spaced rails 33-33' that are xed in the same horizontal plane on a base frame structure 34. This structure, in turn, rests upon and is fixed to a foundation structure 34a that may be built up to any suitable or necessary height, as determined by the limits of adjustment of the router head.

The frame structure 34 is rectangular and of rigid I-beam construction, comprising longitudinal side beams and cross beams 34' that join the longitudinal beams at opposite ends of the frame, and at spaced intervals between its ends; this structure being somewhat longer than the wheel base of the carriage and supports the track rails thereon, and these rails are suciently long that the carriage will have travel, back and forth lengthwise of the track, a distance that is somewhat longer than the cants that are to be worked on in the machine.

,. ,The moyement ofthe carriage toA various positions along ,the track, ,and the holding of the carriage at diierent'positions of adjustment is efcomprises a hydraulic cylinder S-of substantial length,` fixed 'on the frame structure 34 lengthwise thereof. In thecylinder is apiston 36 having a rod 31 extending from the cylinder `and-ccnnected `by a pin 38 with `,a bracket 39,1xed to and depending from the bed Vof the carriage as obseryedin Figs. land 8.

f Hydraulic pressurewmediumis administered through afour-way control valve 40 to and from the'opposite ends of the 'cylinder 35 through pipes 4|; and 42,; thel valve :being connected lwith the `source of supply 30 through pipeila, and with theexhaust 3| .through pipe 4Gb. 'The arrangement provides for admitting'the pressure medium into either :end of-the cylinder and :allowing it to discharge; from the other end .accordingly `to cause the piston to be moved andthus to eiect l the desired travel ofthe carriage. This adjustment 'may beheld secure by closing .the valve against-inlet or outlet of the hydraulic 'medium from thecyIinder., v

Fixed upon the. carriage 32, symmetrically fspaced from the transversemedial line, are cross guides,` orV Ways, I511--' in which are mounted frame 52, which we will refer to as the clamping base. This base `is inthe -nature of an elongated, rectangular structure formed of channel iron beams, and i-t extends in adirection lengthwise of the track, andoverlying the cross ways 5|l--5llf Erected upon the base 52, at its opposite ends,

are chucking clamps 53` and 54, designated for` the support of the -oppositeends of the cant, or

slab that is` to be worked upon. 'The clamp 53 is `fixed coaxia'llyon ;a turning shaft 55 *that is revolubly mountedl to a head bracket, or housing, `56, that is boltedl to the base 52'. The clamp 54 is likewise fixed on f the end of a supporting shaft 51 that is revolubly contained in the tail bracket "orhousing 58 that is mounted on the base 52 forA adjustment longitudinally thereof, thus toadjust the spacing of the clamps or chucks for the accommodation of slabs, cants or logs of'diiferent lengths. Each of the vc1amps,or 'what might be called chucking heads"has a center point 60' and radial lugs 6| for entering the end of a cant or slabfto xedly support it for rotation. f The adjustment of the tail bracket or housing `58, that `is `necessary for :the mounting and for fthe releasing of a slab or cant, is elTected ,by

Ameans of a hydraulic mechanism which is best disclosed in Fig., 8. This comprises a hydraulic cylinder thatis fixed within the base 52,by i `meansof the cross bars 66. The cylinder is so `fected by a hydraulic cylinder mechanism which only necessary to move the chucking head 54 away from the head 53, and this .is .likewise `effected by the application .of pressure medium into the cylinder. While itis not herein illustrated, it "is contemplated that the 'flexible tubes 1| :and "|2 will be` `carried on .reels and will wind onto `or unwind therefrom automatically :as necessary .for ftravel of the movable clamp. Other connections, `between the source of pressure medium and `.mov-

` able cylinders may be likeWiSearranged.

When a cant is `mounted by the ,clamps or chucking heads, .it maybe rotatably adjusted `by rotating the-supporting `shaft 55 which .mounts the clamp 53. For this purpose, the shaft 55 :is

, equippedv at its outer end with a relatively large worm gear 15 that operates in mesh witha worm 16 mounted on a cross shaft 11. ,The `shaft 1-1 is rotatably contained in ahousing 18 `that is fixed to the head :bracket `56. Fixed on one 'end of the shaft is a. sprocket wheel `8|) 'and this is alined with a smaller .sprocket wheel 8| iixed on the end of the vshaft 82 of `an electric motor 83; the motor being mounted on the under side l of the frame 52, as will be observed by reference to Figs. 1 and 8. A sprocket chain belt 85 `operates about the sprocketwheels 8l) 'and'Bl for `driv- 4ing the worm shaft thus through the 'wo-rm ,gear 'l5 and shaft 55 to rotatably adjust the supported cant as a means of bringing `a selected or ldesignated part into position for being `worked on by the router head I. l With a -cant `:mounted in the clamps, as noted lin Fig. 1, its movement a longitudinal direc- "tion for presentingselected parts toposition for being worked 'onby the router, is effected by the travelof the carriage 32 along 'the supporting track, butin orderthat the cant, or piece being worked on,- may be shifted laterallyftoward or away from the router head, provision is made L,for bodily shifting the clampingbase `frame 52 laterally on the carriage 32'. l For this purpose,

me supports `or slides 5| sr'` whiehmountthe base 52 are 'slidably fixed in the `guideways '5U- 50" and mechanical means .is` provided for effecting a quick and definite adjustment of the base 52 mounted as to extend i-n a direction lengthwise of the `frame and it reciprocally contains a piston 61 having. a rod 68 extending from the cylinder andv connected at its end by a pin or Ibolt 69 to a base .lug 10 on the tail housing 58. i v,Admittance of a pressure medium into and from the opposite ends of the vhydraulic cylinder |55` is provided for through the mediacy of flexible tubes 1| and 12 which are connected through a control valve 13 with the source of supply of pressure medium 30 by the pipe 13a, and with Vthe exhaust `pipe 3| by a pipe 13b. Manipulation of the valve provides for admitting the pressure medium into either end of the cylinder to move the piston accordingly. f

. either toward or from the router, whenever such is desired.

The mechanism foreifectingthis lateral adjustment of base 52 `is best 'shown in Figs. r6, 8, `10

and 1l, and 'it `comprises a relatively short hydraulic cylinder 188 disposed horizontally of and i rigidly mounted in the carriage bedlengthwise i vWhen a cant is to be placed between the clamps, the latter are then spaced sufciently thereof. This cylinder `is equipped 'with a piston having a piston rod 8| `extended therefrom .and connected at its end to la rack bar 82 `that is slid-ably contained in a guideway 93. The 'rack bar operatively vmeshes with a pinion gear 94 iixed on a transversely directed shaft mounted in bearings 96 carried in `the carriage bed. This Ashaft also is equipped with a miter gear 9"! that operatively meshes with a miter gear 91" vfixed on a shaft 98 that extends longitudinally of and in the central line of the carriage and is rotatable in supporting bearings 99-99 fixed in the carriage bed near its opposite ends. Fixed on the opposite ends of the longitudinal` shaft98 are gearwheels IDU-'|00'. which, respectively, mesh withr rack surfaces IllI--IIII' that arel formed in the under vsurfaces ofA the slides |-5|'V whereby the clamping chucking base 52 is mounted.

It'will be understood by reference to Fig. l0 that movement of the piston 90 in the cylinder .88 will effect a similar movement of the rack bar `32,*and this will cause the rotation of shaft S5 and this rotary motion will be transmitted through 'the4 miter gears. 91-01 to shaft 98. Since shaft 98 is rotatably fixed in the carriage, its rotation will effect a transverse adjustment of the clamping base 52 to an extent and direction `dependentupon the extent and direction of travel of the piston 90 in its cylinder. The movement of the piston 90 is controlledand effected by the application of hydraulic pressure medium into the cylinder 88 and this is effected through pipe connections as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 14, wherein-|02 and |03 respectively designate pipes that lead from a four-way valve |04 to opposite ends of the cylinder; parts of these pipes `being flexiblek to permit the easy movement; Valve |04 has a" connection |04a with the source of supply 30 of pressure medium and has a discharge pipe |041).

I Since the present machine is designed for the handling of cants or wood pieces of considerable weight as well as large size, itis desirable that mechanical means be provided for lifting them into clamping position and for subsequently discharging them from the machine. For this rst mentioned purpose, there is provided a pair of loading or lifting' rolls ||0||0, as noted best in Figs. 1, 8 and 12. These rolls are disposed just above and transversely of the clamping base 52 between the chucks or clamps 53 and 54'and each roll is mounted between the outer ends of a pair of arms III-l I I. These pairs of arms are xed, respectively, on parallel cross shafts ||2 ||2 that are rotatably mounted on the clamping base 52, at a point substantially medial 'of the clamps, in bearings ||4 which also are fixed to base 52. Corresponding ends of the cross shafts are equipped with intermeshing gears ||5-| I5' of like size, and on one of the shafts, at the end opposite the gears, a lever arm ||6 is fixed whereby that shaft may be rotatably actuated in either direction to `effect a synchronous rotative action in the opposite direction of the other shaft, thus, by the rotation, to cause the paired arms to be oscillated for raising or for lowering the rolls I |0| I0 in unison.

Normally, "the rolls are disposed closely adjacent the-top surface of the base 52, and substantially below the axial line of the chucks or clamps. In this position, a slab or cant may be loaded thereon, and in -a position lengthwise of the clamping base that,fby swinging the arms vupwardly, the cant may be lifted to and held properly in position between the two clamps or chucks 53 and 54 for being clamped in place thereby.

rFor the purpose of mechanically actuating the lever arm I I6, there is provided a hydraulic mechanism as noted in Figs. 12 and 13, comprising a hydraulic cylinder |20, fitted with a piston I 2| having a piston rod |22 that, for a purpose presently explained, extends from both ends of the cylinder. At one end, the rod |22 is pivotally connected by a pin |23 with a link |24 which has a lost motion connection, provided through the medium of a pin and slot designated at |25-I26, with the lever arm I I6. Thus, when the piston is caused to be moved to its limit toward thatvend of the cylinder, the connection provides thatrthe rollers will be actuated upwardly and lift the cant into position for being operatively engaged and supported by the chucking heads or clamps.

When a cant is released from the clamps or chucks, it will be lowered by the rollers I |0-I I0' to rest with its opposite end portions supported respectively on a pair of transverse cross bars |29 and |29. These bars have ends fixed to a shaft |30 that extends lengthwise on the frame 52 for rotation in bearings |3|-|3|. On one end of this shaft is a bevel gear Wheel |32 in mesh'with a bevel gear |33 fixed on a cross Vshaft |34, revoluble in bearings 35. On one end of the shaft |34 is a lever arm |35, which has an actuating connection with the adjacent end of piston rod |22. This connection comprises a link |31 which is pivotally connected to piston rod |22 by a pin |38 and has a pin and slot |39 and |40 providing a lost motion connection with the arm.

With this above described connection, travel of the piston rod to its extreme'in the direction of arm |36 causes rotation of shaft |30n whereby to swing the arms |20 upwardly, thereby to skid the cant from the frame to the side of the machine, Where it may be received into a car or conveyor.

The hydraulic cylinder |20 is connected in the hydraulic system, as seen in Fig. 14, through the mediacy of a four-way valve having flexible connections |46 and |41 leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder and a connection 45a to the supply 30 and a connection |45b with the exhaust 3|.

By reference to Fig. 14, it will be seen that the motor has circuitwires |50 and |5| leading to a switch box |52, into which lead the'power lines |54 and |55. Start and stop press buttons |56 and |51 control the closing and opening of the circuit to the motor. Also, itvvill be seen that the motor 83 has circuit lines |58 and |59 leading to a switch box |60, into which lead the power lines ISI and |62. Likewise start and stop pres's buttons I 53 and |64 control the opening and closing of the circuit to the motor 83.

,The router, best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, comprises a head of truncated, conical form, mounted coaxially on the shaft 2.v The head is drilled to receive the shaft 2 and the latter is formed with a shoulder |66 against which the head abuts. The shaft end comprises a threaded portion 2a connected tothe head |65 in such manner that rotation of the shafttightens the connection.

It will be noticed that this head |65 comprises the tapered body |65a, and this is formed about the larger end with an encircling collar portion |6522. Formed in the body, parallel with the axis, and at equally spaced intervals, are slots |61a in which knives or cutters |61 are mounted; these being held in their respective slots by set screws in the conventional manner, and since the details of this mounting are standard practise and not claimed as a part of the invention, adetailed description is dispensed with.

Likewise, there are mounted in the collar portion |65?) of the head |65, a plurality of knives or cutters |68, these being held in their respective slots |68a in the conventional manner. The knives or cutters |61 and |68 are inclined in the direction of rotation of the head |65, as observed by reference to Fig. 4.

Fixed coaxially within the end of the head is a drill |10 of a diameter suitable for the Work to be done.

Assuming the machine to be so constructed, its use'and mode of operation is as follows:

A block, slab or cant of wood is skidded or lifted to loading position by any suitable means; this position being one of rest on the paired arms |29 and across the rolls ||0| I0'.

By an operation of the valve |45, pressure medium is caused to act on piston |2| in the cylinder I 20 to move it toward theleft, as shown in Fig. l2, thereby causing the lever ||6 to beV oscillated also in that direction. The shaft ||2 is thus rotated and, through the gears I |5| l5', the shaft ||2 is also caused to rotate, thereby causing the arms to raise in unison to the position as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 12. By careful operation of the valve |45, the cant of wood may be accurately centered between the chucking heads 53 and 54.

It is to be understood that, during this loading operation, movement of the link |31 is not such that it will operate the lever |36, because, with the piston traveling in the direction stated, the slot |40 permits the link to slide on the pin |39.

After the cant has been lifted to position, the valve 'I3 is operated to admit pressure medium into the cylinder 65 to cause piston 61 to move the head bracket 58 toward the block of wood to clamp it in position for operation thereon. Then by a releasing operation of the valve |45,

the piston |2| will be returned to a central position in the cylinder |20, and the arms |||I returned by gravity to their lowered positions.

Through the movement of the piston 30 in hydraulic cylinder 35, effected by manipulation of the valve 40, any longitudinal adjustment 1.

necessary to locate a defective spot in the block or cant in line with the router I may be accomplished. Likewise, any lateral motion or adjustment toward or from the router may be accomplished through the actuation of the piston 90 within the cylinder 88 through manipulation of the valve |04. However, the normal position of the router head I is at its raised limit, and it is brought into operating position by lowering it, and this is accomplished through the mediacy of cylinder |5 and the piston 20 therein under control of the valve 29. The electric motor is energized incident to closing a circuit by pressing the start press button on the switch box |52.

With one side ofthe block or cant prepared, f

pressure medium to the cylinder 83, and that these two movements might be carried on simultaneously, along with an up or down movement of the router head at the same time.

When the `bark has been removed and the defects routed out, and it is desired to remove the block from the machine, the arms I I are lifted, bringing the rollers II-I I0" in c ontact therewith and the clamps released by operating the piston 36 within the cylinder 35 toward the left as seen in Fig. 8, so as to move the clamping head 58 away from the block.

Then, by applying pressure in the cylinder |20, the piston |2| will be actuated to the right, as seen in Fig. 12, the block lowered and brought to rest on the arms IZB-|29. Then, by operating this piston |20 on toward the right, the slot |26 in the link |24 slides on the pin |25, and the link |31 operates the lever |36 so as to rotate the shaft |34. The bevel gear |33 on this shaft |34, meshing with the bevel gear |32 on the shaft |30, causes the shaft |30 to be rotated, lifting the cross bars l29-l29' to the dotted position in Fig. 13, so that the block will be skidded therefrom into a truck or conveyor.

This machine may be embodied in various forms of construction without departing from thespirit of the invention. Therefore it is intended that the appended claims be given an interpretation commensurate with the invention herein disclosed.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. Ina machine of the character described, the combination of a driven wood working tool, a movable frame, and a pair of clamps on the frame for engaging the ends of a cant to support it for operation thereon by the tool, pf a pair of rolls arranged below the cant and adjacent its opposite ends, arms supporting said rolls, means operatively connecting the arms for oscillation in unison for lifting to or lowering a cant from the clamps, a pair of lever arms disposed transversely of and beneath the opposite end portions of the cant to receive the latter thereon when released from the clamps, and means operable in connection with the means for lowering the cant for actuating the arms to an inclined position to skid the cant from the frame.

2. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the actuating means for the rolls and lever arms comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a piston and a piston rod extended from opposite ends of the cylinder and having operative connection at its opposite ends with the rolls and lever arms, and

means for controlling the direction and extent of activation of the piston to selectively actuate the rolls or lever arms.

EINAR I. FLATEBOE. WILLIAM CLINTON BRIGGS.

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