GB2212101A

GB2212101A - Portable saw mills

Info

Publication number: GB2212101A
Application number: GB8829753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl James Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-22
Filing date: 1988-12-21
Publication date: 1989-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-21
Also published as: GB8829753D0; GB2212101B

Abstract

A portable saw mill comprises a carriage track A, a carriage frame B mountable for longitudinal movement along the carriage track A, a frame C mounted for vertical movement on the carriage frame B, a frame D mounted for transverse movement on the frame C, and a saw mount frame E mounting a circular saw blade. Retaining dogs secure a log or block of material to be cut relative to the carriage track A. The saw mount frame E is pivotal on the frame D so that the saw blade can be disposed in either a vertical or horizontal plane. The saw blade is driven by an engine, electric motor or hydraulic motor. In an alternative embodiment, end members (51, Fig. 21) securable to logs (61) are carried at an adjustable height by support posts (55). The end members (51) carry a pair of carriage tracks (52). <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO PORTABLE SAW MILLS This invention relates to a portable saw mill, and in particular to a portable saw mill in which a saw is supported within a frame assembly to facilitate accurate cutting of wood pieces or the like.

In a broad aspect, the invention provides a portable sawing apparatus comprising a carriage track, a carriage mountable for longitudinal movement along the carriage track, the carriage comprising means for mounting a circular saw for movement parallel to the longitudinal direction of the carriage track, transversely of the carriage track and being movable vertically in the plane perpendicular to the carriage track, and further comprisins means for mounting a log or block of material to be cut in relation to the carriage track in a position to be cut by the saw.

Most desirably, the saw is mounted for movement between at least two predetermined positions, a first position in which the blade of the saw is generally horizontal and a second position in which the blade of the saw is generally vertical, the blade, in both positions, being oriented to cut a log or block of material mounted in relation to the carriage track upon movement of the carriage along the carriage track.

Conveniently, the saw is mounted to pivot about a pivot axis.

Desirably the saw comprises a circular saw blade mounted upon a standard chainsaw type engine. Conveniently, the circular blade comprises tungsten tipped teeth.

Desirably the base member and carriage are formed of light weight materials in order to facilitate transportation of the saw mill. This ensures access to difficult sites and makes the machine useful and viable for small timber lots. The provision of such a versatile and light weight mill may eliminate the need fer vhicle. rcad access and lo riloving t=quipnient The circular saw may conveniently be actuated by any convenient power source.For example, the saw may be adaptable to work from an AC electric supply, such as a main supply or supply from a portable generator; DC electricity supply, such as from an automobile system or a tractor electrical system: it may be operable hydraulically, such as from the hydraulics of a tractor or from a convenient portable hydraulic pump or from an internal combustion engine.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 illustrate, pictorially, one embodiment of the invention and illustrate orientation of the main structural elements of the saw mill apparatus; Figures 4 to 7 illustrate in detail a carriage track similar to that of the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3:: Figures 8 to 12 illustrate a carriage frame similar to that of Figures 1 to 3; Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the vertical movement frame element for cooperation with the carriage frame of Figures 8 to 12 Figures 15 to 17 illustrate a sideways movement frame for cooperation with the vertical movement frame of Figures 13 and 14; Figures 18 to 20 illustrate a saw mounting frame and circular saw arrangement for cooperation with the sideways movement frame of Figures 15 to 17; and Figures 21 to 24 illustrate an other embodiment of a saw mill apparatus of the invention.

It should be appreciated that the embodiment of Figures 4 to 20 differs in some respects from that of Figures 1 to 3.

However, the general arrangement of elements is the same and the elements of Figures 4 to 20 are assembled generally as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the general arrangement of elements will first be described; a more detailed description of each element being given subsequently with reference to Figures 3 to 20.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a saw mill embodying the invention, generally indicated at 1, comprises a base member or carriage track A supporting a carriage frame B for longitudinal movement along the track. A vertical movement frame C is mounted on the carriage frame B to be parallel with a transverse plane of the carriage track A and to be movable, vertically, with respect to the carriage frame B in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transverse plane of the carriage track A. A sideways movement frame D is mounted on the vertical movement frame C for movement along the frame in a direction parallel to the said transverse plane of the carriage track A.The sideways movement frame D provides a mounting for a saw and engine mount frame E, the frame E permitting a saw mounted thereon to be pivoted from a first position, in which the circular blade of a saw (to be described in further details herein below) is arranged parallel to the transverse plane of the carriage track, and a second position in which the saw blade is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of the carriage track.

It will be immediately appreciated that this arrangement of elements enables the saw blade to be manipulated to enable accurate vertical and horizontal cutting movements, the saw being movable along the length of the carriage track A, by corresponding movement of the carriage frame B along the track, and transversely across the width of the carriage by appropriate movement of the sideways movement frame within the vertical movement frame.

As will be described further herein below, means are provided for the accurate indexing of the saw blade both vertically and transversely of the carriage track, longitudinal saw cuts being achieved by movement of the carriage frame along the carriage track which may be by, for example, the aPPlication of manual pressure or by any conveniently mechanical means.

Referring to Figures 4 to 7, the carriage track A comprises a generally rectangular frame 2 comprising a pair of spaced apart elongate square section side members 2a and a pair of channel section and end members 2b. The members 2a, 2b may be conveniently formed of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. A pair of spaced apart rails 3, conveniently formed of stainless steel angle plate, are aligned along the side members 2a, the rails 3 defining the carriage track upon which the carriage frame B is moveable.

An intermediate cross bar 4 is slidably movable within the rectangular base 2 and is lockable in position by tightening of studs or bolts 5. The cross bar 4 cooperates with one of the end members 2b to secure a log of wood (indicated in broken lines at 6). A log of wood 6 may be located in place between the end 2b and cross bar 4 by any suitable retaining means 7, such as double-headed los dogs, which are passed through holes 8 in the respective end 2b or cross bar 4 to locate within the log 6.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 12, the carriage frame B comprises an upper rectangular section 9 supported by upright corner posts 10, the lower ends of each of pair of corner posts 10 being connected by spaced apart side supports 11. These side supports 11 align generally with the spaced apart rails 3 of the carriage track A. Bearing assemblies 12 are provided at the lower end of each of the corner posts 10 and depend downwardly to cooperate with the rails 3 and side members 2a of the carriage track A. Figure 12 illustrates the cooperation of the bearing assemblies 12 with the carriage track A and illustrates part of the bearing assemblies in more detail.

Referring again to Figures 8 and 9 in particular, vertical movement frame C support assemblies are illustrated generally at 13. The support assemblies 13 comprise a vertically oriented threaded stud 14 with a vertical adjustment nut connector 15 located thereon. A support assembly 13 is mounted adjacent each of the corner posts 10 and extends substantially for the whole height of the corner post. The lower end of each rod 14 is mounted in a lubricated housing 16 for rotation therein, and the upper end of each rod 14 is connected with a toothed sprocket 17 and is mounted for rotation therewith. The toothed sprockets 17 are connected by a drive chain 18 and a drive sprocket 19, having a crank handle 20, is mounted to drive the chain 18.

Rotation of the crank handle 20 causes corresponding movement of the drive chain 18 and simultaneous rotation of each of the sprockets 17 and their associated rods 14.

The vertical movement frame C, which will be described in further detail herein below, is mounted, at respective corners thereof, on the vertical adjustment nut connectors 15 and is constrained to move therewith such that rotation of the crank handle 20 in one direction causes an upward vertical movement of the frame C and rotation of the handle 20 in the opposite direction causes a downward vertical movement of the frame C.

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, the vertical movement frame C comprises a rectansular frame member 21 comprised of two spaced apart loner members 22 and two spaced apart shorter members 23. The frame C is arranged to lie crosswise relative to the carriage frame B, i.e. with its longer size 22 transversely of the longitudinal carriage track A. Vertical mounting connectors 24 are provided towards the ends of the longer members 22 to cooperate with the vertical adjustment nut connectors 15 of the carriage frame B and are secured thereto by any convenient means, for example by a split pin arrangement.

A spaced apart pair of upstanding rail members 25 are mounted, one along each of the longer members 22 and define a sideways movement track upon which the sideways movement frame D is mounted. A sideways movement control mechanism, similar to the vertical support. movement control mechanism of the carriage frame B is provided on the vertical movement frame C to facilitate sideways movement of the frame D along the rails 25.

This mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart threaded bolts 26, one mounted adjacent each of the rails 25 and extending for substantially the whole length thereof. One end of each of the bolts 26 is mounted in a rod housing (not shown) for rotation therein and the other end of each rod is connected to a respective sprocket member 27 and is constrained to rotate therewith. The sprocket members 27 are connected by a continuous chain 28 which is held in tension by a drive sprocket 29 operable by a crank handle 30. Horizontal movement connector nuts 31 are mounted at ccrresponding positions on each of the bolts 26 and are constrained to move along the bolts when these are rotated.Thus it will be appreclatea that rotation of the drive sprocket 29 by the crank handle 30 causes simultaneous rotation of each of the sprockets 27 and its associated bolt 26 which causes corresponding longitudinal movement of the connectors 31. Rotation of the crank handle 30 in opposite directions causes corresponding movement of the connector 31 in opposite directions along the bolts 26.

The sideways movement frame D is mounted for movement along the rails 25 of the frame C and is connected by way of bolts 32 to locating threaded holes 33 in the connectors 31.

Thus movement of the crank handle 30 produces a corresponding movement of the frame D. The frame D comprises front and rear end spaced apart members 34, 35 and spaced apart side members 36. The bolts 32 are positioned substantially midway along the lengths of the front and rear end members 34,35 respectively.

The front and rear members, 34 and 35 are angle members and are arranged to be supported on the rails 25 of the frame C for movement therealong. For this purpose, a roller bearing 37 is mounted at each end of the respective member 34,35 supported on a bushing arrangement 38. A shaft housing 39 is fixed towards one end of each of the members 34,35 to receive, for pivotable movement, the saw mount frame E. A horizontal saw position stop, 40 is formed towards the other end of each of the members 34,35.

Referring now to Figures 18 to 20, the saw mount frame E is mounted on the frame D via support shafts 43 received within respective shaft housings 39 of the frame D. The frame E, and circular saw mounted thereon, are rotatable about the shafts 43 the frame being lockable such that the circular saw blade 42 is in an upright position in one position and movable to a second position, in which a horizontal stop 41, on each side of the frame E, abuts the stopper 40 of the frame D and the saw blade is positioned horizontally. Suitable means are provided for locking the saw blade in the vertical position. A handle 46 when moved forwards releases spring loaded locking shafts 47, and a handle 44 is provided on the frame E for movement of the frame between the vertical and horizontal positions.The weight of the saw and engine together with the natural cutting force combine to maintain the saw in the proper horizontal cutting position against the stopper 40.

To assist in keeping the blade 42 clear of cuttings, riving knives 45 are connected at opposite sides of the frame E as best seen in Fisure 20.

The saw engine itself is mounted to the frame via standard bar mounting bolts 48, one of which acts as a pivot, the other as the V-belt tension adjuster. Power transfer in this case is via V-belt and pulley with approximately 2:1 speed reduction from engine to shaft.

Any suitable connecting means may be used to connect the various elements of this arrangement including appropriate nuts bolts, welding techniques or any other convenient connectors.

Any suitable materials may be used, materials being selected for their light weight and strength in order to meet the conditions in which the portable saw mill is proposed to be used.

A saw mill conducted in accordance with the present invention has been found to provide a practical combination of light weight and economical components, low capital costs, high portability providing access to difficult sites and viability for small timber lots.

The arrangement has high commercial capabilities providing good quality cut timber, a good through put and the ability to cut large logs.

Accurate control of the size of cuts is possible using the horizontal and vertical movement control mechanisms and the movement of the saw blade, by swivelling upon its axis, to complete a horizontal cut on an upward pass and a vertical cut on a downward pass, thus removing a complete ball or slab without any wasted carriage movement, energy, or time, may be achieved.

The arrangement has been found to have the capacity to reduce large logs board by board with limited horse power and can readily have a capacity to cut logs of 48 inches or larger diameter. The unit can be easily built for larger capacities using the same principles. Flexibility of power sources is also achievable, for example, connection to AC, DC and hydraulic or 4 stroke engine supply can be readily achieved with little adaptation required. Some adaptation of the gear box to enable swing capacity may be necessary.

Figures 21 to 24 illustrate an alternative, and somewhat simplified, arrangement of a saw mill apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus, generally indicated at 50, comprises a base member formed from a pair of end members, or carriage track holders, 51 and a pair of independent carriage tracks 52. A substantially U-shaped channel means 53 is formed at each end of each end member 51, the channel means being of a size to receive and retain one of the carriage tracks 52. In an assembled position, as illustrated in Figure 21, the end members 51 are arranged in spaced apart parallel positions with the channel means 53 aligned to receive respective carriage tracks 52 in orthogonal relationship. The carriage tracks 52 are retained in position by appropriate clamping means.

Each end member 51 also includes mounting means 54 for a support post 55, the mounting means 54 allowing adjustment of the height of the end members and associated carriage track.

As in previous embodiments, the carriage track receives a carriage frame 56 which is provided with rollers for smooth movement longitudinally along the tracks. The carriage frame 56 includes spaced apart rail members 57, which, when assembled, are aligned generally perpendicular to the carriage tracks 52 and define a sideways movement track.

A sideways movement frame 58 is supported, by roller means 5, for movement along the spaced apart rail members 57.

Mounting means 59 are provided for pivotal mounting of a saw, as in the previous embodiments. A hinsed sawdust guard 60 is also provided.

Referring again to Figure 21, it will be seen that a log or logs 61 to be sawed are mounted between the end member 51 and are secured thereto by hand operated bolts 62. The desired height of the cut is marked on the logs, which may be additionally secured by wedges or the like, and the height of the carriage tracks, and accordingly associated sideways movement frame and saw is achieved by adjusting the mounting means 54.

Using this alternative embodiment, a typical sawing operation would involve the drawing of a horizontal line across each end of the log, or logs, to be cut about one inch below the desired level of first cut. A vertical line is then drawn at the desired centre of cut of the or each log. If several logs are used, the logs should be adjusted so that the centre lines are the same distance on each end.

Wedges may be placed under the logs to discourage shifting during the sawing operation. The end members 51 are then secured to the logs adjacent to the horizontal line.

Conveniently, pilot holes may be drilled to facilitate this mounting operation. The carriage tracks 52 are then mounted in the end members 51 and the carriage frame 56 placed upon the carriage tracks.

The sideways movement frame and saw mounting frame 58, as a single unit, is then placed upon the rails 57.

Subsequently, the power head is then bolted in place and the saw blade mounted in the saw. After fueling and tensioning of the belt, etc, the mill is ready to commence cutting. A slab is cut by moving the carriage frame along the carriage tracks 52 with the saw blade depending below the lowest extent of the carriage frame by a predetermined amount depending upon the depth of cut to be made. Any convenient means may be provided for adjusting the depth of cut.

After completing removal of the top slabs the carriage frame is moved to one end of the carriage tracks 52 and the mounting means 54 are adjusted to lower the tracks by desired distance for the next cut. The bolts 62 are then released to allow the end members and carriage tracks to fall to the new position and are resecured for a new cut.

The apparatus may be constructed from any suitable material, with light metal such as aluminium being preferred for major elements in order to allow the weight of the apparatus to be kept to a minimum to facilitate transportation and assembly.

This description is intended to be by way of example only and variations and modifications will be readily apparent and lie within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable sawing apparatus comprising a carriage track, a carriage mountable for longitudinal movement along the carriage track, the carriage comprising means for mounting a circular saw for movement parallel to the longitudinal direction of the carriage track, transversely of the carriage track and being movable vertically in the plane perpendicular to the carriage track, and further comprising means for mounting a log or block of material to be cut in relation to the carriage track in a position to be cut by the saw.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the saw is mounted in a frame member which is arranged to be supported by the carriage and is movable with respect to the carriage in a direction transversely of the carriage track.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the saw is mounted for movement between at least two predetermined positions, a first position in which the blade of the saw is generally horizontal and a second position in which the blade of the saw is generally vertical, the blade, in both positions, being oriented to cut a log or block of material mounted in relation to the carriage track upon movement of the carriage along the carriage track.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising means for controlling movement of the frame member relative to the carriage in order to position the saw blade for a cutting operation.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means is operable to reciprocate the frame member across said carriage, the frame member being indexed between selectable positions for accurate alignment of the saw blade.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the frame member is provided with wheels, rollers or the like, which are received within channel ways formed in the carriage.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the carriage track comprises a base member mountable on the ground, or on a surface, and presents spaced-apart rails or channels to receive support means of the carriage.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the log or other material to be cut is mounted and secured directly to the base member,

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the carriage is supported between substantially upright support members, which support members are received within the spaced apart rails or channel ways of the carriage track for movement therealong and wherein the carriage is movable vertically with respect to these ports in order to adjust the height of the saw relative to the carriage track.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting the height of the carriage with respect to set supports.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said carriage track is formed from independent spaced apart rails or tracks, the tracks being connected by cross members and wherein said cross members are secured to the log or material to be cut.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each said rail or track is supported adjustably by support legs and includes means for adjusting the height of the carriage track.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said saw comprises a circular saw blade mounted upon a standard chain saw type engine.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said saw includes a circular saw blade having tungsten tipped teeth.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the carriage track and carriage are formed of light weight materials in order to facilitate transportation.

16. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 4 to 20 of the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 21 to 24 cf the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.