GB901151A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for sorting timber - Google Patents

Abstract

901,151. Sorting timber. AITKEN, R. L. April 10, 1961 [Jan. 15, 1960], No. 1601/60. Class 117. Planks 3, Fig. 3, are sorted according to length by being conveyed by chains 5 on a table having a gap of progressively increasing width provided by rails 6, 8, and one end of each plank engages a guide 7 on the rail 6 so that the opposite end falls off the rail 8 at a point determined by the plank length on to an auxiliary support rail 10 ; the plank is then moved lengthwise off the other rail 6 on to a further auxiliary support rail 10a and fed by the chains to ramps 11, 11a where it separates from the chains and passes to a collecting position. As shown, the chains 5 diverge, and the rail 8 consists of roller sections parallel to the rail 6 and arranged stepwise, the planks are driven by roller dogs 5b on one chain, and plain dogs 5a on the other, and at each point of gap enlargement two auxiliary supports 10, 10a are provided ; the rail 6 has a roller 6a so that if a plank end falls from a roller section 8, as is shown by the plank 3a, it falls on to a roller 9 on the support 10, and the resistance to lengthwise movement of the plank is so small that with the action of the dog 5a on the plank it will move lengthwise and fall from the roller 6a on to the support 10a. In a modification, Fig. 4, the rail 6 is replaced by a conveyer chain 15 having rollers 16 to receive the ends of the planks, and rollers 15b engaging the plank sides. The auxiliary supports comprise roller rails 17, 17a substantially parallel with the chain 5 and slightly inclined to the horizontal, with more steeply inclined roller tracks 18, 18a. Alternatively, the drive chains may be parallel and the plank lengthwise force applied by a powerdriven roll on the first auxiliary support, or by a ram responsive to a weight-operated switch associated with the rail. Where long thin planks are to be sorted, a centre supporting rail may be provided having a hinged section allowing the planks to be removed from the auxiliary rails. Specification 872,014 is referred to.