US2938552A

US2938552A - Apparatus for trimming and sorting switch ties

Info

Publication number: US2938552A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas G Rogers
Original assignee: Southern Wood Preserving Co
Current assignee: Southern Wood Preserving Co
Priority date: 1957-03-22
Filing date: 1958-04-16
Publication date: 1960-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 1977-05-31

Description

T. 6. ROGERS 2,938,552 APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 22, 1957 INVENTOR Zia/1M5 Q 25 0 :22.

ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original Filed March 22, 1957 T. G. ROGERS May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZNVENTOR .ZZOMAS 2. 06526 ATTORNEY s R? QN \N 3 :3 3% Q Q X R R R 5 w w m w m m M v q Hi I v ww swmfiw @N @N T. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND sommc swnca ms May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed March 22, 1957 Q QPN INVENTOR 770mb GEOg-EES ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original Filed March 22, 1957 T. G. ROGERS May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 v\ GE INVENTOR YZOMQS 50 255 BY M v M ATTORNEY y 1960 T. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original Filed March 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 *6 & 3

n q) 41} u 0 q E l\ Q 2 a N. g :"F

I NVE NT( )R 720m 65 0 5235 ATTORNEY "r. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed March 22, 1957 ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Thomas G. Rogers, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to Southern Wood Preserving Company, Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Original application Mar. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 647,893,

now Patent No. 2,876,815, dated Mar. 10, 1959. Divided and this application Apr. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 728,879

Claims. (Cl. 144-3) This invention relates to the handling of switch ties in wood preserving plants and has more particular reference to apparatus for trimming switch ties to required lengths and then automatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus for trimming green switch ties to obtain the longest desired length possible from the green material and automatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups for transportation to the seasoning yard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel system for trimming green switch ties to required lengths and then automatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups, in which each green switch tie is automatically loaded onto conveyor means and conveyed past a marking station where a marking device marks the tie, then past a trimming station where both ends of the tie are cut oil, and then through a series of unloading stations where each tie is ejected from one of the stations automatically, the ejecting operation being determined by the length of the tie, so that all trimmed ties of the same length group will be ejected at the same unloading station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system, as characterized above, including counter means operated by the ties after they have been trimmed for determining the total number of ties trimmed as well as the total number of ties of each length which have passed through the system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the specification, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, with parts broken away, of one embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, and the arrangement thereof for carrying out the operation of the system;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l, and showing details of the delivery conveyor and the receiving end of the conveyor for transporting the ties past the marking device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and showing details of construction of the delivery conveyor;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the marking device;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views showing the details of a marker element;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing details of the saw mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 1, and showing details of the construction of the trimming conveyor;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

2,938,552 Patented May 31 1 960 Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the details of the limit switch shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. ,1, and showing the details of an unloading station;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram showing the vmanner in which limit switches control the operation of the delivery conveyor;

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram showing the manner in which limit switches control the operation of the marking device;

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the connection of the electrical counter devices to'the counter recorders;

Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram showing the manner in which limit switches control the operation of the unloading mechanism at an unloading station; and

Fig. 19 is a modified form of wiring diagram generally similar to that shown in Fig. 18, but showing a modified manner of operating the unloading mechanisms.

This application is a division of my copending applica tion Ser. No. 647,893, filed March 22, 1957, for Method of and Apparatus for Trimming and Sorting Switch Ties, issued March 10, 1959, as Patent No. 2,876,815.

Heretofore, in the process of trimming green switch ties into various required lengths and sorting the trimmed ties into length groups for subsequent transportation to the seasoning yard, the green ties, which are of various lengths, were placed on a conveyor and moved to a sawing station where the front end was trimmed, the tie was measured, and the point for trimming the rear end so that the longest possible desired length could be obtained, was marked, the rear end was cut at the mark, then the same operator marked the length of the tie on its upper surface and moved it to a conveyor which carried the tie past loading stations, at one of which the tie was manually unloaded according to the marking showing its length. This process required the use of a large number of men to carry it out.

The present invention provides a novel system for loading the green ties onto a conveyor which carries the ties past a marking machine positioned at a predetermined distance from the trimming saw. The saw operator trims the forward end of the tie, at which time the marking device automatically is operated to mark the rear end of the tie by placing on its upper surface, markings spaced a predetermined distance apart so that when the tie is moved to have its rear end trimmed, the saw operator cuts along the last marking, thus cutting the tie to one of a predetermined length, at the same time obtaining the longest possible desired length from the tie. Then the trimmed tie is passed onto a live conveyor which has a plurality of longitudinally spaced unloading stations thereon, each unloading station being equipped with mechanism for automatically unloading ties of one predetermined length group on one side of the conveyor and ties of another predetermined length group on the other side of the conveyor, the unloaded ties slide down inclined ramps from which they are picked up and transported to the seasoning yard where they are formed in seasoning ricks. Counting mechanisms are positionedon the conveyor and at each unloading station, which operate a register at the control station (saw station) so that the number of ties of each length produced will be separately registered as well as the total number of ties which pass through the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated, in Fig. I, one embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. As there shown, the apparatus comprises three longitudinally aligned elongated power driven conveyors each adapted to convey the ties-longitudinally or endwise thereon, a first or marking conveyor having a marking device, indicated generally at 11, mounted adjacent thereto for marking the ties as they pass along the conveyor; a second or trimming conveyor 12 having a swinging. saw assembly; indicated generally at 13, mounted adjacent thereto for trimming the ends of the ties; a third or sorting conveyor 14having a plurality of longitudinally spaced unloading stations, each indicated generallyat 15, positioned therealong; and a delivery conveyor, indicated generally at 16, positioned to deliver the greenswitch ties, one at a time, onto, the 'rmarking'conveyor 10. a Y

" 'While the conveyors 10,-12and'14' may be'ofany suitable usual power. dn'ven type, the particular embodiment of theinventioii' illustrated, they are. generally similar in construction and, asshow'n in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 10, each comprises a spaced parallel pair of beams 17;' a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse rollers 18 having their axles journalled in'or' on the beams 17,

with one end of the axles ofall, of the rollers projecting beyond a beam 17 andca'rrying a pair of sprocket wheels ,19, 20; chains 21 alternately connecting the outer sprocket wheels on each adjacent pair of rollers; and a motor 22 connected by a chain 23 to? drive the rollers. Suitable guard rails may be mounted on the upper surfaces of the beams 17 at 'anypoint, if desired, for guiding the ties as they move along. the conveyor. 7

The

conveyors

10, 12 and 14 aremounted in longitudinal alignment on suitable supporting frames, indicated generallyat 24.

The marking device 11, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, comprises an elongated shaft 25 journale'd in a plurality of spaced upright bearing members 26 fixedly mounted on the outer beam 17 of the marking conveyor; a plurality ,of axially spaced holder arms 27 pivotally mounted 7 on the shaft '25 for individual swinging movement thereon; a' plurality of retaining and guide loops 28 fixedly ,mounted on the shaft 25 in axially spaced relation and with each loop having one .of the holder arms 27 projectiug therethrough; a plurality of marker members 29, each attached to the outer end of one of the holder arms 27 ;.a Ilaterally projecting operating arm 30 fixedly attached to the shaft '25; a double acting compressed air cylinder 31 having a piston 32 projecting from one end and pivotally connected to the free end of the operatingarm 30 for rotating the shaft 25; and a solenoid operated valve 33 for controlling the flow of compressed air to and from the cylinder 31. i

' The marker members 29 are identical in construction, and-as shown inFigs. 6 and 17, each comprises an elonjgated open-ended cylinder 34 having'a removable cover 35 on. its upper end; a small open-ended cylinder 36 having its uppere'nd detachably attached to the cylinder 34 and having a seat 37 formed in its bottom open end; a ball 38 normally and resiliently held in position on the seat 37 by an elongated coil spring 39 mounted in the two cylinders. The cylinders 34and 36 are filled with afmarkingfluid and whenever the shaft 25 is rotated to "bring the bottom end of the marking members down on the upper surface ofa tie, each of the marking members will make a mark thereon.

The foregoing construction permits each marker to make a mark on theupper surface of a tie regardless of the unevenness. of the upper surface.

The marking'members 29 are spaced a predetermined distance apart, preferably six inches, and the marking member adjacent the. sawing station is spaced a predeltermined distance, preferably nine'feet, from the transverse path followed by the saw as it is. swung forwardly to the tie; This arrangement permits the longest desired tie possible to be cut from the'green tie, as the saw operator, after trimming the front end of the tie, then trims-the after end at the last mark thereon, so that all aftermost mark from the transverse path of travel of the swinging saw. By removing marker members 29 from their holder arms 27, it is very easy to discontinue marking or cutting lengths that are not desired.

The solenoid operatedvalve33, which controls the flow of compressed air to and from the double-acting cylinder 31, may be any suitable solenoid operated valve of the general type shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,616,449, grantedNovember 4, 1952, to Maha, in which a pilot valve is operated by two small solenoids, each controlled by an independent electrical circuit, to control the movements of a master valve which, in turn, controls the flow of the compressed air to and from the apparatus to be operated thereby. Preferably, and in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the solenoid operated valve 33 is a solenoid Pilot-Master valve manufactured by the Hannifin Corporation of Des Plaines, Illinois, and listed in its Bulletin 232 of March 1953, as a P-M Series BB-4-75 Solenoid MasterPilot Valve.

As schematically illustrated in Fig. '5, the, valve 33 is shown ascomprising a valve house 40 in which is mounted a 4-way poppet-type mastervalve; a solenoid pilot head 41 in which is mounted a small 3-way poppettype valve; and apair of covermembers 42, 43. mounted on the valve body on opposite sides of the pilot head and in each of which is mounted a solenoid for operating the 3-way poppet type valve, to control the 4-way master valve. When the solenoid mounted in cover member 42 and for purposes of description called the down solenoid, is energized the valve 33 iwill beoperated to admit air through conduit 44 to the bottom end of the cylinder 31 and exhaust air from the top end of the cylinder through conduit 45, thereby causing the cylinder to rotate the shaft 25. so as to swing the markers from their up .or inoperative position to a fdown or operative position.

And when the solenoid mounted in the cover member 43,

and for purposes of, description called the up solenoid, is energized, the valve 33 will be operated to admit air to the top of the cylinder 31 and exhaust air from the bottom thereof, through the conduits 45 and 44, respectively, thereby causing the cylinder to rotate the shaft 25 so as to swing the markers from their ,down or operative position to their up or inoperative position. Air is admitted to and exhausted-from the valve body 40 by be of any usual suitable type and, as shown, comprises a rotary saw 48 having its shaft 49'journaled inthe lower end of a depending swingablecarriage 50having its. upper end joumaled in a suitable supporting .frame, indicated generally at 51. The saw is driven by a belt'52 connecting a pulley -53 fixedlylmounted on the saw shaft to-a pulley 54 fixedly-mounted on the armature shaft of a motor which is mounted on a platform carried by the upper end of the swinging carriage 50.

The saw normally held in a non-cutting position at one side of the conveyor andthe operator pulls the saw forwardly across the path of travel of the tie .to trim the ends thereof by grasping a handle 56' mounted on the saw carriage. A guard 57 may beprovided for the saw if desired.

The saw operator controls the operation-of the marking .conveyor and the trimming conveyor by means of control switches 58, 59 connected to the motors, 22 which drive'the respective conveyors- The switches 58 and 59 are mounted onthe inner beam 17 of the trimming conveyor (see Fig. l) readily'accessible to the saw operator, and by means of these control switches, the'saw' operator can move ties backward'and forwardon the two conveyors and from one conveyor to the other, or stop one or both conveyors, thus enabling him to :readily'p'osition a tie for trimming.

The operation of the marking device 11 is automatic and is controlled by the operation of the swinging saw by means of a double-throw limit switch 60 connected in the circuits to the up and down solenoids of the solenoid operated valve 33 and by means of a single pole limit switch 61 connected in the circuit to the down solenoid of the solenoid operated valve 33.

The limit switch 60, which may be of any usual suitable double-pole type is mounted on the supporting frame 51 of the swinging saw assembly in a position so that its actuating arm 62 will be engaged by the swingable carriage of the saw assembly each time the saw is swung forwardly to trim the end of a tie and operate the doublepole limit switch to open the circuit to the hp solenoid and close the circuit to the down solenoid, the switch normally being resiliently held in a position to close the circuit to the up solenoid and open the circuit to down solenoid. See Fig. 16.

The limit switch 61 (see Figs. to 12 and 16), which may be of any usual suitable single-pole type, is mounted on the trimming conveyor below the top level of the conveyor rollers and at a point intermediate the swinging saw and the receiving end of the conveyor. The switch is normally resiliently held in open position and has an upstanding operating arm 63 positioned to be engaged by an actuator 64 in the form of a rectangular plate 65 having one end fixedly secured to a shaft 66 extending transversely of the conveyor and having its ends journaled in the structural members 17 thereof. The shaft 66 is positioned below the tops of the conveyor rollers and the plate 65 is normally held in an up position in which its free end is raised above the tops of the conveyor rollers by means of a counterweight 67 rigidly connected to the plate and normally resting on a rod 68 extending between the structural members 17. The construction and arrangement is such that, as a tie is received on the trimming conveyor and moved toward the saw it will engage the plate 65 and depress it, thereby moving the operating arm 63 of the limit switch 61 downwardly to close the switch, thus closing the circuit to the down solenoid of solenoid operated valve 33.

The electrical circuits which permit the control of the solenoid operated valve 33 by limit switches 60 and 61 are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 16. As there shown, the circuit for operating the down solenoid of the valve 33 may be traced from the 110 volt supply line S through wire 69 to the down solenoid and from the down solenoid through wire 70 to limit switch 61 and from limit switch 61 through wire 71 to contact 72 of double-pole limit switch 60 and from contact 73 of switch 69 through wire 7 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve 33 may be traced from supply line S through wire 75 to the up solenoid and from the up solenoid through wire 76 to contact 77 of double-pole limit switch 60, and from contact 78 of switch 60 through wire 79 back to supply line S.

From the foregoing, the manner in which the operation of the marker is controlled by the operation of the saw is believed apparent. Limit switch 60 is normally resiliently maintained in position to open the circuit to the down solenoid and to close the circuit to the up solenoid, thereby positively holding the markers in their up or inoperative position; limit switch 61 is normally resiliently maintained in position to open the circuit to the down solenoid. Accordingly, each time the for ward end of a tie is moved from the marking conveyor onto the trimming conveyor in position to have its forward end trimmed, the tie will rest on the plate 65 of actuator 64, thereby causing limit switch 61 to close the circuit to the down solenoid so that when the saw is swung forwardly to trim the forw'ardend of the tie,

the down solenoid of valve 33 will be energized and the up solenoid deenergized and the markers will be moved down to make their marks on the after end portion of the tie. When the saw is moved rearwardly after making its cut, the limit switch 6% will be resiliently operated to open the circuit to the down solenoid and close the circuit to the up solenoid, thereby causing the markers 'to be raised to their up or inoperative position. After the forward end of the tie has been trimmed, it is moved forward on the trimming conveyor to bring its after end in position to be trimmed at the last mark thereon. When the tie is in this position it will no longer be resting on the plate 65 of the actuator 64 so that the limit switch 61 will be resiliently operated to open the circuit to the 'down solenoid, so that when the saw is swung forward to trim the after end of the tie, thereby operating the limit switch 60 to close the circuit to the down solenoid, the markers will not be operated but Will remain in their up or inoperative position.

While the single pole limit switch 61 and its actuator 64 have been described and shown as being mounted on the trimming conveyor at a point intermediate the swinging saw and the receiving end of the conveyor and normally resiliently held in open position, obviously, the limit switch and its actuator could be positioned on the conveyor a short distance beyond the swinging saw in the normal direction of travel of the ties on the trimming conveyor and, when so positioned, would normally be resiliently maintained in a closed position, being opened when its actuator was depressed by engagement with a tie while in position to have its after end trimmed.

After each tie has had its forward and after ends trimmed it is moved from the trimming conveyor 12 onto the sorting conveyor 14. The sorting conveyor, on which are located the unloading stations 15, runs continuously, while the system is in operation; however, a control switch 80 connected in the circuit to the motor which runs the sorting conveyor, is mounted adjacent the control switches 58 and 59 for the marking and trimming conveyors, for operation by the saw operator (see Fig. 1).

Any number of unloading stations 15 may be located on the sorting conveyor, the number depending upon the number of different length groups of ties to be sorted. At each unloading station two diiferent length groups of ties are unloaded, one length group of ties on one side of the conveyor, another length group of ties on the other side of the conveyor.

All of the unloading stations are generally similar in construction and, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, each station includes a pair of kick-ofi

devices

81, 81; a pair of

compressed air cylinders

82, 82 for operating the kick-01f devices 81, 81', respectively; a pair of solenoid operated valvm 83, '83, for controlling the flow of compressed air to and from the

cylinders

82, 82, respectively; a pair of ramps 84, 84', inclined downwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of the conveyor to receive the ties kicked off by the kick-off devices 81, 81', respectively; and a pair of counter devices 85, 35' mounted on the ramps 84, 84', respectively, in position to be operated by a tie as it slides down the ramp, for counting the total number of ties passing down the ramp.

The kick-01f device 81 comprises a shaft 86 jounaled in bracket bearings 87 fixedly attached to the outer beam 17 of the sorting conveyor; an axially spaced pair of kick-off arms 88, 8S, fixedly secured to the shaft 86 and projecting inwardly therefrom; and a depending operating arm 89 fixedly secured to the shaft 86. The shaft 86 is positioned below the rollers of the sorting conveyor with the kick-off

arms

88, 88 extending transversely of the conveyor between the rollers and normally held in an inoperative position below the tops of the rollers of the conveyor. The compressed air cylinder 82 may be of any usual double acting type and has a piston stem 90 projecting from one end, which is pivotally connected to the 7 operating arm 89 for rotating the shaft 86. Air conduits 91, 92 connect the respective ends of the cylinder 82 to the solenoid'operated valve 83. i

' The solenoid operated valve 83 is similar to'the solenoid operated valve 33 employed to operate the marking device, and operates in a similar manner. Compressed air is supplied to the valve by' means of a branch conduit 93 connected to a suitable compressed air header which extends thelength of the sorting conveyor.

The kick-off device 81' is similar in construction to kick-oft device 81; its shaft 86' is journaled in bracket bearings '87? fixedly attached to the beam 17 of the conveyor opposite the beam onwhich the kick-E device 81 is mounted and its kick-off arms 88, 88' project inwardly therefrom. The shaft 86' is positioned below the rollers of the conveyor with the kick-oif arms 88', 88 extending transversely of the conveyor between the rollers and normally held in aninoperative position below the tops of the rollers. The compressed air cylinder 82' is similar to cylinder 82 and has a piston stem 90' projecting from one end,pivotally connected to the operating arm 89' for rotating the shaft 86.

Air conduits 91, 92' connect the respective ends of the cylinder 82 to solenoid operated valve 83'. Solenoid operated valve 83 is similar to valve 83 and operates in a similar manner. Compressed air is supplied to valve 83 by means of branch conduit 93.

The counter devices 85, 85' may be of any suitable usual construction; each is electrically connected to opcrate a register device R mounted on a common support panel P for all the register devices, which is conveniently located at the saw station (see Fig. 1). a

In addition to the counter devices 85, 85' at each unloading station, a counter device 85" is mounted on the sorting conveyor adjacent its receiving end and is electrically connected to operate a register R mounted on the common support panel P so that the total number of trimmed ties will be recorded. The wiring connections between the counter devices and their respective recorders are schematically illustrated in Fig. 17.

The operation of the kick-ofi devices 81, 81' .at each station is automatic and is controlled by the particular length of each tie as it is received on the station by means of four

limit switches

94, 95, 96 and 97, connected in the circuits to the up and down solenoids of the solenoid operated valves 83, 83' which control the operation of the kick-ofi devices.

The limit switches 94, 95, 96 and 97, schematically shown in Fig. 18, may be of any-suitableusual type and are mounted on the sorting conveyor below the top level of the conveyor rollers and are longitudinally spaced at predetermined distances from each other and with their respective upstanding operating arms 98, 99, 100 and 101 positioned to be engaged by

actuators

102, 103, .104 and 105, respectively. The

actuators

102, 103, 104 and 105 are similar, in construction to the actuator 64 which operates limitswitch 61 employed to control the, operation of the marking device, and are mounted on the conveyor in a similar manner so' that each actuator will be successively engaged and operated by each tie passing through the unloading station. As shown in Fig. 14, actuator 103, which operates the limit switch 95 is positioned intermediate the ends of the ramps 84, 84', actuator 102 which operates limit switch 94 is positioned to the left of the two ramps, as viewedin Fig. 14, and actuators'104 and 105 are positioned to the right of the two ramps, as viewed in Fig. 14.

Actuators

104 and 105 are longitudinally spacedpredetermined distances from actuator 102, the distances beingdetermined by the two length groups of ties to be kicked ofi at the station.

Limit switch 94 is a single pole switch normally held in closedjposition by resilient means and is connected in the circuit to the up solenoids of solenoid operated valvesp83, 83'. I I Limit switch a is. ';(1 b fP 5W t connected in 8 the circuits to the up" solenoids of

valves

83,83 and in the circuits to the downjsolenoids of valves 83, 83'.

Limit switch 95 is normally resiliently held in position to close the/circuits to the. down solenoids of valves 83, 83' and to open the circuits to the up? solenoids of the two valves.

Limit switch .96 is a double pole switch connected in the circuits to the up solenoids of valves 83, 83'. Limit switch 96 is normally resiliently held in position to close the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83 and open the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83'.

Limit switch 97tis a single pole switch normally held in closed position by resilient means and is connected in the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83'.

7 As shown inFig. 18, the circuit for operating the p solenoid of valve 83 may be traced from the supply line S through;wire 106 to the upsolenoid,'and from the up solenoid through wire 107 to contact 108 of'double pole switch 196, from contact 109 of switch 96 through wire 110 to contact 111 of double pole switch 95, from contact 112 of switch 95 through wire 113 to single pole switch 94, and from switch 94 through wire 114 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83 may be traced from the supply line S through wire 115 to the/down solenoid and from the down solenoid through wire 116 to contact117 of double pole switch 95 and'from' contact 118 of switch 95 through wire 119 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve 83' may be tracted from supply line S through wire 120 to a the up solenoid and from the up solenoid through wire 121 to single pole switch 97 and from switch 97 through wire 122 to contact 123 of double pole switch 96, from contact 124 of switch 96 through jumper connection 125 to contact 109 of switch 96, from contact 109 of switch 96through wire 110 to contact 111 of double pole switch 95, from contact 112 of switch through wire 113 to single pole switch 94 and from switch 94'through wire 114 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the down,solenoid of valve 83 may be traced from the supply line S through'wire 126 to the down solenoid and from the down solenoid through wires 127 and 116 tocontact 117 of double pole switch 95, from contact 118 of switch 95 through wire 119 back'to supply line S. r

The manner in which the limit switches at each unloading station are operated to cause all ties of one predetermined length group to be kicked oft on one side of the conveyor onto ramp 84, all ties of another predetermined length group to be kicked oif on the other side of the conveyor onto ramp 84'. and permit all ties having a length greater than the ties belonging to the two predetermined length groups to be kicked-off, to pass through the loading station to the next succeeding loading station is believed apparent. For example, if it is to be assumed that at the unloading station all ties 9 in length are to be kicked ofi ontoramp 84, all ties 9'6" in length are to be kicked oft" onto ramp 84', and all ties over 9'6" in length are to be permitted to pass through the loading station, then limit switch 96 and its actuator would be positioned at such a distance from limit switch 94 and its. actuator as to permit a tie 9 in length, as it travels down the conveyor, to moveout of engagement with actuator 102 of limit switch 94 before it engaged actuator 104- of limit switch 96, and limit switch 97 and its actuator 'would be positioned at'such a distance from limit switch 94 and its actuator 102 a s to permit a tie 9'6" in length as it travels down the conveyor-to move out of engagement with actuator 102 of limit switch 94 before it engagedactuator 105 of limit switch 97. Thus, as a tie moves along the conveyor into the unloading station it would first engage actuator 1020f limit switch 94 and, by depressing ;the actuator, open the nor ma y res ent y. he dclosed. w c n t the p u d engage actuator 103 and by depressing the actuator move the double pole switch 95 from its normally resilient maintained position, to the position in which it opens the circuits to the "down solenoids of valves 83, 83' and closes the circuits to the up solenoids of the two valves; then, if the tie is 9' in length it will move out of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94 before it engages actuator 104 of switch 96 and switch 94 will be resiliently closed, thus completing the closing of the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83, thereby causing kick-off device 81 to operate to kick the tie off the conveyor onto ramp 84; if the tie is 9'6" in length it will have engaged and depressed actuator 104 of switch 96 before it has moved out of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94 and, by depressing actuator 104 move the double pole switch 96 from its normally resiliently maintained position in which it closed the circuit to the "up solenoid of'valve 83 and opens the circuit to up solenoid of valve 83 to a position in which the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83 is opened and the circuit to "up solenoid of valve 83 is closed; then, as the 9'6" tie moves along the conveyor it will move out of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94 before it engages actuator 105 of switch 97 and switch 94 will be resiliently closed, thus completing the closing of the circuit to the "up solenoid of valve 83, thereby causing kick-off device 81' to operate to kick the tie ofi the conveyor onto the ramp 84'; if the tie is over 9'6" in length it will have engaged and depressed actuator 105 of switch 97 before it has moved out of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94, and, by depressing actuator 105, open the normally resiliently held closed switch 97, thereby opening the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83' and the tie will pass on through the unloading station to the next unloading station on the sorting conveyor where ties 10' in length will be kicked off onto the ramp 84 thereof, ties 10'6" in length will be kicked off onto the ramp 84 thereof, and ties over 10'6" in length will pass through the station with each successive unloading station kicking 011 two greater length groups of ties in a similar manner.

As the trimmed switch ties range in length from 9' up to 26', with each length group increasing in increments of 6" from the next lesser length group, it is sometimes desirable to arrange the limit switches so that the longest length ties will be kicked ofi first, as shown in Fig. 1.

The arrangement and location of limit switches and their actuators for accomplishing this at a loading station is schematically illustrated in Fig. 19. As there shown, three

limit switches

128, 129 and 130 are mounted on the conveyor below the bottom level of the rollers thereof and in a predetermined longitudinally spaced relation. The limit switches 128, 129 and 130 are similar in construction to the limit switches shown in Fig. 18 and each has an upstanding operating arm positioned to be engaged and depressed by

actuators

131, 132 and 133, respectively, which are similar in construction, operation and mounting as are the actuators at the other unloading stations.

Limit switch 130 and its actuator 133 are positioned adjacent the exit end of the station, limit switch 129 and its actuator 132 are positioned adjacent the entrance end of the station and at a predetermined distance from actuator 133, and limit switch 128 and its actuator 131 are positioned adjacent the entrance end of the station and at a predetermined distance upstream with respect to the direction of travel of the ties on the conveyor from actuator 132.

Limit switch 128 is a double pole switch connected in the circuits to the "up solenoids of valves 83, 83' of the station; limit switch 129 is a single pole switch connected in the circuits to the up solenoids of valves 83, 83' and limit switch 130 is a double pole switch connected in the circuits to the "up" and' down solenoids ofvalves=83,

As shownin Fig. 19, the circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve 83 may be traced from the volt supply line S through wire 134 to the "up solenoid and from the up solenoid through wire 135 to contact 136 of double pole switch 128, from contact 137 of switch 128 through jumper wire 138 to contact 139 of the switch and from contact 139 of the switch through wire 140 to single pole limit switch 129, from switch 129 through wire 141 to contact 142 of double pole limit switch 130, from contact 143 of switch 130 through wire 144 back to supply lineS.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83 may be traced from the supply line S through wire 145 to the "down solenoid and from the down sole- .noid through wire 146 to contact 147 of double pole limit switch 130, from contact 143 of switch 130 through wire 144 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83' may be traced from the supply line S through wire 153 to the "down solenoid and from the "down solenoid through wires 154 and 146 to contact 147 of double pole limit :switch 130, and from contact 148 of switch 130 through wire 149 back to supply line S.

The manner in which the

limit switches

128, 129 and 130 are operated to cause all ties of a predetermined length to be kicked off on one side of the conveyor onto ramp 84, all ties of a length greater than the ties kicked ofi onto ramp 84 to be kicked off onto ramp 84' and permit all ties of a length less than said predetermined length to pass through the loading station to the next succeeding loading station is believed apparent. For example, if it is to be assumed that all ties 17' in length are to be kicked ofi onto ramp 84, all ties 17'6" in length or longer are to be kicked off onto ramp 84' and all ties 16'6" in length or shorter are to be permitted to pass through the loading station to the next succeeding loading station, then limit switch 128 and its actuator 131 would be positioned at such a distance from limit switch 130 and its actuator 133 as to permit a tie 17' in length, as it travels down the conveyor, to move out of engagement With actuator 131 of switch 128 before it engaged actuator 133 of limit switch 130; and limit switch 129 and its actuator 132 would be positioned at such a distance from limit switch 130 and its actuator as to permit all ties less than 17', as they travel down the conveyor, to move out of engagement with actuator 132 of limit switch 129 before they engage actuator 133 of limit switch 130. Thus, as a tie moves along the conveyor into the loading station it would first engage actuator 131 of limit switch 128 and, by depressing the actuator, move the double pole switch 128 from its normally resiliently maintained position in which it closed the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83 and opened the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83' to a position in which the switch opened the circuit to the "up solenoid of valve 83 and closed the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83', next the tie would depress the actuator 132 closing the normally resiliently held open single pole switch 129 in the circuits to the up solenoids of valves 83 and 83, then, if the tie is 17' in length it will move out of engagement with actuator 131 of switch 128 before it engages actuator 133 of switch 130 and switch 128 will be resiliently moved into its normal position, closing the circuit to the up" solenoid of valve 83 and 11 opening t e circuitfto fupisolenoicl of valve 831ai1d thereby causing kick-off device 81 to operate to kick bfi length it will move outof engagement with actuator 132 ,of single pole limit switch 129 before it engages actuator 133 of limit switch 130, thereby permitting switch 129 to return ,to its normally, resiliently-maintained open position, opening the circuits .to the fup solenoidsof valves 83 and 83' so'that the tie may. pass through the, unloading station to the next unloading station; it the tie is over;l7' in length it will, after having depressed actuators 131 and; 132 oftlimittswitches 128 and 129, respectively, move into engagement with actuator 133 of double pole'limit switch130. and, by depressing the actuator, move the double pole switch 130 from its normally resiliently maintained position, .in which it closed the circuitsto the up solenoids of both valves to a position in which it opens the circuits'to the, down solenoids of

valves

83 and 83 and completes the closing of the circuit to the up solenoid ofvalve. 83', thereby. causing kickoif device 81'to operate to kick-off the tie onto the ramp 84'. f', l

Obviously, unloading stations operatedas immediately above described, can be used for any number ofstations where it is preferred to separate the longest lengths first; also, the twojsystems ofseparating longest first or shortest first may be combined to separate certain of the longest length or shortest length in any desired sequence, so long as the separation begins with the longest or shortest lengths and progresses to the next longest or shortest lengths.

The delivery conveyor for delivering the green switch ties, one at a time, ontothe marking conveyor 10, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a laterally spaced parallel pairof inclined track assemblages, indicated generally at 155, 155', forming a ramp leading up to the marking conveyor 10.

The track assemblages 155, 155' are identical in construction and each is shown as comprising a laterally spaced pair of structural beams 156, 156', rigidly secured together by suitable brace members and having their upper and lower ends supported by suitable framework, indicated generally at 157; sprocket wheels 158, 158' positioned between, the

structural beams

155, 155 at their upper and lower end portions, respectively, and fixedly mounted on the end portions of upper and lower horizontal shafts 159, 159' extending between the track assemblages and having their ends journaled in the

beam members

156, 156; a sprocket chain 160 extending over the sprocket wheels 158, 158' and carrying laterally spaced lugs 161 each provided with an upstanding stop member 162 adapted to engage a tie and move it sidewise up the track assemblage; a pair of guide and support members 163, 163',' in the form of angle irons, mounted on the tops of the flanges'of the

beam members

156, 156; respectively, to form a guiding channel for the lugs 161'carried by the upper reach of the sprocket chain and with their upper surfaces providing a flat support surface upon which one end portionof the tie rests as it is pulled up the ramp. The sprocket chains are driven by a motor 164 connected by a sprocket chain 165 to drive the upper sprocket carrying shaft 159. V a I A pair of guiding and supporting

members

166, 166'. are mounted on the upper ends of the track assemblages 155 155', respectively, to furnish support and guiding means for the ties as they tumble off the ramp onto the marking conveyor, and a plurality of upstanding laterally spaced rigid stop members 167 are mounted on the outer beam 17 of the marking conveyor opposite the delivery conveyor to prevent any'ties. from falling oi the marking conveyor as they are delivered thereon from the delivery conveyor. V v a I The delivery conveyor is designed to deliver the green ,tt i h. ies; p e; t a t me, nt the ma gv conveyor so that'ithei ties; as theyrare receivedon the marking conveyor, ,will belongitudinally'spaced from each other.

" The-operation of'the delivery conveyor 16 is automaticallyicontrolledto accomplish this purpose by means of three

limit switches

168, 169 and 170 connected in the electric circuit to thestarter S of the motor 164'which drives the delivery conveyor.

The limit switches 168 and 169, schematically shown in Fig. l5, may be of anysuitable usual type and are mounted on the-marking conveyor below thettop level of the conveyor rollers and with, their respective upstanding operating arms. positioned to be engaged by actuators 171'and 172,-respectively. The

actuators

171, 172 are similar in construction to the actuator. 64 which operates limit switch 61" employed to control the operation of-the marking device, and are mounted on the conveyor in a'generally. similar manner; .Actuator 171 its positioned opposite the delivery conveyor so that it will be engaged and operated by each tie .as it is delivered from the deliveryconveyoronto'the marking conveyor. Actuator :172 is positioned down stream,:with reference to the normal directionoftravel of the tieson the'mark- 'ing conveyor, a predetermined distance from, actuator 171 so-that it willbe engaged by each tie as it moves along the conveyor before the tie moves out of engagement withactuator'171. :T I t .Limit switch 170, whichmay be of any usual suitable double pole type, is mounted on the upper endportion of track, assembly of the delivery conveyor m a position so that the switch actuator 173, which operates the operating arm 174, will be engaged and operated by each tie as it moves up the delivery. conveyor just before the tie is in position to fall from the delivery conveyor onto the marking conveyor.

The electrical circuits which permit the stopping and starting of the motor 1641b the

limit switches

168, 169 and 170, are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 15. As there shown, the motor starter S is controlled by two separate circuits, circuit-one in which limit switches 168, 169 and are connected .in series, and circuit two In which only limit switch 170 is connected;

Limit switches168 and 169Iare' single pole switches normally resiliently heldtin position to close circuit one; however, each switch will be opened whenever its actuator is depressed by a tieresting thereon. I 7

Limit switch 170' is 'a double pole switch normally resiliently maintained in a position to close circuit two and open circuit one, but operable each time its operating arm, is engage'd'by. a tie passing upthedelivery conveyor .to open'circuit twoand close circuit o'ne'until theitiehas passed out of engagement withthe operating arm, when the switch'will be'resiliently operated to resume its normal position closing circuit twoand opening circuit one. Circuit one may be traced from the starter S through wire 175 to coiitactjl76 of double pole limit'switch 170 andfrom contact 177 of switch170 through wire'178 to .singlejpole limit switch 168, from switch 168 through Wire 179 to single pole limit switch 169,:and from switch 169 through 'wire 180 back to starter'S.'": 1 i

Circuit two may be traced from the starter-Sthrough wire'175 to contact 176 of-double pole limit swit'ch170, from contact176 through jumper wire 181- to contact 182 of the switch, and fromeontact'183'of the

switchthrough wires

184 and 180 back vto starter S.- e

with a tie on the marking conveyor. When this happens, the motor is stopped until the tie on the marking conveyor has been moved out of engagement with the

actuators

171, 172; then, as circuit one is completely closed to the starter S, the motor starts up again. The foregoing action insures that no tie will be piled on top of another on the marking conveyor and that the ties thereon will be longitudinally spaced from each other.

From all of the foregoing, it is believed that the operation of the entire system is apparent.

The movements of the marking and trimming conveyors are so controlled by the saw operator as to successively bring each tie deposited on the marking conveyor by the delivery conveyor in position to have its forward end trimmed. When the saw operator swings the saw forwardly to trim the forward end of the tie, the marking device is automatically operated to mark the after end thereof, then the operator controls the movement of the tie to bring it in position to trim its after end at the mark made thereon by the marking device, which is furthermost from the front end of the tie. After the tie has had both ends trimmed, it is passed onto the sorting conveyor and travels therealong until it is automatically kicked off at an unloading station, such action being determined by the length of the tie.

As the tie passes down the sorting conveyor it automatically operates the register showing the total number of ties trimmed and, as it slides down the ramp at the unloading station at which it is kicked off it automatically operates the register showing the number of ties kicked ofi at that particular station.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided novel apparatus for trimming green switch ties to required lengths and then automatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups; apparatus in which each green tie is automatically loaded onto a conveyor and conveyed past a marking device which marks the tie, then past a trimming device Where both ends of the tie are trimmed, with the trimming device automatically controlling the operation of the marking device, and then passed along a sorting conveyor having a series of unloading stations where each tie is ejected from the conveyor automatically, the ejecting operation being controlled by the particular length of the tie, so that all trimmed ties of the same length group are ejected at the same unloading station.

While the apparatus of the invention has been described as employed for trimming green switch ties to required lengths and automatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups, obviously, the apparatus may be employed to trim and assort dry switch ties as well as various other types of lumber.

Obviously, the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiments thereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A system for handling switch ties for trimming the ties to automatically obtain the longest desired length from each tie so that the trimmed ties may be sorted into predeterminated length groups comprising in combination an elongated power driven marking conveyor for conveying the ties to be trimmed endwise thereon and having a receiving station formed on its receiving end to receive, one by one, the ties to be trimmed; marking means mounted adjacent the delivery end of said marking conveyor; an elongated power driven trimming conveyor having its receiving end positioned adjacent to and in longitudinal alignment with the delivery end of said marking conveyor for receiving the ties therefrom; means for trimming the ends of the ties mounted adjacent the receiving end of said trimming conveyor, said means including a saw movable in a path extending transversely of said trimming conveyor and of the tie to be trimmed thereon, said marking means having a plurality of marking devices normally extending in a direction transversely of said marking conveyor and simultaneously movable to and 14 from a position in which they engage and mark a tie, with each of said marking devices being spaced a predetermined distance from the transverse path of said saw; and electrical means actuated and controlled by the operation of said saw for operating said marking devices simultaneously, when the forward end of a tie is being trimmed.

2. A system for handling switch ties for trimming the ties to predetermined required lengths so that the trimmed ties may be sorted into length groups with all ties in each group being of substantially the same length, comprising in combination, an elongated power driven marking conveyor for conveying the ties to be processed endwise thereon; means including a power driven inclined delivery conveyor for successively delivering the ties to be trimmed onto the receiving end of said marking conveyor so that each tie delivered will be longitudinally spaced on the marking conveyor from the preceding tie delivered thereon; an elongated power driven trimming conveyor having its receiving end positioned adjacent and in longitudinal alignment with the delivery end of said marking conveyor for receiving the ties therefrom in endwise position; trimming means mounted adjacent the receiving end of said trimming conveyor for trimming the ends of the ties including a power driven circular saw pivotally mounted for swinging movement along a path extending transversely of said trimming conveyor; power operated marking means mounted adjacent the delivery end of said marking conveyor including an elongated rotatable shaft extending parallel to the marking conveyor and having a plurality of axially spaced laterally extending marking devices mounted thereon with each marking device being positioned a predetermined distance from the transverse path followed by said saw when trimming the end of a tie, said shaft being rotatable from an inoperative position where all the marking devices are held out of engagement with a tie position on said marking conveyor below said marking device to an operative position where the marking devices are brought into engagement with the upper surface of a tie positioned beneath said marking device; and electrical control means for controlling the operation of said marking means including a double pole limit switch positioned to be operated by the swinging movement of said saw whereby the marking means will be actuated to mark the after end of a tie when its forward end is trimmed.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for successively delivering the ties to be trimmed onto the receiving end of said marking conveyor includes a motor having a starter connected thereto for operating said delivery conveyor and control means for controlling the operation of said motor including a pair of normally closed limit switches connected in a first circuit to said starter, a pair of actuators mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on said marking conveyor, each connected to operate one of said limit switches whenever a tie is engaged thereby to open said circuit, a second circuit connected to said starter, a double pole limit switch connected in said first and said second circuits, resilient means normally maintaining said double pole limit switch in position to open said first circuit and close said second circuit, and an actuator connected to said double pole limit switch and positioned to be engaged by each tie as it reaches the top of said delivery conveyor and moved to a position to close said first circuit and open said second circuit, the construction and arrangement being such that when either one or both of said pair of normally closed limit switches are opened by a tie on said marking conveyor engaging their actuators said delivery conveyor will continue to operate until a tie reaches the top thereof and actuates said double pole limit switch to open said second circuit and close said first circuit, thereby stopping the conveyor until said two normally closed limit switches are again closed by the tie which opened them moving out of engagement with their actuators.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said 7 pole limit switch is connected in both circuits to said solenoids; a single pole normally resiliently held open limit switch mounted on said trimming conveyor and connected in series with said double pole limit switch in the circuit to the one of said pair of solenoids which operates when energized to cause the marking device to be moved from its normally inoperative position to its operating position; and an actuator for closing said normally opened single pole limit switch, mounted on said trimming conveyor adjacent said saw in position to be engaged and operated by a tie on said trimming conveyor. V 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said trim ming means includes a support frame mounted adjacent the receiving end of said trimming conveyor; 21 depending carriage having its upper end swingably mounted on said Z16 support'frame and having-a rotatable shaft journaled in its lower end on which'said circular saw is mounted; and

wherein said double pole limit switch is mounted on said support frame'and carries an actuator positioned to be engaged by said swingable carriage when said saw is swung forwardly to trimthe end of a 'tie.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,610,623 Shipley Dec. 14, 1926 1,706,632 Onstad Mar. 26, 1929 1,853,773 McDonough Apr. 12,1932 2,440,994- Wilde May 4, 1948 2,574,974 Johnson Nov. 13,1951 2,616,449 Maha Nov; 4, 1952 2,636,601 Bovay et al Apr. 28,1953 2,729,248 King Jan. 3, 1956 2,778,474 De Koning Janf22, 1957 2,835,385 Eckart May 20,1958 2,876,815

Rogers Mar. 10, 1959