US3052272A

US3052272A - Veneer lathe

Info

Publication number: US3052272A
Application number: US854743A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis M Yock
Original assignee: Coe Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Coe Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1959-11-23
Filing date: 1959-11-23
Publication date: 1962-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1979-09-04

Description

L- M. YOCK VENEER LATHE Sept. 4, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1959 INVENTOR. Lew/s M. YOCK L. M. YOCK VENEER LATHE Sept. 4, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE TOR.

v I Afro NEYS WV NW Filed NOV. 23, 1959 I m m Sept. 4, 1962 M. YOCK 3,052,272

VENEER LATHE Filed Nov. 23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet z m I g 3) 2i E 3; X E

Lil INVENTOR.

gi; ZEW/S M. 700K Sept. 4, 1962 Filed NOV. 23, 1959 L. M. YOCK VENEER LATHE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TT'OPNEYS United States Patent 3,652,272 VENEER LATHE Lewis M. Yuck, Portland, Oreg, assignor to The Coe Manufacturing Company, Painesville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 854,743 4 Claims. ((31. 144-209) The present invention relates to veneer lathes and more particularly to a veneer lathe comprising hydraulically advanced and retracted concentric pairs of spindles for holding the log to be cut.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved veneer lathe having concentric spindles provided with chucks of different diameter for holding the log to be cut in combination and simple, reliable fluid pressure actuated means for moving the spindles to engage and disengage the chucks carried thereby selectively with the log and to maintain the selected chucks in engagement with the log during the cutting operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved veneer lathe having concentric chucks adapted to hold a log to be cut which chucks are carried on adjoining ends of aligned concentric spindles rotatably supported in the lathe frame in combination with simple and reliable means including electric push button controlled pressure fluid actuated motor means of the reciprocable type for reciprocating the spindles and selectively moving the respective pairs of chucks into and out of engagement with the log and for holding the chucks in engagement with the log during the cutting operation.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a veneer lathe embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view with portions in elevation taken approximately on the vertical central plane through the left-hand spindle as the lathe is viewed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view with portions in elevation taken approximately on the vertical center plane through the left hand end of the small spindle and parts adjacent thereto;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system of the lathe, and

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical control circuits for the lathe.

The invention is herein illustrated and described a embodying in a more or less conventional lathe and only those parts of the machine which are necessary to a complete understanding of the invention are shown and described. The parts of the lathe not shown and described per se form no part of the present invention and are well known in the art.

The veneer lathe shown in the drawings comprises a frame designated generally by the reference character A, and including a rectangular base 10 having upstanding members 11 and 12 adjacent to opposite ends thereof. The frame A shown is of built-up construction and the upper parts of the end members 11 and 12 are separately formed and bolted to the lower parts to facili- 3,5Z,Z7Z Patented Sept. 4, 1952 tate manufacture and assembly of the lathe. A conventional knife, knife bar and pressure bar assembly, designated generally as 15, and located intermediate the end members 11, 12 is movably and adjustably supported therebetween in the usual manner.

The log to be cut is adapted to be supported between two pairs of

chucks

20, 20 and 22, 22 detachably fixed to adjacent ends of axially aligned concentric pairs of

spindles

24, 24' and 26, 26', respectively. The outer and larger spindles 24, 24' are tubular and the inner and

smaller spindles

26, 26 are slidably supported therein. The chucks 243, 20, which are carried by the

tubular spindles

24, 24 are larger than the

chucks

22, 22 carried by the

inner spindles

26, 26 and are so constructed that the smaller chucks 22, 22' may be retracted into, that is, drawn flush with the larger chucks 2t), 20. The construction is such that either or both pairs of chucks may be employed to hold a log to be cut. The spindle and in turn the chucks carried thereby are adapted to be selectably moved lengthwise to engage and disengage the ends of the log.

The spindles 24, 26' at the right-hand end of the lathe, as viewed in FIG. 1, are similar in construction to the

spindles

24, 26 at the left -hand end of the lathe and are supported, reciprocated and driven in a similar manner. Because of this only the left-hand end of the lathe, which is the end shown in FIG. 2, will be described in detail, with the understanding that the opposite end of the lathe is similar thereto in construction and operation. The corresponding parts at the right hand end of the lathe are designated by the same reference characters with a prime mark aflixed thereto.

The outer spindle 24 at the left-hand end of the lathe is slidably supported intermediate its ends in bearing members 30, 31 fixedly secured to opposite ends of a spindle sleeve or quill 32 rotatably supported in the end member 11 of the frame A by anti-friction bearings 33, 34. The spindle 26 is slidably keyed to the spindle 24 by relatively short members or keys 35, 36 located 180 apart within the spindle 24 and fixedly secured thereto as by

screws

37, 38, respectively. The radially inner faces of the members 35, 36 are plane and engage elongated flat surfaces 4t 41 on the inner spindle 26. The outer spindle 24 is keyed to the member or quill 32 by a key 42 located in a slot or aperture in the spindle quill 32 and projecting into an elongated slot or keyway 43 in the spindle 24. The radially outer end of the key 42 projects through or beyond the spindle sleeve or quill 32 and into a keyway 44 in a driven wheel 45 by which the spindle sleeve or quill 32 and in turn the

spindles

24, 26 are rotated upon rotation of the wheel 45. The driven wheel 45 is fixedly secured to the spindle sleeve or quill 32 by being bolted or otherwise secured to a radial flange 46 on the spindle sleeve.

The left-hand end of the spindle 24 has a portion of reduced diameter upon which a disk or ring 51 is secured by a nut 52 to provide an external flange through which the spindle may be reciprocated by a cylinder assembly B comprising a cylinder head or cap member 53 comprising a central boss-like portion 54 into which the lefthand end of the spindle 24 projects. The boss portion 54 of the cylinder head member 53 houses an anti-friction type thrust bearing comprising rollers 55 and left and righthand races 5s, 57, located to the left or rear side of the disk 51 and interposed therebetween and a plurality of adjustable cap screws 58 in the bottom of the aperture formed by the boss 54. The opposite or righthand face of the ring or flange 51 is engaged by a ring 59 bolted to the right-hand end of the boss member 54. The ring 59 holds the thrust bearing assembled with the cylinder head member 53. The construction is such that the ring 51 is free to rotate within the cylinder head mem- 3 her 53. The screws 58 provide means for adjusting the bearing clearance, etc.

In addition to the right-hand head 53 the cylinder assembly comprises a left-hand head assembly 61) spaced from the head 53 by a sleeve-like cylinder member 61 and connected to the head 53 by a plurality of rods 62 the right-hand ends of which are threaded into tapped apertures opening into the left-hand side of the head 53. The left-hand ends of the rods 62 project through openings in the head 60 and are provided with nuts which hold the parts together.

The left-hand end of the inside spindle 26 is connected by a thrust bearing assembly designated generally as C to the right-hand end of the piston rod 63 projecting through the cylinder head member 53 and connected at its left-hand end to a piston head designated generally by the reference character D. The opening 64 in the cylinder head 53 through which the piston rod 63 projects is provided with a suitable packing 65. The thrust bearing assembly C comprises a member 66 fixed to the reduced right-hand end of the piston rod 63 by a nut member 67 threaded onto the end of the piston rod. The member 66 provides a flange on the piston rod be tween which and the left-hand end of the spindle 26 the thrust bearing proper, comprising rollers 68

intermediate races

69, 70, is positioned. A cup-shaped member 71 threaded onto the spindle maintains the parts assembled.

The piston head D operates or slides in the right-hand end of the cylinder assembly B. The construction of the piston head assembly and its connection with the piston rod 63, per se, form no part of the present invention, suffice it to say that the piston head D comprises a suitable packing ring for preventing the flow of fluid thereabout from one end of the cylinder assembly B to the other.

The cylinder assembly B, in addition to being connected to the spindle 24 by means which permits rotation of the spindle relative to the cylinder assembly, is slidably supported on a plurality of rods 74 parallel with the axis of the spindle and having their right-hand ends threaded into suitably tapped apertures in a boss on the left-hand side of the left-hand frame member 11. The rods 74 project to the left from the frame member 11 through suitably bushed apertures in projections on the head members 53, 60, respectively. The left-hand projecting ends of the rods 74 carry a cross member or yoke 75 fixedly bolted thereto. A second piston E, operable in the lefthand position of the cylinder assembly B, is fixedly se cured to the right-hand end of a rod 76 projecting through the cylinder head 60 of the cylinder assembly B. The projecting rear or left-hand end of the piston rod 76 is fixed to the yoke member 75. Movement of the pistons D, E towards the center of the cylinder 61 is limited by a ring 77 fixed to the inside of the cylinder 61 midway between its ends.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the piston E is fixed with respect to the frame of the lathe, that the cylinder assembly B and the spindle 24 rotatably connected thereto can be reciprocated lengthwise with respect to the axis of rotation of the spindle between limits defined by the abutment of the cylinder head 60 with the fixed piston E and the abutment of the ring member 77 within the cylinder 61 with the other side of the fixed piston E. The spindle 26 and the piston assembly including the piston head D and the piston rod 63 to which piston rod the spindle is rotatably connected by the thrust bearing C can be reciprocated lengthwise of the axis of rotation of the spindle between the limits defined by the engagement of the piston D with the cylinder head 53 and with the fixed ring 77.

Pressure fluid, preferably oil, for operating the spindles is supplied from an electric motor driven pump 80 of commercial construction but which is preferably of the constant pressure, variable column type. The reference character 81 designates the electric motor which drives the pump 80. The inlet or suction side of the pump is connected by a conduit 82 to an oil reservoir or sump 83 and the discharge or pressure side of the pump is connected by a conduit 84 to four double solenoid operated three-position spring centered four-

way valves

90, 91, 92, 93 and two single solenoid operated two-position fourway

spring return valves

94, 95. The

valves

94, 95 have one of their ports blocked as shown in FIG. 4. The valves 95 control the flow of pressure fluid to and from the cylinder assembly B, B for operating the

spindles

24, 26, 24, 26'. The valves referred to are connected to the sump 33 by a conduit and to the cylinder assembly B, B in a manner hereinafter described.

When it is desired to chuck a log in the lathe the chuck and spindles at one end of the log, normally those adjacent to the operators station, are in or are moved to their retracted position, that is the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The spindles at the other end may be in some predetermined extended position as is well understood with those familiar with the operation of lathes of the character here described. With the

spindles

24, 26 and the cylinder assembly B, which it will be assumed are at the operators end of the log, in the normal position shown in FIG. 4, and a log in position to be chucked, the

spindles

24, 26 and in turn the chucks carried thereby, are caused to move towards the log by the operator depressing an all left-hand spindle extended push button switch to close its normally

open contacts

101, 102. The closing of the normally open contacts 101, 1112 establishes a circuit from the line through the now closed contacts 101, 1112, wire 166 and operating solenoid 1117 of valve 90 to line 110. Energization of the operating solenoid 167 shifts the valve 90 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, connecting the pressure supply conduit 84 to the conduit 114 leading to the center of the cylinder assembly B and the conduit 116 connected to the outside end of the cylinder assembly to the sump conduit 96. This causes the cylinder assembly B and the piston D, and in turn the

spindles

24, 26 and the chucks 2t 22 carried by the spindles to move towards the log to be cut.

The piston -D retains its original or normal position relative to the cylinder assembly B because the fluid between the piston D and the inner cylinder head 53 is trapped therein since the conduit 115 connecting the inner ends of the cylinder asesmbly B with the valve 91 is closed at the valve 91. The

conduits

114, 115 referred to and the conduit 116 connected to the outer end of the cylinder assembly B comprise flexible sections 122 to 124 respectively, at the cylinder assembly B which permit the shifting of the latter relative to the frame of the lathe, etc.

The operator maintains the all left-hand spindles extended push button switch 100 depressed until the log has been properly engagged between both pairs of chucks. Thereafter the spindles are rotated and the cutting operation commenced.

The cutting operation is continued until the diameter of the log closely approaches that of the

larger chucks

20, 20 whereupon the operator depresess both retract left-hand large spindle push button switch and retract right-hand large spindle push button switch 130' to close their normally

open contacts

131, 132 and 131', 132', which establishes circuits from the line 105 through the now closed

contacts

131, 132 and 131', 132 of push button switches 130, 130, wires 133, 133' and

operating solenoids

134, 134 of valves 91, 93, respectively to line 110. Energization of the solenoids, 134, 134 of valves 91, 93 shifts the valves in an inwardly direction, that is, towards the log, connecting the exhaust conduit 95 to the

conduits

115, 115 leading to the inner ends of the cylinder assemblies B, B and the pressure conduit 84 to

conduits

136, 136 leading to the

valves

94, 95, respectively. In their deenergized normal condition the

valves

94, 95 conmeet the

conduits

136, 136 with the conduits 116, 116' leading to the outer ends of the cylinder assemblies B, B. This causes pressure fluid to be applied to the outer ends of the cylinder assemblies B, B, that is, between the stationary piston E, B an dthe outer cylinder heads 60, 60 with the result that the cylinder assemblies B, B are returned to their normal positions relative to the stationary or fixed pistons 'E, E retracting the spindles 24, 24' and the chucks 20, carried thereby from the log being cut. The operator maintains the push button switches 130, 130 depressed until the chucks 20, 219 have been retracted the desired distance.

During the retraction of the cylinder assemblies B, B the fluid in the inner ends of the cylinder assemblies exhausts through the

conduits

115, 115 and the fluid between the two piston heads D, E and D, E is trapped therein and causes the piston heads D, D and in turn the small spindles 26, 26' to retain their previous position with respect to the pistons E, E, that is, their extended positions with their

chucks

22, 22 in engagement with the log.

The lathe continues to operate with the log being held by the small chucks 22., 22'. When the knife approaches closely to these chucks the operator stops the rotation of the spindles and depresses the retract left-hand small spindle push button switch 140 to close its normally open contacts 141,142 and 143, 144. The closing of the normally open contacts 141, 142 of push button switch 1411 establishes a circuit from the line 105 through the now closed contacts 141, 142 of push button switch 14 wire 145 and operating solenoid 146 of valve 91 to line 116. The energization of the solenoid 146 of valve 91 shifts the valve in an outwardly direction, that is, in the direction away from the log, as viewed in FIG. 4, connecting the pressure supply conduit 84 to the conduit 115 leading to the inner end of the cylinder assembly B and the sump conduit 96 to the conduit 136 leading to the valve 94. The closing of

contacts

143, 144 of switch 1411 establishes a circuit from the line 195 through the now closed

contacts

143, 144 of switch 141), wire 151D and operating solenoid 151 of valve 94 to line 110. Energization of the operating solenoid 151 of the valve 94 shifts the valve in an outwardly direction connecting the con duit 136 already connected to the sump conduit through the valve 91 to the conduit 114 connected to the centers of the cylinder assembly B. This causes the piston D to be moved to its center position adjacent to the stop 77, while the cylinder assembly B remains stationary, to retract the small spindle 26 and the chuck 22 carried thereby to release the core in the lathe. The small spindle 26 and the small chuck 21 carried thereby may be retracted if desired by depressing the retrack righthand small spindle push button switch 141). The circuits established and the operation performed are similar to those described with respect to the small spindle 26 when the push button switch 149 is depressed and will not be described.

The small spindle 26 may be extended without extending the large spindle 24 to the same position to which it was extended with the large spindle as explained above, by the operator depressing an extend left-hand small spindle push button switch 155 having a pair of

contacts

156, 157, in parallel ClI'Olllt with the normally open contacts 131, 13-2 of retract left-hand large spindles push switch 130 and a pair of

contacts

160, 161 in parallel circuit with the normally

open contacts

143, 144 of retract left-hand small spindle push button switch 140. When this switch 155 is depressed the operating solenoid 134 of the valve 91 and the operating solenoid 151 of the valve 94 are energized causing the valves to shift to the position wherein the pressure supply conduit 84 is connected by the valve 91 to the conduit 136 which conduit is in turn connected to the conduit 114 leading to the center of the cylinder assembly B by the valve 94-. The conduit 115 connected to the inner end of the cylinder assembly B is simultaneously connected with the sump conduit 96 by the valve 91. This causes the piston D to move inwardly of the lathe while the cylinder assem- 'bly B is held stationary by the fluid trapped between the stationary piston E and the outer cylinder head 60 of the cylinder assembly. The conduit 116 is blocked at the

valves

90, 94. The right-hand small spindle 26 may be extended in a similar manner by the operator depressing the extend right-hand small spindle push button switch 155'. Both right-hand spindles may be simultaneously extended by the operator depressing the extend all righthand spindles push button switch If, at any time, while the spindles 24-, 26 are in their extended or partially extended position the operator wishes to retract both spindles simultaneously he pushes it retract all left-hand spindles push button switch 165 having a pair of normally

open contacts

166, 167 in series circuit between the lines 105, with a wire 168 and the operating solenoid 170 of valve 90, a pair of normally

open contacts

171, 172 in parallel circuit between the line 105 and the wire with the normally open contacts 141, 142 of switch 140; and a pair of normally open contacts 173, 174 in parallel circuit between the line 105 and the wire with the normally

open contacts

143, 144 of push button switch 141). The depressing of push button switch energizes the operating

solenoids

170, 134, 151 of

valves

90, 91, 94 to shift the valve 90 towards the center of the lathe and the valves 91, 94 towards the outside Of the lathe, that is in the direction away from the center thereof. This connects the outer end of the cylinder assembly B to the pressure supply conduit 84 through the conduit 116 and the valve 90 while connecting the inner end of the cylinder assembly B to the pressure supply conduit 84- through the conduit 115 and the valve 91. Simultaneously the center of the cylinder assembly is connected through the conduits 114-, 136 and the valves 90, 91 to the sump conduit 16. With the circuitry just described the application of pressure fluid to the ends of the cylinder assembly B shifts both the cylinder assembly B and the movable piston D away from the center of the lathe as far as permitted by the fixed piston D. Both

righthand spindles

24, 26 may be simultaneously retracted 'in a similar manner by the operator depressing the retract all right-hand spindles push button switch 165'.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that certain operations depend upon one or more of the fluid chambers in the cylinder assembly B being full of hydraulic fluid such as the extension of both spindles at either side of the lathe simultaneously. This operation depends upon fluid 'being trapped between the movable and stationary piston heads D, B, respectively, referring to the lefthand end of the lathe. The system can be primed at any time this may be desirable by the operator depressing the switches 165, 165'.

If desired, the small spindles 26, 26' may be extended approximately half the length of the cylinder assemblies B, B beyond the maximum extension of the

large cylinders

24, 24 by the operator depressing maximum extension left-hand small spindle and maximum extension right-hand small spindle push button switches 175, 175. The switch 175 has a pair of normally

open contacts

176, 177 in parallel circuit between the line 105 and the wire 106 with the normally

open contacts

101, 102 of push button switch 100 and a pair of normally

open contacts

180, 181 in parallel circuit between the line 1115 and the wire 133 with the normally

open contacts

131, 132 of switch 131). The depressing of push button switch 175 energizes the operating

solenoids

107, 134 of valves 90, 11 to shift the valve 91) towards the outside of the lathe, that is in the direction away from the center thereof and the valve 91 in the opposite direction. This connects the center of the cylinder assembly B to the pressure supply conduit 84 through the conduit 114- and the valve 90 while connecting the ends of the cylinder assembly B to the sump conduit 96 through the valves 90, 91. With the circuitry just described the application of pressure fluid to the center of the cylinder assembly B shifts both the cylinder assembly 13 and the movable piston D towards the center of the lathe as far as permitted by the fixed piston E.

The

reference characters

190, 190 designate extend left-hand large spindle and extend right-hand large spindle push button

switches having contacts

191, 192 and 191, 192' in parallel circuit with the contacts of switches 140, 140' and which can be used to extend the large spindles, if desired, While the small spindles are extended. In the embodiment shown the movement which takes place upon the depressing of any push button switch will stop if the switch is released before the movement is completed.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of applicants invention it will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that applicant has provided a new and improved veneer lathe which is extremely simple in construction and flexible in operation. While the present embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and it is the intention to cover hereby all adaptations, modifications and uses thereof which come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having described my invention, I claim:

'1. In a veneer lathe, a frame, a plurality of concentric spindles supported in said frame, means for rotating said spindles, fluid actuated means for reciprocating said spindles lengthwise of their axis of rotation, said fluid actuated means comprising a cylinder member closed at both ends and a plurality of piston members within said cylinder member, said members being movable relative to one another lengthwise of said axis of said spindles, means connecting a first one of said members to said frame against linear movement relative thereto, means connecting a second one of said members to one of said spindles whereby movement of said second one of said members relative to said first one of said members moves said spindle connected thereto lengthwise of its axis, means connecting a third one of said members to another of said spindles whereby movement of said third one of said members relative to said first one of said members moves said spindle connected thereto lengthwise of its axis, and means for selectively connecting opposite ends of said cylinder member and the space therein between said pistons to a source of liquid under pressure and to discharge means.

2. In a veneer lathe, a frame, a plurality of concentric spindles supported in said frame, means for rotating said spindles, a fluid actuated mechanism comprising a cylinder assembly, means supporting said cylinder assembly for movement lengthwise of its longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of said spindles, means for connecting said cylinder assembly to one of said spindles whereby movement of said cylinder assembly lengthwise of its longitudinal axis moves said spindle lengthwise of its axis, a first piston within said cylinder assembly, means connecting said first piston to said frame against linear movement relative thereto, a second piston within said cylinder assembly, means connecting said second piston to another of said spindles whereby movement of said second piston lengthwise of the longitudinal axis of said cylinder assembly moves said spindle lengthwise of its axis, and means for selectively connecting opposite ends of said cylinder as sembly and the space therein between said pistons to a source of liquid under pressure and to discharge means.

3. In a veneer lathe, a frame, a plurality of concentric spindles supported in said frame, means for rotating said spindles, a fluid actuated mechanism comprising a cylinder assembly in axial alignment with said spindles, means supporting said cylinder assembly for movement lengthwise of its longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of said spindles, means for connecting said cylinder assembly to one of said spindles whereby movement of said cylinder assembly lengthwise of its longitudinal axis moves said spindle lengthwise of its axis, a first piston within said cylinder assembly, means connecting said first piston to said frame against linear movement relative thereto, a second piston within said cylinder assembly, means connecting said second piston to another of said spindles whereby movement of said second piston lengthwise of the longitudinal axis of said cylinder assembly moves said spindle lengthwise of its axis, and means for selectively connecting opposite ends of said cylinder assembly and the space therein between said pistons to a source of liquid under pressure and to discharge means.

4. A veneer lathe according to claim 1 in which the means for selectively connecting the cylinder assembly to a source of liquid under pressure and to discharge means comprises electrically controlled valves and switch means for controlling the actuation of the valves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS