Lumber unscrambler and method of using the unscrambler

A method of unscrambling lumber comprising:

• providing an adjustable pitch lumber unscrambler comprising:
• a first plurality of first chain pairs, each of the first chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a first plurality of first bar lugs mounted between the first chain pairs, a distance between the first bar lugs is a first fixed pitch, and the first bar lugs on different first chain pairs line up to each other;
• a second plurality of second chain pairs, each of the second chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a second plurality of second bar lugs mounted between the second chain pairs, a distance between the second bar lugs is a second fixed pitch, and the second bar lugs on different second chain pairs line up with each other;
• the first chain pairs and the second chain pairs being inter dispersed;
• at least one motor connected to a plurality of first sprockets driving the plurality of first chain pairs and connected to a plurality of second sprockets driving the plurality of second chain pairs so that the plurality of first sprockets can be driven independently of the plurality of second sprockets;
• a programmable controller configured to control the at least one motor to provide an adjustable pitch between the first bar lugs and the second bar lugs;
• a first lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the first bar lugs during use;
• and
• a second lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the second bar lugs during use;
• adjusting the adjustable pitch by moving the plurality of first chain pairs in relation to the second chain pairs to form slots between adjacent first and second bar lugs, the slot being sized to receive only one piece of lumber;
• feeding the lumber to a bottom of the unscrambler;
• and
• moving the plurality of first chain pairs and plurality of second bar lug chains in unison by the at least one motor so that a single piece of lumber falls in each slot and the lumber is carried up to a top of the unscrambler by the moving first chain pairs and plurality of second bar lug chains.

An adjustable pitch lumber unscrambler comprising:

• a first plurality of first chain pairs, each of the first chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a first plurality of first lugs mounted on the first chain pairs, a distance between the first lugs is a first fixed pitch, and the first lugs on different first chain pairs line up to each other;
• a second plurality of second chain pairs, each of the second chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a second plurality of second lugs mounted on the second chain pairs, a distance between the second lugs is a second fixed pitch, and the second lugs on different second chain pairs line up with each other;
• the first chain pairs and the second chain pairs being inter dispersed;
• at least one motor connected to a plurality of first sprockets driving the plurality of first chain pairs and connected to a plurality of second sprockets driving the plurality of second chain pairs so that the plurality of first sprockets can be driven independently of the plurality of second sprockets;
• a programmable controller configured to control the at least one motor to provide an adjustable pitch between the first lugs and the second lugs;
• a first lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the first lugs during use;
• and
• a second lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the second lugs during use.

A method of unscrambling lumber comprising:

• providing an adjustable pitch lumber unscrambler comprising:
• a first plurality of first lug chain pairs, each of the first lug chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a first plurality of first lugs mounted on the chain pairs, a distance between the first lugs is a first fixed pitch, and the first lugs on different first lug chain pairs line up to each other;
• a second plurality of second lug chain pairs, each of the second lug chain pairs comprising a pair of parallel, continuous chains, a second plurality of second lugs mounted on the chain pairs, a distance between the second lugs is a second fixed pitch, and the second lugs on different second lug chain pairs line up with each other;
• the first lug chain pairs and the second lug chain pairs being inter dispersed;
• at least one motor connected to a plurality of first sprockets driving the plurality of first chain pairs and connected to a plurality of second sprockets driving the plurality of second chain pairs so that the plurality of first sprockets can be driven independently of the plurality of second sprockets;
• a programmable controller configured to control the at least one motor to provide an adjustable pitch between the first lugs and the second lugs;
• a first lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the first lugs during use;
• and
• a second lug location device in communication with the programmable controller configured to determine the location of the second lugs during use;
• adjusting the adjustable pitch by moving the plurality of first lug chain pairs in relation to the second lug chain pairs to form slots between adjacent first and second lugs, the slot being sized to receive only one piece of lumber;
• feeding the lumber to a bottom of the unscrambler;
• and
• moving the plurality of first lug chain pairs and plurality of second lug chains in unison by the at least one motor so that a single piece of lumber falls in each slot and the lumber is carried up to a top of the unscrambler by the moving first lug chain pairs and plurality of second lug chains.