Method and apparatus for stacking lumber

An assembly for handling objects, the assembly comprising:

• a first conveyor defining a first path of travel for the objects, wherein the first conveyor conveys the objects along the first path of travel;
• a second conveyor defining a second path of travel for at least some of the objects, wherein the second path of travel is different than the first path of travel, and wherein the second conveyor conveys the at least some of the objects along the second path of travel;
• a diverter to divert the at least some of the objects from the first conveyor moving along the first path of travel to the second conveyor to move the at least some of the objects along the second path of travel;
• an accumulator in operative communication with the second conveyor, wherein the accumulator accumulates objects that were diverted until a selected amount of objects are accumulated, wherein the accumulator comprises:
• a first member on a first side of the second conveyor, wherein the first member pivots about a first pivot axis that is parallel to the second conveyor;
• a second member on a second side of the second conveyor, wherein the second member pivots about a second pivot axis that is parallel to the second conveyor;
• and
• wherein the first and second members pivot between a widened first position and a clamped second position, wherein when the selected amount of objects are squared relative to the each other when clamped by the first and second members having been moved from the widened first position to the clamped second position;
• a lift assembly to lift the selected amount of objects that were accumulated in the accumulator, wherein the lift assembly moves between a first position and a second position, and wherein when the lift assembly is in the first position, the lift assembly lifts the selected amount of objects and retains the selected amount of objects while the lift assembly moves toward the second position;
• and
• a queuing assembly defining a queueing area, wherein the lift assembly moves to the second position to place the selected amount of objects on the queueing assembly in the queuing area, wherein the selected amount of objects that are placed onto the queueing assembly in the queuing area define a first layer of a stack of objects, wherein the lift assembly returns to the first position to lift another amount of selected objects and repeats the placement of selected objects in the queuing area to construct multiple layers of objects in the stack of objects.

An assembly for handling objects, the assembly comprising:

• a first conveyor defining a first path of travel for the objects, wherein the first conveyor conveys the objects along the first path of travel;
• a second conveyor defining a second path of travel for at least some of the objects, wherein the second path of travel is different than the first path of travel, and wherein the second conveyor conveys the at least some of the objects along the second path of travel;
• a diverter to divert the at least some of the objects from the first conveyor moving along the first path of travel to the second conveyor to move the at least some of the objects along the second path of travel;
• an accumulator in operative communication with the second conveyor, wherein the accumulator accumulates objects that were diverted until a selected amount of objects are accumulated;
• a lift assembly to lift the selected amount of objects that were accumulated in the accumulator, wherein the lift assembly moves between a first position and a second position, and wherein when the lift assembly is in the first position, the lift assembly lifts the selected amount of objects and retains the selected amount of objects while the lift assembly moves toward the second position, wherein the lift assembly further comprises a vacuum head assembly on the lift assembly that is configured to suction lift the selected amount of objects from the accumulator and a first suction plate having a lower surface defining a plurality of holes that are in communication with a vacuum source that generates a suction force to be imparted through the plurality of holes to lift the selected amount of objects from the accumulator, wherein the lower surface of the first suction plate engages a surface of at least one of the selected objects retained between first and second L-shaped members of the accumulator in a raised position, wherein the first suction plate retains the selected objects when the first and second L-shaped pivotally return to a widened position and are moved to a lowered position;
• and
• a queuing assembly defining a queueing area, wherein the lift assembly moves to the second position to place the selected amount of objects on the queueing assembly in the queuing area, wherein the selected amount of objects that are placed onto the queueing assembly in the queuing area define a first layer of a stack of objects, wherein the lift assembly returns to the first position to lift another amount of selected objects and repeats the placement of selected objects in the queuing area to construct multiple layers of objects in the stack of objects.

A method for handling objects, the method comprising:

• determining that an object moving along a first path of travel has a desired dimension;
• diverting, with a diverter, the object from the first path of travel to a second path of travel;
• accumulating, with an accumulator, a plurality of objects having the desired dimension, wherein accumulating the plurality of objects is accomplished by:
• retaining the plurality of objects atop a conveyor via a retention bar;
• contacting respective ends of the plurality of objects with first and second L-shaped members on the accumulator;
• squaring the plurality of objects with the first and second L-shaped members;
• and
• raising the plurality of objects from a lowered position to a raised position with the first and second L-shaped members;
• and then;
• transferring the plurality of objects from the accumulator to a queuing assembly;
• repeating accumulation of objects having the desired dimension and transfer of objects from the accumulator to the queuing assembly;
• creating a stack of objects with multiple layers of the plurality of objects;
• and
• moving the stack of objects from the queuing assembly to another location.