Dual-Edge Irregular Bevel-Cut System And Method
AssigneeMannington Mills, Inc.
InventorAndrew Nicholas Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is provided for creating bevel edges on a plank. In some embodiments, the system comprises two bevel-cutting tools disposed in fixed positions and two guided cylinders disposed to independently move two edges of a plank to within varying degrees of contact with the bevel-cutting tools. Separate controllers can be provided to independently control the time, frequency, and rate of movement of the guided cylinders. Methods are provided for creating the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank. A method for creating irregular bevel edges on a plank is also provided as are a system and method that use a plank production line operation. A plank having irregular beveled edges and the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank is also provided.
Claims22
A beveling system for creating a bevel edge on a plank, comprising:
- a first guide shoe adapted to contact a first face of a plank and guide the plank in a longitudinal direction;
- a plank drive adapted to move the plank in the longitudinal direction;
- a second guide shoe adapted to contact a second face of the plank, which is opposite the first face;
- a biasing device adapted to bias the first guide shoe in a direction toward the second guide shoe;
- a bevel tool disposed in a fixed position and adjacent the first guide shoe such that in operation the bevel tool is adapted to cut a bevel into an edge of the plank;
- a guided cylinder adapted to move the second guide shoe in a linear direction that is normal to the longitudinal direction;
- a pressure source adapted to apply sufficient pressure to cause movement of the guided cylinder in the linear direction;
- a control valve adapted to control the pressure source to actuate movement of the guided cylinder forward and backward in the linear direction;
- and
- a controller adapted to control the control valve and programmed to actuate movement of the guided cylinder from a maximum position along the linear direction to a minimum position along the linear direction and to continuously variable positions between the maximum position and the minimum position.
14-22. (canceled)
A bevel-cutting system for creating a bevel edge on a plank, comprising:
- a first guide shoe adapted to contact a first face of a plank and guide the plank in a longitudinal direction, the first guide shoe comprising a roller bearing adapted to contact the first face;
- a second guide shoe adapted to contact a second face of the plank, which is opposite the first face;
- a biasing device adapted to bias the second guide shoe in a direction toward the first guide shoe;
- a bevel tool disposed in a fixed position and adjacent the first guide shoe such that in operation the bevel tool is adapted to cut a bevel into an edge of the plank;
- and
- a dampened guided cylinder adapted to move the first guide shoe in a linear direction that is normal to the longitudinal direction;
30-52. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.