Log forming machine
OwnerRichard Nevilleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device that forms smooth cylindrical surfaces along a log being moved longitudinally past a cutting station. The device includes a feed conveyor that moves successive logs longitudinally past a cutting station. A planetary cutting head drive is situated at the cutting station. The drive rotates a cutting head about a first planetary axis spaced from the log axis. It also revolves the cutting head about a stationary second axis that is coaxial with the log axis. A smooth cylindrical cut is thus made about the periphery of the log as it is moved longitudinally parallel to its axis.
Claims11
A log shaping apparatus for natural logs having a center longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a rigid supporting framework;
- a cutting head having peripheral knife edges centered about a first axis, adapted to form a cylindrical surface configuration about a log engaged thereby;
- spool means rotatably mounted about a stationary longitudinal second axis on said framework;
- mounting means supporting said cutting head on said spool means for rotation of said cutting head relative to the spool means about said first axis;
- adjustment means operably connected between the spool means and said mounting means for placing said first axis at a fixed selected distance from said second axis to cut the log at a desired constant diameter;
- means on said framework operably connected to said spool means for rotating said spool means about said second axis;
- means on said spool means operably connected to said cutting head for rotating said cutting head relative to said spool means about said first axis in response to rotation of said spool means about said second axis;
- and
- guide means extending longitudinally on said framework on opposite sides of said spool means for moving individual logs along a longitudinal path past the rotating cutting head with the center axis of the log maintained coaxial to said second axis.
A log shaping apparatus for natural logs having a center longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a rigid supporting framework;
- a cutting head having peripheral knives with outer knife edges adapted to form a cylindrical surface configuration about a log engaged thereby;
- planetary means on said framework for rotating the cutting head about a planetary first axis at the center of said knives and for simultaneously revolving the first axis in a circular path about a stationary second axis;
- said planetary means comprising:
- a transverse annular spool, said spool having a center opening adapted to receive a log as the log moves longitudinally relative to the spool with the log axis and said second axis being coaxial;
- mounting means supporting the cutting head to said spool for rotation of the cutting head relative to the spool about said first axis;
- adjustment means operably connected between the spool and said mounting means for placing said first axis at a fixed selected distance from said second axis to cut the log at a desired constant diameter;
- bearing means mounting the spool to the framework for rotation of the spool about the second axis;
- spool drive means on said framework and operably connected to said spool for rotating the spool about the second axis;
- and
- means on said spool operably connected between the framework and said cutting head for rotating the cutting head relative to the spool about the first planetary axis in response to rotation of the spool about the second axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.