US 4,360,303 AGranted

Method and apparatus for locating spacer strips between layers of timber packages

OwnerAlpo Rystiinventor

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Abstract

Spacer strips are positioned between vertically adjacent layers of timber in timber packages by locating a plurality of spacer strips which are supported by distribution members over the topmost layer of a timber package whereupon a plurality of depressors which are operatively associated with a frame structure are moved downwardly from an upper position so that respective depressors engage respective spacer strips supported by the distribution members so as to conduct and guide the strips downwardly into position upon the topmost layer of the timber package while the distribution members which support the strips are at the same time withdrawn from their supporting positions. According to the invention, the depressors are arranged in a manner such that as the depressors move downwardly subsequent to engaging respective spacer strips, the frame structure with which the depressors are associated remains substantially stationary and, additionally, the downward motion of the depressors comprises a free fall preferably accomplished by providing a sliding fit of the depressors in the frame structure.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In a method whereby spacer strips are positioned between vertically adjacent layers of timer in timber packages including the steps of locating a plurality of spacer strips which are supported by distribution members over the topmost layer of a timber package, moving a plurality of depressor means operatively associated with a frame structure downwardly from an upper position so that respective depressor means engage respective spacer strips supported by said distributor members and conduct and guide the strips downwardly into position upon the topmost layer of the timber package while the distributor members which support the strips are at the same time withdrawn from their supporting positions, and then raising the depressor means back to the upper position whereupon the above steps are repeated, the improvement comprising:

arranging the depressor means in a manner such that as the depressor means move downwardly subsequent to engaging respective spacer strips, the frame structure with which the depressor means are associated remains substantially stationary and the downward motion of the depressor means comprises a free fall;
and
wherein during the downward movement of the depressor means, the spacer strips being conducted and guided thereby fall freely and are continuously and at all times guided at both the top and both sides thereof by the depressor means from the time the depressor means engage the spacer strips supported by said distributor members until the time the spacer strips engage the topmost layer of the timber package, whereby the spacer strips are accurately positioned upon the topmost timber package layer with any lateral movement of the spacer strips during downward movement or upon engagement with the topmost timber package layer due to bouncing being thereby eliminated.

In apparatus for positioning spacer strips between vertically adjacent layers of timber in timber packages including distribution conveyor means including a plurality of supporting hooks spaced from each other by a predetermined distance determined by the desired spacing between adjacent spacer strips for locating a plurality of spacer strips supported by said supporting hooks over the topmost layer of the timber package, a plurality of depressor means provided in a vertically movable frame structure at locations corresponding to the desired spacing of the spacer strips for conducting and guiding the spacer strips onto the topmost layer of the timber package, the improvement comprising:

said depressor means being operatively engaged with said frame structure so that said depressor means move downwardly to conduct and guide the spacer strips onto the topmost layer of the timber package, said downward motion of the depressor means comprising a free fall;
and
wherein the depressor means include depressors, each of which has top and side walls forming a slot adapted to receive a respective spacer strip in a manner such that during the downward movement of the depressor means, the spacer strips being conducted and guided thereby fall freely and are continuously and at all times guided at both the top and both sides thereof from the time the depressor means engage the spacer strips supported by said distributor members until the time the spacer strips engage the topmost layer of the timber package, whereby the spacer strips are accurately positioned upon the topmost timber package layer with any lateral movement of the spacer strips during downward movement or upon engagement with the topmost timber package layer due to bouncing being thereby eliminated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.