Wood processing machine having annular rings

An apparatus for processing wood, comprising:

• a supporting surface;
• a pair of spacing elements mounted on said surface for maintaining a wood member spaced apart a first distance from said surface, said spacing elements and said surface combining to define a gullet having a depth of said first distance;
• a cutting element positioned within said gullet and having a cutting edge extending a second distance apart from said surface, said second distance being greater than said first distance, such that the depth of cut of said cutting element into said wood member is generally the difference in said second and said first distances;
• means for urging said cutting member relative to said wood member such that said cutting edge engages said wood member and removes a reduced wood element from said wood member, and
• means for directing said reduced wood element into said gullet and away from said cutting edge.

An apparatus for processing wood, comprising:

• a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis;
• a cutting member having a cutting edge;
• means for mounting said cutting member upon the circumferential surface of said drum such that said cutting edge is positioned a first distance from said circumferential surface;
• means for rotating said drum such that said cutting element passes along a circular path concentric to the surface of said drum;
• a pair of parallel elongate ring sections each having a first and a second end and a substantially uniform cross section, and having an arcuate configuration along their length substantially conforming to the circumferential surface of the surface of said drum, said first ends of each of said spacing elements being positioned laterally adjacent to the path of travel of said cutting member, and extending in parallel relationship in front of said cutting member such that a gullet is defined in front of said cutting edge by said cutting member, said ring sections, and said surface.