Alignment mechanism including load engaging fingers in decoraticator

Abstract

An alignment mechanism for use as part of a decorticating machine includes: a plurality of fingers (62) extending outwardly from a bed plate and mounted so as to be drivable around an endless track (61) in a casing (60), the bed plate being a part of or adjacent to the casing (60); a driving mechanism including a plurality of pulley mechanisms (66) within the casing (60) extending sequentially along the length of the track (61), adjacent pulley mechanisms (66) overlapping in side by side relationship, each pulley mechanism (66) having a pulley (68) on which is mounted a plurality of finger driver plates (69) each adapted to contact drive faces (65) attached to the fingers (62) and extending within the casing (60); and drive means for driving the pulley mechanisms (66) at sequentially increasing speeds such that the fingers (62) can be driven along the length of the bed plate at an accelerating speed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.