Press machine

Abstract

A press machine having a frame with a central channel projecting along a length thereof. The channel slidably guides a piece of lumber along a processing path. Press wheels are mounted to longitudinal supports extending along opposite sides of the central channel. One of the longitudinal supports is pivotally mounted at one end to the frame with a corresponding press wheel rotatably mounted at an intermediate point along the support. The press wheels are oriented to rotate about parallel axes and in opposite directions with adjacent sides thereof overlapping opposite sides of the processing path. The press wheels are spaced apart from one another such that adjacent arcuate portions of each press wheel are located immediately adjacent the processing path to frictionally engage a leading end of a piece of lumber conveyed along the processing path. The press wheels pull the lumber therethrough while simultaneously inducing lateral pressure upon opposite sides of the lumber to flatten any foreign material projecting from the lumber. A hold down shoe is pivotally mounted to the frame and is located proximate the upstream end of the press wheels to slidably engage a piece of lumber as the lumber becomes wedged between the wheels. The shoe resists twisting of the lumber as the lumber is pulled through the wheels.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.