# US 5,704,409 A · Flexible mounting system for log debarking equipment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,409 A - Document ID: US5704409A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/710,678 - Filed: 1996-09-23 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-09-23 - Assignees: Denis Comact Chicoutimi Inc. - Inventors: Maurice Brisson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704409A ## CPC - B27L 1/045: {Feeding devices therefor} - B23Q 11/0032: {Arrangements for preventing or isolating vibrations in parts of the machine (B23B29/022, B23D47/005 take precedence; means for damping or suppressing vibrations, in general F16F)} - B27B 25/02: with feed and pressure rollers - B27L: REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES (forestry A01G); SPLITTING WOOD; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOOD FIBRES OR WOOD POWDER - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - B27B: SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (saws specially adapted for pruning or debranching A01G3/08; sawing apparatus specially adapted for felling trees A01G23/091; features not restricted to a particular type of wood saw B23D, e.g. attaching saw blades B23D51/00; machine tool frames, beds, pillars or like members, in general B23Q1/01) ## Abstract A flexible mounting system principally developped for ring-type log debarkers comprises a combination of freely oscillating supporting links and weight compensating pneumatic devices, arranged in such a way as to allow the working tool assembly of the debarker to move in any direction in response to external forces exerted upon it by the longitudinal feed motion or the shape irregularities of the log. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible mounting system for log debarking equipment such as ring-type log debarking units and log guiding units associated with said log debarking units, each said unit having a separate frame structure, said system comprising: support means mounted to a stationary base; and oscillating means connecting said support means to said frame structure allowing said frame structure to float freely with respect to said stationary base upon impact from incoming logs and as a result of off-centering pressures generated by logs being processed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said oscillating means consist of freely oscillating links supporting one side of said frame structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said links are connected to said support means and said frame structure through rotatable joint means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said oscillating means include, on an opposite side of said frame structure, pressure actuated supporting and levelling means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A system as defined in claim 4, wherein said pressure actuated supporting and levelling means include a first cylinder having one end connected to said support means mounted to a stationary base and an opposite end connected to said frame structure; said first cylinder acting as a weight supporting means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A system as defined in claim 5, said first cylinder having, at said one end thereof and at said opposite end thereof, rotatable joint means allowing angular orientation in all directions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) A system as defined in claim 4, wherein said pressure actuated supporting and levelling means include a second cylinder having, at one one end thereof, spherical joint means and, at an opposite end thereof, an hemispherical rest piece received in a conical seat attached to said frame structure; said second cylinder acting as a levelling means when in a fully extended position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said hemispherical rest piece includes a guide rod protruding through an opening in said conical seat for orienting said second cylinder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) A system as defined in claim 5, comprising pressure controlling means associated with said first cylinder so as to maintain about 90% of the weight supported thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A system as defined in claim 7, comprising pressure controlling means associated with said second cylinder to cause contact of said hemispherical rest piece with said conical seat at a level ensuring vertical centering of said frame structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) A system as defined in claim 3, further comprising auxiliary means mounted to said support means and to said one side of said frame structure to assist extreme lateral movements of said unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system as defined in claim 11, wherein said auxiliary means consist of a double acting cylinder and signal receiving means to actuate said cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A system as defined in claim 12, wherein signals are received by a solenoid actuated valve from a pair of sensing switch means actuated by a follower mounted to said frame structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A system as defined in claim 9, wherein said pressure controlling means are pneumatic. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said pressure controlling means are pneumatic. ### Claim 16 A flexible mounting system for log debarking equipment having ring-type log debarking units, each said unit having a separate frame structure, said system comprising: support means mounted to a stationary base; and oscillating means connecting said support means to said frame structure allowing said frame structure to float freely with respect to said stationary base upon impact from incoming logs and as a result of off-centering pressures generated by logs being processed.