Device for separating cut-board portions for application to a trimming machine

Abstract

 A device (1) for separating cut-board portions, designed for application to a trimming machine (40), is characterized in that said device (1) comprises a motor-driven roller assembly (3) which can be raised and lowered with respect to a surface defined by two or more pluralities of conveyor chains (5,6,9) which are arranged in perpendicular directions to the roller assembly (3) feeding direction and can slide in opposite directions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a separating device for separating cut-boards, which has been specifically designed for application to a wood board trimming machine, and being characterized in that it comprises a motor driven roller assembly, cooperating with two pluralities of conveyor chains.

[0002] The pluralities of conveyor chains, in particular, are parallel to one another and can be cross driven, in an opposite direction, with respect to the roller assembly.

[0003] As known, wood board trimming machines are conventionally used for longitudinally cutting wood boards supplied from wood board cutting machines and for removing therefrom possible defects due to breakages occurring through the wood boards as they are dried.

[0004] The above mentioned trimming machines are further used, as required, for cutting into several portions the wood boards, which are cut to a desired size according to several portions, along their longitudinal direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a separating device, to be specifically applied to a wood board trimming machines, for separating and unloading, according to different directions, the cut-board portions, to allow the cut-board portions to be automatically selected or sorted.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a separating device which can be used in cooperation with a trimming machine including either three or more circular saws, one of which can be a fixed saw and the other two or more can be movable saws.

[0007] As said separating device is applied. to a trimming machine including three circular saws, then it is possible to divide a wood board into three portions which, at the outlet of the trimming machine, will be conveyed on a roller assembly of the subject separating device.

[0008] The roller assembly, in particular, is a driven roller assembly and is designed for conveying the longitudinal cut wood board portions, for a length in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] The wood boards, at a set point of their path, are caused to engage with two pluralities of conveyor chains, to allow the central portion of the board to be supported by supporting elements having, at a central portion thereof, a projecting tooth element.

[0010] On the contrary, the two side portions made by cutting a wood board, by said trimming machine, are sideways conveyed by two pluralities of chains, in opposite cross directions, with respect to the feeding direction of the roller assembly.

[0011] Thus, the two board side portions will be unloaded at the two right and left side end portions of the roller assembly.

[0012] Thus, it is possible to separate the side portions of the cut-boards, from the central portion thereof, to sort and separate the several portions of the cut-boards.

[0013] The cutting width of said boards is adjusted by laser adjusting devices, thereby dividing the boards being trimmed into portions free of defects and which can be conveniently used.

[0014] The above mentioned objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a separating device for separating cut-boards, and specifically designed for application to a trimming machine, including a motor driven roller assembly cooperating with at least two pluralities of conveyor chains, which are movable in opposite cross directions, with respect to said roller assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above mentioned, as well as yet other more specific features, of the separating device according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following disclosure with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a front view of the trimming machine in which the separating device according to the present invention is used;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separating device according to the invention, which is aligned with the outlet or output mouth or portion of a trimming machine;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectioned side view of the separating device according to the invention, clearly showing the arrangement assumed by the board portions, as trimmed by the trimming machine, arranged upstream of the separating device;

Figure 4 is a further cross-sectioned side view, orthogonal with respect to the feeding direction of the main roller assembly constituting the separating device according to the invention, and clearly showing the rightward and leftward displacements of the trimmed wood board portions, which are unloaded on the sides of the motor driven roller assembly, which also constitutes an integrating part of the separating device according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a view, analogous to the preceding view, clearly showing the further movement, in opposite directions, of the two side portions of the cut-board, said figure showing the roller assembly in a raised position thereof, in which it disengages the side portion of the wood board from the mentioned supporting elements, including a projecting tooth element each;

Figure 6 is a further top side perspective view of the separating device according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of that same separating device;

Figure 8 is a side view of the separating device according to the invention, and clearly showing the slides thereon two carriages can transversely slide, with respect to the longitudinal movement directions of the central portions of the central wood boards, along the motor driven roller assembly;

Figure 9 is a side cross-sectioned view showing the slides and the supporting guides therefor; and

Figure 10 is a further side cross-sectioned view of the separating device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the subject matter of the present invention is constituted by a separating device 1 for separating wood board cut portions, which can be applied to a wood board trimming machine 40.

[0017] The latter, as clearly shown in figures 1 and 2, comprises a side abutment guide 53, thereagainst is arranged a side edge of a board to be trimmed.

[0018] Figure 1 further shows circular saws 51 which can be axially driven either rightward or leftward.

[0019] The number 54 shows a control panel for a trimming machine, whereas the number 52 shows the rollers thereon the wood boards to be trimmed are arranged.

[0020] Figure 2 shows the rear side of a trimming machine together with a plurality of series of motor driven rollers 4 constituting an integrating part of the motor driven roller assembly 3.

[0021] On a side thereof, the motor driven roller assembly comprises a second roller assembly 56 including a plurality of rollers 55.

[0022] The separating device 1 is characterized in that it comprises a motor driven roller assembly 3, which can be raised and lowered with respect to a surface or plane defined by two or more series of conveyor chains 5, 6 and 9, which are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the roller assembly 3, and can slide in opposite directions.

[0023] Said roller assembly further comprises a separating device for separating the wood board portions 35, 36 and 37 which have been cut or trimmed by the trimming machine 50, which, as stated, comprises at least two pluralities of conveyor chains 5, 6 and 9 which can slide on fixed supporting slides 34.

[0024] Said chains 5, 6 and 9, in particular, are entrained at their end portions on pairs of pinions respectively indicated at 16 and 17, 12 and 13, 10 and 11.

[0025] With respect to the pinions 13, the latter are driven by a single driving shaft 7, which is in turn rotatively driven by a motor reducing unit 18 which, through the pulleys 50 and 51 and a chain 52, rotatively drives the shaft 7 thereon said pinions 13 are keyed.

[0026] The pinions 13 drive the chains 6.

[0027] Likewise, the shaft 15 rotatively drives a plurality of series of pinions 17 which, in turn, drive the chains 5 entrained between the pinions 16 and 17.

[0028] With respect to the shaft 53, it is driven by a motor-reducing unit and drives a series or plurality of pinions 11, which slidably drive, from the center toward the sides of the roller assembly 4, a plurality of chains 9.

[0029] The separating device according to the present invention comprises two or more motor-reducing units, of which at least one drives the plurality of chains being driven rightward, whereas the other drives a plurality of chains being driven leftward.

[0030] The separating device 1 according to the invention comprises furthermore two carriages 25 and 26 which can slide on slides 27 and 28 which are cross arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the subject conveyor device.

[0031] The separating assembly, in particular, comprises two carriages 25 and 26, which are electronically driven and controlled, so as to be arranged at suitable side distances, from the central line coinciding with that of the central part of the trimmed boards.

[0032] Accordingly, as a wood board is so trimmed or cut as to be longitudinally divided into several portions, said board portions will be fed on the roller assembly.

[0033] As stated, said roller assembly is designed to be lowered so as to arrange the three board portions 35, 36 and 37 so that the two side portions 35 and 37 are supported respectively on two different pluralities of right and left chains.

[0034] The central portion 36 of the board, on the contrary, is supported by dedicated supporting elements, which, at their central end part, are provided with a projecting tooth element 39.

[0035] The supporting elements are applied on frames 34 supporting the pinions 12, 13, 16, 17, 10 and 11 having end portions thereon are respectively. entrained the chains 6, 5 and 9.

[0036] As shown, the roller assembly 3, comprising a plurality of motor driven rollers 4, can be raised and lowered by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston or cylinder 28.

[0037] The latter is articulated, at one end thereof, to a pivot pin 2 and is coupled, through a coupling rod 30, to a plate-like element 32, articulated about an axis 33, and adapted to swing about said axis.

[0038] The plate-like element 32, accordingly, can be raised, so as to assume the position 32', thereby consequently raising all the rollers 4 comprising the roller assembly according to the invention.

[0039] As the roller assembly 3 is lowered, the side portions 35 and 37 of the board are separated and conveyed toward the two outer sides of the main motor driven roller assembly.

[0040] During this operating step, the central portion of the board will be held in a stopped condition, since it would be raised from the motor driven roller assembly 3.

[0041] Thus, the motor driven roller assembly 3, in this operating step, will be held in a stopped or rest condition.

[0042] After having laterally unloaded the side portions 35 and 37 of the cut board, the roller assembly 3 is raised again to recover its feeding movement along the longitudinal axis of the separating device according to the invention, thereby unloading the central portion 36 of the board in the feeding direction of the roller assembly 3.

[0043] In this connection, it should be pointed out that the right carriage and left carriage, respectively indicated by 26 and 25, are cross displaced or offset from the roller assembly feeding longitudinal axis, by two motor reducing units, provided for rotatively driving a gear wheel meshing with a rack.

[0044] In the embodiment of the separating device according to the invention shown in figure 6, on a longitudinal side of the roller assembly are provided two pluralities of side conveyor chains 5 and 6, which are driven in the same direction, to provide a fixed side unloading, independently from the positions of the adjoining pluralities of chains 5 and 6.

[0045] Thus, by driving the two carriages 25 and 26, it is possible to arrange the pluralities of chains 5, 6 and 9 in such a position as to unload, respectively at the central and two opposite side end portions thereof, the cut-board portions, which are cut into several portions by the trimming machine.

[0046] A further feature of the invention is that, if desired, by reversing the driving direction of one of the chain pluralities, it would be possibly to unload in the same side direction, two or more board cut portions, as longitudinally cut by the trimming machine arranged upstream of the separating device according to the invention.

[0047] While the separating device according to the invention has been disclosed and illustrated hereinabove with reference to an exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that said separating device is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A separating device for separating cut-board portions, to be applied to a trimming machine, characterized in that said separating device comprises a motor driven roller assembly which can be raised and lowered with respect to the plane defined by two or more pluralities of conveyor chains arranged in directions perpendicular with respect to the feeding direction of the roller assembly and adapted to slide in opposite directions.

2. A separating device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said separating device comprises a motor driven roller assembly (3), for conveying the cut-boards cut in the trimming machine (40), and that said separating device further comprises two or more pluralities of conveyor chains (5, 6 and 9) which can slide on fixed supporting slides (34), as the roller assembly (3) of the separating device is lowered.

3. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said chains (5, 6 and 9, respectively) are entrained, at their end portions, on pinion pairs (16 and 17, 12 and 13, and 10 and 11, respectively).

4. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of the pinions (13), they are driven by a single driving shaft (7), rotatively driven through a reducing unit (18) which, through the pinions (50 and 51) and a chain (52) rotatively drives the shaft (7) thereon said pinions (13) are keyed.

5. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pinions (13) drive the chains (6) whereas the shaft (5) rotatively drives a plurality of pinions (17) which, in turn, drives the chains (5) which are entrained on the pinions (6 and 7).

6. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device further comprises a shaft (53) which is driven by a motor reducing unit through a plurality of pinions (11), causing a plurality of chains to slide from the center toward a side of the roller assembly (3).

7. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises two or more motor reducing units, at least one of which drives the plurality of chains driven rightward, and the other drives a leftward driven plurality of chains.

8. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises two carriages (25 and 26) which can slide along slides (27 and 28) which are arranged transversely of the longitudinal axis of the wood board separating device (1).

9. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises two carriages (25 and 26) which are electronically driven and controlled so as to be arranged at side set distances from the middle line coinciding with that of the central trimmed portion.

10. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises a roller assembly, which can be lowered so as to cause the two side board portions (35 and 37) to be born respectively on the two right and left chain pluralities.

11. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises suitably designed supporting elements for supporting the central portion of the board (36) and including, at their central end portion, a projecting supporting tooth element (39).

12. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting elements are applied on frames (34) supporting the pinions (12 and 13, 16 and 17, 10 and 11) thereon are entrained respectively said chains (6, 5 and 9).

13. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said roller assembly (3), which comprises a plurality of motor driven rollers (4) can be raised and lowered by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston or cylinder (28) which is pivoted, at an end portion thereof, to a pivot pin (2) and is coupled, through a coupling rod (30), to a plate-like element (32) which can swing about an axis (33).

14. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises a roller assembly (3) which, as it is lowered, causes the side portions (35 and 37) of the wood board to be separated and conveyed toward the two outer sides of the main motor driven roller assembly.

15. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in this operating step, the board central portion is held at a stopped condition, since it is raised from the motor driven roller assembly (3).

16. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, upon having laterally unloaded the side portions (35 and 37) of the cut board, the roller assembly (3) is raised to recover its feeding movement along the longitudinal axis of said separating device, thereby unloading the central portion (36) of the board in the roller assembly (3) feeding direction.

17. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two right and left carriages (26 and 25, respectively) thereof are transversely driven from the feeding longitudinal axis of the roller assembly, by two motor reducing units rotatively driving gear wheels meshing with a rack.

18. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises, at a longitudinal side of said roller assembly, two pluralities of side conveyor chains (5 and 6) which are driven in the same direction, to provide a board fixed side unloading, independently from the positions of said chains.

19. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by driving the two carriages (25 and 26), it is possible to arrange the plurality of chains (5, 6 and 9) in such a position as to unload, respectively, at the center and the two side opposite end portions, the board portions which have been cut into a plurality of portions by said trimming machine.

20. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, by reversing the driving direction of a plurality of chains, said separating device allows to unload in a same side direction two or more cut-board portions, as cut by the trimming machine arranged upstream of said separating device.

21. A separating device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separating device comprises a plurality of functionally coordinated constructional elements, and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated in the preceding disclosure and in the figures of the drawings accompanying the subject Industrial Invention Patent Application.

Drawing