Laminated lumber press apparatus

Abstract

Laminated lumber press apparatus is described including a plurality of press sections each having a lower press platen and an upper press platen of adjustable height which are spaced apart for receiving lumber members therebetween and pressing such lumber members together during gluing to produce laminated lumber of different thicknesses. Side clamp devices are employed for clamping the opposite side edges of lumber members and holding them in a raised position above the lower platen so they can be glued to another lumber member supported on such platen. The side clamp includes a pair of jaw members which are moved laterally on carriages into engagement with the sides of a lumber member, such carriages being coupled together by rack and pinion gearing. Before being conveyed into the press sections, the lumber members are heated on one side and fed into a board turner apparatus so that the heated lower side of such board member is inverted into an upper position where glue can be applied thereto. After they are conveyed into the press sections the lower press members then move the glue coated lumber members upward into contact with the previous lumber members held by the side clamps and are maintained in the raised position until the lumber members are glued together to form a laminated lumber member. The laminated lumber member is released from the side clamps, lowered on the lower platens and discharged from the press sections by a discharge conveyor.