The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 05, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2000
David Mellor, Lockport, NY (US);
Juergen F. Trost, Canfield, OH (US);
Mark J. Lorenc, North Tonawanda, NY (US);
Daniel J. Rastatter, Beaver Falls, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically planing a flitch. The method of the invention comprises measuring the distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the flitch at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations, calculating a planing operation of the flitch based upon the plurality of distance measurements; and then planing the flitch according to the calculation. In a preferred embodiment, the measurements are taken by a bank of photodetectors in combination with a computer (microprocessor). The calculation is done by the microprocessor. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for making a plurality of distance measurements between a first generally planar surface of the flitch and a second generally frustoconical surface of the flitch, means for calculating a planing operation for the flitch based upon the measurements, and, means for planing the flitch in accordance with the calculations a variety of different types of planing heads can be used to do the actual planing, and the invention is not limited to any particular type or number of planing heads. The invention is capable of cutting stepped grooves in the bottom surface of the flitch to enable more stable veneer slicing on rotary cutters.