Importance

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Abstract

A machine for aligning lumber received from a previous processing station into an orientation suited for a subsequent processing station. The machine has an infeed conveyor for receiving lumber from a previous processing station. Large rotating drums are positioned in the infeed conveyor adjacent to carriers of the infeed conveyor with a portion of the drum periphery extending above the infeed conveyor. An angled conveyor having multiple carriers, such as belts, is mounted strategic to the infeed conveyor and drums with the second conveyor extending upwardly at an angle to the infeed conveyor and drums. The drums are rotated such that the peripheral velocity of the drums is greater than the carriers of the infeed and angled conveyor. The drums elevate (lift) and accelerate the lumber from the infeed conveyor onto the angled conveyor. The infeed conveyor, the drums and the angled conveyor are cooperatively coupled to align the lumber in the desired orientation as the lumber is lifted and accelerated off the infeed conveyor and transferred to the angled conveyor. The angle of the angled conveyor may be adjusted to induce the lumber that may remain in a stacked condition as the lumber is transferred from the infeed conveyor to the angled conveyor to slide off one another to separate the pieces of lumber. An exit conveyor is provided adjacent the angled conveyor for transporting the aligned lumber to the subsequent processing station.

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First Claim