BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the indexing rack of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a robotic arm for use with the indexing rack.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the indexing rack of the invention with the secondary indexing set in a raised position.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the indexing rack of the invention with an automatic sorter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “or” indicates a non-exclusive alternative without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
The FIGS. 1-4 show the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the indexing rack 10 of the invention, which is located adjacent to an automated push cut saw 22. The automated push cut saw 22 includes a feed table 38 on which long pieces of wood are placed before they enter the saw 22. One specific type of cutoff saw this device could be used for is a OptiCut 100 or Grecon Dimter push cut saw, but any saw of this type may be benefited by the use of the indexing rack. Attached to the indexing rack 10 is a sorting table 14, which is located adjacent to the output of the wood of the automated push cut saw 22. As material from the saw is processed and cut into smaller pieces of wood, the wood pieces 20 are deposited onto the sorting table 14.
An identification number is placed on each wood piece 20, which identifies the particular part which that piece is going to be utilized for. Each part of a production run will be associated with an indexing chamber 16. In order to sort the wood pieces, a wood piece is placed according to its number in the corresponding indexing chamber. For instance one indexing chamber may be for center panels of a certain size of door. The next indexing chamber may be for the left side walls of that size of door. Thus, one particular door to be made might have 5 indexing chambers associated with it and any production run might be for a number of different sizes of doors.
An inventory parts list is maintained in the automated push cut saw to know what pieces are required to complete the one or more orders, and to know what pieces have already been cut to fulfill that order. As wood is cut, the computing means of the push cut saw calculate what pieces need to be filled for the order, and what pieces have already been cut for the order. When all of the pieces for the order are cut, the automated push cut saw will cease cutting wood. The push cut saw can store the information for more than one order in its memory, and will cut wood until all of the pieces for that order are complete.
The sorting table is a generally rectangular table with a smooth surface in which the wood pieces can be accumulated as they are cut and from which they can be moved into the indexing chamber 16 as they are sorted. The sorting chambers are formed by a number of chamber walls 18. For some projects it will advantageous to have indexing chamber 16 be a certain width. For other projects a larger or smaller width may be more desirable. To provide the indexing rack 10 with more indexing chambers 16 of which each are smaller width, a secondary indexing set 26 is utilized, this is shown in FIG. 3. The secondary indexing set is a group of chamber walls 18 which are mounted on a rotating rod 30. The rotating rod 30 has a hinge point 40. The secondary indexing set can be rotated into position between the existing chamber walls 18, as shown in FIG. 2. They can also be rotated out of position, as shown in FIG. 3, to provide fewer indexing chambers of a greater width. FIG. 1 shows the secondary indexing set 26 with the capability of being rotated with a hydraulic ram 38 or a lever 32. FIG. 3 shows the indexing rack 10 of the invention with the secondary indexing set rotated out of position to create fewer indexing chamber 16 of a larger width. The secondary indexing set may be as long as the indexing rack, or maybe divided into a number of secondary indexing sets such that two three or more sets of secondary indexing sets with their chamber walls can be moved in or out of position as needed. FIG. 3 shows the secondary indexing set 26 moved into the open position by the use of a motor 42 and gears 44. The motor 42 can be an electric motor. The indexing rack 10 and sorting table 14 can be of any size, depending on the sized needed for a particular application, and on the number of pieces need to be sorted and segregated. In one application, it is advantageous for the indexing rack to be about 15 feet long, with indexing chambers 6 inches wide when the secondary set of chamber walls are moved into place. This unit would have 30 indexing chambers, or 15 when the secondary set of chamber walls are rotated out of position. For some projects of operations, a sorting table 30 feet long or longer would be advantageous. A metal table top is advantageous, such as steel or aluminum. The sorting chamber walls are advantageously made of steel ⅛ in thick, and are plates approximately 18″ by 15″.
FIG. 4 shows a version of the indexing rack 10 as seen from above. This version includes an outlet belt 24 from the automated push cut saw 22. Located along the outlet belt are indexing chambers 16. The indexing chamber 16 is formed by chamber walls 18. A portion of the chamber wall 18 extends out over the output belt 24 in the form of diverter gates 36. The diverter gates 36 are normally in a position which does not obstruct the output belt 24. A code reader 46 is located after the push cut saw 22 and before the indexing chamber 16. The code reader 46 reads the product code that is imprinted in each wood piece 20. When an identification code off of a wood piece 20 is read, the diverter gate 36 for the appropriate indexing chamber 16 opens, and the wood piece is fed into that indexing chamber. After the wood piece enters the indexing chamber, the diverter gate closes to allow passage of other pieces of wood. This particular configuration of sort includes indexing chambers at the end of the belt, which are close to being parallel with the belt so that longer pieces of wood may be routed to them so that the longer pieces of wood won't jam in the indexing chambers that diverts to the side. Obviously the indexing chambers could be designed to be built on both sides of the output belt. The indexing chamber can be bin like devices in which pieces of wood drop into a storage container, which has the capacity to hold a number of pieces of wood. The floor of the indexing chamber can also be spring loaded, to lower as each piece of wood is entered into it, so that each piece of wood doesn't drop onto other pieces of wood, but that the whole stack is gradually lowered as it fills. A feed table 38 is shown for the automated push cut saw 20 and a piece of wood 48 with dotted lines indicating where it may be cut into smaller pieces by the automated push cut saw 22.
While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Patent Application
20080083476
