Lumber diverters, lumber sorters and related methods
US9751113B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/14
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A lumber sorter includes a plurality of bins. A conveyor carries lumber (e.g. boards) along a path extending above the plurality of bins. A diverter is selectively operable to allow the conveyor to carry the boards past one or more bins or to divert a selected board into a selected bin. The diverter may comprise an upstream gate and a downstream gate, each operable to move between respective closed positions and open positions. In the closed positions, the top surfaces of the upstream and downstream gates are substantially level and allow boards to travel along the path as directed by the conveyor. The diverter may be actuated to the open position in which the upstream and downstream gates are separated, thereby providing a path for a board to fall into a bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.