Ralph D Doherty

US Patent:

44846754, Nov 27, 1984

Filed:

Dec 13, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/449459

Inventors:

Ralph D. Doherty - Jacksonville FL
French O. Weldon - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

U. S. Natural Resources, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B65G 4724

US Classification:

198413

Abstract:

The board turner apparatus and method is capable of turning a board over several times for repeated inspection of both sides of such board for more accurate grading of such board before allowing the board to be conveyed forward past a retractable stop. The retractable stop means when extended above the conveyor engages the leading edge of the board at a fixed stop position along a conveyor means and keeps the board from advancing along the conveyor means until such stop means is retracted. The board inverter means includes a plurality of curved turner arms which pivot about the axis of a common support shaft between a lowered position below the upper surface of the conveyor and a raised position above such upper conveyor surface. The turner arms engage the leading edge of the board and cause it to pivot backwards about its trailing edge when such turner arms are pivoted from their lowered position to the raised position in an opposite direction to the movement of the conveyor until the board falls backward onto the conveyor, at a location rearwardly of the stop position. In one embodiment, the retractable stop means is a plurality of stop members separate from the inverter arms.

US Patent:

47429186, May 10, 1988

Filed:

Sep 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/913028

Inventors:

Ralph D. Doherty - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

U.S. Natural Resources, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B07C 514

US Classification:

209517

Abstract:

A lumber sorting apparatus wherein a bin collects graded lumber. Flexible straps across the bottom are extended to expand the lumber holding capacity. One end of the strap has a releasable latch mechanism and latching of the strap (after dumping the lumber) is provided by a rigid pivotal arm that receives the latch mechanism in the rewinding operation and pivots the latch mechanism into place for relatching. The arm member includes a length portion that spans the open bottom. Guide pins in the arm member on either side of the length portion define a straight reach across said length portion which is offset downwardly from the straps whereby lumber pieces dropped into the bin are prevented from impacting the rigid arm member.

US Patent:

47429208, May 10, 1988

Filed:

Sep 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/912955

Inventors:

Ralph D. Doherty - Jacksonville FL

Assignee:

U.S. Natural Resources, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B07C 514

US Classification:

209517

Abstract:

A lumber sorting apparatus wherein a bin collects graded lumber. Flexible straps across the bottom are elongated to expand the lumber holding capacity. One end of the strap has a releasable latch mechanism and latching of the straps (after dumping the lumber) is provided by a rigid pivotal arm that receives the latch mechanism in a rewinding operation and pivots the latch member into place for relatching. The latch mechanism consists of a spool that fits between sleeve portions through which a pin is controllably inserted and withdrawn by a manually operated air cylinder.