Daniel J Rastatter

US Patent:

6474379, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Oct 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/686582

Inventors:

David Mellor - Lockport NY
Juergen F. Trost - Canfield OH
Mark J. Lorenc - North Tonawanda NY
Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA

Assignee:

Merritt Plywood Machinery, Inc. - Lockport NY
Danzer Services, Inc. - Darlington PA

International Classification:

B27B 100

US Classification:

144357, 1441141, 144116, 1441341, 1442421, 1442451, 144402, 700167

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.

US Patent:

7025099, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Aug 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/763240

Inventors:

Hartmut Gruender - Bad Hersfeld, DE
Jürgen F. Trost - Canfield OH, US
Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US

Assignee:

Danzer North America, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B27C 1/00
B27C 7/00

US Classification:

144178, 1441621, 1442091, 144214

Abstract:

A drive mechanism for reciprocating a flitch table (), the drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft () having an output end, a prime mover coupled to the drive shaft () for rotating the drive shaft (), a coupler () on the output end of the drive shaft (), and a connecting rod () coupled to the flitch table () and the coupler (). The flitch table () is supported from the frame () by a guide member () secured to one of the flitch table () and the frame () and a bearing member () secured to the other of the flitch table () and the frame () for cooperation with the guide member (). The guide member () and bearing member () form between them at least one channel () for a plurality of bearings (). The bearings () are movable relative to the bearing member () and the guide member ().

US Patent:

7841373, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Jul 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/183202

Inventors:

Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US
Juergen F. Trost - Columbiana OH, US

Assignee:

Padana AG - Baar

International Classification:

B27L 5/00
B27L 1/00

US Classification:

1442091, 1442081, 1442088, 1441621

Abstract:

An apparatus for surfacing a flitch by cutting material from its radially outer surface to prepare the flitch for veneer slicing or other uses. The apparatus comprises a cutterhead rotatable about a cutterhead axis. The apparatus further comprises a carriage comprising a ring that rotates about a carriage axis and a pivot arm that carries the cutterhead and is coupled to the rotatable ring for pivoting movement about a pivot arm axis. The apparatus further comprises a flitch contour accommodation device coupled to the pivot arm and to the cutterhead to permit rotation of the cutterhead about a device axis that is generally transverse to the cutterhead axis.

US Patent:

20050121106, Jun 9, 2005

Filed:

Feb 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/503703

Inventors:

Daniel Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US
Jurgen Trost - Canfield OH, US

International Classification:

B27C001/00
B27L005/02

US Classification:

144209100, 144162100

Abstract:

An apparatus () for surfacing a flitch () by cutting material from its radially outer surface () to prepare the flitch () for veneer slicing or other uses is disclosed. The apparatus () comprises a cutterhead () and a cutterhead mover () to move the cutterhead () on the flitch () circumferentially thereabout for the cutterhead () to cut material from the radially outer surface () of the flitch ().

US Patent:

20070289673, Dec 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/471250

Inventors:

Wolfgang LaCroix - Pfalzgrafenweiler, DE
Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US
Juergen F. Trost - Canfield OH, US

International Classification:

B27B 1/00
B23Q 16/00
B23Q 15/00

US Classification:

144356, 144357

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of sheets including providing a conveyor, a first saw and a second saw, first conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the first saw, trimming a first side edge of the sheets, and then conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the second saw and trimming a second side edge of the sheets.

US Patent:

20090173411, Jul 9, 2009

Filed:

Nov 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

12/090390

Inventors:

Jürgen F. Trost - Columbiana OH, US
Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US
Benjamin D. Smith - Abbeville AL, US
Harold Wayne Fleming - Columbia AL, US
A. Scott Mcinnis - Headland AL, US
David E. Seffens - Crestview FL, US
Gregory G. Chandler - Orlando FL, US
Carl D. Shore - Pace FL, US

International Classification:

B27C 1/00

US Classification:

144392, 1441341, 14425013, 1442452, 144 11

Abstract:

Apparatus for shaping a flitch includes an upper shaping head assembly for shaping an upper surface of the flitch, a lower shaping head assembly for shaping a lower surface of the flitch, and a groover assembly for placing at least one groove in a surface of the flitch. The apparatus further includes at least one centering arm and chain runner assembly. The at least one centering arm and chain runner assembly includes a chain runner assembly for conveying the flitch toward a transverse center of the centering arm and chain runner assembly, and a centering arm assembly for positioning the flitch. A flitch transport conveyor includes a conveyor frame, a first dogger arm assembly for engaging a first end of the flitch, and a second dogger arm assembly for engaging a second end of the flitch.

US Patent:

20110041668, Feb 24, 2011

Filed:

Nov 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/917981

Inventors:

Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA, US
Jürgen F. Trost - Reutlingen, DE

Assignee:

PADANA AG - Baar

International Classification:

B26D 1/00

US Classification:

83651

Abstract:

An apparatus for surfacing a flitch by cutting material from its radially outer surface to prepare the flitch for veneer slicing or other uses. The apparatus comprises a cutterhead rotatable about a cutterhead axis. The apparatus further comprises a carriage comprising a ring that rotates about a carriage axis and a pivot arm that carries the cutterhead and is coupled to the rotatable ring for pivoting movement about a pivot arm axis. The apparatus further comprises a flitch contour accommodation device coupled to the pivot arm and to the cutterhead to permit rotation of the cutterhead about a device axis that is generally transverse to the cutterhead axis.

US Patent:

61020907, Aug 15, 2000

Filed:

Jun 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/328081

Inventors:

Hartmut Gruender - Bad Hersfeld, DE
Juergen F. Trost - Beaver Falls PA
Daniel J. Rastatter - Beaver Falls PA

Assignee:

Danzer North America, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B27C 100

US Classification:

144178

Abstract:

A veneer slicer comprises a frame and a flitch table for supporting a flitch for the slicing of veneer therefrom. The flitch table is supported from the frame. The veneer slicer further comprises a knife. The flitch table and knife are relatively movable along a path toward and away from one another. The flitch table is mounted on the frame for movement of the flitch across the knife in cutting and return strokes. The flitch table is supported from the frame by a guide member secured to one of the flitch table and the frame and a bearing member secured to the other of the flitch table and the frame for cooperation with the guide member. The guide member and bearing member form between them at least one channel for a plurality of bearings.