Inventors:
Jeff Harper - Ruston LA, US
Wayne Parks - Dubach LA, US
Jeremy S. Clark - Ruston LA, US
Anthony G. Clark - Ruston LA, US
Clyde Stearns - Mukilteo WA, US
Mark Burns - Ruston LA, US
Brian Wallace Smith - Ohauiti, NZ
John Grubbs - Brandon MS, US
Donald Haley - Monroe LA, US
Assignee:
WPS Industries, Inc. - West Monroe LA
International Classification:
B66F 11/00, B27B 31/00, B27G 21/00, B23Q 16/00, B65G 47/26
US Classification:
4147463, 1442452, 144357, 198456
Abstract:
A method of positioning lumber in a given orientation in a handling apparatus having a base frame, a longitudinal transport assembly, and at least two gripper arm support platforms with a pair of gripper arms positioned on each of the support platforms. A work piece is gripped with the gripper arms without the work piece engaging the longitudinal transport assembly. The gripper arms are adjusted on at least one of the support platforms in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal transport assembly in order to selectively position the work piece. The work piece is then brought into engagement with the transport assembly and the gripper arms are released from the work piece.