Positioning mechanism for a wooden article engaging device

Abstract

A positioning mechanism for a wooden article engaging device having a frame, a rocker arm, first and second air cushions and an eccentric member is provided. The rocker arm has a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end connected to the device. The first and second air cushions are fixed between the frame and the rocker arm. Each of the first and second air cushions has an air pressure therein which is controllable to vertically pivot the rocker arm in order to position the wooden article engaging device in one of a clearance position and a working position. The eccentric member eccentrically pivots about a generally horizontal axis, the at least one eccentric member is engages the rocker arm when in the working position. In this way, the eccentric pivoting of the eccentric member acts to pivot the rocker arm to further adjust the device.

1 . A positioning mechanism for a wooden article engaging device, the positioning mechanism comprising:
 a frame;   a rocker arm having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end connected to the wooden article engaging device;   first and second air cushions fixed between the frame and the rocker arm on opposite sides of the rocker arm, each of the first and second air cushions having an air pressure therein controllable to vertically pivot the rocker arm so as to position the wooden article engaging device in one of a clearance position and a working position;   at least one eccentric member eccentrically pivotable about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the frame, the at least one eccentric member being operable to engage the rocker arm when the wooden article engaging device is in the working position so that eccentric pivoting of the at least one eccentric member with respect to the axis pivots the rocker arm to further adjust the wooden article engaging device within the working position.   
   
   
       2 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment shaft rotationally connected to the frame and rotatable about the axis, the at least one eccentric member projecting eccentrically therefrom. 
   
   
       3 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a linear actuator for rotating the adjustment shaft. 
   
   
       4 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a linking member operatively disposed between the adjustment shaft and the linear actuator. 
   
   
       5 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 3 , further comprising a radial arm extending radially from the adjustment shaft, the linking member being operatively connected to a radial arm. 
   
   
       6 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the linear actuator is actuated by a handle. 
   
   
       7 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the handle is lockable. 
   
   
       8 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a block operable to pivot about the at least one eccentric member, the block having a flat surface for contacting the rocker arm along a corresponding surface. 
   
   
       9 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the block is made of rubber. 
   
   
       10 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises left and right side walls, the first and second air cushions being located laterally therebetween. 
   
   
       11 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the first air cushion is fixed above the rocker arm and the second air cushion is fixed below the rocker arm. 
   
   
       12 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the frame further comprises upper and lower cushion supports extending between the left and right side walls, the upper and lower cushion supports retaining the first and second air cushions, respectively. 
   
   
       13 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the rocker arm comprises left and right side panels, said left and right side panels being pivotally connected to the left and right side walls, respectively. 
   
   
       14 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the rocker arm further comprises a cushion seat extending between the left and right side panels and having upper and lower faces, the upper and lower faces engaging the first and second air cushions, respectively. 
   
   
       15 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 14 , wherein the cushion seat has an at least partially triangular cross-section. 
   
   
       16 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one eccentric member comprises a pair of eccentric members each operable to engage a respective one of the left and right side panels. 
   
   
       17 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 16 , further comprising an adjustment shaft pivotally connected to the frame and pivotable about the axis, the eccentric members projecting eccentrically from opposing ends thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The positioning mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first air cushion air pressure is regulated to dampen movement of the rocker arm when the wooden article engaging device is in the working position. 
   
   
       19 . A positioning system for a plurality of wooden article engaging devices, the positioning system comprising:
 a plurality of positioning mechanisms, each positioning mechanism associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of wooden article engaging devices, each positioning mechanism comprising:
 a frame; 
 a rocker arm having a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end connected to the corresponding wooden article engaging device; 
 fist and second air cushions fixed between the frame and the rocker arm on opposite sides of the rocker arm, each of the first and second air cushions having an air pressure therein controllable to vertically pivot the rocker arm so as to position the corresponding wooden article engaging device in one of a clearance position and a working position; and 
 at least one eccentric member eccentrically pivotable about an axis with respect to the frame, the at least one eccentric member operable to engage the rocker arm when the corresponding wooden article engaging device is in the working position so that eccentric pivoting of the at least one eccentric member with respect to the axis pivots the rocker arm to further adjust the corresponding wooden article engaging device within the working position; and 
   at least one synchronization member operatively connected between the eccentric members of adjacent mechanisms for synchronizing the adjustment of the plurality of wooden article engaging devices.