STONE CORNER VENEER SAW APPARATUS AND METHODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, this inventive technology relates to a material veneer cutting system and related apparatus that may be incorporated therein. More specifically, particular embodiments relate to stone corner veneer saw system that may be used to cut stone corner veneer from blocks of stone, in addition to a pin based apparatus that may be used, in one of many applications, to move stone through a saw.

BACKGROUND

The desire to cut corner veneer from stone has been known in certain industries for years. Stone corner veneer -with its uneven, natural outer surfaces, and its inner, flat surfaces, when used in building or wall construction, precludes the need to use full blocks of stone to achieve the aesthetic, sturdy outward appearance afforded by a solid block used as a stone corner. Stone corner veneer also enables the use of other, more easily transported and assembled building structure materials (e.g., wood), as the stone veneer can readily be placed externally of such materials and any intervening paneling and veneer adhesives that may be used. A corner of two stone walls - whether veneered or not - looks particularly good where, indeed, the exact corner is stone, instead of, e.g., mortar between two flat veneer panels placed at right angles relative to one another. Such an unjointed stone corner gives the appearance of greater strength and solidity, as the absence of a joint suggests the use of solid stone - a traditional building method that appeals to many but seems to become more and more rare. As such, the use of stone veneer may even increase building value as compared with its jointed alternative.

Conventional methods used to generate stone corner veneer include manual cutting of corners from quarried blocks of stone with power saws having one blade. Such methods are time consuming and labor intensive, not to mention dangerous for the operator. Further, there is a rather low limit on the length of the corner that can be cut by one person using one saw.

There has also been some disclosure of a method of cutting stone corner veneer that involves a saw having an off-horizontal (inclined) V-shaped stone support and two saw blades established at right angles relative to one another. However, there is provided therein no disclosure of a drive system, nor separator plates, nor chutes for automatically transporting the cut stone pieces to alternate locations. It is also of note that such a saw - i.e., one having an inclined V-shaped stone support and relying on gravity (and perhaps application of manual force) to move the stone through the saw blades - would pose considerable problems for an operator. Not only would such a saw result in significant stone instability during the cut, but it also would pose considerable risk of personal injury to an operator attempting to manually assist the stone through the blades - which may indeed be necessary because the weight of the stone itself would not alone be great enough to force the stone through the blades. Additional risk of injury may stem from the absence of any separator plates, which play a role in preventing the stone from "shooting" from the saw blades towards, and beyond, the rear part of the saw.

Improving material stabilization during a cut is also a goal of the inventive technology. Not only do the horizontal V-shaped support, the pin-based force transfer system and the separator plates help to stabilize the cut operation, resulting in a cleaner , more efficient cut, reduced blade wear, and reduced risk of injury, but also the offset blade configuration helps to reduce the degree to which the saw blades "fight" against one another during a cut. Indeed, the each of the offset blades seems to hold the stone steady while the other blade also cuts it.

There has also been disclosure of a saw with two blades that cut stone at 90 degrees, but there is provided no V-shaped stone support, no stone drive system, no separator plates, and no chutes for automatically transporting cut stone pieces. As such, its application to and effectiveness for cutting corner veneer material is significantly limited.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the various aspects of the inventive technology may relate to a stone corner veneer saw having a substantially V-shaped stone support, two saw blades, at least one saw blade drive system and a stone drive system configured to drive the stone along the stone support. Other aspects may relate to a veneer cutting saw that has two separator plates established "downstream" of the saw blades, a self-contained, pin-based

force transfer apparatus that facilitates movement of unevenly surfaced, typically heavy, materials supported thereabove, and a veneer cutting saw that has at least one chute adapted to automatically transport cut stone pieces to an intended location.

One broad goal of the saw technology disclosed herein is the improvement in safety during saw operation. Not only does the saw eliminate the need for operator contact with the stone during a cut, but also the separator plates significantly reduce the aforementioned risk that the stone be "shot" at the end of a cut towards and beyond the rear of the machine.

One broad goal of the inventive technology is simply to provide a stone veneer cutting saw that reduces the labor required to cut stone corner veneer relative to conventional cutting methodologies. Other goals of various embodiments of the inventive technology include, e.g.: increasing speed of operation, improving operation (e.g., by avoiding saw blade pinching through the use of separator plates), enhancing cut accuracy and cut surface smoothness, and reducing saw maintenance. Goals of various embodiments of the movement force transfer aspect of the inventive technology per se include improving traction on uneven surfaces, and precluding a need for pumps and hoses that may interfere during use. Of course other goals, objectives and benefits may be disclosed elsewhere in the specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It is noted that the following show only examples of the inventive technology. At times, features or parts that would be hidden to the human eye are shown for purposes of clarity. It is also of note that in some drawings (e.g., Fig. 9), the blades are shown in positions different from those in which they would be in order to cut a corner. This is done in order to reveal parts that might otherwise be hidden. The positions in which the blades may be established in order to cut stone is as appears in Fig. 11.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the saw. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the saw. Fig. 3 shows an example of stone and cut stone pieces. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the saw. Fig. 5 shows a front view of at least one embodiment of the saw.

Fig. 6 shows a front view of at least one embodiment of the saw with loaded rock.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of at least one embodiment of the saw.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of a part of at least one embodiment of the saw.

Fig. 9 shows an aerial, perspective view of at least one belt-driven embodiment of the saw. Fig. 10 shows a close-up view of a part of at least one embodiment of the saw (with chain removed).

Fig. 11 shows a schematic illustrating two chutes for automatic transport of cut stone pieces, as appears in at least one embodiment.

Fig. 12 a, b and c show pins in: (a) extended (partially extended) positions; (b) fully retracted positions; and (c) extended (fully extended) positions.

Fig. 13 shows features of at least one embodiment of a pin extension force system (part of a stone drive system).

Fig. 14 shows features of at least one embodiment of a pin extension force system, and parts of an embodiment of a pin lock system. Fig. 15 shows at least one embodiment of the pin block (part of a stone drive system), and parts integral thereof, in addition to a chain to which it may be attached.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, ^" with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be a stone veneer cutting saw apparatus (1) that comprises a substantially horizontal V-shaped stone support (2) configured to support stone (3) having a cornered surface (4) (whether uneven or flat on both sides of the corner edge); two saw blades (5) configured to cut the cornered surface from the stone while it is supported by the V-shaped stone support; at least one saw blade drive system (6) (e.g., at least one saw motor (7) and associated drive componentry) configured to rotate the saw blades; and a stone drive system (8) configured to drive the stone along the substantially horizontal V-shaped stone support. Of course, blades (5) configured to cut the cornered surface from the stone are configured to cut corner veneer. It should also be understood that the term corner is broad, and includes jagged corners (as are typically found in blocks of quarried rock) in addition to corners that appear from above to be curved (e.g., that from above appear to represent a quarter arc of a circle) or sharp.

The V-shaped stone support is substantially horizontal where a line (whether imaginary or not) defined by the intersection of the two planes of the "V" is substantially horizontal. Of course, use of the term "V-shaped" does not imply any particular angle (16) formed by the two planes of the "V", although in particular embodiments, it can be from and including 90 degrees to 120 degrees, whether adjustable or not, although certainly other angles are possible. Given that the angle of those stone corner pieces that seem to be most in demand is 90 degrees, preferred embodiments are able to cut such a corner. Additionally, it should be noted that the support can have gaps (e.g., a vacant slot at the very bottom of the "V" to allow for water drainage) and still be properly characterized as having the shape of a "V". The use of the term V-shaped is intended merely to indicate the presence of structure(s) that in any way can be viewed as defining two intersecting planes. For purposes of clarity, it should be understood that the corner surface of the stone need not be uneven (e.g., as appearing after removal from a quarry), as indeed one or both surfaces of the corner surface can be even and substantially flat. However, given the demand for natural appearing (e.g., uneven) corner surfaces, a frequent application of the inventive technology disclosed and claimed herein is to cut uneven surfaced corners.

It should be understood that a stone support need not contact the stone (although, indeed it may), as in at least one embodiment, the stone support does not contact the stone

but instead provides a sturdy support for the stone drive system, or parts thereof. In such embodiments, certain parts of the stone drive system (e.g., traction pins and pin block(s)) are situated immediately beneath the stone and may directly contact the stone during a cut operation.

It should also be understood that the term configured, as used herein, generally implies that the referenced item is established, designed or otherwise adapted to achieve the identified purpose or result. For example, two saw blades configured to cut a cornered surface from stone while it is supported by a stone support are each established in a plane that is a distance away from the surface(s) of the underlying structure(s) that contact the stone. As such, a corner with a thickness can indeed be cut from the stone, leaving a cut cornered surface stone piece (typically having a thickness of from at least 1 mm at all points to, perhaps no greater than 6 inches at all points) and a remnant stone piece. Further, a stone support configured to support stone will be established substantially under the stone.

The stone drive system configured to drive the stone along the stone support (regardless of its shape or orientation) refers to those parts or structures that operate to move the stone during a cut operation. It includes those parts that contact the stone during a cut operation and act to transfer a drive (e.g., movement) force to it such that the stone is moved. In at least one embodiment, it includes independently extendable traction pins (9), a traction pin base (10) from which the traction pins extend, and at least one pin extension force system (11). However, such a system (an example of which is as shown in Fig. 13), is not the only type of stone drive system. Although indeed such a pin-based stone drive system has operational advantages (e.g., enhanced stability of the stone during a cut operation), other systems could be used. Such stone drive systems might involve: a push plate established behind the stone, perhaps with underlying rollers or belt; a pressurized traction system that contacts the sides of the stone and transfers a movement force thereby, perhaps with underlying rollers or belt or simply a motorized conveyor belt, as but three of many examples. Further, it should be pointed out that a stone drive system drives the stone along a stone support even where the stone support does not contact the stone. Typically, any stone drive system will include a stone drive motor (23) and associated componentry.

It should be understood that a related stone veneer cutting method is within the ambit of the inventive technology. It may comprise the steps of: supporting stone with a substantially horizontal V-shaped stone support, where the stone may have a cornered surface; moving the stone along the substantially horizontal V-shaped stone support with a stone drive system; and cutting the cornered surface from the stone with two saw blades and while performing the steps of supporting stone and moving the stone.

Cleanliness and cooling may be important to the upkeep of the saw apparatus. For these reasons, it may further include a blade, water cooling system (12) that cools (and perhaps cleans) the two saw blades; a stone drive, water cleaning system (13) adapted to clean at least part of the stone drive system; and/or a stone, water cleaning system adapted to clean the stone at some point on the process (including after the cut operation).

Various aspects of the inventive technology may relate to computer control of the saw apparatus and the cut operation. For instance, a computerized control system (15) (e.g., programmable logic control system) may be configured to control a cut operation performed by the stone veneer cutting saw apparatus by automatically sensing the amperage of the at least one saw blade drive motor and automatically adjusting the speed of the stone drive system accordingly. Other aspects of the system that may be computer controlled include but by no means limited to: computerized cut thickness adjustability; and computerized cut angle adjustability (e.g., from substantially 90 degrees to substantially 120 degrees). Cut thickness (17), whether adjustable via computer or not, may enable the control of the thickness of the side of the veneer (e.g., left or right) cut by each blade individually, or enable tandem control (e.g., where it is desired that each blade cut corner veneer such that each has equal thickness. A hollow blade motor may facilitate computerized adjustment of the cut thickness. Of course, in order to adjust the cut thickness, it may be necessary to move each blade in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the blade and also parallel with the plane of the blade. In the case of tandem control, the two saw blades may be viewed as defining an average cut thickness that is adjustable.

At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may relate to separator plates (18). As such, a stone veneer cutting saw apparatus may comprise: a stone support configured to support stone having a cornered surface (4); two saw blades defining two removed material planes and configured to cut the cornered surface from the stone while

the stone is supported by the stone support; at least one saw blade drive system configured to rotate the two saw blades; and two separator plates (18), each established in one of the two removed material planes. It should be understood that the removed material planes are defined by the two saw blades in that they are located immediately "downstream" of the blades, in the same planes in which the blades lie, and have a thickness that is substantially equal to the thickness of each of the saw blades. As such, as one can readily appreciate, the two removed material planes are relatively oriented in substantially the same way as are the saw blades (e.g., when the saw blades are established 90 degrees relative to one another, so too are the removed material planes). As such, the separator plates, upon being established in the removed material planes (one plate in each plane), would also have such similar orientation. In related fashion, the two separator plates may each be adjustable with a corresponding one of the two saw blades, enabling an automatic adjustment of sorts of the separator plates when the blades are adjusted themselves (whether as regards cut thickness or otherwise). Such separator plate adjustment may result from a structural connection between a part of the saw that moves with the blade (e.g., a blade housing) and the separator plate. It should also be noted that the separator plates may, in certain embodiments, have trailing edges that are offset from one another (such that one is further "downstream" than the other). As will be discussed, such configuration may be employed to facilitate an automatic transportation (e.g., down chutes) of the cut cornered surface stone piece and a remnant stone piece.

It should also be understood that the term plate as used in separator plate is a broad term referring to any structure, whether including non-moving parts or moving parts, that is established at least partially in the removed material planes and that effects some support of the material above it, whether it be a completely removed (via cutting) piece of material, or a piece of material in the process of being removed by cutting. Indeed, a purpose of the separator plates may be to support the material (e.g., stone) above it during a cut operation, thereby precluding binding or pinching of the saw blades that might otherwise be observed. Such binding and/or pinching may occur, in the absence of the separator plates, and may become particularly problematic as the cut progresses towards completion, as the material might not have sufficient rigidity to prevent the newly formed cantilever from bowing under the force of gravity. It should also be understood that even where two separator plates are attached (e.g., at their lower edges, at the bottom of a V that they may form), two separator plates (not merely one) are deemed to exist.

A method addressing in particular the separator plates may be referred to as a stone veneer cutting method and may comprise the steps of: supporting stone with a stone support, where the stone has a cornered surface; moving the stone along the stone support with a stone drive system; cutting the cornered surface from the stone with two saw blades to generate a first, cut stone portion and a second, cut stone portion, while performing the steps of supporting stone and moving the stone; directly supporting the first, cut stone portion with two separator plates (e.g., via direct contact between the separator plates and a cut stone surface above the separator plates); and generating a cut cornered surface stone piece and a remnant stone piece. In preferred embodiments, the first, cut stone portion is the remnant stone piece while the second, cut stone portion is the cut cornered surface stone piece.

At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may address an automatic stone piece transport system (70) as incorporated into a stone veneer cutting saw apparatus. Such saw may comprise: a stone support (e.g., a V-shaped stone support) configured to support stone having a cornered surface; two saw blades configured to cut the stone while it is supported by the stone support so as to generate a cut cornered surface stone piece and a remnant stone piece; at least one saw blade drive system configured to rotate the saw blades; and a chute adapted to automatically transport the cut cornered surface stone piece from a space conformed with the remnant stone piece to a space not conformed with the remnant stone piece. Of course, when the stone is cut to generate a cut cornered surface stone piece, the remaining piece is deemed the remnant stone piece. The term "space conformed with the remnant stone piece" generally refers to that space in which the cut cornered surface stone piece is situated immediately at the point of termination of a cut operation. It is typically below and substantially abuts the space occupied by the remnant stone piece. The term "space not conformed with the remnant stone piece" refers to any space that is different from the "space conformed with the remnant stone piece." Typically, there is no overlap between the two spaces, and the space not conformed with the remnant stone piece is below the stone support (e.g., at the bottom of a chute). Automatically implies that the indicated action takes place without activation or causation by a human operator at the time of, or shortly before, the action. Further, the term chute is a broad term and requires merely an opening of sorts (e.g., as established through the stone support) designed to use gravity in order to effect transport

of a stone piece as desired. Also, it may include a sloped surface beneath the opening designed to guide the stone to a particular, intended stationary position that is below the stone support.

In at least one embodiment, the space not conformed with the remnant stone piece is to a first side (75) of a vertical plane of substantial symmetry (72) defined by the stone veneer cutting saw apparatus. The term "substantial" as used to characterize symmetry implies that the parts of the saw apparatus on either side of the vertical plane need not be identically symmetric. In a preferred embodiment, this plane includes a linear intersection of two planes of the V-shaped stone support. In at least one embodiment, the chute is a cut cornered surface stone piece chute (73) and the apparatus further comprises a remnant stone piece chute (74) that is adapted to automatically transport the remnant stone piece from above the stone support to below the stone support and to a second side (76) of the vertical plane of substantial symmetry. The second side of the vertical plane of substantial symmetry is, in a preferred embodiment, different from the first side.

In certain embodiments, the stone support may comprise a first stone support side (77) and a second stone support side (78). The stone support is adapted on the first support side to establish an opening (79) of the cut cornered surface stone piece chute and adapted on the second stone support side to establish an opening (80) of the remnant stone piece chute. Certain adaptations may be made to the stone support and/or other aspects of the saw to enable the cut cornered surface stone piece to fall down one chute (the cut cornered surface stone piece chute situated on one side of a saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry), and the remnant stone piece to fall down the other chute (the remnant stone piece chute, typically situated on the other side of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry).

More particularly, in order to effect such automatic transportation of the stone pieces to opposite sides, a leading (e.g., most "upstream") edge (81) of the cut cornered surface stone piece chute may be more upstream than a leading edge (82) of the remnant stone piece chute. Further, in those embodiments with separator plates, one of the separator plates may be deemed associated with a cut cornered surface stone piece chute (and thus may be referred to as a cut cornered surface stone piece separator plate (83)) and the other separator plate may be deemed associated with a remnant 'stone piece chute (and

thus may be referred to as a remnant stone piece separator plate (84)). Of course, the cut cornered surface stone piece separator plate is on the same side of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry as is the cut cornered surface stone piece separator chute and the remnant stone piece separator plate is on the same side of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry as is the remnant stone piece separator chute. Additionally, it should be understood that the term "upstream" is merely adopted herein because it clearly refers to a direction that is opposite the direction in which the stone is moved during a cut operation.

In order to further assure that the cut stone pieces fall down different chutes and are transported to different sides of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry, the remnant stone piece separator plate may have a trailing edge (85) that is more upstream than a trailing edge (86) of the cut cornered surface stone piece separator plate. Instead of, or addition, the leading edge (82) of the remnant stone piece chute may be more upstream than a trailing edge (86) of the cut cornered surface stone piece separator plate. Either such adaptation may, when incorporated into a saw apparatus in which a leading edge of the cut cornered surface stone piece chute is more upstream than a leading edge of the remnant stone piece chute, help to assure that the cut stone pieces are automatically transported to different sides of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry as desired.

A method related to the "chute" apparatus may be referred to as a stone veneer cutting saw method and may comprise the steps of: supporting a stone having a cornered surface with a stone support; cutting the cornered surface from the stone to generate a cut cornered surface stone piece and a remnant stone piece; and automatically transporting the cut cornered surface stone piece from a space conformed with the remnant stone piece to a space not conformed with the remnant stone piece.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive technology, the blades may be offset relative to one another. As such, one may be more "upstream" (e.g., towards the front of the saw) than the other. Such configuration may enable a complete cutting of the stone (where no central, longitudinal connecting joint remains after a cut) while avoiding problems associated with attempts at such comprehensive cutting without offset blades. As one can appreciate, such problems relate to the requirement that the cut profile of the

blades intersect, and more particularly include high tolerances, precision control, failure, at times, to comprehensively cut the stone, and excessive blade wear when the blades do contact one another. Simply, offsetting the blades avoids these problems to varying degrees, and the costs and operational delays associated therewith.

As mentioned, the inventive saw apparatus may include a stone drive system. However, such a system is inventive by itself, even without incorporation into a saw (a trade term referring to the entire apparatus), and even as applied to materials other than stone. In at least one embodiment, such system may include an apparatus (190) (whether a force transfer apparatus for traction and support, or merely support) that comprises a plurality of independently extendable pins (9); a pin base (10) from which the traction pins extend; and at least one pin extension force system (11) configured to bias the independently extendable pins to extended positions (20) according to a lower, uneven surface of a material supported above the independently extendable pins. When a folly retracted pin moves towards an extended position when it is released (e.g., a lock is discontinued) from such folly extended position, that pin is said to be biased to an extended position. Such bias assures that the pins conform to the uneven surface of the stone above (whether they directly contact it or not) so as to provide adequate (e.g., maximum) traction force. It also assures that when desired, the pins are extended to their maximum positions.

The at least one pin extension force system may move pins from retracted positions (as where they may be unlocked from a locked, folly retracted position (21) to rise up and stop against an uneven stone surface above), or from folly extended positions (22) (as where they, in released mode, are compressed from their folly extended positions upon placement of stone on the released pins) - both protocols are within the ambit of this aspect of the inventive technology. It is of note that even where the pins are in folly extended positions and are compressed upon placement on the pins of a sufficiently heavy material (e.g., stone), the pins are still viewed as being biased to extended positions according to the lower, uneven surface of the material supported above. Further, for a pin to be in an extended position, it need not be in its folly extended position; it merely need not be in its folly retracted position. The apparatus may be used to support and/or provide traction on a stone or other material having an uneven (e.g., not perfectly uniplanar) surface.

When used for traction, the pins may be referred to as independently extendable traction pins and the pin base as a traction pin base. It should be understood that the term pins is broad and intended to include any extendable and retractable part. It should also be understood that the term "according to a lower, uneven surface of a material supported above the independently extendable pins" implies that the pins need not directly contact the uneven surface, although in a preferred embodiment they do. For example, in less preferred, but still inventive, embodiments, a covering (e.g., a thin rubberized sheet) may overlay the upper portions of the pin such that it is actually the rubberized sheet, sandwiched between the uneven material surface and the upper portions of the pins, that contacts the uneven material surface.

As mentioned, it may be adapted for incorporation into a stone cutting saw (e.g., a stone veneer cutting saw such as a stone corner veneer cutting saw); indeed, when used to provide traction, it provides a very effective means for transferring a force that is able to move the stone through the saw blades during a cut operation, while maintaining the stone in a position that is consistent relative to the saw blades, and stable throughout a cut operation.

The independently extendable pins of the apparatus may have a top (e.g., an upper portion) that contacts the material (including but not limited to stone) when it is supported above the independently extendable pins. As such pins are independently extendable, they can extend to the surface of the material lying thereagainst. Of course, with an uneven surface lying against the apparatus (e.g., beneath it), at least some of the pins will extend different amounts. Such differential extension is what may provide the desired taction that is helpful, or even necessary, to move the material through the saw blades. As can be readily appreciated, such differential extension may help to provide an enhanced frictional component (perhaps because of an enhanced horizontal component of the surface contacting at least some of the pins), thereby enabling a greater horizontal movement force to be transferred to the stone. As an entirely separate benefit, the pins, with their ability to substantially conform to the uneven surface of the material (e.g., by providing contact with the stone at regular intervals), may simply enhance the stability of the stone during a cut operation by preventing any "rocking" of the stone in response to the force applied by the

blades during cutting. It is of note that in a preferred embodiment, the independently extendable pins are arranged in a two dimensional pattern.

As noted, in at least one embodiment, the independently extendable pins extend from a pin base; such base may have a substantially uniplanar upper surface. The at least one pin extension force system may include a fluid (a non-compressible fluid such as hydraulic oil or grease, as but two examples), a fluid pressurizer (25) (e.g., at least one spring established behind at least one piston (30) in a piston bore), and at least one channel (26) through which the fluid may flow. Such channel(s) may be obstructed or not by a valve (27), which itself may be part of a spool (28) established and movable (e.g., translatable and/or rotatable (e.g., about its own axis) so as to open or close valve(s)) in a spool bore (29). Such fluid may be pressurized by the head of the piston, which, of course, may be forced against the contained fluid by the spring behind it. The pressurized fluid may act against the pins to assure that the pins, when released below a material placed above them having a lower, uneven surface, are automatically positioned according to that lower, uneven surface. In such manner, the pins, particularly given their differential extension resulting from the "unevenness" of the surface, provide an enhanced traction on the surface of the material placed above them. It is also of note that there may be four extension force systems for each five pins, although certainly other configurations are possible. Other parts that may be included in the design include an end cap, a snap ring sealer, and a pin sealer.

Of course, it may be desirable in certain applications to lock the pins in extended, or perhaps retracted positions. Indeed, such may result in a more effective transference of a movement force to the material to be moved. As such, a traction (or support) apparatus may further comprise a pin lock system (33) that is configured to lock the independently extendable pins in at least one desired mode (e.g., retracted positions and extended positions). The pin lock system may comprise a valve system that is configured to pass fluid into a space behind each of the independent extendable traction pins (e.g., a pinbore), then trap the fluid in that space, and then, when desired, release the fluid from that space.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive technology, the valve system may include a perforated spool (28), where the perforations, depending on the orientation of the spool, either allow the flow of fluid to or from a space behind the extendable pins. Such

re-orientation - to achieve reconfiguration between an open mode and a closed mode as desired - may be achieved where the spool is extendable and/or rotatable (e.g., about its longitudinal axis). In at least one embodiment, the valve system is automatically reconfigurable (e.g., without requiring active intervention by a human operator when reconfiguration is desired).

In cases where the traction/support apparatus is moved in controlled fashion, and indeed in at least one embodiment of this aspect of the inventive technology, such automatic reconfiguration may be provided through the appropriate establishment of valve reconfiguration triggers (40) that reorient a spool (or a part that the spool is responsive to) when the triggers contact it (e.g., at its ends). Such triggers (sometimes referred to as "dogs" by the inventors) may be established as rigid, perhaps ramped, projections that protrude from the side of a conveyor path so as to contact a spool part so that the movable spool part moves as it goes by the trigger. The triggers may be established in alternating fashion (e.g., as one progresses along the conveyor, a trigger (a lock or release trigger) may first appear on one side of a pin block to either release or lock the pins, and then, further down the conveyor, a trigger may appear on the other side of a pin block to achieve the opposite (lock or release). In such manner, at appropriate points during the entire process (e.g., alongside the conveyor), the valves can be closed or opened as desired, thereby locking the pins in a desired position, or releasing the pins perhaps allowing them to move to biased positions. It is of note that the term trigger does not necessarily imply that a valve be closed, opened or reconfigured in any manner, although in a preferred embodiment, it does imply valve reconfiguration.

In those embodiments with a conveyor(s) that move the pin block and parts integral thereof in circulating fashion so that the pin blocks automatically reappear towards the front of the saw, triggers (e.g., lock or release triggers) may appear before or at a stone (or other material) loading zone (90). so as to first release the pins from retracted positions; thereafter (e.g., downstream of such valve release triggers), but before the leading edge of the saw blades, additional triggers (valve lock triggers) may be established to lock the pins in their independently extended positions. It is noted that in at least one embodiment, the pins are biased to extended positions (in an extended direction) such that, when released, they will each extend to their maximum possible distance (whether that be a full extension, or instead a distance according to an uneven surface). As but one

example, as mentioned, a trigger may be a slightly ramped, interfering edge protrusion that the spool or other part unavoidably hits at a certain point during its travel with a conveyor. This may cause an opening in the spoolbore that was previously in line with channels of the pin block on either side of the spool opening, thereby allowing fluid flow, to no longer by aligned with such channels, thereby blocking fluid flow, trapping fluid behind pins and locking the pins in their position. A release operation would involve an opposite procedure. Further, for purposes of clarity, the lock triggers may automatically lock the independently extendable traction pins in locked positions, while the release triggers may automatically release the independently extendable traction pins from the locked positions.

After a cut, after the stone is moved from above the pins, and perhaps after the conveyor is guided through a 180 degree turn, thereafter traveling under the material support to the front of the saw during a return, additional trigger(s) (100) may be situated so as to terminate the lock in their extended positions. In certain embodiments, a sandwiching ramp (41) of sorts may be situated so as to force the unlocked pins into, e.g., fully retracted positions, at which point valve lock triggers (101) may be used to lock the pins in such positions. Such a ramp may be used because, as mentioned, the pins are, in at least one embodiment, biased towards an extended position (so that they each automatically extend to their maximum allowable distance when released). After the pins are locked in their retraction positions, they may, as attached to the conveyor, be guided through a 180 degree turn and pass from under the stone support to above it and upstream of the saw. At this point, material such as stone may be placed on the pins and thereafter, but before the material passes into the saw, pins may be released, whether by release triggers (102) or otherwise, so that they extend to their maximum allowable position. The pins may then be locked, whether automatically by valve lock triggers (103), or manually. Of course, such release and subsequent locking achieves the desired effect of enhancing application of the material moving force (e.g., as supplied by the motors that move the conveyor) to the material (again, including but not limited to stone). It is of note that automatic reconfiguration is not a required feature of particular aspects of the inventive technology, as valve reconfiguration may be achieved manually by, e.g., simply moving a spool, perhaps having an attached handle, as appropriate at the correct time.

It is also of note that the aforementioned sandwiching ramp is not a required feature of particular aspects of the inventive technology. Simply, in certain embodiments,

the entire pin retraction with a sandwiching ramp, retracted pin position lock and the additional pin release step required thereby (and the componentry associated therewith) that may be performed after a cut operation may be avoided simply by releasing the lock after a cut operation and leaving the pins in their released, but fully extended, positions before a material such as stone is placed thereon (e.g., as they travel from under the stone support back to the front of the saw). The material (e.g., stone) can then be placed on the released but extended pins; after the pins (some, at least) are compressed such that the compressed pins are no longer in their fully extended positions, they can be locked and the material can be passed through the saw. Such compressed pins are, of course, considered to be in extended positions according to a lower, uneven surface of a material supported above the independently extendable pins. And, as mentioned, even in such an expedited pin reconfiguration procedure, the at least one pin extension force system is still deemed to be configured to bias the independently extendable pins to extended positions according to a lower, uneven surface of a material supported above the independently extendable pins.

It is of note that there may be one or even a plurality of pin blocks used to move the stone. There may be one or more than one on each side of the saw's vertical plane of substantial symmetry. In at least one embodiment of the inventive technology, they may be arranged side-by-side in rectilinear fashion.

The traction/support apparatus may be self-contained in that the at least one pin extension force system may be integral of the pin base. As such, the at least one pin extension force system may also move when a drive system moves the traction pin base and the independently extendable traction pins. Further, in embodiments where it is self- contained, there is no need for peripheral equipment such as a compressor and connecting hoses.

One example of a drive system that may be suitable to move the traction/support apparatus (and the material it contacts, such as stone) includes a conveying system such as a chain 160 or belt 161 and drive system motor. Such a conveyor may form a type of circulating system that can be used to transport system components (e.g., those integral with the pin block) after they are used to transfer a movement force to material such as stone. After the stone is cut and, perhaps, the resultant stone pieces are automatically transported via chutes, the conveyor may be guided through a 180 degree turn and

thereafter pass under the stone support, with traction/support apparatus such as the pin block and componentry and fluid that may be integral thereof, attached to the conveyor. As such, they too may be recirculated back under the material support (e.g., stone support) and back towards the front of the saw apparatus. Of course, to get from under the material support to above it in order to be able to move material such as stone placed above it, the conveyor may again need to be guided through a 180 degree turn. It is of note that the aforementioned triggers may appear anywhere along the path of the conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor (chain or belt, as but two examples) is unbroken, thereby facilitating repair and replacement of system components as necessary.

A method related to the traction and support apparatus may comprise the steps of: obtaining a material having an uneven surface; establishing the uneven surface substantially against and above a plurality of independently extendable traction pins in retracted positions; where the plurality of independently extendable traction pins extend from a traction pin base; extending the independently extendable traction pins to extended positions (e.g., from fully retracted or partially extended positions) so as to substantially conform to the uneven surface of the material; and locking the independently extendable traction pins in the extended positions.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both veneer cutting techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate veneer cutting. In this application, the cutting and force transfer techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature

or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of .the invention both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms — even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or

action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a "support" should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of "supporting" ~ whether explicitly discussed or not ~ and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of "supporting", such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a "support" and even a "means for supporting" Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in this application for patent; or patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application I. U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

II. OTHERDOCUMENTS www.TargetBlue.com, Tilematic G2, 05/05/2006

TargetTileSaws.com, Target Stonematic Tile and Stone Saw, 05/05/2006

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the saw and force transfer devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods

ana apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented.

In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable to programming or other electronic automation, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: xii) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer as described throughout the above discussion, xiv) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xv) a computer readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout the above discussion, xvi) a computer configured as herein disclosed and described, xvii) individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed and described, xviii) the related methods disclosed and described, xix) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xx) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xxi) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxii) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxiii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the above.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws ~ including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws- to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular

embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase "comprising" is used to maintain the "open-end" claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.