FEED ROLLER

Abstract

A feed roller, comprising a round plate-type flange body, and radial ribs fixed at an even spacing over its outer circumference with gripping members for providing a firm grip of the surface of a tree stem being handled by the feed roller. Further, the outer edge of the plate-type ribs is disposed at an oblique angle to the axis of the feed roller, and the outer edge of each rib comprises several gripping members having a straight blade edge, arranged such that the blade edges extend parallel to the axis of the feed roller.

Claims

1. A feed roller, comprising: a round plate-type flange body, and radial ribs fixed at an even spacing over its outer circumference with gripping members for providing a firm grip of the surface of a tree stem being handled by the feed roller, wherein the outer edge of the plate-type ribs is disposed at an oblique angle to the axis of the feed roller, and wherein the outer edge of each rib comprises several gripping members having a straight blade edge, arranged such that the blade edges extend parallel to the axis of the feed roller.

2. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein there are at least three gripping members.

3. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein the blade edges of the gripping members form a curved convex surface.

4. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein the blade edges of the gripping members of all ribs lie on the same cylindrical surface.

5. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein the rib with its gripping members is machined from a single one-piece steel plate.

6. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein the rib with its gripping members is an integral piece with no seams or joints, which is welded to the flange body.

7. The feed roller according to claim 1, wherein said oblique angle is between 15-45.

8. The feed roller according to claim 2, wherein there are 5-10 gripping members in a row at the outer edge of the rib.

9. The feed roller according to claim 7, wherein said oblique angle is approximately 25.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0012] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of one feed roller according to the invention,

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the feed roller of FIG. 1 as seen along the circumference, and

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the feed roller of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The feed roller illustrated in the figures comprises a round plate-type flange body 1 having a central hole surrounded by installation holes 6 for bolting the feed roller to a machine to be operated. The outer circumference of the flange body 1 is provided with evenly spaced plate-type ribs 2 shaped at the ends facing the flange body so as to correspond to installation recesses provided on the outer circumference of the flange body, the ribs being welded firmly to the outer circumference of the flange body so as to protrude away, i.e. outwardly from it.

[0016] The plate-type, substantially linear outer edge of the rib 2 is disposed at an oblique angle to a line defined by the axis 4 of the roller. At the outer edge of the rib there are a number of gipping members 3, five in the figures, disposed one after another. The gripping members are formed by outwardly protruding straight blade edges 5, a straight line L of which is parallel to said axis 4. Thus, the blade lines of individual gripping members 3 are parallel to the axis 4 of the feed roller, even though the gripping members 3 are disposed in a line angled at an angle to said axial line 4.

[0017] As shown by rib A in FIG. 1, the gripping members are disposed in said straight line L, and the orientation S of the blade edge 5 of each of the gripping members is parallel to the axis 4 of the roller. In addition, as shown by rib B in FIG. 1, the gripping members 3 are disposed, in the radial direction of the roller, at different distances from the axis of the roller, such that their blade edges 5 form a slightly curved line. This curvature corresponds to the total curvature of the roller along the circumference. Thus, the greater the angle , the greater said curvature is to be adjusted. This way, the sharp blade edges that are parallel to the axis 4 in all gripping members at the ends of all ribs will lie on the same cylindrical surface, moving perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, i.e. the direction of movement, of a tree stem being processed. Thus, the grip of the tree stem is firm and tight, such that the roller feeds the stem being processed smoothly and noiselessly.

[0018] The invention has been described above by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, various embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope defined by the claims.