Abstract: The fastener comprises a sheet metal plate bent to provide two or more angularly related planar plate portions. One of the plate portions has a plurality of elongated nail-like teeth struck therefrom for embedment into one of the joint members. The other plate portion or portions have a plurality of elongated teeth each comprised of angularly related shank and tip portions. The shank portions extend from and form an included angle with such other plate portion. The tip portions extend from the shank portions in a direction toward the plate portion from which the tooth is struck and are poised for insertion through the respective slots for embedment into another of the joint members. Inside and outside connectors are formed depending upon the orientation of the teeth in the plate portions.

Abstract: Wooden members are joined with sheet metal connector plates having integrally struck teeth projecting from one side. The wooden members are placed between first and second pressheads. A coiled composite of connector plate stock has first and second lengths of connector stock in juxtaposition and with intermeshing teeth. The first and second lengths of connector stock are unwound separately and oriented so that the teeth thereof point toward the wooden members to be joined. A cutting means associated with the pressheads cut connector plates from the stock and the plates are positioned on opposite sides of the wooden members and at the junctures to be joined. The pressheads press the plates into the wooden members. The connector stock is provided as a free coil and has the advantage that no spool, reel, or like supporting device is required. Further, the composite of connector stock has no teeth projecting from outer surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A clip for attaching together planar wooden or like members comprising a one-piece sheet metal element having a flat base adapted to be seated on one of the members and provided along one edge with an outwardly open socket-like formation above a surface of its base for abutting engagement with the other of the members, the base having a bent nail portion formed by material displaced out of said base to leave an opening in the base and comprising a shank portion extending at an acute angle from an edge of said opening away from the base surface and the opening and a tip portion extending from a transverse bend toward the base opening and being adapted to angularly penetrate the one member, the included angle between the shank and tip portions being an acute angle, and the tip portion being bifurcated with the free ends of the bifurcations having oppositely lateraly outwardly inclined edges.

Abstract: A clip for securing planar members, such as tongue and groove pine boards, panel boards and flooring, to wooden supports, such as furring strips. The clip is formed from a metal plate and has first and second portions struck out from the plate. The first and second portions both extend outwardly from the plate in the same direction. The first portion is angularly bent so as to form an L-shaped finger member capable of engaging a peripheral edge of the planar member to be secured to the furring strip. The second portion has a free pointed end and is angularly bent so that it can be driven back across the plane in which the plate lies and then driven into the wooden support member to which the planar member is to be secured.

Abstract: An assembly machine for embedding connector plates in wooden structural members includes a plurality of work stations which can be adjustably positioned along a support frame. Each work station includes a table having a work support surface and an upright C-shaped frame member balanced on a pneumatically operated cylinder and movable upward relative to the table. The frame member supports a lower platen at a rest position slightly below the work support surface and an upper platen movable downward toward the lower platen by a hydraulic power cylinder. Upon actuation of the hydraulic power cylinder, the upper platen is pressed downward into engagement with an upper connector plate on top of the wooden structural members and the lower platen is raised relative to the work table to press a lower connector plate upward against the wooden members. The upper and lower platens apply uniformly distributed forces to the connector plates which are firmly embedded in opposite sides of the wooden members.

Abstract: Wooden members are joined with sheet metal connector plates having integrally struck teeth projecting from one side. The wooden members are placed between first and second pressheads. A coiled composite of connector plate stock has first and second lengths of connector stock in juxtaposition and with intermeshing teeth. The first and second lengths of connector stock are unwound separately and oriented so that the teeth thereof point toward the wooden members to be joined. A cutting means associated with the pressheads cut connector plates from the stock and the plates are positioned on opposite sides of the wooden members and at the junctures to be joined. The pressheads press the plates into the wooden members. The connector stock is provided as a free coil and has the advantage that no spool, reel, or like supporting device is required. Further, the composite of connector stock has no teeth projecting from outer surfaces thereof.

Abstract: An assembly including a mechanism for retaining a rotatable member, such as a caster, mounted on an elongated member, on a support. The support, such as, for example, the bottom of a sofa, has a bore hole for receiving the elongated member. A planar metal plate having a central opening is secured to the support so that its opening is aligned with the bore hole. A plurality of teeth are struck from the metal plate so as to project outwardly from a side face of the plate. The struck teeth leave a plurality of corresponding slots in the plate. The plate is secured to the support bearing the bore hole. A resilient member having a central opening is positioned between the plate and the support so as to be in alignment with the opening in the plate and the bore hole. When attaching the elongated member, on which the roller is mounted, to the support, the elongated member will pass through the opening in the plate and the resilient member into the bore hole.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connector plate for joining wooden members comprising a planar metal plate having at least one pair of teeth formed by being struck from the plate so as to form a single opening therebetween with the teeth extending in a direction that is approximately perpendicularly and with the width of one of the teeth at its root being greater than the width of the other tooth at its root, and the length of such one tooth being greater than the length of the other tooth.

Abstract: There is provided a fastener for forming lap-type joints wherein a sheet metal plate has a plurality of teeth projecting in a substantially perpendicular direction from both sides of the plate. On one side of the plate the teeth are in rows of single teeth and on the opposite side of the plate the teeth are in rows of pairs of teeth. The ends of the single teeth are such that upon movement into a nailable member the teeth remain substantially perpendicular to the plate, while the ends of the paired teeth upon movement into a nailable surface are displaceable from the perpendicular direction and accomplishing a clenching between adjacent paired teeth. The paired teeth are of smaller cross-sectional area than the single teeth and may be placed into relatively fragile or thin material to provide secure fastening thereof to a more substantial material, e.g. wooden studs and the like.

Abstract: Wooden members are joined with sheet metal connector plates having integrally struck teeth projecting from one side. The wooden members are placed between first and second pressheads. A coiled composite of connector plate stock has first and second lengths of connector stock in juxtaposition and with intermeshing teeth. The first and second lengths of connector stock are unwound separately and oriented so that the teeth thereof point toward the wooden members to be joined. A cutting means associated with the pressheads cut connector plates from the stock and the plates are positioned on opposite sides of the wooden members and at the junctures to be joined. The pressheads press the plates into the wooden members. The connector stock is provided as a free coil and has the advantage that no spool, reel, or like supporting device is required. Further, the composite of connector stock has no teeth projecting from outer surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The method includes the use of a conveyor table mounting press assemblies above and below the table respectively. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens of the press assemblies, the platens being movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of a joint formed by a pair of wooden frame members disposed in end-to-end butting relation on the conveyor between the press assemblies. To join a pair of wooden members end to end in butting relation, the members are displaced forwardly along the conveyor table with the trailing member offset laterally from the leading member until the offset member butts a stop which locates the butt joint in accurate registration between the press platens. Clamp cylinders displace both members against a fence to longitudinally align the members.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having pairs of press heads mounted on its opposite sides. Strips of sheet metal stock from coils are fed through respective die sets for punching integrally extending teeth in the metal strips and the connector plate stock thus formed is fed into the respective paths of movement of upper and lower press platens. The platens are movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Simultaneously with the pressing operation, the die set punches additional teeth into the strip. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock with struck teeth between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation.

Abstract: The flat chord truss jig assembly includes a jig pad carrying two pairs of laterally spaced elongated guide bars. Releasable clamps are provided along the opposite outer edges of the pad and engageable with the outermost pair of bars. The innermost pair of bars are connected by longitudinally spaced rods reverse threaded at opposite ends for threaded engagement with the bars whereby rotation of the rods moves the innermost pair of bars toward and away from one another to introduce similar camber in each innermost bar. An end locator plate is positioned between each pair of bars at opposite ends of the truss. The chords and diagonals of a flat chord truss are disposed between the pairs of bars on opposite sides of the jig pad and connector plates of the type having integrally struck teeth are prepositioned at the joints between such chords and diagonals. The jig assembly is moved through a press whereupon the teeth of the connector plates are embedded into the joints to complete a flat chord truss.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having press heads mounted on opposite sides. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation. Selectively extensible and retractable stops are provided on the conveyor table and press heads against which respective webs and chords of the frame being fabricated are butted to locate the same in position forming a completed frame. Clamps on the conveyor press the chords against the web ends while the connector plates are embedded in the joints.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of spaced conveyors for conveying upper and lower frame plates through a pair of nailing assemblies. Each nailing assembly includes a nailing gun pivotal between upper and lower positions whereby nails can be driven through the plate and into a stud disposed between the plates at positions spaced along the width of the plate. The conveyor includes a drive unit for advancing the plates through the nailing assemblies discrete distances of 1.5, 16 or 24 inches. One of the conveyors and nailing assemblies is movable laterally relative to the other conveyor and nailing assembly whereby adjustments in width of the frame undergoing fabrication is accomplished. In use, a stud is butted against retractable stops upstanding between the nailing assemblies. Upon command, clamps carried by the nailing assemblies clamp the stud and frame plates one to the other and the nailing gun automatically drives a nail through the plate into the stud.

Abstract: The connector plate has a plurality of slender nail-like teeth struck to project at right angles to the plate for embedment into adjoining wooden members. The teeth are struck in longitudinal rows with the teeth in each row being staggered longitudinally relative to the teeth of next adjacent rows. The teeth in every second alternate row are struck such that the slots left thereby in the plate extend from the teeth in like directions while the teeth in the next adjacent alternate row in are struck such that the slots left thereby in the plate extend an opposed longitudinal direction to the slots formed in adjacent alternate rows. The teeth in the rows between such alternate rows are formed in longitudinally spaced pairs with each pair of teeth struck to jointly define a slot in the plate, the teeth being located at opposite ends of the slot.

Abstract: The apparatus includes slat and rail conveyors which pick up slats and rails from respective hoppers on the input side of the machine and convey the slats and rails into joint forming positions between vertically opposed pressheads mounted on opposite sides of the machine. Coils of connector plate stock, having prepunched integrally extending teeth, feed each of the upper and lower press platens and which platens are movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates into opposite sides of the joints formed by the rails and slats disposed between the pressheads.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having pairs of press heads mounted on its opposite sides. Strips of sheet metal stock from coils are fed through respective die sets for punching integrally extending teeth in the metal strips and the connector plate stock thus formed is fed into the respective paths of movement of upper and lower press platens. The platens are movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Simultaneously with the pressing operation, the die set punches additional teeth into the strip. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock with struck teeth between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table mounting press assemblies above and below the table respectively. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens of the press assemblies, the platens being movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of a joint formed by a pair of wooden frame members disposed in end-to-end butting relation on the conveyor between the press assemblies. To join a pair of wooden members end to end in butting relation, the members are displaced forwardly along the conveyor table with the trailing member offset laterally from the leading member until the offset member butts a stop which locates the butt joint in accurate registration between the press platens. Clamp cylinders displace both members against a fence to longitudinally align the members.

Abstract: The press includes a base structure carrying a press platen and an upper floating head carrying a press platen, the floating head being movable toward and away from the base. A fluid-actuated cylinder is provided at each end of the press to raise and lower the head. A load transfer assembly interconnects opposite ends of the press and includes a transfer bar pivotally connected at opposite ends to bellcranks at opposite ends of the base. Rods at opposite ends of the press connect between the bellcranks and head. When the press is subjected to asymmetrical loadings, the load transfer apparatus transfers a portion of the force applied to the head by the cylinder at one end of the press to the head at the opposite end of the press.