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 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 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 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 connector plate stock includes a sheet metal plate having a plurality of elongated nail-like teeth struck to project to one side thereof and in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows. Mutually normal scorelines are formed in the stock plate to define a plurality of discrete connector plates. The scorelines also define weakened portions along the stock plate between adjacent discrete connector plates whereby the latter are separable one from the other and from the stock plate. The connector plate stock per se provides a packing assemblage. The stock is stacked for shipping in pairs of stack plates having teeth extending toward one another. The stock plates of each adjacent pair thereof in the stock lie in back-to-back relation one with the other.

Abstract: The bed frame includes a pair of side rails, end rails and intermediate slats in coplanar relation. The slats and end rails are secured at opposite ends to the side rails by plates of the type having a plurality of teeth struck to project to one side thereof. Particularly, the plates are embedded on opposite sides of the joints formed between the ends of the slats and end rails on the one hand and the side rails on the other hand. A central support strip of sheet metal underlies the intermediate slats and its ends overlie the end rails. The central support is secured by plates of the foregoing type wherein the teeth pass through the strap and are embedded into the underlying wooden end rails. In one form hereof a corner plate is provided for joining the ends of the end rails to the ends of the side rails. The corner plate includes a sheet metal plate formed to provide channel shaped portions at opposite ends which extend at right angles to one another with inside and outside radii therebetween.

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 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.