Patents by Inventor Robert W. Birckhead

Robert W. Birckhead has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Staggered teeth plate
    Patent number: 4737060
    Abstract: A method for quickly manufacturing a connector plate of varying design strength in a minimum size plate for joining wooden members which approximates the ideal connector plate for that particular design, thereby making it unnecessary to use plates of greater strength than required. The plate is produced with a controlled number of teeth extending transversely outwardly from one major side of the plate in varying patterns. The new and improved method includes feeding sheet metal stock of predetermined width through a die having a plurality of punches that are controlled for relative movement with respect to the stock, striking the sheet metal plate with the die at predetermined intervals to form the particular desired pattern of teeth extending from the plate and leaving a plurality of longitudinally extending slots formed in the plate, and cutting the plate when the desired total length of the plate is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Robert W. Birckhead
  • Method of forming truss plates
    Patent number: 4625535
    Abstract: A method for quickly manufacturing a connector plate of varying design strength in a minimum size plate for joining wooden members which approximates the ideal connector plate for that particular design, thereby making it unnecessary to use plates of greater strength than required. The plate is produced with a controlled number of teeth extending transversely outwardly from one major side of the plate in varying patterns. The new and improved method includes feeding sheet metal stock of predetermined width through a die having a plurality of punches that are controlled for relative movement with respect to the stock, striking the sheet metal plate with the die at predetermined intervals to form the particular desired pattern of teeth extending from the plate and leaving a plurality of longitudinally extending slots formed in the plate, and cutting the plate when the desired total length of the plate is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Robert W. Birckhead
  • Method of manufacturing a connector plate, connector plate and machine for manufacturing connector plate
    Patent number: 4549838
    Abstract: A method for quickly manufacturing a connector plate of varying design strength in a minimum size plate for joining wooden members which approximates the ideal connector plate for that particular design, thereby making it unnecessary to use plates of greater strength than required. The plate is produced with a controlled number of teeth extending transversely outwardly from one major side of the plate in varying patterns. The new and improved method includes feeding sheet metal stock of predetermined width through a die having a plurality of punches that are controlled for relative movement with respect to the stock, striking the sheet metal plate with the die at predetermined intervals to form the particular desired pattern of teeth extending from the plate and leaving a plurality of longitudinally extending slots formed in the plate, and cutting the plate when the desired total length of the plate is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Birckhead