Abstract: A truss plate includes a generally planar backing member that includes a plurality of elongate apertures defined by a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges and a plurality of teeth, each of which extends in a first direction from one side of the backing member. At least some of the teeth comprise a shank and a tip portion. The shank extends from a position adjacent an end edge of one of the apertures and comprises a major shank portion, a minor shank portion, and an arcuate base portion. The major shank portion is generally arcuate in cross-section. The major and minor shank portions are separated by a crease extending in the first direction from the backing member, with one end of the crease being substantially centered between the side edges of the aperture. The shank is twisted about an axis parallel to the first direction so that the major shank portion is substantially larger than the minor shank portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: A truss plate includes a generally planar backing member that includes a plurality of elongate apertures defined by a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges and a plurality of teeth, each of which extends in a first direction from one side of the backing member. At least some of the teeth comprise a shank and a tip portion. The shank extends from a position adjacent an end edge of one of the apertures and comprises a major shank portion, a minor shank portion, and an arcuate base portion. The major shank portion is generally arcuate in cross-section. The major and minor shank portions are separated by a crease extending in the first direction from the backing member, with one end of the crease being substantially centered between the side edges of the aperture. The shank is twisted about an axis parallel to the first direction so that the major shank portion is substantially larger than the minor shank portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates comprises a mechanism for forming a plurality of truss plates and a mechanism for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include a mechanism for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, an aligning mechanism for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, a stacking mechanism for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and an interconnecting mechanism for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: A method of producing a truss plate bundle package including a plurality of bundles of interconnected truss plates begins with the step of conveying a predetermined number of truss plate bundles onto an accumulating stage in a row. Each truss plate in each bundle of the bundle package is arranged and interconnected so that each of the backing members of each of the truss plates is substantially parallel to each of the other of the backing members. The peripheries of the backing members are substantially aligned. The next step is transporting the accumulated row to a predetermined position upon a pallet. These accumulating and transporting steps are repeated to form a stacked array of truss bundles. The stacked array includes a plurality of layers, each arranged in rows. The bundles on each layer are in contact with the bundles of adjacent rows and are positioned above bundles on adjacent layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes a unit for forming a plurality of truss plates and a unit for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include a station for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, an aligning station for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, a stacking station for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and an interconnecting unit for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: A system for identifying bundled truss plates is disclosed. The truss plate bundles include visual indicia that indicate the thickness and material composition of the material from which the truss plates are constructed. Methods for packaging such truss plate bundles and constructing trusses with truss plates from such bundles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming and transporting a stack of truss plates. The apparatus comprises a receiving unit including an accumulation chamber for receiving a substack of oriented and aligned truss plates, a substack conveying unit operatively connected with the receiving unit, and an accumulating unit operatively connected with the substack conveying unit. The apparatus preferably stacks oriented and aligned truss plates having a generally planar backing member and a plurality of impaling members extending from one side thereof. Once stacked, the truss plates can be conveyed by a stack carrier unit to a bundling station.

Abstract: A display apparatus comprises vertically spaced apart shelves for displaying a plurality of cartons containing various types and sizes of items, such as home building products. Interchangeable display cartons permit customizing individual displays. A pair of display signs made from tough, lightweight polymeric material, are movable between a closed position, in which the signs obscure from view items stored on the uppermost shelf of the display apparatus, and an open position, in which the uppermost shelf is accessible from the front of the display apparatus.

Abstract: A bundle of wood connectors of the present invention comprises a plurality of wood connectors and means for connecting the wood connectors and thus for effecting unitization thereof. Each wood connector has a pair of substantially planar and generally parallel side panels, a pair of substantially planar and generally coplanar lateral panels, each of which is attached to be generally perpendicular to a respective one of the pair of side panels, and a generally planar connecting panel, with an end portion of each of the side panels being attached to a respective end portion of the connecting panel. The side panels extend from their corresponding connecting panel in a first direction. The wood connectors are arranged in nested relationship, with the side panels of adjacent wood connectors being in generally parallel relationship, and with the lateral panels of adjacent wood connectors being in generally parallel relationship.

Abstract: A bundle of truss plates useful in shipping, storage, and handling is disclosed. Also disclosed are a self-supporting stack of truss plate bundles and a shipping package in which such a stack is positioned on an underlying pallet.