Building framework, method for making the same and components used in the framework
A building framework and components used in the framework are disclosed. The framework comprises a plurality of components which are cut in a sawing machine and marked following cutting in the sawing machine by use of the data which is supplied to the sawing machine to control the sawing machine to cut the components to the required size and shape. Each of the components is marked with a partial outline of a connector plate which is to be used to connect the components together with the framework so that when the components are assembled. The components may also be marked with partial position reference markings so that component parts can be assembled together by reference to those markings by registering a partial marking on one of the components with a like partial marking on another of the components.
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This invention relates to a building framework, and to components used in the framework. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to building trusses.
Building trusses are typically made by cutting components of the truss to length in an automated sawing machine. The sawing machine has a capability of cutting each of the components to the required size and ends to the required angles so that the components can be fitted together to form the truss.
After the components have been cut by the sawing system, a workman will usually collect all of the components needed to form the truss, and will then assemble those components on a jig. Typically this requires the workman to refer to plans which show the design of the truss so that the components are properly located in position.
The workman will then need to measure from a local datum at the joint between components to determine where punched tooth connector plates are to be located to join the components together to form the truss. The connector plates can then be located in position and a press is used to press the connector plates into the components to form the truss. The location of the connector plates typically requires the truss components to be lifted so that the connector plates are located beneath the components. Because the connector plates are located beneath the truss components, it becomes even more difficult for the workman to properly locate the connector plates in position and properly orient those connector plates.
The formation of a building framework such as a truss in this manner can therefore be relatively time consuming and require considerable manual contribution by the workmen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the invention is to provide a building framework, and components for use in the framework which make it easier to locate connector plates in position and therefore make it easier to assemble the truss and also reduce the amount of work a workman needs to do during the assembly process.
In one aspect of the present invention, a building framework generally comprises a plurality of components connected together to form the building framework. At least some of the components have a configurational marking selected from: a partial outline of a connector plate to give connector plate positions and orientations; and a partial position reference marking which registers with a corresponding partial position reference marking on another of the components to thereby enable the components to be located relative to one another by reference to the partial position reference markings. Connector plates attached to the components connect the components together to form the building framework.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a building framework from a plurality of frame components generally includes cutting the frame components to required sizes to form the framework. At least one component is marked with a configurational marking selected from: a partial outline of connector plates to be used to connect the frame components together to form the framework; and a partial reference marking used to position one component in the correct orientation relative to one another. The components are assembled in position so that the configurational markings give one of the position and orientation of connector plates to be used to connect adjacent components together and the position and orientation of adjacent components by alignment of configurational markings on the adjacent components. Connector plates are attached to the components to join the components together and thereby form the framework.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
A machine for producing frame components for forming frameworks such as building trusses is disclosed in
After the work piece 5 has been cut, the components are then marked by the inkjet printer 35 with a mark which forms a partial outline of a connector plate which is to be used to connect that component to other components of the framework to form the framework. The nature of the nail plate connectors which are to be used to connect the components together, and the position where those connectors are to be applied are known by the processor 30 so that the processor 30 can control the inkjet printer 35 to print at the required locations of the components which are cut from the work piece 5 to thereby form the outlines where the connectors are to be located.
In the example of
The components used to form the truss are made from wood, and each of the components, as is shown in
Also shown in
The partial outlines on each of the components, when the components are assembled together, form, most preferably, a complete or an almost complete outline of the connector plate which is to be used to connect those particular components together. However, in some instances the outline will not be complete, as is the case of the outlines collectively marked 26 which are formed on the components T1, W1, W2 and T2. In this instance, part of the connector will overlap the space where the components T1 and W1 merge together, and the outlines therefore form a slightly less than complete outline of the connector. While the outline formed by a number of partial outlines need not be complete, the outline should be sufficient to clearly enable the connector plates to be positioned by reference to the outlines.
In one embodiment of the invention, the partial outlines are formed on only one side of the components (i.e. face 31). However, in other embodiments and, in particular, if pre-plating is to take place, the second opposed face 32 which is generally parallel to the first face 31 is also provided with partial outlines. Briefly, pre-plating refers to the attachment of connector plates to one face of one or more of the components prior to their placement onto a truss assembly table. In that circumstance, the components do not occupy their normal relative positions so the provision of markings to position the plates is particularly important.
The more complete outlines therefore show the position and orientation of the connector plates which are to be used to join the components together to form the truss. Thus, the connector plates can be located in position and then attached to the components without the need to refer to plans or make measurements to determine the proper position and correct orientation of the connector plates at each of the joints in the framework. This therefore greatly reduces the time needed to form the truss because a workman does not have to refer to plans or make measurements in order to properly locate the connector plates at each of the joints.
The partial outlines of the connector plates on each of the components also provides some assistance in laying out the components on a jig (schematically shown as 50 in
While the more complete outlines of the positions and orientations of the connector plates provides some guide in the proper location of the individual components, the components could be provided with additional markings to make more definite their proper location and orientation in the framework.
For example, with reference to
The outlines 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 (
The components can also be provided with ancillary markings, such as the component number which may be printed as T1, T2, T3, B1, B2 or W1 to W9 as shown in
FIGS. 9 to 11 show one embodiment which relates to formation of a truss wherein at least one of the components is pre-plated.
In this embodiment, the lower chord 21′ is marked on both of its opposed faces 31′ and 32′ with the partial outlines which show the orientation and position of connector plates. The connector plates, such as connector plates 95, 96, 97 and 98 are then pressed into the chord 21′ at the position and orientation of the partial outlines as shown in
The chord is then returned to the jig (such as the jig 50 described with reference to
While in the preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the components are marked with partial outlines which show a more complete marking of the position and orientation of the connector plate when the components are assembled together, it is possible that only a partial outline on one of the adjacent components is used to properly orient and position the connector plate. Provided that partial outline shows a corner and two side edges of the outline of the connector plate, then the connector plate can be properly positioned and oriented, as is shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the markings 70, 80 and 90 shown in
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A building framework comprising:
- a plurality of components connected together to form the building framework;
- at least some of the components having a configurational marking selected from: a partial outline of a connector plate to give connector plate positions and orientations; and a partial position reference marking which registers with a corresponding partial position reference marking on another of the components to thereby enable the components to be located relative to one another by reference to the partial position reference markings; and
- connector plates attached to the components to connect the components together to form the building framework.
2. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein the partial outlines of connector plates on adjacent components at a joint between components form a more complete outline giving the position and orientation of the connector plate to be used to connect the adjacent components together.
3. The framework as set forth in claim 2 wherein the more complete outline of the connector plate is a substantially complete outline of the connector plate.
4. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein the partial outline is applied to the components in an inkjet marking process.
5. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the components includes an ancillary marking selected from the group consisting of: a marking identifying the component, a bracket outline, a camber and a connector plate type or size.
6. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein the framework is in the form of a truss, the components including at least one bottom chord, at least one top chord, and a plurality of webs interconnecting the top and bottom chords.
7. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein the partial position reference markings comprise a part of one or more bars or lines.
8. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least some of the said components include a plurality of different partial position reference markings to enable more than two components to be located together.
9. The framework as set forth in claim 8 wherein the different partial markings on some of the components comprise sets of markings, each comprising a different number of bars or lines.
10. The framework as set forth in claim 1 wherein the partial markings each have identical shapes and are distinguished by being made different colors so that the same color partial marking on one component is registered with a like color partial marking on another component to thereby enable the components to be located adjacent one another.
11. A method of forming a building framework from a plurality of frame components, comprising the steps of:
- cutting the frame components to required sizes to form the framework;
- marking on the frame components at least one configurational marking selected from: a partial outline of connector plates to be used to connect the frame components together to form the framework; and a partial reference marking used to position one component in the correct orientation relative to one another;
- assembling the components in position so that the configurational markings give one of the position and orientation of connector plates to be used to connect adjacent components together and the position and orientation of adjacent components by alignment of configurational markings on the adjacent components; and
- attaching the connector plates to the components to join the components together and thereby form the framework.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of marking the configurational marking comprises marking a partial outline of a connector plate on adjacent components at a joint to be formed when the components are assembled, so that when the components are assembled the partial outlines on the adjacent components form a more complete outline giving the position and orientation of the connector plates to be used to connect adjacent components together.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of marking more complete outline of the connector plate comprises marking a substantially complete outline of the connector plate.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of assembling the components in position and attaching the connector plates comprises pre-plating at least one of the components wherein the component has two opposed faces and both faces are marked with the partial outlines, the pre-plating comprising attaching a connector plate to the component at the position and orientation given by the partial outline on one face of the component, assembling the component having the attached plate with the other components, and attaching at least one of the other components to the connector plate.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising attaching a second series of connector plates to the other face of the component at the positions and orientations of the partial outline on the other face.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the connector plate which is pre-plated to one of the components is applied to the face of the component which will be a bottom face when the component is assembled with the other components.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the steps of cutting the frame components and marking the frame components with the configurational marking is performed in a combined sawing and inkjet marking machine, the machine being computer-controlled and supplied with data relating to the size and shape of the components of the framework and the configurational marking which should be marked on the components after the components have been cut.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises making ancillary markings selected from the group consisting of: a marking identifying the component, a bracket or brace outline, a camber, a position reference, and a connector plate type or size.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein the framework is in the form of a truss and the frame components include at least one bottom chord, at least one top chord, and a plurality of webs interconnecting the top and bottom chords.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein the partial position reference markings comprise a part of one or more bars or lines.
21. The method of claim 11 wherein some of the said components include a plurality of different partial position reference markings to enable more than two components to be located together.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the different partial marking on some of the components comprise sets of markings, each comprising a different number of bars or lines.
23. The method of claim 11 wherein the partial markings each have identical shapes and are distinguished by being made different colors so that the same color partial marking on one component is registered with a like colored partial marking on another component to thereby enable the components to be located adjacent one another.
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2004
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: Richard Moulton (Wetherill Park), Andrew Scane (Lyndhurst)
Application Number: 10/846,472