Abstract: A method for constructing trusses includes providing a plurality of truss tables that includes channel that do not unduly deform or bend during truss construction. Each table includes a support frame and a plurality of substantially horizontally-disposed elongate steel panels. Each panel has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions. The panels are positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that one of the lateral edge portions of each panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with one of the lateral edge portions of an adjacent panel, such that a gap is defined between the adjacent lateral edge portions of adjacent panels. The panels are supported from underneath by the frame, and each of the gaps is substantially parallel with each of the other gaps.

Abstract: A table for forming trusses that includes channels that do not unduly deform or bend during truss construction comprises: a support frame; first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels; a first channel having a generally horizontal floor and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom; and a locator stop. Each of the panels has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions, and the panels are positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that a first of the lateral edge portions of the first panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a first of the lateral edge portions of the second panel, thereby forming a gap therebetween. One of the side walls of the channel supports the lower surface of the first panel, and the other of the side walls supports the lower surface of the second panel.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for orienting truss plates, and in particular truss plates, such as those greater than 6 inches in width, that are typically formed from a single sheet of steel, comprises: a generally horizontally-disposed platform shelf; first and second receiving channels; a sweeper block; and a reciprocal movement unit for reciprocally moving the sweeper block. The platform shelf, which is positioned to receive truss plates from a truss plate forming unit, has an upper face and a pair of opposed lateral edges. The receiving channels are positioned laterally of a respective one of the platform shelf lateral edges and below its upper face. Each of the receiving channels is sized and configured such that a truss plate falling from the upper face and received therein takes and maintains an orientation in which the backing member of the truss plate is generally upright. The sweeper block is positioned above the upper face.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for positioning a truss on a plurality of spaced apart truss tables and for positioning a truss bundle on an expandable rollerbed trailer. A movable image of a truss is superimposed on a stationary image of each of the truss tables. The truss image includes indicia at each location where a respective truss plate is to be embedded in the truss. The indicia has a distinct appearance when a portion of a respective truss plate location overlies an ejector unit slot or space between adjacent truss tables. A movable image of a truss bundle is superimposed on a stationary image of an expandable rollerbed trailer.

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: A table for forming trusses that includes channels that do not unduly deform or bend during truss construction comprises: a support frame; first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels; a first channel having a generally horizontal floor and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom; and a locator stop. Each of the panels has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions, and the panels are positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that a first of the lateral edge portions of the first panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a first of the lateral edge portions of the second panel, thereby forming a gap therebetween. One of the side walls of the channel supports the lower surface of the first panel, and the other of the side walls supports the lower surface of the second panel.

Abstract: A table for forming trusses comprises a support frame and first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels wherein each of the panels has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions with a gap being formed between the panels. A first channel is also included and has a generally horizontal floor and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom. One of the side walls supports the lower surface of the first panel, and the other of the side walls supports the second panel. The floor is supported by the frame and is positioned beneath the gap. The table also includes magnetic positioning indicia mechanism located within the channel and magnetically attached to the first channel floor.

Abstract: A table for forming trusses that includes channels that do not unduly deform or bend during truss construction comprises: a support frame; first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels; a first channel having a generally horizontal floor and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom; and a locator stop. Each of the panels has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions, and the panels are positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that a first of the lateral edge portions of the first panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a first of the lateral edge portions of the second panel, thereby forming a gap therebetween. One of the side walls of the channel supports the lower surface of the first panel, and the other of the side walls supports the lower surface of the second panel.

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: An apparatus for manufacturing trusses is provided for pressing truss plates into a plurality of wood pieces positioned on a platform and for facilitating easy removal of the truss from the platform. The apparatus includes a pair of guide tracks extending along the platform and having separate end portions adjacent the removal end of the platform. A gantry frame is supported on the guide tracks and carries a roller above the platform for pressing the truss plates into the wood pieces. The apparatus includes lifting means for lifting the end portions of the guide tracks and the gantry frame supported thereon. Accordingly, the truss can be easily removed from the platform by passing it under the roller. In addition, wheels are disclosed for facilitating movement of the apparatus away from the platform to allow maintenance thereof. An associated method of manufacturing trusses is also disclosed.