Abstract: A truss-fabricating machine comprising a table for supporting a pair of parallel spaced-apart wood chord members, a series of web members spanning the chord members, and connectors having teeth adapted to be pressed into the wood chord members. The machine further comprises apparatus on the top of the table for clamping the chord members in fixed position with respect to the table, including a pair of outside jaws engageable with the outside faces of the chord members, and expansible tubing extending longitudinally of the table for effecting movement of the outside jaws relative to one another transversely of the table to clamp the chord members in fixed position with respect to the table. A press is movable longitudinally with respect to the table for pressing the teeth of the connectors into the chord members when the chord members are clamped in fixed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing nailing plates or the like into opposite ends of elongate members, such as railroad ties, thereby to end-plate the ties. The apparatus comprises a press and apparatus for conveying the ties forwardly one after another in generally horizontal position with the ties extending transversely with respect to the direction of conveyance to a first station, and for feeding the ties one at a time from the first station to a second station where each tie is end-plated. The conveying apparatus, which comprises a series of walking beam units, is also operable to discharge a tie from the second station after it has been end-plated.

Abstract: A guiding, stitching and delivering system continuously constrains a piece of material while it guides that piece of material beneath the needle of a sewing machine during the stitching of that piece of material, while that piece of material is stationary during the period of time between the completion of the stitching of that piece of material and the start of the stitching of the next-succeeding piece of material, while the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material are being cut, and while that piece of material is being moved to a delivery area. That guiding, stitching and delivering system obviates the formation of needless stitches, places all stitches in the desired locations, and provides certain and easy cutting of the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material.

Abstract: A guiding, stitching and delivering system continuously constrains a piece of material while it guides that piece of material beneath the needle of a sewing machine during the stitching of that piece of material, while that piece of material is stationary during the period of time between the completion of the stitching of that piece of material and the start of the stitching of the next-succeeding piece of material, while the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material are being cut, and while that piece of material is being moved to a delivery area. That guiding, stitching and delivering system obviates the formation of needless stitches, places all stitches in the desired locations, and provides certain and easy cutting of the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material.