Abstract: A fence panel construction device includes a structural member and a pair of post members coupled to the structural member. Each post member includes a pair of attachment devices configured to removably attach a pair of fence stringers to the pair of post members. A pair of actuator mechanisms are coupled to a respective one of the pair of post members to position the pair of post members corresponding to a pair of fence posts on a property. A finishing assembly is coupled to the structural member and includes at least one fastening device and at least one trimming device both operable to move vertically. The finishing assembly is operable to move horizontally while the at least one fastening device fastens fence boards to the pair of fence stringers and at least one trimming device trims the fence boards. A method of making a fence panel is provided.

Abstract: An automated fabrication system is provided that utilizes electromagnetism to manipulate and/or sense the location of raw materials on a platform. Tools located around said platform may be utilized to fabricate a predetermined structure out of the raw materials. Tags that can be electromagnetically manipulated and sensed may be placed on passive raw materials. Structures fabricated from such a system may be, for example, a roof truss. Additionally, the fabrication system may be mobilized by way of a truck such that structures may be built on-site.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a head portion for driving a staple into a sheet bundle, an anvil portion opposingly arranged to the head portion for receiving and bending the staple driven from the head portion, a feeding device for feeding the sheet bundle between the head portion and the anvil portion, a fixed guide member extending laterally and immovably positioned between the head portion and the anvil portion for guiding the sheet bundle, and an auxiliary guide member disposed on an upstream side of the fixed guide member in a sheet bundle feed direction of the sheet bundle fed by the feeding device. The auxiliary guide member projects from the fixed guide member to lead the sheet bundle to the fixed guide member without touching a leading edge of the sheet bundle fed by the feeding device on an upstream edge of the fixed guide member in the sheet bundle feed direction.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a plastic staple from fastener stock includes a housing, an ejection mechanism for dispensing the staple, a severing mechanism for separating the staple from the fastener stock and an indexing mechanism for advancing the fastener stock into the housing. The ejection mechanism includes a pair of needles, a pair of movable slides, a pair of ejector rods and an actuator pin extending perpendicularly between the slides. The severing mechanism includes a pivotally mounted cam having a non-linear slot which receives the actuator pin and a knife blade coupled to the cam. The indexing mechanism includes a feed slide and a rotatable feed dog for displacing the feed slide. The feed slide includes a pair of inwardly compressible spring arms which sequentially engage the fastener stock. During the ejection process, the actuator pin travels horizontally within the housing and selectively pivots the cam and the feed dog.

Abstract: Apparatus having automated loading 15, nailing 22, and stacking 24 areas for wood components, wall panels or wall components is described. The apparatus includes a control panel 14 that allows automated selection 94 of the type of sub-component to be handled, the speed 98 at which the nailing and stacking operation is executed, the compression rate 100 in which the operation is executed and provides automated feedback 106 of the progress of the operation. A guide track 30, stationary 26 and powered 28 compression members and side conveyer belts 16 that work in conjunction with upper 18 and side 20 rollers allow for positioning, clamping, and movement of the raw material 70 into the nailing stage 22 of the operation. The rollers allow for the nailing process 22 before being moved to the stacking system 24.

Abstract: A sheet collecting apparatus in a sheet-wise booklet making system is provided, including a collecting device for supporting folded sheets of material in a stack arranged for stapling, and a stapling device for stapling the folded sheets of material supported by the collecting device. The collecting device and the stapling device are attached to a movable frame such that the stapling device remains aligned with the collecting device during movement of the movable frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembly of fence panels from a plurality of longitudinal backing rails and a plurality of transverse pickets includes a conveyor for supporting and moving the rails in a direction along their length with the rails at spaced transversely positions across the conveyor and a plurality of rail dispensing hoppers, each for receiving a stack of the backing rails and arranged to dispense the rails one at a time onto the conveyor in parallel spaced relation along the conveyor. A picket dispensing hopper dispenses pickets one at a time onto the aligned rails so that the pickets are positioned at right angles to the rails and side by side. Ends of the pickets are aligned on the rails. The pickets are compressed in a direction at right angles to the rails onto the rails and parallel to the rails and at right angles to the pickets so as to squeeze the pickets edge to edge. A nailing assembly applies nails to connect the pickets to the rails.

Abstract: In an apparatus (1) for stapling sheets (10) deposited in stacks, stapling devices (6 and 7) are attached to a pivotable support (3) which is movable from a locked operating position (position I) into an easily accessible service position (position II). The stapling devices (6 and 7) are attached in easily detachable fashion to holders (4 and 5) which are guided displaceably on the shaft (8) and can be set to different stapling positions by a follower mechanism. Attached releasably to each of the holders (4 and 5) is a mounting plate (44 and 45) on which the stapling devices (6 and 7), and all the components necessary for operation thereof, are releasably attached. The support (3) is movable into a position (position II) in which access is possible to the stapling devices (6 and 7) and the mounting plates (44 and 45) via a sheet stack depositing area (13) of the apparatus (1) which is accessible from outside the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing attachments from continuously connected ladder stock of the type comprising a pair of plastic side members coupled together by a plurality of plastic cross links includes a mount, a support movably mounted on the mount, and a pair of carrier blocks mounted on the support. A needle block is mounted on each carrier block and a hollow, slotted needle is mounted on each needle block. A feed mechanism including a pair of feed wheels, is mounted on said support for advancing the ladder stock into the hollow slotted needles and a pair of feed tracks, one for each hollow slotted needle, are provided through which the ladder stock passes from the feed wheels into the pair of hollow slotted needles. A pair of knifes are provided for severing an attachment from the ladder stock, and a pair of ejector rods are provided for ejecting the severed attachment through the hollow slotted needles.

Abstract: An apparatus to assemble prefabricated walls and joist panels for homes, apartments, commercial buildings, etc. Apparatus is self-loading and can place and fasten 2.times.3, 2.times.4, 3.times.4, 4.times.4, and 4.times.6 cross members between parallel plates on the fly, having telescoping carriage and track, cross members may vary in length from 7-1/2 feet to 12 feet. Self-contained and portable apparatus may be used in remote locations and transported without special highway permits. All the frames for a building can be fabricated in on production run therefore saving handling and storage.

Abstract: Double "T" bar fasteners are dispensed through spaced needles which extend from different portions of the attacher housing. To attach a button, the needles are inserted through the thread holes of the button as it is held adjacent to the material to which it is to be attached. The housing portions are resiliently connected so that the portions can be moved relative to each other to vary the needle spacing and thus accommodate buttons with different hole spacing. The portions are biased to return to the original position. The portions may be halves of the housing connected by a living hinge. Internal compartments within each housing half enclose portions of fastener feed mechanism. The compartments are accessible when the housing is open to permit insertion of the parts and close when the housing halves snap-fit together. Each feed mechanism portion includes a spring loaded pawl with a tooth which normally engages an index wheel.

Abstract: The machine of the present invention operates to automatically nail a combination of pre-cut wood boards together to form a pallet. The machine may be adjusted so that the size of the pallet can be varied as to dimensions and number of pre-cut boards. Once the pallet size and board combination has been selected, the machine is set up by moving jigs, stops, clamps and nailing heads into their proper operative positions. A number of nailing heads are adjustably mounted on a carriage that moves past a support on which the pre-cut boards are mounted. Both the top and bottom boards of the pallet are nailed simultaneously to the central or longitudinal board of the pallet. By way of a clamping system, the boards are squared and precisely positioned and secured together by clamping action. The carriage then begins to move and the nailing operations commence and continue until all of the nails have been driven into the boards of the pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus which positions a stapling device relative to a set of sheets. The stapling device is moved between a non-operative position spaced from an edge of a set of sheets to an operative position adjacent the edge of a set of sheets. Once in the operative position, the stapling device is transported in a direction substantially parallel to the edge of the set of sheets to a selected stapling position.

Abstract: An insert installation machine is provided which features a power operated reciprocating quill mounted on a frame and an insert guide tube fixed to a carriage. The carriage is supported on the frame for reciprocation, toward and away from a workpiece, with the guide tube coaxially aligned with the quill. A shuttle is mounted on the carriage for transferring an insert from a stacking tube in the carriage to the guide tube in timed relation and in response to quill movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading food for alignment with food sticks is provided. A food bin stores the food to be processed. The bin is filled with food which is gravity fed into J-shaped sections of a food conveyor belt. Concurrently, a stick conveyor system carries and aligns food sticks with the food. When the correct number of food items is aligned with the food sticks, the sticks are automatically inserted into the food items.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the dispensing of attachments. The attachments are fed from a continuous roll of stock into position where an individual attachment is separated from the stock. Thereafter the stock and the separated attachment are advanced so that the attachment enters a movable slide and the stock occupies the prior position of the severed attachment. The slide is then moved with respect to one or more output needles so that a plunger may force the attachment from the slide through the needle or needles and dispense it into the material with which the attachment is being used. When the dispenser has dual needles, the attachments severed from the stock can be used as plastic staples for securing objects and items.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) which stack sheets on an inclined conveying surface (16). A conveyor (20) continuously conveys the stacks along a workpath (w) to a stitcher assembly (B). The stitcher assembly includes a frame assembly (100) having a stitcher head mounting bar (130) and a clincher mounting bar (136) on which stitcher heads and clinchers are mounted in cooperative relationship. A power take-off assembly (54) rotates a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft (250) in coordination with advancement of the conveyor. The stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotates lever arms (260, 262) which are connected by connecting links (264, 266) with a stationary structure such that the frame assembly is cyclically reciprocated longitudinally along the workpath.

Abstract: A binding apparatus includes a plurality of feed stations (10, 12, 14) which stack sheets on an inclined conveying surface (16). A conveyor (20) continuously conveys the stacks along a workpath (w) to a stitcher assembly (B). The stitcher assembly includes a frame assembly (100) having a stitcher head mounting bar (130) and a clincher mounting bar (136) on which stitcher heads and clinchers are mounted in cooperative relationship. A power take-off assembly (54) rotates a stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft (200) in coordination with advancement of the conveyor. The stitcher assembly transverse drive shaft rotates lever arms (210, 212) which are connected by connecting links (214, 216), with a stationary structure such that the frame assemby is cyclically reciprocated longitudinally along the workpath.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for automatically constructing prefabricated stud walls or other frame structures from standard materials. Elongate studs are placed transversely at spaced intervals between a pair of elongate wall plate members by a reciprocatingly rotating stud-selecting mechanism and a linearly reciprocating spacer mechanism. As each stud is placed between the plate members, it is automatically nailed thereto, forming a portion of the wall frame, after which the completed portion of the frame is advanced an incremental distance along an assembly structure by the spacer mechanism, which pushes on the newly nailed stud to advance the frame to a position for nailing the next succeeding stud, and so forth in automatic cyclic fashion. A semi-automatic sheathing fastener mechanism includes a plurality of fastener guns and an automatically controlled actuation mechanism for placing fasteners at predetermined locations.

Abstract: A nailing machine for use in the manufacture of wooden pallets made from deck boards and stringers. The machine comprises a conveyor operable to convey pallet components to a nailing station at which they are nailed together. The conveyor comprises locating means by which stringers are located on the conveyor and operation of the conveyor draws deck boards out of feeding means therefor on to the stringers for nailing thereto.

Abstract: An integrated system for fabricating the wall section for a building. The wall section includes a framework composed of plural studs disposed in a parallel array between an opposed pair of plates and has sheathing secured over the framework. The system comprises a first workstation including a frame for supporting the studs and a frame for supporting the plates in abutment with the ends of the studs. Automatic nailing means are supported on a carriage which is movable along the frame and is operative to nail the abutting stud and plate portions together. Portions of the frame means are retractable to enable a conveyor to move the framework, once assembled, to a second workstation. The first workstation also includes cutting means mounted on a carriage for cutting off excess end portions from the opposed plates extending beyond the most upstream stud of the wall section. The second workstation includes a conveyor for receipt of the assembled framework.

Abstract: An automatic nailing machine for fabricating wooden pallets. The device has a hammer pin support bar vertically movable within a frame and horizontally aligned by a first horizontal alignment bar mounted on the frame. A nail feed and support bar is mounted below the hammer pin support bar, is moved upwardly when the hammer pin support bar is moved to its uppermost position, moves downwardly with said hammer pin support bar when said hammer pin support bar begins its downward travel and then remains stationary as the hammer pin support bar continues its downward movement. A plurality of hammer pins are mounted on the hammer pin support bar and cooperate with a plurality of nail holding devices mounted on the nail feed and support bar. The nail feed and support bar is horizontally aligned by a bar affixed to the frame and lined to the nail feed and support bar.

Abstract: A stitch nailing apparatus for automatically sequentially placing transversely extending slats in predetermined spaced relationship with one another onto a plurality of longitudinally advancing stringers and for repetitively nailing each slat to the stringer in stitch nailing fashion, immediately following its placement thereon. A first conveyor, mounted on an elongated frame, advances and guides a lowermost stringer longitudinally of the elongated frame from each of a plurality of spaced stringer magazines. The plurality of advancing stringers simultaneously proceed in spaced parallel relationship to a nailing station wherein a separate nailing head is adjacent each stringer. A slat magazine, disposed between the nailing heads and the stringer magazines, holds a vertical stack of slats. A slat conveyor advances the lowermost slat from the slat magazine to a position transversely overlying the stringers at the nailing station.

Abstract: A work element, such as a wire stitching head, is provided which is adapted to be manually advanced and positioned along a support rail. The work element is carried by a carriage adapted to be movably mounted on a support rail, said carriage including bearing means, such as roller means, operably connected thereto and adjustable between engaging and retracted positions and adapted to contact the support rail and facilitate movement of the carriage along the support rail when the bearing means is in its engaging position. Each carriage also includes selectively positionable securing means, such as clamping members, for preventing the advance of the carriage along the support rail when the bearing means is in its retracted position, which means are adjustably connected to the carriage and adapted to engage the support rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting wire staples in tread rubber so that the positioning of the staples conforms to a particular tread design. The apparatus includes a supporting bench and drive rollers to move the tread rubber lengthwise along the bench. The tread rubber passes beneath a staple driver that is movable transversely with respect to the rubber. Mounted on the shaft of one of the drive rollers is a tread design cam that is constructed to coordinate with the particular tread design. A follower for this cam is operably connected to the staple driver whereby the positioning of the staples that are inserted conforms to the tread design.

Abstract: Double "T" bar fasteners are dispensed through spaced needles which extend from different portions of the attacher housing. To attach a button, the needles are inserted through the thread holes of the button as it is held adjacent to the material to which it is to be attached. The housing portions are resiliently connected so that the portions can be moved relative to each other to vary the needle spacing and thus accommodate buttons with different hole spacing. The portions are biased to return to the original position. The portions may be halves of the housing connected by a living hinge. Internal compartments within each housing half enclose portions of fastener feed mechanism. The compartments are accessible when the housing is open to permit insertion of the parts and close when the housing halves snap-fit together. Each feed mechanism portion includes a spring loaded pawl with a tooth which normally engages an index wheel.