Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming building trusses. The apparatus includes a clamp for each section of lumber of the truss along with a plate press mechanism for each joint of the truss. The press mechanism serves to press nails through joint plates on opposite sides of each truss joint.

Abstract: Surgical stapler apparatus for forming an array of surgical staples in body tissue includes an anvil member against which the staples are crimped and a staple holder pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the anvil member so that the staple holder tends to displace with any displacement of the anvil member during use to substantially reduce relative displacement of the anvil member and staple holder and thereby assure proper alignment of these two elements.

Abstract: Assembly apparatus for simultaneously rolling opposed toothed metal connector plates onto both sides of horizontal wood 2.times.4's or like structural members. The apparatus is applied to assemble trusses wherein a prefabricated wood frame of chords with end and intermediate spacers is fed between parallel vertical axis powered rollers with V-webs manually applied to each side ahead of and as the frame is compressively driven through. Similar apparatus is employed to splice the ends of wood chords for use in trusses or otherwise.

Abstract: An applicator unit is provided for fastening a plurality of sizes of belt fasteners to a belt by staples being guided and clinched by the apparatus. A staple guide block means is provided with fastener engaging and positioning portions which are shiftable relative to an underlying anvil means to accommodate different sizes of fasteners. To provide better belt penetration and to alleviate breakage of the central bridging portions of the staples, the bending surfaces in the anvil means bend the staple legs partially through a predetermined angle and substantially short of a horizontal position parallel to the lower plate of fasteners. An ejector means is provided to lift the belt end and the bent staple legs from the bending cavities in the anvil means. A common actuating and locking means may be employed for a plurality of units.

Abstract: An insulated wall section for prefabricated buildings; a method of producing such sections that involves assembling, maneuvering and securing the component parts thereof together; and apparatus therefor that includes a table structure actuable to square and align assembled parts, and to compress self sustaining sheets of insulating material within spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A wire stitcher for binding sets of sheets has a driver for driving a staple through a set and an active clincher for bending over the ends of the staple legs to form clinches. The clincher includes an ear having a first groove in a side edge for catching the end of a driven staple leg and initiating bending of the leg and a second, narrower groove in an end edge, which is contiguous with the groove and aligns the leg and completes the bending thereof. A transition groove portion connects the grooves at the junction of the edges.

Abstract: An assembly for inserting attachment members through thick, bulky goods, the attachments being of the type including two end pieces connected by a thin, flexible filament. The assembly includes a fluid powered fastener inserting device, a receiver cylinder, an air cylinder, and mounting structure. A fastener dispensing needle held in a projectible member is lowered from the fastener inserting device while the receiver cylinder is raised by the air cylinder, compressing the workpiece therebetween. One end of an attachment member is inserted by the needle through the workpiece, and emerges in a cavity of the receiver cylinder, the cavity being configured to minimize stress on the attachment member during this process.

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 trailer bed or chassis including side rail extensions and center rail support posts serves to mount a wooden truss fabricating jig including laterally adjustable center rail sections and associated transverse arms for the support of truss lumber. An arrangement of permanent stops and swivel stops on the jig together with a truss peak locator and splice locator enable the setting up on the job site of a calibrated jig prior to placing the truss lumber thereon, resulting in a great savings of time in truss fabrication. Trusses are produced with precision and uniformity having improved quality and a wider range of truss sizes can be accommodated with the apparatus because of its versatility.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus (10) comprises an elongate table (12) with a presser carriage (14) supported for movement along the table. The carriage (14) supports a roller (116) for embedding fastener plates into precut truss members positioned on the table (12). Two clamping assemblies (40) are mounted on the table (12) to define a pair of truss assembly zones and an intermediate truss transfer zone. Each clamping mechanism (40) is selectively actuated to effect positive clamping engagement of the precut truss members or semi-complete truss positioned therein. A plurality of lift means (80, 100) are mounted in the table (12) for facilitating advancement of the truss during assembly.

Abstract: The invention refers to a nail press, which can be used either mounted in a work bench or as a portable hand tool. It mainly consists of a U-shaped yoke, which at one of its ends carries a hydraulic press tool incorporating a piston having a movable press plate and which at its other end carries an adjustable shaft with a second movable press plate. Nail plates are intended to be fitted on the press plates.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for simultaneously rolling opposed toothed metal connector plates of V-webs onto both sides of vertically spaced horizontal wood chords. A prefabricated wood frame of such chords with end and intermediate spacers is fed between parallel vertical axis powered rollers with the V-webs manually applied to each side ahead of and as the frame is compressively driven through.

Abstract: A support for a pair of generally 90.degree. relatively angulated staple guns is provided and the support defines a pair of aligned generally 90.degree. V-shaped notches for embracingly engaging an outside dry wall corner structure. The inner portions of the V-shaped notches are relieved to receive a generally V-shaped corner bead therein and the notches are spaced apart to engage the corner bead at points spaced longitudinally therealong. The staple guns are spaced apart intermediate the V-shaped notches and include abutment surfaces from which staples may be projected, the abutment surfaces of the staple guns substantially coinciding with planes lying along and extending between corresponding sides of the notches. The staple guns include actuators shiftable between active and inactive positions and the support includes an operator shiftable along a path bisecting the included angle for operating the actuators. A V-shaped corner bead is provided including a partial cylindrical apex portion of generally 270.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved internal surgical stapler in which staples are pushed by a comb-like ram out of a magazine of a frame and are clinched by an anvil hinged to the frame and releasably latched to the frame by a latch. The latch includes a latch rod having a thumb grip and also provided with a leaf spring catch. The rod normally is in a retracted position in which its forward end is in the magazine. Then, when the user grips the thumb grip and the anvil and squeezes, the anvil is swung toward the magazine to clamp layers to be stapled and the rod is pushed out of the magazine and into a leaf spring latch in the anvil and latches. The rod is splined to the magazine until the end of this latching movement. To release the latch, the thumb grip is turned to turn the rod to move barbs on the rod out of latching holes in arms of the leaf spring catch.

Abstract: A machine for the attachment of rivets, buttons or the like on clothing pieces, with an upper tool to be moved onto the lower tool, which upper tool sits on a vertically guided tool ram with electrical drive. Two different strength magnets are coordinated to the upper tool ram, the latter being spring-biased in the reverse direction, such that the weaker electromagnet which sits in the range of a cross-sectionally-smaller step of the upper tool ram surrounds the upper tool ram in ring-like manner and the stronger electromagnet has a core which core forms a pot-shaped recess for moving a plate armature therein, the latter being arranged on the free end of the upper tool ram.

Abstract: A press for applying nailing plates across joints of wooden trusses and for other like usage is disclosed. A suspension harness for the press is adapted to be carried by an overhead universally movable support. The lower jaw member of the press is rockably mounted on the suspension harness with adjustment means provided to level the work-engaging jaw plates. An operator-controllable power cylinder is connected between rear arm extensions of the press jaws. The work-engaging jaw plate of the upper jaw is rockable on a transverse axis relative to adjustable plate stops. The lower jaw work-engaging plate is finely adjustable to enable the press to apply nailing plates with even pressure and with the proper degree of penetration into the work pieces and to accommodate variations in thickness of work pieces. Spring loaded guards on the lower jaw working-engaging plate prevent accidental displacement of nailing plates prior to application.

Abstract: Automatic apparatus for attaching together individual doorstops and doorjambs in relative registered, longitudinal alignment includes hoppers for containing vertical stacks of the stops and jambs, a transport mechanism that reciprocally withdraws individual ones of the stops and jambs from the vertical stacks and transports the withdrawn stop and jamb to a work station, a registering device for positioning the distal ends of the jamb and stop in relative, adjacent registration, clamp apparatus located at the work station that receives, clamps and longitudinally aligns the stop to the jamb, and a number of linearly aligned air nailers overlying and, in effect, defining the work station for dispensing nails used to attach the stop to the jamb while held by the clamp apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a wood roof truss, or the like, comprising a system which includes a wood member positioning and upper fastening means engaging station for arranging and maintaining wood members in positions corresponding to the ultimate positions of the wood members in the completed truss, a fastening means embedding station for permanently anchoring upper and lower fastenings means in the wood members to fix the wood members in their ultimate positions with respect to one another, and a wood roof truss stacking station for automatically moving a completed wood roof truss from a substantially horizontal position to an upright position. The wood member positioning and upper fastening means engaging station includes wood member receiving means having associated therewith unique truss elevating and advancing means for quickly and simultaneously raising the partially fixed wood members of the truss, thereby enabling the wood members to be rapidly moved, as a unit, to the next station in the system.

Abstract: The instrument comprises a supporting part and a staple-receiving part connected pivotally to each other, their working ends carrying opposing longitudinal jaws. The longitudinal jaw of said staple-receiving part accommodates staple magazines. Made in said staple magazines in opposition to the staple-clinching indentations of the longitudinal jaw of the supporting part are transverse slots adapted to accommodate the members for driving said staples and said staples, and longitudinal slots adapted to accommodate bars with wedge-shaped ends facing said staple-driving members, adapted for cooperation with said staple-driving members, to drive out and insert said staples. The longitudinal slot of said staple-receiving part movably accommodates a knife blade movable jointly with said bars.

Abstract: An assembly machine for embedding connector plates in wooden structural members includes a plurality of work stations which can be adjustably positioned along a support frame. Each work station includes a table having a work support surface and an upright C-shaped frame member balanced on a pneumatically operated cylinder and movable upward relative to the table. The frame member supports a lower platen at a rest position slightly below the work support surface and an upper platen movable downward toward the lower platen by a hydraulic power cylinder. Upon actuation of the hydraulic power cylinder, the upper platen is pressed downward into engagement with an upper connector plate on top of the wooden structural members and the lower platen is raised relative to the work table to press a lower connector plate upward against the wooden members. The upper and lower platens apply uniformly distributed forces to the connector plates which are firmly embedded in opposite sides of the wooden members.

Abstract: A cradle is mounted on a frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between a start position and a discharge position. In the start position the pallet stringers are placed in the cradle and supported by upright guides including transverse, spaced guide bars. The stringers are clamped longitudinally. A first set of deck boards is placed across the stringers and fastened to them. The cradle is unlocked and rotated to the discharge position to thereby turn the partial pallet over. The other set of deck boards is then placed between longitudinal guide bars that had supported the stringers, and these deck boards are fastened to the stringers. The clamp is released, and the completed pallet falls under gravity free of the cradle which is then turned back to the start position for a new pallet.

Abstract: Holding members for engaging the corners of base plates of nail plates while wooden beams are force down on the upwardly projecting nails to form a truss are made of resilient plastics material of about the same thickness as the base plate and provided with a self-adhesive surface for fixing them relatively to a preparation table. Each holding member is formed at one side so as to lie against the edge of the base plate at at least two points respectively on both sides of the the associated corner. A comparatively thin supporting layer of harder material may be secured on the upper face or between or on both faces of the resilient material.

Abstract: An assembly for inserting attachment members through thick, bulky goods, the attachments being of the type including two end pieces connected by a thin, flexible filament. The assembly includes a fluid powered fastener inserting device, a receiver cylinder, an air cylinder, and mounting structure. A fastener dispensing needle held in a projectible member is lowered from the fastener inserting device while the receiver cylinder is raised by the air cylinder, compressing the workpiece therebetween. One end of an attachment member is inserted by the needle through the workpiece, and emerges in a cavity of the receiver cylinder, the cavity being configured to minimize stress on the attachment member during this process.

Abstract: A building press for joining building components including building trusses, which consists of a frame having a fixed portion and at least one movable hammer, which frame is designed to receive a predetermined number of building components and to join the components with selected fasteners by means of fluid pressure such as air. The frame is equipped with at least one expandable conduit or several fluid actuated cylinders positioned between a fixed member of the frame and the hammer or hammers, and in a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of fasteners are magnetically positioned on segments of the hammer to be driven into the building components. When a fluid such as air, oil or water is forced through the conduit, the conduit expands and the hammer or hammers force the nail plates into the building components to securely join the components in a selected configuration.

Abstract: A portable truss fabricating apparatus in the nature of a trailer enables convenient and expeditious manufacturing of wooden trusses on the job site. The use of dual articulated and counterbalanced booms on an elevated support structure of the apparatus with a conventional hydraulic C-clamp suspended by a cable from one boom places any joint on the truss in easy reach of the operator without shifting the truss lumber, and giving the operator complete freedom of movement without the burden of carrying the hydraulic C-clamp. The truss supporting bed of the apparatus includes both longitudinal and transverse extension members which are retracted during transport. Means to safely stow the dual boom structure and to stabilize the long support bed during transport are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly jig for fabricating wooden trusses including a moving jig platform on which toothed metal gusset plates are placed; wood truss component members assembled with each joint of the wooden member placed over the plates, toothed metal gusset plates placed on the upper side of each joint, and a series of three sets of small diameter pressure rollers press the plates flush into the wooden members when the moving jig platform moves the truss through the pressure rollers. A slide plate between the first two sets of small diameter rollers prevents curling of the plate partially pressed into wood members passing therethrough, and the third set of rollers completes the embedding of the teeth in the truss.

Abstract: A device for use without an external power source and comprising two hand-operated pinning assemblies arranged at 90.degree. to each other with a foot operable jaw assembly for holding mitred picture frame moulding against the pinning assemblies during pinning, each pinning assembly incorporating a magazine for pins, and visible adjustable stops being provided to control the insertion depth of the pins.

Abstract: A machine is provided for assemblying the elements of a truss and fastening them together in a positive manner. A supporting table is made up of channel elements which have platforms thereon which are movable upwardly and are adjustable in a horizontal plane toward and away from the center of the table. A carriage runs upon spaced tracks to locate pressure plates which are mounted on a pair of like C-frames which are adjustable toward and away from each other so as to be effective for trusses of different heights. The pressure plates are moved toward each other and apply a substantial pressure for inserting a multiplicity of nails of a nail plate into the areas in which the members of the truss are to be secured together. This provides a truss of exact shape and dimension which is positively secured together and, where necessary, is provided with a rectangular opening in which a heating and/or cooling duct is supported.

Abstract: A press which is suitable for use in fabricating wooden trusses is disclosed, wherein the press includes a lower stationery press platen and an upper moveable press platen opposing the lower press platen. Bellcranks are mounted on the lower press platen supporting structure on opposite sides of the press. A transfer bar interconnects the upper ends of the bellcranks. A hydraulic cylinder connects the moveable, upper press platen and a bellcrank. Guide rods are provided to guide the moveable upper press platen during vertical movement above the lower press platen.The press exerts substantial pressures upon the trusses or the like being pressed between the platens, while maintaining the platens in a generally parallel relationship, in spite of uneven press loading.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating flat floor trusses or other wood structures, the apparatus including a number of wood member support frames securable together in end-to-end abutting relation with each of the frames having a tongue at one end thereof and a groove at the other end thereof whereby the groove of one of the frames receives the tongue of another of the frames to facilitate rapid set-up of the frames with the frames in proper alignment with one another. Lumber stops are provided on support frames for accurately positioning the chord members of the truss and for preventing outward movement thereof, but yet permitting a completed truss to be readily lifted from the support frames without unclamping or releasing the stops and without undue friction from the stops. The support frames further include a plurality of wood member support platforms adjustably movable along the length of the support or readily removable therefrom so as to support the wood members at the joints of the truss being formed.

Abstract: A floor truss making apparatus having a pair of slightly curved rails, each with a plurality of positioning pads for retaining elongated truss plates forming the top and bottom of the truss, end truss plates for the end of the truss, and angle truss plates which are disposed at an acute angle between the elongated top and bottom truss plates. A pad is provided at each of the truss joints. The pads are adjustably fixed to the rails and the rails are adjustable with respect to each other so that a wide size range of trusses can be constructed with the apparatus. Adjustable nail plate positioning means are provided on each pad to properly locate and hold the nail plates under the truss. The nail plates are also placed on top of the assembled trusses. A gantry roller press rolls over the top of the truss (or other pressure means are provided) to at least partially force both nail plates into the truss plates.

Abstract: The method includes the use of a conveyor table mounting press assemblies above and below the table respectively. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens of the press assemblies, the platens being movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of a joint formed by a pair of wooden frame members disposed in end-to-end butting relation on the conveyor between the press assemblies. To join a pair of wooden members end to end in butting relation, the members are displaced forwardly along the conveyor table with the trailing member offset laterally from the leading member until the offset member butts a stop which locates the butt joint in accurate registration between the press platens. Clamp cylinders displace both members against a fence to longitudinally align the members.

Abstract: A building press for joining building components which includes a frame having a fixed portion and at least one movable hammer, which frame is designed to receive a predetermined number of building components and to join the components with selected fasteners by means of fluid pressure such as air. The frame is equipped with at least one expandable conduit or several air, steam or hydraulic cylinders positioned between a fixed member of the frame and the hammer or hammers, and in a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of fasteners are magnetically positioned on segments of the hammer to be driven into the building components. When a fluid such as air, oil or water is forced through the conduit the conduit expands and the hammer or hammers force the nail plates into the building components to securely join the components in a selected configuration. In the alternative, the components may be joined by applying hydraulic pressure on several hydraulic cylinders by means of air, steam, oil or other suitable fluid.

Abstract: A base-supported rotatable frame assembly that defines four upwardly and inwardly extending side frames. A pressurized fluid-actuated mechanism intermittently rotates the frame assembly through first, second, third and fourth stations. Stringers are removably placed in fixed positions on a side frame when it is at the first station, and deck boards are placed in abutting contact with the stringers when the stringer-supporting side frame is at the second station. The deck boards and stringers are nailed together at the third station to provide a single face pallet, which pallet is removed when the supporting side frame moves to the fourth station. A second of the inventions may be used to transform the single face pallet to a double face pallet if desired.

Abstract: Apparatus is described which makes use of a roof truss as both an assembly surface and sawing table for the construction of additional roof trusses which conform thereto. The apparatus includes the first roof truss as a truss template, and various positioning guides, stops and clamps which are releasably securable thereto to hold and locate lumber pieces during the formation of additional roof trusses.

Abstract: For mounting a food product, such as a frankfurter or an apple, on a stick, an apparatus includes relatively reciprocable jaws which converge on and hold the food product in position on an insertion axis. Individual sticks are gravity fed through a supply duct which aligns each stick with the insertion axis. A reciprocating rod drives each stick along the insertion axis into the food product.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having pairs of press heads mounted on its opposite sides. Strips of sheet metal stock from coils are fed through respective die sets for punching integrally extending teeth in the metal strips and the connector plate stock thus formed is fed into the respective paths of movement of upper and lower press platens. The platens are movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Simultaneously with the pressing operation, the die set punches additional teeth into the strip. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock with struck teeth between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation.

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: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having press heads mounted on opposite sides. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation. Selectively extensible and retractable stops are provided on the conveyor table and press heads against which respective webs and chords of the frame being fabricated are butted to locate the same in position forming a completed frame. Clamps on the conveyor press the chords against the web ends while the connector plates are embedded in the joints.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of spaced conveyors for conveying upper and lower frame plates through a pair of nailing assemblies. Each nailing assembly includes a nailing gun pivotal between upper and lower positions whereby nails can be driven through the plate and into a stud disposed between the plates at positions spaced along the width of the plate. The conveyor includes a drive unit for advancing the plates through the nailing assemblies discrete distances of 1.5, 16 or 24 inches. One of the conveyors and nailing assemblies is movable laterally relative to the other conveyor and nailing assembly whereby adjustments in width of the frame undergoing fabrication is accomplished. In use, a stud is butted against retractable stops upstanding between the nailing assemblies. Upon command, clamps carried by the nailing assemblies clamp the stud and frame plates one to the other and the nailing gun automatically drives a nail through the plate into the stud.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating wood structures, such as floor trusses, having an elongate bed supported above the floor on which wood members are held in position for being secured together by nailing plates to form a truss or the like. Tracks extend longitudinally along the bed and a press having a lower platen below the bed and an upper platen above the bed is movable along the tracks on rollers journaled on the lower platen. The platens extend transversely across the bed and are selectively operable to open and close for driving nailing plates into the wood members. The press as it is moved along the tracks is subject upon acceleration and deceleration to longitudinal forces above and below the tracks.

Abstract: A system for fabricating frame structures having wood chords and web components connected by toothed plates on opposite sides of each joint, wherein an elongated rectangular bed is provided on which to assemble and connect the components, longitudinal rows of conveyor rolls bring the chords forwardly and transfer means move them laterally to areas at the ends of the bed, and the web components are delivered to the sides of the bed.

Abstract: A V-shaped, substantially flat, sheet metal, combined web-connector plate having diverging web-forming legs and integral apex and leg end connector portions provided with struck-out teeth for embedding within spaced apart wooden chord members to form a wood chord-metal web type truss. The truss is assembled upon an apparatus including a horizontal support surface, chord support means for removably positioning the chords above the support surface and means for positioning a number of truss-web connectors beneath the chords, with their teeth extending upwardly towards the chords. Additional web-connectors are located loosely upon the upper surfaces of the chords. A two-unit press is supported upon the support surface on opposite sides of the chords for movement parallel to the chords, and is provided with clamp pressure means which overlap selected apex and leg connector portions on both chords and simultaneously squeeze them toward the chords for embedding their teeth therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating wood trusses having upper chords, lower chords, and web members, and more particularly for fabricating flat floor trusses. The apparatus has an elongate frame carrying a first series of supports for supporting the upper chord members and a second series of supports for supporting the lower chord members. A press is movable laterally along each chord from support to support to drive nailing plates into the wood members from above and below. Each support has a base, a vertical plate extending up from the base, and arms cantilevered from the vertical plate. Each support is movable longitudinally along the frame so as to be selectively positioned along the frame to support the wood members at this intersection. These supports are selectively securable to the frame in their selected positions with the vertical plates of the first and second series of supports in back-to-back relation with one another.

Abstract: An automatic pallet assembling system which includes a pair of conventional nailing machines for separately nailing each side of a pallet and conveying means for carrying the half-finished pallet between the nailing machines. The stringers and deck boards are automatically fed to the first nailing machine in the proper sequence for nailing. After nailing, the half-finished pallet is automatically turned over and offset with respect to its direction of movement before being fed to the second nailing machine where the final set of deck boards are automatically fed into position for nailing. With five personnel (including two inspectors) operating the assembly system, a production rate of up to eight pallets per minute can be achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a conveyor table mounting press assemblies above and below the table respectively. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens of the press assemblies, the platens being movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of a joint formed by a pair of wooden frame members disposed in end-to-end butting relation on the conveyor between the press assemblies. To join a pair of wooden members end to end in butting relation, the members are displaced forwardly along the conveyor table with the trailing member offset laterally from the leading member until the offset member butts a stop which locates the butt joint in accurate registration between the press platens. Clamp cylinders displace both members against a fence to longitudinally align the members.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing wood pallets including a pair of spaced jigs mounted to a table or like supporting frame at a convenient working height. Each jig is constructed and arranged to receive the wood components of the jig, and an upwardly extending center post is mounted on the table between the pallet jigs. A pneumatically operated nailer is pivotally mounted from the center post by a pair of swing arms whereby the nailer can be moved to any area above either of the pallet jigs for securing the pallet together during assembly thereof.

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: The apparatus includes a conveyor table having press heads mounted on opposite sides. Coils of connector plate stock having prepunched integrally extending teeth feed upper and lower press platens movable toward one another to substantially simultaneously cut the connector stock to predetermined lengths to form connector plates and embed the teeth of the connector plates on opposite sides of joints formed by wooden frame members disposed on the conveyor between the press heads. Upon completion of the pressing operation, a feed mechanism locates predetermined lengths of connector stock between the press platens for the next cut and embedment operation. Selectively extensible and retractable stops are provided on the conveyor table and press heads against which respective webs and chords of the frame being fabricated are butted to locate the same in position forming a completed frame. Clamps on the conveyor press the chords against the web ends while the connector plates are embedded in the joints.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating wooden trusses includes a jig table composed of modular table sections cantilevered from supporting legs at one side and having a network of equally spaced indexing holes throughout the expanse of the table top. The wooden frame members making up the truss are assembled at their joints on pressure pads on the table top with the pads having pins which extend downwardly through the indexing holes. Air-operated lumber-locking devices hold the frame members together for fastening and are simultaneously releasable. A hydraulic wheel motor-driven lumber press is movable on a track along the jig table to press connector plates into the truss joints. The press has an open throat which receives the table top. A hydraulically actuated upper press platen overlies the full width of the table and a fixed lower platen underlies the table as the press moves along the table, stopping momentarily to press connector plates into the truss joints.