Automated systems and methods for truss assemblies in the construction of modular buildings
AssigneeBuildz, LLC
InventorsMark Joseph Bellissimo, Jason Daryl Hunsinger, Stanley Clark Beard, Jr., Harrison Grant Meadows
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Automated systems and methods of manufacturing truss elements for use in modular construction units can include stations, or steps, for forming angled webs, upright webs, and truss chords for use in the truss elements, transferring such angled webs, upright webs, and truss chords onto an assembly jig in a configuration corresponding to the truss element being manufactured, rigidly interconnecting, via nail plates, the angled webs, the upright webs, and the truss chords to form a finished truss element, and unloading the finished truss element from the assembly jig.
Claims46
An automated system for manufacturing truss elements for use in modular construction units, the system comprising:
- an angled web grouping of stations configured to receive and cut dimensional lumber to form angled webs for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- an upright web grouping of stations configured to receive and cut dimensional lumber to form upright webs for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- a truss chord grouping of stations configured to receive and cut dimensional lumber to form truss chords for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- a finished lumber merge/transfer station, which is configured to:
- receive the angled webs from the angled web grouping of stations, the upright webs from the upright web grouping of stations, and the truss chords from the truss chord grouping of stations;
- and
- transfer the angled webs, the upright webs, and the truss chords onto an assembly jig at a finished lumber jig placement station;
- a bottom nail plate (BNP) grouping of stations configured to receive and position BNPs onto the assembly jig in designated positions for the truss elements being manufactured;
- a top nail plate (TNP) grouping of stations configured to receive and position TNPs onto the assembly jig in designated positions for the truss elements being manufactured;
- and
- a nail plate press station configured to press the BNPs and the TNPs through a corresponding one of the truss chords and into one or more of the angled webs and/or upright webs for rigidly interlocking the angled webs, the upright webs, and the truss chords together to form a finished truss element;
- wherein the assembly jig comprises alignment and/or positioning features configured to hold the TNPs, the BNPs, the truss chords, the upright webs, and the angled webs in alignment with each other to form one of the truss elements.
A method for automated manufacture of truss elements for use in modular construction units, the method comprising:
- receiving and cutting, at an angled web grouping of stations, dimensional lumber to form angled webs for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- receiving and cutting, at an upright web grouping of stations, dimensional lumber to form upright webs for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- receiving and cutting, at a truss chord grouping of stations, dimensional lumber to form truss chords for use in assembly of the truss elements;
- receiving, at a finished lumber merge/transfer station, the angled webs from the angled web grouping of stations, the upright webs from the upright web grouping of stations, and the truss chords from the truss chord grouping of stations;
- transferring, at the finished lumber merge/transfer station, the angled webs, the upright webs, and the truss chords onto an assembly jig at a finished lumber jig placement station;
- receiving and positioning, at a bottom nail plate (BNP) grouping of stations, BNPs onto the assembly jig in designated positions for the truss elements being manufactured;
- receiving and positioning, at a top nail plate (TN P) grouping of stations, TNPs onto the assembly jig in designated positions for the truss elements being manufactured;
- and
- pressing, at a nail plate press station, the BNPs and the TNPs through a corresponding one of the truss chords and into one or more of the angled webs and/or upright webs for rigidly interlocking the angled webs, the upright webs, and the truss chords together to form a finished truss element;
- wherein the assembly jig comprises alignment and/or positioning features configured to hold the TNPs, the BNPs, the truss chords, the upright webs, and the angled webs in alignment with each other to form one of the truss elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.