# US 2017/0284098 A1 · Apparatus and methods for truss assembly

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- Number: US 2017/0284098 A1
- Document ID: US20170284098A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/630,700
- Filed: 2017-06-22
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-25
- Inventors: Edward G. Joseph
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284098A1

## CPC

- E04C 3/11: with non-parallel upper and lower edges, e.g. roof trusses (arched girders, portal frames E04C3/38)
- B27F 7/155: {for nail plates}
- E04C 3/17: with non-parallel upper and lower edges, e.g. roof trusses
- Y10T 29/49625: Openwork, e.g., a truss, joist, frame, lattice-type or box beam
- Y10T 29/5397: and assembling press [e.g., truss assembling means, etc.]
- E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S)
- B27F: DOVETAILED WORK; TENONS; SLOTTING MACHINES FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES (hand-held nailing or stapling tools B25C; manufacture of cases, trunks or boxes from wood B27M3/34; connections for building structures in general, e.g. dowels for use in building constructions E04B1/38; jointing elements in general, e.g. dowels in general, F16B {; manufacture of long strips or planks by bonding together pieces of wood, e.g. by glueing, B27M3/0013})
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The disclosure generally relates to a locating assembly as a component of a locating table segment for positioning truss segments in a truss assembly system. The system generally includes a plurality of table segments aligned in parallel and adapted to position a series of locating blocks on a top surface of the system/table, where each block is a component of one of a plurality of locating assemblies in the system. The block positions collectively define an outer boundary of a support truss (e.g., as a roofing truss). Once the blocks are moved to their desired position, appropriately sized truss segments are placed within the block-defined boundary and fastened together.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A locating assembly comprising:
(a) a mounting block having a top surface;
(b) a guide assembly mounted to the top surface of the mounting block;
(c) a locating block mounted to the guide assembly opposite the mounting block; and
(d) an alignment guide mounted to the top surface of the mounting block a distance from the guide assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The locating assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly has an I-shaped cross-section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The locating assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the guide assembly comprises a material having a low coefficient of static friction when in contact with steel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The locating assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the guide assembly comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly(amides), poly(imides), poly(alkylenes), fluorinated poly(alkylenes), poly(vinyl aromatics), and poly(acetals).

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The locating assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly comprises:
(a) a first portion having a width; and
(b) a second portion having a width less than the width of the first portion,
wherein the first portion is closer to the top surface of the mounting block than the second portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The locating assembly of claim 5, wherein the guide assembly further comprises a third portion located closer to the locating block than the first portion, and
wherein the third portion has a width greater than the width of the second portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The locating assembly of claim 1, wherein the locating block has a circular cross-section.

### Claim 8

(canceled)

### Claim 9

(canceled)

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The locating table segment of claim 8, wherein the guide assemble comprises:
(a) a first portion having a width and positioned beneath the table segment;
(b) a second portion having a width less than the width of the first portion; and
(c) a third portion having a width greater than the width of the second portion and positioned above the table segment.

### Claim at position 11

11-19. (canceled)