Automatic lattice fabrication apparatus

Lattice fabrication apparatus for forming lattice strips comprising:

• an elongated frame;
• an elongated conveyor positioned on the frame and having a generally horizontal conveying surface thereon, the conveyor having positioning means thereof for positioning the lattice strips in their desired overlapping position, the conveyor having a lattice lay-up portion at an upstream position of the conveyor;
• automatic stapling apparatus positioned downstream of the lay-up portion, the stapling apparatus comprising a series of staple guns mounted across the conveyor so as to be in alignment with the overlapping portions of the lattice as they pass by the staple guns;
• longitudinally oriented powered rip saws positioned downstream of the stapling apparatus on the sides of the frame that trim excess lattice from the sides of the lattice;
• a cross-cut saw mechanism positioned downstream of the stapling apparatus and aligned for receipt of stapled lattice, said cross-cut saw mechanism ordinarily permitting the lattice to pass unimpeded therethrough but being activated to cut off a section of lattice when the section of lattice passing through the cross-cut saw mechanism reaches a predetermined length, the cross-cut saw mechanism thereafter becoming deactivated and permitting resumption of unimpeded transfer of lattice through the apparatus;
• and
• control means for sensing lattice position and automatically actuating the staple guns when the overlapping lattice strips are properly positioned adjacent the guns, the control means sensing lattice section length and automatically actuating the cross-cut saw mechanism to cut off the lattice when each section reaches a predetermined length, the control means actuating the cross-cut saw and moving the cross-cut saw into engagement with the lattice to cut the lattice at said predetermined length and thereafter moving the cross-cut saw out ot engagement with the lattice.