US 5,111,861 AGranted

Apparatus for cambering wood trusses

AssigneeTruswal Systems Corporation

InventorsCharles E. Gore, Frank E. Fairley, Edward Hardee, Carl T. Medeen

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Abstract

A plurality of wood truss members and metal connector plates are assembled on a relatively flat conveyor surface and are transported to a first pressing station having two pairs of pressing rollers for partially embedding the connector plates into the wood members. The truss is then moved to a second pressing station having another pair of pressing rollers, where the plates are substantially completely embedded into the wood members. All of the rollers have substantially the same diameter and preferably have a diameter of at least ten inches to reduce the "rocking action" on the ends of the plates, particularly during the initial stages of the pressing operation. A plurality of guide rails are disposed beneath the conveyor surface for journally supporting the conveyor surface and the truss. At least one of the rails extends substantially beyond the first pressing station to maintain the alignment of the conveyor surface and the truss as they are moved past the first pressing station toward the second pressing station.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus for imparting camber to a wood truss, said truss being comprised of oppositely positioned top and bottom chords and a plurality of web members interconnecting the top and bottom chords, said apparatus comprising:

a relatively flat conveyor surface for supporting said truss;
means for moving said truss in a predetermined direction;
an arm member pivotally mounted on one side of said apparatus;
first and second spaced apart camber rollers mounted on one side of said arm member for contacting the top chord of the truss, said first and second camber rollers being movable out of alignment with respect to an axis which is parallel to the predetermined direction when said arm member is pivoted from a predetermined position at which said arm member is substantially parallel to the predetermined direction;
third and fourth spaced apart camber rollers positioned on an opposite side of said apparatus for contacting the bottom chord of the truss, said third and fourth camber rollers being maintained substantially in alignment along an axis which is parallel to the predetermined direction, said third and fourth camber rollers for cooperating with said first and second camber rollers to impart a predetermined amount of camber to the truss, the amount of displacement of said arm member from said predetermined position for determining the amount of camber imparted thereto;
adjustment means for selectively pivoting said arm member to position said arm member to impart a predetermined amount of camber to the truss;
and
means for engaging an opposite side of said arm member to prevent said arm member from pivoting back toward said predetermined position after said arm member has been pivoted away from said predetermined position, thereby counteracting torque exerted on said arm member by said truss tending to bend said arm member back toward said predetermined position.

5 more elements

Apparatus for imparting camber to a truss, said truss being comprised of oppositely positioned top and bottom chords and a plurality of web members interconnecting the chords, said apparatus comprising:

a conveyor surface for supporting said truss;
means for moving said conveyor surface in a predetermined direction;
an elongated member pivotally mounted on one side of the apparatus, said elongated member having first and second spaced apart camber rollers mounted thereon so that said first and second camber rollers can be positioned out of alignment with respect to an axis which is parallel to the predetermined direction, said first and second camber rollers for engaging the top chord of the truss;
third and fourth spaced apart camber rollers positioned on an opposite side of the apparatus for engaging the bottom chord of the truss, said third and fourth camber rollers for being maintained substantially in alignment along an axis which is parallel to the predetermined direction;
and
means for adjusting the position of the third and fourth camber rollers laterally with respect to the predetermined direction so that said third and fourth camber rollers are movable substantially in unison in each direction along said lateral axis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.