US 5,211,381 A · Truss assembling apparatus

Abstract

A truss assembly apparatus and method comprising a conveyor belt carrying a set of slats, a computer for generating an image of the set of slats and a pattern of stops for a truss jig, and a second set of slats that are used for setting up the jig in accordance with the pattern. The slats of the first set are held to the conveyor belt by spherical magnets partially encased in the undersides of the slats. Each slat is ruled and has holes formed therein for receiving the stops. The slats of the first set that are to be replaced with slats from the second set are ejected from the conveyor with an air gun to identify them and to facilitate their removal. The truss can then be assembled on the truss assembly portion of the conveyor belt as the truss is moved to the unloading portion of the conveyor. To attach the truss elements together, connector plates are seated in adjacent elements by rollers.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An apparatus for assembling trusses, said apparatus comprising:

a surface for assembling trusses;
means for moving said surface, said surface having a truss-assembling area and a truss-unloading area, said trusses being assembled at said truss-assembling area and unloaded at said truss-unloading area, said trusses being carried from said truss-assembling area to said truss-unloading area by said surface when said surface is moved by said moving means;
a first set of slats removably carried by said surface;
a second set of slats, each slat of said second set of slats interchangeable with slats of said first set of slats;
a plurality of stops for forming truss jigs in accordance with a pattern of stops, said slats of said first and said second sets of slats having means formed therein for receiving said stops;
and
means for generating said pattern of stops so that said second set of slats can receive said stops in accordance with said pattern of stops and said second set of slats with said stops can replace slats of said first set of slats on said surface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Truss assembling apparatus

Life of this patent

Truss assembling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15