Method and apparatus to construct building components
OwnerFrank Lacrosseinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A table is provided to assist in the manufacture of building structures such as walls or the like where the building structure has a plurality of metallic studs extending between top and bottom metallic channel shaped framing members. The table includes a grasping device to move the building structure back and forth along a support surface of the table. A computer operated controller controls a motor to locate the top and bottom framing members adjacent assembly stations. The assembly stations permanently attach a stud to each of the top and bottom framing members.
Claims33
A device to assist in manufacturing a building structure having first and second metallic channel-shaped framing members and a plurality of metallic studs extending between said framing members, said device comprising:
- a support table having a support surface, conveyor means located on said support surface, said conveyor means adapted to support said first and second framing members and to permit said framing members to move back and forth along said support surface, grasping means to grip said building structure, drive means for driving said grasping means to move said building structure back and forth along said support surface, controller means adapted to receive information for determining the location of studs in said building structure and for controlling said drive means and for translating said building structure predetermined distances along said support surface, stud locating means for locating a stud between said framing members, first and second assembly means located adjacent said stud locating means for permanently fastening said stud to said first and second framing members in a permanent configuration.
A method for manufacturing a building structure having first and second metallic channel-shaped framing members and a plurality of metallic studs extending between said framing members, said method comprising, locating a first framing member on a support surface, locating a second framing member on said support surface with said second framing member spaced from said first framing member and parallel thereto, grasping said building structure and locating said building structure in a first position, assembling a stud to extend between said first and second framing members and locating said stud adjacent first and second assembly means, moving said first and second framing members to desired positions, permanently connecting said stud to said framing members in a permanent configuration, advancing said building structure along said support surface, assembling a second stud to extend between said first and second framing members and locating said second stud adjacent said first and second assembly means, controlling the position of said building structure and locating said building structure with respect to said second stud in a predetermined location, permanently connecting said second stud to framing members in a permanent configuration.
A device to assist in manufacturing a building structure having first and second metallic channel-shaped framing members and a plurality of metallic studs extending between said framing members, said device comprising:
- a support table having a support surface, conveyor means located on said support surface, said conveyor means adapted to support said first and second framing members and to permit said framing members to move back and forth along said support surface, grasping means to grip said building structure, drive mans for driving said grasping means to move said building structure back and forth along said support surface, controller means adapted to receive information for determining the location of studs in said building structure and for controlling said drive means and for translating said building structure predetermined distances along said support surface, stud locating means for locating a stud between said framing members, first and second assembly means located adjacent said stud locating means for permanently fastening said stud to said first and second framing members in a permanent configuration, a computer linked to said controller means and adapted to supply information to said controller means to indicate the location of a plurality of said studs with respect to said first and second framing members, and a control circuit which includes said controller means and said computer and further includes an amplifier for receiving signals from said controller means, said amplifier supplying amplified signals to said drive means, said circuit further comprising encoder means to feed back to said controller means signals indicative of the location of said framing members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.