US 5,947,460 AGranted

Truss table with integrated positioning stops

AssigneeTee-Lok Corporation

InventorThomas H. Williams

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Abstract

A table for forming trusses that includes channels that do not unduly deform or bend during truss construction comprises: a support frame; first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels; a first channel having a generally horizontal floor and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom; and a locator stop. Each of the panels has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions, and the panels are positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that a first of the lateral edge portions of the first panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a first of the lateral edge portions of the second panel, thereby forming a gap therebetween. One of the side walls of the channel supports the lower surface of the first panel, and the other of the side walls supports the lower surface of the second panel. The channel floor is supported by the frame and is positioned beneath the gap between the first and second panels so that the first lateral edge portion of the first panel and the first lateral edge portion of the second panel overhang the channel floor. The locator stop includes a stop portion that resides above the panel upper surfaces, a slide portion that resides below the panel lower surfaces and that slides within the channel, and a unit for clamping the panels between the stop portion and the slide portion to prevent relative movement therebetween that extends within the gap.

A table for forming trusses, comprising:

a support frame;
first and second substantially horizontally-disposed elongate panels, each of said panels having an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing lateral edge portions, said panels being positioned so that their respective upper surfaces are substantially coplanar and so that a first of said lateral edge portions of said first panel is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a first of said lateral edge portions of said second panel to form a first gap therebetween;
a first channel having a horizontal floor and opposed vertical side walls, said first channel floor being supported by said frame and positioned below said first gap;
a third generally horizontally-disposed elongate panel having upper and lower surfaces and opposed lateral edge portions, said third panel being positioned so that said third panel upper surface is substantially coplanar with said first and second panel upper surfaces and so that a first of said third panel lateral edge portions is in adjacent, non-contacting relationship with a second lateral edge portion of said first panel to form a second gap;
a second channel having a generally horizontal floor and generally vertical and opposed side walls extending upwardly therefrom, said second channel floor being supported by said frame and positioned below said second gap;
a locator stop which includes a stop portion that resides above said panel upper surface, a slide portion that resides below said panel lower surface and that slides within said first channel, and means for clamping said panels between said stop portion and said slide portion to prevent relative movement therebetween, said clamping means extending within said first gap;
and
compressing means attached to one of said panels or one of said channels for compressing truss planks arranged in a truss pattern against said locator stop, said compressing means being configured to be releasably attached to one of said channels, wherein said compressing means includes a pneumatic cylinder unit having a cylinder and a retractable shaft and having a second locator stop attached to said shaft.

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Abstract

Claims8