Automatic screening machine for continuously applying spline to a window screen frame

An automated screening and splining apparatus for continuously seating an elongated flexible spline material in a screen frame having a screen retaining channel along first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides and corners of the screen frame during a screening and splining cycle and defining a spline sealing area within the screen retaining channel for receiving spline material therein, and the screen frame having first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges, comprising:

• a) a frame assembly having a work support for receiving and holding the screen frame thereon;
• said frame assembly including rectangular-shaped structural support means;
• b) slide carriage means mounted on said structural support means having first moving means for latitudinal movement along a y-axis between a first position and a second position, and for latitudinal movement along the y-axis between a third position and fourth position;
• and said slide carriage means having second moving means for longitudinal movement along an x-axis between a second position and a third position, and for longitudinal movement along the x-axis between a fourth position and a first position;
• c) a plurality of clamping means for holding at least one perimeter edge of the screen frame in position prior to and during said screening and splining cycle;
• d) a plurality of bracing means for immobilizing at least one perimeter edge of the screen frame in position prior to said screening and splining cycle;
• e) a spline dispensing head assembly mounted on said slide carriage means for supplying the spline material to the screen retaining channel of the screen frame in a continuous splining cycle, as said slide carriage means moves from said first position to said second position, to said third position, to said fourth position, and then returns to said first position in a continuous, uninterrupted cycle;
• f) said spline dispensing head assembly including a spline feed sub-assembly for feeding the spline material and a screen material into the screen retaining channel of the screen frame as said slide carriage means and said spline dispensing head assembly moves along the first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides of the screen frame;
• g) said spline dispensing head assembly including a rotating spline wheel sub-assembly for inserting and seating the spline material and the screen material into the screen retaining channel as said slide carriage means and said spline dispensing head assembly moves along the first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides and corners of the screen frame in a 90° degree arc in a continuous cycle during the screening and cycle;
• h) said spline dispensing head assembly including a screen cutter sub-assembly for cutting the screen material as said screen cutter sub-assembly moves along the first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides, and for severing the spline material at said fourth position adjacent to the first corner after the spline material and screen material have been seated in the screen retaining channel of the screen frame;
• and
• i) sensor means for sensing and referencing the end of the screen frame at the fourth position adjacent to the first corner of the screen frame for stopping the movement of said spline dispensing head assembly at the fourth position.