US 7,062,854 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for assembling a gate

AssigneeWoody's Lumber, Inc.

InventorsDavid Allen Greene, Anthony Mark Fabella, Herbert Rosenthal

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A clamping fixture for use in the assembly of a gate comprised of a number of plastic members includes a flat stationary clamping surface attached to a stationary frame and a flat moving clamping surface extending parallel to the flat clamping surface and driven toward the flat clamping surface by an actuator, so that the plastic members, assembled in the configuration of the gate, are clamped and held between the clamping surfaces. Preferably, the actuator, which includes one or more pneumatic cylinders, is adjustable along the frame to provide for the assembly of gates having different widths. Preferably, the clamping fixture additionally includes a stationary flat guiding strip extending perpendicularly from an end of the flat stationary clamping surface toward the flat moving clamping surface.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for assembling a gate from a plurality of members, wherein said method comprises:

a) forming an assembly of said members in a configuration of said gate, to rest in a clamping fixture between a fiat stationary clamping surface and a flat moving clamping surface, wherein said damping surfaces are disposed parallel to one another and spaced apart from said assembly of said members, and wherein said assembly of said members includes an adhesive between adjacent members in said plurality of members;
b) driving said flat moving clamping surface toward said flat stationary clamping surface to clamp said assembly of said members between said flat moving clamping surface and said stationary clamping surface;
c) exerting a clamping force on said assembly of said members between said moving clamping surface and said stationary clamping surface during attachment of members within said plurality of members to one another while said adhesive is partly cured;
d) moving said flat moving clamping surface away from said flat stationary clamping surface;
and
e) removing said assembly of said members from said clamping fixture.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/260,191Filed 30 Sep 2002
Published: US 2004/0060159 A11 Apr 2004
Granted: 20 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

E06B 11/02
Means for allowing passage through fences, barriers or the like, e.g. stiles: gates; Doors
B25B 5/061
Arrangements for positively actuating jaws: with fluid drive
E04F 21/00
Implements for finishing work on buildings
Y10T 29/49625
Static structure, e.g., a building component: openwork, e.g., a truss, joist, frame, lattice-type or box beam