US3822815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building frame fabricating machine
Assignee: Davis Building Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1973-03-21
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A frame fabricating machine is disclosed including a fixed frame having transverse support beams on which a carriage is transversely adjustable. Stationary guide rails on a fixed portion of the frame and adjustable guide rails on the carriage support longitudinal frame members for axial movement through the machine with two conveyor chains having pivotal lugs on upper horizontal flights engaging transverse spreaders perpendicularly oriented between the longitudinal frame members to move the spreaders and longitudinal members past nailing means on opposite sides of the frame which are actuated by two air valve sensors to detect a properly positioned spreader aligned with the nailing means. The pivot lugs on the chains pivot downwardly out of engagement with the frame members under cam control as they reach a position near the end of the upper flight of each chain. Transverse adjustment of the carriage adjusts one guide rail and one conveyor chain for accommodating different width frame constructions. Outfeed conveyors are provided for removing the completed frame.
Inventors
- 👤 J Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27F; B27F7/00; B27F7/02; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A frame fabricating machine for fabricating a frame formed of first and second parallel longitudinal side frame members and a plurality of parallel spreaders transversely extending and connected between the parallel longitudinal side frame members, said machine comprising a main support frame, first and second parallel spaced guide rails supported by said main support frame for supporting said parallel longitudinal frame members for axial movement through said machine in an upstream to downstream direction and for supporting the ends of said spreaders for movement through said machine, conveyor means extending parallel to said guide rails and having plural feed lug members engageable with said spreaders, first and second power operated nailer means positioned outwardly of said guide rails operable upon actuation to drive fastener means through said longitudinal frame members into adjacent spreaders for effecting connection of said longitudinal frame members to said adjacent spreaders, first and second sensors positioned in alignment with said nailer devices for detecting the presence of a spreader in alignment with said nailer device and actuator means responsive to the simultaneous detection of a spreader by said first and second sensors to actuate said nailer devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A frame fabricating machine for fabricating a frame formed of first and second parallel longitudinal side frame members and a plurality of parallel spreaders transversely extending and connected between the parallel longitudinal side frame members, said machine comprising a main support frame, first and second parallel spaced guide rails supported by said main support frame for supporting said parallel longitudinal frame members for axial movement through said machine in an upstream to downstream direction and for supporting the ends of said spreaders for movement through said machine, conveyor means extending parallel to said guide rails and having plural feed lug members engageable with said spreaders, first and second power operated nailer means positioned outwardly of said guide rails operable upon actuation to drive fastener means through said longitudinal frame members into adjacent spreaders for effecting connection of said longitudinal frame members to said adjacent spreaders, first and second sensors positioned in alignment with said nailer devices for detecting the presence of a spreader in alignment with said nailer device and actuator means responsive to the simultaneous detection of a spreader by said first and second sensors to actuate said nailer devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors each comprise normally closed sensor valve members each having an actuator arm engageable by said spreaders to open said valve members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and second sensors each comprise normally closed sensor valve members each having an actuator arm normally extending into the path of movement of said spreaders so that engagement of said spreaders with said actuator arms serves to open said valve members and wherein said nailer means are pneumatically actuated by compressed air from a power air line extending from said actuator means, said actuator means comprising pilot valve means operable by an input signal line extending from a source of air pressure, said first and second sensor valve members being connected in series In said input signal line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
141 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises first and second conveyor chains each having an upper horizontal flight extending respectively adjacent and parallel one of said guide rails between an upstream sprocket and a downstream sprocket and said first and second sensors comprise normally closed sensor valve members each having an actuator arm extending into the path of movement of said spreaders so that engagement of said spreaders with said actuator arms serves to open said valve members and wherein said nailer means are pneumatically actuated by compressed air from an air pressure power line extending from said actuator means, said actuator means comprising pilot valve means operable by an input pressure signal line extending from said source of air pressure, said first and second sensor valve members being connected in series in said input pressure signal line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
171 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said plural feed members comprise L-shaped feed lug plates formed of first and second arms intersecting at an apex, said L-shaped plates being pivotally connected to said chains at an apex of each L-shaped plate and cam means positioned adjacent the upper flight of each of said conveyor chains to engage one of said arms to pivot said L-shaped plate into a position in which the other arm extends upwardly from said upper flight as it moves into and along the length of the upper flight for engaging spreaders on said guide rails to feed the spreaders along the guide rails in an upstream to downstream direction and wherein said cam means terminates upstream of the downstream sprocket to permit said L-shaped plates to pivot under the influence of gravity about their pivotal connection to said chains so that said second arm moves below the level of said guide rails out of driving engagement with said spreaders before the L-shaped plates reach the downstream sprocket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The invention of claim 5 additionally including first and second transverse support beams forming part of said main support frame, transversely adjustable carriage means mounted on said first and second transverse support beams for adjustable movement on said transverse support beams, said adjustable carriage supporting said upstream and downstream sprockets of said second conveyor chain, said second guide rails, said second power operated nailer means and the camming means associated with said second conveyor chain for unitary adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the guide rails to enable the fabrication of frames of various widths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 6 additionally including a vertically adjustable bracket supporting said second nailer means on said adjustable carriage for adjusted vertical positioning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 7 additionally including vertically adjustable bracket means supporting said nailer means on said main frame for adjusting the height of said first nailer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said carriage includes first and second tubular sleeves respectively mounted in mating relationship on said first and second support beams, an elongated bridge plate oriented perpendicularly to said support beams and secured to said tubular sleeves and said second guide rail comprising an angle member attached to an inwardly facing surface of said bridge plate below an upper horizontal edge of said bridge plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 9 additionally including a fixed stop guide bridge plate comprising a portion of said main frame and oriented perpendicularly to said support beams, wherein said first guide rail comprises an angle member fixedly connected to said fixed stop guide bridge plate on an inwardly facing surface thereof and having an upper horizontal surface spaced a small distance below an upper horizontal edge of said fixed stop guide bridge plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 10 additionally including outfeed conveyor means respectively connected to the downstream ends of said first and second guide rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises first and second conveyor chains each having an upper horizontal flight extending respectively adjacent and parallel one of said guide rails between an upstream sprocket and a downstream sprocket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said plural feed members comprises L-shaped feed lug plates formed of first and second arms intersecting at an apex, said L-shaped plates being pivotally connected to said chains at an apex of each L-shaped plate and cam means positioned adjacent the upper flight of each of said conveyor chains to engage one of said arms to pivot said L-shaped plate into a position in which the other arm extends upwardly from said upper flight as it moves into and along the length of the upper flight for engaging spreaders on said guide rails to feed the spreaders along the guide rails in an upstream to downstream direction and wherein said cam means terminates upstream of the downstream sprocket to permit said L-shaped plates to pivot under the influence of gravity about their pivotal connection to said chains so that said second arm moves below the level of said guide rails out of driving engagement with said spreaders before the L-shaped plates reach the downstream sprocket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
The invention of claim 13 additionally including first and second transverse support beams forming part of said main support frame, transversely adjustable carriage means mounted on said first and second transverse support beams for adjustable movement on said transverse support beams, said adjustable carriage supporting said upstream and downstream sprockets of said second conveyor chain, said second guide rails, said second power operated nailer means and the camming means associated with said second conveyor chain for unitary adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the guide rails to enable the fabrication of frames of various widths.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 14 additionally including a vertically adjustable bracket supporting said second nailer means on said adjustable carriage for adjusted vertical positioning.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 15 additionally including vertically adjustable bracket means supporting said nailer means on said main frame for adjusting the height of said first nailer means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein said carriage includes first and second tubular sleeves respectively mounted in mating relationship on said first and second support beams, an elongated bridge plate oriented perpendicularly to said support beams and secured to said tubular sleeves and said second guide rail comprising an angle member attached to an inwardly facing surface of said bridge plate below an upper horizontal edge of said bridge plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 17 additionally including a fixed stop guide bridge plate comprising a portion of said main frame and oriented perpendicularly to said support beams, wherein said first guide rail comprises an angle member fixedly connected to said fixed stop guide bridge plate on an inwardly facing surface thereof and having an upper horizontal surface spaced a small distance below an upper horizontal edge of said fixed stop guide bridge plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 18 additionally including outfeed conveyor means respectively connected to the downstream ends of said first and second guide rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |