US3894908A — I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus with au…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 218 words

IN 1-BEAM TYPE TRUSS JOIST FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING CHORD FEED MEANS ARRANGED TO DRIVE LONGITUDINALLY GROOVES IN SPACED RELATION A PAIR OF CHORDS HAVING LONGITUDINAL GROOVES IN THEIR OPPOSED SIDE FACES, WEB MEMBER FEED MEANS POSITIONED FOR PLACING BETWEEN THE CHORDS A PLURALITY OF WEB MEMBERS ARRANGED END-TO-END, WEB MEMBER DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID WEB MEMBERS LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN SAID CHORDS, AND GUIDE MEANS DISPOSED TO GUIDE THE CHORDS AND WEB MEMBERS INTO ASSEMBLED RELATION TO EACH OTHER WITH THE SIDE MARGINS OF THE WEB MEMBERS ENGAGED IN THE GROOVES OF THE CHORDS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID WEB MEMBER FEED MEANS COMPRISES: A. SUPPORT MEANS POSITIONED TO SUPPORT A FIRST STACK OF FLATWISE ORIENTED WEB MEMBERS BETWEEN AND ABOVE THE CHORDS, B. CONVEYOR MEANS MOUNTED LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN THE CHORDS BENEATH THE STACK FOR ENGAGING AT TIMED INTERVALS THE LOWERMOST WEB MEMBER OF THE FIRST STACK AND CONVEYING IT BETWEEN THE CHORDS TO SAID WEB MEMBER DRIVE MEANS, AND C. STACK FEED MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE SUPPORT MEANS AND OPERABLE TO FEED A SECOND STACK OF WEB MEMBERS INTO THE TOP OF A PARTIALLY DEPLEATED FIRST STACK SUPPORTED ON THE STACK SUPPORT MEANS AND INCLUDING SKID PLATE MEANS SUPPORTING A SECOND STACK TO BE FED AND STACK PUSHER MEANS POSITIONED FOR PUSHING SAID SECOND STACK TO BE FED ONTO

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 218 words

IN 1-BEAM TYPE TRUSS JOIST FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING CHORD FEED MEANS ARRANGED TO DRIVE LONGITUDINALLY GROOVES IN SPACED RELATION A PAIR OF CHORDS HAVING LONGITUDINAL GROOVES IN THEIR OPPOSED SIDE FACES, WEB MEMBER FEED MEANS POSITIONED FOR PLACING BETWEEN THE CHORDS A PLURALITY OF WEB MEMBERS ARRANGED END-TO-END, WEB MEMBER DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID WEB MEMBERS LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN SAID CHORDS, AND GUIDE MEANS DISPOSED TO GUIDE THE CHORDS AND WEB MEMBERS INTO ASSEMBLED RELATION TO EACH OTHER WITH THE SIDE MARGINS OF THE WEB MEMBERS ENGAGED IN THE GROOVES OF THE CHORDS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID WEB MEMBER FEED MEANS COMPRISES: A. SUPPORT MEANS POSITIONED TO SUPPORT A FIRST STACK OF FLATWISE ORIENTED WEB MEMBERS BETWEEN AND ABOVE THE CHORDS, B. CONVEYOR MEANS MOUNTED LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN THE CHORDS BENEATH THE STACK FOR ENGAGING AT TIMED INTERVALS THE LOWERMOST WEB MEMBER OF THE FIRST STACK AND CONVEYING IT BETWEEN THE CHORDS TO SAID WEB MEMBER DRIVE MEANS, AND C. STACK FEED MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE SUPPORT MEANS AND OPERABLE TO FEED A SECOND STACK OF WEB MEMBERS INTO THE TOP OF A PARTIALLY DEPLEATED FIRST STACK SUPPORTED ON THE STACK SUPPORT MEANS AND INCLUDING SKID PLATE MEANS SUPPORTING A SECOND STACK TO BE FED AND STACK PUSHER MEANS POSITIONED FOR PUSHING SAID SECOND STACK TO BE FED ONTO

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

RECIPROACATING CARRIAGE MEANS PROVIDED WITH ARM AT LEAST ONE PUSHING ARM AND

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

RECIPROACATING CARRIAGE MEANS PROVIDED WITH ARM AT LEAST ONE PUSHING ARM AND

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE PUSHING ARM FOR MOVING IT ANGULARLY BETWEEN AN ADVANCED ANGULAR POSITION WHEREIN IT ENGAGES AND PUSHES THE STACK TO BE FED ALONG THE SKID PLATE MEANS ON THE ADVANCING PASS OF THE CARRIAGE, AND A RETRACTED ANGULAR POSITION WHEREIN IT IS SEPARATED FROM THE SACK TO BE FED ON THE RETRACTING PASS OF THE CARRIAGE.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 60 words

DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE PUSHING ARM FOR MOVING IT ANGULARLY BETWEEN AN ADVANCED ANGULAR POSITION WHEREIN IT ENGAGES AND PUSHES THE STACK TO BE FED ALONG THE SKID PLATE MEANS ON THE ADVANCING PASS OF THE CARRIAGE, AND A RETRACTED ANGULAR POSITION WHEREIN IT IS SEPARATED FROM THE SACK TO BE FED ON THE RETRACTING PASS OF THE CARRIAGE.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 60 words

drive means connected to the pushing arm for moving it angularly between an advanced angular position wherein it engages and pushes the stack to be fed along the skid plate means on the advancing pass of the carriage, and a retracted angular position wherein it is separated from the stack to be fed on the retracting pass of the carriage.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 60 words

drive means connected to the pushing arm for moving it angularly between an advanced angular position wherein it engages and pushes the stack to be fed along the skid plate means on the advancing pass of the carriage, and a retracted angular position wherein it is separated from the stack to be fed on the retracting pass of the carriage.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 242 words

In I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to drive longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means positioned for placing between the chords a plurality of web members arranged end-to-end, web member drive means for driving said web members longitudinally between said chords, and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, the improvement wherein said web member feed means comprises: a. first support means positioned to support a first stack of flatwise-oriented web members between and above the chords, b. conveyor means mounted longitudinally between the chords beneath the first stack for engaging at timed intervals the lowermost web member of the first stack and conveying it between the chords to said web member drive means, c. stack feed means positioned adjacent the first support means for feeding a stack of web members onto the top of a partially depleted first stack supported on the first support means, d. second support means positioned adjacent the stack feed means for supporting a plurality of web member stacks aligned in the stack feed direction, and e. reciprocating stack-advancing means positioned for advancing the stacks along the second support means and transferring them to the stack feed means, one stack at a time.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 242 words

In I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to drive longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means positioned for placing between the chords a plurality of web members arranged end-to-end, web member drive means for driving said web members longitudinally between said chords, and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, the improvement wherein said web member feed means comprises: a. first support means positioned to support a first stack of flatwise-oriented web members between and above the chords, b. conveyor means mounted longitudinally between the chords beneath the first stack for engaging at timed intervals the lowermost web member of the first stack and conveying it between the chords to said web member drive means, c. stack feed means positioned adjacent the first support means for feeding a stack of web members onto the top of a partially depleted first stack supported on the first support means, d. second support means positioned adjacent the stack feed means for supporting a plurality of web member stacks aligned in the stack feed direction, and e. reciprocating stack-advancing means positioned for advancing the stacks along the second support means and transferring them to the stack feed means, one stack at a time.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second support means comprises pallet means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 3 including pallet positioning means for positioning the pallet with the stacks in operative alignment with the stack feed means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the stack-advancing means comprises a reciprocating carriage and a ram mounted thereon.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus of claim 2 including conveyer means interconnecting the second support means and the stack feed means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the conveyer means comprises gravity roller conveyer means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 202 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means for feeding web members from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, and a laterally adjustable frame supporting the chord feed means so as to process I-beam type truss joists of variable width, the frame comprising: a. a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending frame members supporting the chord feed means, b. a plurality of cross frame members interconnecting the longitudinal frame members, c. a plurality of V-ways mounted one on each cross frame member d. one longitudinal frame member being fixed e. roller means mounted on the underside of the other longitudinal frame member and bearing against the associated V-way, and f. adjustment means engaging the said other longitudinal frame member for shifting it laterally to the predetermined position of lateral adjustment.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 202 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means for feeding web members from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, and a laterally adjustable frame supporting the chord feed means so as to process I-beam type truss joists of variable width, the frame comprising: a. a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending frame members supporting the chord feed means, b. a plurality of cross frame members interconnecting the longitudinal frame members, c. a plurality of V-ways mounted one on each cross frame member d. one longitudinal frame member being fixed e. roller means mounted on the underside of the other longitudinal frame member and bearing against the associated V-way, and f. adjustment means engaging the said other longitudinal frame member for shifting it laterally to the predetermined position of lateral adjustment.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the adjustment means comprises screw means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 8 including indexing means positioned for determining the lateral position of the said other longitudinal frame member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 176 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means for feeding web members from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, the chord feed means comprising: a. pairs of rollers positioned for engagement with opposite surfaces of the chords, b. one of the pairs comprising powered rollers for driving the chords in the feed direction, c. the other pair being idler rollers applying resilient pressure to the chords, d. resilient mounting means mounting said other pair of rollers and comprising a walking beam, journal means journaling the rollers to the walking beam ends and resilient pressure-applying means connected to the central portion of the walking beam.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 176 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web member feed means for feeding web members from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, the chord feed means comprising: a. pairs of rollers positioned for engagement with opposite surfaces of the chords, b. one of the pairs comprising powered rollers for driving the chords in the feed direction, c. the other pair being idler rollers applying resilient pressure to the chords, d. resilient mounting means mounting said other pair of rollers and comprising a walking beam, journal means journaling the rollers to the walking beam ends and resilient pressure-applying means connected to the central portion of the walking beam.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 66 words

The apparatus of claim 11 including adjustable stop means for positioning the said other pair of rollers and comprising a pair of outwardly extending threaded studs, a fixed limit block, each stud having one end fixed to the walking beam adjacent an end thereof and the other end penetrating the limit block, and lock nut means threaded on the studs and bearing on the limit block.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 183 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web feed means for feeding webs from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and webs into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the webs engaged in the grooves of the chords, the web drive means comprising: a. pairs of rotatably mounted upper and lower crimp wheels positioned for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the webs, b. the peripheral surfaces of each pair of wheels being divergently beveled at an angle predetermined to impress tongues in the web side margins, c. the wheels of each pair being provided with coplanar integral flanges positioned to contact each other and act as stops, limiting the degree of compression of the web margins, and d. drive means connected to the crimp wheels for driving them at the predetermined rotational speed.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 183 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web feed means for feeding webs from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and webs into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the webs engaged in the grooves of the chords, the web drive means comprising: a. pairs of rotatably mounted upper and lower crimp wheels positioned for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the webs, b. the peripheral surfaces of each pair of wheels being divergently beveled at an angle predetermined to impress tongues in the web side margins, c. the wheels of each pair being provided with coplanar integral flanges positioned to contact each other and act as stops, limiting the degree of compression of the web margins, and d. drive means connected to the crimp wheels for driving them at the predetermined rotational speed.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 161 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web feed means for feeding webs from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and webs into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the webs engaged in the grooves of the chords, and web hold-down means for preventing the bowing of the webs and comprising: a. an upper and a lower guide bar assembly, one positioned above and the other below the web in contact therewith in mutually opposed cooperating relation, b. each assembly including at least three parallel longitudinally arranged guide bars, c. each guide bar comprising a contact shoe bearing against the web and d. mounting means mounting each guide bar to a frame member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 161 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, web feed means for feeding webs from a supply one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords and webs into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the webs engaged in the grooves of the chords, and web hold-down means for preventing the bowing of the webs and comprising: a. an upper and a lower guide bar assembly, one positioned above and the other below the web in contact therewith in mutually opposed cooperating relation, b. each assembly including at least three parallel longitudinally arranged guide bars, c. each guide bar comprising a contact shoe bearing against the web and d. mounting means mounting each guide bar to a frame member.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the mounting means for the guide bars of one guide bar assembly comprises resilient mounting means applying resilient pressure to the coMponent guide bars of the assembly.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 14 including laterally adjustable mounting means for mounting the central guide bar of each guide bar assembly for lateral adjustment.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 47 words

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the central guide bar mounting means comprises a support arm, a sleeve fixed to the support arm, a horizontal indexing bar receiving the sleeve, and clamp means arranged for clamping the sleeve to the indexing bar at a selected location thereon.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 145 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, automated web feed means for feeding web members one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords, web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, and adhesive-repellent applicator means for applying an adhesive repellent to the edges of the chords, said applicator means comprising: a. upper and lower rollers positioned for engaging the upper and lower edges of the chords and b. roller moistening means associated with each roller and positioned for moistening the surfaces of the rollers with an adhesive repellent liquid.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 145 words

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus comprising chord feed means arranged to move longitudinally in laterally spaced relation a pair of chords having longitudinal grooves in their opposed side faces, automated web feed means for feeding web members one at a time between the chords in end-to-end aligned relation to each other, web member drive means and guide means disposed to guide the chords, web members into assembled relation to each other with the side margins of the web members engaged in the grooves of the chords, and adhesive-repellent applicator means for applying an adhesive repellent to the edges of the chords, said applicator means comprising: a. upper and lower rollers positioned for engaging the upper and lower edges of the chords and b. roller moistening means associated with each roller and positioned for moistening the surfaces of the rollers with an adhesive repellent liquid.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 63 words

The apparatus of claim 18 including a reservoir containing adhesive repellent liquid and receiving the lower portion of the lower roller for moistening the same, a plurality of liquid-applying nozzles mounted in operative relation to the upper roller for moistening the same, and conduit means including pump means communicating with a source of liquid and positioned for applying liquid to the upper roller.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 19 including adjustable, fluid operated cylinder mounting means for mounting the nozzles in predetermined positions of vertical adjustment.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 19 including slide and guide nozzle mounting means for mounting the nozzles in predetermined positions of lateral adjustment.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-07-14	1979-01-13	1979-07-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-07-14	1983-01-13	1983-07-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-07-14	1987-01-13	1987-07-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

I-beam type truss joist forming apparatus with automated web infeed

Abstract

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