Device for assembling structural member

Claim 1

A device for manufacturing a composite structural member of the type made up of a plurality of superimposed structural elements secured together by staples comprising a guide block having an upper surface, a plurality of individual rails projecting from said upper surface, said rails being arranged in pairs with the two individual rails constituting a pair being separated from one another by a first elongated space, said first elongated space and the pair of rails defining said first elongated space forming an elongated groove on said top surface of said guide block, said pairs of rails being separated from each other by a second elongated space parallel to said first elongated space, means disposed along the bottom of said elongated groove defining a plurality of spaced openings passing completely through said guide block, said guide block being adapted to be disposed over said plurality of superimposed structural elements, a receiving block adapted to be disposed beneath said plurality of superimposed structural elements, said receiving block having a plurality of grooves formed therein, said grooves being arranged in pairs with the two individual grooves constituting a pair having a combined width substantially corresponding to the width of said openings in said guide block, said pairs of grooves being separated from one another a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between said elongated grooves on said guide block, said receiving block being disposed relative to said guide block such that said elongated grooves on said guide block generally overlie said pairs of grooves on said receiving block, whereby staples are adapted to be passed through said spaced openings in said elongated grooves in said guide block, pass through said superimposed structural elements, and engage said grooves in said receiving block such that upon engaging said grooves, the staples are turned laterally to thereby close the staple and secure together said plurality of superimposed structural elements.

Claim 2

A device for manufacturing a composite structural member of the type made up of a plurality of superimposed structural elements secured together by staples comprising a guide block having an upper surface, a plurality of individual rails projecting from said upper surface, said rails being arranged in pairs with the two individual rails constituting a pair being separated from one another by a first elongated space, said first elongated space and the pair of rails defining said first elongated space forming an elongated groove on said top surface of said guide block, said pairs of rails being separated from each other by a second elongated space parallel to said first elongated space, means disposed along the bottom of said elongated groove defining a plurality of spaced openings passing completely through said guide block, said guide block being adapted to be disposed over said plurality of superimposed structural elements, a receiving block adapted to be disposed beneath said plurality of superimposed structural elements, said receiving block having a plurality of grooves formed therein, said grooves being arranged in pairs with the two individual grooves constituting a pair having a combined width substantially corresponding to the width of said openings in said guide block, said pairs of grooves being separated from one another a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between said elongated grooves on said guide block, said receiving block being disposed relative to said guide block such that said elongated grooves on said guide block generally overlie said pairs of grooves on said receiving block, whereby staples are adapted to be passed through said spaced openings in said elongated grooves in said guide block, pass through said superimposed structural elements, and engage said grooves in said receiving block such that upon engaging said grooves, the staples are turned laterally to thereby close the staple and secure together said plurality of superimposed structural elements.