Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.

Production Equipment & Engineering Co.

Other

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Michael C Rosser

David L McAdoo

Wayne A Shamblin

A truss assembly apparatus and a method for assembling a truss utilizing the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a truss table having a work surface divided into a first and second assembly zone. The apparatus further includes first and second clamping assemblies for clamping the truss in the first and second assembly zones. The apparatus includes a flip-over assembly having a flip-over arm movable relative to the truss table for moving the truss from a first truss position in the first assembly zone, wherein a first truss face contacts the work surface, to a second truss position in the second assembly zone, wherein a second truss face contacts the work surface. The flip-over arm is movable between a home position adjacent said work surface and an extended position, wherein the flip-over arm may be perpendicular to the work surface. In another alternative, at least a portion of the flip-over arm may extend over the second assembly zone when the flip-over arm is in the extended position. The flip-over assembly may comprise a plurality of movable flip-over arms for moving the truss from the first truss position to the second truss position. The invention preferably includes a lift-out assembly having at least one lift-out arm movable relative to the truss table for moving the truss from the second truss position in the second assembly zone to a finished position spaced from the work surface. The finished position may be above and preferably extends beyond the work surface. The lift-out arm may comprise a plurality of lift-out arm rollers mounted thereon.

Truss fabrication apparatus

Truss fabrication method and apparatus

An improved table for use in a truss assembly apparatus is provided. The improved table includes a frame supporting a plurality of panels that define a work surface. According to a first aspect, the plurality of panels are separated by at least one opening extending across the table. Mountings are provided for rotationally mounting a lead screw across the table along the opening between the panels. At least one jig stop carrier is threadedly coupled to the lead screw and movable along the lead screw in the opening between the panels across the table in response to rotation of the lead screw. A jig stop is connected to the jig stop carrier and to project above the work surface of the table. To vertically adjust the height of the jig stop mounted to the jig stop carrier, which is coupled to the lead screw, at least one threaded shank is fixed on each of the mountings. The threaded shank extends through an aperture in the frame of the table to selectively position the mountings on the frame. At least one threaded fastener is provided on each of the threaded shanks for securing the threaded shank to the frame at a selected position along the shank, whereby the mountings are releasably secured at a selected height so that the jig stops are operably associated with the work surface defined by the panels and to accommodate different thicknesses of panels. According to another aspect, adjustable metal end plates are provided to provide an easier baseline alignment for truss construction.

Variable height jig stop assembly and alignment plates for truss table

A truss bend correction system having a pair of in-feed correction rollers, a pair of finish rollers, and an out-feed correction roller define a path for counterbending the joints of a truss to reform the nail plates and thereby flatten the overall truss. The in-feed correction rollers and the out-feed correction roller are oriented downwardly with respect to the finish rollers so that an undesired upward bow of a truss joint is counterbent downwardly, thereby straightening the joints of the truss.

Truss bend correction system

A clamping apparatus is disclosed for use in clamping wooden chord and web members together in manufacturing wooden trusses. The clamping apparatus uses an inflatable conduit (50) to force an elongated clamp to a closed position. In a second embodiment, two inflatable conduits (150 and 152) move a tubular member (136) in opposite directions for urging a truss (120) against a stationary brace (32). Tubes (150 and 152) are selectively inflated and deflated through a valve (170).

Pressure actuated clamp for truss manufacturing equipment

A clamping means is disclosed for use in clamping wooden chord and web members together in manufacturing wooden trusses. The clamping means uses an inflatable conduit to force an elongated clamp to a closed position.

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Roanoke, TX, United States of America

Michael C Rosser