Method of making a truck floor

Abstract

A method of preparing truck floor boards of a desired standard length from floor boards having differing, initial standard lengths. For the case wherein the desired standard length is less than initial standard length, one may begin with severing, by saw-cutting, from a board having at least one initial standard length, as many desired length-boards as are available; this leaves a remainder board. One may also begin with such a remainder board, as an end product of a previous execution of the method, or of a cycle of the method. A finger joint profile is cut in the trailing end surface of the remainder board, and a mating finger joint profile is cut into the leading end surface of an initial-standard-length board. By gluing, the finger jointing is completed, and from the resultant composite board, severed out by saw-cut are as many desired length boards as are available. This may leave a new remainder board of sufficient length to warrant its inclusion in a new cycle of the method. Analogous steps are taken for the case of desired standard length greater than initial standard length. Another method comprises cutting a first board of an initial first standard length into a second board of a second desired standard length and a remainder board. The remainder board and another board of said first standard length are finger jointed and glued together to form a composite board. The composite board is then severed into another board of the second desired standard length and another remainder board. Boards of a second desired length can thus be formed in a continuous process. The preferred finger joint profile is a structure formed by the peaks and valleys of the 'gear rack teeth' extending in the width direction of the board.