Truss table with flipper

Details Truss table with flipper Truss table with flipper

1997-10-06

2001-07-17

Echols, P. W. (Department: 3726)

Metal working

Means to assemble or disassemble

Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural...

C029S281300, C029S429000, C227S152000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260263

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an assembly for use in the manufacture of trusses and, more particularly, to an assembly and methods for assembling a prefabricated truss.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prefabricated trusses are often used in the construction of building structures because of their strength, reliability, low cost, and ease of use. The trusses are typically assembled in a factory using machinery for mass-fabrication of individual truss components. The trusses are assembled, for example, on large assembly tables and then shipped to construction sites.
A prefabricated truss typically includes truss members coupled by nailing plates. Each truss member has a first surface and a second surface, and the truss members are pre-cut for a pre-defined truss configuration. In assembling the truss, the truss members are arranged on a long assembly table and nailing plates are placed over the first surface of the truss members. The plates are then secured to the truss members using, for example, a roller or a vertical press. The truss is then manually flipped over and nailing plates are positioned over the second face of the truss members and secured thereto. The completed truss is then removed from the assembly table.
Manually flipping the truss is labor intensive and subjects the truss to a variety of potential sources of damage. Due to the size and weight of the truss, several workers may be required to flip the truss. This task is complicated by the incomplete state of the truss as the workers must take extra precautions to maintain the relative flatness of the truss. Also, any bending or twisting of the partially completed truss during the flipping operation may weaken the grip of the nailing plates on the first surface of the truss.
It would be desirable to provide an assembly which enables fabricating a truss without requiring that the truss be manually flipped. It would also be desirable to provide an assembly for automated flipping of a truss which does not subject the truss to any significant bending or twisting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects may be attained by a truss table assembly which, in one embodiment, includes at least two truss tables and at least two flipper arms for flipping the truss after a first set of nailing plates have been engaged to the truss. More particularly, each truss table includes first and second worksurfaces and inner rails and outer rails to clamp the truss members in position over the respective worksurfaces. Each flipper arm includes a flipper member and a spur. One end of the flipper arm is rotatably coupled to a truss table and the flipper member includes a support surface to support the truss during flipping. The spur, or stop member, extends from the flipper member support surface and limits movement of the truss along the support surface. In one embodiment, a first flipper arm is positioned between the first worksurfaces of the first and second truss tables and a second flipper arm is positioned between the second worksurfaces of the first and second truss tables. The flipper arms are positioned relative to each other such that as flipper arms are rotated to the vertical position, the respective support surfaces are substantially aligned.
To fabricate a truss using the above described truss table assembly, the truss members are positioned on the truss table assembly first worksurfaces so that at least one of the truss members extends over the first flipper arm. The first worksurface rails are moved towards the truss members to clamp, or trap, the members in place. Nailing plates are then positioned over the truss member first surfaces and are engaged to the truss using, for example, a roller or a vertical press. The first worksurface rails are then moved away from the truss members so that the members are no longer clamped in place. The truss is then raised from the truss table first worksurfaces by rotating the first flipper arm. As the flipper arm is rotated to a substantially vertical position, the second flipper arm also is rotated toward a vertical position. As the first flipper arm rotates, the truss slides along the flipper arm support surface until the truss contacts the spur. The spur prevents the truss from sliding further down the first flipper arm and supports the truss. When the first flipper arm reaches the substantially vertical position, the truss begins to move away, or separate from, the first flipper arm. The second flipper arm is in position so that the truss is received by and comes to rest on the flipper member support surface of the second flipper arm. The second flipper arm is then rotated to a horizontal position and the truss is supported by the second worksurfaces. The second worksurfaces rails are then moved towards the truss members to clamp the truss. Nailing plates are then positioned over the truss member second surfaces and engaged to the truss. The second worksurface rails are then moved away from the truss members so that the truss is no longer clamped in place. The truss is then removed from the truss assembly.
The above described assembly facilitates fabricating a truss without requiring that the truss be manually flipped. In addition, such assembly flips the truss without subjecting the truss to any significant bending or twisting.


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patent: 5600882 (1997-02-01), Beane
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patent: 1 258 792 (1968-01-01), None
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patent: 2 773 097 (1999-07-01), None
EPO European Serach Report, dated Apr. 17, 2000, 4 pgs.

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