Patent ID: 6058601
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B27F,B27M,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for assembly of fence panels from a plurality of longitudinal backing rails and a plurality of transverse pickets, the apparatus comprising:a conveyor movable continuously through a plurality of sequentially arranged stages;the conveyor being arranged for supporting and moving the backing rails in a direction along their length with the rails at spaced transversely positions across the conveyor;a plurality of rail dispensing hoppers arranged at a first stage, each for receiving a stack of the backing rails and arranged to dispense the rails one at a time onto the conveyor;the dispensing hoppers being arranged in parallel, transversely spaced relation so that each dispenses a respective one of the rails onto the conveyor at the respective position so that the rails are aligned across the conveyor;at least one picket dispensing hopper at a second stage arranged transversely across the conveyor for dispensing the pickets one at a time onto the aligned rails so that the pickets are positioned at right angles to the rails, the conveyor being arranged such that the pickets are carried on the rails so as to be moved on the conveyor simultaneously with the rails;a picket alignment assembly at a third stage arranged at a position relative to the conveyor downstream of the second stage to engage and align ends of the pickets while carried on the rails;a picket compression assembly at a fourth stage arranged to compress the pickets in a direction at right angles to the rails and in a direction onto the rails;the picket compression assembly being to arranged to effect compression of the pickets onto the rails as the pickets and rails move with the conveyor;and a nailing assembly for applying nails to connect the pickets to the rails while the pickets are compressed onto the rails.