Patent ID: 7979981
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: B27M,E04B,E04G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for automating building construction by assembling a structural member in an assembly direction, comprising: (a) a joist feeder including a joist bay for holding a plurality of vertical joists, horizontally arrayed, wherein the joists are transverse to the assembly direction, and means for forcing the plurality of joists horizontally; (b) an upper panel feeder, positioned above the joist feeder, comprising a panel bay for holding a plurality of horizontal panels, vertically arrayed; (c) a lower panel feeder, positioned below the joist feeder, comprising a panel bay for holding a plurality of horizontal panels, vertically arrayed, and including means for forcing the lower panel array upwards, (d) pull means for pulling a first joist away from the joist feeder in the assembly direction; (e) fastening means for fastening the upper panels to the joists, and fastening means for fastening the lower panels to the joists; (f) alignment means for positioning each successive joist in alignment with the panel fastening means; and (g) means for aligning each successive upper panel and each successive lower panel with the joist aligned with the fastening means; such that the resulting structural member comprises a plurality of transverse joists fastened between an upper panel and a lower panel.