IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE ASSEMBLY OF FRAMES

Abstract: A machine for the assembly of frames, particularly for the building industry, and comprising a pair of spaced parallel elongate members (26) (conventionally termed "stringers") and a plurality of transverse members (120) (conventionally termed "studs") secured to and extending between the stringers (26). The machine comprises three stations, a first station (A) at which the frame is assembled, a second station (B) at which a layer of primary cladding is secured temporarily to the frame and a layer of secondary cladding is secured temporarily to the primary cladding, and a third station (C) at which there is located fastener applying means 1380) by which the layers of primary and secondary cladding are simultaneously permanently secured to the frame. At both the first (A) and third stations (C), apparatus is used comprising a first, static assembly, (6, 306) and a second, moving assembly (8, 308) mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first assembly (6, 306), drive means being provided which is adapted to move the second assembly (8, 308) longitudinally relative to the first assembly (6, 306) in a step-wise manner, clamping devices (60, 400) being carried by the second assembly (8, 308). At the first station (A), the moving assembly (8) comprises fixed nailing guns (100), adapted on cessation of movement of the second assembly (8) to nail a stud to and between the stringers. At the third station (C), the fastener applying means comprises an array of nailing guns (380), adapted to apply a plurality of nails simultaneously through the cladding and into a stud which is aligned with the nailing guns (380).

Description: Title: "Improvements relating to the assembly of frames" This invention is concerned with improvements relating to the assembly of frames, particularly but not exclusively for the building industry. Frames for the building industry conventionally comprise spaced parallel elongate members (conventionally termed stringers) and a plurality of transverse members (conventionally termed studs) secured to and extending between the stringers. Additional longitudinal members may be incorporated, extending between a pair of adjacent studs parallel to the stringers, and additional transverse members may be incorporated, extending from one stringer part-way towards the other. For the building industry, the frames are conventionally of timber, and the various members are secured together by nails. On completion of assembly of the frame, a primary cladding is secured over the frame, conventionally of plywood, and is nailed at least to the studs, and if desired to other members of the frame. Subsequently a secondary cladding, such as a layer of bituminous material, conventionally termed "breather paper", is secured to the primary cladding. In the use of such a frame, the frame is erected with the studs extending vertically and walling of the building (which may be brickwork) is secured to the studs. Several problems exist in the manufacture and use of frames of the kind set out above, including those now listed: I . In one type of conventional semi-automatic assembly operation, the stringers are fed longitudinally in a step-wise manner on rails whilst the studs are secured to and between the stringers at a datum line In the intervals between movement of the stringers. The assembled frame is fed to a second station at which the frame is "squared" and the primary cladding is secured thereto, the frame is advanced to a third station at which the primary cladding is nailed to the studs, and then to a fourth station at which the secondary cladding is secured to the primary cladding. Such an operation is high in its operator requirements, and takes up considerable floor space. Further, such an assembly operation is lacking somewhat in versatility. 2. When frames manufactured ' by the operation set out in the last preceding paragraph are used, the positions of the studs beneath the primary and secondary cladding layers are hidden. Since it is necessary for fasteners inserted by a building worker to penetrate the studs, it is necessary for markings to be applied subsequently to the frame to indicate the positions of the studs. It is one of the various objects of this invention to aleviate some of the above or other problems encountered in the manufacture of frames for the building industry. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to manufacture of frames for the building industry, but may be applied generally where similar or analogous problems arise. In particular the invention has applicability whether the frame is manufactured from timber or other materials (such as plastics or metal) and whether the frame members are secured together by nails or other fasteners (such as screws or rivets). According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a machine for the manufacture of frames and comprising:- (a) a first station at which the frame is assembled; (b) a second station at which a layer of primary cladding is secured temporarily (i.e. pro tempore) to the frame and a layer of secondary cladding is secured temporarily to the primary cladding; (c) fastener applying means by which the layers of primary and secondary cladding are simultaneously permanently secured to the frame. In this manner, the fasteners securing the cladding to the frame members may be retained visible over the secondary cladding, enabling a building worker readily to identify the positions of the frame members for a subsequent building operation. Preferably however the machine comprises tape applying means to apply a strip of tape over the layer of secondary cladding at positions corresponding to the positions of transverse members of the frame, and advantageously said fastener applying means is adapted to apply fasteners through said strip to secure the strip and cladding simultaneously to each transverse member. In this manner, penetration of heads of the fasteners into the secondary cladding is minimised, and also visual identification of the positions of the transverse members may be enhanced by the use of tape of a contrasting colour. Preferαbly the primary cladding is secured temporarily to the frame at the second station by fasteners such as nails, and the layer of secondary cladding is applied to the primary cladding in a sheet extending the full width and length of the frame, conveniently the secondary cladding being secured temporarily to the primary cladding by fasteners such as staples. The frame may be assembled at the first station on apparatus of the kind hereinbefore described in which the longitudinal frame members are advanced in a step-wise manner and the transverse frame members are secured to and between the longitudinal members at a datum line in the intervals between movement of the longitudinal members as the frame is advanced into the second station. Preferably however the frame is assembled at the first station on apparatus of the kind comprising a first assembly which provides means for locating a pair of longitudinal frame members in parallel spaced relationship, a second assembly mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first assembly, drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in a step-wise manner, clamping means carried by the second assembly and operative on termination of movement of the second assembly to clamp a transverse frame member in fixed position relative to the first assembly, and fastener applying means carried by the second assembly and operative subsequent to operation of the clamping means to apply fasteners to secure such a transverse member to each of the longitudinal members. One such apparatus is described in the Specification of our co-pending application No. filed, contemporaneously herewith. Preferably means is utilised to convey or assist in the conveying of the frame from the second station to a third station, at which said fastener applying means is located. Preferably the fastener applying means at the third station is adapted to apply a plurality of fasteners to secure the cladding to. a stud at spaced intervals along the length thereof. Preferably such fastener applying means is provided by a mechanism mounted for movement longitudinally of the frame in a step-wise manner, and which comprises sensing means responsive to the position of a transverse member to locate the fastener applying means at a desired position in relation to the transverse member. According to this invention, there is also provided apparatus for securing cladding to a frame, the frame being of the kind comprising spaced AW, OMPI longitudinal frame members and a plurality of transverse frame members secured to and extending between the longitudinal members, the apparatus comprising a first assembly on which the frame may be positioned and a second assembly mounted for movement longitudinally of the first assembly, drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in a step-wise manner, fastener applying means carried by the second assembly and operative in the intervals between the steps of movement of the second assembly to apply fasteners to the frame, and sensing means carried by the second assembly and responsive to the position of a transverse frame member to terminate operation of the drive means to locate the fastener applying means at a desired position in relation to the transverse frame member. According to this invention there is also provided a method of manufacturing cladded frames, involving the steps:- (a) securing a plurality of transverse members to and between a pair of spaced longitudinal members at a first station to provide a frame; (b) securing temporarily to the frame at a second station a layer of primary cladding, and securing temporarily at said second station a layer of secondary cladding to the primary cladding; $c) simultaneously permanently securing the layers of primary and secondary cladding to the frame. Preferably step (c) is carried out at a first station, from which the frame is transferred to a second station at which step (b) is carried out. Preferably the frame is then transferred to a third station at which step (c) is carried out. There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a machine which is the preferred embodiment of this invention and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawiπgs:- FIGURE I is a schematic plan view of the machine, illustrating first, second and third stations thereof; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of apparatus located at the first station of the machine; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of said apparatus; FIGURE is an end elevation of said apparatus; FIGURE 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of apparatus at the third station of the machine; OMPI FIGURE 6 is α plan view of the apparatus at said third station; FIGURE 7 is an end elevation of the apparatus at said third station; FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of one end of said apparatus; FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 8; and FIGURE 10 is an enlarged end elevation corresponding to part of Figure 7. The machine which is the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises three stations, at a first station A of which a frame for use in the building industry is prefabricated from lengths of timber, at the second station B of which cladding material comprising a layer of plywood or the like semi-rigid material is temporarily applied to the frame, and a second layer of a flexible material, such as bituminised paper, commonly referred to as "breather paper" is temporarily applied to the first layer of the cladding material. At the third station C the cladding material is permanently secured to the frame by nailing. The apparatus at the first station comprises a first, static assembly 6, a second, moving assembly 8 mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first assembly, drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in step-wise manner, and two clamping devices 60 carried by the second assembly, (see Figures 2, 3 and 4). The static assembly 6 comprises a horizontal base 14, and two side assemblies 16 extending upwardly from the base. Extending between each of the two side assemblies 16 are spaced transverse supports 18. Mounted on and between the two transverse supports 18 at one end thereof is a fixed supporting member 20, and mounted on and between the transverse supports 18 at the opposite ends thereof, in a manner such as to be capable of movement lengthwise of the transverse supports, is an adjustable supporting member 22. Each supporting member 20 and 22 provides a surface 23, on which an elongate element of the frame (hereinafter referred to for convenience as a "stringer") may be placed in engagement therewith. The assembly 8 comprises two carrier assemblies 30, one positioned outwardly of each of the side assemblies 16, and an intermediate support member 32 extending between the carrier assemblies through the side assemblies 16. W H NATIO Eαch of the elongate horizontal support members 20 and 22 carries a conveyor assembly 50, afforded by a longitudinal series of rollers mounted on a support, power operated means being provided to move the conveyor assembly 50 between a retracted position in which the rollers are located below the plane of the supporting surfaces, and an operative position in which the rollers extend above such surface. The two clamping devices 60 are mounted on the intermediate support member 32, which also carries a plurality of supporting devices 62. The apparatus of the first station of the machine also comprises fastener applying means, conveniently in the form of automatic nailing guns. The fastener applying means comprises two nailing guns 100, one being mounted on each of the carrier assemblies 30, a third nailing gun 102 being suspended by a flexible, preferably extensible, cable 104 from a cantilever assembly 106 extending upwardly from the carrier assemblies. In the operation of the apparatus at the first station, the supporting member 22 is positionally adjusted to correspond with the desired width of the frame, and stringers 26 are positioned on the supporting members 20 and 22 in engagement with side stops 28. A first stud 120 is placed between the stringers 26, and the two clamping ' devices 60 are operated to clamp the stud in position, and supplementary clamping devices 1 12 are also operated, pressing the stringers and the stud into engagement with the supporting surfaces 23 to ensure correct horizontal alignment of the studs with the stringers. The nailing guns 100 are then automatically operated, each to drive two nails through the adjacent stringer and into the end of the stud 120. The clamping devices are then retracted, and drive means is operated to move the assembly 8 longitudinally relative to the assembly 6. The drive means may comprise a manually operated hand wheel, or a motor the operation of which is controlled from a control panel, which may be automatic, semi-automatic or computer controlled. On completion of the first step in the advancement of the assembly 8, the operator places a second stud at its desired position, and the apparatus is automatically operated to clamp the stud in position, and to nail it to the two stringers 26. The moving assembly 8 continues to advance in a step-wise manner longitudinally of the stringers, until the frame has been assembled as desired. For greater detail of the apparatus at the first station of the machine which is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference should be made to the Specification of our co-pending application No. filed On completion of nailing the final step between the stringers 26, with the various clamps released, the conveyor assembly 50 is elevated, causing the rollers to move into positions above the plane containing the surfaces 23, lifting the frame from the supporting surfaces and allowing the frame to be rolled from the apparatus. The frame is rolled from the first station A to the second station B, at which the frame is "squared", and a layer of plywood is laid over the frame, and secured temporarily (i.e. pro tempore) such as by nails in position. A layer of bituminised "breather" paper is then pulled from a roll and laid over the plywood and stapled thereto. If desired, by a conveyor assembly similar to that utilised in the first apparatus may be incorporated at the second station, to enable the cladded frame to be rolled from the second station to the third station C. At the third station C there is provided apparatus by which the layers of primary and secondary cladding are secured permanently simultaneously to the frame, said apparatus comprising a first, static assembly 306, a second, moving assembly 308 mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first assembly, and drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in a step-wise manner. The static assembly 306 is similar to the static assembly 6 of the apparatus situated at the first station, and comprises a horizontal base 314, comprising longitudinally extending base members 315, and two side assemblies 316 extending upwardly from the base. Extending between each of the side assemblies 316 are spaced transverse supports 318. Mounted on and between the two transverse supports 318 at one end thereof is a fixed supporting member 320, and mounted on and between the transverse supports 318 at the opposite end thereof, in a manner such as to be capable of movement lengthwise of the transverse support, is an adjustable supporting member 322. Each supporting member 320 and 322 provides a supporting surface 323, and each of the support members 320 and 322 carries a conveyor assembly 350 afforded by a longitudinal series of rollers 352 mounted on a support 354, power operated means 356 being provided to move the conveyor assembly 350 between a retracted position, as is shown in Figure 10, in which the roHers 352 are located below the plane of the supporting surfaces 323, and an operative position in which the rollers extend above such plane. Mounted on each of the two supporting members 320 and 322 is a clamping device 400. OMH The movable assembly 308 comprises two carrier assemblies 330, one positioned outwardly of each of the side assemblies 316, and an intermediate support member 332 extending between the carrier assemblies through the side assemblies 316. Each carrier assembly comprises a bracket 334 secured to and extending downwardly from the intermediate support member 332, each bracket 334 mounting rollers 336, 338 which engage with a rail 340 secured to a static base member 315 of the base 314 to guide the carrier assemblies, and hence the second assembly for longitudinal movement relative to the static assembly 306. Extending downwardly from the intermediate member 332 adjacent opposite ends thereof is a bracket 341 , which supports for rotation a shaft 342, said shaft carrying at opposite ends thereof a pinion 344, which engages an elongate rack 346 mounted on the longitudinal base members 315. The drive means of the apparatus may comprise a drive wheel connected by gearing to the shaft 342, and which may be rotated by the operator to move the intermediate member longitudinally of the apparatus. Alternatively the drive means may comprise a motor, associated with a pulse generator, which is operative to rotate the shaft 342 under semi-automatic, automatic or computer control. Secured to an upper surface of the intermediate member 332 is a dovetail member 333, having provided in its upper surface a scale rule. Slidably mounted on the dovetail member 333 are two sensing devices 360, one located adjacent to each of the conveyor assemblies 350, each comprising clamping means, in the form of a lever 363, whereby the member may be clamped in a desired transverse position on the dovetail member 333. Each sensing device 360 comprises a base 364, provided with a dovetail groove mounted over the dovetail member 333, and which extends upwardly from the intermediate support member 332, a longitudinal support member 366 extending from the base 364, on which is mounted a piston/cylinder device 368, from an upper portion of which a stop 370 extends. By application of fluid under pressure to the device 368, the stop may be moved between an advanced position, as shown in Figure 9, and a retracted position. Whilst the sensing mechanism is shown in Figure 9 as providing a single stop 370, in the preferred embodiment each piston/cylinder device 368 may be operated to move any one of three stops between an advanced position and OMPI IPO α retracted position, the three stops being off-set marginally in directions longitudinally of the apparatus. Extending upwardly from the intermediate support member 332 is a superstructure 374 comprising transverse support members 376 which carries a nailing mechanism 378 of the apparatus. The nailing mechanism 378 comprises a plurality, in particular sixteen nailing guns 380 mounted at 150mm spaced centres, and which are adjustable transversely of the superstructure by means of rollers 382 co-operable with the transverse support members 376. The nailing mechanism 378 also comprises one or more supplementary nailing guns 384, trailing the nailing guns 380, and which are individually positionable transversely of the superstructure 378 by means of rollers 386 and clamping handles 388. The apparatus at the third station of the machine comprises tape applying means 390 mounted beneath the nailing mechanism 378, and comprising a carriage 392 mounted on a carrier member 394 extending transversely of the superstructure and which may be moved the full width of the superstructure by a long-stroke piston/cylinder device 396. Extending forwardly from the carriage 392 is a gripper arm 398 and mounted on the side of the structure is feeding means on which a reel of tape (not shown) may be mounted in line transversely with the gripper arm 398. In the use of the apparatus at the third station, the positionaliy adjustable supporting member 322 is adjusted into the desired position relative to the fixed supporting member 320, and the supplementary nailing gun 384 are positioned on the transverse supports 376 at positions transversly of the frame corresponding to that of any supplementary longitudinal members commonly referred to as "sills and lintels", and at positions corresponding to the centre line of the stringers. With the conveyor assemblies in their elevated positions, a cladded frame is rolled from the second station onto the supporting members 320 and 322, the conveyor assemblies then being moved to their retracted positions to lower the frame into engagement with the supporting surfaces 323. The clamping devices 400 mounted alongside the conveyor assembly 350 are then operated fo engage the first transverse stud 120, to clamp the frame in position. With the nailing mechanism in a first position, in which the heads of the nailing guns 380 are positioned directly above and in line with the first stud 120, the tape applying means 390 is operated, the gripper arm 398 gripping a - OMPI - ιo - free end of the tape on the reel and the piston/cylinder device 396 is operated to move the carriage 392 transversely across the full width of the frame, applying a length of tape across the upper surface of the outer layer of cladding of the frame. The nailing guns 380 are then operated, the heads thereof momentarily lowering, as nails are fed through the secondary and primary cladding into the stud 120, simultaneously permanently securing the tape beneath the heads of the nails. Severing means (not shown) is then operated to sever the tape from the reel, and the feeding means is operated to advance a short portion of the tape from the reel. The stops of the sensing devices 360 are retracted, and the drive means of the apparatus is operated to cause the movable assembly 308 to be advanced longitudinally relative to the static assembly 306. After a short distance of such movement, the sensing devices 360 are operated automatically to cause one of the stops 370 to move to its elevated position. The assembly 308 continues to advance until the two stops 370 engage the next stud 122, whereupon the drive means is caused to cease, to bring the superstructure into a position in which the heads of the nailing guns 380 are directly above said stud 122, supplementary supporting means 362 mounted on the member 332 being moved into a position directly beneath the stud to provide for support thereof during a nailing operation. Again, the tape applying means 390 is operated to draw a length of tape from the reel above said stud, and the nailing guns are operated to drive nails through the tape, through the cladding and into the stud 122. The outer pair of the supplementary nailing guns 384 are repeatedly actuated in dependence upon the movement of the assembly 308 to nail the cladding to the stringers along the full longitudinal length thereof, and where appropriate, on termination of one step in the movement of the assembly 308, the operator may activate the other supplementary nailing guns 384, causing them to fire repeatedly nails through the cladding and into a noggin in dependence upon the movement of the assmebly 308. Whilst under normal operation, the operator will activate a longitudinally central of the three stops 370, where a join in the primary plywood cladding corresponds to the position of a stud, the operator will activate a downstream of said three stops, causing the nailing mechanism to come into a stop position slightly upstream of its normal position, and a row of nails will be. applied off-centre of said stud, upstream of the join. The operator will then activate the upstream of said three stops, and the machine will advance a short distance, to apply a second row of nails to said stud, downstream of the centreline thereof and the joint in the plywood. It will be appreciated that in these circumstances two layers of tape will be applied over the cladding. On completion of the permanent securing of the cladding to the frame, the clamping .devices 400 are released, and the conveyor assemblies 350 are elevated to allow the frame to be rolled from the third station. Desirably the apparatus comprises means to adjust the position of the nailing mechanism widthwise of the frame. In this manner subsequent to operation of the nailing heads 380 to apply nails to the cladding and stud, the nailing mechanism may be moved transversely to provide additional fasteners at positions between those initially inserted. In this manner, by utilising nailing heads at 510 mm centre line spacing, the apparatus may be operated to apply nails to the stud at 150 mm, 75 mm or 50 mm centres. Additionally where a join in the primary cladding is encountered, the nails on one side of the join may be off-set in relation to those on the other side of the join.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A machine for the manufacture of frames and comprising:- (a) a first station at which the frame is assembled; (b) a second station at which a layer of primary cladding is secured temporarily to the frame and a layer of secondary cladding is secured temporarily to the primary cladding; (c) fastener applying means by which the layers of primary and secondary cladding are simultaneously permanently secured to the frame. 2. A machine, according to Claim I comprising tape-applying means to apply a strip of tape over the layer of secondary cladding at positions corresponding to the positions of transverse members of the frame. 3. A machine according to Claim 2 wherein said fastener applying means is adapted to apply fasteners through said strip to secure the strip and cladding simultaneously to each transverse member. 4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary cladding is secured temporarily to the frame at the second station by nails, and the layer of secondary cladding is applied to the primary cladding in a sheet extending the full width of the frame. 5. A machine according to Claim 4 wherein the secondary cladding is secured temporarily to the primary cladding by staples. 6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein frame is assembled at the first station on apparatus in which the longitudinal frame members are advanced in a step-wise manner and the transverse frame members are secured to and between the longitudinal members at a datum line in the intervals between movement of the longitudinal members as the frame is advanced into the second station. 7. A machine according to any one of Claims I to 5 wherein the frame is assembled at the first station on apparatus comprising a first assembly which provides means for locating a pair of longitudinal frame members in parallel OMP! spαced relationship, a second assembly mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first assembly, drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in a step-wise manner, clamping means carried by the second assembly and operative on termination of movement of the second assembly to clamp a transverse frame member in fixed position relative to the first assembly, and fastener applying means carried by the second assembly and operative subsequent to operation of the clamping means to apply fasteners to secure such a transverse member to each of the longitudinal members. 8. A machine according to Claim 7 wherein means is provided to convey or assist in the conveying of the frame from the second station to a third station, at which said fastener applying means is located. 9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastener applying means at the third station is adapted to apply a plurality of fasteners to secure the cladding to a stud at spaced intervals along the length thereof. 10. A machine according to Claim 9 wherein said fastener applying means is provided by a mechanism mounted for movement longitudinally of the frame in a step-wise manner, and which comprises sensing means responsive to the position of a transverse frame member to locate the fastener applying means at a desired position in relation to the transverse member. 1 1. Apparatus for securing cladding to a frame, the frame being of the kind comprising spaced longitudinal frame members and a plurality of transverse frame members secured to and extending between the longitudinal members, the apparatus comprising a first assembly on which the frame may be positioned and a second assembly mounted for movement longitudinally of the first assembly, drive means adapted to move the second assembly longitudinally relative to the first assembly in a step-wise manner, fastener applying means carried by the second assembly and operative in the intervals between the steps of movement of the second assembly to apply fasteners to the frame, and sensing means carried by the second assembly and responsive to the position of a transverse frame member to terminate operation of the drive means to locate the fastener applying means at a desired position in relation to the transverse frame member. OMPI 12. Apparatus according to Claim 1 1 " wherein the fastener applying means comprises a plurality of fastener applying devices mounted in an array extending transversely of the direction of movement of the second assembly, and which are adapted on cessation of movement of the second assembly to apply fasteners to secure the cladding sheets to the transverse members of the frame. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the fastener applying devices are positionally adjustable transversely of the apparatus. 14. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 1 , 12 and 13 comprising tape applying means on the second assembly and which is adapted to apply a length of tape across the upper surface of the outer layer of the cladding, the tape applying means being so located that the fasteners are applied to the frame through the tape. 15. Apparatus according to any one of Claims I I to 14 comprising conveying means to convey or assist in the conveyance of a cladded frame from the second assembly. 16. A method of manufacturing cladded frames, involving the steps:- (a) securing a plurality of transverse members to and between a pair of spaced longitudinal members at a first station to provide a frame; (b) securing temporarily to the frame at a second station a layer of primary cladding, and securing temporarily at said second station a layer of secondary cladding to the primary cladding; (c) simultaneously permanently securing the layers of primary and secondary cladding to the frame. 17. A method according to Claim 16 wherein the step (c) is carried out at a first station, from which the frame is transferred to a second station at which step (b) is carried out. 18. A method according to Claim 17 wherein subsequent to step (b) the frame is transferred to a third station at which step (c) is carried out. 19. A machine for the manufacture of frames, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20. A method of manufacturing frames, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/ or shown in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: MARTIN GERALD, MARTIN, GERALD
Applicants: TEXTRON INC, TEXTRON INC.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B27M3
IPC codes: B27M3