Patent GB-1269394-A (GB)
Title: Fabricating apparatus for wooden trusses, panels, and the like
Inventor: JUREIT JOHN CALVIN
IPC: B27F7/15
Filed: 1969-04-16
Abstract: 1,269,394. Nailing presses; work benches. AUTOMATED BUILDING COMPONENTS Inc. 16 April, 1969, No. 19428/69. Headings B4C and B4X. Apparatus for embedding connector plates in spaced butt joints in prepositioned wooden frame members comprises means for supporting the wooden frame members and connector plates, a press actuable to press the connector plates into the butt joints and drive means for causing relative movement of said press and said supporting means. The apparatus also includes control means operable to actuate the press, at positions corresponding in use to the positions of the butt joints, in response to said relative movement. The illustrated apparatus comprises a jig table 10 for supporting the frame members, and a press 12 having platens 14, 16 arranged above and below the table. The table or work bench is a composite of sheet steel and synthetic fibreboard and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tracks 22 along which reaction pads 24-28 are movable. In use the frame members, which form a beam structure, with nailing plates on opposite sides of the members are clamped on the pads e.g. between clamps 30 and pins 32 or brackets 34. At its ends the table is supported by fixed stanchions 52, and intermediate its ends the table is supported by transversely spaced rows of V- shaped pivoted members 54 which permit passage of the platen 16 (Fig. 6A). Alternatively the table may be supported intermediate its ends by pivoted rods (129) each encompassed by a coil spring (127) (Fig. 11, not shown). The press, which is mounted on tracks 56 for movement relative to the table by means of a sprocket 123 driven by an hydraulic motor 120 engaging a chain 124, includes a box-like member 70 to which the upper platen 14 is connected by pairs of pivotal linkages 80 spaced longitudinally of the press i.e. transversely of the apparatus. The pairs of linkages to the right and left of the transverse centre line of the press (see Fig. 3) are respectively joined by a pair of transfer bars 100 (Fig. 5). The inner ends of each pair of bars are joined by a bracket 104, and the two brackets are interconnected by an hydraulic ram 110, 118 which when actuated effects raising or lowering of the upper platen. An hydraulic circuit includes two solenoidactuated valves (176), (168) (Fig. 9, not shown) for respectively controlling the press advance and return motor 120 and the hydraulic ram 110, 118. Each valve is movable to one or the other side of a neutral position by solenoids included in an electrical control circuit. A programming wheel 20 (Figs. 3, 7 and 8) having equispaced recesses 144 for receiving pins 142 adapted to actuate a micro switch 138 in the electrical control circuit is drivingly connected with the press driving motor 120. The base 146 (Fig. 8) of each pin is a permanent magnet and the wheel is formed of ferromagnetic material. The electrical control circuit is adapted for automatic or manual operation. For automatic operation the pins 142 are positioned on the wheel to correspond to the locations of the butt joints, and upon pressing a start button the press will be advanced until a pin 142 actuates the micro switch 138. The press is thus stopped and after a short time delay the hydraulic ram controlling valve (168) is actuated to cause the ram to effect lowering of the upper platen 14. Upon the pressure of fluid in the ram cylinder 110 reaching a predetermined level pressure actuated switches are operated to de-energize an upper platen lowering relay and to energize an upper platen raising relay. Simultaneously the ram controlling valve (168) is actuated to cause the ram to raise the platen 14. Upon raising the upper platen 14 a switch 280 (Fig. 3) is opened to deenergize the upper platen raising relay. The electrical and hydraulic circuits then operate to effect press advance until the next pin 142 engages and actuates the micro switch 138. The electrical circuit includes limit switches at each end of jig table, which when contacted by the press terminate movement of the press. The electrical circuit includes manually operable switches for forward and reverse movement of the press, for stopping the press and for raising and lowering the upper platen 14. The electrical circuit further includes a circuit for actuating a brake for stopping the press, the latter circuit being open when the press is being moved.