US3574920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dwelling assembly line and method
Assignee: Stirling Homex Corp
•
Filing: 1968-09-16
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A dwelling is assembled by: building a floor joist framework upside down; installing service fixtures in the floor joist framework and fastening a subfloor to it; framing and covering walls with interior covering; erecting the interior-covered walls on the floor; building a ceiling on a jig above the dwelling; inverting the ceiling jig and lowering the ceiling onto the walls; securing service fixtures to the exposed stud and joist frameworks; trimming, covering, and roofing the dwelling; installing lifting hardware, and transporting the dwelling to its site.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Stirling
- 👤 David Stirling Jr
- 👤 Harper Sibley Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:23
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/348; E04B1/34815; E04B1/34838; B; B28; B28B; B28B15/00; E04B2001/34892; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/49829; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53313; Y10T29/53365; Y10T29/534; Y10T29/53417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A dwelling factory assembly line comprising; a. a floor assembly region including: 1. means for interfastening a floor joist framework in upside down position; 2. means for turning over said floor joist framework; and 3. means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; b. a wall assembly region including: 1. a wall jig having a surface sloped from the vertical for supporting a wall stud framework; 2. means for interfastening said supported stud framework; 3. means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and 4. means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region above said line including; 1. a ceiling jig for supporting a ceiling joist framework upside down; 2. means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework; 3. means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit; 4. means for turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; and 5. means for lowering said ceiling unit onto the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A dwelling factory assembly line comprising; a. a floor assembly region including: 1. means for interfastening a floor joist framework in upside down position; 2. means for turning over said floor joist framework; and 3. means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; b. a wall assembly region including: 1. a wall jig having a surface sloped from the vertical for supporting a wall stud framework; 2. means for interfastening said supported stud framework; 3. means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and 4. means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region above said line including; 1. a ceiling jig for supporting a ceiling joist framework upside down; 2. means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework; 3. means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit; 4. means for turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; and 5. means for lowering said ceiling unit onto the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for turning over said floor joist framework; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
9 words
means for turning over said floor joist framework; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly line of claim 1 including a track and means for moving said dwelling along said track from said floor assembly region past said ceiling assembly region and toward a finishing region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said supported stud framework;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said supported stud framework;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said ceiling joist framework;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said supported stud framework;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for interfastening said supported stud framework;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said floor joist framework to form a floor unit; b. a wall assembly region including:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said floor joist framework to form a floor unit; b. a wall assembly region including:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit;
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for fastening interior wall covering on said supported framework; and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly line of claim 1 including means at said floor assembly region for securing service fixtures to said floor joist framework before inversion thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
means for covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling material to form a ceiling unit;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; b. a wall assembly region including:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
means for fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; b. a wall assembly region including:
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
means for turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; and
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly line of claim 1 including means at said ceiling assembly region for securing service fixtures to said ceiling joist framework before covering said ceiling joist framework with said interior ceiling material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region above said line including;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region above said line including;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region including:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for erecting said covered wall framework on said floor unit; c. a ceiling assembly region including:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for inverting said ceiling unit; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
7 words
means for inverting said ceiling unit; and
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
means for positioning said ceiling unit on the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said wall frameworks.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
means for positioning said ceiling unit on the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said wall frameworks.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly line of claim 1 wherein said wall jig includes a gantry walkway arranged behind said sloped surface and near the top of said sloped surface to support a workman in a comfortable position for fastening the upper portions of said stud framework.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
means for lowering said ceiling unit onto the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
means for lowering said ceiling unit onto the tops of said wall frameworks; d. means for securing service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and e. means for securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly line of claim 5 wherein a pair of said wall jig support surfaces are arranged on opposite sides of said gantry walkway.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly line of claim 1 wherein said ceiling jig comprises two opposed jig surfaces arranged on a rotatable body, means for rotating said body about a horizontal axis to turn either of said jig surfaces uppermost, and means for latching said body in positions orienting either of said jig surfaces uppermost.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The assembly line of claim 1 including windlass strap means arranged on said ceiling jig for fastening to said ceiling to lower said ceiling from the bottom of said ceiling jig.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
189 words
A dwelling assembly method comprising: a. interfastening a floor joist framework in upside down position; b. turning over said floor joist framework; c. fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned-over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; d. moving said floor unit to a wall assembly region; e. interfastening stud frameworks for walls of said dwelling; f. fastening interior wall covering on said wall stud frameworks; g. securing said covered wall frameworks in erect positions on said floor unit; h. interfastening a ceiling joist framework supported in upside down position on the surface of a ceiling jig above the top of said dwelling; i. covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling materials to form a ceiling unit; j. turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; k. moving said dwelling under said ceiling jig; l. lowering said ceiling unit onto said erected wall frameworks; m. securing said ceiling unit to the top of said erected wall frameworks; n. fastening services fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and o. securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
189 words
A dwelling assembly method comprising: a. interfastening a floor joist framework in upside down position; b. turning over said floor joist framework; c. fastening a subfloor to the top of said turned-over floor joist framework to form a floor unit for said dwelling; d. moving said floor unit to a wall assembly region; e. interfastening stud frameworks for walls of said dwelling; f. fastening interior wall covering on said wall stud frameworks; g. securing said covered wall frameworks in erect positions on said floor unit; h. interfastening a ceiling joist framework supported in upside down position on the surface of a ceiling jig above the top of said dwelling; i. covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling materials to form a ceiling unit; j. turning over said ceiling jig with said covered ceiling unit secured thereto; k. moving said dwelling under said ceiling jig; l. lowering said ceiling unit onto said erected wall frameworks; m. securing said ceiling unit to the top of said erected wall frameworks; n. fastening services fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and o. securing external covering to said dwelling.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 including securing service fixtures to said floor joist framework before turning over said floor joist framework.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 including securing service fixtures to said ceiling joist framework before covering said ceiling framework.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 including gluing said interior wall covering to said wall stud framework.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 9 including: a. laying a pair of parallel rails to extend from the peak to the lower edge of the roof of said dwelling along the respective side edges of said roof, said rails having corresponDing sets of positioners parallel with said peak and spaced apart by the width of the shingle rows for said roof; b. arranging a crosspiece successively between said positioners; c. butting a row of shingles against said crosspiece in each position of said crosspiece; and d. securing each row of said shingles in place on said roof.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 including securing lifting hardware to said floor joist framework and lifting said dwelling from overhead by said hardware for positioning said dwelling.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 including positioning said dwelling on a relatively light-construction trailer for transport to a site, and fastening said floor joist framework of said dwelling to said trailer at a plurality of points to strengthen said trailer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 including turning a plurality of lag screws through the frame of said trailer into the bottom of said floor joist framework to fasten said dwelling to said trailer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12 including using nails holding cleats against the interior surface of said wall covering and passing removably through said wall covering and into said framework to hold said wall covering in place until said glue sets.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
A dwelling factory assembly line comprising: a. a floor assembly region including:
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
A dwelling factory assembly line comprising: a. a floor assembly region including:
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
153 words
A dwelling assembly method comprising: a. interfastening a floor joist framework; b. fastening a sub floor to the top of said floor joist framework to form a floor unit; c. moving said floor unit to a wall assembly region; d. interfastening stud frameworks for walls of said dwelling; e. fastening interior wall covering on said wall stud frameworks; f. securing said covered wall frameworks in erect positions on said floor unit; g. interfastening a ceiling joist framework supported in inverted position on a surface of a ceiling jig; h. covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling materials to form a ceiling unit; i. inverting said ceiling unit; j. positioning said ceiling unit on said erected wall frameworks; k. securing said ceiling unit to the tops of said erected wall frameworks; l. fastening service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and m. securing external covering to said wall frameworks.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
153 words
A dwelling assembly method comprising: a. interfastening a floor joist framework; b. fastening a sub floor to the top of said floor joist framework to form a floor unit; c. moving said floor unit to a wall assembly region; d. interfastening stud frameworks for walls of said dwelling; e. fastening interior wall covering on said wall stud frameworks; f. securing said covered wall frameworks in erect positions on said floor unit; g. interfastening a ceiling joist framework supported in inverted position on a surface of a ceiling jig; h. covering said ceiling joist framework with interior ceiling materials to form a ceiling unit; i. inverting said ceiling unit; j. positioning said ceiling unit on said erected wall frameworks; k. securing said ceiling unit to the tops of said erected wall frameworks; l. fastening service fixtures to said wall frameworks outside said interior wall covering; and m. securing external covering to said wall frameworks.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
The dwelling assembly method of claim 9 including arranging said floor joist framework upside down on a plane surface for said interfastening so said subfloor lies substantially in a plane on said right side up floor joist framework.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |