Apparatus for fastening slats together edge-to-edge

Claim 2

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the string guide means comprises a hollow bifurcated guide positioned for overlapping the end edges of the sheet and wherein the string guide means drive means comprises rack and pinion means connected to the string guide means for rotating the same.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 including means for impregnating the strings with adhesive and press means downstream from the crowding means arranged to heat and press the strings against the faces of the sheets.

Claim 4

Apparatus for fastening together substantially rectangular slat sheets in edge-to-edge relation, the apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for conveying a plurality of sheets side-by-side, spaced laterally from each other with their adjacent side edges substantially parallel, b. string guide means for guiding a pair of continuous strings, one above and one below the sheets, substantially normal to the side edges of the sheet, a spaced distance inwardly from the end edges thereof, c. drive means coupled to the string guide means and operative to crisscross the strings at each between-sheet space, d. crowding means for crowding the sheets together edge-to-edge, e. securing means arranged for securing the crisscrossed strings to the sheets in their juxtaposed position, f. an electric circuit including the string guide drive means, and g. photoelectric cell means mounted adjacent the conveyor means and operative to energize the string guide drive means at each between-sheet space.

Claim 5

Apparatus for fastening together substantially rectangular sheets in edge-to-edge relation, the apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for coNveying a plurality of sheets side-by-side, spaced laterally from each other with their adjacent side edges substantially parallel, b. string guide means for guiding a pair of continuous strings, one above and one below the sheets, substantially normal to the side edges of the sheet, a spaced distance inwardly from the end edges thereof, c. drive means coupled to the string guide means and operative to crisscross the strings at each between-sheet space, d. crowding means for crowding the sheets together edge-to-edge, e. securing means arranged for securing the crisscrossed strings to the sheets in their juxtaposed position, and f. tensioning means feeding the strings through the string guide means and maintaining the strings under longitudinal tension during the sheet crowding operation.

Claim 6

Apparatus for fastening together substantially rectangular slat sheets in edge-to-edge relation, the apparatus comprising: a. conveyor means for conveying a plurality of sheets side-by-side, spaced laterally from each other with their adjacent side edges substantially parallel, b. string guide means for guiding a pair of continuous strings, one above and one below the sheets, substantially normal to the side edges of the sheet, a spaced distance inwardly from the end edges thereof, c. drive means coupled to the string guide means and operative to crisscross the strings at each between-sheet space, d. crowding means for crowding the sheets together edge-to-edge, the crowding means comprising crowding endless chain means arranged to receive the sheets from the conveyor means, drive means for the crowding chain means, and control means for the crowding chain drive means, the control means being operative to energize the drive means upon close juxtaposition of the leading and trailing sheets and to arrest the drive means when the leading sheet is separated from the next succeeding sheet.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the crowding chain drive means comprises an electric motor, an electric circuit including the motor, and a photoelectric cell in the electric circuit and arranged to energize the motor when the leading and trailing sheets are juxtaposed, and to arrest it when they are separated.