US3755871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Component assembler and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-06-29
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A unique automatic assembling machine and method for use in the formation of pallets and other structures wherein fabricated stringer and solid stringer type pallets may be quickly and automatically formed and assembled. A partial pallet or a complete pallet may be formed in the machine which comprises new and novel means for feeding the stringers into the machine and positioning them at a pre-determined position in the machine. While the stringers are being positioned, the pallet deck boards are automatically delivered, unscrambled and accurately fed sequentially onto the stringers at the proper location for later fastening together. The unique concept of the invention may also be utilized in the formation of other structures such as boxes, crates and the like with minor modifications in the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 W Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D19/00; B65D19/0004; B65D19/0053; B65D19/0077; B65D19/0089; B65D19/0093; B65D19/0095; B27; B27M; B27M3/00; B27M3/0013; B27M3/0073; B65D2519/00; B65D2519/00004; B65D2519/00009; B65D2519/00014; B65D2519/00029; B65D2519/00049; B65D2519/00064; B65D2519/00084; B65D2519/00099; B65D2519/00258; B65D2519/00283; B65D2519/00293; B65D2519/00298; B65D2519/00313; B65D2519/00323; B65D2519/00328; B65D2519/00333; B65D2519/00368; B65D2519/00373; B65D2519/00547; B65D2519/00552; B65D2519/00557; B65D2519/00562; B65D2519/00572; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/49829; Y10T29/49833; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53313; Y10T29/53317
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A component assembler comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of stringers positioned on said frame; c. first means, associated with said frame, for feeding said stringers, said means also comprising means for positioning the stringers at a predetermined position in the assembler; d. a supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; e. second means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said deck boards, said second means being positioned above said first feeding means; and f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a predetermined number of deck boards on the positioned stringers at predetermined locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A component assembler comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of stringers positioned on said frame; c. first means, associated with said frame, for feeding said stringers, said means also comprising means for positioning the stringers at a predetermined position in the assembler; d. a supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; e. second means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said deck boards, said second means being positioned above said first feeding means; and f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a predetermined number of deck boards on the positioned stringers at predetermined locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means for feeding said stringers comprises an upwardly inclined stringer conveyor feeding the stringers one at a time into a stringer hopper and said means for positioning comprises a plurality of power cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means for unscrambling said deck boards comprises at least one upwardly inclined deck board conveyor feeding the stringers one at a time into a first deck board hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 3 wherein said upwardly inclined deck board conveyor feeds the deck boards into a second deck board conveyor which, in turn feeds the deck boards into a second deck board hopper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 4 further comprising means, associated with said second deck board hopper for aligning the deck boards above the second deck board hopper in a predetermined position so that the deck boards may be dropped sequentially into the second deck board hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for aligning comprises a downwardly sloped guide chute having positioned therein a power operated gate for momentarily stopping the travel of the deck board and also aligning the deck board to a predetermined position for dropping into the second deck board hopper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The component assembler as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for positioning the deck boards on the stringers comprises a power cylinder having formed thereon at least one pusher for pushing the deck boards out of the second deck board hopper into position on the stringers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
209 words
A pallet assembly line comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of stringers positioned on said frame; c. means, associated with said frame for feeding said stringers; said means also comprising means for positioning the stringers at a predetermined position in the assembler; d. a first supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; e. means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said first supply of deck boards, said means being positioned above the stringers; f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a predetermined number of deck boards on the stringers; g. means, associated with said frame, for fastening said deck boards to said stringers thereby forming a partial pallet; h. means, associated with said frame, for turning over said partial pallet and for transporting said turned over partial pallet to a second pallet component assemblier; i. a second supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; j. means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said second supply of deck boards, said means being positioned above the partial pallet; k. means, associated with said frame for positioning a pre-determined number of deck boards on the partial pallet; and l. means, associated with said frame for fastening said deck boards to said partial pallet thereby forming a completed pallet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
A pallet assembly line comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of stringers positioned on said frame; c. means, associated with said frame for feeding said stringers; said means also comprising means for positioning the stringers at a predetermined position in the assembler; d. a first supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; e. means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said first supply of deck boards, said means being positioned above the stringers; f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a predetermined number of deck boards on the stringers; g. means, associated with said frame, for fastening said deck boards to said stringers thereby forming a partial pallet; h. means, associated with said frame, for turning over said partial pallet and for transporting said turned over partial pallet to a second pallet component assemblier; i. a second supply of deck boards positioned on said frame; j. means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said second supply of deck boards, said means being positioned above the partial pallet; k. means, associated with said frame for positioning a pre-determined number of deck boards on the partial pallet; and l. means, associated with said frame for fastening said deck boards to said partial pallet thereby forming a completed pallet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The pallet assembly line as defined in claim 8 further comprising: m. means associated with said frame, for transporting said completed pallet to a pallet stacker; n. a pallet stacker, associated with said frame, for stacking said completed pallets to a pre-determined height; o. means, associated with said frame, for transporting said stacked pallets to a transportation vehicle.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of assembling a partial pallet in an assembly line comprising: a. providing a supply of pallet stringers; b. automatically supplying said stringers to the assembly line; c. providing a supply of pallet deck boards; d. automatically unscrambling said deck boards in the assembly line; e. automatically positioning a pre-determined number of stringers in the assembly line; f. automatically positioning a pre-determined number of deck boards on the positioned stringers; and g. fastening said deck boards to said positioned stringers to thereby provide a partial pallet.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of assembling a partial pallet in an assembly line comprising: a. providing a supply of pallet stringers; b. automatically supplying said stringers to the assembly line; c. providing a supply of pallet deck boards; d. automatically unscrambling said deck boards in the assembly line; e. automatically positioning a pre-determined number of stringers in the assembly line; f. automatically positioning a pre-determined number of deck boards on the positioned stringers; and g. fastening said deck boards to said positioned stringers to thereby provide a partial pallet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
98 words
An automatic assembler comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of board receivers positioned on said frame; c. first means, associated with said frame, for feeding said board receivers, said means also comprising means for positioning the board receivers at a pre-determined position in the assembler; d. a supply of boards positioned on said frame; e. second means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said boards, said second means being positioned above said first feeding means; and f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a pre-determined number of boards on the positioned board receivers at pre-determined locations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
An automatic assembler comprising: a. a frame; b. a supply of board receivers positioned on said frame; c. first means, associated with said frame, for feeding said board receivers, said means also comprising means for positioning the board receivers at a pre-determined position in the assembler; d. a supply of boards positioned on said frame; e. second means, associated with said frame, for unscrambling said boards, said second means being positioned above said first feeding means; and f. means, associated with said frame, for positioning a pre-determined number of boards on the positioned board receivers at pre-determined locations.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |