Automatic fastening machine

Claim 2

A machine for assembling and fastening together a frame from a set of individual longitudinal and transverse frame members comprising; an adjustable work support including a fastening station, dispenser means for delivering to the work support the individual frame members of the set, means to properly space and move the delivered transverse members of the set to the fastening station, means to properly space and move the longitudinal members of the set to the fastening station in overlapping relationship with the transverse members, and fastener driving means at the fastening station arranged to drive at least one fastener to secure each of the transverse members to each of the longitudinal members.

Claim 3

The machine of claim 1 wherein the dispenser means comprise magazines for holding vertically stacked supplies of each frame member.

Claim 4

The machine of claim 2 wherein the means to space and move the transverse members comprise for each transverse member of the set a channel sized to accept the transverse member for longitudinal movement and an endless band traversing the length of the channel, the band including means to engage and propel the transverse member, the channels being separated by the spacing of transverse members of the frame.

Claim 5

The machine of claim 3 wherein the means to space and move the longitudinal members comprises at least one endless band including means separated by the spacing of the longitudinal members of the frame to engage and propel each longitudinal member.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 4 wherein the endless bands are sprocket driven roller chains.

Claim 7

The machine of claim 1 wherein the fastener driving means comprise a set of contact actuated automatic fastEner drivers borne by a carriage which locates one such driver at each frame joint, and includes means to lower the drivers into contact with the set of frame members to actuate the drivers to drive first fasteners to fasten the frame joints, and means to traverse the carriage and drivers to a second position to there drive second fasteners to fasten the joints.

Claim 8

The machine of claim 6 wherein the means to traverse the carriage and driver includes means to move the carriage laterally of the machine and means to move the carriage longitudinally of the machine.

Claim 9

The machine of claim 7 wherein the automatic fastener drivers, the means to lower the drivers, and the means to traverse the carriage are pneumatic actuators.

Claim 10

The machine of claim 1 wherein the magazines each comprise pairs of facing vertical channels which receive the end portion of the stack of frame members.

Claim 11

A machine for assembling and fastening together a frame from a set of longitudinal and transverse frame members comprising; an adjustable work support including a fastening station, dispenser means comprising magazines for holding vertically stacked supplies of each frame member, means to space and move the transverse members comprising for each transverse member of the set a channel sized to accept the transverse member for longitudinal movement and sprocket driven roller chain loops traversing the length of the channel, the chain including means to engage and propel the transverse member, the channels being separated by the spacing of transverse members of the frame, means to space and move the longitudinal members comprising at least one endless band including means separated by the spacing of the longitudinal members of the frame and to engage and propel each longitudinal member, fastener driving means comprising a set of contact actuated automatic fastener drivers borne by a carriage which locates one such driver at each frame joint, and includes means to lower the drivers into contact with the set of frame members to actuate the drivers to drive first fasteners to fasten the frame joints, and means to move the carriage laterally of the machine and means to move the carriage longitudinally of the machine.

Claim 12

A machine for assembling and fastening together a frame from a set of longitudinal and transverse frame members comprising; an adjustable work support including a fastening station, dispenser means comprising magazines for holding vertically stacked supplies of each frame member, means to space and move the transverse members comprising for each transverse member of the set a channel sized to accept the transverse member for longitudinal movement and sprocket driven roller chain loops traversing the length of the channel, the chain including means to engage and propel the transverse member, the channels being separated by the spacing of transverse members of the frame, means to space and move the longitudinal members comprising at least one endless band including means separated by the spacing of the longitudinal members of the frame and to engage and propel each longitudinal member, fastener driving means comprising a set of contact actuated automatic fastener drivers borne by a carriage which locates one such driver at each frame joint, and includes means to lower the drivers into contact with the set of frame members to actuate the drivers to drive first fasteners to fasten the frame joints, and means to move the carriage laterally of the machine and means to move the carriage longitudinally of the machine.

Claim 13

The machine of claim 10 wherein the channels are formed by a pair of guide members independently laterally positionable in the machine to accommodate transverse members of various widths and to permit adjustment of the relative spacing between transverse members.

Claim 14

The machine of claim 11 wherein the guide members which form the channels are provided with vertically positionable channel floor members to accommodate transverse members of various thickness.

Claim 15

The machine of claim 12 wherein the roller chain loops are laterally and vertically positionable.

Claim 16

The machine of claim 6 wherein the carriage comprises a rectangular frame of adjustable longitudinal dimension and the drivers are laterally positionable on the frame.