US3903583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cambering attachment for truss assembly jig
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-31
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1995-01-31
Abstract
Abstract Joist trusses, having parallel upper and lower chord members, are necessarily manufactured with a camber and preferably upon an assembly jig having a longitudinally disposed, movable, belt-like support surface for supporting precut wooden members arranged into the shape of a truss. Clamping devices, mounted upon the support surface, hold the precut members in place and metal, spiked gusset plates are placed at opposite sides of each joint of the truss. Two pairs of opposing, transversely-disposed rolls are located at one end of the support surface, with a first pair of rolls being positioned to receive both the support surface and the assembled truss thereon, so as to partially impale the gusset plate spikes into the members. The second pair of rolls are positioned beyond the support surface to tightly press the gusset plates against the sides of the truss as it passes through these rollers. A deflector is mounted between the first and second pairs of rolls to turn the truss slightly as it passes from the first pair of rolls and into the second pair to thus impart a predetermined amount of camber in the truss.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:58
CPC Classifications
B; B27; B27F; B27F7/00; B27F7/15; B27F7/155; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/913; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
In a truss assembly jig for forming a timber joist truss having parallel upper and lower chords and diagonal struts between the chords, with the truss members, the chords and the struts being fastened together by spiked gusset plates, the combination including: a. a movable support surface whereon the truss members are placed in preassembled longitudinal position to be thereafter moved to and from a discharge end of the support surface with the longitudinal upper and lower chords being essentially straight and parallel; b. a first pair of spaced apart roll means near the discharge end of the support surface including a roll spaced above the surface a distance sufficient to partially impale the gusset plates into the wooden truss members as the truss moves thereunder towards the discharge end of the surface; c. a second pair of spaced apart roll means a short distance beyond the discharge end of the support surface to receive the truss as it moves from the support surface, said second roll means having rolls spaced to press the gusset plates into and against the sides of the truss members to finish the truss; and, the improvement, comprising deflector means between the first and second pair of roll means bearing against the upper chord of a truss passing from the support surface and to the said second pair of roll means whereby to longitudinally deflect the truss and impart a camber to the truss as it passes through the second roll means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a truss assembly jig for forming a timber joist truss having parallel upper and lower chords and diagonal struts between the chords, with the truss members, the chords and the struts being fastened together by spiked gusset plates, the combination including: a. a movable support surface whereon the truss members are placed in preassembled longitudinal position to be thereafter moved to and from a discharge end of the support surface with the longitudinal upper and lower chords being essentially straight and parallel; b. a first pair of spaced apart roll means near the discharge end of the support surface including a roll spaced above the surface a distance sufficient to partially impale the gusset plates into the wooden truss members as the truss moves thereunder towards the discharge end of the surface; c. a second pair of spaced apart roll means a short distance beyond the discharge end of the support surface to receive the truss as it moves from the support surface, said second roll means having rolls spaced to press the gusset plates into and against the sides of the truss members to finish the truss; and, the improvement, comprising deflector means between the first and second pair of roll means bearing against the upper chord of a truss passing from the support surface and to the said second pair of roll means whereby to longitudinally deflect the truss and impart a camber to the truss as it passes through the second roll means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The organization defined in claim 1, wherein: the deflector means includes a curved surface whereagainst the upper chord of the truss slides as it moves from the first roll means and to the second roll means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The organization defined in claim 2, including: an upstanding roller at the side of the deflector means which bears against the lower chord of the truss opposite to the aforesaid curved surface to hold the truss against the curved surface to thereby effect a positive camber curve in the truss as it moves past the deflector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The organization defined in claim 1, wherein: the support surface is arranged to permit two longitudinally extended trusses to be preassembled thereon and then formed simultaneously and in symmetrical opposition with each other, and the deflector means is located at the extension of the longitudinal center line of the support surface with a deflecting surface at each side of the longitudinal center line extension being in symmetrical opposition to engage both trusses simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The organization defined in claim 4, wherein: the deflector means is carried upon a flat support surface extending from the discharge end of said movable support surface and to the second pair of roll means, and includes: a pair of elongated, curved, upright members forming opposed diverging curved surfaces which are slidably engaged by the opposing upper chords of a pair of trusses moving through the apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The organization defined in claim 5, wherein: the said upright members are adjustably fastened to the support surface and the divergence of the members is established by spacer means placed between the members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The organization defined in claim 5, including: a roller at each side of the deflector means adapted to engage the lower chord of each truss moving therethrough to push the upper chords of the trusses against said upright surfaces to effect a positive camber in each truss as it moves past the deflector means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
166 words
The method of forming a wooden joist truss, including longitudinal upper and lower wooden chords with wooden crossbracing members, with a predetermined camber, the steps of: a. assembling truss components on a movable surface with the upper and lower chords held by clamps along straight lines and parallel to each other; b. placing toothed gusset plates in opposed relation on each side of each joint in the joist truss; c. moving the assembled components through a first set of roller presses to initially partially embed the teeth of the gusset plates in the wooden members sufficiently to hold the members in position free of the clamps; d. deflecting the truss as it exits from the first set of rollers so as to arc the upper and lower chords at a predetermined camber; and e. passing the arced joist truss through a second set of rollers to press the gusset plates fully into the wooden members, to form a rigid joist truss with a predetermined, accurate camber.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
166 words
The method of forming a wooden joist truss, including longitudinal upper and lower wooden chords with wooden crossbracing members, with a predetermined camber, the steps of: a. assembling truss components on a movable surface with the upper and lower chords held by clamps along straight lines and parallel to each other; b. placing toothed gusset plates in opposed relation on each side of each joint in the joist truss; c. moving the assembled components through a first set of roller presses to initially partially embed the teeth of the gusset plates in the wooden members sufficiently to hold the members in position free of the clamps; d. deflecting the truss as it exits from the first set of rollers so as to arc the upper and lower chords at a predetermined camber; and e. passing the arced joist truss through a second set of rollers to press the gusset plates fully into the wooden members, to form a rigid joist truss with a predetermined, accurate camber.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |