Pallet assembling system

Claim 2

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for simultaneously feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, means for individually and sequentially feeding said stringers to said first nailing machine and for aligning said stringers within said first nailing machine in a position underlying said one set of deck boards for receipt of fasteners from said nailing machine, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each successive stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, a turnover device positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for reversing the orientation of the half-formed pallet after the first set of deck boards have been nailed by rotating it through 180° to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said turned pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 3

A pallet assembling system according to claim 1 including a stop bar for engaging the leading edges of said one set of advancing deck boards for insuring the alignment of the deck boards with the underlying stringer prior to nailing, and means responsive to the completion of said nailing of the first stringer to said deck boards for moving said stop bar to a position out of the path of the pallet prior to continued downstream movement of said one set of deck boards.

Claim 4

A pallet assembling system according to claim 1 wherein said means for feeding said one set of deck boards includes a magazine for carrying spaced stacks of said deck boards and further includes means for stripping the lowermost layer of deck boards in said stacks and for feeding said layer of deck boards to said first nailing machine.

Claim 5

A pallet assembling system according to claim 3 wherein said stringer feeding means comprises conveying means for moving a plurality of aligned stringers to said first nailing machine, means for controlling the movement of said conveying means, and means for successively engaging the furthest downstream stringer on said conveying means and for moving such stringer into nailing position in said first nailing machine prior to the movement of the next successive stringer into contact with said one set of deck boards.

Claim 6

A pallet assembling system according to claim 4 wherein said stringer feeding means further includes a magazine for carrying aligned stacks of said stringers and means for stripping the lowermost layer of stringers from said stacks and for feeding said layer of stringers to said conveying means for moving said stringers to said first nailing machine.

Claim 7

A pallet assembling system according to claim 5 wherein said stringer stripping means feeds said layer of stringers in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said stringer conveying means and said deck board stripping means.

Claim 8

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, means for individually and sequentially engaging said stringers, means connected to said engaging means for individually moving said stringers to an aligned position with said one set of deck boards in said first nailing machine, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, means positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for rotating the half-formed pallet of said one set of deck boards and said stringers to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards in unison to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said rotated pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 9

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, means for individually and sequentially engaging said stringers, means connected to said engaging means for individually moving said stringers to an aligned position with said one set of deck boards in said first nailing machine, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, means positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for rotating the half-formed pallet of said one set of deck boards and said stringers to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards in unison to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said rotated pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 10

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, an arm adapted to successively rotate each stringer in an arcuate path to its nailing position beneath said one set of deck boards, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, a turnover device positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for reversing the orientation of the half-formed pallet after the first set of deck boards have been nailed by rotating it through 180° to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said turned pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 11

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, an arm adapted to successively rotate each stringer in an arcuate path to its nailing position beneath said one set of deck boards, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, a turnover device positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for reversing the orientation of the half-formed pallet after the first set of deck boards have been nailed by rotating it through 180° to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said turned pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 12

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, an arm adapted to successively rotate each stringer in an arcuate path to its nailing position beneath said one set of deck boards, a pocket assembly at said arm's free end for holding a stringer, said pocket assembly including a spring-loaded member capable of pivoting outwardly to release said stringer when the arm is moved downwardly, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, a turnover device positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for reversing the orientation of the half-formed pallet after the first set of deck boards have been nailed by rotating it through 180° to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said turned pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 13

A pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to and on both sides of a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, said system comprising a first nailing machine, means for feeding one set of deck boards to said first nailing machine, an arm adapted to successively rotate each stringer in an arcuate path to its nailing position beneath said one set of deck boards, a pocket assembly at said arm's free end for holding a stringer, said pocket assembly including a spring-loaded member capable of pivoting outwardly to release said stringer when the arm is moved downwardly, means for indexing said one set of deck boards after the delivery of each stringer to the nailing machine and the nailing of said deck boards to said stringer, a turnover device positioned downstream from said first nailing machine for reversing the orientation of the half-formed pallet after the first set of deck boards have been nailed by rotating it through 180° to place the unnailed side of the pallet face up, a second nailing machine, means for feeding said turned pallet to said second nailing machine, means for feeding a second set of deck boards to said second nailing machine in a position overlying said turned pallet, and diverting means located between said first nailing machine and said pallet feeding means of the second nailing machine for providing an offset in the path of the pallet through the system so that the deck boards for the second nailing machine can be directly loaded into said pallet feeding means at the upstream end thereof by being moved in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axes.

Claim 14

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to and below that of said deck board feeding means, means for individually and sequentially moving the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards and for aligning said stringer at said nailing position with said deck boards, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.

Claim 15

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to and below that of said deck board feeding means, means for individually and sequentially moving the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards and for aligning said stringer at said nailing position with said deck boards, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.

Claim 16

In a pallet assembling system as set forth in claim 10, a stop bar for engaging the leading edges of said set of advancing deck boards for insuring the alignment of the deck boards with the underlying stringer prior to nailing, and means responsive to the completion of said nailing of the first stringer to said deck boards for moving said stop bar to a position out of the path of the pallet prior to continued downstream movement of said one set of deck boards.

Claim 17

A pallet assembling system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for feeding said set of deck boards includes a magazine for carrying spaced stacks of said deck boards and further includes means for stripping the lowermost layer of deck boards in said stacks and for feeding said layer of deck boards in a straight line path to said nailing machine.

Claim 18

In a pallet assembling system as set forth in claim 12 and further including a magazine for carrying aligned stacks of said stringers, and means for stripping the lowermost layer of stringers from said stacks of stringers and for conveying said layer of stringers to said stringer feeding means.

Claim 19

In a pallet assembling system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said stringer stripping means is arranged to convey said layer of stringers in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said stringer feeding means.

Claim 20

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to that of said deck board feeding means, an arm adapted to rotate each stringer in an arcuate path from a horizontal to a vertical position and to successively move the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.

Claim 21

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to that of said deck board feeding means, an arm adapted to rotate each stringer in an arcuate path from a horizontal to a vertical position and to successively move the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.

Claim 22

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to that of said deck board feeding means, an arm adapted to rotate each stringer in an arcuate path from a horizontal to a vertical position and to successively move the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards, a pocket assembly at said arm's free end for holding a stringer, said pocket assembly including a spring-loaded member capable of pivoting outwardly to release said stringer when the arm is rotated downwardly, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.

Claim 23

In a pallet assembling system for assembling a pallet comprised of a plurality of deck boards placed crosswise to a plurality of spaced parallel stringers, the combination comprising a nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned set of deck boards to said nailing machine, means for feeding an aligned row of stringers to said nailing machine in a path generally parallel to that of said deck board feeding means, an arm adapted to rotate each stringer in an arcuate path from a horizontal to a vertical position and to successively move the endmost stringer on said stringer feeding means to a nailing position in said nailing machine beneath said set of deck boards, a pocket assembly at said arm's free end for holding a stringer, said pocket assembly including a spring-loaded member capable of pivoting outwardly to release said stringer when the arm is rotated downwardly, and means for indexing said deck boards forwardly after each stringer is nailed thereto.