Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BUILDING FRAMEWORK, METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME AND
COMPONENTS USED IN THE FRAMEWORK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a building
framework, and to components used in the framework. The
invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to
building trusses.
[0002] Building trusses are typically made by cutting
components of the truss to length in an automated sawing
machine. The sawing machine has a capability of cutting
each of the components to the required size and ends to the
required angles so that the components can be fitted
together to form the truss.
[0003] After the components have been cut by the
sawing system, a workman will usually collect all of the
components needed to form the truss, and will then assemble
those components on a jig. Typically this requires the
workman to refer to plans which show the design of the
truss so that the components are properly located in
position.
[0004] The workman will then need to measure from a
local datum at the joint between components to determine
where punched tooth connector plates are to be located to
join the components together to form the truss. The
connector plates can then be located in position and a
press is used to press the connector plates into the
components to form the truss. The location of the
connector plates typically requires the truss components to
be lifted so that the connector plates are located beneath
the components. Because the connector plates are located
beneath the truss components, it becomes even more
difficult for the workman to properly locate the connector
plates in position and properly orient those connector
plates.
[0005] The formation of a building framework such as
a truss in this manner can therefore be relatively time
consuming and require considerable manual contribution by
the workmen.
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SUbIlMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a
building framework, and components for use in the framework
which make it easier to locate connector plates in position
and therefore make it easier to assemble the truss and also
reduce the amount of work a workman needs to do during the
assembly process.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a
building framework comprises: a plurality of components
connected together to form the building framework and
connector plates attached to the components to connect the
components together, wherein at least two of the components
each comprise a partial outline of a connector plate and a
partial position reference marking separate from the partial
outline of a connector plate, wherein the partial outlines
of a connector plate are positioned together to indicate the
position and orientation of the connector plate and wherein
the partial position reference marking on one of the
components registers with a corresponding partial position
reference marking on another of the components to thereby
enable the components to be positioned relative to one
another by reference to the partial position reference
markings.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention,
a method of forming a building framework from a plurality of
frame components comprises the steps of: cutting the frame
components to required sizes to form the framework; marking
on the frame components at least one configurational marking
selected from: a partial outline of connector plates to be
used to connect the frame components together to form the
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framework; and a partial position reference marking used to
position one component in a correct orientation relative to
another; assembling the components in position so that the
configurational markings on adjacent components are aligned
to provide (i) one of the position and orientation of the
connector plates to be used to connect adjacent components
together and (ii) the position and orientation of adjacent
components; and attaching the connector plates to the
components to join the components together and thereby form
the framework, the steps of assembling the components in
position and attaching the connector plates comprising pre-
plating at least one of the components wherein the component
has two opposing faces and both faces are marked with the
partial outlines, the pre-plating comprising attaching a
connector plate to the component at the position and
orientation provided by the partial outline on one face of
the component, assembling the component having the attached
plate with other components, and attaching at least one of
the other components to the connector plate.
[0009] Other objects and features of the present
invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out
hereinafter.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be
described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] Figure 1 is a view of a machine for producing
frame components according to the preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0012] Figure 2 is a view of a framework in the form
of a building truss;
[0013] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the
framework of Figure 2;
[0014] Figure 4 is a view of the frame components
shown in Figure 3, but in an unassembled condition;
[0015] Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7 are views of
various types of marking which can be used according to
embodiments of the invention;
[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic view showing
application of a connector plate to the framework;
[0017] Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11 are diagrams
illustrating formation of a truss using pre-plating;
[0018] Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a method
according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0019] Figure 14 is a flowchart describing operation
of the machine shown in Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] A machine for producing frame components for
forming frameworks such as building trusses is disclosed in
Figure 1 and comprises a sawing machine 20 which includes
an inkjet marker 35. The inkjet marker 35 is preferably in
the form of a spray dot matrix printer for printing
markings on a work piece. The sawing machine 20 includes
saws 19 (schematically shown in Figure 1) which can be
moved and angled so as to cut work pieces 5 to required
length, and also the cut surfaces to a required angle or
shape to form the framework. The saws 19 in the sawing
machine 20 and the inkjet printer 35 are controlled by a
processor 30 which is loaded with data relating to the
truss which is to be formed from the components which are
cut. The processor 30 then controls the saws 19 in the
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machine 20 to make the required cuts to cut the work piece
into one or more components for forming the truss.
[0021] After the work piece 5 has been cut, the
components are then marked by the inkjet printer 35 with a
5 mark which forms a partial outline of a connector plate
which is to be used to connect that component to other
components of the framework to form the framework. The
nature of the nail plate connectors which are to be used to
connect the components together, and the position where
those connectors are to be applied are known by the
processor 30 so that the processor 30 can control the
inkjet printer 35 to print at the required locations of the
components which are cut from the work piece 5 to thereby
form the outlines where the connectors are to be located.
[0022] Figure 2 shows an assembled framework formed
from components which are cut and marked by the machine of
Figure 1. The geometry of the framework in Figure 2 is
simply exemplary and other framework geometries are of
course possible.
[0023] In the example of Figure 2, the framework is
in the form of a truss having a bottom chord 21 formed from
chord parts Bl and B2, top chords T1, T2 and T3 and
interconnecting webs Wi to W9. As is evident from the
above explanation, each of these components is cut by the
machine of Figure 1.
[0024] The components used to form the truss are made
from wood, and each of the components, as is shown in
Figure 2 with reference to the web W2, has a front face 31,
an opposed opposite face 32, which both are arranged in the
plane of the truss shown in Figure 2, and side faces 33 and
34 which join the faces 31 and 32, and which extend in a
plane transverse to the plane of the truss shown in Figure
2. The components may be made from material other than
wood (e.g., steel) and have configurations other than just
described without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0025] Also shown in Figure 2 are the partial
outlines on the components which are printed by the inkjet
printer 35. For example, the bottom chord component Bl is
printed with a partial outline 22 of a punched tooth
connector plate 100 (see Figure 8) where it is to be
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connected to the top chord T1, a partial outline 23 where
it is to be connected to web Wl, a partial outline 24 where
it is to be connected to webs W2 and W3, a partial outline
25 where the component B1 is to be connected to webs W4 and
5 W5. The top chord T1 and the webs W1, W2, W3, W4 and W5
are also marked with partial outlines of the relevant
connector plate so that, as is apparent from a
consideration of Figure 2, when the components are
assembled in position, more complete outlines of positions
and orientations of the connector plates are formed. The
bottom chord parts B1 and B2 are also marked with partial
outlines 28 and 29 which show the position and orientation
of a connector plate used to connect these components
together. Similarly, the other components shown in Figure
2 are assembled in the same manner to form more complete
outlines of the positions and orientations of the
connectors which are to be used to join the components
together.
[0026] The partial outlines on each of the
components, when the components are assembled together,
form, most preferably, a complete or an almost complete
outline of the connector plate which is to be used to
connect those particular components together. However, in
some instances the outline will not be complete, as is the
case of the outlines collectively marked 26 which are
formed on the components T1, W1, W2 and T2. In this
instance, part of the connector will overlap the space
where the components Tl and Wl merge together, and the
outlines therefore form a slightly less than complete
outline of the connector. While the outline formed by a
number of partial outlines need not be complete, the
outline should be sufficient to clearly enable the
connector plates to be positioned by reference to the
outlines.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the
partial outlines are formed on only one side of the
components (i.e. face 31). However, in other embodiments
and, in particular, if pre-plating is to take place, the
second opposed face 32 which is generally parallel to the
first face 31 is also provided with partial outlines.
Briefly, pre-plating refers to the attachment of connector
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plates to one face of one or more of the components prior
to their placement onto a truss assembly table. In that
circumstance, the components do not occupy their normal
relative positions so the provision of markings to position
the plates is particularly important.
[0028] The more complete outlines therefore show the
position and orientation of the connector plates which are
to be used to join the components together to form the
truss. Thus, the connector plates can be located in
position and then attached to the components without the
need to refer to plans or make measurements to determine
the proper position and correct orientation of the
connector plates at each of the joints in the framework.
This therefore greatly reduces the time needed to form the
truss because a workman does not have to refer to plans or
make measurements in order to properly locate the connector
plates at each of the joints.
[0029] The partial outlines of the connector plates
on each of the components also provides some assistance in
laying out the components on a jig (schematically shown as
50 in Figure 2). The jig 50 may be in the form of a table
or other jig, details of which are not described because
they are well known in the relevant field. Thus, the
workman can assemble the components in the correct position
with little or no regard to plans of the truss, and simply
by using the partial outlines of the connector plates as a
guide to proper assembly of the components. Furthermore,
when all of the components are in position, a visual
inspection of the outlines can easily show that the
components are correctly positioned.
[0030) While the more complete outlines of the
positions and orientations of the connector plates provides
some guide in the proper location of the individual
components, the components could be provided with
additional markings to make more definite their proper
location and orientation in the framework.
[0031] For example, with reference to Figure 3, the
components Ti, T2, Wl and W2 can be provided with position
reference markings in the form of partial lines or bars
70a, 70b, 80a, 80b and 90a and 90b which, when the
components are properly assembled, form complete bars 70,
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80 and 90. As is apparent from Figure 3, one bar 70 is
provided showing the position of the web W2 relative to the
top chord T2, two bars 80 are provided which show the
position of the top chords T1 and T2 relative to one
another, and three bars 90 are shown which give the
position of the web T1 relative to the web W1. Thus, these
markings enable the components to be readily oriented in
the correct position relative to one another. While the
markings Tl, T2, W1 and W2 provide some indication as to
where the chords and webs are located, they do not give the
actual orientation of the components. The bars 70, 80 and
90 therefore enable these components to be readily oriented
in the correct position at each joint. Thus, the position
markings 70, 80 and 90 therefore further facilitate easy
assembly of the components in their correct positions in
the framework.
[0032] Figures 5, 6 and 7 show various forms of
marking to provide the partial outline on the components.
Figure 5 shows a dotted line outline which is used in
Figures 2 and 3, mainly for illustrative purposes so as to
distinguish the outline from the remainder of the drawing
in those figures. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the outline is more likely to be a solid outline
as shown in Figure 6. In still a further embodiment, the
outline could be formed by printing a completely
contrasting color in the shape of the plate as shown in
Figure 7, so that a complete region of contrasting color is
applied to the component.
[0033] Figure 8 is a schematic view which shows the
connector plate 100 being applied to the components shown
in Figures 3 and 4 to join those components together.
[0034] The outlines 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 (Figure 2)
on the components make it particularly easy to pre-plate
those components. In prior art techniques, pre-plating was
rather difficult because usually pre-plating takes place by
simply selecting one of the components and attaching plates
to that component before it is relocated in the jig for
assembly with the other components. Thus, the workman does
not have any reference at all from the other components in
the jig as to where the connector plate should be, nor its
orientation at a joint. Furtherstill, this is even more
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difficult if the pre-plate is to be located at a particular
length along a chord such as at the marking 24 in Figure 2.
Thus, the pre-plating requires the workman to inspect plans
and carefully measure the component from a datum point in
order to ensure that the plate is located in the correct
position and orientation. The outlines 22, 23, 24, 25 and
26 show the workman where to locate the connector plates
during pre-plating, and also the orientation the connector
plates should take so that they will be in position ready
to connect with the remaining components when all of the
components are assembled together.
[0035] The components can also be provided with
ancillary markings, such as the component number which may
be printed as T1, T2, T3, B1, B2 or Wl to W9 as shown in
Figure 2 to simply identify the components as top chords,
bottom chords or webs. Furtherstill, additional markings
may be included, such as the markings 27 which show the
location of ancillary brackets, braces or fixtures which
will be used to fix the framework in a building. In the
case of the markings 27, the markings show the location of
girder brackets. Furtherstill, additional markings which
show the amount of camber which is to be applied to the
bottom chord 21 can also be marked at each of the webs,
such as the marking 4 mm below the web Wl, and 7 mm below
the webs W2 and W3. This then shows the workman the amount
of camber which should be applied to the bottom chord
during formation of the framework. The components may also
be marked with a marking which shows the size or type of
the connector plate to be used, as shown in Figure 3.
[0036] Figures 9 to 11 show one embodiment which
relates to formation of a truss wherein at least one of the
components is pre-plated.
[0037] In this embodiment, the lower chord 21' is
marked on both of its opposed faces 31' and 32' with the
partial outlines which show the orientation and position of
connector plates. The connector plates, such as connector
plates 95, 96, 97 and 98 are then pressed into the chord
21' at the position and orientation of the partial outlines
as shown in Figure 9.
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[0038] The chord is then returned to the jig (such as
the jig 50 described with reference to Figure 2) and is
turned over so that the face 31' becomes the bottom face
and the connector plates 95 to 98 are beneath the chord
21'. Thus, in Figure 10 the partial outlines on the face
32' can be seen and they will be in registry with the
position of the attached connector plates 95 to 98. The
other chords and webs T1', T2', W1' to W4' are then laid
out in position with the partial outlines of the positions
and orientations of the connector plates as well as the
markings of the type shown in Figures 3 and 4 being used to
guide proper positioning of those components relative to
the web 21. Thus, the other components are laid over the
connector plates 95 to 98. The partial outlines formed on
the components T1', T2' and W1' to W4' will then show the
location and orientation of a second series of connector
plates 99 (only one shown) which are to be applied to the
face 32'. Thus, those connector plates can then be
properly positioned and oriented. A press can then be used
to force all of the connector plates into the components so
that the connector plates 95 to 98 attach to the components
T1, T2 and Wl to W4, and the second series of connector
plates 99 are pressed into the opposite face 32 of the
components to therefore form the truss.
[0039] While in the preferred embodiment of the
invention, all of the components are marked with partial
outlines which show a more complete marking of the position
and orientation of the connector plate when the components
are assembled together, it is possible that only a partial
outline on one of the adjacent components is used to
properly orient and position the connector plate. Provided
that partial outline shows a corner and two side edges of
the outline of the connector plate, then the connector
plate can be properly positioned and oriented, as is shown
in Figure 12. In Figure 12, a bottom chord 21 " is marked
with a partial outline 66 which will show the orientation
and position of a connector plate used to join webs W7 and
W8 to the chord 21 ". Figure 13 is view of the arrangement
in Figure 12, but showing a connector plate 110 in place
joining the webs W7 and W8 and the chord 21''.
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[0040] Figure 14 is a flow diagram illustrating
operation of the system of Figure 1. In Figure 14,
engineering data for cutting the work piece 5 to form the
components is supplied to the saw machine 20 from the
5 processor 30. The work piece is then moved and cut by the
saw 19 to the required size and configuration. The
engineering data can then be supplied to the printer 35 to
show the position of the connector plate, and therefore
this provides data for controlling the printer 35 to print
10 the outline 22, 23, 24, etc. of the connector plates and
also the other data such as camber markings, the bars 70,
80 and 90 previously described, together with the other
information which is marked on the components. The saw
system 20 also controls movement of the cut work piece so
that the work piece is properly positioned relative to the
printer 35 so that the printer 35 can then be controlled to
print on the component the required markings and other
information referred to above. The component is moved
relative to the printer so that the markings are applied to
the correct position under the control of the processor 30.
If it is desired to provide the markings on both opposed
faces of the component, then two printers 35 can be
provided, one for marking the top face and one for marking
the bottom face, or alternatively, the work piece can be
manually turned over and again run through the printer 35
to mark the second side of the cut component.
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention,
the markings 70, 80 and 90 shown in Figure 3 are
distinguished from one another and registered by using
different numbers of bars for each of the components or
edges of the components which are to be brought together.
However in other embodiments, markings other than bars
could be used and furthermore, a single bar could be used
for each component and the bars color-coded to provide a
visual reference to enable the correct part bar on one of
the components to be registered with the corresponding part
bar on another of the components.
[0042] In view of the above, it will be seen that the
several objects of the invention are achieved and other
advantageous results obtained.
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[0043] When introducing elements of the present
invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the
articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean
that there are one or more of the elements. The terms
"comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements
other than the listed elements.
[0044] As various changes could be made in the above
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above description
and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted
as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
