Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
~ ` -
74S
. . , .:
- The present invention relates to apparat~ and - - '
-'-` methods ~or ~orming wooden frames and the like and parti- '
f ~ cularly relates to apparatus and methods ~or providing dis-
~ crete connector plates of the'type having prepunched inte~
., ,; .
grally extending teeth from coiled strips thereof and ,'
substantially simultaneously embedding the plates into the ,,
opposite sides o~ joints of prepositioned wooden members to '~
~abricate a frame~ for example a box spring ~rame ~or bedding. ~,~
It is currently common practice to utilize con~
nector plates o~ the type having integrally struck teeth to
form the join~ between various members comprising a wooden ,
frame. ~or example, connector plates o~ various sizes and
widths, depending upon the-structural requirements-of the- '
frames-, are commonly embeddèd into the joints o~ wooden roof ~'
trusses,and truss-~type floor joints. An example of such
connector plate is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,877,520 ,''
of common assignee herewith. Significant strides forward
have been accomplished in this industry by the advent of ,~
apparatus w~ich acts on coiled connector plate s~ock o~ the ','
type having teeth struck integrally there~rom to cut the' ;,
1 - :
, stock to discrete predetermined lengths and substantially ~,'
: .
~imul~aneously embed the teeth of the cut stock or connector ~,`.
,'' plate formed thereby into the opposite sides o~ a joint ,',
formsd between wooden frame members. In such apparatus
., , ~
.-
~ ' ~'. . '
:
: ....... .. ~ . . . . . . .
~5
. .,
there is provided a machine on which are mounted coils ofconnector plate stock and which coils constitute a magazine
from which the stock is fed to t`he machine. The machine includes
. , .
a feed assembly which unwinds the coils and advances leading
portions of the coils discrete distances toward a press cut-off
assembly, each advance corresponding in distance to the length
of the desired connector plate. A pair of such assemblies are
provided on opposite sides of a conveyor and each such assembly
includes opposed pressheads mounted for movement toward and
away from ~he joints between web and chord members manually
located between the pressheads along opposite sides of the
conveyor. In that machine, and on each side of the frame to be
fabricated, two discrete lengths of connector strip are cut
from the connector stock of the respective coils feeding-the
upper and lower pressheads and the teeth of the connector
plates thus formed are substantially simultaneously embedded
into the opposite sides of the joint formed by the web and chords.
Once the pressheads are re~racted, the feed assembly automatically
advances the connector plate stock to position discrete lengths r
of such stock for subsequent cutoff and embedment of the teeth
thereof into a subsequent joint~ The partially completed frame
,. ,
' is advanced manually and a web is manually di~posed between
the txailing ends of the chords. The foregoing described
operation is repeated and a rectangular frame is thus formed.
This machine has performed satisfactorily and is in current use.
. ~ ,
, . .
... .
~ ~,
:: '
~A` :``
It will be appreciated, however, that the manual
feed of the lumber forming the opposite chords and ~ebs as
well as manual initiation of each press-cutoff cycle limits
the producitive capaci~y of such machine. Moreover, such
5 machine is designed for the formation of a generally rectangular
frame without intermediate web members.
Generally the present invention provides novel and
Lmproved apparatus and methods for automatically forming a
plurality of frames, particularly wooden frames of the.type
having a pair of side rails and a plurality of members or
slats extending therebetween at longitudinally spaced positions
relative thPretoO Generally, the machine of the present invention
comprises a pair of generally C-shaped frames on opposite
- sides of a conveyor with each frame mounting vertically
lS opposed pressheads. Coils of connector pl~te stock are carried
by the frames and are fed to cutoff blades adjacent each of
~he upper and lo~er heads on opposite sides of the conveyor.
The conveyor includes both slat and rail conveyors whereby the
slats and rails are continuously advanced to and past the
presshead positions. Stops are located in the path of
movement of the rails and slats to locate the first slat and
endwise relatecl rails in position such tha~ the joints formed
thereby lie between the pressheads on opposite sides of the
conveyor. After the initial command to commence fabrication
is given, the pressheads are moved toward one another to cut
the connector stock to form the connector plates of discrete
lengths whercupon continued movement of the presshead embeds
.
.. .. ,. . ~
.. . .
'
7 ~
the teeth of the discrete connector plates into the opposite
~ides of the joint formed between the slat and the rails.
When the pressheads are retracted, the rail and
: s1at stops are retracted enabling the
S partially completed frame with one slat and two rails to advance
until the first slat butts a second stop. The next slat is
carried by the slat conveyor until it butts the stops directly
adjacent the pressheads whereby the second slat is located
... .
relative to the rails with the joints between the second slat
~ 10 and rails located between the opposed pressheads. Additional
lengths of coiled connector stock are advanced to locate
additional lengths of connector plate stock in the path of
movement of the pressheads. The pressheads are thereafter
,
autom~tically actuated to cut the connector plate stock to form
connector plates of discrete lengths and continued movement of
. .
the pressheads carries the plates such that the teeth ~hereof
are embedded into the joints formed between the second slat
and the rails. The pressheads thereafter retract and the
partially complete frame is automatically advanced whereupon
the machine continuously cycles to form the joints between
additional slats and the side rails of a particular frame.
Prior to nailingthe last slat in the frame, the
machine hereof automatically spaces the leading ends of the pair
of rails which will form the next frame from the ~railing ends
of the rails of the preceding partially completed frame.
When the last slat of the first frame is secured to the
trailing end of the rails, the completed frame is advanced
,
_ 5 _
., .. ,. ....... . ~ ----
. - ., , ~ . ... .. . . .
from the press position and the first slat and leading ends of
, the rails which will form the next frame are advanced into ~,,. .. .
the press position. The foregoing described cycle of operation
continues so long as there is coiled connector stock available
and rails and slats in the hoppers for feeding the input slat
. ~. :, :
and rail conveyors. 3
Accordingly, it is a primary o~ject o~ the present
~- invention to provide novel and improved apparatus and methods -
for fabricating wooden ~rames and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to
provide novel and improved methods ~or automatically fabricating
wooden frames of the type having a multiplicit~ of elements i
between a pair of side elements.
It is still another object of the present invention to
', provide novel a~d improved apparatus and meth~ds for
substantially simultaneously cutting connector plates o~ the typ~
having integrally struck teeth from a coiled strip thereof and
- embedding the teeth of the connector plates into the multiple ~
joints of a wooden frame. ~ ~,
It ls a further object of the present invention to
provide a novel and improved machine for fabricating wooden
frames o the type having a pair of ~ide rails and a plurality
- of slats longitudinally spaced between the side rails and
wherein the joints thereof are automa~ically ~oined and
succeeding frames of identical ~ype automatically fabricat~d.
In accordance with one broad aspect, the invention
relates to apparatus for fabric~ting a woDden frame of the
type ha~ing spaced generally parallel wooden side members and
!~' .
a plurality of spaced wooden intermediate members extending ,~
" : : 3~ generally perpe~dicular between ~aid side memb~rs and util~ing
sheet metal connector stock of the ~ype having ~ plurality o~
teeth struck integrally therefr~m and ~rom wh~h dis~rete
J~ .. .
lB , ::
1~14~ .
connector plates are formed ~or use in joining the side and ;
intermediate members one to the other comprising: support ;:
structure; a pair of press heads carried by said support
: structure for mo~ement along discrete predetermined paths;
means for moving said press heads along their respective `
predetermined paths; means carried by said support ~tructure for :-
i feeding the connector stock into the paths of movement o~ said
press heads; cGoperable means carried by said support structure
and said press heads including cutting edges for cutting the
stock as said press heads move along their respective paths .
thereby to form connector plates of predetermined length,
means for supporting the side members in generally parallel :
spaced side-by-side relat..ion one to the other and means ~or
positioning the intermediate members between and generally
perpendicular to the side members; means for relatively .
locating the press heads and the intermediate and side members
such that the press heads and the ~oints between ea~h
: intermediate member and the side members are succe~sively ;
located in respective opposition to one another; said pres8!
: 20 heads being adapted to embed the te8th of the conne~tor plates .~
into one side of the joints of such adjoining intermediate :
; and side members upon continued movement of ~aid pr~s heads :
along their respective paths and for ea~h relatîve lo~ation
of the press heads and the ~oints in opposition on~ ~o the other;
and eon~rol means for automat~ally actuating said pr~s he~d
moving means to ~ove said press h~ads along their pr~de~enmined
paths to form the connector plat~ and embed the ~e~h ~her~of
into one side o~ the joints of the side members and ~a~h
succ~eding interm~diate m~mbQr in response to each 8u~c~ive ~-
location of sai~ press ha~ds ~n~ 8uch ~oints in oppo~ion to
on~ ~nother. .
B ~
. In accordance with another aspect, the invention ~.
.~ relates to apparatus for forming a wooden frame o~ the type
. ~.
having spaced generally parallel wooden side members and a
:; plurality of spaced wooden intermediate members extending .
generally perpendicular between said side members and .
. utilizing sheet metal connector stock of the type having a :
- plurality of teeth struck integrally therefrom and from which :
. . , .:
discrete connector plates are formed for use in ~oining the :
side and intermediate members one to the other comprising.
10 conveyor means for carrying a pair of laterally spaced
generally parallel wooden¦side members along its opposite sides
and longitudinally spaced intermediate members between the .
side members and generally perpendicular thereto; support ~ .
structure; a pair of press heads carried by said support .
structure adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor means for '
movement along a predetermined path, said conveyor means being ¦
adapted to advance the int~rmediate and side members in a
direction toward said press heads; means for moving said ..
press heads along their respective predetermined p~ths~ means :
carried by said support structure for feeding the c~nnector
stock into ~he paths of movement of said press headss
cooperable means carried by said support structure and said
press heads including cutting edg~s for cutting ~he stock as ~ .:
; said press heads move along their respective pa~h~ th~reby to
form connector plates of predetermined length; m~ans ~rrie~ b~ `..... . . ;
said apparatus for ~ucce~lvely locating the jo~n~ b~ween
each succeeding int~rmedi~te member and ~he sid~ mQmb~r~ along
respec~ive opposite sides of said conveyor means in r~spective
opposition to said press heads 9 said press head~ ~ing ~dapted
to embed the teeth of the connector plates into on~ side of ~he
joint~ o~ ~uch ad~oin~ng ~ntermediate ~nd side ~amb~r8 upon
continuQ~ mo~ement o~ ~id press heaas al~ng th~ir rQ~p~ctive
B - 6B -
~,.
74
:,:
paths; and means arranged in controlling relation to said press
head moving means for automatically actuating said press head :~
moving means to move said press heads along their predetermined ~:
paths to foxm the connector plates and embed the teeth thereof
into one side of the joints between the side members and each
succeeding intermediate member in :response to each successive .
location of such joints in opposition to said press heads.
In accordance with a further aspect, the invention
relates to apparatus for forming ~oints between a first
elongated wooden member and a plurali~y of second wooden
members spaced longitudinally along said first member and
utilizing sheet metal connector stock of the type having a .
plurality of teeth struck integrally therefrom and from which
discrete connector plates are formed for use in such ~oiuts
comprising: support structure; a pair of opposed press heads -
oarried by said support structure ~or movement along discrete
predetexmined paths toward and away from one another; means for :
moving said press heads along their respective predetermined paths ;~
toward and away from one another; means carried by said support
structure *or feeding the connector stock between said p~ess
heads and into the paths of movement thereo~; cooperable means ~-
carried by said support structure and said press heads including
cutting edges for cutting the stock as said pres ~eads move
along their respecti~e paths toward one another thereby to form
connector plates of predetermined length; means for supporting ..
the ~irst woodQn m~mber and the second wooden members at
longitudinally s~ced locations along the first wocden m~mber;
mean~ ~or relatively locating the press heads and ~he ~irst and
~econd members ~uch that the joi~ts between ea~h second membar
and the ~irst mQmber are successively located be~een said pr2ss
heads; said pre~ heads being adapted to embed the teeth of the
~:onnec:tor plat~ into opposite sides of the ~oint~ of ~uch ~:f,
~ ~ .
B - 6c ~ ~3
3;
' " ` ` ' ~ i ,, ,
'' `', '
7~5
adjoining first and second members upon continued movement of
said press heads toward one another along their respective
paths and for each relative location of the press heads and the .
joints with the joints between the press heads; and control
means for automatically actuating said press head moviny
mea~s to move said press heads along their predetermined paths
toward one another to form the connector plates and embed the .
teeth thereof into the opposite sides of the joints between the
first and second members in response to each successive .
,
, 10 location of said press heads and joints with the joints between
;` the press heads.
; These and further objects and advantages of the .i :~
present in~ention will become more apparent upon reference .
,
' - ' ~'~
i':' '~ :'.
~, , ~.'
.: " .
, 20 ~
~', ' ~.
., .
.,
`
- 6D - ~
B `:
.. " . .. .
7~
.. ;
- to the following specification, appended claims and
drawings wherein:
.` FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a wooden
frame fabricatlng machine constructed in accordance with the
present in~ention;
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged end view thereo looking
. from right to left in FIGU~E l;
FIGURE 3 is a plan view o~ the ~rame fabricating
machine hereof;
FIGURE 4 is an eniarged fragmentary plan view with
portions broken out for ease of illustration;
- FI~URE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational
view of the machine hereof with portions broken out for ease
of illustration;
. FI&URE 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken
generally about on line 6-6 in FIGURE l;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional
:;
; vie~ of a feed and press assembly forming a part of the
fabricating machine illustrated in FIGURE l;
, FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmentary cross- . .
. ,
~- sectional views thereof taken generally about on lines 8-8,
9-9, and 10-10, respectively, in FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational
view of a slat and side rail lumber stop assembly;
FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken
generally about on line 12-12 in~FIGURE 11;
FIGURE 13 is a schematic illistration of a pneumatic
circuit for use with the fabricating machine hereof;
, .
-- 7 --
Lr~ L5
. FIGURE 14 is a schematic illustration of a hydraulic
circuit for use with the fabricating machine hereof;
FIGURES 15A and 15B are schematic illustrations of an
electrical circuit for use with the fabricating machine hereof
with the left side of FIGURE 15B forming a continuat~on of the
right side of FIGURE 15A along the dashed lines; and
FIGURES 16A-16D are schematic plan vie~s illustrating
;; . the locations of the various switches, stops, and slats and
rails durlng fabrication of a first frame and part of ~
succeeding frame, the press heads being indicated by the dashed
lines.
Referring now to the drawings, particularly to
FIGU~S 1-4, there is illustrated a wooden frame fabricating
machine constructed in.accordance with the present invention and
generally designated 10. Machine 10 generally incaudes a pair of
press assemblies 12 disposed on opposite sides of the machine,
- slat conveyors 14, rail conveyors 16, rear slat and rail hoppers
I83 and 19, respectively, forward rail hoppers 20, and output
roller conveyors 22. Machine 10 generally includes a transversely
extending base structure 24 on which the opposite sides of the
machine are mounted, one side of machine 10 designated R being
. rigidly mounted to base 24 while the opposite side of machine 10
designated M is carried by base 24 for movement toward and away
; from the fixed machine side R. W~th the exception of various
elements noted below, the fabricating machine 10 hereof is
symmetrical about a machine centerline extending longitudinally
~ in the direction of movement of the frames through the machine
l and it will. be appreciated that a description of the various
. -- 8 --
~/
: ` ~
assemblages on one side of the machine centerline is also a
description of the like assemblages of the opposite hand on the
other side of the machine centerllne with the exceptions noted.
Base 24 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced
transversely extending channel shaped beams 26 and 28 elevated
above the floor level by supports 30 and 32 disposed adjacent
opposite ends of the beams, Suitable pads are interposed between
. . .
supports 30 and 32 and the floor. On the fixed side R of machine
10, a base plate 34 is suitably secured to a spacer 36 carried
; 10 by beams 28 and 30. The plate 34 provldes support for one end of
a downstream roller conveyor base frame 38 on the fixed side of
the machine and which frame 38 comprises longitudinally extending
channel shaped beams 39 (FIGURE 1 ) supporting spacers 40 above
the beams and which spacers 40 in turn support the side channels
42 of the roller conveyor 22, me other side of base plate 34 on
the fixed side R of machine 10 mounts a plurality of upright
supports 44 (FIGURE 5) on which one end of the slat and rail feed
- conveyor assemblies 14 and 16 respectively is supported.
On the movable side of machine 10, there is provided
a pair of guides 48 (FIGURES 1 and 2) along the upper surfaces
of longitudinally spaced support beams 28 and 30. A support
plate 50 ~FIGURE 1 ) is carried for slidable movement along guides
48 and suitable rollers, not shown, carried by plate 50 straddle
. guides 48 to enable plate 50 and the structure to be described
and supported thereby for movement toward and away from the
fixed side R of machine 10. A rack 52 (~IGURE 2) is carried
along support beam 28 and is engaged by a pinion 53
(FIGURE 1). Gearing, not shown) is provided in housing 54 and
., '
O 9 _ ,
)f.~7~ ~
rotation of a handle 56 which drives such gearing causes dis-
~acement of the movable side M of machine 10 toward and away
from the fixed side K of machine 10. In FIGURE 6, there is
. illustrated a carrier including length of sheet metal 49
.5 reversely bent with its opposite ends secured to the movable side
.. of machine 10 and fixed to the immovable base of the machine. As
illustrat~d, the pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical lines,
- generally designated L, are suitably secured to the carrier
49 and are thus confined within its reversely bent portions and
carried thereby between fixed and movable stations.
; Plate 50 provides support or one end o the roller
- conveyor base frame 38 on the movable side of the machine and
- which frame 38 in turn carries suitable supports 40 for
supporting the side rail channels 42 of the downstream roller
conveyor 22 on the movable side M of machine-10, As illustrated
in FIGURE 2, the downstream end of the roller conveyor base
~rame 38 on the fixed side of the machine is supported by
uprights 60 secured to the f1Oor for example by bolts 62.
The downstream end of the roller conveyor base frame 38 carried
by the tovable side M of machine 10 is supported by legs 64,
the lower ends of which mount a sheel 66. Conseque~ltly the
- downstream roller conveyor 22 on the movable side of the
. machine is carried for displacement ~ith support plate 50
toward and away from the downstream roller conveyor 22 on the
2~ ixed side of the machine by operation of handle 56.
- - 10
,
` ~V~45
. Ihe respective support plates 34 and 50 on the
i fixed and movable sides of the machine also support the
ends of the input slat and rail conveyor assemblies on
opposite sides of the machine. It will be appreciated that
the slat and rail conveyors are identical in construction
with the exception that one is rigidly mounted on the
. fixed side of the machine while the other is mounted for
movement with Lhe movable side of the machine; Each slat
conveyor frame assembly comprises a pair of generally
elongated laterally spaced channel shaped beams 64 between
which is carried a slat feed chain 66 (FIGURES 3 and 4).
Outboard ot the slat conveyor assembly 14 is a pair oi
- - 10~ - ,
,
.
~ ~ `
.
~ "` , ~n~ ~7 4 ~
elongated laterally spaced generally channel shaped beams
68 between which is carried a rail feed chain 70. Each of the
chains 66 and 70 are disposed about suitable idler sprockets
. . .
and are trained about drive sprockets at their forward ends.
The slat and rail drive sprockets are driven independently
of one another by hydraulic motors described below in
conjunction with FIGURE 14, the hydraulic motors 72 and 74 for
the rail conveyors are, however, illustrated in FIGURE 3.
It will also be appreciated that suitable chain tensioning
devices, not sh~n, are secured between respective pairs of
beams 64 and 68 whereby the desired tension is maintained on
the chains. Each of the slat drive chains carries a plurality
~,
of longitudinally spaced lugs 76 illustrated in FIGURE 1 an~
A, ' which lugs 76 upstand from the chain above the upper surfaces
of support beams 64. The upper surfaces of beams 64 constitute
conveyor surfaces along which the slats are advanced toward
the press assemblies 12 ~y engagement of the lugs 76 behind
the slats received on the conveyor surfaces from the ~at hoppers
18 as will be clear from the ensuing description. Similarly
upstanding lugs 77 are longitudinally spaced along the rail
drive chain and upstand from chain 70 above the upper surfaces
of support beams 68. The upper sur~aces of beams 68 constitute
; - ~onveyor surfaces along ~hich ~he rails are advanced toward the
press assemblies 12 by the engagement of lugs 77 against the
rear ends of the rails received on such conveyor surface ~rom
~he rail hoppers 1~ and 20.
Hoppers for containing and feeding wooden rails and
174S
slats for forming ~e frame undergoing fabrication are carried
on the input side of the machine. Particularly, each side of
the machine carries a forward hopper assembly 80 and a rear
hopper assembly 82 for retaining the opposi~e ends of the side
rails andfor consequtively feeding rails onto the feed surface of
beams 68 for engagement by lugs 77 of ~e slat drive chain.
Particularly, each forward hopper assembly 80 generally
` includes right angularly related upstanding side and end
guides 82 and 84. Guides 82 and 84 incline inwardly and
fo~ardly, respectively, such that the forward ends o~ the
rails can be readily disposed within forward hopper assembly
80. Along ~he outer side of the forward hopper assembly
there is provided an upstanding guide 86 having a laterally
.
outward1y directed plate 88. Slots 90 are formed in plate
88 and the latter is carried by a base plate 92 which is
provided with suitable gibs and cap screws 94 within slots
90 whereby the outer upright plate 86 is slidably adjustabLe
- toward and away from the opposite upright 82 along base
plate 92. In this manner, the width of the forward hoppe~
assemblies can be adjusted to accommodate various widths
o side rails. Plate 92 is suitably secured to the outer
beam 68 of the rail conveyor assembly. The hopper asse~bly
80 on the fixed side of the machine is thus fixed therewith
- while the hopper assembly 80 on the movable side of ~he machine
is movable therewith toward and away from the fixed side oE the
machine. Ihe lower end of the forward upright 8~ is spaced
above the conveyor surface a distance at least suffîcient
.
- 12 -
.. _., ,.. , ~ . ... ~
7~5
to permit advancernent toward the presses of a rail between
such lower edge and the conveyor surface formed by beams 68.
A vertical plate~ not shown, is carrie~:by upright 84 in a
vertically adjusted position such that ~e height of the opening
5 between the upright 84 and the conveyor surface can be adjusted
to accommodate the different thicknesses of the wooden members
comprising the rails o~ the frame undergoing fabrication.
Referring n~w to the rear rail hopper assemblies l9,each
such hopper assembly includes transversely opposed upright
plates 83 and 85 (FIGURE 4~ wi~h plate 85 extending above plate
83 and inclining inwardly. A back upstanding plate 82 is
provided whereby a slot is formed by plate 83, 85, and 87
- for receiving the rearmost ends of the wooden rails. The
inclined surfaces of upright plates 82 and 85 of the forward
and rear hopper assemblies 20 and 19 respectively, enable
placement of the wooden rails in the hopper from outside of
machine 10 in stacked relation one above the other in each
set o~ side rail hoppers. The upstanding plate 83 carries a
base 89 which has slots 91 for receiving screws g3 threadable
into a base plate 96 whereby the upright plate 83 is laterally
adjustable toward and away from upright 85 to accommodate
rails of different widths. The lower edge of upright plate 83
is spaced above the conveyor surface to permit the upstanding
lugs 77 of the rail conveyor chain ~o pass below it and engage
the rear end edge of the lowermost rail resting on the
conveyor sur~ace fo~ned by beams 68.
The base plate 96 of each rear rail and slat hopper
` .
- 13 -
' " . . ' ,, ' , " ' ' ' ', ' ' ' ~ ' '
. ' . ' ,.
4.~4~
...
,
: assembly 18 and 19 respectively is provided with a depending
;~ clamp 98 (FIGURE 1) engageable about a longitudinally
. extending guide shaft 100 secured along the outside of the
.. ; outermost bea~ 64. Each rear hopper assembly is slidable along
the conveyor surface and along rod 100. Clamp 98 is pr~vided
to releasably secure each rear hopper assembly in a longitudi-
nally adjusted position along ~e conveyor surface by securement
;.~ of clamp 98 to rod 100 by rotation of operating handles 102.
: Consequentlyg the forward and rear hopper assemblies cooperate
to receive rails of equal lengths but which rails may vary
in length depending upon the length of the frame undergoing
fabrication.
The previously described hopper assembly also includes
; a part of the slat hopper 18 which is longitudinally movable
1 15 with the rail hopper assembly 19. The slat hopper includes a pair
of longitudinally spaced substantially upright guide plates
. 104 and 106 and a vertically extending side plate 108 forming
a slot for receiving one end of a slat disposed transversely
of the machine. The upright 104 is inclined forwardly toward
the press while the upright plate.106 is initially incline.d
forwardly and then extends vertically and to a lesser height
`, than upright 104 whereby slats can be fed into the slat hopper
from the rear end of the machine from be~een the rail and slat
`~ conveyors and superposed one over the other. The lower edge
of upright 104 is spaced above the conveyor surface and
carries a ver~ically adjustable plate for varying the spacing
between the plate and the.conveyor sur~ace whereby slats of
- 14 -
: I .
~LO~L7~
.
various thicknesses can be engaged by lugs 76 and displaced
from beneath the hopper along the conveyor surface formed
by beams 64 toward the presses. The upright plate 106
. .
is also adjustable longitudinally toward and away from upright
plate 104 whereby slats of various widths can be accommodated in
the slat hopper depending upon the width of the slats required
for the frame undergoing fabrication.
As best illustrated in FIGURE 4, a pair of clamps
; 112 are mounted on the opposite sides of the machine on the
input side of presses 1~ and include a clamping head 114 and
a hydraulic cylinder 116 for extending and retracting the
- clamping head 114. The clamp 112 is mounted on a guide plate
~'
118 secured in adjustable transverse position on base plate
92 which also carries the forward hopper assembly 20. Clamp
lS head 114 is located at an elevation to engage the outer side
edge of the rails to press the latter against the slats
therebetween such that the ends of the slats butt the inner
edges of the side rails when such joints are located bet~een
.
the opposed press heads as described hereinafter.
As best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3, a pressure
bar 120 is superposed over each slat conveyor surface on the
input side of the press to maintain the slats in slidable
bearing engagement along the slat conveyor sur~ace formed by
beams 64. Each of the pressure bars 120 includes an elongated
plate 122 having an upwardly flared end 124 to facilitate
reception of the slat be~ween it and theslat ccnveyor surface
as the slot is advanced along such slat conveyor sur~ace-
- 15 -
.
^` 104174S
Plate 122 is supported by a plurality of rods 126 which are
biased to move with plate 122.by compression spring 128.
: The plate 122, rods 126 and compression spring 128 are carried
,~;
by a support arm 130 secured at one end ~o the inside end
edges of a pair of generally longitudinally spaced C-shaped
frames 132 which form the basic support for each of press
assemblies 12.
A press assembly of the type used herein is best
' illustrated in FIGU~ES 7-10. It will be appreciated that a
description of one ofthe press assemblies will suffice as a
discussion o~ both press assemblie~ since like press
assemblies are mounted on the fixed and movabl~ sid~sof the
machine. ~s illustrated, each press assembly is located
'~ between the input slat and rail conveyors 14 and 16 and the
output roller conveyors 22 and comprises a pair o~ longitudinally
spaced C-shaped frames 132, which carry upper and lower press
platens 134 and 136 2 respectively ~FIGURE 7); frame assemblies
generally indicated 138 ~FLGURE 2) for carrying coils of
connector plate stock; a ~eed assembly generally designated
~0 140 ~FIGURE 7~; and a stock cutting assembly generally
designated 142. ~ach pair of C-frames 132 is mountedon a
corresponding underlying support plate, i.e. plates 34 or 50.
Thus, the C-frame and press assembly carried thereby on the
fixed side of the machine is rigidly secured:to plate 34 fixed
to support beams 26 and 28 ~hile the C-frame and press carried
thereby on the movable side M of machine 10 is secured to
plate 50 which as will be recalled is mo~a~le with the input and
- 16 -
:
.. .
~ . . . . .. - .
745
output conveyors relative to support beams 26 and 28 toward
and away from the opposite fixed side of the machine. As
illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the coil frames 138 include
- upper and lo~er longitudinally extending beams 1~0 and 152
- 5 secured to the outer edges of the C-shaped frame members 132.
Each beam 150 and 152 carries a pair of longitudinal].y spaced
- laterally outwardly projecting supports 154 and 156 respectively
at its opposite ends~ such supports being joined attheir
distal ends by upright beams 1.58 and 160, respectively. The
lower ends of upright beams 160 carry gusset plates 162 which
bear on beams 28 and 30, respectively. The plate 162 on the
fixed side R of the machine is rigidly secured to beams
28 and 30 while the plate 162 on the movable side M of machine
10 bears on guide surface 48 for lateral movement with the
C-frame toward and away from the fixed side of the machine. Each
upright 160 is provided with downwardly inclined slots 164
and 166 respectively adjacent their upper and lower ends.
Similarly slotted guide plates 167 are provided along the
inside faces of each of beams 160 with such slots in
; 20 respective registry with the slots 164 and 166. Axles 168
are received in the slots 164 and carry upperand lower coils
or reels C of the connector plate sto ck S. Each coil comprises
a hub carrying a pair of circular axially spaced radially
extending flanges and abou~ which hub the stock S is coiled.
Each connector plate stoclc S comprises an elongated strip oE
sheet metal ha~ing a plurality of elongated nail~like teeth
struclc therefrom, preferably in longitudinally extending ro~s,
- 17 -
.
~ -?~ 104 17 45
ne side o~ the StriP, th
wi~h ~he ~ee~ projecting radially ou~wardly. Such connector
d the coils carrying such s
type de~icribed and ilLustrated in companion App1ica~ions Serial
1 d April 19,1974 and 43L,04 ,
h with the disclosures
- are included herein by reference as though fully set forth herein-
Referring par~iGularly to FIGURE 7, the coiled
, connector stock S is ~ed from ~he upper and lower reels by feed
-10 L40 and toward the press p
The ~eed assembly 140 is carried by a guide plate L70 ~hich
d to the C-rame plates
F ed assembly 140 is also s pp
h wn carried along the ou
d through beari.ngs on ~h
the C-fra~e pLates 132 enabling feed assembly 14Q ~o be
unscrewed from c-~rame plates 132 and retracted along the
; bearings while remaining suppor~ed by the rods whereby total
i o~ ~he eed assembl~ fro
b~ain access to its vario p
` is no~ necessary. Guide 1
n FIGURE 10, is slotted along its upper and lower sides to
fl nges of upper and lower
172 and 174, reSpectively
4 tend toward the peripher
` k reels respectively and
a stock feed cylinder 7
.
i
. .
:
connected at its forward end to guide 170. Feed cylinder 176
carries a shaft 17S which is connected at its fo~ard end to
- a stock clamp and feed assembly generally indicated 180.
Referring particularly to FIGURE 7, a pair of brackets 182
are mounted on opposite sides of stock guide tables 172 and
174 and are slot~ed at their opposi~e ends at 184. Upper and
lower entrance guide rollers 186 and 188 are disposed ~e~een
. the respective upper and lower ends of brackets 182 and pins
- carrying rollers 186 and 188 are received in slots 184. Springs
190 are coupled between the upper and lower pins on oppos;te
sides of the cylinder 176 to bias the rollers to~ard each
. other and their respective tables to maintain the stock from
: the upper and lower reels thereof between the rollers and the
:;:
tabl s as it is fed toward the press assembly. .
. 15 Referring to FIGURE 10, channel shaped guide pL~tes
, . .
192 and 194 are connected to the upper and lower sides of guide
170 whereby guide plates 192 and 194 form upper and Lower
passages 196 and 198, respectively, for receiving the stock
en route to the press platens. Each channel shaped stock guide :~
.. 20 plate 192 and 194 has a transversely extending bore 200 through
- one side thereof and through which is received a pilot pin 202.
The outer end o~ each pilot pin 202 is carried by a cylinder
plate 204 which, in turn, is mounted on the piston sha~t of
. a pilot cylinder 206. Each pilot cylinder 206 is secured to the
respec*ive stock guide by cylinder bracket 208. Accordingly, it
will be appreciated that extension and retraction of the pis~ons
within the pilot cylinders 206 cause the pilot pins 202 to
retract and extend in~o the respective guide passages 196 and 19S
~ 19 -
, .
4S
for purposes which will be described in the ensuing
description.
Referring par~icularly to FIGURES 7 and 9, the feed
clamp assembly 180 includes a slide block 210 mounted on a pair
.;
of slide rods 212 for sliding movement between the illustrated
orward position ~FIGURE 7) and a position substantially adjacent
the forward face of guide plate 170. The rods 212 are secured
at one end to guide 170. Slide block 210 is recessed along its
upper and lower sides as indicated at 214 and 216, respectively,
(FIGURE 9 ) and upper and lower jaws 218 and 220 are secured
~o slide block 210 and within the respective recesses 214 an~
216. The upper and lower sur~aces of jaws 218 and 220,
respectively, are grooved in a longitudinal direction to form
transversely spaced tines 222 and 224, respectively. Ihat
is to say, such surfaces form a longitudinally extending
comb-like surface which receives the teeth of the connector
stock as it is fed for;~ardly to the press platens. In this
manner, the connector stock is maintained in a predetermined
.,
lateral location. Mounted on opposite sides o slide block
210 are upper and lower cylinder brackets 226 and 228, -
respectively. Each bracket is counterbored to threadedly
receive the ends of upper and lower clamping cylinders 230
and 232, respectively. Cylinders 230 and 232 mount grippers
234 and 236, respectively, on the ends of their respective
piston shafts. It ~ill be appreciated that extension
of the grippers toward the opposite jaws clamps the connector
stock between the tines of the jaws and the grippers. As
'1 !
- 20 -
'i
74s
illustrated in FIGURE 7, the entrance ends of jaws 218 and
220 are flared to facilitate entry of the stock through the
clamp assembly 180. The forward end of slide block 210
carries an alignment block 244 (FIGURE 7) which is stepped
at its forward face for alignment between the spaced upper
and lower cut-of~ blade mounting blocks 246 and 248
respectively which form part of the press assembly.
Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, blocks 246 and 248 are
mounted between C frame plates 132 and mount upper and lower
plates 250 and 252, respectively which in turn mount the fixed
upper and lower cutting blades 254 and 256. Plates 250 and 252
are suitably secured at opposite sides to the under and upper
sides of the upper and lower mounting blocks 246 and 248,
- respectively and are spaced therefrom to define respective upper ~;
and lower stock passages 258 and 260, Plates 250 and 252 as
well as mounting bloclcs 246 and 248 are enlarged adjacent the
entrance apertures ~o passages 258 and 260 to facilitate entry
` of the stock. Cutting blades 254 and 256 are each provided with
a plurality of transversely spaced tines indicated 261
defining grooves 262 therebetween for receiving the teeth of
the stock. That is to say, the blade 254 carries upwardly
directed tines 2~1 between which and in grooves 262 the
downwardly directed teeth of the stock passing through
passage 258 are received. The base portion of the stock passes
between the upper edges of tines 261 and the lower face of
block 246. ~ikewise, the fixed lower blade 256 carries the
downwardly directed tines 261 between which and in grooves
- 21
,
. . '
" .
4~74S
dlY directed t ~ n of 1,he 5
passage 26 a ~ es 261 and the upp
n the 1 Ower ed ge s 2 61 on eaCh
f block 248- lh blades 254 an
'' ~ t~e fiXed 1 pper and low
d ~rom the StQck by
,. be ,~hat is the edC'eS
to cutting blades for
161 on the ~iXed ting blades ~herebY
.` '1 f r Cooperation W~t t c the press platen
s are cut fr
ward one an 7 upper and
~err ~ ng to 70 and 2 tend between the
SUpport plate lOwer preSs ~Y
~ ates 132 and moUnt P d 27 6 are threaded
. ~76 reSpectivelY C~3 reSpectively co
tes and the P 1 tens 134 an
to the upper a i e c~ i - bladeS 27 8 and 2
a th fixed uPPer
Cooperation w~ th e elected lengthS ~c
the Connector g butted wood
pla~es f os ~ I wi1 1 be appr
f bricat~on~ linders 27
s 134 and
d 276 moves plate tiOn Of the
the des w~th the c~
ving and ~iXed bla
- 22
,, ., ,.~ .. ... , ~
~ e~7~s
.:.
; carried by the platens for embedding the teeth thereof into
the opposite sides of the frame parts located bct~een the
pressheads in a manner to be described.
For maintaining accurate plate location after the
connector plates have been cut f:ro-m~~e-strips, the cutting -;
blades 278 and 280 carried by the upper and lower press
platens each have a dovetailed groove, not sho~n, formed along
their cutting edges in opposition to the corresponding fixed
blades The fixed blades 254 and 256 each carry an outwardly
projecting dovetail-shaped tongue 284 along their cutting
edges for registration with the corresponding dovetailed
; groove in the movable cutting blades. Accordingly, when thepress platens move toward one another, the Orooves and
tongues coope~ate to cut a dovetail-shaped groove along the
rear edge of ehe connector plate cut from the stock. Upon
continued movement of the platens toward one another, the
plates are constrained from lateral movement by engagement
of the dovetailed grooves along the corresponding tongues
carried by the fixed blades. The plates are thus held by the
dovetailed projection until the shearing action is complete
and until just prior to initial penetration of the teeth
into the joint, This ensures that each plate is not displaced
from its intended location in the joint after bein~
.. . . .
cut prior to full embedment o~ its teeth into the wooden
members of the joint.
.i
i 25 Referrin~ now to FIGURES 11 and 12, there is provided
.
`''1 ' ' ,
4~
on the orwardmost C-frame plate 132 of each press assembly
an inverted generally T~shaped plate 30~ which supports
a rail stop assembly generally designated 302. The rail stop
assembly includes a yoke 304 fixed ~o the lower forward face of
S support bracket 300 and which yoke 304 pivotally carries one
end of an arm 306, the opposite end of which carries a side
rail stop 308. A pivot plate or bellcrank 310 is also
pivotally secured to yoke 304 and to rail stop 308, The end of
crank 310 opposite from its pivotal connection with rail stop
308 is pivotally connected to a clevis 312 suitably secured to
the end of a piston 314 carried by a rail stop cylinder 316.
Cylinder 316 Is pivotally secured at its opposite end as at
318 to pivot bracket 320. It will be appreciated that extension
of piston 314 pivots crank 310 and pivot arm 306 in a genera11y
clockwise direction as illustrated in FIGURE 2 ~hereby stop
308 can be extended into engagement against the forward end
of a side rail, Retrac~ion of piston 314 pivots crank 31
and arm 306 counterclockwise as illustrated in FIGURE 12
- whereby-rail stop 308 is displaced for~ardly along an arcuate
path and into a position spaced above the side rail as the rail
adv~nces along the conveyor in a mnner to be described. For
convenient reerence hereinafter~ the rail stops are denoted
stops "h",
Referring particularly to FIGURE 11, the support
plate 300 also carries a sla~ s~op support plate 322. Plate 322
also extends between the C-shaped frames 132 and is suitably
` secured there~o. A cylinder 324 upstands from a guide plate
- 24 ~
.
jt ' _` ~
.74S
.
.
326 carried by support plate 322 between a pair of gibs
328, the gibs carrying the guide plate 326 for adjustment in a
longitudinal direction. The piston of cylinder 321 carries a
.
stop 330 and it will be apparent that extension of the piston
in cylinder 324 extends the stop 330 into the path of movement
of a slat being advanced along the slat conveyor surface,
; For convenient reference hereinafter, the slat stops are denoted
stops "B", Also as illustrated in FIGVRE 11, a microswitch having
a switch actuating arm 332 engageable by the slat is carried
o by the support plate 322. For convenience hereinafter, the
switches carried by the ,slat stop supports are called L2 and L3
on opposite sides of the conveyor, respectively, Also carried
by supp~rt plate 300 is a microswit~h having a depending
. .
actuating arm 334, the microswitch being called LGA for convenient
reference hereinafter. The corresponding microswitch on the
opposite side o~ the machine is labelled L7A, Referring
to FIGURE 4, other switch locations are illustrated, For
example, microswitches 18 and L9 on the fixed side of the
machine having actuating rollers 336 and 338 are illustrated.
`- ~0 As illustrated in FIGURE 4, a support plate 340 is
carried by the roller conveyor frames 42 on the output side
~ of the presses and on each ofthe fixed and movable sides of
,~ the machine 10, Support plate 340 mounts a clamp cylinder
342 on a guide plate 344 transversely adjustably mounted by
gibs, not shown, The clamp cylinder 342 carries a clamping
head 346 for engaging the outer edge of the side rail
- 25 - -
. ~ ' ' .
:` ~
:~ 104~3L745
- Downstream of plate 340 and above the roller
conveyor~ there is provided a powèred roller 348. Roller 348
is driven through a suitable sprocket and chain arrangement
; by a hydraulic motor schematically illustrated at 347 and 349
in FIGURE 14. The rollers 348 overlie the roller conveyors 22
, on opposite sides of the machine and engage the upper surface,
; ' of the rails as the partially completed frame is advanced
; through the press assembly ~o carry the frame forwardly.
,~ Referring now particularly to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5,
; 10 guide shafts 354 and 356 extend longitudinally forwardly from
the slat conveyor supportrbeams 64 for securement at their
opposite ends to brackets 358 secured adjacent the end of the
cconveyor frame. On each guide shaft 354 and 356, there is
provided a clamp 358 slidable therealong and releasably
- locked in selected adjustable longitudinal positions along
, :
~ the corresponding shaft by a locking device including handle
;i 360. Each clamp 358 carries a cylinder 362, the piston o
which carries a stop 364. Extension of the p~ston from the
cylinder moves stop 364 into the path of movement of the slats
forming part of a partially completed frame. The stops 364
-~ for convenience of description hereinafter are denoted sbops "Cl'.
- Alongside and attachèd to one of the cylinders 362 is a micro-
switch 12B having a switch actuating arm 366. The arm extends
upwardly and into the path of movement of the slats forming
- .:
the partially completed frame and actuate the microswitch upon
~` ` engagement of a slat against stops C.
,
.:
.. ...
:~.: ..
: .
:;.
,'`,'. ' ~
- -26-
: ~
~,:
'' '.
.~ . . .
: .
.:
`~`
: : :
.
~114~7~S
Reerring now to FIGURE 13, there is illustrated a
schematic diagram of a pneumatic circuit for the feed, stop
and clamp assemblies. Tne pneumatic circuitry is identical
for each press assembly including the clamping and pilot
5 cylinders as we~l as th~ A, B and C lumber stops and clamps
on opposite sides ofthe machine centerline. As illustrated,
; there is provided an air source 380 connected in paralle via
a conduit 382 with five four-way five-port two-position
solenoid-actuatedspring-returned valves 384L, 386, 388, 384R,
and 390 with associated solenoids ~42L, 586, 638, 542R and
558 respectively. For brevity of description, the le~t and
right-hand press assemblies including the stop clamps, pilot
pins and feed ~linders associated therewith are identified
with reference numerals having letter suffixes L and R,
respectively. Valves 384L and 384R serve to provide air
to the left and right pilot, stock clamp, and fe~d cylinders
206L, 206R, 230L, 232~, 230R, 232R; and 176L, 17~R on
opposite sides of the machine Valve 386 provides air to the B
and C slat stops 324L, 324R; and 362L, 362R, respectively.
Valve 388 provides air to the stops "A", i.eO the left and
~; right side rail stop cylinders 316L and 316R respectively,
and valve 390 provides air to the left and right 1umber clamp
cylinders 112L, 342L; and 112R, 342R, respectively. hs
illustrated, valves 384L and 384R are spring biased into the
illustrated positions wherein air is delivered through valve
384L to pilot cylinders 206L via conduits 392, 394 and 396
~` and delivered through valve 384R to pilot cylînde~s 206R via
. i ' .
i ~ ~7 -
, . . . . . . .
2 to normally mainta ded
d positions WL ilot CYlinders
3 84 L whl 8~ R ~l1a lv e
unicates air 23 d 2321~ to main
the stock clarnP Y 4l4 Connects the PP
y retr;C 5 230L and 0 floW aLr th
,10 C~o.~iC~ bolenOid-aCtUa~ roVLded
es describe ma in it in a re
,I poSL 1 valve 422 an dU t 416 via
OppO5lte e . I time de~ ay
~6 through a sim~ ar 1 Com~,unicates air
`` ~ 428 and 43 'r; P to the stCk tracted poSit
and 23 h~endS ;i e 406-
.t, and.23 d 41i floW through a
noid-a tu ~ter i is alS prVided
descri in a retracted P ~low con
6R to ~aintal ing through a
- 28 - ~
, ., I
i ~4 ~7 ~ S
- d a ~ime del?Y va~Ve 42
6R is connected to con
time d~lay and floW ~
6 mmunicateS air via con
h B and C slat stP cYli
1 ai~tain-~.he B and C s P
S~te ends of the
2R to valve 386- ~alve 38 P
h rail stPS 'A ~ i-e-
li ders 316L and 316R to
tended cOnduits 444 a
ylinderS With V
~ ylinders l12~ 342
.~l by the latter are main
: i Return conduit 452 P
~ ~ s~ch lumber clamP cyl
,,: U energizatin of the
,.................................. 84~ valve 384L is shifte
associated with va
i via conduit 404 to ex
~ 0ilOt pins 202 are retra
.'d d lOwer clamping Cylinde
i ly via conduits 410 a
nd lOwer Stock is cla p
d jawS 218 and 220, reSp
:. 25li der i76l~ via cnd~it
28 ~o extend its piSt
ping aSsembly 180 a
29 -
., .
'~ !
,; , ~,
:. . : . . ,-
i via the pr evi
nicate ~ o Ihe right~hand
desc~ibed condu' ~S 1 Operated ~or eXa P
hine is s~mL a s s Ociated With
energizati 38 R i shifted to prVi
ve 384R the valVe 1 t linders 206R wherebY
ex~end the P is als proV
pilo p ders 230R and232
- lower clamping Y 4 nd 23 6 ~her eby th
he right-hand g ~ the machin
and 1i erS and Jaw 218 and
. ded ~ eed Cylinde
nd time de~ aY
. Contr ol va~ve 43 a m 180 on the right Side
h e~Y clamping aSSe Y i advanced- 'rhe
., 'L5 ideS o~ the variUs pil ~
PPh a reservoir ~ia th P
Communicate ~ ,
398 409, 411, and ides air to
C ~a condu'ts 432~
: 2~) Slat stoPS B and d tended posi tin- P
s toP stoP solen
~ the Slat i,Le sides of the
provide air Via 3 24R 362L and 362R
C slat stP cy d valve 38
tOps 330 and 364 a ide rail stPS ~
ovidinc~ air t i Conduits 440 and
side rail stop
. ; - 30 ~
. ~ ~ , ......... .
~` ~ t45
442. When solenoid 638 associated with valve 388 is 8nergized,
valve 38~ shifts to provide air via conduits 446 and 444 to
~ ds o cyli.nders 316L and
`' "A" stops.
` Valve 390 normally suppli
. cylinders 112L9 112R~ 342
s~. lenid 558 associated
39~ shits to supply air
`` h clamp heads a~ainst t
d Upon de-energization o~
1 39 spring retUrns to
~ eferring now t
... hydraulic circuit for the le~t and right hand preSs Cylinders
''!.` h presS assembly A va
.,- 1 id ro~ a reserVir 461
~nal control val~e 464
of the preSs cYlinder
d sition Particularly, c
` 465 connected in parallel
. f the machine via cndUit
id of the press cYlinder
69 ith a ~low divider 470
54 liRS in CmmUnica
C ommuni c a ti on wi
t~:~rough valve 464 With
9 ia conduits 472, 472,
'; of slat feed motors v
.. .
, . .
. . - 31 - .
, . l
.,; ~ . .
2 and 74 'Ji
; d ~ r~ ~ ~ rS 347~ 349i
onduit 463 and via reSpectiv 48
72 and 7 ~ .2 4~4 and
,o"t.iD~ ~ / a .Dd ~ss,
bei g ~, onduit 491 co~ h it b~e check valVe
resPeC rvOLr 461 Ll`~ ~ supplY condU;t
a ondu~t 493- ~95 and alS
496 in CO~ 'C~ri - lic flUid LS pr ; t r
5 274 and ' i of 5OlenoLd
~ 3~
r - - - ~ - ~ - ~ ~
.
1745
press cylinders 274 and 276 to retrac~ the press platens
- and maintain them in a xetracted position.
Hydraulic fluid also flows from pump 460 via line
`- 482 to each set of output conveyor motors 347, 349 a slat conveyor
motors 351 and 353 and rail conveyor motors 72 and 74.
Particularly, ~ ui.d flows via lines 482 and 483 to 1OW
~- divider 481 to output conveyox motors 347 and 349 with t~
fluid returning via conduit 472, 471 and 491 whereby the fluid
motors 347 and 349 run continuously. Energization of the solenoid
associated with valve 488 shifts it to the left to prevent flow of
hydraulic fluid to the output conveyor motors whereby the output
conveyor motors are stopped. Hydraulic fluid is provided from
line 482 via line 484 to the flow dividers 481 for flow to the
slat conveyor motors 351 and 353 with the fluid returning via lines
476~ 477, 475 and 491 to the reservoir. Upon energization of
the slat stop solenoid 604, valve 489 shifts to the left
as illustrated to preclude flow of hydraulic fluid to the
; slat conveyor motors whereupon the slat conveyor stopsO
De-energization of solenoid 604 permits valve 489 to spring
return to the illustrated position whereupon the motors again
run continuously. Hydraulic ~luid is supplied via conduits 482
and 485 to flow divider 481 and to the rail drive moto~ 72 and
74 with the fluid return being provided via conduits 479, 480,
478, and 491. Energization of rail conveyor stop solenoid 600
shifts ~,7a7~;ra 490 to the le~t as illustrated to preclude flo~
of hydra~ c fluid to motors 72 and 74 and thereby stop the
rail conveyor. De energization of solenoid ';,00 enables spring
return of valve 490 to the illu8trated posl ~,n whereupon rail
. 33 -
4~
conveyor motors72, 74 ag~in run continuously.
` ~e~erring now to FIGUR
tation oi an electrica
b icating maC~ine here
t mode wherein the
nd close assDciated co
~ m a l l Y O p e n a n d c l S e
f arallel lineS and th
li s respectively eXCeE?
itch '~ne contacts ha~e
h numeral suffixes of t
ral suffix indicating P
L 60 cycle current is pr
it ble power source P and
lS power f or hydraulic P P
d stoP Switch 504 and n
dis pos ed in line 502 tog
ctuating relay ML for
' i leCtriCal lineS CUPl
1 are als diSPosed in
s tart switch 50 6 and
~ itch ~16 and outpUt c Y
i line 514. I,ine S00 is
ley P~2 and itS C
t shown are disposed i
hi h are coUPled to the P
S~o Connect pOwer SUrce
. ~ .
- 3~ ~ .
to such motors. A line 522 is connected to line 514 between
switch 516 and contacts Ml-l, line 522 being connected to
line 502 between start switch 506 and relay Ml and also to a
line 524 between a start operation indicator lamp 526 and a
load switch 528 Line 524 is connected to line 514 and a stop
operation indica~ing lamp 530 is connected across the stop and
start switches 504 and 506, respectively, and relay Ml by line
532. In the rest condition, the stop indicating lamp 530 is
lit. Consequently, with switch 516 closed, power is supplied
across lines 514 and 524 by c~osing start switch 506. Relay Ml
is energized to close normally open contacts ~-1 thereby
supplying power to the hydraulic pump motor and also to
energize xelay M2 which in turn closes contacts, not shown,
to supply power to the output conveyor motors. The start
indicating lamp 526 is also lit
T.; ne 532 connects to line 524 across an open pair
of contacts of the load switch 5~8 and to line 514 across
parallel connected load solenoids 542L and 542R Connected in
series across supply lines 524 and 514 by line 536 are the
illustrated open pairs of contacts of platen limit switches
`~ 538, normally open contacts Kl-3, a fuse 540, and nail feed
solenoids 534L and 534R connected in parallel between lines
536 and 514. A line 544 connects between a pair o~ normally
open contacts of the load switch 528 and line 536 between
contacts Kl-3 and fuse 540. The illustrated closed pair of
contacts 538 of the platen limit switch 538 are coupled in
series with a relay Kl across the power supply lines 524
.
- 35 ~
.
,................ . , : .:
.
s
514 by line 466. ~le normally closed pair of feed limit
switch~ 548 are coupled in parallel to line 524 while line
550 which inclu1es normally open contacts Kl-l connects
switches 548 to line 546 between the pla~en limit s~ ches
538 and relay Kl. The platen limit switches are illustrated
in position with the platens intermediate their stroke and not
~ully retracted.
Connected in series between lines 524 and 514 by line
552 are the normally clo~ed contacts of a pressure actuated
switch 554, normally open contacts K2-1, a fuse 556 and a
clamp solenoid 558. Line ~60 connects relay Y2 to line 552
between contacts K2-1 and fuse 556 and to supply line 514.
; A fuse 562 and a high pressure solenoid 563 are connected in
series by line 564 which connects on one side with line 514 and
; 15 on its other side to line 560. Line 566 connects with line 552
. .
between contacts R2-1 and fuse 556 and with supply line 514,
line 566 serially connecting a nail ccmmand switch 567 and a
manual nailing indicator lamp 568. Line 570 is coupled to
line 536 between normally open contacts Kl-3 and the contacts of
platen limit switches 538 and serially connects normally closed
contacts Kl-3 and ~3-2 to line 566. Connected in series across
the nail command switch 567 by lin~ 572 are the normally open
contacts of an automatic nailing mode command switch 574, and the
contacts of normally open switches L2, L2B, Ll, L~ and L3.
Normally open contacts K9-2 in line 569 bridge the normally
open contacts of switch L2B while normally open contacts ~
in line 571 bridge the remote contacts of switches Tl and L4.
. .
... .
. Connected in series across lines 524 and 514 by line 575
are normally open contacts K2-3, fuse 576 and a nail solenoid
578. Connected in series across lines 524 and 514 by line 580
;.~ are the normally open contacts of the paired contacts of
pressure switch 554 and a relay K3. Also connected in series
across supply lines 524 and 514 by line 582 are a normally
closed switch 15, normally open contacts K3-1, normally closed
contacts K~-3, a fuse 585 and the slat stop B and C retract
.: solenoid 586, Line 588 connects line 582 between contacts K3-1
and K$-3 and with line 580 between the open contacts of
pressure switch 554 and relay I~, Iine 590 connects norma]ly
open contac~s K8-3 across line 524 and line 582 between
contacts K8-3 and fuse 585.
Serially connected between lines 524 and 514 by
line 592 are normally open contacts K3-3 and relay K4. Serially
.l connected between lines 524 and 514 by line 594 are normally
closed switch L8, normally closed contacts K6-2 and relay K5,
; Also serially connected between lines 524 and 514 by line 596
- are normally open contacts K5 3, fuse 598 and a rail stop
solenoid 600. ~ormally open contacts K7-3, the normally open
contacts of switches L10 and Lll, fuse 602 and ~he slat stop
solenoid 604 are connected in series by line 606 between lines
524 and 514. Line 608 connects with line 606 between fuse 602
and the contacts o-E switch LLl and with line 524, through
bridging lines 610 and 612, respectively, which couple the
like contacts of switches l.10 and Lll,
~ine 614 connects with supply line 524 at the load
- 37 -
, . . . .
s
switch 528 and by parallel lines 616 and 618 with the
respective contacts forming the normally open pairs
o contacts o~ a ~eed switch 620. Line 622 connects the other
contact of one of the normally open contacts of switch 620 with
~- 5 line 606 between switch ~11 and fuse 602 while line 624 connects
the other contact of the other normally open contacts o~
, . .
- switch 620 with a line 626. Line 626 carries normally closed
contacts K5-3 and connects with line 596 between normally open
contacts K5-3 and fuse 598 and also with line 606 between
normally open contacts K7-3 and switch ~ 0.
Conrected in series across lines 524 and 514 by line
630 are normally closed contacts K7-3, normally closed switch
L9 and relay K6, Line 632 connects normally open switches L7A,
L6A, L7B, and L6B in parallel between lines 524 and 592, line
632 connecting with line 592 between contacts K3-3 and relay
K4, and also serially couples fuse 636 and stop A retract
solenoid 638 to line 514. Connected in series across lines 524
a~d 514 by line 640 are normally open contacts K2-2 and K6-3 and
relay K7. Line 642 serially connects across lines 524 and 514
normally closed contacts K2-2 and K9-1, normally 3pen
contacts K7-2 and relay K8. Line 644 serially connects
normally open contacts K8-2 and relay K9 across supply lines
524 and 514, ~ormally open contacts K6-1 are connected by
- line 646 between lines 630 and 632l line 646 connecting with
1ine 630 between switch L9 and relay K6 and wlth line 632
between its connection with line 592 and ~use 636 at circuit
point E. ~ormally open contacts ~7-1 are connected by line ';',8
~ 38
,.
.
` ::
ircuit pOi nt ~ and t
K6 3 ar)d relay K7- ~Orm Y
b line 650 to line 640
d lay K.7 and to line 6
11 Open contacts K9 ntacts K2-?
642 b e twe en n ormal lY c l 1 a g
~ hirle the nrmallY P
`~ 16 tlsed primari~y for ~
500 and s02 to energ on
1es the normally Open g.
d ~.ic pump motor 460 ssoclated
izatlon 0~ relaY ~
ts not shown, o prditin
h 528 positioned as ill
h the load sWltc d 514 and alS
are ted wherebY ~
are retrac 1~6 is energired
d 514 throu~a~h clSed c 11
h ~ Energizatin of ~ enoid
~onracts }~ d 6~ thl~gh
,~ - 39 -
_ . . , .. ~ , . . .
..
r `~
7~S
h machine at reSt p~lot cyl~nderS 2
6~ and 176R are t ~ t pins in paSsag
cted leaving 2301. and 230
lamP Cylinders ept1On of
lays are de 3 prevents en
1 y K6 ~ormallY P 2~ and 2R and the normall~ P
d sOlenoids 5 nor~ally Ope
h 567 togeth 1 mp sOlenoid
ation of t ~2-3 pre~entS
reSSUre solenid ~O e id 578 While r'rmallY
Of the nail Of the hYdr
h Open conta d C retract
switch 554 preVen Solenoid 604 rem
lat conve~r h ~-L0 and
ugh the Ope 1 feed switch
,-11 and thrUgh
620. 1 Containing the c
- d the mach~ne~it d the endS of
con10 ated on the UPPer sides
the axles are ckets 160 on PP
66 r~ reels are thUS
of th1 ef~ect whiCh pre
ac wn accord onC
rotating28 ~s Closed to
~oad switch 5 to energize
li ds 5~-4~ and 53~
nail~ ~he load Sole
~R Energiæatin 40 _
..... .
`_ ~.a~L745
384L and 384R respectlvely and energization of feed
solenoids 534L and 534R shifts valves 418 and 419 respectively to -
the left in FTGURE 13 whereby air is provided cylinders 206L and
206R to extend the pistons and withdraw the pilot pins from
passages 196 and 198; provided cylinders 230L, 230R, 232~ and
232R to extend the clamp heads to clamp the stock; and provided
feed cylinders 176L and 176R to advance the stock. Release of load
switch 528 enables return of the valves to the illustrated
- positions with the stock remaining in an advanced position.
1~ As w;ll be recalled, when the operator closes start
switch 506, the hydraulic pump 460 supplies fluid to the output
conveyor motors 347, 349, the slat conveyor motors 476, and rail
convenyor motnrs 72 and 74 whereby the output, slat and rail
conveyors are operative. Closing start switch 506 also energizes
relay K6 ~hich closes contacts K6-1 to energize the stop A retract
: .
solenoid 63~ to shit valve 388 (FIGURE 13? to supply air to stop
A cylinde.rs 316L and 316R via line 446 thereby ~o retract stop A.
Closing start switch 506 also opens normally closed contacts K6-2
: .. .
; to maintain relay K5 de-energized. As the rear ends of the rails
R are engaged by lugs 77 and advanced along the rail conveyor
by chain 70, switch 1~ (FIGVRES 16A-16D) is opened by one oX the
advancing rails ~o hold relay K5 de-energized. As the one rail
advances further, it opens normally closed switch ~g which de-
energizes relay K6 which, in turn, returns contacts K6-1 to their
normally open position de-energizing circuit point E and the stop
A rail retract solenoid 638. De-energization of solenoid 638
enables valve 3~8 to spring return to the illustrated pos~tion
whereby air is again supplied to the stop A cylinders via line
440 (FIGVRE 13) to extend stops A into the path of movement of
,,
~1
7~
the respective rails (FIGU~E 16A), ~en the rails engage stops A,
switches T.l and Lh are closed respectively in line 572 (FIGURE
. l5A~ and the rail conveyor stalls.
, With the slat stops B normally extended by air
.. 5 supplied via lines 432, 434 and 436 to slat stop cylinders 324L
and 324R (FIGURE 13), the lugs 76 of the slat conveyor engage and
advance the first slat against extended stops B whereupon the
slat conveyor 14 stalls, and the respective switches L2 and L3
adjacent each of stops B are engaged by the slat and close
- 10 (FIGURE 16A). The closing of switches L2 and L3 indlcates proper
engagement of the slat against stops B in perpendicular relation
- to the rails and in nailing position between the press platens
134 and 136.
.. The operator then manually closes the nail switch 567
. 15 to initiate nail.ing ~he first slat between the forward end of the
i first pair of rails and also close automatic nail switch 574
sh~uld the auto~atic nailing mode be desired. With the platen
~imit switch 538 closed across the contacts in line 536, and also
: automatic nailing switch 574 closed across the open contacts in
line 572, closing nail switch 567 energizes via lines 536, 570,
. 566, and 552, the clamp solenoid 558, relay K2 and the high
pressure solenoid 563. Energization of relay K2 closes normally
open contacts K2-1 to maintain a holding circuit through line
552 for the clamp solenoid 558, relay K2 and high pressure
solenoid 563. Energization of clamp solenoid 558 causes valve 390
to shift whereby air is supplied via line 452 (FIGURE 13) to
clamp cylinders L12L, 342L, 112R and 342R to extend the clamp
heads carried thereby into engagement along the side eges of
the rails to press ~he rails against the ends o~
_ ~2 -
t`ne slat. Energization of reLay K~ also closes
normally open con~acts X7-3 to energize nail ~.olen~id 578
- in line 575 (FIGURE l5B). Energization of nail solenoid 578
shifts valve 464 to supply hydraulic fluid via lines 463, 471,
flow divider 470 and lines 468 (FIG~RE 14) to the upper and lower
-. press cylinders 274 and 276, respectively, whereby the press
platens 134 and 136 are displaced to~ard one another.
.. Energization of the high pressure solenoid 563 causes valve
to shift enabling operation o~ the restrictor to change the
pressure in the hydraulic line to a high pressure, for example
3000 p.s.i, Energization of relay K2 also opens normally closed
. contacts K2-2 in line 642 and closes norrnally open contacts
:' K2-2 in line 640. The opening and closing of such contacts by
relay K2 has, however, no effect on the circuitry until the
last slat in each frame is to be nailed as explained below.
~en the press platens move from their retracted positions
. the platen limit switches 538 close across the contacts in line
-~ 546 thereby energizing relay Kl to close contacts Kl-l, which
provides a holding circuit ~r relay Kl through the feed limit
switches 538. Energization of relay Kl also opens normally
closed contacts Kl-3 in line 570 and closes normally open
contacts Kl-3 in line 536. Thus, energization of relay Kl
.~ upon initiation of the press cycle readies the nail feed circuit
for operation upon retraction of the press platens in a manner
set ~orth below.
At the end of the press stroke and after discrete .:;
connector plates have been cut from the connector p~ te stock
and carried wi~h the pressheads toward the rails and slat for
~` embedment of the teeth thereo into the joints formed by the
- 43 -
L74~
d la~ hydraulic pressur
tacts in line 552 (FIG
holding circuit for cl P
and high pressure solenoid 563- De_energizatin of clamp
: 558 enables sPri~g retUrn
h lumbe~ clamps by air PP
450 De-energization
K2 3 to their normally open p
1 id 578 in line 575 whe
14) spring retu~-ns and hy
10274 and 276 via lineS 463,
^ ss platens 134 and 136.
h 554 als mome~tarily cl
open conta~ts i~ line 580 thereby energizing relay K3 ~hich,.
lSrmallY Open contacts h gh 1Lne 582
'.~ rOvide a holding cirCu
it h L5 and line 580- Ene g
ormally Closed contaC 1ineS 566 an~ 57~
il cor~mand circuit throug
20stOck is fed to its n
f the pressheads 134 a
d ~ itin Closes platen
in line 536 th
ids 542~ and 542R throug
1 Kl which remains energ
! - 1 ding feed limit Switch a~l feed
ill be ~ecalled~ ene~r~
'' , . . .
- 4~ -
7~5
solenoids 542L and 542R shift valves 384L and 384R to supply
air via lines 404 and 406, respectively (FIGURE 13) to
extend pilot cylinders 206L and 206R thereby retracting pi1Ot
pins 202 from the respective stock feed passages; to supply
air via lines 416, 414; 417, 415 to the stock clamp cylinders
' 230L, 232L; 230R and 232R to clamp the stock between the
clamping jaws of the feed assembly; and to supply air via lines
416, 426; 417, 427 to the feed cylinders 176L and 176R thereby
to advance the com~ector stock a predetermined distance to
locate predetermined ler~gths thereof between the pressheads
134 and 136. At the end of the stock feed stroke, the feed
limit switches 54~ momentarily open to de-energize relay Kl
returning contacts Kl-3 in line 570 to their normally closed
condition and contacts I~-3 in line 536 to their normally
lS open position to de-energize nail feed solenoids S42L and 542R.
Valves 384L and 384R spring return and air is supplied via
lines 408, 410; and 409 and 411, (FIGURE 13) to retract stock
clamp cylinders 230L~ 232L; 230R and 232R to release the
stock and via lines 408, 420; 409, 421 to retract stock feed
' 20 cylinders 176L and 176R respectively leaving the stock in the
- advanced positions. Return of valves 384L and 384R also
supplies air via lines 392,394; 398, 400 to retract pilot
; cylinders 206L and 206R xespectively whereby pilot pins 202
engage between the teeth of the connector stock in the stock
passages to sli~htly adjust the longitudinal position of the
stock in the stock passages. This adjustment ensures that
the stock is located such that the fixed and stationary cutti,ng
,
- 45 -
blades cut the stock between its transverse rows rather than
through the teeth per se.
It will be recalled that relay K3 is energized by
- momentary actuation of pressure switch 554 at the end of thc
press stroke and embedment of the teeth of the plates into
the adjoining rails and slat and remains energized through
- its holding circuit through closed switch ~5 and closed
; contacts K3-1 in line 582. Energization of relay K3 also
energizes stops ~ and C, retract solenoid 586 in line 582
whereupon valve 386 shifts to provide air via line 438
(FIGURE 13) to retract ~he B and C slat stop cylinders 324L,
324R; and 362L and 362R, respectively. Thus, stops B and C
are retracted during the nail feeding operation and partial
advancement of the partially completed frame. Energization of
relay K3 also closes normally open contacts K3-3 in line 647
- to energize circuit point E and the stop A retract solenoids
638 whereupon v~lve 388 (FIGURE 13) shifts to supply air via
line 456 to retract stop A cylinders 316L and 316R.
Consequently, stops A and B retract enabling the partially
completed ~rame to be advanced past the nailing heads by the
continuously running rail and slat conveyors. Closing
normally open contacts K3-3 also energi~es relay K~ which,
; in turn, closes normally open contacts K~-l which bridge
switches ~1 and 1~ in line 571 for ~easons noted hereinafter.
`, 25 As the partially completed frame advances, the side
railS close nornslly open s~itches L6-A and ~7-A to maintain
circui~ point E and the stops A retract solenoid 638 energized
7~LS
.
which hold stops A retracted. As the partially completed
` frame is advanced by the rail conveyor 16, the first slat
momentarily opens switch LS thereby de-energizing the
.
holding circuit for relay K3. De-energization of relay K3
returns contacts K3-1 to their normally open position,
returns contacts K3-2 to their normally closed position to
enable the clamp and nai7 command circuit through lines 566
` or 572, and returns contacts K3-3 to their normally open
position. Circuit point E and relay K4, however, remain
energized through the closed switches I~-A and L6 B.
i Gonsequently, stops A retract,solenoid 638 remains energized
to maintain stops A in retracted positions andcontacts K4-1
remain closed to bridge switches L-l and L,4. Opening switch
L-5 also de-energizes the stops B and C retract solenoid 586
enabling spring return of valve 386 and consequent extension
of stops B and C after the first slat moves past stops B and
C. Continued advancement of a partially completed frame
causes the rails to close switches L6-B and L7-B. It will be
appreciated that circuit point E is therefore energized for
as long as any one of switches L6-A, L7-A, L6-B and L7~B are
closed and consequently stop A retract solenoid 638 is
maintained energized and stop A is held retracted until the
rails clear the last of the swit~ es L6-B and L7-B.
Continued advancement of the completed frame locates
the rails under power xo]lers 348 and the rollers 348 and rail
conveyor 16 continue to advance the partially completed frame
to bring theirst slat into engagement against extended stops
- 47 -
B (FIG .l 6 B) ~ Engag
" time the Slat ~ nst exter'de
Of the partially cmPle ~ tia~ ly completed.
ts fUrther ad t rs , h d the outPUt rll
cau 7 nd 349 to sta1~' hes }2 and
~, and the Slat c onv Y
1,3 are Closed (Fl = Slat lies in pos
ensure tha dicular posi
r nail view o FlGuREs 15 A
lo the rails F n d r to 2utoma~ica y
ppreciated that' . slats t the railS ~ith t
all Subsec'~u n eaCh fram
eXception o~ t L3 d ~ B must be Clos
itCheS ~ i heS 1,1 and
provided cntaC d co ts a~e Closed and
h switches a i a closed ~ ~
ail s~itch 57 ugh lines ~5,
ommand . m t s~itChes
a~ld t~r g i 536 ~rniS i
Contacts in ~ y energizing c~ a P
nd nailing ac 570 572 and 5 erg~ze t~e n
u ~n the pressh mbed
solenoid w~er P late s~ock and e
S om the conneC 1 t and the
2 h reo ~ nt the h end o tne P
P,s be or ~ h contacts in
liC presSUre S _ 48 ~
........
;. , :.. ....... ...... . ...... ..... ...
7~5
.. ,,' : ' .
line 552 to de-energize clamp solenoid 558 and relay K2 which
. in turn de-energizes the nail solenoid, and to energize relay
K3 in line 580 to disable the clamp and nail command circuit.
Also, as before, movemen-t of the press platens from their
. 5 retracted positions enables the nail feed circuit by
energizing relay Kl which enables energization of the nail
- feed solenoids 542L and 542R upon return of the platens
~ to their fully retracted positions and the closing of platen
,~ limit switches 538. At the comple~ion of the feed cycle, relay
Kl is de-energized to disable the nail feed solenoids 542L and
542R and enable the clamp and nail command circuit with the
exception of conta~ts K3-2 which are maintained open by relay
K3 energized at the end of the press stroke of the platen,
Energized relay K3 also energizes stops B and C retract
lS solenoid 586 whereupon stops B and C retract enabling the
partially completed frame with the first two slats secured
to the side rails to advance, When the second slat momentarily
opens switch L5 during advancement of the partially completed
frame, relay K3 is de-energized to close contactsK3-2 and
thereby fully enable the nail command circuit. The foregoing
described sequence continues for each of the subsequent
sla~s of the first frame except for the last slat,
In summary, as the frame is advanced and each
succeeding slat engages stops B and C, switches 12, L3, and L2-B
'25 close to initiate the clamp and nail operation; completion of
the pressing stroke initiates retraction of the B and C slat
stops and retraction of the clamps enabling the partially
.
_ 49 _ .
4S
~,' completed frame to'ad~ance~ and return of the press heads
initiates the connector sto~k feed cycle, the full return of
which pressheads ena~1es subse~uent ener~i7.ation of the nail
command circuit in response to closing switches L~-B, 12 and U
' 5 when the next slat is ready for nailing,
It wi]l be appreciated that as the partially
,, compLeted frame is advanced, the rails behind the partially
completed frame are very close],y spaced to the ~railing
ends of the rails o~ the partially completed frame. It is,
however, desirable to enlarge the spacing between the rails
of a partially completed frame and the rails of the next frame
to be abricated. ~en the trailing end of the rails of the
partially completed frame pass switch 18 prior to nailing ~he last
slat there~(FIG,16C), switch L8(FIG. 15B) returns to its
normally closed position to energize relay K5 through line 594.
`'- Energiza~ on of relay K5 closes normally open contacts K5-3
in 11ne 596 to energize the rail conveyor stop solenoid 600
wh~ch shits valve 490 to stop the rail conveyor. The
- partially completed frame, however, continues to ad~ance
under the powered roller 348 and the rail of such frame uncovers
switch L9(F-rG~l6c)~ S~-itch L9 in line 630(FI~URE 15B) is thus
returned to its illustrated normally closed position to
energize relay K6 thrDugh line 630. ~nergization of relay
K6 closes normally open contacts K6-1 to hold relay K6
energized through the energiæed circuit point E and ~he one or
more switches L~-A, ~6-B, L7~A and L7-B. Energiæation of
relay K6 also opens normally c~sed contacts K6~2 to
,
- 50 -
.. ~ . . ~
.. . ., j . ~ , .. ..
::
7~
. .
~e-energize relay ~5 and return contacts K5-3 in line 596 to
,' their normally open positions and contacts K5-3 in line 626 to
' their normally closed position ~hereby rail stop solenoid 600
is de ener~ized enabling spring return of valve 490 and restart ,'
' 5 of rail conveyor 16. Energization of relay K6 also closes
normally open contacts K6-3 in line 640 (FIGURE 15B) to
enable energization of relay K7 when the nailing o~ the final
slat in the frame is commenced. ~hen swltch L2-B is closed as
; the next to the last slat engages stop C, and the final slat
engages stops B to close switches L2 and 13, nailing is
; iniitated as before through lines 536, 570, 572 and 552 to
energize the clamp solenoid 558. High pressure solenoid 563 and
relay K2 which in turn closes contacts K2-3 to energize the nail
solenoid 578, The nailing cycle and the nail feed cycle proceed
as previously described.
, However, energization o relay K2 at the start of the
nailing cycle also closes normally open contacts K2-2 in line
640 and opens normally closed contacts K2-2 in line 642 (FI~URE
'- 15B). It will be recalled that relay K5 was initially energized
through line 630 and closed s'witch L9 and that c~ntacts K6-3
in line 640 are thereby held closed. Relay K7 is thus energized
through line 640. Energization of relay K7 closes normally
open contacts K7-1 to provide a holding circuit for relay
~7'-through energiæed circuit point E and closes normally open
' 25 contacts K7-2 in line 642, ~ormally open contacts K7-3 in line
606 are also closed upon energization of relay K7 and energiæe
the rail stop solenoid 600 through the normally closed contacts
KS-3 in line 625 and lines 606 and 596 to again shift valve
` ~ 51 -
,
: ~4~745
490 (FIGURE 14) to stop rail conveyor motors 72 and 74.
Contacts K7-3 in line 606 close to also energize slat
conveyor stop~solenoid 604 through line 606 and closed switches
L10 and Lll to stop the slat conveyor~ Enrgization of relay
K7 also opens contacts K7-3 in line 630 but relay K6 is held
energized through circuit point E.
At the completion of the press stroke, it will be ~ -
recalled that relay K2 is de-energized and this causes normally
open contacts K2-2 in line 642 to return to their normally
10closed position thus energizing relay K8 through line 642,
closed contacts K9-1 and closed contacts K7-2. Energization
of relay K8 closes nonmally open contacts K8-1 in line 650
to hold relay K8 energized through circuit point E, closes ~ r
normally open contacts K8-2 in line 644 to energize relay K9,
closes normally open contacts K8-3 in line 590 to energize
the stops B and C retract solenoid 586 thereby to shift valve
; ..
386 (FIG~RE 13) to supply air to stop B and C cylinders
324L, 324R; 362L~ 362R, respectively and retract stops B and C,
:....................................................................... .
and also opens normally closed contacts K8-3 in line 582. The
power roller 348 then advances the completed frame such that the
trailing ends of the frame clear the press positions and also clear
switches L10 and Lll (FIG. 16D). Switches LlO~and Lll thereupon
return to their closed positions across the contacts in line 608
maintaining slat stop solenoid 604 energized through line 608
- and the slat conveyor stopped.
Energization of relay K9 at the completion of the
~ - .
press stroke for nailing the last slat opens normally closed
. .
-52-
.,
: ~ . . ~, . , . :
,., ~ . : . . - : .. . .
7 ~S
: contacts K9-1 in line 642 and closes normally open contacts
K9-1 in line 652 to hold relay K9 energized through li.nes 642
and 644. Opening contacts ~9-1 in line 642 takes the signal off
relay K$ through line 642 but relay K8 remains energized by the
S holding circuit through closed contacts K7-1 and K8-1 and
energized circuit point E.
As will be recalled, at the completion of the first
.. ~ half of the nailing cycle, relay K3 is energized and held
`.. through switch ~ and closed contacts K3-1. Relay K3 is also
. 10 de-energized and thus returns contacts K2-2 in line 640 and 642
to their normally open and closed positions, respectively. This
disables relays K7 and K$ through lines 640 and 642,
respecticely, but relays K7 and K8 remain energized through
the holcling circui.t through energized circuit point E. Relay
K9 remains energized through closed contacts K9-1 in line 652
. and the returned closed contacts K2-2 in line 642.Thus, as
~ the completed frame advances5relays K3, K4, K6, h7, K8 and K9
remain energized
As the completed frame is advaneed further by the
powered rollers, it clears switches L6-A and L7-A but circuit
point E and the relays K6, K7, K8 and K9 remain energized
through closed switches L6B and L7B. As the frame conti;nues.
to advance, switch L5 momentarily opens as the ~inal slat
moves past de-energizing relay K3. De-energization of relay
K3 returns contacts K3-3 to their normally open position to
again enable the nail command circuit but relay h4 remains
energized through circuit point E.
- 53 -
1~4:17~LS
When ~he completed frame advances and clears switchesL6B and L7B returning them to their open positions7 circuit point
E as well as the stop A retract solenoid 638 are de-energized.
De-energization of stop A solenoids-`638 enables spring return
of valve 388 whereby air is supplied to stop cylinders 316L
and 316R to extend stops A into the path of move~ent of
- the rails of the next frame. De-energization of circuit point
- E also de-energizes relays K4, K7 and K8. De-energization of
relay K7 returns contacts K7-3 to their normally closed
- 10 condition in line 630, and with switch L9 closed~ relay K6
remains energized and which, in turn, maintains contacts K6-2
in line 594 open and prevents energization of relay K5 which
would otherwise stop the rail conveyor by energization of
solenoid 600 through line 596. De-energization of relay K7
also returns contacts K7-3 in line 606 open thereby de-
energizing slat conveyor stop solenoid 604 and rail stop
` conveyor solenoid 600 thereby restarting the slat and rail
conveyors 14 and 16, respectively. De-energization o~
realy K8 returns contacts K8-3 in line 590 ~FIGURE 15B) open
to de-energize the B and C stops solenoid 586 enabling spring
.. ~
" return of valve 386 ~FIGURE 13) and extension of stops B and C.
Relay K9 also remain energized by its holding circuit through
closed contacts K2-2 in line 642 and contacts K9-1 in line
652. Continued energization of relay K9 also holds contacts
:
K9-2 (FIGURE 15A) closed and these contacts bridge the contacts
of switch 12B. De-energization of relay K4 opens contacts K4-1
in line 571 (FIGURE lSA) in the clamp and nail comn~nd
~54-
'
.
. , : .
.-
~a~ s
circuit which thus ma~e necessary the closing of switches
L, ~, 13 and L/~ before the next nailing can be accomplished,
contacts K9-2 being held closed ~cross s~itch 12B by
energized relay K9. ~lus after completion of the first ~rame~ -
relays K6 and K9 remain energized and both the slat and rail
conveyors advance additional slats and the next pair of
rails for fabrication of a subsequent frame.
As the next pair of rails advance, one of the rails
opens switch L8 in line 594 (FIGURE 15B) which disables relay
KS until such one rail has passed the L8 switch location.
Further advancement of the one rail opens switch L9 in line
630 de-energizing relay ~6 which returns contacts K6-1 and
K6-3 open andsupplies ~r to c~linders 316L and 316R to
extend stops A, Opening s~itch L9 also disables relay K6
until such one rail of the next frame has passed the L9 switch
position, Further advancement of the rails opens switches
and Lll in line 608 to de-energize slat stop solenoid 604. This
enabl.es restart-up of the slat conveyor only after the rails
have obtained a fbrward position closing switches ~10 and LLl
in line 606. ~he forward ends of the rails of the second frame
thus butt the extended stops A causing the rail. conveyor to
stall and close switches Ll and L4. The first slat of the second
frame also advances to butt extended stops B causing the slat
conveyor to stall and also closes switches L? and L3. Closing
switches Ll-Lh completes the clamping and nailing command
circuit (with automatic nail switch 574 closed). The
; clamping and nailing of the rails and first slat of the second
55 -
16~4~L74~
frame proceeds as previously describedO
As will be recalled9 at the completion of the
nailing, relay K3 is energized at the end of the press stroke
to retract stops B and C to enable the partially fabricated
second frame to advance. Once the side rails advance
sufficiently to close any one of switches L6A, L7A, L6B and
L7B, circuit point E is energized and which also energi~es
relay K4 through line 592. Energization of relay K4 closes
contacts K4-l in line 571 (FIGURE 15A) to bridge switbhes L4
and Ll, Subsequent nailing of each successive slat in the
second frame, when the machine is in automatic mode, is
thereby enabled by the closing of switches L2 and L3, when the
slat to be nailed is in position, and the closing of switch
L2B by the preceding slat.
This invention may be embodied in other speciflc forms -
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered
in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope
of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
' ,':
:$ ' :
:;i
.`
.. ` ,' ~ .
~, .
., .
' ~
., " .
