Automatic truss jig setting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9731405-B2
Application number	US-201314069856-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2013
Priority date	Feb 18, 2003
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

A automatic truss jig setting system is disclosed that includes a table including a plurality of segments with a side edge of adjacent segments defining a slot. At least one pin assembly, and optionally a pair of pin assemblies, is movable independently of each other along the slot. Movement apparatus is provided for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot. Each of the side edges of the segments associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, and the movement apparatus is located substantially outside of the zone of the slot. The invention may optionally include a system for handling the obstruction of pin assembly movement, and a system for keeping track of the position of the pin assembly when the pin assembly has encountered an obstruction.

First claim

We claim:

1. A truss jig positioning system for use on a table including at least a pair of adjacent segments with a slot defined by adjacent side edges of the pair of adjacent segments, the table having a support plane on which work pieces are supported, the system comprising:
a pair of rotatable rods configured to be positioned below the support plane of the table;
a pair of pin assemblies, each pin assembly being mounted on both of the rotatable rods, the pair of pin assemblies being movable independently of each other along the slot; and
a support assembly configured to support the pair of rotatable rods and at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies from a location above the slot.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is configured so as to be restable on top surfaces of the adjacent table segments.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is configured to suspend at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies and the pair of rotatable rods below the adjacent table segments.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is configured to provide support in a vertical direction to the pair of rotatable rods and at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the support assembly is configured to provide lateral guidance for movement of at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies includes a pin carriage for movement along the slot.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support assembly comprises:
a puck configured to rest on the adjacent table segments proximate to the slot; and
a pin mounted on the puck and at least one pin assembly of the pair of pin assemblies and configured to extend through the slot between the adjacent table segments.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of pin assemblies includes a pin carriage mounted on each of the pair of rotatable rods moveable along the slot.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the support assembly comprises a pair of support assemblies, each support assembly being associated with one of the pin carriages.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein each of the support assemblies comprises:
a puck configured to rest on the adjacent table segments proximate to the slot; and
a pin mounted on the puck and the pin carriage and configured to extend through the slot between the adjacent table segments.

11. A truss jig positioning system comprising:
a table including at least a pair of adjacent segments with a slot defined by adjacent side edges of the pair of adjacent segments, the table having a support plane on which work pieces can be supported;
at least one rotatable rod positioned below the support plane of the table;
at least one pin assembly mounted on the at least one rotatable rod; and
a support assembly supporting the at least one rotatable rod and the at least one pin assembly from a location above the slot, wherein the support assembly rests on top surfaces of the adjacent table segments.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the support assembly suspends the at least one pin assembly and the at least one rotatable rod below the adjacent table segments.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the support assembly provides support in a vertical direction to the at least one rotatable rod and the at least one pin assembly.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the support assembly provides lateral guidance for movement of the at least one pin assembly along the slot.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one pin assembly includes a pin carriage moveable along the slot between the adjacent table segments.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the support assembly comprises:
a puck resting on the adjacent table segments proximate to the slot; and
a pin mounted on the puck and the at least one pin assembly, the pin extending through the slot between the adjacent table segments.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one rotatable rod is positioned below one of the pair of adjacent segments such that the at least one rotatable rod is located outside of a zone below the slot between the pair of adjacent segments.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the support assembly is configured to support the pair of rotatable rods below one of the pair of adjacent segments such that the pair of rotatable rods is located outside of a zone below the slot between the pair of adjacent segments.

Assignees

• Columbia Insurance Co

Inventors

• Fredrickson Clyde R
• Wismer Mark

Classifications

• B27F7/155 Primary

  for nail plates · CPC title

• Y10T29/5397

  and assembling press [e.g., truss assembling means, etc.] · CPC title

• B25B11/02 Primary

  Assembly jigs · CPC title

• Y10S269/91

  Work holder for prefabricated roof truss or wall frame · CPC title

• B25B1/20

  Vices for clamping work of special profile, e.g. pipes · CPC title