Automatic truss jig setting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9821440-B1
Application number	US-201514757812-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2015
Priority date	Feb 18, 2003
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 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 comprising:
a table having a support plane on which work pieces are supported, the table comprising a plurality of segments, side edges of adjacent segments of the plurality of segments defining a slot;
a pin assembly movable along the slot; and
an actuator assembly for moving the pin assembly along the slot, the actuator assembly comprising a motor and a train connected to the motor and to the pin assembly such that activation of the motor causes movement of the train which in turn imparts movement to the pin assembly for moving the pin assembly along the slot; and
wherein each of the side edges of the segments of the table associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, the actuator assembly being located substantially outside of the zone of the slot.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor rotates the train which causes translational movement of the pin assembly along the slot.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the train comprises a threaded rod.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the train comprises a gear.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the train comprises a belt.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of pin assemblies movable independently of each other along the slot, the actuator assembly being connected to the pair of pin assemblies for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising side channels in the table adjacent the zone, wherein portions of the actuator assembly are located in the side channels.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pin assembly comprises a pin carriage and a pin mounted on the pin carriage.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly is configured to permit slippage between the motor and the pin assembly when movement of the pin assembly is restricted.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a positioning sensor configured to detect a position of the pin assembly in the slot.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly comprises a pair of rods, each of the rods engaging the pin assembly for moving the pin assembly along the slot.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the pair of rods are spaced in a substantially horizontal plane when the actuator assembly is mounted on the table.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the train is located outside of the zone of the slot.

14. A truss jig positioning system for a table including a plurality of segments with slots defined between side edges of adjacent segments, each side edge associated with one of the slots defining a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes, the table having a support plane on which work pieces are supported, the system comprising:
a pin assembly configured for mounting on the table, the pin assembly being configured for positioning adjacent to one of said slots between the segments with a portion of the pin assembly extending through the slot; and
an actuator assembly for moving the pin assembly along said slot, the actuator assembly comprising a motor and a train connected to the motor and to the pin assembly such that activation of the motor causes movement of the train which in turn imparts movement to the pin assembly for moving the pin assembly along the slot, the actuator assembly being located substantially outside of the zone.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the train is located outside of the zone of the slot.

Assignees

• Columbia Insurance Co

Inventors

• Fredrickson Clyde R
• Wismer Mark

Classifications

• B25B11/02 Primary

  Assembly jigs · CPC title

• B27F7/155 Primary

  for nail plates · CPC title

• B25B1/20

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

• Y10S269/91

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

• Y10T29/5397

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