GB2029111A

GB2029111A - System for locating nailed connector plates for timber joints

Info

Publication number: GB2029111A
Application number: GB7922071A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-25
Filing date: 1979-06-25
Publication date: 1980-03-12
Also published as: GB2029111B

Abstract

A setting-up jig for positioning spiked connector plates for making joints in timber framework, e.g. trussed rafters for buildings, comprises a lower platen incorporating an array of permanent magnets for holding a first connector plate and means for positioning a second connector plate in a plane above and in registration with the first plate with the framework between the plates. The platen has peripheral rails along which locating blocks d are lockably slidable and a telescopic mounting tube b, t supports a swing arm for use in correctly registering the second connector plate above the first by means of spacer components. A peg and hole location system is also described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Nailed connector plate precision locating system The invention referred to in this specification and description is related to the accurate locating of Nailed Connector Plates which plates are used in conjunction with Hydraulic Pressing Machinery in the manufacture of Timber Trussed Rafters and other Timber Frameworks. The invention could be included in specifications related to new Hydraulic Pressing Plant, alternatively it could be affixed to existing manufacturing plant.

Permissible tolerances in Nailed Connector Plate positioning are small and difficult to achieve in practice, the "overplating" of a given framework joint in order to equate a badly positioned plate with the forces generated in a framework joint by the dead and superimposed loads acting upon the framework is uneconomical and wasteful of expensive galvanised steel.

The accurate positioning of the two Nailed Connector Plates in relation each to the other and situated precisely as the Design Engineer would determine is provided for within the function of this invention.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a stainless steel tray 2mm thick and containing within its length, breadth and depth dimensions longitudinal rows of Alcomax bar magnets each row being separated by bright steel pole pieces and non-ferrous metal spacer bars, said magnets being so arranged as to generate a powerful magnetic field over the area of said stainless steel tray, said stainless steel tray hereinafter referred to as the Lower Magnetic Platen which has along its outside length and breadth dimensions and affixed within its edge dimension, a metal rail extending along the front edge of and the two side edges of said Lower Magnetic Platen, these rails hereinafter referred to as Lower Platen Profile Rails said rails each being provided with an adjustable metal block hereinafter referred to as the Profile Location Blocks which blocks being designed so as to slide each along its related rail said Profile Location Blocks being provided each with a locking screw for the purpose of securing said block in any pre-determined position on said Lower Platen Profile Rail said Profile Location Blocks being provided each with two setscrews for the purpose of accommodating two strips of eighteens gauge mild steel herei nafter referred to as the Lower Platen Profile Bars which bars are retained upon the upper surface of said Lower Magnetic Platen by said Profile Location Blocks said Lower Platen Profile Bars also being held in face contact with the upper surface of said Lower Magnetic Platen by the magnetic field hereinbefore referred to said Lower Platen Profile Bars being so arranged as to provide for a ninety degrees angle being formed accurately and at a pre determined position upon the upper surface of said Lower Magnetic Platen and there said Lower Platen Profile Bars to be secured in position with the locking screws of said Profile Location Blocks, the magnetic field hereinbe fore referred to also serving to retain a Trussed Rafter Nailed Connector Plate in a pre-determined position upon the upper sur face of said Lower Magnetic Platen during each single cycle of the hydraulic pressing operation necessary to the production of one Timber Trussed Rafter framework and for the duration of any given number of cycles of the hydraulic pressing operation relative to the actual number of Timber Trussed Rafter Frameworks contained within any one produc tion run, said Lower Magnetic Platen being provided with bolt holes and bolts the purpose of which being to securely locate and retain said Lower Magnetic Platen upon the upper surface of an Hydraulic Press Reaction Pad, eight or more of said Hydraulic Press Reaction Pads making up one complete jig set-up de signed and marketed for the production of Timber Trussed Rafters and similar frame works.In one or more corners of said Lower Magnetic Platen there is provided a circular drilling of some 20mm diameter the purpose of which is to locate and retain a metal tube of similar diameter but temporarily during the setting up of the invention, said metal tube to be approximately 85mm in total length and hereinafter referred to as the Locating Arm Vertical Tube said tube having the facility of its being rotated within the drilling of said Lower Magnetic Platen said Locating Arm Vertical Tube having towards its lower end at the junction with said Lower Magnetic Platen a metal collar with locking screw arrangement hereinafter referred to as the Locking Collar which collar having the facility of its being set to any desired point within 360 degrees and, at any predetermined point, engaging with a fixed stud established upon said Lower Mag netic Platen such arrangement allowing of said Locating Arm Vertical Tube being rotated by any pre-determined position then to be set in such position with the locking screw pro vided when said Locating Arm Vertical Tube can be rotated of said Lower Magnetic Platen but returned to the aforesaid pre-determined position as becomes necessary in the setting up of the invention.

The invention provides for a further tubular component hereinafter referred to as the Ad justable Locating Arm said component being in fact one tube inside another of similar dimensions and thus allowing of a degree of extension said Adjustable Locating Arm being provided with a locking screw which screw serves in locking the two tubes securely in position at a pre-determined length said Adjustable Locating Arm having the facility of-its being mounted upon said Locating Arm Vertical Tube and there being secured in position.

The invention further provides for a metal 90 degree angle component hereinafter referred to as the Upper Location Profile said profile having the facility of its being mounted at one end of said Adjustable Locating Arm and locked in any pre-determined position with the locking screw provided, all the foregoing arrangements providing for the facility of said Upper Location Profile being set in any position above said Lower Magnetic Platen then to be rotated clear of said Lower Magnetic Platen then to be retured to the previous precise position as required, the whole of the Locating Arm Vertical Tube, the Adjustable Locating Arm and the Upper Location Profile assembly having the facility of its being totally removed in a single operation from the related drilling in said Lower Magnetic Platen as becomes necessary within the setting up of the invention.A modified embodiment of said Locating Arm Vertical Tube, said Adjustable Locating Arm and said Upper Location Profile assembly provides within the base of said Locating Arm Vertical Tube for a return spring arrangement which allows of said Adjustable Locating Arm to automatically return to its station during the Hydraulic Pressing Operation whilst having the facility of its being brought into the recorded plating position as required during the usage of the invention.

This embodiment being necessary to the application of the invention upon certain types of Trussed Rafter Hydraulic Pressing Plant.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a component hereinafter referred to as the Distance Block said component being manufactured from either ferrous metal or hardwood but with a ferrous metal base-plate said Distance Block being approximately 125mm X 80mm x 65mm in thickness and used in transferring a previously recorded position of said Upper Location Profile to the upper surface of said Lower Magnetic Platen.

The invention further provides for a component hereinafter referred to as the Upper Nailed Plate Locator said component being manufactured from non-ferrous metal and hardwood and so designed as to afford the facility of its being engaged accuragely with a Nailed Connector Plate situated in a pre-determined position upon said Lower Magnetic Platen and in so doing registering this particular critical position in a plane some 65mm higher than the upper surface of said Lower Magnetic Platen.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be best effected, the various components will now be referred to with references made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the underside surface of the Lower Magnetic Platen with a magnetic baffle cover plate removed for clarity.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side cross-sectional view of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the Locating Arm Vertical Tube, the Adjustable Locating Arm and the Upper Location Profile, these components being shown in assembly such as they would be used in practice.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the previous figure.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the Distance Block.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the Distance Block.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the Upper Nailed Plate Locator.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the previous figure.

To show how the invention may best be put into effect it will be necessary for the reader to assume that each reaction pad or bench plate of any given Trussed Rafter Manufacturing System has been equipped with the Lower Magnetic Platen referred to and that in accordance with standard manufacturing procedure that a Timber Trussed Rafter or similar framework has been set up and clamped in position with each framework joint approximately centred upon each Lower Magnetic Platen.

Stage 1. A Nailed Connector Plate or a blank duplicate thereof of an area determined by the Design Engineer is set upon the upper surface of each framework joint in a critical no-tolerance position as detailed in the design instructions.

Stage 2. All the set-screws situated upon the Adjustable Locating Arm assembly, Figs.

6 and 7, are realeased in order that the Locating Arm be extended and rotated as required and so that the inside angle of the Upper Location Profile a Fig. 7 makes close contact with one horizontal and one perpendicular edge of the Nailed Connector Plate or blank duplicate, the set-screws referred to are now secured. The Locking Collar b Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 providing for the facility of rotating the Adjustable Locating Arm assembly Figs. 6 and 7 clear of the framework joints for the temporary removal of the framework from the manufacturing bench or table.

Stage 3. The Adjustable Locating Arm Figs.

6 and 7 is now rotated into the area of the Lower Magnetic Platen Fig. 1 and into the pre-set position as determined by the Locking Collar b Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 and the stop or stud shown at c Fig. 1 on the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Stage 4. With the Timber Framework temporarily removed from the manufacturing bench or table the Distance Block component Figs. 8 and 9 is placed upon the Lower Magnetic Platen Fig. 1 in a position now determined by the critical position of the Upper Location Profile a Fig. 7 the ferrous metal underside of the Distance Block being held in secure contact with the Lower Magnetic Platen due to the magnetic field generated therein.

Stage 5. The Lower Magnetic Platen Profile Bars shown at d Fig. 1 are then adjusted by the means provided to make close contact with one horizontal and one perpendicular edge of the Distance Block Figs. 8 and 9 there to be secured by the set-screws provided and shown at c' Figs. 2 and 4.

The setting-up of the invention is then complete when during manufacture of the Frameworks referred to the Lower Nailed Connector Plate is placed within the angle formed by the Lower Magnetic Platen Profile Bars d Fig. 1 and when the timber component members of the Trussed Rafter or similar Framework are assembled in accordance with standard procedure upon the manufacturing bench, the Upper Nailed Connector Plate is set in a predetermined and critical position by the use of the Upper Nailed Locator Figs. 10 and 11, this component being registered around the Lower Nailed Connector Plate and thus registering the critical location thereof in the plane of the upper surface of the Timber Framework joint, the resultant of these foregoing operations ensuring that each Nailed Connector Plate on each face side of the framework joint is related critically each to the other in directions horizontal and perpendicular and each related pair of Nailed Connector Plates being positioned in accordance with the Design Engineer's requirements at each joint within the Timber Framework and for any given number of such frameworks within any one prooduction run.

In the event that the Lower Magnetic Platen Fig. 1 can not for any reason be accommodated within a given Framework Manufacturing System the invention further provides for an alternative component hereinafter referred to as the Perforated Reaction Plate Figs. 12 and 13 which replaces the Lower Magnetic Platen Fig. 1. This Perforated Reaction Plate is provided with three 1 8s gauge metal profile strips hereinafter referred to as the Lower Location Profiles, Figs. 14, 1 5, 1 6, 1 7, 18 and 19 which profiles serve in replacing the Lower Magnetic Platen Profile Bars d Fig. 1.

These Lower Location Profiles Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 each having protruding from the underside surface two steel pins set at such distance apart so as to register with and be located by the modular perforations of the Perforated Reaction Plate, said steel pins being stationed in an off-centre line position so as to afford the facility of each profile strip being used in two positions and thus affording of a limm differential in the positioning of these strips upon the Perforated Reaction Plate thus to afford of a finer tolerance than provided within the 3mm tolerance of the Perforated Reaction Plate.

Referring to the Perforated Reaction Plate, this component in addition to the plurality of perforations shown at f Fig. 12 has stationed in one or more corners a 20mm diameter drilling for the purpose of accommodating the Adustable Location Arm assembly previously referred to and shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the related Locking Collar previously referred to being shown at b Fig. 12. This Perforated Reaction Plate is also provided with the facil ity of its being adjusted laterally and longitudi nally by 3mm in either direction and thus affording of a facility which together with the adjustable profile strips referred to and shown in Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 ensure of said profile strips being positioned in a no tolerance situation at any pre-determined point upon the Perforated Reaction Plate.

The method of effecting the invention but using the alternative Perforated Reaction Plate is the same as that previously described ex cepting that the Lower Location Profiles are retained upon the Perforated Reaction Plate by gravity during stage 5 and the Distance Block Figs. 8 and 9 has situated in a hollow base a number of Alcomax Bar Magnets, pole pieces and non-ferrous spacer bars which to gether generate a magnetic field in the base of the Distance Block such that this compo nent will be held in close contact with the upper surface of the Perforated Reaction Plate during the setting up of the invention during stages 4 and 5.

In order to accommodate the case where a Nailed Connector Plate is required to be sta tioned at an angle other than go deg. and 180 deg. and where in any given framework manufacturing system the reaction Pads or Plates or Bench Plates cannot be wholly ad justed to provide for this facility the invention further provides for a perforated reaction plate or a plurality of said plates wherein the central area of the plate be circular with a diameter of approximately 300mm such circular plate be ing retained within the depth of the Perforated Reaction Plate proper by a splayed machined edge and a centrally situated set-screw.

This circular plate referred to in the draw ings at Figs. 20 and 21 having the facility of its being rotated and set at any predetermined position within 360 deg. a graduated qua drant stationed in one corner of the Perforated Reaction Plate proper providing for the accu rate setting thereof, the rotating facility of the plate overcoming the difficulty of setting up the Lower Location Profiles upon any given diagonal line of perforations within the com pass of 360 deg. The use of this circular plate component would apply to both previous set ting up methods referred to and would replace in each case and at any joint station as required, the Lower Magnetic Platen or the alternative Perforated Reaction Plate.The circular plate assembly referred to is provided with the facility of its whole area being adjusted laterally and longitudinally by 3mm in either direction so as to better effect a notolerance situation in the final setting-up of the Lower Location Profiles.

In accordance with the invention and its usage with various types of Hydraulic Pressing Plant, there is provided a further component group hereinafter referred to as the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly, said Assembly to be used in addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned Adjustable Locating Arm, Vertical Tube and Upper Location Profile Assembly the eventual usage of either assembly being dependent upon the particular type of Hydraulic Pressing Plant to which the invention would be affixed said Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly to comprise of several component parts as herein described.The Timber Stop which component in unmodified form being generally employed upon Hydraulic Pressing Plant Reaction Pads for the Purpose of retaining the timber component members of a framework in a pre-determined position said Timber Stop being suitably modified so that it will support at each end a 1/4" diameter rod of some twelve to fourteen inches in length said rod hereinafter referred to as the Cranked Location Rod being supported by two metal bearing plates ohe of which bearings being situate at each end of said Timber Stop so that said Cranked Location Rod may freely rotate about its axis within the bearings referred to said Cranked Location Rod being retained in horizontal direction by two related split-pins or cover plates.A further component part of said Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly is a length of 1/1 6" thick metal bar it being approximately < " in width and eight inches in length and hereinafter referred to as the Cranked Profile Bar said Cranked Profile Bar to have affixed to one end a means whereby said Cranked Profile Bar may be adjusted in directions left and right along said Cranked Location Rod said Cranked Profile Bar being provided with a set-screw so that said Cranked Profile Bar may be locked with aforesaid set-screw at any pre-determined point within the length of said cranked Location Road.

In accordance with the function of said Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly there is provided a further component hereinafter referred to as the Profile Slide which component being of 1/1 6" thick metal bar and approximately t'' wide and some five inches in length having the facility of its being moved forward and backward along the length dimensions of said Cranked Profile Bar and there locked in a pre-determined position by means of the set-screw provided and so that said Cranked Profile Bar and said Profile Slide will form a ninety degrees angle at any point required in directions horizontal and perpendicular and in a plane some 65mm to 70mm above the upper surface of the aforementioned Hydraulic Pressing Plant Reaction Pad and in accordance with the function of certain types of Hydraulic Pressing Plant said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide arrangement to be so designed as to provide for the facility of its being instantly rotated by means of said Cranked Location Rod through approximately 200 degrees of arc and so that the whole of said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide arrangement assume an up-side-down situation and thereby not causing any obstruction to the lateral passage of the Hydraulic Pressing Plant said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide arrangement also when set in the aforementioned up-side-down situation to occupy a plane not exceeding 34mm vertically from the upper surface of the Hydraulic Pressing Plant Reaction Pad so that said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide arrangement create of no impediment to the vertical pressing action of the aforementioned Hydraulic Pressing Plant and particularly where such Hydraulic Pressing Plant Press Head overhangs the aforementioned Hydraulic Pressing Plant Reaction Pad in a direction perpendicular to the lateral passage of the whole of the aforementioned Hydraulic Pressing Plant. Further provided for within the invention and situate at the bearing end of said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide Assembly is a simple stop device hereinafter referred to as the Cranked Profile Bar Stop said device ensuring that as and within the function of the invention the Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide assembly be activated repetitively through the 200 degrees of arc previously referred to, said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide Assem bly is returned exactly to its former station by reason of said Cranked Profile Bar Stop mak ing contact with the upper edge of said Tim ber Stop component and thereby retaining the whole of said Cranked Profile Bar and Profile Slide assembly in the 65 to 70mm plane vertically from the upper surface of said Hydraulic Pressing Plant Reaction Pad as previ ously referred to.

For a better understanding of this particular embodiment of the invention and to show how it may be best effected, the various component items will now be referred to with references being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of the Lower Magnetic Platen Figure 2 is a front elevation of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the underside surface of the Lower Magnetic Pla ten with a baffle cover plate removed for clarity.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the Lower Magnetic Platen.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the previous figure.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the Distance Block.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the Distance Block.

Figure lOis a plan view of the Upper Nailed Plate Locator.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the previous figure.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the Perforated Reaction Plate.

Figure 13 is an elevation of the previous figure.

Figure 14, 16 and 18 are plan views of the Lower Location Profiles.

Figures 15, 17 and 19 are elevations of the previous figures.

Figure 20 is a plan view of the Rotating Perforated Reaction Plate.

Figure 21 is an end elevation of the previous figure.

Figure 22 is a plan view of the Perf. Reaction Plate and showing in this particular embodiment of the invention the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly when used in conjunction with the said Perforated Reaction Plate and with the Cranked Settingup and Location Profile Assembly shown in the inactive situation this assembly having been rotated through approximately 200 degrees of arc in accordance with the requirements of Stage 3 referred to in the ensuing paragraphs.Also shown in this figure is the Distance Block component and accordingly as referred to in the previous description it having the means within a hollow base area by which is generated a magnetic field of sufficient power to ensure that the Distance Block is maintained in secure positional contact upon the ferrous surface of the Perforated Rection Plate during Stage 5 which stage is described in the stage procedure following upon these reference to the Figures.

Figure 23 is an end elevation of the previous figure and consistent in its content with the stages of procedure referred to in the previous paragraph.

Figure 24 is a plan view of the Perforated Reaction Plate and shown also in this figure is the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly but with such assembly having been returned through approximately 200 degrees of arc so that the upper edges of the Distance Block component also shown in this figure may be registered within the 90 degrees angle formed by the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly during Stage 5.

Figure 25 is an end elevation of the previous figure.

Figure 26 is another plan view of the Perforated Reaction Pad and showing also the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly but with such assembly having been rotated through approximately 200 degrees of arc into the inactive situation and the Distance Block component removed from the Perforated Reaction Plate as in Stage 6. Shown also in this figure are two of the Lower Location Profiles previously referred to in the description and shown in Figs. 14 and 19 inclusive, these profiles having been registered along two base sides of the Distance Block component during the first part of Stage 6 as hereinafter described in the stage procedure following upon these references to the Figures.Shown also in this figure is a Nailed Connector Plate p' it having been registered within the 90 degrees angle formed by the Lower Location Profiles and following upon completion of Stage 6, Figure 27 is an end elevation of the previous figure.

To show how this embodiment of the invention may best be put into effect, it will be necessary for the reader to assume that each reaction pad or bench plate of a Trussed Rafter Pressing System has been equipped with the perforated Reaction Plate referred to and that in accordance with standard manufacturing procedure that the timer component members of a Trussed Rafter or similar framework have been assembled to the required configuration and clamped in position with each framework joint approximately centred upon each Perforated Reaction Plate n Fig.

22.

Stage 1. A Nailed Connector Plate or a blank duplicate thereof, of an area determined by the design considerations of the joint or joints concerned, is set upon the upper surface of each framework joint area in a critical no-tolerance situation as detailed in the design and manufacturing instructions.

Stage 2. The set-screw g Figs. 24 and 25 is released in order that the Cranked setting-up and Location Profile Assembly as a whole may be moved laterally along the Cranked Location Rod h Figs. 24 and 25 and so that the Cranked Profile Bar i Figs. 24 and 25 may be brought into edge to edge contact with one perpendicular edge of the Nailed Connector Plate referred to in Stage 1 and set-screw 9 Figs. 24 and 25 then being locked in position. The set-screw j Figs. 24 and 25 is then released thus allowing the Profile Slide k Figs.

24 and 25 to be moved along the Cranked Profile Bar i Figs. 24 and 25 so that the Profile Slide k Figs. 24 and 25 will make close contact with one horizontal edge of the Nailed Connector Plate referred to, the setscrew j Figs. 24 and 25 then being locked in position, the foregoing stages of procedure being repeated at each joint station within the framework configuration.

Stage 3. The Cranked setting-up and Location Profile Assembly e Figs. 24 and 25 is at this stage rotated through approximately 200 degrees of arc to the inactive situation as shown in e Figs. 22 and 23 thus allowing of the timber component members of the framework to be temporarily removed from the manufacturing bench table or pedestals.

Stage 4. The Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly Figs. e 22 and 23 is now rotated through approximately 200 degrees of arc so that it returns to its former station in a plane some 65mm above the upper surface of the Perforated Reaction Plate see n Figs. 24 and 25. The contact between the Cranked profile Bar Stop s Figs. 22 and 23 upon the upper edge of the Timber Stop component in Figs. 22, 23 and 24 ensuring that the correct plane is repetitively established.

Stage 5. The Distance Block component 1 Figs. 24 and 25 is now placed upon the upper surface of the Perforated Reaction Plate n Figs. 24 and 25 and the Distance Block 1 moved into position so that one horizontal and one perpendicular edge of the block 1 make close contact with the inside edges of the 90 degrees angle formed by the Cranked Location Bar i and the Profile Slide k the reaction between the magnetic base of the Distance Block 1 and the ferrous Perforated Reaction Plate n ensuring that said Distance Block will maintain an accurate positional contact during the next stage.

Stage 6. Two of the Lower Location Profiles previously referred to and shown in Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive are at this point registered each along one horizontal and perpendicular base edge of the Distance Block 1 Figs. 24 and 25, the Lower Location Profiles being shown at o Fig. 26 and 27 with the two protruding pegs of each Lower Location Profile being located into the corresponding perforations in the Perforated Reaction Plate.

In the case where there still obtains a tolerance gap between the base edges of the Distance Block and the inside edges of the Lower Location Profiles then each or both Profiles may be rotated laterally through 180 degrees so that advantages may be taken of the off centre line position of the pegs referred to in securing a reduced tolerance situation. In the extreme case where a reduced tolerance is unacceptable for example a maximum of limm in either direction then a further fine adjustment may be obtained by moving the whole Perforated Reaction Plate in directions horizontally and perpendicular with the set-screws shown at p Figs. 22 and 23 and upon a satisfactory non-tolerance situation being obtained the set-screws p Figs. 22 and 23 being tightened into position.All foregoing stages are repeated at each joint station within the configuration of the framework when the setting up of the invention is complete.

The resultant of the foregoing stages being that of registering and maintaining two accu rate 90 degrees angles the upper of which obtaining in a plane some 65mm above the lower for the total duration of any given manufacturing production run wherein the Lower Nailed Connector Plate is fed repeti tively into the 90 degree angle formed by the Lower Location Profiles upon the surface of the Perforated Reaction Plate prior to the placing of the timber component members of a framework and wherein the Upper Nailed Connector Plate is critically stationed upon the timber joint area and in critical relationship to the Lower Nailed Connector Plate by the re petitive use of the Cranked Setting-up and Location Profile Assembly and whereby a criti cal and consistent accuracy in the plating of joint areas hitherto unattainable within the industry provides for a high degree of econo my in terms of Nailed Connector Plate area combined with the benefits and advantages to be secured in complying totally with the emergent New British Standard Code of Prac tice.

A further embodiment of the invention would be employed in the particular case and where for any reason the use of the Lower Magnetic Platen, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 was preferred to the use of the Perforated Reaction Plate Figs. 22 and 23. The foregoing stages of procedure relative to effecting the best use of the invention would remain substantially the same excepting that a pre-requisite of employing the Lower Magnetic Platen Fig. 1 would be the removal of the Locating Arm Vertical Tube shown at t Fig. 1 from its related drilling in the Lower Magnetic Platen.

In this particular embodiment the Lower Mag netic Profile Bars d Fig. 1 would serve in replacing the Lower Location Profiles o Figs.

26 and 27.

In the comparatively infrequent cases wherein Nailed Connector Plates are required to be stationed at angles other than 90 de grees and 180 degrees, the Perforated Reac tion Plate incorporating the rotating circular plate shown in Fig. 20 and previously referred to in the description would replace either the Lower Magnetic Platen Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 or the Perforated Reaction Plate Figs. 22 and 23 at such framework joint stations as necessary.

Claims

1. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Lo cating System as described in the specifica tion and accompanying drawings and manu factured to demensions where given or alter natively, to dimensions governed by the specific requirements of varying types of exist ing or newly designed and manufactured Hydraulic Pressing Plant which plant being marketed for the purpose of the manufacture substantially of Timber Trussed Rafters other timber frameworks and jointed structures. said Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System of method and apparatus to provide for the facility of its being used in its entirety or alternatively its being used in any arrangement of the comprising interchangeable component items in situations giving rise to this necessity and where engendered by the specific requirement of the Hydraulic Pressing Plant type and method concerned and in which the combined usage of Hydraulic Pressing Plant and the invention in whole or in part will ensure that the upper and lower Nailed Connector Plates will be stationed to a zero or near zero tolerance at any or all timber joint areas repetitively and with consistent accuracy and for the duration of any given production run and wherein such comprising component items of the invention provide also for the preparatory setting-up procedure relative to the usage of the invention.

2. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in Claim 1 and wherein said system of apparatus and method of application relies substantially for its function upon a lower platen assembly or reaction pad in which is generated a magnetic field for the purpose of retaining upon the upper surface of said lower platen or reaction pad a nailed connector plate or a metal blank duplicate thereof during the setting-up and usage of the invention said magnetic field also serving to retain upon said upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad and in close and secure contact thereon the means whereby a ninety degrees profile arrangement eventually established and recorded in a predetermined position in a plane above the upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad be transferred and duplicated in precise position directly upon said upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad the magnetic field of which serving also to retain in secure interface contact a means whereby a ninety degrees profile arrangement be established and maintained upon said upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad by the use of location and recording component items designed to provide for such facility whilst having the means whereby said location and recording component items be rotated vertically through an arc or rotated laterally through an arc the function of each and both devices being to ensure that said location and recording component items do not during the manufacturing process impinge upon the lateral passage or vertical pressing action of the Hydraulic Pressing Plant to which the invention in whole or in part be affixed.

3. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in any preceding Claim and wherein said system of method and apparatus relies substantially for its function upon a lower platen assembly or reaction pad the upper surface of which comprising of a metal sheet incorporating a plurality of drillings or punched holes covering a substantial portion of its whole area the purpose of said drillings or holes being to accommodate metal pegs which pegs protrude from the underside of metal profile strips or profile arrangements the functions of which profile strips or profile arrangements being that of forming and securing a ninetly degrees angle upon the upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad the purpose of which profile strips being that of retaining a nailed connector plate within the angle so formed during the setting-up and usage of the invention said profile strips or profile arrangements also serving to accommodate a means whereby a previously recorded ninety degrees angle obtaining in a plane above said upper surface of said lower platen or reaction pad be transferred precisely and directly upon said upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad by the use of location and recording component items designed to provide for such facility whilst having the means by which said location and recording component items can be rotated vertically or laterally through an arc the function of which being to ensure that said location and recording component items do not during the manufacturing process impinge upon the lateral passage or the vertical pressing action of the Hydraulic Pressing Plant to which the invention in whole or in part be affixed.

4. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in any preceding Claim but wherein and in order to satisfy a case or cases where the nailed connector plate or plates are required to be embedded to a pre-determined angle other than ninety and one hundred and eighty degrees a substantial portion of the whole area of the upper surface of the lower platen assembly or reaction pad be given over to accommodating a circular and rotating metal plate incorporating a plurality of drillings or perforations over the total area of said circular rotating plate and so that said rotating plate will accommodate and retain in a pre-determined position a number of metal profile strips or other profile arrangement as required within the function of the invention said rotating plate having the means of its being locked secure at any point as required within three hundred and sixty degrees.

5. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in any preceding Claim but wherein said Locating System be used in the production of frameworks, beams, timber framed housing components and timber joint areas of timber trussed rafters of varying configuration and with variable thicknesses and widths of the timber component members.

6. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in any preceding Claim but wherein the Pressing Plant concerned be activated by means other than Hydraulic for example by steam, compressed air or electrical power.

7. A Nailed Connector Plate Precision Locating System as claimed in any preceding Claim but wherein the materials from which the various metal component items are manufactured, be substituted by other materials.

8. A method of applying or embedding a connector plate across the joint area of two or more pieces of material with the object of retaining said material to a previously determined configuration and within which method an upper and lower connector plate be stationed one directly and critically above the other and to a zero or near zero tolerance in directions horizontal and perpendicular.

9. Apparatus for use in carrying out the method of Claim 8 the lower platen assembly or reaction pad of which apparatus having a positional device thereon for locating the position of a plate therein.

10. A method of applying connector plates across the joint area of two or more adjacent pieces of material but wherein said connector plates are required to be set at angles other than ninety and one hundred and eighty degrees.

11. Apparatus for use in carrying out the method of Claim 10 and comprising a perforated rotating lower platen assembly or reaction pad and a means of registering and locating the position of a connector plate or transferring device upon the upper surface of said lower platen assembly or reaction pad.

12. A method and apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim but wherein the gauge or thickness of the connector plates used would be a variable factor for example 20 gauge, 18 gauge, 16 gauge, 14 gauge and so on.

13. A method and apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim but wherein the Lower Magnetic Platen component be used or be modifield for use in another situation for example as an Uppper Magnetic Platen.