Adjustable system and method for supporting and joining structural members
First Claim
1. An apparatus for joining at least one structural member, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure for supporting the at least one structural member, the support structure comprising a plurality of extendable members, each extendable member having a support surface for engaging the at least one structural member;
at least one gantry having first and second support beams, extending proximate to said support structure and adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus such that said second support beam is adjustable through a range of motion that intersects said extendable members in an extended position;
a joining device having first and second co-operable heads, said first head connected to said first support beam and said second head connected to said second support beam; and
a guide connected to at least one of said heads of said joining device, said guide extending from the respective head and configured to engage at least one of the structural members and align the structural members, wherein said first and second heads of said joining device are adjustable in a transverse direction along said gantry and configurable in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween, said heads being adapted for cooperably joining the at least one structural member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and associated method for joining structural members are provided. The apparatus includes a support structure of extendable members, each with an adjustable support surface for engaging the structural members so that structural members of different sizes and shapes can be accommodated. Gantries, which are longitudinally adjustable, support a joining device having co-operable heads that engage the structural members. The heads are adjustable in a transverse direction along the gantries so that the heads can be configured in an opposing configuration and used to join the structural members therebetween.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for joining at least one structural member, the apparatus comprising:
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a support structure for supporting the at least one structural member, the support structure comprising a plurality of extendable members, each extendable member having a support surface for engaging the at least one structural member;
at least one gantry having first and second support beams, extending proximate to said support structure and adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus such that said second support beam is adjustable through a range of motion that intersects said extendable members in an extended position;
a joining device having first and second co-operable heads, said first head connected to said first support beam and said second head connected to said second support beam; and
a guide connected to at least one of said heads of said joining device, said guide extending from the respective head and configured to engage at least one of the structural members and align the structural members, wherein said first and second heads of said joining device are adjustable in a transverse direction along said gantry and configurable in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween, said heads being adapted for cooperably joining the at least one structural member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for joining at least one structural member, the apparatus comprising:
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a support structure for supporting the at least one structural member, the support structure comprising a plurality of extendable members, each extendable member having a support surface for engaging the at least one structural member;
at least one gantry having first and second support beams, extending proximate to said support structure and adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus; and
a joining device having first and second co-operable heads, said first head connected to said first support beam and said second head connected to said second support beam, wherein said first and second heads of said joining device are adjustable in a transverse direction along said gantry, at least one of said heads being configured to extend toward the at least one structural member, and at least one of said heads being configured to rotate relative to said gantry such that the heads can be configured to engage the at least one structural member at opposing positions and cooperably join the at least one structural member therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of joining at least one structural member in a desired configuration, the method comprising:
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extendably adjusting a plurality of extendable members such that a support surface of each extendable member corresponds to and supports the at least one structural member;
adjusting a gantry in a longitudinal direction of the at least one structural member such that first and second beams of the gantry are disposed in an opposing configuration with the at least one structural member therebetween;
adjusting a first joining head in a transverse direction along the first beam and a second joining head in a transverse direction along the second beam;
extending at least one of the heads toward the at least one structural member to engage the at least one structural member between the heads; and
actuating at least one of the heads to join the at least one structural member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification