Robert W Inman

US Patent:

61760099, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Nov 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/195968

Inventors:

Robert W. Inman - Louann AR

International Classification:

B23P 1900
B23P 2100

US Classification:

29772

Abstract:

A pallet assembly apparatus provides a conveyor having a plurality of carriers attached thereto. The conveyor moves the carriers along an assembly path in a downstream direction. As each carrier moves along the assembly path in the downstream direction, it passes first slat hopper, a set of stringer hoppers, a second slat hopper and then a nailer. Detents of the carriers pull the necessary bottom slats, stringers, and top slats as needed to assemble the pallet. The nailer fastens the slats to the stringers. Once the carrier moves past the nailer, the detents move to a resting position in which they are removed from the assembled pallet and the pallet is removed from the pallet assembly apparatus.