US 6,499,206 B1
Apparatus and method for manufacturing pallets
Karl Matthew Eure,
Rte. 6, Box 153,
Hertford, N.C. 27944 (US);
Robert Maryland Wiggins,
P.O. Box 116,
Belvidere, N.C. 27919 (US);
and Burt Anthony Eure,
Rte. 6, Box 152,
Hertford, N.C. 27944 (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc,
Peoria, Ill. (US)
Filed on 18-May-2000, as Appl. No. Caterpillar Inc,
Peoria, Ill. (US)
Int. Cl.7B21D 39/03
U.S. Cl. 29-430
22 Claims
US 6,499,206 B1
Apparatus and method for manufacturing pallets
Karl Matthew Eure,
Rte. 6, Box 153,
Hertford, N.C. 27944 (US);
Robert Maryland Wiggins,
P.O. Box 116,
Belvidere, N.C. 27919 (US);
and Burt Anthony Eure,
Rte. 6, Box 152,
Hertford, N.C. 27944 (US)
Filed on May 18, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/572,875.
Int. Cl.7B21D 39/03
U.S. Cl. 298212;430
22 Claims
1. An apparatus for manufacturing pallets comprising:
an assembly table having a proximate end and a distal end, said assembly table being vertically pivotable about a pivot point
situated toward the proximate end;
means for raising and lowering said distal end of said assembly table between a horizontal plane and an inclined position
in which the assembly table forms an acute angle in conjunction with the horizontal plane;
means for supporting on said assembly table a plurality of stringers situated in a common plane;
a plurality of reciprocating fingers positioned intermediate said stringers, said plurality of fingers possessing means for
reciprocating between a retracted position where the distal ends of said fingers are below said stringers and an extended
position where the distal ends of said fingers are above said stringers; and
a plurality of nail guns carried by a movable gantry, said gantry having a direction of movement above and substantially parallel
to said assembly table when said distal end of said table is raised in an inclined position; and
a conveyor for conveying a completed pallet from the distal end of said assembly table when said table is in a generally horizontal
position.