Truss Member Transportation System

Abstract

A truss member transportation apparatus may include a member transporter and a member queue. The member transporter may be configured to transport truss members including at least one pre-plated member for truss assembly. The member queue may be operably connected to the member transporter to receive the truss members prior to selection of the truss members for truss assembly.

1 . A truss member transportation apparatus comprising:
 a member transporter configured to transport truss members including at least one pre-plated member for truss assembly; and   a member queue operably connected to the member transporter to receive the truss members prior to selection of the truss members for truss assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member transporter is configured to arrange truss members in the member queue based on truss design data. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reading device configured to read indicia disposed on each of the transported truss members, the transported truss members being arranged in the member queue based on the indicia. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member transporter is configured to provide the truss members to the member queue in the order in which the truss members are to be selected for truss assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member transporter receives and transports truss members sequentially in an inline arrangement until the truss members are proximate to the member queue. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member transporter is configured to transport the truss members between a pre-plating station, where at least one truss member has a connector plate fastened to a portion of the at least one truss member, and a truss assembly station. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the pre-plating station and the truss assembly station each receive instruction from a single control station that controls the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein truss design data is provided to a plurality of stations via the single control station. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein member transporter comprises a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a queue loader disposed proximate to the member transporter, the queue loader being configured to transfer truss members from the member transporter to the member queue. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the queue loader includes a reading device configured to read indicia disposed on each of the truss members. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the queue loader is configured to operate responsive to the indicia read from the truss members. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the queue loader is configured to arrange truss members in the member queue based on the indicia. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the queue loader includes a rotating arm, and wherein rotation of the rotating arm transfers a truss member disposed on the member transporter to the member queue. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the queue loader includes an arm disposed proximate to the member transporter, and wherein motion of a dog in operable contact with the arm transfers a truss member disposed on the member transporter to the member queue. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the arm is separated from the member transporter by at least a thickness of the truss member, and wherein the dog extends in a direction toward the member transporter. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the queue loader is configured to arrange truss members in the member queue based on a determination regarding presence of a work piece at a corresponding position of the member transporter. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the member transporter is configured to provide the truss members to the member queue in the order in which the truss members are received by the member transporter. 
     
     
         19 . A queue loader disposed proximate to a member transporter configured to transport truss members including at least one pre-plated member for truss assembly, the queue loader being configured to transfer truss members from the member transporter to a member queue operably connected to the member transporter to receive the truss members prior to selection of the truss members for truss assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The queue loader of  claim 19 , wherein the queue loader includes a reading device configured to read indicia disposed on each of the truss members. 
     
     
         21 . The queue loader of  claim 20 , wherein the queue loader is configured to arrange truss members in the member queue based on the indicia. 
     
     
         22 . The queue loader of  claim 19 , wherein the queue loader includes an arm disposed proximate to the member transporter, and wherein motion of a dog in operable contact with the arm transfers a truss member disposed on the member transporter to the member queue.