US3811167A

US3811167A - Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating plurality of wall frames

Info

Publication number: US3811167A
Application number: US00312302A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-05
Filing date: 1972-12-05
Publication date: 1974-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-21

Abstract

An apparatus for simultaneously fabricating more than one wall frame at a time is described. An assembly table defines a layout area having a length sufficient to accommodate a plurality of wall frames placed widthwise therealong. A pair of spaced guide rails extend longitudinally of the layout area respectively underneath the locations on the layout area for the top and bottom wall plates of the wall frames. Stops are provided at one end of the guides to define the first end of a first wall frame to be constructed on the layout area. Corner locating members ride on the guide and are positionable therealong at locations determined by the top and bottom plates of such first wall frame. Such corner elements also define corners for the first end of the next wall frame and thereby properly locate such wall frame on the layout area. Additional corner locating elements are also positionable on the guide rails to define the corners of the desired number of succeeding wall frames. The free corners of the last wall frame are defined by end wall corner locating members which are positionable by the plates of the last wall frame. Each of the end corner locating members includes a locking arrangement for securance of the same in place on its associated guide to thereby provide on the layout area a rigid assembly of wall frames for nailing.

Description

united States Patent [191 Schneider [11] 3,811,167 1' May 21, 1974 APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FABRICATING PLURALITY OF WALL FRAMES [76] Inventor: Fredric H. Schneider, 4521 Merrill Ave., Oakland, Calif. 94619 [22 Filed: Dec.5, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 312,302

[52] US. Cl. 29/200 P [51] Int. Cl B23p 19/00 [58] Field of Search 29/200 P, 200 R, 200 B, 29/200 -J 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,629,931 l2/l97l Stanley 29/200 .I X 3,714,696 2/1973 Kay 20/200 P Primary Examiner-Thomas l-I. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Moore, Zimmerman & Dubb [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for simultaneously fabricating more than one wall frame at a time is described. An assembly table defines a layout area having a length sufficient to accommodate a plurality of wall frames placed widthwise therealong. A pair of spaced guide rails extend longitudinally of the layout area respectively underneath the locations on the layout area for the top and bottom wall plates of the wall frames. Stops are provided at one end of the guides to define the first end of a first wall frame to be constructed on the layout area. Corner locating members ride on the guide and are positionable therealong at locations determined by the top and bottom plates of such first wall frame. Such corner elements also define corners for the first end of the next wall frame and thereby properly locate such wall frame on the layout area. Additional corner locating elements are also positionable on the guide rails to define the corners of the desired number of succeeding wall frames. The free corners of the last wall frame are defined by end wall corner locating members which are positionable by the plates of the last wall frame. Each of the end corner locating members includes a locking arrangement for securance of the same in place on its associated guide to thereby provide on the layout area a rigid assembly of wall frames for nailing.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAYEI m4 JSHEEI 1 0F 3 SHEEI 3 0F 3 PATENTEB MAY 2 1 I974 APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FABRICATING PLURALITY OF WALL FRAMES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION costs. For example, it is now common in the construction of frame apartments or tract housing to prefabricate the frames for walls and then transport the completed wall frames to their proper positions for erection, rather than assemble each individual wall frame in place as is ordinarily done in smaller construction projects. While various apparatuses, such as those described and claimed in my US. Pat. Nos. 3,491,809 and 3,680,617, have been designed to facilitate such prefabrication, there are still areas needing improvement. For example, at present, wall frames are normally prefabricated on an assembly table which must be set up separately for each dissimilar wall. That is, the table normally includes stops and/or positioning saddles which are placed by workmen in fixed locations on the table for each wall type. In order to position such stops and other positioning members in the proper locations, the workmen ordinarily must refer to a set of building plans to obtain the requisite measurements defining the locations. Frames for the required number of such wall types are then assembled and nailed together with the use of the prepositioned stops and other fixed positioning members. To then prepare the assembly table for prefabrication of wall frames for dissimilar wall types, the construction workers must then move the individual stops and positioning members to the new locations for the new wall. This change over again requires the workers to refer to the plans for measurements for the new wall type.

It will be appreciated that considerable time can be spent in changing an assembly table setup for one type of wall to a setup for another. Moreover, in many instances, it is desirable to be able to fabricate various dissimilar wall types before all of ones of a first type are assembled. The time taken in first converting a table setup for one wall into that for a second wall and then reconverting it back for the first wall generally precludes such an operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides wall frame prefabrication apparatus which not only minimizes setup time but also enables a plurality of building wall frames to be fabricated simultaneously. Such simultaneous fabrication of a plurality of walls enables the various operations to be perfonned in the assembly, such as the nailing operation, to be done to a plurality of frames at the same time, with consequent greater efficiency. Moreover, the wall frames assembled with the apparatus at any one time can be for dissimilar walls, thus eliminating the necessity for setup conversion. In its basic aspects, the apparatus includes a table surface defining a layout area having a width at least equal to the desired height for the wall frames and a length sufficiently long to accommodate the plurality of wall frames to be assembled at one time when such wall frames are all placed widthwise along such length. Stop means are provided at fixed locations adjacent one end of the layout area for aligning and positioning first ends of the top and bottom wall plates for a first wall frame at the proper distance apart, to receive a wall end stud therebetween. Such stop means also properly positions such a wall end stud for securance by nailing or the like between such plate ends.

The layout area further includes a pair of spaced, parallel guides which respectively extend lengthwise along the locations at which the top and bottom wall plates for the plurality of wall frames are to be positioned. Corner locating members for the wall frames are positionable along each of the guides for defining the corners of the wall frames. As a particularly salient feature of the instant invention, the locating members are positioned along each of the guides at locations thereon determined by means having a length generally equal to lengths desired for the wall frame, thereby eliminating the necessity of positioning such locating members by separate measurements on the table. That is, the comer locating members are free-floating on the guides in the sense that the guides only position them with respect to the common heights of the walls, and it is the plates, for example, which locate them for the proper wall length.

The intermediate corner locating members, i.e., the corner locating members to be positioned between the plurality of wall frames, are adapted to position an end stud for the wall between the second ends of the top and bottom plates and, more importantly, are adapted on their opposite sides to align the first ends of the plates for the next wall frame, as well as position an end stud therebetween. Thus, when the intermediate corner locating members are positioned by the plates, for example, of the first wall frame, they automatically define the first end corners of the next wall frame as well. Additional intermediate corner locating members can be similarly positioned on the guides, depending on the number of wall frames to be fabricated at one time.

End wall frame comer locating members are also provided as part of the apparatus for positioning on the guides by the plates of the last wall frame to be assembled at any one time. Such end frame corner members include means for locking the same in position whereby they cooperate with the free floating intermediate corner locating members and the fixed stops at the end of the layout area in defining a fixed arrangement for simultaneously building a plurality of walls. It should be noted that the wall frame components, i.e., the plates and studs, are assemblable on the layout area as part of the operation of setting up such area. This appreciably reduces the total amount of time involved in assemblying the wall frames. Moreover, the starting points for each of the separate wall frames is automatically positioned by the preceeding wall frame of the assembly. This minimizes the amount of measuring and the like which is required.

Most desirably, the apparatus further includes slotted templates which not only cooperate with the corner 10- eating members in defining each of the separate wall frames, but also position and support the intermediate studs of the wall frame. Such templates are simply constructed for individual walls and greatly facilitate the simultaneous assembly of each full wall frame.

The invention includes many other features and advantages which will be described or will become apparent from the following more detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING With reference to the accompanying three sheets of drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 encircled by the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 with some of the wall frame members shown broken away and in phantom to expose portions of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 encircled by the line 33 in FIG. 1 with some of the wall frames'removed to illustrate details of the construction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus encircled by the line 44, of FIG. 1 illustrating the building wall studs in phantom;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an improved template of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an apparatus of the invention illustrating a flexible template as a part thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames is shown in plan and generally referred to by the reference numeral 11. The apparatus includes a generally plane table surface 12 defining a layout area for the plurality of wall frames. Such layout area has a width at least equal to the height of the wall frames to be built, e.g., wall frames 13, 14 and 16, illustrated in position on the layout area, and a length which will accommodate all of such wall frames when they are placed widthwise therealong as shown. As will be more fully appreciated from the later description, the layout area can be made of any length, depending on the number and width of the wall frames it is desired to fabricate at one time.

The apparatus further includes stop means at fixed positions adjacent one end for aligning and properly positioning the first ends of top and

bottom wall plates

17 and 18 of the first wall frame to be assembled, frame 13. Such stop means is in the form of a pair of hinged angle brackets 19 and 21. Both of such brackets are pivotable on hinges from the inoperative, out of the way position in which bracket 21 is shown and the operative position in which bracket 19 is shown defining the fixed locations for the ends of the wall plates. When wall frames are being assembled on the apparatus, both brackets are normally in the operative position. However, they both can be pivoted to the inoperative position to facilitate the removal of finished wall frames from the layout area. Y

Each of the brackets 19 and 21 includes a stop plate 22 which extends perpendicularly upward from the layout area when the bracket with which it is associated is in its operative position. It is these stop plates 22 which provide the desired alignment of the first ends of the top and bottom wall plates. More particularly, the

. plate 22 of each of the brackets defines a substantially position a wall end stud for securance between the top and bottom plates by providing a flat surface against which the side face of the end stud, such as stud 23, is abutted.

Each of the stop means 19 and 21 is also adapted to I maintain the associated wall plate ends in engagement with the end studs. More particularly, restraints 24 and 26 respectively project from the plates 22 for engagement with the outer side faces of the associated plates, i.e., that side face of each plate opposite the face adjacent the end stud. Each of such restraints is in the form of an L-shaped hook whose shank is secured to the plate 22 and whose leg is positioned for the desired engagement with the side face of the plate. The shank of the restraint 26 is rigidly secured to the plate 22 by welding or the like. However, the shank'of the restraint 24 is mounted on its associated plate for both rotation and translation with respect thereto to enable the same to be retracted in a manner and for a purpose which will be described in connection with other structure of the apparatus.

As best seen from FIGS. 2-4, a pair of spaced, parallel guides in the form of inverted

U-channel rails

27 and 28 extend lengthwise of the layout area 12 respectively along the positions thereon for the top and bottom wall plates 17 and.18 of the wall frames. The upper surface of each of the channel rails 27 and 28 is generally planar with the remainder of the layout area surface.

The purpose of the

rails

27 and 28 is to guide the positioning of the remaining elements of the apparatus which define the corners of each of the wall frames. More particularly, it acts to guide the positioning of a pair of wall frame

corner locating members

29 and 31 which define the remaining corners of the wall frame 13. As a particularly salient feature of the instant invention, the guide rails 27 and 28 only define the positioning of the corner locating members with respect to the commonly desired height for the wall. frames. That is, such guide rails are so spaced apart that when the corner locating members are positioned on them, such corner locating members will be at an appropriate distance apart widthwise of the table to define the normal height for wall frames in, for example, partition construction. However, the locations of the corner locating members along the guide rails lengthwise of the table is determined by the wall frame members themselves or a template as will be described.

As another salient feature of the instant invention, when the

corner locating elements

29 and 31 are positioned by the first wall frame along the guides at the appropriate location for defining the second end corners of such wall frame, such locating members also automatically define appropriate locations on the layout area for the first corners of the second wall frame to be assembled thereon simultaneously with the first wall frame. More particularly, such corner locating members are adapted on their sides opposite the sides defining the corners for the first wall frame to align the first end of the plates for the next wall frame, frame 14.

Moreover, such corner locating members also act to position the end studs for the adjacent ends of the frames 13 and 14.

For a more detailed description of the corner locating members, reference is first made to FIG. 2 which illustrates in more detail corner locating member 31 designed to define bottom corners of the wall frames. Such corner locating member includes

flanges

32 and 33 depending downwardly from opposite sides thereof for engagement with the sides of the channel rail 28. Such flange and the base of the locating member thus cooperate with the rail 28 in providing the desired guiding of the positioning of such locating members along the length of the layout area.

The means on opposite sides of the locating member for aligning and positioning the wall plate ends includes at each side thereof, an upstanding plate 34 which delines a substantially flat surface similar to that defined by the plate 22 of the end brackets. The ends of the associated wall plate, such as the plate 18, and the side face of the end studs, such as end stud 36, abut against the flat surface so as to be positioned thereby.

A restraint projects from each of the upstanding plates 34 for maintaining the wall plates associated therewith in engagement with the studs on the wall frame. More particularly, an L-shaped hook 38 similar to the hook 26 secured to the end bracket 21 has its shank secured as by welding to the plate 34 with which it is associated. Each hook 38 is so mounted to the plate 34 that its leg 38 extends longitudinally of the guide rail outwardly from the corner locating member of which it is a part for engagement with the side face of the plate opposite that against which the studs are abutted. It will be noted that the leg of each of the hooks 38, as well as of the hooks 26, is relatively narrow so that it does not interfere with the placing of nails through the associated plate end for fastening to the end studs.

The comer locating member 31 also includes a reinforcing strap 39 which bridges the gap between the spaced plates 34. A hand gripping bar 41 facilitating handling of the comer member projects outwardly of the layout area from strap 39. Such locating member is thus easily removable from the guide rail merely by lifting the same upwardly to disengage the

guide flanges

32 and 33 from such rail. This capability of removing the locating members from the guide rail facilitates the setup of the layout area and the removal of finished wall frames therefrom.

The comer locating member 29 associated with the guide 17 positioned along the top plates for the wall frames is generally similar to the locating member 31. That is, as is best illustrated in FIG. 3, such locating member includes downwardly depending flanges 42 and 43 which cooperate with the guide rail 27 in preventing motion of the locating member transversely of such guide. Member 29 further includes a pair of opposed plates 44 extending upwardly from opposite sides thereof defining surfaces for engagement with the ends of the plates and side faces of the end studs similar to the plates 34 of bottom corner locating member 31.

The restraints of the locating member 29 are similar to those of locating member 31 in that they each are in the form of an L-shaped hook. However, such restraints are mounted for movement between the operative position shown for hook restraint 46 to the retracted position shown for the hook restraint 47. This v will enable the incorporation of a doubler plate on the frame as it is being prefabricated. In this connection, whenever it is desired that a wall frame include a doubler plate which extends beyond the wall frame for forming an overlapping joint with another wall frame, it is common to include the doubler plate on the frame at the time it is prefabricated.

In the majority of situations in which an overlapping doubler plate is used, the doubler plate should extend beyond the end of the wall top plate to which it is secured a distance equal to the width of the plate of the joined wall. The corner locating member 29 includes means for locating the end of such doubler plate such a selected distance beyond the end of the top plate. More particularly, the depending flange 42 of the locating member is the leg of an L-plate 49 which projects upwardly from the base of the remainder of the locating member. Such plate thereby defines a stop against which the end of the doubler plate 48 abuts as shown in full in FIG. 1 and in phantom in FIG. 3.

It will be seen that both of the restraints of the corner locating members are retractable. Moreover, the opposite upwardly projecting side faces of the L-plate 49 respectively provide the desired stops for doubler plates on each of the walls. The corner locating member 29 is thus adapted to enable an overlapping doubler plate to be applied to either of the wall frames.

In order to provide the desired retractability of the hook restraints 46 and 47, the shank of each is mounted for both rotation and translation with respect to the remainder of the locating member. More particularly, each shank extends through registering bores in the legs of an associated U-bracket 50 which is secured to the backside of the plate 44 with which the restraint is associated. The free end of the restraint shank includes limiting stops in the form of nuts 51 or the like which provide the proper positioning of the hook to hold the plate against the studs when the restraint is in its operative position. A tab 52 secured to the shank adjacent the leg of each restraint facilitates rotation of the same to disengage such leg from the frame plate. Once the hook is free of such frame plate, and is also clear of the locating member plate 44 defining the flat surface against which such plates abuts, it can be translated inwardly of the layout area to a location out of the way of the doubler plate.

As mentioned previously, the restraint 24 of the upper end stop 19 includes structure permitting it also to be retracted. Although this structure is not shown in great detail, it is substantially the same as that described for each of the restraints of the locating member 29, and is also for the purpose of allowing a doubler plate to be included as part of the frame at the time it is being prefabricated.

The corner locating member 29 further includes a handle facilitating the removal of the same from its guide 27. In the particular embodiment illustrated, such handle is in the form of a V-bracket having a leg 53 which is spaced from the remainder of the locating member to facilitate grasping.

It will be seen that the

comer locating members

29 and 31 define not only the second ends of the first wall frame 13, but also properly position the first ends of the second wall frame 14. Additional

comer locating members

29 and 31 are respectively associated with the

guide

17 and 18 to define the second corners of the wall frame 14 and the first comers of the third wall frame 16. It will be appreciated although three wall frames are depicted, less or more of such corner locating members can be included on the guide, as space permits, to allow the simultaneous fabrication of any desired number of wall frames.

The apparatus also includes a pair of end wall frame

corner locating members

56 and 57 for defining the end corners of the last wall frame to be fabricated at any one time on the layout area. Such end wall corner locating members are basically the same at the other corner locating members except that they each define a flat surface and a restraint on only one side. More particularly, each includes only one upstanding plate 58 defining a flat surface against which the second end of the frame plate and end stud side face of the last frame is abutted. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the restraint of the upper end corner locating member 56, i.e., the one associated with guide rail 27, is mounted for retraction in the same manner as the two restraints of locating member 29. Thus a double plate can also be applied to the last wall frame as desired. An upstanding flange 59 on the member 56 provides a stop for the end of such a doubler plate which is to be an overlapping one.

As an important aspect of the end wall

corner locating members

56 and 57, each includes means for locking the same on the guide at a location defining the corner of the last wall frame. Such means is most simply an arrangement for drawing together the flanges 61 on the opposite sides of the channel 27 to thereby grip such channel. That is, the flange 61 is positioned in a track 63 for translation toward and away from the flanges 62. A rod 64 secured to the flange 61 extends longitudinally of the track through an end wall 66 thereof and has its free end threaded so as to receive a wing nut 67 or the like. It will be appreciated that totation of the wing nut in a tightening direction on the rod end in bearing engagement with the end wall 66 will draw the flange 61 toward the flanges 62 to provide the desired locking engagement.

Preferably, the apparatus of the invention further includes means for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs in each of the wall frames 13 through 16. Most desirably, such means is in the form of templates which not only signify the positions for the studs, but also support such studs for securance between the top and bottom plates. To this end, the layout area respectively includes a pair of recesses 68 and 69 extending the intermediate studs of the frame corresponding to such template. Each of such slots extends downwardly to the plane of the layout area when the template is within its associated recess, and has a width generally equal to the width of an intermediate stud so that such a stud can be inserted therein. The result is that the template will act to not only position the stud at the proper location, but also support it as desired in the proper orientation for securance between the top and bottom plates.

Each of the

templates

71 and 72 has a length which is generally equal to the width of the wall frame for which it is prepared. Thus, such templates are useable instead of the wall plates to position the corner locating members at the proper locations on their guides. In this connection, the

inner depending flanges

32, 43 and 62 of the respective corner locating members extend into the recess associated with the guide rail on which they are respectively mounted. Such flanges act as positioning projections which engage the ends of the templates so that such templates will provide the proper position ing of the corner locating members. It will be noted that the ends of each of the templates include relieved portions in the form of a removed notch which, as is best illustrated by the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, cooperate with the comer locating member against which it is abutted in providing support for the end stud of the frame.

Although the

templates

71 and 72 can be made of wood, it is sometimes desirable to have a more permanent' template if the wall frame represented thereby is one which is to be duplicated many times. FIG. 5 illustrates such a more permanent template. The template, generally referred to by the reference numeral 76 is made of a metal, such as aluminum, and includes a score line 77 which extends along its length generally at or below the plane of the layout area when the template is seated in its associated recess. Such template can then be simply made to correspond to a desired wall frame by being cut to length and then having the side edges of the notches 78 cut therein to the location of the score line. The score line facilitates the removal of such sections by permitting the same to be simply knocked out without requiring any cutting longitudinal of the template.

The simplicity-and quickness by which the apparatus of the invention enables a layout area to be setup for the simultaneous fabrication of a plurality of walls should be readily apparent. For such a setup, it is necessary only to first assure that the end stops 19 and 21 are in their operative positions, insert the templates for the wall frame 13 in their recesses, and then place the

corner locating members

29 and 31 in the proper location on the guides determined by the templates. Additional templates and comer locating members are similarly added to the layout area for the next wall. The end

corner locating members

56 and 57 are then placed into position against the end of the last template and locked into position. it is then a simple matter to drop the plates and studs into position and nail the assemblies together to provide the finished wall frames. Such wall frames can then be simply removed from the layout area by pivoting the end stops out of the way, unlocking the end wall corner locating members, and removing all of such corner locating members so that a flat surface from which the wall frames can be slid is present.

As mentioned previously, although it is desirable that templates be used in combination with the remainder of the apparatus to facilitate the assembly of the intermediate studs in the frames, this is not necessary. When such templates are not used, the wall plates themselves are used to position the corner locating members. That is, the wall plates for the first wall frame, such as wall frame 13, are placed on the layout area in engagement with the end stops 19 and 21. This will automatically position the corner locating members at the proper locations for the second ends of the wall, as well as position the same for defining the first ends of the second wall frame. The top plates of the second wall frames can then be similarly placed on the layout area to define the second set of corner locating members, etc.

When slotted templates are not utilized as part of the combination, it is still desirable to include means for signifying the location of the intermediate studs for the wall frames. Such means can simply be marks on the plates as are commonly placed on them. In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates a manner in which a flexible template, such as the flexible template described in my US. Pat. No. 3,680,617, can be utilized for this purpose. Such a tape template, referred to by the reference numeral 81 is simply placed longitudinally of the layout area inwardly adjacent the depicted bottom guide rail 28. Most desirably, a flexible template with identical markings is applied longitudinally of the layout area inwardly along the top guide rail 27 as well. It will be appreciated that when such markings are applied on the flexible templates, one must taken into consideration the width of the corner locating members so that such markings will properly reflect the spacing between adjacent wall frames on the layout area.

Except for the deletion of the notched template and the inclusion of the flexible template 81, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 is identical to the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1-5. Details of former embodiments are therefore omitted.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made. It is therefore intended that the coverage afforded applicant be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames comprising a table surface defining a layout area having a width dimension at least equal to the desired height for said wall frames and a length dimension accommodating a plurality of said wall frames placed widthwise therealong, stop means defining fixed positions adjacent one end of said layout area for aligning in spaced relationship corresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a first wall frame and properly positioning a wall end stud to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates, a pair of spaced, parallel guides extending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along the positions thereon for the top and bottom wall plates of said plurality of wall frames, a pair of wall frame comer locating members positionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determined by means having a length generally equal to the length desired for said first wall frame, each of said comer locating members being adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottom wall plates to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates and being adapted on the opposite side thereof to align in spaced relationship corresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a second wall frame and to properly position a wall end stud to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates for a second wall frame, and a pair of end wall frame corner locating members positionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determined by means having a length generally equal to the length desired for said second wall frame, each of said end wall corner locating members having means for locking same in said location and being adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottom plates for said second wall frame to be secured between said top and bottom plates for said second wall frame.

2. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim I wherein each of said stop means and comer locating members defines a substantially flat surface against which both the end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated end stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with the side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end. stud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

3. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 2 wherein the restraint of each of the stop means and corner locating members associated with the one of said guides extending along the position on said layout area for top plates of said wall frames is retractable from its engaging position with said side face of said top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed in engagement with said side face, each of said stop means and corner locating members associated with said top plate guide further including a stop for locating the end of such a doubler plate a preselected distance beyond the end of said top plate.

4. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of wall frames of claim 1 wherein said means having lengths generally equal to the lengths desired for said first and second wall frames are respectively the plates for said first and second wall frames.

5. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 1 further including means for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs between the end studs of each of said wall frames.

6. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 5 wherein said layout area includes a pair of recesses extending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along the inner sides of said guides, and said means for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs between end studs is for each of said wall frames a pair of templates seatable respectively in said pair of recesses to generally extend above the plane of said layout area, each of said templates having a plurality of slots positioned along the length of said template at the selected positions for said intermediate studs and extending downwardly to the plane of said layout area, each of said slots having a width accommodating an intermediate stud and supporting same at the selected position signified thereby, whereby said templates both signify the positions for said intermediate studs and support said studs to be secured between said top and bottom plates.

7. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said stop means and corner locating members in cludes a positioning projection extending into the recess associated with its guide for positioning engagement with the template associated therewith, each of said templates having a relieved portion adjacent'its associated stop means or corner locating member providing with said stop means or corner locating member a positioning slot for a wall end stud.

8. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said templates is a metal bar having a score line extending longitudinally thereof generally at or below the plane of said layout area when said template: is seated in its associated recess for facilitating the removal of sections thereof in providing said slots therein for positioning and supporting said intermediate wall studs.

9. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim wherein said means for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs includes a flexible template located on said layout area between said guides and extending parallel thereto, which flexible template includes markings along its length signifying said positions at which said intermediate studs are to extend between said top and bottom plates.

10. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said guides is in the form of a channel rail extending lengthwise of said layout area, and the corner locating members associated therewith are slideable therealong for positioning at any location thereon determined by said means having a length generally equal to the length respectively desired for said first and second wall frames.

11. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 10 wherein each of said corner locating members includes flanges depending downwardly from opposite sides thereof for engagement with the sides of said channel rail to provide said guiding thereof on said channel rail.

12. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said corner locating members is removeable from said guide rail to facilitate the removal of finished wall frames from said layout area.

13. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein the means of each of said end wall corner locating members for locking said member in said location on said guide rail includes means for drawing said depending flanges on opposite sides thereof toward one another to grip said channel therebetween.

14. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said stop means and comer locating members defines a substantially flat surface against which both the end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated end stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with the side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end stud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

15. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 14 wherein the restraint of each of the stop means and comer locating members associated with the one of said guides extending along the position on said layout area for top plates of said wall frames is retractable from its engaging position with said side face of said top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed in engagement with said side face, each of said stop means and corner locating members associated with said top plate guide further including a stop for locating the end of such a doubler plate a preselected distance beyond the end of said top plate.

16. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 15 wherein each of said retractable restraints is in the form of an L-shaped hook having the leg portion thereof positioned for said engagement with said side face of said plate, the shank of said hook being mounted for both rotation and translation with respect to the remainder of said stop means or corner locating member of which said restraint is a part, whereby retraction of said leg portion from said stud side face is effected by rotation of said hook to disengage said leg from said face and consequent translation of said hook to position said leg free of the location of a doubler plate engaging said side face and extending a preselected distance beyond the end of said top plate.

Claims

1. Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames comprising a table surface defining a layout area having a width dimension at least equal to the desired height for said wall frames and a length dimension accommodating a plurality of said wall frames placed widthwise therealong, stop means defining fixed positions adjacent one end of said layout area for aligning in spaced relationship corresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a first wall frame and properly positioning a wall end stud to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates, a pair of spaced, parallel guides extending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along the positions thereon for thE top and bottom wall plates of said plurality of wall frames, a pair of wall frame corner locating members positionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determined by means having a length generally equal to the length desired for said first wall frame, each of said corner locating members being adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottom wall plates to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates and being adapted on the opposite side thereof to align in spaced relationship corresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a second wall frame and to properly position a wall end stud to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates for a second wall frame, and a pair of end wall frame corner locating members positionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determined by means having a length generally equal to the length desired for said second wall frame, each of said end wall corner locating members having means for locking same in said location and being adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottom plates for said second wall frame to be secured between said top and bottom plates for said second wall frame.

2. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 1 wherein each of said stop means and corner locating members defines a substantially flat surface against which both the end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated end stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with the side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end stud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

7. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said stop means and coRner locating members includes a positioning projection extending into the recess associated with its guide for positioning engagement with the template associated therewith, each of said templates having a relieved portion adjacent its associated stop means or corner locating member providing with said stop means or corner locating member a positioning slot for a wall end stud.

8. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said templates is a metal bar having a score line extending longitudinally thereof generally at or below the plane of said layout area when said template is seated in its associated recess for facilitating the removal of sections thereof in providing said slots therein for positioning and supporting said intermediate wall studs.

9. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 5 wherein said means for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs includes a flexible template located on said layout area between said guides and extending parallel thereto, which flexible template includes markings along its length signifying said positions at which said intermediate studs are to extend between said top and bottom plates.

10. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 1 wherein each of said guides is in the form of a channel rail extending lengthwise of said layout area, and the corner locating members associated therewith are slideable therealong for positioning at any location thereon determined by said means having a length generally equal to the length respectively desired for said first and second wall frames.

14. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said stop means and corner locating members defines a substantially flat surface against which both the end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated end stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with the side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end stud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

15. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 14 wherein the restraint of each of the stop means and corner locating members associated with the one of said guides extending along the position on said layout area for top plates of said wall frames is retractable from its engaging position with said side face of said top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed in engagement with said side face, each of said stop means and corner locating members associated with said top plate guide further including a stop for locating the end of such a doubler plate a preselected distance beyond the end of said top plate.