Connector plate application apparatus with connector plate loading alignment

摘要

A connector plate application apparatus presses connector plates into wood members to connect them together for forming wood frames, truss components and the like. Connector plates are supplied to the apparatus in the form of a strip which is pre-punched with nailing teeth. The connector plates are sheared from the strip and driven into the wood members by drivers. The strip is fed forward automatically by a strip feed which engages the strip in openings left by punching the nailing teeth. Loading of a new strip of connector plates is facilitated by an alignment mechanism which allows non-visual alignment of the strip with the strip feed so that the strip feed engages the strip in the openings.