US3777357A

US3777357A - Machine and method for simultaneously forming a plurality of building sections

Info

Publication number: US3777357A
Application number: US00267582A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Nickell; R Whitney; D Gaston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-06-29
Filing date: 1972-06-29
Publication date: 1973-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-11

Abstract

The machine includes mechanism for simultaneously extracting a layer of studs from a stack of studs, mechanism for conveying the layer of removed studs to between two pairs of stud retainerbars, mechanism for fixing the studs to prelaid mud sills and plates and the method includes the steps carried out by the machine.

Description

United States Patent [19] Whitney et al.

[ MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FORMING A PLURALITY OF BUILDING SECTIONS [76] Inventors: Robert J. Whitney, 11606 Amarillo Ct., Dublin, Calif. 94566; Donald H. Gaston, 3066 McGraw, San Diego, Calif. 92117; Joe A. Nickel], 3585 Dormer Ct., Concord, Calif. 94566 22 Filed: June 29, 1972: [21] Appl. No.: 267,582

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 120,894, March 4, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 29/429, 29/200 A, 29/200 D [51] Int. Cl B23p 19/04, B23p 19/00 [58] Field of Search 29/200 A, 200 D,

[ Dec. 11, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,399,445 10/1968 Carroll 29/20() A 3,574,920 9/1968 Stirling 29/200 A Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Warren H. F. Schmieding [57] ABSTRACT The machine includes mechanism for simultaneously extracting a layer of studs from a stack of studs, mechanism for conveying the layer of removed studs to between two pairs of stud retainer-bars, mechanism for fixing the studs to prelaid mud sills and plates and the method includes the'steps carried out by the machine.

22 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENIEUUEE 11 6975 3,777,357

sum 1 BF 8 5 68 IO 9 e2 e4 BY r4 rlli7 fliimkg PATENTEDUEC1 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 8 Fig.3

INVENTOR. ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD H. GASTON JOE A. NICKELL PATENTEDUEBH ms 3.777.357

INVENTOK ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD H. GASTON,JOE A.N|CKELL BY AW /"1 @MXMH PATENTEUUEC 11 1915 3771.357

saw 5 BF 8 Fig.8

INVENTOK ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD H. GASTON, JOE A. NICKELL B fl'f f Urey MQM SPEET E CF WENIEM 11 6 MWVWE? m 555 V 5 m llllllllll ..i O I.

Fig .9

INVENTOR. ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD H.GASTON, JOE A. NIOKELL /Hfv m SEZKET 7 BF PATFNTEDUEC1] I975 K O T N E V W.

ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD HEYGASTON, JOE A. NICKELL flH lD' T m AC2 Fig. I!

PATENIEDUEE n ma 377K357 am a a;

Fig. l3

INVENTOR. ROBERT J. WHITNEY DONALD H. GASTON JOE A. NICKELL /f ii-017 7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is directed to forming building assemblies in multiple.

2. Description of the Prior Art The art known to applicants is disclosed in their aforementioned application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The stack of studs are supported upon the upper platforms on spaced subframes. A set of rams is provided, each ram engaging one of the ends of a stud of a layer of studs so that they all fall on a lower platform of one of the subframes. Thereafter, a second set of rams engages the opposite ends of the same layer of studs so that they fall on the lower platform of the other subframe. Thereafter a 'conveyor conveys the lowered studs to a scaffold.

The scaffold, with the studs thereon, lowers between two pairs of stud-retainer bars. While tightly held between the retainer bars, nailing machines nail the studs to horizontally stacked mud sills and plates. The operation is repeated many times whereby a plurality of sections are completed, each section including attached studs, a mud sill and a plate.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFT DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top 'plan view of the machine,

FIG.'2 is a front view of the machine, looking in the direction of arrow 2 of FIG. 1;;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the machine, looking in the directionof arrow 3 of FIG. l

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the machine looking in the direction of arrow 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the machine, looking in the direction of arrow 5 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary perspective views, looking in the direction of arrow 4 of FIG. 1 showing the mechanism for removing studs from the bottom of a stack of studs, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view looking in the direction of arrow 9 of FIG. 1, but on a larger scale;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view looking in the direction of arrow 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective rear view of one of the I-beams showing the mechanism for actuating a scaffold;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mechanism for supporting the retaining bars;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line l3-l3 of FIG. 12; l

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the forward retaining bars in a position for guiding removed stacked studs, and showing a hydraulic motor for moving the same and also showing a hydraulic motor for actuating the other retaining bar of a pair of bars; and

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing both retaining bars of a pair of bars in final stud-retaining position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The machine 20 includes a carriage 22 that rides on rails 24. The carriage 22 includes

front legs

26 and 28 and

rear legs

30 and 32. The legs carry lower horizontal bracing I-

beams

34 and 36, beam 34 being along the left side and beam 36 along the right side. The legs also support upper left I-beam 38 and upper right l-beam 40. The

upper beams

38 and 40 are braced by cross beams 42, 44 and 46. Two uprights 48 and 50 are carried, respectively, by

beams

38 and 40. These uprights are disposed forwardly and at the center of the carriage. These uprights carry frame 52 including three

cross rails

54, 56 and 58. The frame 52 also includes connecting

rails

60 and 62. The frame 52 carries hydraulic reservoir 64 disposed on the left side of the carriage.

Subframes

66 and 68 are carried by cross beams 42, 44 and 46. Subframe 66 carries a lower platform 70 and the subframe 68 carries a lower platform 72. The subframe 66-also carries an upper platform 74 and the subframe 68 also includes an upper platform 78. A stack of studs, generally known as 2 4s rests upon the

upper platforms

74 and 78. The wider side of the studs are disposed horizontally. These studs are stacked one above the other and, in the preferred embodiment, twelve studs are disposed in each layer.

A conveyor frame 82 is suitably secured to cross beams 42, 44 and 46. The conveyor frame 82 is provided withbearings 84 and 86 for a drive shaft 88 and the outer ends of the drive shaft carry

sprockets

90 and 92. The front end of the frame 82'carries like sprockets on a shaft 94 which is driven by an electric motor 96. Two

endless conveyor chains

98 and 100 are geared to the sprockets.- The chain is providedwith a plurality of flights 102.- The front shaft 94 also carries two rubber tire wheels 104.

A rear assembly 106 includes two forwardly and rearwardly extending

rails

108 and 110. The rail 108 carries twelve rams I12 and the rail 110 carries a similar number of rams 114. The

rails

108 and 110 have

links

116 and 118 that are welded to

rails

108 and 110, respectively. These links are pivoted to the

subframes

66 and 68 at 120 degrees. Rods 122 and 124 are connected to link 116 and threaded

rods

126 and 128 are connected to link 118.

Rods

126 and 128 are threaded, respectively, into the threaded ends of rods 122 and 124. By turning the threaded

rods

126 and 128 the distance between

frames

66 and 68 can be varied to accommodate different length studs.

Two hydraulic cylinders 130 are fixed to the subframe 68. These cylinders carry hydraulic actuated rams connected'to links 116 for shifting the rods 122 and 124 and the threaded

rods

126 and 128.

Referring to FIG. 7, as the rail 108 moves to the left, the rams 112 engage the ends of the twelve studs and move the same to the left far enough so that the end sections of the studs will drop upon the lower platform 72. Upon return movement of the hydraulic ram, the rams 114 will engage the opposite ends of the same 12 studs and push the same so that they fall upon the lower platform 70. Thus these movements prepare the stud movers for repositioning for dispensing the next row of studs. At this time the conveyor chains are rendered operative and the flights 102 will engage the narrow side of the studs and move them forwardly. Two forwardly extending frame members 133 and 134 are fixed to the cross rail 54 and these frame members are connected with a cross rail 136. The cross rail 54 supports frame member 132 and cross rail 136 carries downwardly extending

frame members

138 and 140.

A shaft 142 is fixed to the

frame members

138 and 140, the shaft 142 being journalled in

bearings

144 and 146. A hairpin-shaped plate 148 is journalled on the shaft 142 to which is welded the upper end of a retaining bar 150. A U-shaped plate 152 is also journalled upon the shaft 142 and the end of a retaining bar 153 is welded to the rear end of the plate 152.

Cross frame members

154 and 156 are fixed between

frame members

138 and 140. The

frame members

154 and 156 are spaced horizontally from one another and carry a frame 158 which is pivotally mounted at the opposite ends on bearings 160.

Hydraulic motors

162 and 164 are pivotally mounted on bearings 162 and the

rams

166 and 168 of these hydraulic motors are pivotally connected, respectively, to the upper ends of

bars

150 and 153.

Similar frames are supported at the opposite ends and pivotally carry

hydraulic motors

170 and 172 which are respectively connected to retaining

bars

174 and 176 in the same manner as described with respect to the retaining bars 150 and 153. These

bars

150, 153, 174 and 176 can be moved from the vertically extended position to the horizontally extended position.

A horizontally disposed stud support in the form of a scaffold 178 is carried by two

chains

180 and 182. This stud support is carried forwardly of the rubber tire wheels 104. The ends of the chains are connected to the stud support at the opposite ends and the opposite ends of the chains are wound upon reels, one of which is shown at 184. The

chains

180 and 182 are retracted by sprockets, one of which is shown'at 186, which are driven by an electric motor 188. The reels 184 are retracted by a coil spring (not shown) whereby when the chains are raised, the reels take up the slack between the sprocket 186 and the reel 184. Feet 190 are carried on the bottom of the stud support 178 and these feet carry the stacked studs.

As the

chains

98 and 100 convey the studs forwardly, they roll over the tires of the wheels 104 and fall upon the feet 190, the studs being turned 90 so that they rest on their narrow sides. As the studs are lowered upon the scaffold 178, the latter is lowered by the motor 188. After a predetermined number of studs pass over the wheels 104 a counter 192 activates, through a suitable mechanism, to stop not only the motor 188, but also the motor 96 which drives the

chains

98 and 100. While the predetermined number of studs are being lowered, they are confined by the retaining

bars

150, 153, 174 and 176. The retaining bars, during the loading of the studs on the stud support, will gradually move from a horizontal position to a vertical position. During the last 15 of lowering of the

bars

150 and 174 they are cammed rearwardly, pressing against the studs so as to stack the studs in between two vertical plains. This is accomplished as is more clearly shown in FIG. 13, in which the U-shaped hairpin 152 is cammed to the right through the cammed surfaces 194 and 196 on a camming block 198 and a camming surface on the U- shaped plate 152. The plate 152 is mounted for slideable movement on the shaft 142 and is normally urged to the left as viewed in FIG. 13 by a coil spring 200.

In addition to preventing vertical bowing of the studs, rams of hydraulic motors 204 are forced downwardly hydraulically to take the bow out of the studs whereby they lie flat against one another. Prior to the vertical stacking of the studs, mud sills and stud connector plates are disposed in selected position along the outer sides of the retainer bars and 153 on one side and 174 and 176 on the other side.

After a predetermined number of studs are lowered into position and clamped to prevent bowing in either direction, two nailing machines, one of which is seen in FIG. 9 at 206, are brought into play. Each of these machines includes four nailing guns 208. These nailing machines are carried by frames, one of which is shown at 210. The nailing machines 206 are carried by the cylinder 212 of a hydraulic motor 214. The nailing machine is raised, step by step, by the motor 214. During the first stage of operation, the guns 208 drive nails through the mud sills at one end of the machine and through the plates at the other end of the machine. In the next stage the nailing machines are raised a fraction of an inch and the guns drive nails through the same mud sills, studs and plates but at a higher level. In the third stage the entire nailing machine 206 is raised the equivalent of the approximate height of four studs. Here again the guns drive nails through the next upper four mud sills, studs and plates.

In the fourth stage the guns are raised slightly to drive nails through the superimposed fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth mud sills, studs, and plates. This is again repeated by driving the nails through the upper four sills, studs and plates.

After the nailing has been completed through the twelve sills, studs and plates, the feet 190 on the scaffold 178 are rotated at least 90 by

hydraulic motors

216 and 218 so as to move the feet from beneath the lowermost stud. Then the motor 188 is rendered operative to retract the chains and 182 whereby again the scaffold is moved to its highest position. Similarly, the

motors

216 and 218 are again actuated to turn the feet 90 to the position shown at FIG. 9. Simultaneously, the hydraulic motors raise the retaining bars 150, 153, 174 and 176 to a horizontal position. Also, simultaneously, the nailing machines are lowered to their lowermost position.

After the rear ends of the sills and the plates are nailed to the studs, the entire carriage is moved forwardly approximately sixteen inches and the lowering of the studs and the nailing is repeated. This is continued until the last set of studs are connected to the forward ends of the mud sills and plates.

This machine can be controlled through a panel 220 provided with a plurality of push buttons 224 which render operative the electric motors as well as the hydraulic motors. These motors may be controlled automatically as described in the aforementioned application Ser. No. 60,004 filed on the 31st day of July, 1970.

Having described our invention, we now claim:

1. Machinery for stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in a position in which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally extending stud connectors, the machinery comprising:

A. a frame;

B. mechanism on the frame for receiving studs and retaining the studs in stacked position, said mechanism including:

1. rear retaining means for the studs, 2. front retaining means for the studs;

C. means on the frame for conveying the studs to between the rear and front retaining means;

D. means for moving at least one of the stud-retaining means toward the other retaining means;

E. means for applying vertical pressure on the stacked studs while thestuds are retained between the stud-retaining means.

2. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized in the one of the stud-retaining means is a bar, and further characterized to include: I I

F. means for pivotally supporting the bar for movement from a horizontally extending position to a vertically extending position.

3. Machinery as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the means (D) for moving at least one of the retaining means toward the other is applied to the bar.

4. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

F. a scaffold disposed immediately forward of the conveying means for receiving and supporting the studs from the conveying means and for lowering those studs into the space between the studretaining means;

G. means for lowering and raising the scaffold;

H. means for rendering the scaffold ineffective for supporting the studs after the lowermost stud thereon is moved to substantially its lowest position.

5. Machinery as defined'in claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means includes flights; and further characterized to include:

F means for supporting a group of stacked studs,and for delivering a layer of studs from the group of stacked studs to the conveying means, said means including: l. a subframe carried on thefirst mentioned frame,

said subframe having:

a. an upper platform for supporting one of the 7 ends of the studs thereabove,

b. a lower platform for receiving said ends of the studs, said lower platform being disposed above the conveying means, i

2. a second subframe having:

a. an upper platform for supporting the opposite ends of the studs thereabove,

b. a lower platform for receiving the said opposite ends of the studs, said latter platfom being disposed above the conveying means;

G. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of stacked studs from the stack of studs, including: 1. A set of rams, each being disposed for engaging an end of a stud in the lower layer of studs,

2. a second set of rams for engaging the opposite ends of each of the studs in the lower layer of studs,

3. means for moving the first and second mentioned sets of rams, in unison, first in one direction for moving an end section of each stud from the upper platform of one of said subframes on which they are supported to the lower platform of the same subframe, and then moving the sets of rams in the opposite direction for moving the opposite end section of each stud from the upper platform of the other subframe on which they are supported to the lower platform of the said other suframe.

6. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

F. means for applying horizontal pressure on the stacked studs while the studs are retained between the stud-retaining means.

7. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized in that each of the stud-retaining means is a bar, and fur-' ther characterized to include:

F. means for pivotally supporting the bars for movement from a horizontally extending position to a vertically extending position.

8. Machinery for simultaneously removing a layer of studs from a stack of studs, said machinery comprising:

A. a main frame; A

B. a subframe carried on the main frame, said subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform;

C. a second subframe carried by the main frame, said second mentioned subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform, said subframes being spaced horizontally from one another, said upper platforms supporting the opposite end sections of the studs that are stacked thereabove;

D. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of studs from the group of stacked studs, including: 1. a set of rams, each being disposed for engaging an end of a stud in the lower layer of studs,

3. means for moving the first and second mentioned set of rams, in unison, first in one direction for moving an end section of each stud from the upper platform of one of said subframes on which they a'resupported to the lower platform of the same subframe, and then moving the sets of rams in the opposite direction for moving the opposite end section of each stud from the upper platform of the other subframe on which they are supported to the lower platform of the said other subframe;

E. a conveyor below the lower platforms, said conveyor having flights for engaging the studs while on the lower platforms.

9. Machinery as defined in claim 8, characterized to include:

D. 4. means for varying the distance between the first and second sets of rams.

10. Machinery for simultaneously forming a plurality of building sections, the sections each including a series of spaced studs and stud connectors fixed to the opposite ends of the series of studs of the section, said machinery comprising:

A. a frame;

B. a pair of stud-retaining bars, one of the bars being disposed forwardly of the other bar;

C. a second pair of stud-retaining bars, one of the bars of the second mentioned pair of bars being disposed forwardly of the other bar of the second mentioned pair the second mentioned pair of bars being spaced horizontally from the first mentioned pair of bars;

D. means for pivotally supporting the bars on the frame for oscillatory movement about horizontal axes in planes parallel with the studs;

E. mechanism for removing simultaneously a plurality of studs from a group of vertically stacked studs;

F. mechanism for conveying the removed studs to between both pairs of stud-retaining bars;

G. a scaffold for lowering the removed studs while those studs are disposed between the pairs of studretaining bars;-

H. means for moving the retaining bars from horizontally extending positions toward the vertically extending positions as the scaffold is being lowered;

l. mechanism for lowering and raising the scaffold;

J. means for fastening the removed studs to stud connectors while the studs are clamped between the retaining bars.

11. Machinery as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said scaffold includes:

G. l. stud-supporting feet,

2. means for rendering the stud-supporting feet inoperative.

12. Machinery as defined in claim 11, characterized to include:

K. means for effecting movement of one of each pair of retaining bars toward and away from the other bar of a pair, to clamp the removed studs between the front and rear retaining bars;

L. means for exerting vertical pressure on the studs while being disposed between the retaining bars. 13. Machinery as defined in claim 12, characterized in that the mechanism for removing simultaneously a plurality of studs from a group of vertically stacked studs includes: I

E. l. a forwardly extending subframe carried on the first mentioned frame, said subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform,

2. a second forwardly extending frame carried on the first mentioned frame, said second mentioned subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform, said subframes being spaced horizontally from one another, and said upper platforms supporting the opposite end sections of the studs that are stacked thereabove,

3. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of stacked studs from the stack of studs, including:

a. a set of rams, each being disposed for engaging and end of a stud in the lower layer of studs,

b. a second set of rams being disposed for engaging the opposite ends of each of the studs in the lower layer of studs,

c. means for moving the first and second mentioned sets of rams, in unison, first in one direction for moving an end section of a stud from the upper platform of one of said subframes on which they are supported to the lower platform of the same subframe, and then moving the sets of rams in the opposite direction for moving the opposite end section of a stud from the upper platform of the other subframe on which they are supported to the lower platform of the said other subframe.

14. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized to include tracks for supporting the frame.

15. The steps in the method of stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in position at which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally disposed stud connectors, the steps in the method comprising:

A. progressively conveying a preselected number of studs to the space between two stud retainers with the narrower sides of the studs in confronting relationship;

B. while so retained, applying pressure to the exposed narrow sides of the studs;

C. thereafter and while the studs are under pressure, nailing the stud connectors to the opposite ends of the studs.

16. The steps in the method as defined in claim 15,

including the further step of:

D. while the studs are retained between the retainer, aligning the wide sides of the studs by applying pressure to the wide sides of those studs that are bowed outwardly prior to the nailing step.

17. The steps in the method as defined in claim 15, in which the conveying is first in a horizontally extending plane and in which the studs are then delivered to a scaffold that is aligned with the space between the stud retainers;

D. progressively lowering the scaffold as the studs are disposed thereon.

18. The steps in the method as defined in claim 17, including the further step of:

E. while the studs are retained between the retainer, aligning the wide sides of the studs by applying pressure to the wide sides of those studs that are bowed outwardly prior to the nailing step.

19. The steps in the method of stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in position at which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally disposed stud connectors, the steps in the method comprising:

A. progressively conveying a preselected number of studs horizontally;

B. then lowering the studs onto a vertically movable scaffold to the space between two vertically extending stud retainers;

C. while retained between the stud retainers, nailing stud connectors to the opposite ends of the studs.

20. The steps in the method as defined in claim 19, including the step of:

D. applying pressure to the bowed sides of the studs.

21. The steps in the method as defined in claim 19, wherein the narrow sides of the studs are in confronting relationship while they are between the stud retainers, including the step of applying pressure to the exposed narrow sides of the studs while the studs are retained between the stud retainers.

22. The steps in the method as defined in claim 19, wherein the wide sides of the studs are exposed while the studs are disposed between the stud retainer; and further characterized to include the step of aligning the wide sides of the studs that are bowed outwardly prior to the nailing step.

Claims

1. Machinery for stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in a position in which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally extending stud connectors, the machinery comprising: A. a frame; B. mechanism on the frame for receiving studs and retaining the studs in stacked position, said mechanism including: 1. rear retaining means for the studs, 2. front retaining means for the studs; C. means on the frame for conveying the studs to between the rear and front retaining means; D. means for moving at least one of the stud-retaining means toward the other retaining means; E. means for applying vertical pressure on the stacked studs while the studs are retained between the stud-retaining means.

2. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized in the one of the stud-retaining means is a bar, and further characterized to include: F. means for pivotally supporting the bar for movement from a horizontally extending position to a vertically extending position.

2. front retaining means for the studs; C. means on the frame for conveying the studs to between the rear and front retaining means; D. means for moving at least one of the stud-retaining means toward the other retaining means; E. means for applying vertical pressure on the stacked studs while the studs are retained between the stud-retaining means.

2. means for rendering the stud-supporting feet inoperative.

2. a second subframe having: a. an upper platform for supporting the opposite ends of the studs thereabove, b. a lower platform for receiving the said opposite ends of the studs, said latter platfom being disposed above the conveying means; G. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of stacked studs from the stack of studs, including:

3. means for moving the first and second mentioned set of rams, in unison, first in one direction for moving an end section of each stud from the upper platform of one of said subframes on which they are supported to the lower platform of the same subframe, and then moving the sets of rams in the opposite direction for moving the opposite end section of each stud from the upper platform of the other subframe on which they are supported to the lower platform of the said other subframe; E. a conveyor below the lower platforms, said conveyor having flights for engaging the studs while on the lower platforms.

3. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of stacked studs from the stack of studs, including: a. a set of rams, each being disposed for engaging and end of a stud in the lower layer of studs, b. a second set of rams being disposed for engaging the opposite ends of each of the studs in the lower layer of studs, c. means for moving the first and second mentioned sets of rams, in unison, first in one direction for moving an end section of a stud from the upper platform of one of said subframes on which they are supported to the lower platform of the same subframe, and then moving the sets of rams in the opposite direction for moving the opposite end section of a stud from the upper platform of the other subframe on which they are supported to the lower platform of the said other subframe.

4. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized to include: F. a scaffold disposed immediately forward of the conveying means for receiving and supporting the studs from the conveying means and for lowering those studs into the space between the stud-retaining means; G. means for lowering and raising the scaffold; H. means for rendering the scaffold ineffective for supporting the studs after the lowermost stud thereon is moved to substantially its lowest position.

5. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said conveying means includes flights; and further characterized to include: F means for supporting a group of stacked studs, and for delivering a layer of studs from the group of stacked studs to the conveying means, said means including:

6. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized to include: F. means for applying horizontal pressure on the stacked studs while the studs are retained between the stud-retaining means.

7. Machinery as defined in claim 1, characterized in that each of the stud-retaining means is a bar, and further characterized to include: F. means for pivotally supporting the bars for movement from a horizontally extending position to a vertically extending position.

8. Machinery for simultaneously removing a layer of studs from a stack of studs, said machinery comprising: A. a main frame; B. a subframe carried on the main frame, said subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform; C. a second subframe carried by the main frame, said second mentioned subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform, said subframes being spaced horizontally from one another, said upper platforms supporting the opposite end sections of the studs that are stacked thereabove; D. mechanism for withdrawing the lowermost layer of studs from the group of stacked studs, including:

9. Machinery as defined in claim 8, characterized to include: D. 4. means for varying the distance between the first and second sets of rams.

10. Machinery for simultaneously forming a plurality of building sections, the sections each including a series of spaced studs and stud connectors fixed to the opposite ends of the series of studs of the section, said machinery comprising: A. a frame; B. a pair of stud-retaining bars, one of the bars being disposed forwardly of the other bar; C. a second pair of stud-retaining bars, one of the bars of the second mentioned pair of bars being disposed forwardly of the other bar of the second mentioned pair, the second mentioned pair of bars being spaced horizontally from the first mentioned pair of bars; D. means for pivotally supporting the bars on the frame for oscillatory movement about horizontal axes in planes parallel with the studs; E. mechanism for removing simultaneously a plurality of studs from a group of vertically stacked studs; F. mechanism for conveying the removed studs to between both pairs of stud-retaining bars; G. a scaffold for lowering the removed studs while those studs are disposed between the pairs of stud-retaining bars; H. means for moving the retaining bars from horizontally extending positions toward the vertically extending positions as the scaffold is being lowered; I. mechanism for lowering and raising the scaffold; J. means for fastening the removed studs to stud connectors while the studs are clamped between the retaining bars.

11. Machinery as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said scaffold includes: G. 1. stud-supporting feet,

12. Machinery as defined in claim 11, characterized to include: K. means for effecting movement of one of each pair of retaining bars toward and away from the other bar of a pair, to clamp the removed studs between the front and rear retaining bars; L. means for exerting vertical pressure on the studs while being disposed between the retaining bars.

13. Machinery as defined in claim 12, characterized in that the mechanism for removing simultaneously a plurality of studs from a group of vertically stacked studs includes: E. 1. a forwardly extending subframe carried on the first mentioned frame, said subframe having a lower platform and an upper platform,

15. The steps in the method of stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in position at which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally disposed stud connectors, the steps in the method comprising: A. progressively conveying a preselected number of studs to the space between two stud retainers with the narrower sides of the studs in confronting relationship; B. while so retained, applying pressure to the exposed narrow sides of the studs; C. thereafter and while the studs are under pressure, nailing the stud connectors to the opposite ends of the studs.

16. The steps in the method as defined in claim 15, including the further step of: D. while the studs are retained between the retainer, aligning the wide sides of the studs by applyiNg pressure to the wide sides of those studs that are bowed outwardly prior to the nailing step.

17. The steps in the method as defined in claim 15, in which the conveying is first in a horizontally extending plane and in which the studs are then delivered to a scaffold that is aligned with the space between the stud retainers; D. progressively lowering the scaffold as the studs are disposed thereon.

18. The steps in the method as defined in claim 17, including the further step of: E. while the studs are retained between the retainer, aligning the wide sides of the studs by applying pressure to the wide sides of those studs that are bowed outwardly prior to the nailing step.

19. The steps in the method of stacking a plurality of horizontally disposed studs in position at which they can be nailed to a plurality of stacked, horizontally disposed stud connectors, the steps in the method comprising: A. progressively conveying a preselected number of studs horizontally; B. then lowering the studs onto a vertically movable scaffold to the space between two vertically extending stud retainers; C. while retained between the stud retainers, nailing stud connectors to the opposite ends of the studs.

20. The steps in the method as defined in claim 19, including the step of: D. applying pressure to the bowed sides of the studs.