Importance

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Abstract

A method for quickly manufacturing a connector plate of varying design strength in a minimum size plate for joining wooden members which approximates the ideal connector plate for that particular design, thereby making it unnecessary to use plates of greater strength than required. The plate is produced with a controlled number of teeth extending transversely outwardly from one major side of the plate in varying patterns. The new and improved method includes feeding sheet metal stock of predetermined width through a die having a plurality of punches that are controlled for relative movement with respect to the stock, striking the sheet metal plate with the die at predetermined intervals to form the particular desired pattern of teeth extending from the plate and leaving a plurality of longitudinally extending slots formed in the plate, and cutting the plate when the desired total length of the plate is reached. Therefore a variety of connector plates may be constructed of minimum area, while realizing maximum tensile strength. A method of making an ideal plate can be accomplished by feeding stock into a punch press having a die with a plurality of punches configured in an ideal pattern, and punching the stock making an ideal connector plate.

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First Claim