Apparatus for aligning corrugated decking
An apparatus for aligning corrugated decking includes a main body, an alignment frame, and one or more arms configured by linear actuation to raise and lower the alignment frame. The apparatus features one or more vertically-adjustable corrugation plates and a sliding corrugation plate positioned across the alignment frame, each including a plurality of teeth that are grooved to complement the profile of corrugated panels. The sliding corrugation plate is moveable along sliding rails via a linear actuator in a header of the alignment frame. In practice, the vertically-adjustable corrugation plates grip the flutes of an unsecured panel while the sliding corrugation plate grips the flutes of an adjacent unsecured panel and aligns them together with one another in preparation for fastening.
1 . An apparatus for aligning corrugated decking, comprising:
an alignment frame;
one or more vertical linear actuators configured to raise and lower the alignment frame;
one or more continuous tracks configured to maneuver the alignment frame;
an engine configured to drive the one or more continuous tracks;
at least one vertically-adjustable corrugation plate coupled to the alignment frame;
a header coupled to the alignment frame, the header comprising a horizontal linear actuator configured to horizontally adjust the sliding corrugation plate;
wherein the vertically-adjustable corrugation plate and the sliding corrugation plate are positioned parallel to one another along the alignment frame and each comprise a plurality of teeth; and
wherein the plurality of teeth of the at least one vertically-adjustable corrugation plate are configured to mate with flutes of a secured corrugated panel and the plurality of teeth of the sliding corrugation plate are configured to mate with the flutes of an unsecured corrugation plate.
2 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment indicator configured to signal the position of the sliding corrugation plate in relation to the alignment frame.
3 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic pump for actuating the one or more vertical linear actuators and the horizontal linear actuator.
4 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 1 , further comprising one or more arms couplable between a main body of the apparatus for aligning corrugated decking and the alignment frame.
5 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 4 , wherein the one or more linear actuators are coupled to the one or more arms and the main body.
6 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 1 , further comprising a frame vertical adjustment lever configured to raise and lower the alignment frame via the one or more vertical linear actuators.
7 . The apparatus for aligning corrugated decking of claim 1 , further comprising a deck alignment control lever configured to move the sliding corrugation plate via the horizontal linear actuator.