An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

An automatic tensioning apparatus is provided that includes a tensioning drive unit having: a longitudinally extending stationary base frame with a plurality of guides extending between a lower portion and an upper portion, and a plurality of rotatable feed wheels axially secured at the lower portion, as well as a translatable drive frame slidably coupled to the plurality of guides with a drive assembly coupled to the drive frame, the drive assembly including a drive motor and a tensile member interface for engaging and rotationally translating a tensile member. The tensioning drive unit further including a plurality of drive frame actuators actuatable to move the drive frame between a bottom frame position and a top frame position, as well as a sensor for at least indirectly sensing the position of the drive frame along a longitudinal base frame axis.

A surface arrangement for a conveyor roller adapted for use in a conveyor system configured to support and move a conveyor medium, and a conveyor roller incorporating same. The surface arrangement has a cylindrical rotatable supporting surface, at least one shear stop member extending outwardly from the rotatable supporting surface, at least one lagging member positioned on the rotatable supporting surface, and a bond between the at least one lagging member and the rotatable supporting surface. The at least one lagging member is positioned on the rotatable supporting surface, with at least a portion of one end of the at least one lagging member abutting at least a portion of the side surface of the at least one shear stop member. The at least one shear stop member is adapted to resist movement of the at least one abutting lagging member in at least one direction along the circumference of the rotatable supporting surface to reduce a shear force exerted on the bond when the conveyor roller is in use. Methods of making and repairing the surface arrangement are also disclosed.

A method of and system for producing Class-A fire-protected truss structures constructed from: a plurality of lumber pieces dip-coated with clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFIC) liquid to form a plurality of Class-A fire-protected lumber pieces; and a set of heat-resistant chemical-coated metal truss connector plates for connecting together the plurality of Class-A fire-protected lumber pieces to form a Class-A fire-protected truss structure. The improved Class-A fire-protected truss structures can be used in constructing safer roofing and/or flooring systems in wood-framed buildings, having improved fire performance characteristics.

An automated lumber fabrication factory supporting an automated process for continuously fabricating cross-laminated timber (CLT) products that are automatically dip-coated in a reservoir of clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFIC) liquid, so as to produce Class-A fire-protected CLT products in a highly automated matter.

In a lumber factory, an automated laminated veneer lumber (LVL) process supported by a lumber production line employing a cross-cutting and rip-sawing stage, a dip-coating stage, a spray-coating stage, a print-marking stage, and a stacking, packaging and wrapping stage. At the dip-coating stage, cross-cut and rip-sawed LVL product is automatically transported and submerged through a dipping reservoir containing clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFIC) liquid, and then wet-stacked and set aside to dry. Once dried, the dip-coated LVL products are returned to the production line and sprayed coated with a moisture, fire and UV protective coating at the spray-coating stage, and then passed through a drying tunnel for quick drying of the spray-coating to produce Class-A fire-protected LVL products. The Class-A fire-protected LVL products are stacked, packaged and wrapped at the stacking, packaging and wrapping stage into a package of Class-A fire-protected LVL products, ready for shipping.

A method of producing packaged bundles of Class-A fire-protected lumber for use in wood-framed building construction. The method involved maintaining a dipping tank in a lumber factory, containing a water-based clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFPC) liquid at a depth sufficient to cover pieces of raw lumber while being treated during dip-coating operations. Untreated lumber pieces are submerged into the dipping tank, piece by piece, in an automated manner to coat all surfaces of the lumber pieces in CFIC liquid, and then removed from the dipping tank to produce pieces of Class-A fire-protected lumber having a CFIC liquid coating. The Class-A fire-protected lumber pieces are automatically wet stacked, packaged and wrapped into a packaged bundle, and allowed to dry.

A method of producing packaged bundles of Class-A fire-protected lumber for use in wood-framed building construction. The method involved maintaining a dipping tank in a lumber factory, containing a water-based clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFPC) liquid at a depth sufficient to cover pieces of raw lumber while being treated during dip-coating operations. Untreated lumber pieces are submerged into the dipping tank, piece by piece, in an automated manner to coat all surfaces of the lumber pieces in CFIC liquid, and then removed from the dipping tank to produce pieces of Class-A fire-protected lumber having a CFIC liquid coating. The Class-A fire-protected lumber pieces are automatically wet stacked, packaged and wrapped into a packaged bundle, and allowed to dry.

A method of and system for producing Class-A fire-protected oriented strand board (OSB) sheets. Each Class-A fire-protected OSB sheet has: a core medium layer made of wood pump, binder and/or adhesive materials; a pair of OSB layers bonded to the core medium layer; a clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFIC) coating on the surface of each OSB layer, made from CFIC liquid applied to the surface by dipping the OSB sheet into the CFIC liquid in a dipping tank, allowing shallow surface absorption into the OSB layers and ends of the core medium layer at atmospheric pressure; and a moisture, fire and UV protection coating spray coated over the the CFIC coating to provide protection against moisture, fire and UV radiation from Sunlight, which is quickly dried by passing through a drying tunnel on the production line.

A method of and system for producing Class-A fire-protected oriented strand board (OSB) sheets. Each Class-A fire-protected OSB sheet has: a core medium layer made of wood pump, binder and/or adhesive materials; a pair of OSB layers bonded to the core medium layer; a clean fire inhibiting chemical (CFIC) coating on the surface of each OSB layer, made from CFIC liquid applied to the surface by dipping the OSB sheet into the CFIC liquid in a dipping tank, allowing shallow surface absorption into the OSB layers and ends of the core medium layer at atmospheric pressure; and a moisture, fire and UV protection coating spray coated over the the CFIC coating to provide protection against moisture, fire and UV radiation from Sunlight, which is quickly dried by passing through a drying tunnel on the production line.