Abstract: A complete production line of a wood I-beam manufacturing apparatus and the method of manufacture is disclosed wherein generally identical chord members are simultaneously formed by cutting of a wooden stock material into the chord members and simultaneously providing grooves in one surface of each chord into which web members are received to form the I-beam. The individual web members are conveyed along a chords and webs assembly line between the grooved chords and the chords are converged so that the grooves interfit with the web edges to form the I-beam. The web longitudinal edges are preferably beveled in an off-line beveling operation. The beveled webs are stacked for feeding into the chords and webs assembly line. Prior thereto, first and second glue layers are applied to one transverse edge of each stacked web member. The web members are subsequently conveyed in the assembly line in end-to-end abutting relationship.

Abstract: A truss component saw apparatus having multiple saws arranged in two sets for providing a variety of angular cut-offs for lumber lengths. The saws in each set are arranged for adjustment movements involving from 1 to 4 degrees of freedom of movement. An automatic control mechanism is provided for automated adjustment of the saws to predetermined positions. The degrees of freedom are linear, pivotal, and movement within an X-Y coordinate plane arranged substantially perpendicular with respect to the pivot axis established by the saws within a given set of saws. A lumber conveyor system is provided for the apparatus.

Abstract: A truss assembly and truss hanger, bracing clip and attachment member for use with trusses is disclosed. The bracing clip is used for supporting a beam running transverse to a plurality of wooden trusses and includes a connector plate disposed within a first plane having a plurality of sharp projections extending generally perpendicular from the plane of the plate for use in fixedly attaching the connector plate to the top wooden member of the truss. A truss hanger in accordance with the invention comprises a bracket having a first leg with first and second ends, the first leg having a side which is adapted to engage the width of a beam, a base disposed in a first plane having first and second ends, the first end of the base being attached to the first end of the leg at approximately 90.degree. angle, the base being adapted to engage the top of the beam and a second leg disposed in a second plane which is parallel to the first plane and is attached to the second end of the base at an approximate 90.degree.

Abstract: A building constructed utilizing prefabricated wall frame structures, prefabricated roof truss structures and prefabricated purlin structures. In constructing the walls of the building, at least portions of the walls are constructed utilizing prefabricated braced frame structures. These braced frame structures can be interspersed with unbraced frame structures. Each of the braced frame structures has a plurality of lateral wooden frame members that interconnect two longitudinal wooden frame members and a built-in wooden frame cross-bracing member that extends in between the lateral wooden members. The wooden members of each of the frame structures are interconnected by metal connector plates. At least several of the purlin structures that are attached on top of the roof trusses have built-in cross-bracing.

Abstract: A strap for attaching together wooden members having faces disposed in different planes. The strap includes a first connecting plate disposed in a first plane, the first connecting plate having a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally from a surface of the first connecting plate which teeth are adapted to be embedded in the face of a wooden member; a second connecting plate disposed in a second plane which is not parallel to the first plane, the second connecting plate having a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally from a surface of the second connecting plate which teeth are adapted to be embedded in the face of another wooden member; a connecting strip having first and second ends and an intermediate section, the first end being joined to the first plate and the second end being joined to the second plate; and the first and second plates each having a common centerline which passes through the connecting strap.

Abstract: A truss assembly and attachment member for use in constructing truss assemblies. The attachment member includes an intermediate leg with first and second connecting plates disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate leg. Each of the connecting plates have a plurality of teeth extending generally perpendicular from the connecting plates. The intermediate leg has at least one groove extending from the same side as the sharp projections of the connecting plates and extending substantially the entire length of the leg between the connecting plates. This groove is deeper in the proximity of the connecting plates than in the center of the leg midway between the connecting plates. The leg also has a pair of side flanges projecting from both its outside edges and extending in the same direction as the groove.

Abstract: A hinged metal web member for use in forming a truss or joist assembly. In one embodiment, the web member includes a pair of leg members having connector plates at the upper and lower end portions. Each connector plate has a plurality of teeth struck therefrom, with all of the teeth extending from a common side of the web member. The leg members are joined at their upper end portions by a hinge which allows the leg members to be folded together for shipping and storage, then opened to assume a V configuration when forming a truss or joist. A series of such web members may be hingedly connected to provide a web assembly of the required length and configuration. The hinge connection should be sufficiently strong and rigid to allow the web member to be utilized under conditions to be encountered in truss assembly, yet sufficiently pliable that the hinge may be snapped or broken apart to obtain a web member of the desired length.

Abstract: A truss and beam assembly and a truss hanger and connector for use with wooden trusses and beams is disclosed. The truss hanger is used for attaching a truss assembly to a beam extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the truss.

Abstract: A truss assembly of floor or roof trusses and connector hangers are disclosed for attaching respective ends of a truss to a beam extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the truss. The hanger includes a connecting plate having a plurality of teeth struck out from the plate so as to extend perpendicular from the connecting plate with the strap and the connecting plate being mutually perpendicular. The strap has a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving nails or like fasteners and extends the entire length of the outside edge of the connecting plate to which the strap is joined and projects past the connecting plate to provide a surface for securing the strap to the wooden beam. The strap is rectangular in shape and bent to a generally U shape so as to define three sections.

Abstract: A seat plate for protecting wooden structural members against structural damage due to crushing, as well as the effects of moisture, humidity and the like. The plate member includes a pair of mutually perpendicular planar members and, in one embodiment, is in the form of a flat sheet metal plate which is bent along a fold line to provide first and second planar plate portions intersecting each other at right angles. One of the plate portions has a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the fold line which is substantially greater than the dimension of the other plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the fold line. The smaller of the two plate portions has a plurality of teeth struck therein to provide a means of attaching the seat plate member to the wooden structural member.

Abstract: A plurality of V-shaped metal web members serve to interconnect two elongated wooden members for forming a truss or joist assembly. The two elongated wooden members are arranged so as to extend parallel to each other with a spacing therebetween. The metal web members are placed in the spacing between the wooden members and have their extremities connected to the wooden members. Each of the metal web members has connector nail plates located both at its apex and at each of its extremities. Struck out from each connector plate are a plurality of pairs of teeth with each pair of teeth leaving a corresponding slot between them. All of the teeth extend from the same face of the metal web member. Each of the connector plates at the two extremities is connected to the apex connector plate by a leg member. Each of the legs has at least one groove which extends from the same side of the metal web member as the teeth.

Abstract: A truss assembly and truss hanger, bracing clip and attachment member for use with trusses is disclosed. The bracing clip is used for supporting a beam running transverse to a plurality of wooden trusses and includes a connector plate disposed within a first plane having a plurality of sharp projections extending generally perpendicular from the plane of the plate for use in fixedly attaching the connector plate to the top wooden member of the truss, a first surface attached to and extending from the connector plate generally within the first plane, a second surface disposed within a second plane which is attached to the first surface and forming approximately a 90.degree. angle with the first surface, the second surface being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam when the second surface is in contact with the beam, a third surface disposed within a third plane which is joined to the second surface and forming approximately a 90.degree.

Abstract: A wooden joist structure is formed with two elongated wooden beam members interconnected by a plurality of metal ribbed connectors. Each of the connectors includes a plurality of elongated connecting members interconnected by a plurality of support members. Each of the elongated connecting members has a plurality of teeth struck out from both of its end sections, which teeth extend in one direction from the connecting members or being embedded in the elongated wooden beams which are to be interconnected. These elongated connecting members are all parallel and lie in the same plane. The support members extend in an area between the intersections of the elongated connecting members and interconnected adjacent ones of the elongated connecting members. The support members extend in the same direction as the teeth that are struck out from the elongated connecting members.

Abstract: A truss spacer for rigidly interconnecting and maintaining spacing between adjacent spaced apart trusses and a truss structure constructed using such truss spacers. The truss spacer includes first and second connecting plates disposed in a plane. The first and second connecting plates each have a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally from a surface of the connecting plate in the same direction. The truss spacer also has an intermediate section having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first connecting plate and the second end being joined to the second connecting plate. A pair of spacing members are joined respectively to the first and second ends of the intermediate section. The spacing members project generally orthogonally from the intermediate section in the same direction as the teeth project from the first and second connecting plates.

Abstract: A connector plate assembly for joining wooden structural members is disclosed. The plate assembly includes a pair of plate members, each of which is provided with a plurality of teeth extending outwardly therefrom and with slots for receiving teeth from the other plate member. These slots are so arranged as to allow the two plate members to be aligned in face to face contact, with teeth extending from each plate member through slots in the other plate member. The teeth thus project from opposite sides of the plate assembly for embedment in the structural members to be joined.

Abstract: A plurality of V-shaped metal web members serve to interconnect two elongated wooden members for forming a truss or joist assembly. The two elongated wooden members are arranged so as to extend parallel to each other with a spacing therebetween. The metal web members are placed in the spacing between the wooden members and have their extremities connected to the wooden members. Each of the metal web members has connector nail plates located both at its apex and at each of its extremities. Struck out from each connector plate are a plurality of pairs of teeth with each pair of teeth leaving a corresponding slot between them. All of the teeth extend from the same face of the metal web member. Each of the connector plates at the two extremities is connected to the apex connector plate by a leg member. Each of the legs has at least one groove which extends from the same side of the metal web member as the teeth.

Abstract: A hinged metal web member for use in forming a truss or joist assembly. In one embodiment, the web member includes a pair of leg members having connector plates at the upper and lower end portions. Each connector plate has a plurality of teeth struck therefrom, with all of the teeth extending from a common side of the web member. The leg members are joined at their upper end portions by a hinge which allows the leg members to be folded together for shipping and storage, then opened to assume a V configuration when forming a truss or joist, A series of such web members may be hingedly connected to provide a web assembly of the required length and configuration. The hinge connection should be sufficiently strong and rigid to allow the web member to be utilized under conditions to be encountered in truss assembly, yet sufficiently pliable that the hinge may be snapped or broken apart to obtain a web member of the desired length.

Abstract: A clip for supporting insulation suspended between spaced apart wooden members. The clip includes a bracket having first and second sections which are joined together in an approximately 90.degree. angle. The first section of the bracket has a plurality of teeth projecting generally orthogonally therefrom for attaching the clip to a wooden member from which insulation is to be supported. A support member, which is rotatably attached to the second section, is adapted to be rotated to a position which extends in the same direction as the second section extends from the first section for supporting insulation when the teeth are attached to the side of a wooden member. Preferably, the support member is elongated and has a length which is approximately equal to one-half the distance between adjacent wooden members to which the clip is adapted to be attached for supporting insulation.

Abstract: A truss assembly and attachment member for use in constructing assemblies. The attachment member includes an intermediate leg with first and second connecting plates disposed at opposite ends of the intermediate leg. Each of the connecting plates have a plurality of sharp projections extending generally perpendicular from the connecting plates. The intermediate leg has at least one projection extending from the side opposite the sharp projections of the connecting plates and extending substantially the entire length of the leg between the connecting plates. This projection is higher in the proximity of the connecting plates than in the center of the leg midway between the connecting plates. The leg also has a pair of side flanges projecting from both its outside edges and extending in an opposite direction from the projection.

Abstract: A truss assembly and truss hanger for use with trusses is disclosed. A truss hanger in accordance with the invention comprises a bracket having a first leg with first and second ends, the first leg having a side which is adapted to engage the width of a beam, a base disposed in a first plane having first and second ends, the first end of the base being attached to the first end of the leg at approximately a 90.degree. angle, the base being adapted to engage the top of the beam and a second leg disposed in a second plane which is parallel to the first plane and is attached to the second end of the base at an approximate 90.degree. angle, the second leg being adapted to engage a second side of the beam across its width; and an attachment member having upper and lower connecting plates disposed at opposite ends of an intermediate member, said attachment member being joined to the first leg to form a substantially 90.degree.