Abstract: An improved trimmable truss apparatus and method are disclosed, the truss having upper and lower plates centrally interconnected by diagonal web members, and each respective end providing a trimmable section comprising extended upper and lower chords creating an opening into which a separate trimmable insert section is inserted, such inserts made either as a separate wooden I-beam section, or as a glued laminated beam section. The associated nailing plates placed adjacent the last vertical member extend outwardly, ie. overlap, a substantial minimum distance onto the trimmable end section, whereby the truss end sections cannot be trimmed too closely to the last vertical member. The final diagonal web member at each respective end is placed in an upwardly-aligned positioned so as to be in tension.An alternative embodiment is disclosed in which the separate trimmable insert sections are formed from a glued laminated beam.

Abstract: A load bearing truss includes first and second generally parallel chord members, first and second post members coupled between the first and second chord members and a plurality of V-shaped metal webs interconnecting the first and second chord members. Respective portions of the first and second chord members extend beyond the first and second post members. A first connector member interconnects the portions of the first and second chord members extending beyond the first post member to define a first end section and a second connector member interconnects the portions of the first and second chord members extending beyond the second post member to define a second end section. The truss is lengthwise adjustable by trimming a selected one or both of the first and second end sections.

Abstract: A truss assembly machine includes an elongated table for supporting truss members, including a plurality of wood members and a plurality of connector plates, and a pressing roller mounted for rotation about its own axis on a movable gantry above the support table. The gantry transports the roller longitudinally along the table for engaging the connector plates to embed the plates into the wood members and form the completed truss. A hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulically actuated piston carried therein is coupled to each end of the roller for selectively lifting and lowering the roller.

Abstract: A plurality of wood truss members and metal connector plates are assembled on a relatively flat conveyor surface and are transported to a first pressing station having two pairs of pressing rollers for partially embedding the connector plates into the wood members. The truss is then moved to a second pressing station having another pair of pressing rollers, where the plates are substantially completely embedded into the wood members. All of the rollers have substantially the same diameter and preferably have a diameter of at least ten inches to reduce the "rocking action" on the ends of the plates, particularly during the initial stages of the pressing operation. A plurality of guide rails are disposed beneath the conveyor surface for journally supporting the conveyor surface and the truss.

Abstract: Net section parameters of connector plates at selected truss joints are determined by representing each wood member as a corresponding two-dimensional polygon and the connector plate as a rectangle of predetermined dimensions corresponding to the actual dimensions of the plate. When the plate is positioned at a particular truss joint, the area of intersection between the plate rectangle and the polygon defines an intersection polygon. The intersection polygon is rotated and the Cartesian coordinate system of the intersection polygon is redefined so that a first axis thereof is aligned with a central major axis extending along a geometric center of a major surface of the particular wood member.

Abstract: A hanger device for connecting a first wood member, such as a wood joist, to a second wood member, such as a roof or floor truss of a building structure, such that the first wood member is oriented substantially perpendicualar to the second wood member. The device is comprised of a relatively flat central member having first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite sides; a relatively flat base member extending perpendicularly outward from the central member adjacent to the first end thereof; a relatively flat flange member extending perpendicularly outward from the central member in an opposite direction from which the base member extends; and first and second walls protruding from the central member and base member in substantially the same direction as the base member. The first and second walls cooperate with the base member and central member to define a recessed region for receiving a portion of the first wood member.

Abstract: A fire protective system and method for a support structure such as a truss having top and bottom chord members, web members extending between the top and bottom chord members and connector plates for connecting the respective ends of the web members to the top and bottom chord members. Fire protection is provided by an elongated metal member having a base portion and a pair of flanges projecting upwardly from the base portion to form a channel. The bottom chord member is received within the channel so that the flanges extend at least partially upwardly along respective opposite sides of the bottom chord member and are in contact therewith. The web members are preferably comprised of V-shaped metal webs having a central toothed connector plate, a pair of elongated arms diverging outwardly from the central connector plate and a pair of toothed connector plates integrally formed on respective ends of the arms opposite the central connector plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a truss assembly is discussed which is particularly configured for versatility and efficiency of operation. The apparatus includes a frame which supports a pair of laterally spaced first and second support rails which receive the chords and the webs of the truss assembly being formed. A pair of pressure clamps are provided which are selectively positionable longitudinally of the apparatus frame for applying clamping pressure to nail plate connector portions of the truss assembly for joining the truss webs and chords. Notably, the apparatus includes an arrangement whereby the support rails of the apparatus can be laterally relatively moved for forming truss assemblies of varying finished heights, with the arrangement including a plurality of slide cylinder assemblies which function in the nature of double-acting fluid rams for applying a clamping pressure to this truss assembly laterally of the apparatus frame as the pressure clamps are operated for joining the elements of the truss.

Abstract: A connector plates for joining together wooden members is formed by striking out longitudinally aligned rows of pairs of teeth from a thin metal plate leaving a single elongate slot in the plate between the two teeth of each pair. Each of the pairs of teeth in each row is longitudinally staggered relative to the pairs of teeth in adjacent rows a distance sufficient to position each tooth of each pair slightly longitudinally offset from a tooth of a pair of teeth in a laterally adjacent row. Each tooth of each pair of teeth includes an elongate shank section rising upwardly from the metal plate, an asymmetrically shaped tip section extending upwardly from the shank section, and a laterally offset point at the upper end of the tip section. The tip sections of each tooth are configured so that the teeth of adjacent rows which are slightly longitudinally offset relative to each other have their points alternating laterally offset toward and then away from each other along the length of the connector plate.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for simultaneously rolling opposed toothed metal connector plates of V-webs onto both sides of vertically spaced horizontal wood chords. A prefabricated wood frame of such chords with end and intermediate spacers is fed between parallel vertical axis powered rollers with the V-webs manually applied to each side ahead of and as the frame is compressively driven through.