Folding roof truss

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a pre engineered sub-assembled metal folding roof truss in kit form, shipped in a card-board type box. The invention permits light weight roof trusses of various lengths and pitches (eg. 24′× 3/12 pitch) to be shipped to a job site in a standard pick up truck with minimum assembly of pre-assembled parts fasten to predetermined alignment holes using fasteners for quick assembly. Lifted into place by man onto walls consisting of steel, wood or block. Thus, eliminating skilled craftsmen and the use of large equipment for shipment and cranes for setting them onto the walls.

Description

Oct. 4, 2005

This invention will be further described with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the truss folded as it appears in the shipping box.

FIG. 2 is a view of the bottom chords of the truss unfolding to form a solid bottom chord of desired length.

FIG. 3 is a view of the two top chords of the truss unfolding to form a shape of a roof truss of desired pitches.

FIG. 4 is showing installation of king post member (e) into center position (see dotted line) attaching to bottom chord members (b) & (c) and top chord members (a) & (d) together as shown in FIG. 12 and 13. Forming the shape of a roof truss used in construction.

FIG. 5 is a view of a completed roof truss not to exceed 16 feet in length ready to be installed on top of steel, wood or concrete block walls.

FIG. 6 represents installation of vertical webs used as stiffeners (see dotted line) when a roof truss exceeds 16 feet in length. Web member (j) connects to preassembled (n) and (f) on left side of truss and web member (m) connects to preassembled (n) and (f) on right side of truss.

FIG. 7 represents installation of diagonal webs used as stiffeners (see dotted line) when a roof truss exceeds 16′ in length. Web member (k) connects to pre assembled diagonal bracket (f) & bracket (h) and member (e) on left side of truss. Web member (l) connects to preassembled diagonal bracket (f) & bracket (h) and member (e) on right side of truss (see dotted line).

FIG. 8 is a view of a completed roof truss in excess of 16′ in length ready to be installed on top of steel, wood or concrete block walls.

The following procedure will be used to unfold the sub-assembled roof truss (not to exceed 16 feet in length) and complete assembly utilizing unskilled craftsmen, ready to install.

Step 1: (See FIG. 2) Swing members (a) and (b) to the left pivoting on existing fastener (i), swing member (c) and (d) to the right pivoting on existing fastener (i) until members (b) and (c) align with existing holes in bracket (h) shown in FIG. 9. Install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion of bracket (h) and members (b). Using existing alignment holes install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion of brackets (f) and member (b) on left side and member (c) on right side creating a continuous bottom chord as shown in FIGS. 10 & 11.

Step 2: (See FIG. 3) Raise top chord member (a) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of left bracket (f), raise top chord member (d) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of right bracket (f). Align existing holes in members (a) and (d) to existing holes in top portion of brackets (f). Install remaining fasteners (i) thru members and brackets as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Step 3: (See FIG. 4) Insert loose king post member (e) in same plane as members (a, b, c & d). Bracket (g) shall be at the top of member (e). Align pre-punched ½″ holes in all three brackets (g), insert ½″ bolt (o) thru ½″ holes, slide ½″×3″ sleeve (p) over shank of bolt (o) and finger tighten ½″ nut (q) as shown in FIG. 14.

Step 4: (See FIG. 12) Align existing holes in bottom of member (e) with existing top portion holes in bracket (h). Install fasteners (i) in remaining alignment holes.

Step 5: Turn truss over. Remove ½″ nut (q), slide pre-punched ½″ hole in three brackets (g) on back side of truss, finger tight ½″ nut (q). Using same alignment holes as prior side in brackets (g) install fasteners (i) thru brackets (g) and members (a), (d) & (e) as shown in FIG. 13. Tighten bolt (o) with ¾″ wrenches to ensure snug fit against sleeve (p).

Step 6: (See FIG. 12) Install fasteners thru bracket (h) into members (b), (c) & (e) using existing alignment holes.

Step 7: (See FIGS. 10 & 11) Install fasteners (i) into existing alignment holes in top and middle portions of brackets (f) thru members (a) & (b) on left side of truss and members (c) & (d) on right side of truss. Roof truss not to exceed 16 feet in length is complete.

The following procedure will be used to unfold the sub-assembled roof truss (in excess of 16 feet in length) and complete assembly utilizing unskilled craftsmen, ready to install.

Step 1: (See FIG. 2) Swing members (a) and (b) to the left pivoting on existing fastener (i), swing member (c) and (d) to the right pivoting on existing fastener (i) until members (b) and (c) align with existing holes in bracket (h) shown in FIG. 9. Install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion of bracket (h) and members (b). Using existing alignment holes install remaining fasteners (i) thru middle portion of brackets (f) and member (b) on left side and member (c) on right side creating a continuous bottom chord as shown in FIGS. 10 & 11.

Step 2: (See FIG. 3) Raise top chord member (a) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of left bracket (f), raise top chord member (d) pivoting on existing fastener (i) in top portion of right bracket (f). Align existing holes in members (a) and (d) to existing holes in top portion of brackets (f). Install remaining fasteners (i) thru members and brackets as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Step 3: (See FIG. 4) Insert loose king post member (e) in same plane as members (a, b, c & d). Bracket (g) shall be at the top of member (e). Align pre-punched ½″ holes in all three brackets (g), insert ½″ bolt (o) thru ½″ holes, slide ½″×3″ sleeve (p) over shank of bolt (o) and finger tighten ½″ nut (q) as shown in FIG. 14.

Step 4: (See FIG. 6) Insert vertical member (j) on left side of truss in the same plane as members (a, b, c, d & e). Align existing holes in pre sub-assembled brackets (f) and (n) with existing holes in member 0) as shown in FIG. 17. Install remaining fasteners. Repeat this for vertical member (m) on right side of truss shown in FIG. 18.

Step 5: (See FIG. 7) Insert diagonal member (k) on left side of truss in the same plane as members (a, b, c, d, e, j & m). Align existing holes in bracket (f) on member (k) with existing holes in bracket (h) and bottom portion of member (e). Install remaining fasteners as shown in FIG. 16. Repeat this for diagonal member (l) on right side of truss. Align existing holes in top portion of diagonal member (k) with pre sub-assembled diagonal bracket (f) on left side of truss. Install fasteners as shown in FIG. 17. Repeat this for diagonal member (l) on right side of truss shown in FIG. 18.

Step 6: Turn truss over. Remove ½″ nut (q), slide pre-punched ½″ hole in three brackets (g) on back side of truss, finger tight ½″ (q). Using same alignment holes as prior side in brackets (g) install fasteners (i) thru brackets (g) and members (a), (d) & (e) as shown in FIG. 13. Tighten bolt (o) with ¾″ wrenches to ensure snug fit against sleeve (p).

Step 7: (See FIG. 16) Install fasteners (i) thru bottom portion of bracket (h) into members (b) & (c) using existing alignment holes. Install fasteners (i) thru bracket (f) on member (k) and the top portion of bracket (h) on member (e) on left side of truss as shown in FIG. 16. Repeat this for member (l) on right side of truss.

Step 8: (See FIGS. 10 & 11) Install fasteners (i) into existing alignment holes in top and middle portions of brackets (f) thru members (a) & (b) on left side of truss and members (c) & (d) on right side of truss.

Step 9: (See FIGS. 17 & 18) Install fasteners (i) thru vertical bracket (f) and vertical member a) on left side of truss. Repeat this for vertical member (m) on right side of truss. Install fasteners (i) thru diagonal bracket (f) and diagonal member (k) on left side of truss. Repeat this for diagonal member (l) on right side of truss. Roof truss in excess of 16 feet in length is complete.

Claims

1. A pre engineered folding metal foot truss utilizing a pre-determined hole pattern for ease of alignment in the connecting brackets and structural members hinging on fasteners.

a. Two C shaped in cross section metal bottom chords connected to a flat bracket hinging outwards of each other on existing fasteners at a pre-determined hinge point forming a bottom chord two times the folded length. Then fasten to pre-punched alignment holes creating a continuous bottom chord.

b. Two C shaped in cross section metal top chords, each connected to a flat bracket hinging upward on existing fasteners at a pre determined hinge point forming a triangle in shape.

c. One C shaped in cross section vertical metal king post member connecting to center of said continuous bottom chord using fasteners utilizing pre-punched alignment holes in both king post member and a flat bracket. Said king post member having a flat bracket on top portion with ½″ diameter hole which aligns with said pitched top chords both left and right connected together with ½″ bolt to forming a large triangle with a right and left triangle smaller in size.

2. A pre engineered folding metal roof truss as defined in claim 1 wherein the bottom chord pivots in the center.

3. A pre engineered folding metal roof truss as defined in claim 1 wherein the two top chords pivot upwards on the end.

4. A pre engineered folding metal roof truss which is designed for larger spans and loads consisting of claim 1 as well as:

a. Vertical C shaped web members in cross section fasten to pre sub assembled flat connector brackets utilizing pre punched alignment holes in brackets and members forming a trapezoid.

b. Diagonal C shaped web members in cross section fasten to pre sub assembled flat connector brackets utilizing pre punched alignment holes in brackets and members forming smaller triangles.