Diagonal Bracing Patents (Class 52/693)
  • Patent number: 4653237
    Abstract: A steel and concrete secondary truss type framing member, steel deck concrete floor construction in which the top chord of the truss is formed in the shape of a modified "I" section having an upper flange, web and lower flange with a generally flat upper bearing surface of greater dimension than the upper flange for supporting steel decking. The upper flange and web of the top chord are totally embedded in the concrete to cause the concrete floor and steel truss to function together structurally as a composite system. The top chord of the truss acts as a continuous shear connector thus enabling the top chord to perform a multi-purpose function. Additionally, the top chord web may be either a solid section or contain perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Steel Research Incorporated
    Inventor: Buckie A. Taft
  • Patent number: 4649688
    Abstract: An improvement in the art of bowstring roof truss construction comprising an altered web pattern in which the diagonal and vertical webs, normally converging at points alternately within the geometric confines of the top chord and the bottom chord, intersect or converge rather at points intermediate between top and bottom chord on massive vertical webs. This system facilitates more head room and walk-through space where a floor is framed into the bottom chord of the truss. This system comprises (1) an arched top chord with intersecting vertical and diagonal webs, (2) displaced intersection points of the diagonal webs onto the massive vertical webs, (3) a suspension assembly to hang the bottom chord using direct bearing and (4) a separate assembly to transmit the longitudinal truss-action forces from the vertical webs to the bottom chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Leo D. Mosier
  • Patent number: 4648216
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd L. Reaves, John K. Dawick
  • Patent number: 4642830
    Abstract: A prefabricated three-dimensional truss structure for a bridge, or the like, the truss formed from bars arranged to define triangular or rectangular patterns. The bars are formed from prestressed, high-strength concrete that are connected at their ends with assembly blocks that are prestressed, the prestress being preferably provided by the cables that prestress the bars, and which terminate at the blocks. A plurality of such unit trusses can be assembled to provide a truss structure for a bridge span, and the trusses can assume a wide variety of configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Bouygues
    Inventor: Pierre Richard
  • Patent number: 4641480
    Abstract: A connector plate and tail truss are combined so that the formation of a floor truss of the tail truss type results wherein an extension of the top chord of the vertically spaced parallel chords extends outwardly beyond the end members of the truss so as to support the same on a bearing wall. The connector plate is of a general T-shape having a plurality of teeth struck therefrom with each of the plurality of teeth having a twisted shape with the outer portion of each of the teeth lying at approximately 50 degrees to the inner portion thereof adjacent the plate from which the teeth are struck. The twisted configuration of the teeth is such that any tendency of the truss to move vertically relative to the extended end portions thereof is resisted by the several teeth which tend to move inwardly of the timber of the truss so that the combined truss and connector plate resists sagging of the truss that would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Inter-Lock Steel Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar A. Mort
  • Patent number: 4639176
    Abstract: A truss plate for connecting together wood members forming trusses, joists, beams and the like construction parts, formed of stiff sheet metal having struck-out teeth extending perpendicularly to the body of the plate. The teeth are struck-out in pairs, leaving an elongated slot between each pair of teeth. The slots, and their teeth, are aligned in numerous longitudinal rows. The rows form groups whose slots are also transversely aligned, but with the slots of one group being longitudinally offset relative to the slots of its adjacent group. The teeth are V-shaped in cross-section and are axially twisted. Their free ends form asymmetrical V-shaped tips. A pair of such plates are arranged in face-to-face contact with the teeth of the uppermost plate extending through the slots in the lowermost plate for closely positioning together adjacent teeth to form a double thickness plate with pairs of double teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventors: Glenn C. Smith, James R. Needham, William T. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 4637195
    Abstract: A structural member for bracing adjacent wooden studs of a wall frame comprised of an elongated body portion having mounting portions at the ends thereof, which mounting portions include outwardly facing end surfaces generally parallel to each other and oblique to the body portion, side surfaces perpendicular to and laterally offset from the end surfaces, and means for forming a third surface facing and parallel to the first surface wherein three surface engagement between the structural member and the stud is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Roy E. Davis
  • Patent number: 4630424
    Abstract: At each end of a top hung wood truss one or more end webs are attached to top chord by connector plates which not only embed in the end webs and the top chord in the region of the joint between them, but also extend outwardly beyond the joint in the form of legs that embed within the chord extension, that is the portion of the top chord which extends beyond the joint and rests on the bearing surface that supports the truss. Indeed, the outwardly projecting leg of each connector plate is located over the bearing surface, its lower margin being close to the underface of the chord extension to lessen the tendency of wood fibers in the top chord to crush in that region. The plate strengthens the top chord at its extension, enabling it to better withstand the shear forces and moments that are within the chord extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Lumbermate Company
    Inventors: George F. Eberle, Karl L. Bickel, John M. Denny
  • Patent number: 4621475
    Abstract: A structural strut having at least one surface of generally U-shaped cross section and being formed with a pair of upstanding side walls having opposed tapers. The side wall tapers of the strut shift or skew the neutral axis of the member in proportion to the relative side wall dimensions. In this manner, the strut may be used to comprise a load bearing member having a neutral axis selectively slanted to a position maximizing structural loading efficiency and interconnection. The ends of the strut are further formed of substantially planar construction for flat abutment and welded attachment to cross members of a truss thereby eliminating conventional gusset plates. The structural strut may also be constructed from a pair of such U-shaped channel sections secured back-to-back with the tapering flanges complementally positioned opposite one another for selectively shifting the neutral axis of the resulting I-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Glitsch, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. McClain
  • Patent number: 4619090
    Abstract: A truss assembly for supporting a building brick or masonry wall comprising a top and bottom chord, a plurality of vertical and diagonal stud members interconnected between the chords; and a lintel angle, for supporting the brick wall, connected to the bottom of the stud members at least. Tieback members are provided which secure the wall to the truss assembly. Adjustment provisions allow aligning the truss assembly both vertically and horizontally before the wall is constructed. A further stud member spans the truss assembly horizontally and provides a physical connection between the truss and the concrete floor systems. Bracing is provided between the column supports, by interconnecting members between the floor slab and the bottom portion of the truss assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: Ira J. McManus
  • Patent number: 4616453
    Abstract: A light gauge steel building wherein a plurality of roof trusses are supported by wall studs located in lower track sections. The roof trusses include a plurality of tension and compression members which overlap the truss top and bottom chords so that extra reinforcing plates are unnecessary. Single or double thickness wall siding may be provided as structurally required, and the siding is fastened to horizontal girts which are mounted on, and span, the vertical wall studs. Provision is also made for both load bearing and non-load bearing doorway openings. Light gauge steel members are used throughout the building system to reduce overall weight, and yet maintain structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventors: Isaac Sheppard, Jr., Everett Jewell, Steven E. Levitz, Rudolph T. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4615157
    Abstract: A damping building structure, in the form of a floor joist, spanning two separated supports. Oscillations in the joist are damped by a pair of overlapping plates which are clamped together by one or more nuts and bolts. One of the plates is secured to the floor joist being damped, and the other of the plates is secured, directly or indirectly, to ground. The friction between the overlapping plates acts to damp any oscillations in the floor joist. A spring may be interposed between one of the plates and the nut or bolthead, and, if desired, a friction material may be sandwiched between the plates. The damping arrangement may be secured to the floor joist at one end, at both ends, or at mid-point of the span between the two supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Murray
  • Patent number: 4601152
    Abstract: A truss structure for use in orbital systems and methods of constructing the same are disclosed. The structure is characterized by high stiffness and a precisely determined geometry and takes the form of an oblique triangular prism. The structure is constructed of a plurality of substantially identical triangular frame elements which achieve high stowage volume efficiency during transport to the construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anthony P. Coppa
  • Patent number: 4596101
    Abstract: A continuous sequence of thin spacer/bracing segments is provided in the form of an accordian-folded nested stack. Each segment is comprised of a center panel, one side of which is provided with a downwardly angled side appendage panel, the other side of the center panel being free of any appendages. A tang portion at each extremity of the center panel has no side panel associated therewith. In use, the segments are drawn from the stack and utilized to position and brace wooden structural members in the production of an equidistantly spaced parallel array of said structural members. Because of the thin nature of the segments, they may be left in place when paneling material is placed upon the array of structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Sheridan F. Brinker
  • Patent number: 4586310
    Abstract: Device for assembly of profiles by a groove, tongue fitting, with locking by key, which avoids the risks of tongue and key sliding along groove. The device consists of making one of the male elements, tongue or key, longer than the other, in the direction of the generatrices of groove, and making one of the side surfaces of the longer element concave along the generatrices of groove. The invention allows realization of trellis constructions having oblique bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Cegedur Societe de Transformation de l'Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Jacques Baril, Georges Chailleux
  • Patent number: 4580922
    Abstract: A master fitting is disclosed adapted to be subdivided into a set of vertex fittings for use in a truss structure which comprises a plurality of frame elements. Interchangeable vertex fittings with accurately aligned surfaces, slots and holes are provided at a low cost. The vertex fittings are adapted to form the frame elements with mating struts, or to form hinge joints for interconnecting groups of frame elements. The invention permits ease of assembly and quick and easy removal and replacement of a strut in the truss structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Anthony P. Coppa
  • Patent number: 4570407
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joaquin J. Palacio, Carlos C. Cristobal
  • Patent number: 4563851
    Abstract: The combination of a wooden stud wall and a diagonally positioned thin flat metal brace nailed to said wall and bent around diagonally opposite corners of the wall and nailed into the ends of the top plate and of the sole plate and to the stud adjoining the sole plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Altech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Long
  • Patent number: 4562683
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 4561230
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos S. Rionda, Joaquin J. Palacio
  • Patent number: 4548014
    Abstract: A joist formed of a pair of aligned, vertically spaced apart chords interconnected by angularly arranged sheet metal webs extending between the chords. The chords are each formed of a pair of right angle cross-section metal strips, each having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg. The strips of each pair are aligned with their horizontal legs coplanar and with their vertical legs spaced apart a short distance to form a narrow vertical gap therebetween. The webs have opposite end portions which are snugly fit within the vertical gaps and are fastened to the vertical legs of the chord strips. A wood member is fastened upon at least one of the chords by positioning the wood upon the chord strips' horizontal legs and applying nails through the wood and into the gap so that the nails are frictionally locked between the vertical legs. In addition, vertically arranged wood strips interconnect the chords at the opposite ends of the joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Inventor: James Knowles
  • Patent number: 4546591
    Abstract: A truss system component comprising upper and lower chord members, a plurality of first strut members extending between the chord members for maintaining the chords in vertically spaced apart relation, the upper and lower chord members providing pin connections for pivotally connecting said first strut member to the lower chord at substantially equally spaced points along the chord, and a plurality of second strut members extending between the chord members for maintaining the chords in vertically spaced apart relation, each of the second struts being at its lower end pivotally connected to one of the first strut members at each of the first points along the lower chord and at its upper end being pivotally connected to the upper chord member at substantially equally spaced second points therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas G. Beltz
  • Patent number: 4543762
    Abstract: A flexible terminal point, specially for lattice work constructions comprising a tube formed terminal means (5), which is secured to one of the bars (1), and which at its one end (7) receives the other bar (3) in a manner which allows limited flexibility. Through the tubelike terminal means (5) runs one or several tie-rods, by which the terminal means (5) is attached to the other bar, and by which the terminal means can be pretensioned, whereby load changes in the other bar (3) only to a lesser degree cause strain changes in the tie-rod (15) while the major part of the loads in the other bar (3) is taken up by the tube-like terminal means (5) which is set under compression forces. Coupling between terminal means (5) and the movable bar (3) is effected by means of a bearing socket via a rubber pad (13) or spherical surfaces in the terminal means (5) and movable bar (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Scanding Byggkonsult Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Finn Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 4543008
    Abstract: A multicurvature reinforcing body comprising a pair of abutting bowl shaped members is fitted within a tubular chord member in the area of a complex joint. Cylindrical surfaces of contact of the multicurvature reinforcing body are positioned so that the longitudinal axis of an intersecting bracing member attached to the chord member passes through both of the surfaces of contact. The use of a multicurvature rinforcing body constitutes an improvement over the commonly used stiffening rings in that direct translation of tensional and compression forces acting along a bracing member which intersects at an angle other than perpendicular to the chord member to a large surface of contact within the chord member is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Mamdouh M. Salama, Robert B. Pan
  • Patent number: 4541218
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 4525974
    Abstract: A supporting beam includes a first and second parallel spaced apart flange. A lattice web holds the two flanges apart. At one end of the flanges, there is a solid web of wood. The butt end of the solid web has a recess which is profiled for receiving an adapter section. The recess may be triangular or semi-circular or flat walled. The adapter section is symmetric with one half in and the other half projecting out of a recess. When two butt ends of two solid webs are overlain, the respective recesses overlie and an adapter section is disposed in the overlaying recesses. The adapter section and the recesses both extend transversely of the direction between the flanges and fully across the solid web. The abutting solid webs of two beams define a single beam assembly. Respective brackets behind each of the solid webs are clamped together for pushing the solid webs together. In an array of a plurality of the beam assemblies, the brackets may extend across the parallel solid webs of a number of the beam assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Emil Steidle GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Steidle-Sailer, Matthias Andres
  • Patent number: 4524554
    Abstract: A building structure including a primary structure, secondary structural members supported on the primary structure, diagonal bracing means connected to and extending obliquely from the primary structure and the secondary structural members to increase the load carrying capacity of the secondary structural members. Bracing means also extend between secondary structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Encon Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4506487
    Abstract: In a steel truss an upper longitudinal beam and a lower longitudinal beam are interconnected at their respective ends by vertical posts, and between their ends by a plurality of mutually intersecting, obliquely extending struts and ties only. Each end post is composed of two parts of substantially equal lengths, which are interconnectable end to end, and each strut and tie is composed of two parts, which are interconnectable at the intersection between them, whereby the truss may be factory-made in sections of moderate size for convenient transportation to the building site, where the assembly of the same requires only a minimum of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Inventor: Arne Hill
  • Patent number: 4503652
    Abstract: A bracing element comprises a pair of metal members 1A' and 1A" which have respective cross-sectional shapes which approximate one another and which enable one member 1A' to be retained and accommodated in a slidable nested relationship with the other member 1A" so that relative movement of the members 1A' and 1A" can telescope the members so as to extend the overall length of the bracing element. In another embodiment the inner of the two members has part of its cross-sectional shape compressed so that the compressed portion can be slidably accommodated within the uncompressed cross-sectional shape of the outer of the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventor: Arthur R. Turner
  • Patent number: 4503653
    Abstract: An improved bracing system for a building system having a primary structure on which are supported secondary structural systems such as purlins, a tertiary structural system supported by the secondary structural system, and a first bracing system which interconnects a selected portion of the tertiary structural system to the primary structural system so that the tertiary structural system is restricted from translational and rotational movement as the tertiary structural system is subject to load and other of the tertiary support systems are allowed to flex with their elastic limits as the roof expands and contracts. A second bracing system interconnects to and extends between a portion of the secondary structural system and the primary structure so that the secondary structural system is restricted from translational movement and from rotational movement as the secondary structural system is subjected to load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Encon Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4501102
    Abstract: A joist-like wood beam formed of parallel, spaced apart, wood chords joined together by end and central elongated wood filler strips which fill the space between the chords at the opposite ends of and at the central portion of the chords. Sheet metal web units formed of angled struts are located between the central and end strips for spanning the space between and for interconnecting the chords between the strips. The chords and strips are joined together by staple-like mechanical fasteners embedded within the face of adjacent edge portions thereof. The fasteners are angled, relative to the chords, upwardly at an acute angle toward their nearest beam end so as to be placed in tension under beam loading thereby tightening the chords and strips together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: James Knowles
  • Patent number: 4485606
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 4483120
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 4476662
    Abstract: A joist girder construction includes connecting ties which connect adjacent ends of joist girders at a point where they are supported. The ties include a non-welded zone to afford plastic elongation of the tie. The ties create an axial connection force between the top chords to reduce the force a load causes within the joist girder to thus reduce the size of the upper and lower joist chords to minimize overall weight and expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: James M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4475328
    Abstract: A relatively flat sheet metal structural web member for interconnecting a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart chord members to form a floor truss or the like. The web member is generally V-shaped, comprising first and second legs integrally joined at one of their respective ends, and a plurality of teeth struck from opposite ends of the legs for being driven into the chord members. The side margins of each leg are bent to form inner and outer flanges extending longitudinally of the leg at opposite sides of the leg. The outer flange has opposite end portions, one of which terminates in an edge formed for abutting along substantially its entire length against one of the chord members. The inner flange also has opposite end portions, one of which terminates in an edge formed for abutting along substantially its entire length against the other chord member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Moehlenpah Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton E. Reeder, Walter G. Moehlenpah
  • Patent number: 4464885
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joaquin J. Palacio, Carlos C. Cristobal
  • Patent number: 4457118
    Abstract: A combined wooden floor joist and foundation wall stud truss and construction process is disclosed whereby a wooden foundation wall and floor trusses for a framed building are erected simultaneously. The individual truss members include elongated floor joist members that mount all weather treated foundation wall studs by means of truss clips. The studs have side surfaces that are coplanar with side surfaces of the floor joists. A number of the trusses may be secured to a footing along a treated sill plate, and tied together by the sill plate and by treated plywood sheathings nailed to the studs. A rim joist can also be used to tie the individual trusses together into a completed frame unit including foundation wall studs ready for sheathing and floor joists ready for subflooring. The process basically involves preparation of the footing, placement of the sill plates, and installation of the truss units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Alfred J. Bowen
  • Patent number: 4442649
    Abstract: A fabricated wooden beam including at least two longitudinal wooden members spaced parallel and apart by a plurality of wooden blocks spaced between and along the length of the longitudinal members. A plurality of truss plates, each installed across one side of a block and spanning between each longitudinal member, provide structural integrity. The truss plates are installed in pairs with one across either face of each block at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the beam. Alignment of the generally parallel truss plates on one side of the beam is at an acute or preferably right angle to the alignment of the generally parallel truss plates on the opposite side of the beam. The preferred truss plate alignment of truss plates on both sides of the beam is at approximately 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the beam so that the beam has structural symmetry and optimal material utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Inventors: Robert Birckhead, William R. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 4439957
    Abstract: A housing module which is formed as a box-beam structure, and has sufficient rigidity and strength so that it can be used to span distances of relatively great length. The housing unit is able to be prefabricated and can be readily transported without the need for additional support or stiffening members to prevent damage from excess flexure. Further, the unit can be simply put in place on site without any additional stiffening or strengthing members. In addition, the units can be stacked one over the other, thus greatly increasing their flexibility to the architect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventors: Benny O. Raasakka, Alfred Evans
  • Patent number: 4418509
    Abstract: A structural joint for bearing a structural load is formed by a pair of wooden members fastened together by at least one metal connector plate. The connector plate is formed from a metal plate having a plurality of pairs of teeth punched therefrom. The teeth are punched from the plate so as to project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate. Each pair of teeth is struck so as to leave a corresponding longitudinally extending slot between the teeth. Each of the teeth has a knife edge portion that extends from the plate. This knife edge portion is thinner than the remaining portion of each tooth and has a sharp edge with a cross-sectional angle of less than 20.degree., preferably 8.degree. to 12.degree., for facilitating penetration of each of the teeth into the wooden members to be secured together. These knife edge portions of the teeth are made by a metal forming process which serves to shape such portion of the teeth and simultaneously widen and elongate each tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Gang-Nail Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Moyer, Robert H. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4416102
    Abstract: A cylindrical resilient plastic bushing having a central bore fits coaxially within the wooden chord openings of a single or double chord truss joist. The bushing bores are sized to receive the metal pins of the joist which fasten the metal webs to the chord section. The insertion of the pin slightly expands the resilient bushing thereby providing for a full fit of the pin within the bushing and securely locking the bushing within the chord. The bushing distributes the shear and compression loads over the wooden chords and absorbs vibrations acting on the truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Inventor: Dierk D. Peters
  • Patent number: 4414787
    Abstract: A roof truss assembly for hipped roofs comprises a number of roof trusses of constant ceiling joist length and of a height decreasing stepwise from a maximum height. All roof trusses regardless of their height have vertical struts which are perpendicular to the ceiling joist and provided in a number at least twice as large as the number of height reduction steps. The vertical struts are provided in the same number on either side of the transverse central plane of the roof trusses, the vertical struts on one side of the plane being spaced equally far from said plane as corresponding vertical struts on the other side of said plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Inventor: Burkhard Kappen
  • Patent number: 4393639
    Abstract: A reinforcing insert for a tension zone of a ferroconcrete member comprises two or more closely juxtaposed, parallel rods of different lengths and with staggered extremities, each shorter rod being connected at least at its ends to an adjoining longer rod by elongate weld joints of sufficient strength to transfer its tensile stress to that longer rod. The weld joints may be formed by transversely inserting a fusible wire between two reinforcing rods and pressing the latter together with the aid of two electrodes between which a heating current is being passed. Laterally projecting parts of that wire, left in place after the welding operation, may serve as anchor studs and/or as spacers establishing the requisite separation from associated falsework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventor: Franz Bucher
  • Patent number: 4389829
    Abstract: A roof system of the type wherein a rafter and a purlin are connected by a sheet metal truss. The truss contains a pair of channel-shaped mounting flanges that are hinged to the member at each end thereof. One flange is adapted to pass over and be seated upon the rafter while the opposite flange is adapted to pass over the purlin. In assembly, the flanges are brought into alignment with holes formed in the rafter and the purlin and the truss is secured in place using a spring loaded truss pin that can be easily deformed in assembly to provide a rivet-like connection between the cojoined members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Inventor: Wesley T. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4376362
    Abstract: A roof truss incorporates both metallic and non-metallic webs, in special locations to optimize truss performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Steel Web Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4370843
    Abstract: In a wall construction comprising a pair of top plates, a bottom plate and plurality of parallel joists connected between the top and bottom plates, a wall brace is secured in a plurality of aligned saw kerfs to increase the load carrying capability of the wall structure. The brace includes a substantially U-shaped base portion and a pair of side flanges extending normal to the base portion such that the brace is substantially T-shaped in cross section. The brace is specifically designed so that the moment of inertia about the major axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the base) is greater than the moment of inertia about the minor axis (an axis aligned in the direction of the flanges). The preferred construction of the wall structure assures that failure of the brace upon overloading of the wall structure is caused to occur within the plane of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Inventor: Richard J. Menge
  • Patent number: 4366659
    Abstract: A construction member includes an upper and lower chord joined together by a plurality of spacer plates positioned along the length of the chords. Struts are disposed to extend diagonally between the upper and lower chords and between each pair of adjacent spacer plates. The spacer plates include teeth for embedding into the chords and the struts to form a rigid and sturdy construction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignees: A. Park Smoot, Reese J. Goodwin
    Inventor: Keith A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4349996
    Abstract: An integrated roof system for buildings of the type wherein the roof structure is supported on spaced apart rafters, the system comprising a series of V-trusses extending between the rafters at spaced apart intervals, the V-trusses comprising independent load supporting units which are self-bracing and do not require interconnecting bracing members. The V-trusses are formed from half-truss sections having top and bottom chords interconnected by webbing, the half-truss sections being diagonally disposed with respect to each other with their bottom chords juxtaposed and their top chords interconnected by tie members. The system includes seat members at the ends of the top chords by means of which the V-trusses are secured to the rafters, and a roof structure adapted to be secured to the top chords of the V-trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Lautensleger, Richard D. Shepard, Paul A. Seaburg
  • Patent number: 4348850
    Abstract: A relatively flat sheet metal structural web member for interconnecting a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart chord members to form a floor truss or the like. The web member is generally V-shaped, comprising first and second legs integrally joined at one of their respective ends, and a plurality of teeth struck from opposite ends of the legs for being driven into the chord members. The teeth struck from of each leg are oriented to present their relatively wide surfaces generally broadside within the range of 45.degree.-90.degree. with respect to the central longitudinal plane of the leg for maximizing the resistance of the teeth to movement through the wood chord members so as to increase the load-holding capacity of the web member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Moehlenpah Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton E. Reeder, Walter G. Moehlenpah
  • Patent number: RE31807
    Abstract: A V-shaped, substantially flat, sheet metal, combined web-connector plate having diverging web-forming legs and integral apex and leg end connector portions provided with struck-out teeth for embedding within spaced apart wooden chord members to form a wood chord-metal web type truss. The connector plate is offset inwardly from the end of the chord and the connector plate is positioned to slightly overlap a beam or columnar support to reduce shear stress in the chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: James Knowles