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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of metal joists or trusses for buildings wherein the overhead
structure provides support for curtain suspension systems and other
equipment are available commercially and known in the prior art. An
increasing problem exists in the installation of stage equipment and
curtain suspension assemblies--particularly the larger heavy-duty
assemblages--in the labor costs of installing same. Thus, as the systems
become more complicated, time required for installation and the level of
skill required increases. It has occurred to the inventor that this
problem may be solved through designing and manufacturing complete
suspension systems including the overhead joists at the plant as
relatively simplified units which can be installed without the necessity
of complicated or involved construction procedures and which at the same
time are adaptable to a wide variety of architectural arrangements which
may be encountered particularly in commercial and public establishments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to joist or truss assemblies particularly adapted for
curtain suspension systems and to components for the trusses and
supporting columns in various combinations. More particularly, the
invention relates to such an assembly and components combined therewith
which are adapted for heavy-duty use such as for supporting curtain
suspension assemblies in theaters and the like wherein the design and
cooperation of the components of the system facilitate its installation
and the system is thus easily installed and provides numerous types of
overhead constructions which may be desired.
Various components which may be used in combination with the invention
include a suspension system for stage equipment, a curtain rod which has
flanges in its lower portion to receive curtain rod carriers and defines a
cruciform-shaped groove of constant cross-section in its upper portion to
receive a mating, like shaped part of an upper support or other component
which, in turn, is connected with a strut which depends from a truss in
accordance with the invention. The cruciform-shaped groove in the bottom
of the truss may cooperate with an appropriately dimensioned link chain
whereby the strut or rod can be connected to such truss either to provide
supplemental support or for safety purposes. Various supports which
include a cruciform-shaped part for being received in the groove are
adapted to cooperate with angle clips, gripping devices, bolts of various
types and the like to provide considerable adaptability and flexibility in
supporting and securing underlying components from the overhead truss
structure at the installation site.
Trusses in accordance with the invention can be assembled at the building
site or in the field conveniently with hand tools limited, if necessary,
to a portable band saw, a portable electric drill and a measuring rule. In
the event that the component parts of the assembly are earlier cut to size
at the plant or factory, only a portable drill may be necessary. It is
also noted that with the diaphragms of the truss properly cut at the
factory or plant, squaring tools are not required at the building site.
The assembly can be erected rapidly. It is also important to understand
that the truss which constitutes an assemblage in accordance with the
invention can be strengthened by several methods. One is to affix rigidly
to the chords, the diaphragms on closer centers. Another is to bolt a
support member to the upper chord or to the lower chord or to both.
Generally, for installation of the trusses in accordance with the
invention, it is desirable to reduce the weight of components to less than
two hundred fifty pounds and this generally can be accomplished by
erecting first the top chord which is rested (and usually secured) on at
least one leg edge of the cruciform-shaped column. Thereafter, the
diaphragms can be bolted rigidly to the upper chord and, in turn, are
bolted to the lower chord. Through this means, the trusses may be
positioned at their permanent place in the building without cranes or
hoists by only three or four men working together.
From the foregoing, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
an important and primary object of the instant invention is a truss
assembly and supporting structure which is particularly advantageous for
supporting stage equipment and which is constituted of components which
are preferably manufactured of extruded structural aluminum or other
extruded structural material. However, other objects, adaptabilities and
capabilities of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art as the description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a component of the
invention showing the curtain rod and a curtain carrier thereon;
FIG. 1A illustrates the incorporation of limiting means in the curtain rod;
FIG. 1B shows the curtain rod in an inverted mode;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curtain rod shown in FIG. 1 with a link
chain extending from its slot;
FIG. 3 is an elevational detail view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the carrier shown in FIG. 3 on section lines
3--3 of such Figure;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rod support bolted to an angle clip;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rod support with cross-beam clamps bolted
thereto;
FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing a curtain rod supported by a link
chain with a carrier;
FIG. 8 is a broken view illustrating an angle clip similar to that shown in
FIG. 5 together with the rod support and curtain rod;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a rod support as shown in FIG. 5
connected to an overhead pipe;
FIG. 10 is an elevational view illustrating means to suspend a rod support
as shown in FIG. 5 under a suspended ceiling;
FIG. 11 is an elevational view illustrating connection of a rod support
shown in FIG. 5 to the bottom chord of joists;
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a modified curtain rod with a carrier
thereon which is connected directly by means of an angle clip to the
bottom chord of an overhead joist;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a combination lapping spacer, rod support,
carrier bumper and rope holder;
FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the spacer shown in FIG. 13 supporting a
pair of curtain rods with a carrier shown on each;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a combination dead-end pulley and rod
supports;
FIG. 15A is an elevational view of a rod supported deadend pulley;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a combination live-end pulley and rod
support;
FIG. 16A is an elevational view of a rod supported live-end pulley;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the utilization of a pair of
lapping spacers as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 within the curtain suspension
system;
FIG. 18 is an elevational broken view which illustrates cooperation of
various components of the curtain suspension assembly;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a strut which is suspended from overhead
structure in accordance with the invention and which in turn suspends a
curtain rod with curtain carriers thereon, the strut, support members and
the curtain rod being shown in partial section;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 20--20 in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration of an installed stage equipment
support strut system;
FIG. 22 is a broken detail view of the system of FIG. 21 showing in plan
connections between a strut and curtain rods;
FIG. 23 is an elevational end view of an upper truss chord in accordance
with the invention;
FIG. 24 is a cross-plan view of a diaphragm of the truss assembly in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 25 is a plan of a column utilized for supporting the truss assembly in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 26 is a perspective broken view of the truss assembly supported and
connected to a cruciform-shaped column;
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a lower chord member of the truss
assembly;
FIG. 28 illustrates a modified embodiment of the truss assembly; and
FIG. 29 illustrates a further modified embodiment of the truss assembly in
accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a curtain track or rod 20 is shown which supports on
its lower flange 21 a plurality of curtain carriers such as carrier 22.
Rod 20 comprises a vertical part 24 which extends upwardly normally from
flange 21 to the upper portion 25 which defines a slot 26 in groove 27 for
receiving a rod support 30 as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. Upper portion
25 comprises a pair of arms 31 which, as seen in cross-section are mirror
images, one of the other, each including first a horizontal extension 32,
next a second vertical extension 34, then a third further horizontal
extension 35, and next a fourth further vertical extension 36, each arm 31
then extending inwardly to define slot 26, thus terminating with a fifth
still further horizontal extension 37. Arms 31 define a cruciform-shaped
space as seen in cross-section which comprises upper slot 26, grooves 27
on either side and a lower recess 40 between vertical part 24 and slot 26.
In the lower portion 41 of rod 20, flange 21 may be provided with a bottom
groove 42 which is broader in its upper inner aspect than at its lower
aspect.
In FIG. 1A, a stop or limiting means is provided which comprises a bolt 38
which has its head within the grooves 27 and its threaded shank extends
upwardly through slot 26 wherein it is threadably received by a pair of
nuts 39.
As shown in FIG. 1B, by inverting rod 20, it may be utilized for a less
expensive curtain track for a lighter curtain or drapes wherein the space
defined by arms 31 receives a plurality of movable supporting members 48
which are each provided with a depending hanger portion 58, such
supporting member 48 conforming to a structural device disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,076,222 to P. H. Sloan of Feb. 5, 1973. The recess 42 is
utilized to support rod 20 by a plurality of flat head screws 53 received
and aligned in a ceiling member 59.
Curtain carriers 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 incorporate two wheels 44,
each such wheel having a race of ballbearings 45 and equipped with rubber
or neoprene tires 46 for silent operation. Each wheel 44 is journalled to
an arm member 47. The lower part of each arm member 47 joins and is
integral with a horizontal member 50 which carries a depending curtain
hook 51. Each arm member 47 also includes a thicker profiled part 52 which
defines a horizontal cylindrical opening 54 for frictionally receiving the
curtain rope 126 (FIG. 18).
Each rod support 30, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 8, includes a support part 60
of cruciform-shaped cross-section so as to mate with and be received
slideably within the cruciform-shaped space defined by arms 31 of rod 20.
Rod support 30 also comprises a horizontal flange member 61 extending in
one direction from the top of part 60 and integral therewith. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, flange member 61 may be provided with one or more
openings 62 to receive bolts 64 or the like whereby support 30 may be
connected to the lower flanges of I-beams of various sizes by cross-beam
clamps 69 or via angle clip 68, to an overhead beam 78 as shown in FIG. 8.
With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 7, a link chain 63 may be provided
for support at any point along rod 20 without the necessity of utilizing
drills or other tools or bolts. This is accomplished by inserting the
bottom or lower link 65 into the cruciform-shaped space defined by arms 31
with the next to last link 66 extending through the slot 26 in a vertical
disposition. The next higher link 67 and other links also hang vertically.
Accordingly, with an appropriate dimensioned link chain 63, rod 20 may, if
desired, be supported by such link chain, inverted in the sense of FIGS. 2
and 7, depending, for example, from slot 190 and groove 191 of truss 180a
as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, without the necessity of drilling holes or
using nuts and bolts. Moreover, the link chain 63 may be slipped along the
slot 26 until under an overhead beam or other structured member, for
example, a truss 180a or a strut 157, and secured in groove 170 or 191 or
otherwise as seen in FIGS. 19-22, to support, at least in part, the
curtain rod 20 at the desired height. Alternatively, the link chain 63 may
be used effectively and with minimal expense in conjunction with primary
supporting components such as trusses 180a to provide secondary supporting
or safety structure should the primary support fail.
FIG. 9 illustrates a rod 20 supported by a rod support 30 which in turn has
its flange member 61 connected to a pipe 71 by means of a U-bolt 70
received through a pair of openings 62 with lower threaded portions of
U-bolt 70 receiving a pair of nuts 72 (only one being shown). The
extrusion which constitutes support 30 and flange member 61 may be severed
at an angle other than 90.degree. relative to rod 20.
In FIG. 10, means for attaching the rod support 30 to a suspended ceiling
82 is disclosed. Here a bolt 73 is secured directly to an overhead bottom
flange 74 of a steel roof member by nuts 75 and 76 received on the
threaded end portion 77 of bolt 73. Flange member 61 receives the lower
end of bolt 73 through an opening 62 and is secured thereto by means of
nuts 80 and 81 in a manner whereby nut 80 performs the further function of
contributing to the support of the suspended ceiling 82. Through this
arrangement hangers or bolts 73 position rod support 30 immediately below
the suspended ceiling 82.
In FIG. 11, rod support 30 is fastened directly to the bottom of an exposed
steel flange 84 or, if the bottom chord of the joist comprises angles
situated back-to-back with a space between, longer fully threaded bolts
87, as indicated in dot-dash lines, are used with a heavy washer 85 to
bridge such joists which are situated back-to-back, the heavy washer 85
being held in place by means of a nut 86. In fastening rod support 30
directly to the bottom of steel flange 84, a short threaded bolt 64a is
employed through the opening 62 and a further opening 83 in flange 84. A
nut 86a is received by bolt 87 which is tightened against flange 84 as
shown in FIG. 11.
In FIG. 12 a modified rod 20a is shown which is similar to rod 20 in that
it includes a vertical part 24 and a lower flange 21 which supports
curtain carriers 22. It also includes a pair of oppositely extending
horizontal extensions 23a, but instead of having arms 31, a single
vertical plate part 90 is provided which is bolted to an angle clip 68 and
by means of bolt 91 and nut 92 as shown in FIG. 12. Angle clip 68, in
turn, is bolted to the bottom flange of an overhead I-beam by means of
bolt 95 and nut 96.
In FIGS. 13 and 14, a lapping spacer designated generally by reference
numeral 100 is illustrated. Spacer 100 performs the different functions of
being a lapping spacer for overlapping rods at the midway curtain overlap,
a carrier for such rods and a rope holder or support for the rope utilized
for moving the curtains and located at the midlap of overlapping curtains
or drapery. In this connection it will be understood that normally two
curtain rods 20 are provided which are separated to permit the two curtain
sections to overlap in the central location of the area served by the
curtains. The spacing function of the spacer 100 is served by the upper
part which comprises a flat plate portion 102 with depending
cruciform-shaped support parts 60a and 60b at the edges thereof, such
parts 60a and 60b being so configured to be slideably received in the
spaces comprising slots 26, grooves 27 and recesses 40 of curtain rods 20
and therefore are, in this sense, identical to part 60. Extending
downwardly from plate portion 102 between support parts 60a and 60b is a
bumper part 103 which includes a horizontal leg 104. A rope guide 105
extends downwardly from leg 104 to hook around and partly surround a
cylindrically-shaped horizontally disposed guide space 106 which receives
the rope in a slideable fashion for moving the curtains and provides
support for same. Leg 104, together with guide 105 perform the bumper
function of spacer 100 and rope guide 105 functions, approximately in the
upper central part of the stage to support rope for moving the curtains.
Thus, the rope is supported at about the middle of the complete track to
minimize the sagging.
In FIG. 15, a single-end pulley also known as a deadend pulley member 110
is shown which comprises a housing 111 which carries the pulley 112 and
has extending upwardly therefrom a vertical plate 114 which integrally
connects to a horizontal plate 115. Depending from the plate 115 is a
cruciform-shaped member 60c, which, identical to parts 60, 60a and 60b, is
configured to be received by the space defined by slot 26, grooves 27 and
recess 40 of curtain rod 20. By then affixing part 60c relative to rod 20
by a bolt 38 or set screw 108 (See FIG. 13), pulley 112 is automatically
aligned in its desired location relative to rods 20 and carriers 22 for
overlapping curtains carried by carriers 22. The same is true with
reference to the double-end pulley known as a live-end pulley member 116
shown in FIG. 17. It will be understood that the live-end pulley member
116 includes a bracket 117, a cover plate 120 and, identical to the
deadend pulley member 110, a vertical plate 114, horizontal plate 115 and
support part 60c. An axle 121 rotatably carries a pair of pulleys 122
which are secured relative to vertical plate 114 by a nut (not shown). A
pair of rotatable keepers 125 are also bolted to the bracket 117 which
serve the purpose of maintaining rope 126 within the pulleys 122.
FIG. 15A shows in elevational view an alternative embodiment of a deadend
pulley member which is designated 110a. Here it will be noted that housing
111 is provided with a pair of upstanding profiled plates 114a and 114b
which receive flange 21 of rod 20 which in turn is supported by link chain
63 received in the space defined by arms 31 as previously explained.
In the embodiment of FIG. 16A of a modified live-end pulley, similar
profiled plates 114a and 114b are provided so as to be connected to and
integral with cover part 120 which, as shown in FIG. 16A, are configured
to receive flange 21 of rod 20 which, in turn, is supported by link chain
63 received in a space between arms 31 as previously explained and shown
in more detail in FIG. 2. Again, either pulley member 110a or 116a as
shown in FIGS. 15A and 16A may be affixed to a rod 20 by means of a set
screw, bolt or other suitable means. Also, again, each pulley device is
automatically located relative to rod 20 and carrier 22 through the
arrangement disclosed.
FIGS. 17 and 18 disclose the assembly whereby the cooperation of various
components may be more readily understood. In FIG. 17, the disposition of
a pair of spacers 100 relative to overlapping rods 20 (shown in dot-dash
lines) at the midway curtain overlap is shown.
In FIG. 18, an assembly is shown including the endless rope 126 and a floor
pulley member 127 which includes a pulley 130 held in a housing 131
comprised of a pair of spaced plates 132 and 134 held in alignment by
spacing bolts 135, plates 132 and 134 being affixed to a bottom plate 136
which is secured to the deck. Pulley 130 is supported by an axle 137 which
is held in its desired vertical disposition by a wing nut 140 within
vertically disposed slots 141 whereby the height of the pulley 180 is
vertically adjustable relative to the housing 131.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, it will be noted that a pair of overlapping
rods 20 are in part supported and held the desired distance apart by means
of spacers 100 which also function to prevent carriers 22 from moving off
of the respective rods 20. A rope 126 for opening and closing the curtain
carried by carriers 22 is received in an endless manner about the pulley
112 into space 54 of each carrier 22 wherein it is frictionally received
and secured and causes the carriers 22 therefore to move with it. Rope 126
extends through guide space 106 in rope guide 105 through which it easily
slides, to the live-end pulley 122 and finally to and around the floor
pulley 130. Thus by causing rope 126 to be moved to one direction or the
other, carriers 22 together with curtains suspended therefrom are caused
to move so that the curtain is either opened or closed and, upon closing,
overlaps a distance as defined longitudinally between the spacers 100.
The components of the assembly such as rods 20 and 20a, rod supports 30,
angle clip 68, I-beam clamps 69, spacers 100, pulley members 110, 110a,
116 and 116a, are, insofar as practicable, extruded aluminum. The drawings
are approximately proportional to the actual components used. As a measure
of comparison, rod 20 is about 6.6 cm in height and 3.5 cm in width across
arm 31 and 3.0 cm across flange 21. Size is important to cost of
manufacture as well as to strength and weight of the components.
Referring to FIGS. 19-22, hanger rods 150 are installed prior to the
ceiling installation whereby they depend from positive connections to the
structural members above the ceiling such as trusses 220 which will be
described subsequently in more detail. The ceiling may be an inexpensive
tilt-out ceiling system over the stage area which are frequently installed
because they provide increased safety in the event of fire. Hangers 150
are threaded throughout their length and receive a first support member
151 through an opening 152 in the horizontal flange part of member 151.
Depending and integral with flange part 154 opposite opening 152, is a
cruciform-shaped portion 155 which is received in the matching
cruciform-shaped groove 162 of upper portion 156 of strut 157.
It is to be observed that strut 157 has an I-beam central portion 160 which
is integral with and connects with the upper portion 156 and an identical
but oppositely extending lower portion 161. Cruciform-shaped groove 162 of
the upper portion 156 is defined by a pair of arms 164 and 165 which
extend from the upper flanges of the I-beam portion 160. In a similar
manner, a pair of lower arms 166 and 167 define a cruciform-shaped groove
170 at the lower aspect of strut 157. A second support member 151a has a
cruciform-shaped portion 155a which is received in the slot 170. Opening
152a in support member 151a receives a bolt 171. The upper support member
151 is retained firmly in position relative to the hanger 150 by a pair of
nuts 172 and 174 which are tightened firmly against flange part 154. Bolt
171 and nut 175 are used to connect to a third support member 151b which
is received within slot 26 of rod 20. Thus, it will be appreciated that
rod 20 is supported by hanger 150 which connects to the upper first
support member 151, through the strut 157 to the lower second support
member 151a and finally through the further third support member 151b. The
support members 151, 151a and 151b have the same cross-section but they
may be of differing lengths, as desired.
As seen in FIG. 21, the proscenium opening 176 lies between the stage walls
177 and the strut-channel system shown in FIG. 21 below the ceiling
comprises parallel rows of struts 157, perpendicular to the plane of the
proscenium opening 176, extending for the full depth of the stage from the
proscenium opening plane to the rear stage wall 178. It will be noted that
the central four struts 157 are separated apart about three times the
distance between struts 157 on both sides of such center portion. In
practice, these distances are six feet and two feet, respectively. Four
rods 20 are shown which extend parallel to the proscenium opening plane.
However, it is to be understood that these rods 20 each comprise, in fact,
two rods which are joined at the center by spacers 100 in a manner as
shown in FIGS. 17 and 22. Otherwise, the curtains would be drawn together
without any overlap.
Support members 151 may be, and preferably are, spaced to extend
alternately relative to the strut 157 as shown in FIG. 22 and the same is
true insofar as the further support members 151a and 151b are concerned.
By this means, the strength of the system is, to a certain degree,
increased. Rods 20 are installed whereby their flanges 21 are a height
greater than the vertical dimensions of the proscenium opening--say about
one yard.
An advantage of struts 157 aside from their strength is that, being
extruded aluminum, they do not require painting or cladding as a
protective coating. Nevertheless, their strength is sufficient whereby
they may be used in lieu of known steel channel bars wherein galvanized
zinc and other types of finishes are required.
In practice, practical dimensions for struts 157 are: height--6.4 cm,
width--3.8 cm, width of grooves--2.7 cm, width of access slots--0.7 cm,
vertical dimensions of grooves (including the access slots)--2 cm. The
relative dimensions of the components as shown in cross-section in FIG. 20
are approximately correct. Using the components disclosed as arranged in
FIG. 21, a load of ten pounds per square foot can be supported over the
entire stage area and a concentrated load of 250 pounds can be supported
at any place along struts 157.
Structural members above the ceiling are, in most modern buildings, a
series of parallel trusses which are spaced-apart, generally equal
distances. Frequently such trusses manufactured in a factory are made of
steel chords and diaphragms which are welded together. These trusses are
often then delivered by a flat bed trailer tractor to the building site
wherein they are mounted on columns or posts of the building by a derrick
or crane.
A typical joist or truss consists of a pair of upper and a pair of lower
angle-irons which are welded together in a parallel relationship to a
plurality of inclined bars to form, between the upper and lower parallel
angle-irons, a zig-zag pattern. Alternatively, the trusses may be
manufactured at the building site. Such trusses are more costly than
factory manufactured trusses for the same purpose.
Structural parts for a joist or truss, including supporting columns, which
are well-adapted for suspending curtain rods, partitions and the like are
disclosed herein with particular reference to FIGS. 23 through 27. FIGS.
23, 24 and 25 are end views of aluminum extrusions for chords, diaphragms
and columns, respectively, for assembling the trusses, and supports for
same, in a variety of embodiments.
In FIG. 23, a chord 180 has two spaced-apart arms 181 and 182 which include
an upwardly extending arm part 184 in arm 181 and a further upwardly
extending arm part 185 in arm 182. Also, it will be seen that arm 181
includes a horizontal arm part 186 which extends both outwardly and
inwardly. Arm 182 includes a further similar horizontal arm part 187.
Horizontal arm parts 186 and 187 define between them a slot 190 and the
inboard edges of arm parts 186 and 187 together with the interior surfaces
of arm parts 184 and 185 define a groove 191 having a vertical
cross-section configuration substantially of an upright "T." The inward
portions of arm parts 184 and 185 join with a horizontal connection part
192 which, in cross-section, has generally a square "U" configuration.
Depending from each side of connection part 192 are a pair of parallel
vertically disposed plates 194 and 195 which are aligned with arm parts
184 and 185 respectively. It will be appreciated from FIG. 23 that chord
180, which is situated as an upper chord as shown in FIG. 26, comprises,
in effect, a pair of back-to-back generally "L" configured members joined
by connection part 192 with slot 190 and groove 191 defined above it and
an elongated notch 196 below it between the parallel plates 194 and 195.
A diaphragm 200 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 24 and comprises a pair
of rectangular peripheral bar members 201 and 202 joined by an
intermediate coplanar web 204.
The post or column 210 shown in cross-section in FIG. 25 comprises four
rectangular bar portions 211, 212, 213 and 214 which are joined by a
cross-shaped part 215. It will be noted in FIG. 25 that centerlines of
symmetry, which are at right angles to each other, 216 and 217, divide
column 210 into four identical parts. In FIG. 24, similar centerlines of
symmetry 205 and 206 each divide the diaphragm 200 in two identical parts.
However, considering that centerlines 205 and 206 divide diaphragm 200
into four parts, it will be seen that one pair of same are, in FIG. 24,
mirror images of the other pair. In FIG. 23, there is only one centerline
of symmetry 197 which divides chord 180 into two parts which are mirror
images in relation to one another. The symmetry thus provided for the
various components is helpful inasmuch as the greater the symmetry, the
more difficult it is to place a component by mistake in an incorrect
position.
FIG. 26 illustrates the components of the assembled truss, chord 180 and
diaphragm 200. Further, column 210 cooperates as a part of the assemblage
to support truss 220. Lower chord 180a is identical to chord 180 except
that it has been notched as indicated by dotted lines at notch 221 to
receive bar portion 212 of column 210. Chords 180 and 180a are connected
to column 210 by means of three-quarter inch cadmium plated bolts 222 and
corresponding nuts. Bolts 222 are received through openings drilled in
plates 195 and 196 and matching aligned apertures in column 210.
Chords 180 and 180a are similarly bolted through aligned openings in
vertical plates 195 and 196 to chords 200 having further aligned openings
through bar members 201 and 202 by three-eight cadmium plated bolts 224
with corresponding nuts. The vertical centerlines 207 of diaphragms 200
are spaced as required by the anticipated loading.
As shown in FIG. 27, chord 180a has an opening 188 in horizontal part 186
which receives the upper end of hanger 150 and a truss connecting support
member 151d has a cruciform-shaped portion 155d which is received in the
space comprising slot 190 and groove 191. Opening 152d provided in support
member 191d receives hanger 150. It will be understood that support member
151d is retained firmly in position relative to horizontal part 186 by a
pair of nuts consisting of nut 179 which bears against the upper surface
horizontal part 186 and nut 189 which is tightened firmly against the
lower surface of flange part 154d of support member 151d. Support member
151d strengthens the adjacent chord and, inasmuch as it is an extruded
part, it can, if desired, in a more lengthy version be used along
horizontal part 186 or 187 for a considerable distance, the entire
distance between columns 210 if desired, and be bolted rigidly to part 186
at intervals as required for the anticipated loading.
The assembly of a truss, as shown in FIG. 26 connected to a column, is
advantageous in that the components of the invention can be assembled in
the field by hand wherein the only tools needed are a portable band saw
and a portable electric drill with a rule to measure. Further, it can be
erected and assembled in place one component at a time. If at the factory
prior to assembly, the components are cut into the desired lengths, the
only tool needed at the site is a power drill. Also, it will be noted,
insofar as the connection to column 210 is concerned, not only are chords
180 and 180a connected thereto by bolts 222 and corresponding nuts but
also chord 180 has its horizontal connection part 192 resting on the top
edge of bar portion 212. This has the further advantage in that the upper
chord 180 may be so supported in position, if desired, when the openings
for the bolts 222 are drilled.
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