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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A brace for providing lateral support to truss units of a truss system
having at least a first, a second and a third truss unit, with each truss
unit having at least one beam member, the brace comprising
(1) a generally continuous, elongated central leg having a first surface
and a second surface, the second surface being positioned for engaging a
first surface of the beam member of the first truss unit, and
(2) an elongated, first side leg disposed adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the central leg, the first side leg including
(a) a first ear member disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the
central leg, the first ear member being adapted to be positionable
generally flush to a second surface of the beam member of the first truss
unit, and
(b) a first opening adjacent to the first ear member for receiving the beam
member of the first truss unit and
(c) a second ear member placed adjacent to the first opening in an opposed
relation to the first ear member, the second ear member being adapted to
be positionable generally flush to a third surface of the beam member of
the first truss unit,
each of the first and second ear members being formed as a part of the
first side leg, the first ear member comprising a first flap of the first
side leg bent in a clockwise direction to be generally perpendicular to
the first side leg, the second ear member comprising a second flap of the
first side leg bent in a counterclockwise direction to place the first and
second ear members in a generally opposed relation in parallel planes
separated by the first opening having a distance adapted to be generally
slightly greater than the distance between the second and third surfaces
of the beam member.
2. The brace of claim 1 wherein the first side leg includes a second
opening spaced from the first opening for receiving a beam member of a
second truss unit, and a first ear member disposed adjacent to the second
opening and being adapted to be positionable generally flush to a second
surface of the beam member of the second truss unit, the first ear member
adjacent the second opening being disposed in a plane generally
perpendicular to each of the central leg and the first side leg.
3. The brace of claim 2 wherein the first side leg includes a third opening
spaced from the first opening for receiving a beam member of a third truss
unit, and a first ear member disposed adjacent to the third opening and
being adapted to be positionable generally flush to a second surface of
the beam member of the third truss unit, the first ear member adjacent the
third opening being disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to each of
the central leg and the first side leg.
4. The brace of claim 1 wherein each of the central leg and first ear
member includes an aperture through which a fastening means can pass for
fastening the brace to the first truss unit.
5. The brace of claim 1 wherein at least one of the central leg and first
ear includes a fastening means for fastening the brace to the first truss
unit.
6. The brace of claim 1 wherein the first side leg includes a second
opening spaced from the first opening for receiving a beam member of the
second truss unit, and first and second opposed ear members disposed
adjacent the second opening and being adapted to be positionable generally
flush to a second surface of the beam member of the second truss unit, the
first and second ear members being disposed in generally parallel planes.
7. The brace of claim 1 further comprising a second side leg disposed
adjacent and generally perpendicular to the central leg, and in a plane
generally parallel to and spaced from the first side leg.
8. The brace of claim 7 wherein the second side leg includes opposed first
and second ear members, the first and second ear members defining a first
opening of the second side leg, aligned with the first opening of the
first side leg for receiving said beam member of the first truss unit.
9. The brace of claim 8 wherein the first and second side legs each include
a second opening spaced from the first opening, the second openings of the
first and second side legs each including first and second opposed ears
defining the respective second openings, the second openings of the first
and second side legs being aligned for receiving a beam member of a second
truss unit.
10. The brace of claim 1 wherein the central leg, first side leg and ear
member are each formed of sheetlike material for permitting decking
material to be placed over the first surface of the central leg and
attached to the first surface of the beam of the first truss unit.
11. A brace for providing lateral support to truss units of a truss system
having at least a first, a second and a third truss unit, with each truss
unit having at least one beam member, the brace comprising
(1) a generally continuous, elongated central leg having a first surface
and a second surface, the second surface being positioned for engaging a
first surface of the beam member of the first truss unit, the central leg
including a longitudinally extending rib member unitarily formed with the
central leg and extending generally outwardly from the second side surface
of the central leg, the rib member including a first portion and a second
portion, each of which are disposed in a plane generally parallel to the
first side leg and perpendicular to the central leg, and
(2) an elongated, first side leg disposed adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the central leg, the first side leg including
(a) at least one ear member disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to
the central leg, the ear member being adapted to be positionable generally
flush to a second surface of the beam member of the first truss unit, and
(b) a first opening adjacent to the ear member for receiving the beam
member of the first truss unit,
wherein the rib member includes at least one opening positioned adjacent
the first opening of the first side leg for receiving the beam member of
the first truss unit.
12. The brace of claim 11 wherein the first side leg includes a second
opening spaced from the first opening for receiving a beam member of a
second truss unit, and a first ear member disposed adjacent to the second
opening and being positionable generally flush to a second surface of the
beam member of the second truss unit, the first ear member being disposed
in a plane generally perpendicular to each of the central leg and the
first side leg.
13. The brace of claim 12 wherein the first side leg includes a third
opening spaced from the first opening for receiving a beam member of a
third truss unit, and a first ear member disposed adjacent the third
opening and being positionable generally flush to a second surface of the
beam member of the third truss unit, the first ear member being disposed
in a plane generally perpendicular to each of the central leg and the
first side leg.
14. A brace for providing lateral support to truss units of a truss system
having at least a first, a second and a third truss unit, with each truss
unit having at least one beam member, the brace comprising
(1) a generally continuous, elongated central leg having a first surface
and a second surface, the second surface being positioned for engaging a
first surface of the beam member of the first truss unit, and
(2) an elongated, first side leg disposed adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the central leg, the first side leg including
(a) at least one ear member disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to
the central leg and the first side leg, the ear member being adapted to be
positionable generally flush to a second surface of the beam member of the
first truss unit, and
(b) a first opening adjacent to the ear member for receiving the beam
member of the first truss unit
(3) second side leg disposed adjacent and generally perpendicular to the
central leg, and in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the
first side leg, the second side leg including
(a) at least one ear member disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to
the central leg and the second side leg, the ear member being adapted to
be positionable generally flush to a second surface of the beam member of
the first truss unit, and
(b) a first opening adjacent the ear member for receiving the beam member
of the first truss unit.
15. The brace of claim 14 wherein the first openings of the first and
second side legs are longitudinally offset so that when the beam member of
the first truss unit is received by the first openings of the first and
second side legs, the axis of the brace member is disposed at angle to the
beam of other than between 80 degrees and 100 degrees.
16. A brace for providing lateral support to a series of upright truss
units of a truss system having at least first, second and third truss
units, with each truss unit having at least one beam member having a first
surface, the first beam surfaces being generally co-planar, the brace
comprising
(1) a generally continuous elongated central leg having a first surface, a
second surface positioned for engaging a first surface of the beam members
of the first, second and third truss units, and a longitudinally extending
rib member unitarily formed with the central leg and extending generally
outwardly from the second side surface of the central leg, the rib member
including a first opening for receiving the first truss unit, a second
opening for receiving the second truss unit, and a third opening for
receiving the third truss unit,
(2) an elongated first side leg disposed adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the central leg, the first side leg including
(a) a first opening for receiving the first truss unit, a second opening
for receiving the second truss unit, and a third opening for receiving the
third truss unit, each of the openings of the central leg being generally
aligned with the respective openings of the first side leg
(b) a first and a second ear disposed adjacent to each of the first, second
and third openings of the first side leg, each of the first ear members
being adapted to be positionable adjacent to the second side surfaces of
the beam members of the respective first, second and third truss units,
and each of the second ear members being adapted to be positionable
adjacent to the third side surface of the beam members of the respective
first, second and third truss units,
wherein the central leg is comprised of a sheet-like material for
permitting decking material to be placed over the first surface of the
central leg and attached to the first surface of the beams of the first,
second and third truss units.
17. The brace of claim 16 wherein the at least one beam member also
includes a second surface and a third surface, further comprising an
elongated second side leg disposed adjacent and generally perpendicular to
the central leg, and in a generally parallel plane with the first side
leg, the second side leg including
(1) a first opening for receiving the first truss unit, a second opening
for receiving the second truss unit, and a third opening for receiving the
third truss units, the first, second and third openings of the second side
leg being generally aligned with the respective first, second and third
openings of the longitudinal rib and the first side leg for permitting the
respective first truss member to pass through each of the respective first
openings, the second truss member to pass through the respective second
openings, and the third truss member to pass through the respective third
openings,
(2) a first and second ear disposed adjacent to each of the first, second
and third openings of the second side leg, each of the first ear members
being positionable adjacent to the second side surfaces of the beam
members of the respective first, second and third truss units, and each of
the second ear members being positionable adjacent to the third side
surfaces of the beam members of the respective first, second and third
truss units. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for use in the construction of a
building, and more particularly, to a brace for use in connection with a
truss system of the type typically used in the roof or floor of a
building.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For quite some time, builders of homes and commercial buildings have used
preformed truss systems as a part of the construction of a building. These
truss systems are used to span the space between opposed supporting
structures, such as to span the space between opposing walls of a building
to support its floor. Another, more frequent use of truss systems is to
span the distance between opposed supporting walls as part of a roof
system of a house or commercial building.
Typically, a truss system is anchored at each end to a supporting wall, and
spans the distance between the opposing walls. The truss systems used for
supporting a floor comprise an array of truss units, each of which has a
fiat, upper surface disposed in a horizontal plane. When the truss units
are assembled into a truss system, the upper surfaces of the truss units
form a plurality of generally co-planar support surfaces over which the
floor decking can be placed and to which the floor decking can be
attached.
Unlike floor truss systems, roof truss systems take a variety of shapes.
Although some roof truss systems provide a plurality of planar,
horizontally disposed support surfaces for buildings having flat roof
systems, many buildings have roofs, which although planar, are not
horizontally disposed. For example, many residential buildings have peaked
roofs wherein the roof surface comprises a pair of angled planes having an
apex at the crown of the roof. The pitch of a roof can be either more or
less steep (i.e., having relatively greater or lesser angle from
horizontal) depending upon the desires of the architect or building
designer.
Examples of various truss systems and truss units are shown and discussed
in TRUSS PLATE INSTITUTE Commentary and Recommendations for Handling,
Installing and Bracing, Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, HIV-91, the
TRUSS PLATE INSTITUTE, 583 D'Onofrio Dr., Suite 200, Madison, Wis. 53719
(1991) (the "TPI HANDBOOK").
One difficulty that occurs with truss units is stabilizing and bracing them
units after they are attached to the supporting walls, and before the
decking is applied. A typical construction process by which a truss system
is assembled is described below. First, individual truss units are shipped
to the construction site. At the construction site, the supporting walls
are formed, and generally include an upper supporting beam on each of the
upright supporting walls. The truss units are then placed on their ends
and attached to the upper supporting beams, to span the space between
opposing walls. A plurality of truss units are arrayed in a row from one
end of the supporting walls to the other end of the supporting walls.
Most truss units have a much greater height dimension than a width
dimension. As such, a truss unit that is supported only at its base by its
attachment to a supporting wall is prone to topple over on its side, much
like a coin placed on its edge is prone to fall over onto its side.
To prevent the truss units from toppling over on their sides, and to
provide support for the truss units so that the construction crew can
attach either the floor decking or the roof decking (as appropriate) to
the upper surface(s) of the truss units, it is often desirable to brace
the truss units to prevent them from falling over like a row of dominos.
Several brace systems and brace schemes are known for performing this
function, many of which are shown in the TPI HANDBOOK.
At page 36 of the TPI HANDBOOK, a ground bracing system is shown that
comprises a plurality of stakes that are driven into the ground adjacent
to the side of a building. A series of diagonal bracing members extend
from the ground stakes to the first truss unit to support the first truss
unit in an upright position. Additionally, a vertical brace may be
attached to the ground brace to provide additional bracing. A series of
laterally extending brace members extend generally perpendicular to the
truss units to extend between adjacent truss units. These laterally
extending brace members are attached to the upper surface of the truss
units, and typically comprise 2".times.4" wood boards which are nailed to
the upper surfaces of the truss units. Once the truss units are so braced,
the construction crew can then install the decking, which itself attaches
to the upper surfaces of the truss units. As will be appreciated, the
decking also provides bracing for the truss units. As a decking is
applied, the lateral brace members can be removed successively, until the
decking is placed over the entire array of truss units to create the deck
of the roof. When all of the decking material is in place over the array
of truss units, the lateral stability provided by the decking obviates the
need for the ground bracing, which can then be removed.
As best shown at pages 46-49 of the TPI HANDBOOK, the laterally extending
brace members can also be joined by diagonally disposed brace members to
provide additional support for the truss units.
An additional known bracing system is the TRUSLOCK spacing tool
manufactured by Truslock, Inc. of Route 1, Box 135, Calvert City, Ky.
42029, which is shown in their sales brochures. The TRUSLOCK tool
comprises a plurality of tool segments each of which is designed to extend
between a pair of adjacent truss units. Each tool segment includes a
flange at each end for engaging a side surface of a truss unit. The
TRUSLOCK tool also includes a rivet that connects adjacent tool members to
permit adjacent tool members to pivot about each other, and to permit the
segments to fold up about each much like a foldable measuring stick. The
TRUSLOCK spacing tool is also believed to be shown in Jarvis U.S. Pat. No.
4,322,064.
Another known truss system accessory is the KANT-SAG.RTM., TSX Truss Spacer
manufactured by United Steel Products Company of 703 Rogers Drive,
Montgomery, Minn. 56069. The KANT-SAG.RTM. device is not a truss brace
system, but merely a truss spacer system. The KANT-SAG.RTM. Truss Spacer
comprises an elongated spacing device that is capable of spanning the
distance among or between a plurality of truss units. At predetermined
intervals, the spacing device includes an opening to permit the spacer to
be fit over and to receive beam members of the truss unit. Adjacent to the
opening is a aperture through which the spacing device can be nailed to
the upper surface of a bem of the truss unit.
Although the devices discussed above most likely perform their intended
function in a workmanlike manner, room for improvement exists. In
particular, although the TRUSLOCK system functions as a truss spacing and
bracing tool, the configuration of the device permits it to be installed
on a roof only on a temporary basis. Because the device includes a portion
which extends above the plane formed by the upper surfaces of the beams of
the truss unit, the TRUSLOCK device is designed to be installed prior to
the installation of the decking, and must be removed before the decking
can be installed on that portion of the truss unit wherein the TRUSLOCK
system resides. This need for removal of the tool can increase the labor
costs associated with the use of the tool, when compared to devices which
need not be removed.
The KANT-SAG.RTM. system appears to be configured so that it may be
connected between the truss units on a permanent basis, with the decking
being capable of overlaying the KANT-SAG.RTM. truss spacer when it is in
place on the roof unit. However, its configuration makes it unsuitable for
use in bracing. Rather, the KANT-SAG.RTM. truss spacer can only be used to
maintain the truss units at a proper spaced distance from each other, and,
according to KANT-SAG.RTM.'s literature, can not be relied upon to provide
bracing for the truss units.
Because of these deficiencies noted above, room exists for improvement by
providing a bracing system which can be permanently installed on to truss
units to allow the installation of decking with the bracing unit in place
to reduce labor costs, but yet which is strong enough to provide an
acceptable level of bracing in addition to the spacing function served by
the truss brace.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved
truss brace system that provides both a bracing and a spacing function,
but which can be permanently installed onto a truss unit system to thereby
obviate the need for removal of the truss braces, and thereby reduce the
labor costs associated with the removal of the bracing units from the
truss system.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a brace is disclosed for
providing lateral support to truss units of a truss system having at least
a first, a second and a third truss unit, with each truss unit having at
least one beam member. The brace comprises a generally continuous,
elongated central leg having a first surface and a second surface. The
second surface is positioned for engaging a first surface of the beam
member of the first truss unit. The brace also includes an elongated first
side leg disposed adjacent and generally perpendicular to the central leg.
The first side leg includes at least one ear member disposed in a plane
generally perpendicular to the central leg. The ear member is positionable
generally flush to a second surface of the beam member of the first truss
unit. The brace also includes a first opening adjacent to the ear member
for receiving the beam member of the first truss unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the brace includes a longitudinally extending
rib member which is formed as part of the central portion of the device,
and extends outwardly from the second (or underside) surface of the
central portion to extend below the plane of the upper surface of the
central portion. The rib member also includes a series of openings aligned
with the openings of the first leg member for receiving the beam of the
truss unit. Further, the brace preferably includes a series of spaced
openings designed for receiving a series of truss units. Each of the
openings includes a first ear and a second ear which are placed in an
opposed relation for respectively engaging opposing side surfaces of the
beam members of the truss units. Fastening means, such as nails, can be
provided for fastening the ear members to the beam units, and for
fastening the central portion to the upper surface of the beam member.
Each of the first and second ears are formed as a part of the first side
leg, with the first ear preferably comprising a first flap of the first
side leg that is bent in a clockwise direction to be generally
perpendicular to the first leg, and the second ear comprising a second
flap of the first side leg bent in a counterclockwise direction to place
the first and second ears in a generally opposed relation in parallel
planes, separated by a distance generally slightly greater than the
distance between the second and third surfaces of the beam member.
Further, the brace of the present invention can include a second side leg
that includes a series of openings corresponding generally to the openings
in the first side leg, and a series of ears generally similar to the ears
of the first side leg. The openings in the second side leg can be
laterally aligned with the openings in the first side leg to permit the
brace to be used as a lateral brace, or can be diagonally offset from the
openings in the first side leg to permit the brace to be used as a
diagonal brace.
One feature of the present invention is that it produces a bracing system
that is extendable across a plurality of truss units, This feature has the
advantage of providing a single brace that can impart lateral stability to
a plurality of upright truss units during the construction of a building.
This feature permits the truss units to maintain their proper positioning
during the construction process to help ensure proper structural integrity
when the decking is attached to the truss units, and thereafter when
construction is completed.
It is also a feature of the present invention that the brace is configured
to be able to remain in place, attached to the truss units, even after the
decking is attached to the truss units, and the roof is in place. This
feature has a two-fold advantage. First, it reduces the labor costs when
compared to some prior known bracing systems by obviating the need to
remove the brace before attaching the decking to the truss unit system.
Second, by remaining in place after the roofing or flooring system is in
place, the bracing helps to add additional structural strength to the
resulting roof or flooring system.
A further feature of the present invention is that it includes a
longitudinal rib, and a plurality of outwardly extending, opposed ears.
The longitudinal rib helps to provide additional structural integrity to
the bracing system. The outwardly extending ears are attachable to the
beam of the truss unit, and help to better secure the brace to the truss
unit. In combination, the longitudinally extending rib and the ears help
to provide additional structural integrity to the bracing system, which
permits the bracing system to not only serve as a truss spacer, but also
as a truss bracing system, thereby obviating the need, or reducing the
need for additional brace units.
A further feature of the present invention is that the brace is a one piece
design which can be formed through a stamping, rolling and bending
process. This feature has the advantage of enabling the device to be
produced at a cost low enough as to make it economically feasible to
incorporate the brace into a building being constructed without the user
being forced, by economic considerations, to remove it and reuse it. As
such, the device has the potential to provide significant cost advantages
to the builder using the brace, when compared to some known bracing
systems that, although reusable, require a significant input of labor to
attach and then remove from the building in which they are used. These and
other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of a detailed description
of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as presented below.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the brace of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top planar view of three lateral braces of the present
invention attached to a plurality of truss units of a truss system;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a top planar view of three lateral braces and one diagonal brace
that are attached to a plurality of truss units of a truss system;
FIG. 8 is a top, fragmentary view of a diagonal brace, showing the brace
joined to a beam member of a truss unit;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged, top planar, fragmentary view of two lateral braces
and one diagonal brace, showing the same attached to a pair of beam
members of a pair of truss units;
FIG. 10 is a partially sectional end view of a pair of brace members
coupled to a beam member of a truss unit; and
FIG. 11 is a side view of a truss unit, of the type to which a brace of the
present invention may be attached.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, a brace 10 is shown for providing
lateral support to truss units, such as truss unit 12 which form a part of
a multi-truss unit truss system, such as the multi-unit truss system 14, a
portion of which is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the truss system
includes a plurality of truss units 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26. The truss
units 16-26 of the truss system 14 can take a wide variety of shapes,
sizes and configurations. Examples of such varied truss units are shown in
the TPI HANDBOOK Although the brace 10 of the present invention would
likely perform its intended function with almost any of the truss systems
shown in the TPI HANDBOOK, for purposes of illustration in this
description, all truss units will be presumed to have a shape and
configuration generally similar to the truss unit 12 shown in FIG. 11.
Truss unit 12 is the type of truss unit that is typically used in
residential construction to support a peaked roof. The truss unit 12 has a
sufficient span to extend between a pair of support beams 13, 15 that are
attached along the upper edge of a pair of opposing walls (not shown).
Depending upon the configuration of the building, and the distance spanned
between the support beams 13, 15 of the opposing walls, the truss units
16-26 may be supported at one or more points in the middle by another wall
disposed somewhere between the opposing walls to which are attached
support beams 13, 15.
As best shown in FIG. 11, the truss unit is made up of a plurality of
elongated members. Typically, these elongated members comprise
2".times.4", or larger wood pieces. The truss unit includes a base chord
30 which extends along the bottom of the truss unit 12 between the support
beams 13-15. As base chord 30 probably plays the most significant role in
the structural integrity of the truss unit 12, base unit 30 may be made of
a substantially larger wood piece than any of the remaining members. The
truss unit 12 also includes a pair of top chord beam members 32, 34. The
top chord beam members 32, 34 of truss unit 12 each extend from a position
slightly outwardly of their respective supporting beams 13, 15, and meet
at a peak 36. As truss unit 12 is provided for forming a roof having a
peak, truss units 34, 32 are disposed at an angle from horizontal, and
intersect the base chord 30.
When a plurality of truss units are assembled together into a truss system,
the upper surfaces of the respective top chords 32 of the truss units form
a series of generally co-planar support surfaces which can be overlain by
a planar piece of decking, such as a 4'.times.8' plywood sheet. Similarly,
the upper surfaces of the array of top chords 34 of the truss units of the
truss system are generally co-planar, for receiving a planar sheet of
decking material. As the top chords 32, 34 form intersecting, angled lines
which meet at the peak 36, the decking which is attached to the upper
surfaces forms a pair of generally planar surfaces, wherein the planes are
angled to each other, at an angle generally similar to the angle at which
top chord 32 and top chord 34 meet.
The truss unit 12 also includes a series of web members 38, some of which
extend generally vertically between the base chord 30 and one of the top
chord members 32 or 34; and others of which extend diagonally between
adjacent vertical web members.
Turning now to FIG. 7, during the construction of a building, a plurality
of truss units 16-26 are placed in a parallel array so that each of the
truss units 16-26 is generally upright. During the construction of a
building, the placement of the truss units in an upright position requires
attention to two important factors. First, the truss units 16-26 should be
spaced so that the distance between each truss unit is both similar, and
complies with applicable building codes. In most states, the preferred
distance for spacing between adjacent truss units of a truss system used
in connection with a roof of a residential structure is approximately two
feet. However, other states and other building types have varying
requirements which may mandate either a greater or lesser spacing between
adjacent truss units.
The second factor with which one must deal is maintaining the truss units
in their upright position. When a truss unit 12 is attached in an upright
position to a pair of opposing walls 13, 15, the truss unit has very
little lateral stability. Often, the exertion of any significant lateral
force against the truss unit 12 will cause one or more truss units to
topple over. Such lateral forces can be exerted by nature, such as when a
strong wind blows, or can be exerted by the construction crew by either
bumping into a truss unit 12, or by placing material on the top chords 32,
34 of the truss unit 12. When a plurality of truss units are arrayed in a
parallel array, such as shown in FIG. 7, the toppling of one truss unit
(e.g., 16) in a direction toward another truss unit (e.g., 18) can cause a
"domino effect," wherein all of the truss units 16-26 will topple over.
Such a toppling over of a plurality of truss units can add to the expense
of construction through the requirement of additional labor to set the
truss units back in an upright position. Further, the toppling over of the
truss units could create a dangerous situation to workers, especially
those workers who may be on top of the truss system installing decking.
The brace 10 of the present invention is designed to provide lateral
bracing for the truss units 16-26 of a truss system, to help maintain the
truss units 16-26 in their upright position during the construction of the
building, and more particularly during the placement of the decking on the
top chords 32, 34 of the truss units.
The brace of the present invention that performs this function is shown in
FIGS. 1-10.
The brace 10 is preferably formed from an elongated, generally planar sheet
of 22 to 26 gauge steel, having a length of about 10'4", and a width of
about 4.5". This generally planar sheet of steel is then stamped, roll
formed, and bent, where appropriate, to form the brace shown in FIG. 1.
When so formed, the brace member 10 includes a generally continuous,
elongated central leg 40 which extends generally along the entire length
of the brace 10. The central leg 40 has a first, or upper side surface 42
(FIG. 3) and a second, underside surface 44. A central rib 48 extends
longitudinally down substantially the entire length of the central leg 40.
As will be discussed in more detail below, the central rib 48 is
discontinuous, being interrupted by cut-out portions that form openings
for receiving beam members of the truss units 16-26. The longitudinally
extending db 48 lies in a plane generally perpendicular to and out of the
major plane of the central leg 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the rib 48 extends
outwardly from the second side surface 44 of the central leg 40, and
includes a first downwardly extending portion 50, and a second downwardly
extending portion 52, which meet at a crease 54. As with all other pieces
of the brace 10, the rib 48 is unitarily formed out of the same sheet-like
piece of steel as are all other elements and portions of the brace unit
10.
As stated above, the rib 48 includes a series of stamped-out portions which
define a series of openings. In FIG. 1, there is shown a first opening 58,
a second opening 60, and a third opening 62. The first, second and third
openings 58, 60, 62 are provided for receiving the first or upper side
surfaces 116 of the top chord beam members, 32 or 34. Turning now to FIG.
7, the first opening 58 is provided for receiving the top chord beam
member of the first truss unit 16; second opening 60 is provided for
receiving the top chord beam member of the second truss unit 18; and third
opening 62 is provided for receiving the top chord beam member of the
third truss unit 20.
Returning now to FIG. 1, the brace 10 includes a generally downwardly
extending first side leg 64 which is formed at one side of the central leg
40, and | | |
