NZ520246A - Structural framework, method of forming the framework and webs therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A reinforcing web member (10) for a structural framework which is assembled from a plurality of chords and reinforcing web members. The web member comprises: a web member body (12); at least one securement tab (14) at an end of the body configured for engagement with one of the chords and adapted to be permanently secured to the chord; and an ancillary connector (26) on the web member for temporarily holding the web member in position in the framework to enable a workman to permanently secure the tab to the chord.

Description

£ / f> "5 i r> w ^ c. 4 6 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK, METHOD OF FORMING THE FRAMEWORK AND WEBS THEREFOR intellectual property office of n.z. 1 7 JUL 2002 received We, MITEK HOLDINGS, INC., a corporation of the State of Delaware, United States of America, of 300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1704, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: (followed by page la) la STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK, METHOD OF FORMING THE FRAMEWORK AND WEBS THEREFOR Field of the Invention This invention relates to a structural framework, a 5 method of forming a framework and webs therefor and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a structural framework in the form of a building truss including at least one top chord arranged obliquely to a generally horizontal bottom chord. The invention also relates to a pedestal for use in 10 the manufacture of such frameworks.

Background of the Invention Our International Patent Application No.

PCT/US00/23367 discloses a structural framework in the form of a building truss which includes metal web members which 15 extend between the top chords of the truss and the bottom chord of the truss. The reinforcing web members in one form as disclosed in the above International application comprise tubular members of circular cross section which have deformed ends to provide flattened tabs which extend 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web member. The tabs are bent during installation so as to lie flush with a surface of the chords to which the reinforcing members are to be connected. In conventional wooden trusses, adjacent reinforcing web members are arranged so that the web 25 members contact one another. Indeed, in the formation of conventional trusses which have wooden reinforcing web members, the web members contact one another so that compressive and tensile loads applied to the truss are transferred from the chords and absorbed by the truss. In 30 general practice the wooden web member which is to undergo compression contacts the adjacent web member which undergoes tension and the two web members are connected to a chord of the truss by a common connector plate.

In the formation of conventional structural 35 frameworks, in particular, wooden trusses which have oblique top chords and a generally horizontal bottom chord, the chords are laid out on pedestals which are positioned to define the general configuration of the truss. The 2 chords can be held in place by clamps which abut outer surfaces of the chords. Reinforcing web members cut from wood are connected to the chords at predetermined locations and the prescribed length of the wooden reinforcing web 5 members and their proper installation in the truss define the final configuration of the truss. In particular, the wooden members are generally cut to have an end face at each end and the end face of a web member is positioned at a predetermined location and secured to a chord. The other 10 end face is then pulled into engagement with an opposed chord until the end face sits flush with the opposed chord thereby indicating that the web member is in position.

This may require some movement of the chord so that the chord does sit flush with the end of the web member. Such 15 movement may be necessary to take a bow out of the chord. When the end is positioned flush with the chord, the end is secured in position. Thus, the final exact shape of the framework and, in particular, the chords of the framework is provided by the installation of the reinforcing web 20 members in the framework.

In the formation of structural frameworks in which metal web members are used, the manner of connecting the metal web members, as described in the above International application, does not allow the installation of the web 25 members themselves to define the configuration of the truss.

Furtherstill, in conventional frameworks which have wooden web members, the web members are laid out and secured in order because of the need to abut adjacent web 30 members together. This therefore requires a workman to work in a particular sequence and the workman does not have the luxury of installing any particular web member at any particular time. 3 Summary of the Invention An object of the invention is to provide improvements to the structural frameworks and their method of manufacture disclosed in the above International 5 application and also to the conventional wooden trusses. An additional or alternative object is to provide the public with a useful choice.

The invention in a first aspect* provides a method of forming a structural member having at least one top chord and at least one bottom chord, including the steps of: defining a theoretical connection point on at least one of the chords which provides structural integrity of the framework; connecting the metal web member to the bottom chord and to the top chord so that the web member is connected to the said one of the bottom chord or the top chord at a web member connection point spaced from the theoretical connection point.

The formation of the structural framework with web members connecting the bottom chord and spaced from the theoretical connection point by a predetermined distance, 20 enables greater flexibility in the selection of metal web members because adjacent web members do not have to be, and in fact are not, in actual physical contact with one another. Thus, web members from a stock set of web member lengths are more easily selected for use in the truss and' 25 more easily assembled in the truss because of the ability to space the connection points of the web members from a theoretical connection point by a predetermined distance.

Preferably the method includes connecting a plurality of web members between the top chord and bottom chord so 30 that the web members are inclined with respect to the chords and define pairs of web members which have a first end which are closer to one another than a second end of the web members of each pair, and wherein the said first ends are both connected to one of the chords at web member 35 connection points which are spaced apart from the theoretical connection point with the theoretical * Not claimed herein. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2C03 4 connection point being between the web member connection points of the first ends of the web members.

Preferably the step of connecting the web members at the web member connection points comprises spacing the web 5 member connection points apart from the theoretical connection point by a predetermined distance.

Preferably the step of spacing the web member connection points apart by the predetermined distance comprise connecting the chords to the bottom truss within a 10 predetermined distance range from the theoretical connection point but not outside the predetermined distance range.

Preferably the method includes the step of providing support means on which the chords are supported and the 15 pedestals having markings which define the predetermined distance range in which the reinforcing web members can be connected to the web member.

Preferably the method includes the step of providing the reinforcing web member with tabs which are bent with 2 0 respect to the longitudinal axis of the web member at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the web member, locating a tab against a surface of one of the chords and securing the tab to the chord, manually pulling .the web member so as to bring the tab at the other end of 25 the web member into engagement with another of the chords and to cause the said tabs to further bend so as to sit flush with the chords, and securing the other of the tabs in position.

Preferably the step of securing the web members 30 includes providing temporary connection means on at least the said other tab so that when the said other tab is pulled into engagement with the other chord, the ancillary connection means temporarily connects and holds the reinforcing web member in position to facilitate final 35 securement of the other said tab to the other said chord.

Preferably the step of providing ancillary connection means comprises providing a barb on the web member which engages and penetrates the chord to temporarily locate and hold the web member in position.

Preferably the barb is formed by bursting a hole through the tab, or forming a tooth on the tab adjacent an edge portion of the tab.

Preferably the support means comprises at least one pedestal. However, in other embodiments the support means 10 could comprise a support table or platform with moveable support elements.

The invention may also be said to reside in a method of forming a structural framework* having at least one top chord and at least one bottom chord, including the steps 15 of: providing support means for supporting the chords of a framework, with the support means including markings which define connection regions at which ends of reinforcing web members can be connected to the chords of the framework; 2 0 laying the at least one top chord and the bottom chord on the support means; and connecting the reinforcing web members between the at least one top chord of the framework and the bottom chord . of the framework by securing the ends of the reinforcing 25 web members within the connection regions marked on the support means.

Preferably the step of providing support, means comprises the step of moving the support means to predetermined positions so as to define the connection 30 regions of the reinforcing web members to the chords when the chords are laid on the support means.

Preferably the step of providing the markings includes providing a marking which defines a theoretical connection point, and a marking w 11 j_ C C<.'3 fines, with a theoretical 35 connection point, the connection region.

* Not claimed herein. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 6 Preferably the step of providing the markings further includes providing a marking which defines a preferred connection point between the theoretical connection point and the marking which defines the connection region with 5 the theoretical connection point.

Preferably the support means comprises at least one pedestal. However, in other embodiments the support means could comprise a support table or platform with moveable support elements.

Preferably the method includes the step of providing the reinforcing web member with tabs which are bent with respect to the longitudinal axis of the web member at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the web member, locating a tab against a surface of one of the 15 chords and securing the tab to the chord, manually pulling the web member so as to bring the tab at the other end of the web member into engagement with another of the chords and to cause the said tabs to further bend so as to sit flush with the chords, and securing the other of the tabs 20 in position.

Preferably the step of securing the web members includes providing temporary connection means on at least the said other tab so that when the said other tab is pulled into engagement with the other chord, the ancillary 25 connection means temporarily connects and holds the reinforcing web member in position to facilitate final securement of the other said tab to the other said chord.

Preferably the step of providing ancillary connection means comprises providing a barb on the web member which 30 engages and penetrates the chord to temporarily locate the web member in position.

Preferably the barb is formed by bursting a hole through the tab, or forming a tooth on the tab adjacent an edge portion of the tab. 7 The invention may also be said to reside in a support member for supporting a chord of a structural framework*, the support member including: an upper support region for supporting the chord; and 5 markings on the upper support portion for defining at least one connection region in which a reinforcing web member of the structural framework can be connected to a chord of the framework when the chord is supported on the support member.

Preferably the markings include a first marking which shows a theoretical connection point and a second marking which shows a desired connection point.

Preferably the markings further include a third marking which defines, with the first marking, the 15 connection region.

Preferably the support member comprises a pedestal for coupling with a rail member on which the pedestal can move from one place to another.

The invention, in a further aspect*, may be said to 20 reside in a structural framework including: at least one top chord; at least one bottom chord; at least two adjacent metal web members extending between the top chord and the bottom chord, the adjacent 25 web members each having a respective end connected to one of the chords so that the respective ends are spaced apart from one another, and with the end of one of the web members being connected to the chord a first distance spaced from a theoretical connection point and the end of 30 the other web member being connected to the chord a second distance spaced from the theoretical connection point, the theoretical connection point being between the two ends of the respective web members which are connected to the chord, and so that the adjacent web members do not abut one 35 another.

* Not claimed herein. ______ intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 ?»cr.FiyF.D 8 This aspect of the invention provides considerably greater freedom in connecting the web members to the chords because the web members do not need to abut one another, but rather are spaced on either side of a theoretical 5 connection point which is used in analysis of the framework design to determine where web members should be located in order to provide the required structural integrity of the framework. Since the web members do not abut one another, the web members can therefore be laid out in any particular order and can be connected in any sequence. This provides a workman or workmen with greater freedom in connecting ends of the chords and therefore provides for the possibility of greater productivity in that frameworks can be assembled much quicker than in the past.

Preferably the first distance is the same as the second distance.

Preferably the ends of the web members are connected to the chord at predetermined web member connection points spaced from the theoretical point.

Preferably the web members are connection to the chords within a connection range which includes the preferred web member connection point for each of the respective web members.

Preferably the web members include tabs which sit flush with a surface of the chord and the tabs are connected to the chord by screws which pass through a hole in the tab.

Preferably the hole defines the connection point of the respective web members to the chord.

A further aspect* of the present invention is directed to defining the final configuration of the chords of a framework which is to have metal reinforcing web members.

* Not claimed herein. intellectual property office of n.z. 21 NOV 2003 9 A further aspect* of the invention may therefore be said to reside in a method of forming a structural framework having at least one top chord and at least one bottom chord, including the steps of: laying the top chord and the bottom chord on one or more support members; clamping inner surfaces of the chords against an abutment located adjacent an outer surfaces of the chords so as to define the final configuration of the top chord 10 and the bottom chord of the framework; and securing metal reinforcing members between the top chord and the bottom chord.

During the installation step of the reinforcing web members, ends of the reinforcing web members are secured to 15 surfaces of the chords by driving a screw through the reinforcing web members and into the surfaces of the chords. This step tends to pull the chords inwardly and inward movement of the chords which, if the chords were not clamped from the inner surfaces, could cause a deformation 20 of the chords. Since the inner surfaces of the chords are clamped, the chords are prevented from deforming and therefore do not change their required geometrical configuration during installation of the reinforcing web members.

In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcing web members are secured so that the web members connect with the chords at a prescribed distance from a theoretical connection point. This aspect of the invention has particular application to this preferred embodiment because 30 if the chords are connected at positions away from the theoretical connection point, it is completely impossible, unless the inner surfaces of the chords are clamped and prevented from moving, to ensure that installation of the web members will define the correct geometrical shape of 35 the structural framework. Thus, by clamping the inner surfaces so that the geometrical shape of the framework is determined and fixed before the web members are installed, the geometrical shape does not change during installation * Not claimed herein. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 of the web members regardless of how or where the web members are connected to the chords.

A further aspect* of the invention may be said to reside in a method of forming a structural member having at 5 least one top chord and at least one bottom chord, the method including the steps of: providing a metal reinforcing web member having connection tabs at each end with at least one of the connection tabs having an ancillary connection means; 10 securing one of the tabs to one of the chords; moving the reinforcing web member so that the other of the tabs, which includes the or one of the ancillary connection means, is brought into engagement with the other of the chords and so that the ancillary connection means 15 connects to the chord and temporarily holds the reinforcing member in position; and connecting the other of the tabs to the other of the chords to permanently secure the other tab to the other chord.

This aspect of the invention enables the reinforcing web members to be pulled into engagement with the chords and for the ancillary connection means to hold the chord in position so the web member can be fully released by a workman and the workman then has two free hands to 25 permanently secure the other of the tabs in position.

Thus, it is not necessary for the workman to hold the reinforcing web member in position and use one hand to secure the tab or for two workmen to perform this operation. Furtherstill, since the tab is connected to the 30 chord and held in place by the ancillary connection means, the reinforcing web member and tab can be properly located in position and will hold that position until the tab is permanently connected to the chord. This prevents the reinforcing web member from moving slightly if it is 35 released which would change its position from that at which the workman intends to secure the tab. Thus, the tab can . therefore be more easily located in position and flush with * Not claimed herein. intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 11 a surface of the chord and the reinforcing web member tightly and accurately secured in position.

Preferably the step of temporarily locating the other tab in position by the ancillary connection means comprises 5 the step of locating the tab in position so that the ancillary connection means penetrates the chord to hold the chord in place.

Preferably the step of providing the other tab with the ancillary connection means comprises providing the tab 10 with at least one barb which can penetrate a chord to hold the tab in position.

Preferably the step of providing the barb comprises providing the barb by forming a burst hole through the tab, or forming a tooth on a side edge of the tab.

In another aspect*, the invention may also be said to reside in a reinforcing web member for a structural framework which is assembled from a plurality of chords and reinforcing web members, said web member including: a web member body; at least one securement tab at an end of the body configured for engagement with one of said chords and adapted to be permanently secured to the chord; and an ancillary connector on the web member for temporarily holding the web member in position in the framework to enable a O C workman to permanently secure the tab to the chord.

Preferably the reinforcing web member has tabs at each end and each tab is provided with a said ancillary connector.

In one embodiment the ancillary connector may be provided 30 by at least one barb on the tab.

The barb may be provided by a burst hole with the barb comprising a portion of the tab which is deformed from the tab during formation of the burst hole.

* Claimed herein. intellectual property OFFICE OF n.Z. 2 1 NOV 2003 Dcrrivrn 12 In another embodiment the barb may be provided in the form of a tooth arranged at a side edge of the tab.

A further aspect* of the invention may be said to reside in a metal reinforcing web member for use in a 5 structural framework, said web member including: a web member body; at least one flattened tab formed at one end of the web member body; the web member body being formed from a tube of metal 10 having free edges which are adjacent one another and which define therebetween a longitudinal slot; and a deformation forming a transition from the web member body to the tab, the deformation including a valley and the valley being aligned with the longitudinal slot in the web 15 member body.

Preferably the valley includes a slit formed by forcing the free edges in the vicinity of the deformation away from one another during formation of the valley, the slit being a continuation of the said slot.

Preferably the slit includes a wide central portion which tapers towards a first end adjacent the slot and towards a second end adjacent the tab.

A further aspect* of the present invention may also be said to reside in a reinforcing web member for a structural 25 framework, the reinforcing web member including: a web member body; at least one connection tab at one end of the web member body; and the connection tab being bent at an oblique angle with 30 respect to the longitudinal axis of the web member body before installation of the web member into the framework.

Preferably both ends of the web member body include connection tabs and one of the said tabs is bent to the predetermined oblique angle in one direction and the other * Not claimed herein. intellectual property office OF n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 13 of the tabs is bent to the predetermined oblique angle in an opposite direction.

Preferably the predetermined oblique angle is an angle of about 30° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the 5 web member body.

Preferably the web member body is circular in transverse cross section.

Preferably the tab is formed by deforming the end of the web member so as to form a flattened tab and a 10 transition region extending . from the tab to the web member body, the transition region including a pressed valley extending between two ridges.

Preferably the transition section includes a pair of opposed valleys defined between a respective pair of 15 ridges.

Preferably the tabs include a punched hole for receiving a fastener to secure the tabs to chords of the structural framework.

Preferably the tab includes ancillary connection means 20 for temporarily holding the tab and therefore the reinforcing web member in position during installation of the reinforcing web member in the structural framework.

Preferably the ancillary connection means includes at least one barb formed on the tab.

Preferably the at least one barb is formed by forming a burst hole with the barb being material deformed during the formation of the burst hole.

In another embodiment the barb comprises a tooth formed on an edge portion of the tab. 14 Preferably, according to each of the aspects of the invention described above, the framework comprises a framework having a bottom chord and at least one top chord which is arranged'obliquely with respect to the bottom 5 chord.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a reinforcing web member according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of one end of the web member of Figure 1; Figure 2A is an enlarged view of part of the web 15 member of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 3 is a side view of a reinforcing web member according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of one end of the web member of Figure 3; Figure 4A is an enlarged view of part of the web member of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 4B is a side view of the part of the web member of Figure 4A; Figure 5 is a view of an end of a reinforcing web 25 member according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line BB of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line CC of Figure 5; Figure 9 shows a pedestal layout for manufacturing a structural framework in the form of a building truss having inclined upper chords and a horizontal lower chord joining 35 the upper chords; Figure 10 is a plan view of a pedestal used in the embodiment of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a plan view of another pedestal used in the embodiment of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a view of a still further pedestal; Figure 13 is a view of a still further pedestal used in the embodiment of Figure 9; Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 9 but with the 5 chords laid out to form a building truss; Figure 14A is a plan view of a pedestal including a clamp of the preferred embodiment; Figure 14B is a view along the line Y-Y of Figure 14A; Figure 15 is a view showing the application of 10 clamping force to the chords of Figure 14; Figure 16 shows the formed truss including reinforcing web members; Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 19 and Figure 20 are a sequence of drawings showing installation of a reinforcing 15 web member according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 21 is a view of a web member held temporarily against a chord awaiting final securement; and Figure 22 is a view of web members in final secured 20 position.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a reinforcing web member 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The web member 10 has a web member body 12 and tabs 14 at each end. The 25 tabs 14 are connected to the body 12 by a transition section 18, which is a deformation created in order to flatten ends of the tubular member from which the reinforcing web member 10 is formed, to provide the tabs 14. Our co-pending International application 30 PCT/US00/23367 discloses in more detail the manner in which the tabs 14 and deformation 18 is formed and the contents of this International application are incorporated into this specification by this reference.

In this embodiment the body 12 is formed from a 35 complete tube of generally circular transverse cross section. 16 The tabs 14 are bent at a predetermined oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the web member 10 of, for example, 25° to 50° and most preferably about 30° as shown by arrow a in Figure 1. As is clearly seen in 5 Figure 1, one of the tabs 14 is bent in one direction with respect to the axis X and the other tab 14 is bent in the opposite direction with respect to the axis X so that each are inclined towards a position the tabs will take up when the web member 10 is installed in a building truss as will 10 be described in more detail hereinafter. The pre-bending of the tabs 14 produces an initial bend in the direction the tabs will move upon installation of the web member to take up their final orientation with respect to the web member body 12. This tends to ensure that the radius of 15 curvature between the tabs 14 and the transition section 18 after the tabs 14 are bent to their final orientation, will be as small as possible so that the tabs 14 sit flush and tightly against surfaces of the respective chords between which the web member 10 is located.

As best shown in Figure 2, the tabs 14 include a hole which will receive a screw for permanently securing the tabs 14 to the chords of the truss.

The tabs 14 are also formed with a burst hole 24 shown in detail in Figure 2A which is punched through the tabs 14 25 so as to deform metal from the tabs which produces barbs 26 which project transversely with respect to the tabs 14. The barbs 26 form ancillary connections for temporarily holding the web member 10 in place during installation of the web member 10 in the truss as will also be described in 30 more detail hereinafter.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which like reference numerals indicate like parts of those described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment of the invention, rather than form the barbs 35 from a burst hole in the tab 14, the barbs are in the form of teeth 28 (best shown in Figures 4A and 4B) which are cut from side portions of the tab 14 before bending of the tab 17 14 so that the cut portions which form the teeth 28 remain parallel with the longitudinal axis X of the web member body 12.

In still further embodiments, not shown, the barbs 5 could be formed by forming a cut in the tab 14 at the outermost end of the tab 14 and folding portions of the tab 14 adjacent the cut downwardly so as to create teeth extending transversely with respect to the tabs 14.

Figures 5 to 8 show a still further embodiment of the 10 invention. In this embodiment the web member 10 is formed from a rolled blank and without joining free edges 11 and 13 of the blank together so that a central slot 30 extends along the length of the web member body 12 from one end of the web member body to the other. The free edges 11 and 13 15 may have inwardly extending flanges 13A which provide greater structural integrity to the web member body 12. The flanges 13A can be formed during rolling of the web member body 12 by first rolling the flanges 13A at the free edges of the blank from which the web member body 12 is 20 formed and then rolling the blank into the tubular shape having the circular cross-section as shown in Figure 6.

Ends of the rolled blank are then deformed in the same manner as described with reference to the above-mentioned International application so as to form a transition 25 section 18 and a tab 14. In this embodiment the tab 14 is provided with the hole 20 and also the burst hole 26, although rather than the burst hole 26, teeth 28 could be formed as in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4.

The deformation of the ends of the rolled tube 12 is 30 such that a valley 36 is formed between a pair of ridges 38 with the valley including a slit 40 which is an extension of the slot 30. The valley 36 is formed by pressing free edges 11 and 13 in the transition region 18 inwardly and downwardly so that they spread in central region 41 of the 35 slit 40 as shown by cross section B and the slit 40 tapers inwardly from central region 41 to one end 43 which merges I IVb VI 2 1 NOV 2003 received 18 into the slot 30 and to other end 45 which is adjacent tab 14. The pressing of the free edges 11 and 13 inwardly to form the slit 36 also adds to the structural integrity of the web member 10. The opposite side of the transition 5 section 18 is also formed with a valley 46 which is located between the pair of ridges 48. As in the above-mentioned International application, the tab 14 can be trimmed so as to maintain the width of the tab 14 generally within the confines of the body 12 so that the tab 14 is substantially 10 no wider than the body 12.

Figure 9 shows a pedestal layout for forming a truss using metal web members of the type described with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 8. Pedestals 50 are arranged on a base rail 54 and outrigger arms 55. 15 The outrigger arms 55 can be moved into various positions and the pedestals 50 moved on the outrigger arms and also on the base rail 54 to position the pedestals 50 at required places to support chords (not shown in Figure 9) of a building truss. The jigging system 52 can be of 2 0 conventional design, or of the type disclosed in our Australian Patent Application No. 18313/01, the contents of which are incorporated into this specification by this reference. A gantry press system 61 is provided for pressing nail plates into the wooden chords so as to secure 5 the chords together in a manner which is also well known and therefore will not be described in any further detail. The pedestals 50 are generally of known design and therefore will not be described in further detail except as is necessary to explain differences between the 30 conventional form of the pedestals 50 and those of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a pedestal commonly called an apex box which is arranged on outrigger arm 551 in Figure 9. The pedestal 50 of Figure 10 has an upper 35 support platform 54 and an abutment rail 56. A clamp 58 is provided for providing a clamping force to an inner surface of a chord as will be described in more detail hereinafter or, in other words, a clamping force that is directed 19 towards the outside of the truss profile, in the direction of arrow F, so as to push the chord supported by the pedestal 50 of Figure 10 firmly into abutment with the abutment rail 56 and hold the chord fixed in a prescribed 5 position. The abutment rail 56 of the apex box type pedestal 50 shown in Figure 10 has a v-shaped notch 59 in which ends of the chords which define the apex of the truss are located. When the clamp 58 is moved into clamping position, the ends of the chords are pushed into the v-10 shaped notch 59 and abut one another. A second clamp 58' is provided on the other side of the platform 54 for clamping the other chord which will define the apex of the truss.

The support platform 54 of the pedestal 50 is provided 15 with a number of markings which show regions in which reinforcing web members of the type described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 can be connected to the chord supported on the support platform 54. The markings include a first central marking 60, a pair of second markings 62 20 spaced, for example, 50mm from the line 60, and a pair of third markings 64, each spaced 100mm from the line 60. The markings 60, 62 and 64 may be colour-coded and simply provided by drawn lines or lines formed from tape on the platform 54. The pedestal 50 of Figure 10 can be used as a 25 pedestal for locating the apex of the truss or, it can be used along the length of one of the upper chords in which case it merely performs the function of a top chord box. If the pedestal is being used as an apex box to define the apex of the chord, the lines 64 are used to define the web 30 member connection point of the web members adjacent the apex. These web members are usually the first connection made so that the web members, which will be connected adjacent the apex of the truss, are connected with the respective holes 20 of the respective tabs 14 being aligned 35 with the line 64. If the apex box is simply used as a top chord box for forming a web member connection at a place other than the apex, the lines 62 are used to define the ideal or preferred location point for aligning the holes 20 of the web members to connect the web member to the chord.

The lines 64 define a distance range with the line 60 in which the web members can be connected. Thus, the lines 62 show the location of a preferred web member connection point of a reinforcing web member with the chord and the 5 lines 64 with the lines 60 define a connection region in which, depending on the length of the web member selected from a stock set of lengths, the web member can be connected to the respective chords so as to ensure the structural integrity of the formed truss.

The marking 60 defines a theoretical connection point which is used in the analysis and calculation of a web member layout for a particular truss which will provide the truss with the required structural integrity in order to perform the intended function of the truss. Typically, a 15 number of theoretical connection points will be defined on the chords of the truss to which theoretical web members could be connected to provide that structural integrity. When a truss is designed, various truss layouts which include the chords and the web members are produced in 20 software so that the location of the web members relative to the chords is determined. Generally the software may run through various routines and place web members in different positions in order to determine a required layout which provides the structural integrity of the truss. Once 25 this has been done, theoretical connection points are determined and are then fixed. As explained above, these theoretical connection points are defined by the markings 60 and when the pedestals are moved under the control of the software or otherwise, those points 60 are located 30 relative to the chords to define the theoretical connection points. The theoretical connection points are not the points at which the web members will actually be connected, but merely theoretical points which provide the required structural analysis. The actual preferred connection 35 points are spaced on either side of the theoretical connection point by a distance of, for example, 50mm which 21 is given by the markings 62 or at least within the range defined by the markings 60 and 64.

In conventional truss analysis and design, theoretical connection points are also determined but those theoretical 5 connection points are moved to provide the actual connection points at which the two adjacent web members are fixed. Because the two adjacent web members must be fixed at that point, less freedom is provided in the selection of web members from a stock set of lengths whereas, with the 10 present invention, because the web members are actually connected a distance from the theoretical point, much greater flexibility is provided.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the metal web members of the preferred embodiment are 15 connected to the chords a distance spaced from the theoretical connection point which is determined in analysis to set out a web member layout for the truss which will provide the required structural integrity. Preferred connection points a predetermined distance from the 20 theoretical connection point and on each side of the connection point are then used to connect adjacent web member ends so as to provide the required structural integrity.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, 25 rather than connect the web members at the theoretical connection point, the web members are connected so that adjacent web members are spaced apart by a distance preferably equal to the distance between the marking 62. However, the adjacent web members could be connected so 30 that one web member is connected to the chord anywhere in the connection region between the markings 60 and 64 and the other web member is connected anywhere between the marking 60 and the other of the markings 64.

Figure 11 shows a pedestal 50 in the form of a 35 universal box which can be provided on the outrigger arms 55 other than the arm 55'. This box is basically the same 22 as the box of Figure 10 except it does not have a notch 59 in the abutment bar 5 6 because the abutment bar 5 6 will abut a straight edge of one of the inclined upper chords of the truss. The pedestal 50 of Figure 11 includes clamps 58 5 which are identical to the clamps of the pedestal 50 shown in Figure 10. This box also includes markings which comprise a first marking 60 which defines a theoretical connection point for a reinforcing web member, a second pair of markings 62 which define preferred connection 10 points which are spaced from the theoretical point by the distance of 50mm, and a third set of markings 64 which are spaced from the line 60 by 100mm, and which, with the markings 60, define a connection region in which a reinforcing web member can be connected to a chord so as to 15 ensure the structural integrity of the truss.

Figure 12 shows a universal box which has the same marking with the same spacings as the box of Figure 11.

This box is preferably used on the rail 54 and has an abutment rail 56 and a clamp 58 which will provide a 20 clamping force in the direction of arrow F to clamp an inner surface of the lower chord or, in other words, to provide a clamping force directed outwardly of the truss so as to push the lower chord hard against the abutment rail 56.

Figure 13 shows a splice box which is the box 50'' on rail 54 in Figure 9 and which can be positioned where two pieces of timber which are to form the lower web member abut one another and which are joined by a nail plate so as to form the lower chord of the truss. This box can also be 30 used as a pedestal which defines a connection point for a web member as well as a splice between pieces of timber which define a chord and therefore also has markings which are identical to the markings of Figures 10, 11 and 12 and clamps 58 which provide a clamping force in the direction 35 of arrow F in Figure 13.

Figure 14 shows chords 70 and 72 which are inclined with respect to one another and form the upper chords of office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 received 23 the truss and bottom chord 74 positioned in place on pedestals 50. The chords are preferably made from wood but could also be made from metal. It should be noted that not all the pedestals 50 in the system need be used in order to 5 support the chords 70, 72 and 74 and form the truss. As is conventional, pedestals in the form of heel boxes 57 are located at the ends of the truss where the upper chords 70 and 72 join with the lower chord 74. These pedestals are completely conventional in nature and need not be marked 10 because reinforcing web members will not be connected to the parts of the chords supported by these pedestals.

^ The chords 70, 72 and 74 are connected together by nail plates which are pressed into the chords 70, 72 and 74 in a conventional manner which therefore need not be 15 described.

Figures 14A and 14B show the clamp 58 which is used on the pedestals of Figures 10 to 13. As is apparent from Figures 10 to 13, the pedestal shown in Figure 10 shows two clamps, the pedestal in Figure 11 a single clamp, the 20 pedestal in Figure 12 a single clamp and the pedestal in Figure 13 two clamps. Only one of the clamps is shown in Figure 14A but the other, if the pedestal includes two clamps, is identical.

The clamp 58 comprises a channel section 100 which 25 contains a pneumatic or hydraulic ram 102. The ram 102 has a ram arm 104 which is connected to a clamp element 106 in the form of a cylinder which extends up above the channel 100. The cylinder 106 can be connected with a block 108 to facilitate sliding movement of the cylinder 106 within the 3 0 channel 100 when the ram arm 104 is extended to provide a clamping force. Fluid to power the clamp 58 may be supplied by a line 110.

A sliding plate 112 is mounted on the channel 100 and is coupled to the cylinder 102 by a screw 114 to secure the 35 rear of the cylinder within the channel 100. The plate 112 has a lower T-shaped plate 116 which is connected to the 24 plate 112 by a screw 118 so that when the screw 118 tightened, the plates 112 and 116 are pulled together so as to clamp the plate 112 to in-turned flanges 120 of the channel 100. By loosening the screw 118, the plate 112 can be moved along the length of the channel 100 to position the ram 102 in the required position depending on timber size.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 but including the arrows F which show the clamping force provided by the clamps 58 which clamp against inner surfaces of the chords 70, 72 and 74 respectively or, in other words, provide a clamping force which is directed outwardly of the truss and which push the chords 70, 72 and 74 hard against the abutment rails 56 of the pedestals 50.

The clamps 58 together with the abutments 56 define the geometrical shape of the truss formed from the chords 70, 72 and 74 in its final orientation before location of the reinforcing web members 10 within the chords 70, 72 and 74 to complete the truss.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the reinforcing web members 10 secured in position so as to complete the truss.

The pedestals 50 are positioned in a manner known per se usually under the control of a computer program so as to support the chord 70 in the vicinity of connection points at which the reinforcing web members 10 will connect to the chords 70, 72 and 74. After the pedestals are located in place, the chords are located on the pedestals and are clamped in place by the clamps 58 and the abutment rails 56 to define the geometry of the truss before the web members 10 are connected in place.

Figures 17 to 20 explain the connection of the reinforcing web members 10 and, in particular, the connection of the reinforcing web member 10 ' in Figure 16. In general, the web members 10 are laid out and supported intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 received "vicLLtCTUAL PROPERTY office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 received on the pedestals 50 as shown in Figure 16 before any of the web members 10 are secured in place. The web member marked 10 ' ' in Figure 16 is usually connected in place first. The pedestals 50 are moved into position so that the mark 60 of 5 the pedestals, which defines a theoretical connection point of web members 10 ' to the chords 70, 72 and 74, is located at those theoretical connection points. The web member 10 '' is secured in place in the same manner as the web member 10 ' and this securement process will be described in 10 detail with reference to Figures 17 to 20 which applies to the web member 10 '. The web member 10 ' is first positioned so that the tab 14 is located in place so that the hole 20 through which the screw (not shown) will pass is in * alignment with the mark 62 which defines the preferred 15 connection point which is spaced a predetermined distance from the connection point 60. The pre-bend of the tab 14 facilitates general support of the reinforcing web member 10 by the pedestals 50 shown in Figure 17 because the prebend will tend to orient the web member 10 generally in the 2 0 position shown in Figure 17 when the bend 14 sits generally flush with the surface 74a of the chord 74. A screw can then be easily driven through the hole 2 0 in the tab 14 so as to secure the tab 14 to the surface 74a of the chord 74.This securement is shown in Figure 18 and it can be seen 25 in Figure 18 that the web member 10 is inclined with ^ respect to the chord. 74 and. generally sits on an edge of the pedestal 50 because of the pre-bend in the tab 14. The spiral arrow in Figure 18 represents installation of the screw (not shown) through the hole 2 0 to connect the tab 14 3 0 to the chord 74.

As shown by Figure 19, the web'member 10 is then gripped by a workman (not shown) and pulled in the direction of arrow B so as to pull the other tab labelled 14 ' ' in Figure 18 flush against the surface 70a of the 35 chord 70. This movement bends the web member body 12 of the web member 10 with respect to the fastened tab 14 so the body 12 takes up its final orientation with respect to the tab 14. The pre-bend of the tab 14 ensures that the radius of curvature of the bend between the tab 14 and the intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 26 received transition 18 is as small as possible so that the tab 14 sits flush and tightly against the surface 74a of the web member 74. The workman pulls the web member 10 into position so that the hole in the tab 14 '' falls within the limits defined by the mark 60 and the mark 64 in Figure 19.

When the tab is pulled into this position, the workman knows that the tab 14 '' is located in the correct position.

Most preferably the hole 2 0 will be on the preferred mark 62 but depending on the size of the web member 10 which is selected and accuracy of positioning of the pedestal 50 and the contour of the chord 70, the hole 2 0 may not be exactly on the mark 62. However, provided that the hole 20 falls within the region between the mark 60 and the mark 64, the workman will know that the web member 10 is properly positioned.

When the web member 10 is pulled into the position shown in Figure 19, the barbs 26 or 28 which are formed on the tab 14 '', as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, will bite into the surface 7 0a, as shown in Figure 21, and when the workman releases the barb 10, the embedding of the barbs into the surface 70a will prevent the chord 10 from moving or sliding on the surface 70a in a direction opposite arrow B. Thus, once the web member 10 has been pulled into position the workman knows that the web member will hold m that position because of the embedding of the barbs 2 6 or 2 8 into the surface 7 0a and the workman then has two free hands available to him to use a drill or other work piece in order to screw a screw through the hole 2 0 in the tab 14 ' ' and securely fasten the tab 14 ' ' to the surface 70a of the chord 70. As the workman pulls the web member 10 into the position shown in Figure 19, the tab 14 ' ' will bend further from the original position shown in Figures 1 to 4 and into its final orientation with respect to the web member 10. Once again, the slight pre-bend will ensure that the radius of curvature between the transition region 18 of the tab 14 ' ' is as small as possible so that the tab 14 ' ' sits flush and tightly against the surface 70a. Figure 2 0 illustrates by the spiral arrow shown in Figure 2 0 the securement of the tab 14 ' ' in place. intellectual property, office of n.z. 2 I NOV 2003 27 received The securing of the web member 10 and, in particular, the securement of the screw which will locate the tab 14 ' to the web member 70 as shown in Figure 20, will have the tendency to pull the web member 70 inwardly in the direction of arrow C in Figure 20 towards the chord 74.

The tendency of the chord 70 to move in the direction of arrow C, or in other words, for the chord 70 and 74 to pull together is prevented by the clamps 58 which provide a clamping force on the inner surfaces 7 0a and 74a of the chords 70 and 74, or in other words, a clamping force directly outwardly of the truss. Thus, the clamping of the inner surface which defines the final geometry of the truss prevents the chords 70 and 74 from moving during installation of the web members 10 which may otherwise occur, particularly if the holes 20 in the tabs 14 do not align exactly with the preferred connection points shown by the mark 62 on the pedestals 50.

As is apparent from a consideration of Figures 16 to 20, when the web members 10 are secured in place, the holes 2 0 in the tabs 14 are spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance from the theoretical connection point 60 preferably by a distance given by the preferred connection point 64 but, in any event, within a region defined by the markings 60 and 64. The tabs 14 are also t-'v ^ r~* frs ra t~v -v f- t-i /-3 /-\ ri r* Vm if- —i >-> 4— V-i ✓—> v T'Vi #-i \ —» /-i /-% /«J —\ -v- 4— SJ. XW <_ tAJ-/ L4. UllWL.il'wi. • X lie O Ct U connection of the web members 10 in this manner provides greater flexibility in the selection of web members 10 from a stock set of web member lengths and therefore the formation of trusses using those web members.

Figure 22 shows an adjacent pair of web members 10 secured to one of the chords, such as the chord 70. As is apparent from consideration of Figure 22, the web member connection points which are defined by the holes 20 through which screws S are driven so as to secure the tabs 14 to the chord 70, are spaced apart from the theoretical connection point 60 shown in dotted lines. The screws and holes 20 are in alignment with the preferred connection point 62, and obviously within the range defined by the 28 lines 64. The web members 10 shown in Figure 22 define a pair of web members which have ends which are shown in Figure 22 which are closest together and secured in the above manner. The other ends of the web members 10 shown in Figure 22 are secured to a top chord or top chords and with another web member, not shown, will define another pair of web members which have ends close together and which are connected in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 22. 29

Claims (8)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A reinforcing web member for a structural framework which is assembled from a plurality of chords and reinforcing web members, said web member comprising: a web member body; at least one securement tab at an end of the body configured for engagement with one of said chords and adapted to be permanently secured to the chord; and an ancillary connector on the web member for temporarily holding the web member in position in the framework to enable a workman to permanently secure the tab to the chord.

2. The reinforcing web member of claim 1 wherein the web member has tabs at each end and each tab is provided with the ancillary connector.

3. The reinforcing web member of claim 2 wherein the ancillary connector is provided by at least one barb on the tab.

4. The reinforcing web member of claim 3 wherein the barb may be provided by a burst hole with the barb comprising a portion of the tab which is deformed from the tab during formation of the burst hole.

5. The reinforcing web member of claim 3 wherein the barb is provided in the form of a tooth arranged at a side edge of the tab.

6. The reinforcing web member of claim 1 wherein the web member body has a longitudinal axis and the securement tab is bent at an obligue angle with respect to the longitudinal axis prior to assembly and securement of the web member into the framework. 111195-1 j intellectual property office of n.z. 2 1 NOV 2003 - 30 -

7. The reinforcing web member of claim 1 wherein the web member body is formed from a tube having free edges which are adjacent one another and which define therebetween a longitudinal slot, and further comprising a transition between the web member body and tab defined by a deformation including a valley aligned with the longitudinal slot in the web member body.

8. A reinforcing web member as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. END OF CLAIMS 111195-1 intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 1 NOV 2G93 received