TRUSS STRUCTURE

STRUCTURE DE POUTRELLE

Description

CA 02937443 2016-07-28
TRUSS STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to trusses, and more particularly, relates to a
truss made
up of a plurality of frame members which do not require soldering but rather
may be
interconnected mechanically.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many known types of trusses in the art and they are widely used for
many
structural purposes. Conventionally, most trusses employ longitudinally
extending frame
members which are interconnected in one manner or another. Conventionally,
welding is
utilized. While completely suitable, welding requires a considerable amount of
labour and
thus increases the cost of the truss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a truss which utilizes
mechanical
interconnections and which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truss according to an embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a longitudinal frame member according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a longitudinal frame
member;
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Figure 4 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of a longitudinal
frame
member;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pin member;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment thereof;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a slotted spring member;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a male end tube member;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a female end tube member;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a transverse frame member; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a truss.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there
is illustrated in Figures 1 and 11 a truss according to the present invention.
In describing the
truss, Applicant will use certain descriptive terms such as longitudinal,
transverse, vertical,
diagonal, side, front, top, bottom. These terms are meant to apply to the
truss as shown in
the figures; it will be understood that these are used relative to each other
and that may not
always be the position of an individual member at any one time depending on
the placement
of the truss.
Truss 10 includes a plurality of longitudinal frame members 12. Longitudinal
frame
members 12 do differ somewhat from each other as will be discussed in greater
detail
hereinbelow.
A plurality of transverse frame members 14 extend between longitudinal frame
members 12 at spaced apart locations. A plurality of vertical frame members 16
also extend
between longitudinal frame members 12; vertical frame members are
substantially
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perpendicular to transverse frame members 14.
Truss 10 also includes a plurality of diagonal frame members 18 which extend
between a point of juncture of a transverse frame member with longitudinal
frame
member 12 to a point on longitudinal frame members 12.
Three embodiments of longitudinal frame members 12 are shown in Figures 2, 3
and 4 and will now be referred to. Each longitudinal frame member 12 has a
tubular
body 22 onto which are welded longer flanges 24 and shorter flanges 26. A
first type of
longitudinal frame member 12 is shown in Figure 2 and is generally designated
by reference
numeral 28. A second type of longitudinal frame member 12 is shown in Figure 3
and is
generally designated by reference numeral 30. A third type of longitudinal
frame
member 12 is shown in Figure 32 and is generally designated by reference
numeral 32.
Longitudinal frame member 28 is illustrated in Figure 1 and forms the lower
left hand
longitudinal frame member. Longitudinal frame member 30 is also illustrated in
Figure 1
and forms the upper left hand longitudinally extending frame member.
Longitudinal frame
member 32 forms the upper right hand side longitudinally extending frame
member.
As shown in Figure 9, an optional female end tube member 34 may be utilized
for
connecting one truss to another. Female end tube member 34 has a body portion
36 which
includes a plurality of apertures 38 extending therethrough to permit
attachment to a
longitudinal frame member. Female end tube member 34 also includes a pair of
end
projections or flanges with each having an aperture 42 extending therethrough
for
attachment.
A slotted spring member 50 is shown in Figure 7 and includes a cylindrical
tube 44
having a slot 46 extending therethrough. Slotted spring member 50 may be used
to
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join components.
In Figure 5, there is illustrated a first pin member generally designated by
reference
numeral 48 while Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a pin member
which is
generally designated by reference numeral 50. First pin member 48 includes
heads 52 at
either end while second pin member 50 includes heads 54 at ends thereof.
A male end tube member is illustrated in Figure 8 and includes a body 58 with
apertures 60 extending therethrough. At one end, there is provided a prong 62
having an
aperture 64.
In Figure 10 there is illustrated a transverse frame member (can also be a
vertical
frame member). As may be seen, frame member 14, 16 includes a tubular body 68.
At one
end, there is provided a first slot 70 and a second slot 72 which define an
arcuate flange 74.
At the lower portion thereof, there are also provided slots 76, 78 which
define an arcuate
flange 80. As may be seen, there is provided an upper wall 82 and a lower wall
84 interiorly
of tubular body 68 at the ends thereof.
The slots 76, 78 define a channel into which flanges 24, 26 fit. Thus, as may
be seen
from Figure 1, both the transverse members 14 and vertical frame members 16
utilize the
fitting of flanges to 24 and 26 into the channel defined by slots 76, 78. Pins
48, 50 are
utilized to connect transverse frame members 14 and vertical frame members 16
in position.
Likewise, pins 48, 50 are employed to connect diagonal frame members 18 to
flanges 24, 26.
This thus provides a structure utilizing mechanical interconnections which has
the required
strength for its final use.
The present truss can be shipped to its final destination for assembly on the
site.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
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illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing