Abstract:
A truss comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending frame members, which, when secured together, have a substantially rectangular configuration, the truss having vertically and horizontally extending members connecting each other, the connections being mechanical, and a plurality of diagonally extending members.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to trusses, and more particularly relates to a truss being formed of a plurality of frame members which do not require welding, but are interconnected mechanically. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Trusses are well known in the art and have been utilized for centuries to build and support structures ranging from roofs to aircraft. Trusses are typically composed of triangles because of the structural stability of that shape and design. However, other types of trusses are also known in the art. As aforementioned, there are different types of trusses with there being two basic types for which the first is a pitched truss otherwise known as a common truss which is characterised by a triangular shape. The second type of truss is known as a parallel chord truss or flat truss and is characterised by parallel top and bottom chords. 
         [0003]    Typically, most trusses are formed of a metallic material utilizing welding to interconnect the various frame members. However, while welding provides a good quality final product, it requires a considerable amount of skilled labour which increases the cost of the truss. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a truss which utilizes mechanical interconnections and which is relatively inexpensive to fabricate. 
         [0005]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a truss comprising, two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members, two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members, the longitudinally extending upper and lower frame members forming a rectangular configuration having an upper side, a lower side, and first and second lateral sides, each of the upper and lower frame members having a plurality of connection points located therealong, the connection points forming a plurality of sets thereof, each set comprising four connection points with one connection point located on each frame member, first transversely extending horizontal member extending between the two parallel longitudinally extending upper frame members, third and fourth transversely extending horizontal members extending between the two parallel longitudinally extending lower frame members, first and second diagonally extending members, the diagonally extending members extending between one of the connection points and a midpoint on another of the longitudinally extending members. 
         [0006]    In the one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit. The kit provides the advantage of providing the various components forming the truss in a knock-down condition. This permits on site assembly of the truss if so desired. 
         [0007]    The various members of the truss can be made of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, various metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, various metallic alloys, and the like may be employed. It is equally possible to utilize various plastic materials such as composite reinforced materials as know to those skilled in the art. Combinations of various materials might also be utilized in certain circumstances. 
         [0008]    In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the various members are designed to be secured together by mechanical fasteners while they also may be designed to interlock. In one particular embodiment, structural members might have flanges secured thereto (by welding) and which flanges are designed to receive the ends of other components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the truss according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an end elevational view thereof; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the longitudinally extending frame members forming the truss of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a further one of the longitudinally extending frame members; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a further one of the longitudinally extending frame members; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first type of pin used to attach members; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a further type of pin for attaching members; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a spring member; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a male member for attaching or securing trusses together; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a female member for securing trusses together; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a transversely extending member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto,  FIG. 1  illustrates a truss generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
         [0023]    Truss  10  has, as major components thereof, a first longitudinally extending upper frame member  12 . Running parallel to first longitudinally extending upper frame member  12  is a second longitudinally extending frame member  14 . There is also provided a first longitudinally extending lower frame member  16  lies in a plane below upper frame members  12 ,  14 . The truss also includes a second longitudinally extending lower frame member  18 . 
         [0024]    As may be seen in  FIG. 3  which is an end elevational view, first longitudinally extending member  12 , second longitudinally extending member  14 , first longitudinally extending member  16  and second longitudinally extending member  18  are arranged so to form a rectangular configuration. All of the frame members  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  are arranged to be mutually parallel to one another. Each of the frame members  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  are also arranged such that there is formed an upper side  20 , a lower side  22 , a first lateral side  24  and a second lateral side  26 . 
         [0025]    It will be understood that the terms upper, lower, lateral, side are utilized in a non restrictive manner. The terms are meant to apply to the truss as shown in the figures and it will be understood that these terms are employed to describe parts positioned relative to each other and they are not restrictive of the position of any individual member at any one time. The actual position will naturally depend on the placement of the truss and as aforementioned, the terms are used for ease of description only. 
         [0026]    Truss  10  also includes a plurality of first transversely extending horizontal members  28  which extends between second longitudinally extending upper frame members  12 ,  14 . 
         [0027]    Second transversely extending horizontal members  30  extend between first longitudinally extending lower frame member  16  and second longitudinally extending lower frame member  18 . A plurality of first transversely extending vertical members  32  extend between first longitudinally extending upper frame member  12  and first longitudinally lower frame member  16 . Similarly, second transversely extending vertical members  34  extend between second longitudinally extending upper member  14  and second longitudinally extending lower frame member  18 . 
         [0028]    The above arrangement is such that the transversely extending members are located or positioned at the same point of the respective frame members  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  so as to form a rectangular configuration. It will be noted that the pattern repeats itself along the length of frame members  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , there are four of each of the transversely extending members which in turn translates to provide three sections or portions between the members. 
         [0029]    The connection points of the frame members and transversely extending members are generally designated by reference numerals  36 . There are also further connection points  36  to receive diagonal members as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, there are provided a plurality of diagonally extending members  38  which are provided on both of the lateral sides  24 ,  26  and on upper side  20 . In each of these embodiments, the diagonal members  38  extend between a connection point where the vertical and horizontal transversely extending members are connected and to a point located midway on an opposite longitudinally extending frame member. Thus, as may best be seen in  FIG. 1 , there are provided “sets” or pairs of diagonal members which are utilized on three sides of the truss. In the illustrated embodiment, these are the upper side  20 , the first lateral side  24 , and second lateral side  26 . 
         [0031]    On the lower side  22 , there is provided a bottom transversely extending horizontal member  48  which is of a similar structure to transversely extending members  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 . Bottom transversely extending horizontal member  48  is connected at the midpoint between the connection points of the second transversely extending horizontal members  30 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 4, 5 and 6  illustrate longitudinally extending frame members  12 ,  16  and  18 . As shown, there are a plurality of connection points  36 , each connection point  36  having a somewhat different arrangement. As shown, the longitudinally extending frame members  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  have different connection point arrangements  36  where there are provided sets of flanges. As shown, there are provided a first set of flanges  40  having a single aperture, double aperture flanges  42  and triple aperture flanges  44 . Flanges  40 ,  42  and  44  have apertures  46  therein for securing the various members thereto. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the transversely extending horizontal and vertical members  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  are constructed to have slots formed therein which will receive the set of flanges  40 ,  42 ,  44  as appropriate. Member  28 , in the area of the slots, has an internal wall  52  formed therein with apertures  54  extending therethrough. 
         [0034]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , there is also provided a further diagonal member  56  which is provided at the point of connection of the transversely extending horizontal and vertical members  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 . 
         [0035]    For connecting the various members together,  FIG. 7  illustrates a connecting pin  58  which comprises a tubular body  60  having enlarged ends  62  and  64 . 
         [0036]    The truss structure also utilizes a second type of connecting pin which is illustrated in  FIG. 8  and which is generally designated by reference numeral  66 . Connecting pin  66  has a tubular body  68  with a enlarged end  70  and a second enlarged end  72 . It will be noted that enlarged ends  70 ,  72  are dome shaped. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates a slotted tubular member generally designated by reference numeral  74 . Slotted tubular member  74  includes a longitudinally extending slot  76 . Slotted tubular member  74  may be utilized to connect longitudinally extending members together wherein the slotted tubular member  74  acts as a spring. 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  illustrates a male connector member generally designated by reference numeral  78 . Male connector member  78  includes a tubular body  80  having a plurality of apertures  82  formed therein for receiving a connecting pin. Male connector  78  includes an outwardly extending end flange  84  having an aperture  86  formed therein. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates a female connector generally designated by reference numeral  88 . Female connector  88  includes a tubular  90  having apertures  92  formed therein. At an end of tubular body  90 , there are provided, a pair of parallel flanges  84  having apertures  96  formed therein. In conjunction with each other male connector  78  and female connector  88  are designed to interconnect members together as needed.