Abstract:
A rafter assembly is provided for joining each adjacent pair of trusses by linkage members that precisely define the predetermined spacing required between the trusses, support the trusses against relative motion apart, and include integral truss penetrating projections for initial attachment and conventional fastener alignment means for accommodating permanent connection fasteners. Further, the linkage members are configured and mountable on the trusses so as to provide no interference with the attachment of the structural members creating the roof surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to construction of roofs for buildings, and, more particularly, to methods for mounting preassembled rafters to a building to support a site-built roof surface. 
     In construction of either mobile or static buildings, roofs have generally been built by either the use of “stick built” rafters or prefabricated rafter trusses. In either case, the rafters are usually first positioned with respect to each other and the lower portion of the building they are to cover along the entire area to be covered by the roof. Once all or substantially all of the rafters are in place, the structural material for the roof surface, often sheets of plywood, are attached to the rafters. 
     Prefabricated rafter trusses are becoming more and more commonly used due to the reduced cost and construction time they can provide. By “prefabricated,” it is meant that the rafter trusses are initially assembled from multiple structural members, usually 2×4 lumber members, at a location remote from the site of the building being constructed, and then transported to the construction site for installation on the building as a completed unit via a crane or like machinery. 
     Unlike with stick built roofs, when using prefabricated rafter trusses, there is typically no central ridgebeam to which they are mounted and spaced as each rafter is put in place. Given the weight and size of such trusses, it is important to maintain proper orientation and spacing as each truss is brought to the roof. Previously, workers have had to carefully measure the spacing and plumb of each truss as it was lifted and placed over the building by the crane. Once satisfied of the truss location, full lengths of construction grade 2×4 lumber were typically nailed to each adjacent truss to temporarily hold it in place. Unfortunately, in such situations there is often no safe platform for the roof workers to stand on when holding that relatively large and heavy 2×4 at the ready, measuring the truss position and then holding the 2×4 in place while nailing it to each of the trusses. Thus, some imprecision could be introduced in truss position or hazardous environment created for the worker as a result, particularly during placement of the initial trusses. 
     Further, the 2×4s were only a temporary form of truss retention. As the sheets of plywood were permanently secured to each truss, additional labor was required to have the 2×4s removed and set aside. Thus, nail perforated lumber was often found strewn about the workplace, creating yet another hazard for workers, visitors and casual trespassers frequently attracted to the construction site. In addition, this lumber was often permanently discarded as waste and not used for any other purpose, if for no other reason than the effort required to remove the nails initially placed in it for the trusses. 
     Obviously, in each aspect, there have been methods of correcting these deficiencies of construction practice. Unfortunately, it was often the case that the high cost of labor time to correct these deficiencies effectively precluded remedy by that route. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus from the construction of building roofs. Other objects include the provision of a roof construction arrangement that: 
     a. is less costly in terms of both material and labor expenses, 
     b. utilizes less hazardous construction methods, 
     c. provides more accurate placement and retention of roof rafters, 
     d. is less wasteful of environmental resources, and 
     e. is easier to apply and can be permanently affixed to the building. 
     These and other objects are attained by the provision of a rafter assembly for joining each adjacent pair of trusses by linkage members that precisely define the predetermined spacing required between the trusses, support the trusses against relative motion apart, and include integral truss penetrating projections for initial attachment and conventional fastener alignment means for accommodating permanent connection fasteners. Further, the linkage members are configured and mountable on the trusses so as to provide no interference with the attachment of the structural members creating the roof surface. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will now become readily apparent to those of skill in this technology from consideration of the attached drawings and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a top, right perspective view of a portion of a roof rafter arrangement according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows an enlarged, bottom plan view of the linkage member of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a side view of the linkage member of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the linkage member of FIG. 1, as taken along line  4 — 4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention as applied to roof rafter trusses. The specific truss structure is conventional, as is the lower portion of the building. Thus, these features are only shown in rudimentary form. Also, while only two such exemplary trusses are shown specifically, it will be understood that the linkage member of the present invention is intended to be applicable to all or substantially all such trusses of the entire roof structure. 
     In FIG. 1, the lower portion of the building is shown with structural framework  10  upon which a plurality of spaced-apart roof rafter trusses  12 , framework or the like are placed. Trusses  12  are each, for example, preassembled sections formed from a plurality of individual structural members  14 ,  15 ,  16  and so forth. Those structural members are, for example, 2×4 lumber cut to desired length and shape and fixed together at a location remote from the building site where the trusses will ultimately be used. As is conventional, structural material, such as sheets of plywood, will be overlayed and secured to the trusses when the overall rafter framework is completed. 
     The present invention includes linkage members  20 , a least one of which is secured to each pair of adjacent trusses  12 . Preferably, each linkage member  20  is formed from a length of relatively rigid and light-weight sheet metal or plastic material only slightly longer than the spacing desired between rafters, typically  24  inches “on center” in standard roof constructions. Thus, multiple linkage members  20  can be easily handled or even pocketed by workers in elevated locations at the rafter site. 
     Each linkage member  20  is, for example formed with a first end  22  and second end  24 , extending along a longitudinal axis  26 . At each of ends  22  and  24 , a projection  28  is formed to extend away from axis  26 . Where linkage  20  is formed from a length of sheet metal, projections  28  can be formed by bending the terminal portions of the length to a generally orthogonal position. The length of projections  28  can be as desired for a particular application, but it has been found that only approximately one inch of such projection is necessary in many circumstances for the linkage member to function adequately. 
     However, the distance between projections  28  should be carefully measured to correspond to precisely the desired separation of trusses  12 , allowing for the width of the material used in the trusses. The allowance for that width is needed since, in preferred embodiments, linkage member  20  is positioned to overlay each adjacent truss  12 , with projections  28  extending downwardly closely along the opposite, outward side  30  of each truss  12 . By extending projections  28  in this matter, linkage member  20  restricts movement of trusses  12  apart from each other once the trusses are positioned on the building. Given that each linkage member is used in a similar manner in adjacent pairs of such trusses, the overall arrangement or system of linkage members also serves to restrict motion of the trusses toward each other, since that could only result from movement of the trusses apart from the next adjacent trusses, which is blocked by the next linkage member. 
     Linkage members  20  also include penetrating projections  32  adjacent each of ends  22  and  24 . Projections  32  are positioned at their respective ends so as to engage a surface of the truss overlayed by that end of the linkage member. Preferably, projections  32  are integrally formed on the linkage members, as by a deforming punch through a portion of the linkage member, so that no addition fastener need be held by the worker during installation. Thus, by simply pounding the end of the linkage member in place with a hammer, the linkage member can be initially secured to the truss beneath that end. 
     Linkage members  20  further include a means to accommodate permanent attachment to the trusses by conventional fasteners, such as nails. For this purpose, apertures  34  are formed in linkage members  20  adjacent each of ends  22  and  24 . Apertures  34  facilitate alignment of the nails with the trusses and penetration of the linkage member by the nails to the trusses. In especially preferred embodiments, apertures  34  are formed by the same deforming punch as creates projections  32 . 
     To facilitate economical manufacture and minimize the dimensions of linkage members  20 , a rigidifying bend  36  or crease may, for example, be formed along the length of the linkage member intermediate ends  22  and  24 . The particular configuration of this bend can be as desired according to the rigidity needed for a particular application with a given material thickness, as is generally conventional. 
     In practice, linkage members  20  can be placed at any desired location on adjacent trusses  12 , and not merely on top surfaces  38 , as shown. Where the linkage members are mounted on the top surfaces of the rafters, it has been found that the relatively thin nature of the linkage member does not interfere with the subsequent mounting of plywood sheets to the rafters in forming the roof surface. 
     Further, although the present invention has been described above with respect to specific embodiments, that was done by way of illustration and example only and not as a limitation to invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will now realize that within the present invention numerous other modifications and adaptations of specific embodiments can be made. For example, although describe with respect to a static structure application, the present invention is similarly applicable to construction of mobile home roofs using related truss arrays. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention are limited only by the terms of the claims below.