Patent Publication Number: US-2009226282-A1

Title: System for transporting and installing roof trusses

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/066,963 filed Feb. 25, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the construction of building roofs. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus for transporting and installing trusses for building roofs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, the common system for installing trusses for building roofs is unsatisfactory. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a truss  10 , generally has a long base  12 , a height  14 , and a pair of sloping side rafters  16 . The truss  10  is suspended by some suspension means  18 , such as rope, wire, or chain, below the forks  20  of a fork lift or “lull,” a type of lift commonly used on building sites and referred to by the name of its manufacturer. 
     Because the truss  10  is suspended below the forks  20 , the height to which the truss  10  can be lifted is limited. Also, because the truss  10  can rotate about the suspension means  18 , it lacks stability and is difficult to handle, resulting in only one truss  10  being installed at a time. J Alternatively, a truss could be placed across the top of, and perpendicular to, the forks  20 . However, this placement makes it difficult for workers on the building to remove the truss from the forks  15  and place it in its proper location on the building. Still another alternative involves bringing a crane with a longer boom to a building site. However, the increased costs of using such a crane and the lack of stability of suspending a truss, as described above, make the use of a crane more expensive and dangerous. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast to the above-described system for installing trusses, the truss handling apparatus and method efficiently and inexpensively transports trusses for building roofs and facilitates installation. 
     The invention relates to a truss handling apparatus including a platform, a truss engaging device, and a lift interface. The platform has at least two contact points for engaging the truss. The truss engaging device is spaced from the platform for engaging the truss. The lift interface interfaces with a lift to allow movement of the apparatus. 
     In an embodiment, the platform has a front edge and a back edge. The contact point is a channel extending from the front edge to the back edge. The truss engaging device is a retaining device associated with the channels for retaining the truss. The lift interface is the base which has a pair of beams having a pair of openings. 
     In an embodiment, each of the retaining devices includes a cylinder and a rod having a first end received by the cylinder and a second end having a “U” shape for engaging the truss. A spring mechanism is connected between the cylinder and the rod for retaining the second end of the rod in engagement with the truss. 
     In an embodiment, the truss handling apparatus has a support structure for supporting the retaining device. 
     In an embodiment, each of the retaining devices includes a post with a pair of legs that project from the platform. A rail moves relative to the legs. A truss engaging member is for engaging the truss. A spring or ratchet mechanism is connected between the rail and the leg for retaining the truss engaging member in engagement with the truss. 
     In an embodiment, a material handling apparatus includes a base having a platform having a front edge and a back edge and a pair of support beams underlying the platform. The support beams each have openings adapted to receive arms of a lifting device. At least one material handling holder is adapted to engage the material and limit movement towards the platform and direction parallel to the front edge of the platform. A material retaining device is connected to the platform and has an engaging end spaced from the material holder for receiving and retaining the material in cooperation with the material handling holder. 
     In an embodiment, one support beam underlies the front edge and the other support beam underlies the back edge. In an embodiment, a lifting device has a pair of forks that are accepted by the openings in support beams of the platform. 
     In an embodiment, the material is a roof truss. In an embodiment, the material is a framed window. 
     In a method of installing roof trusses, a truss handling apparatus has a platform and plurality of truss handling channels. At least one truss is placed in one of the truss handling channels wherein the side walls of the channel limit transverse movement of the truss. A retaining device engages the truss. A lift is coupled to the truss handling apparatus. The truss handling apparatus is lifted relative to a structure. The truss is moved from the truss handling apparatus to the structure. 
     In a method, the retaining device is “U” shaped second end of a rod engages the truss. In a method, the retaining device is truss engaging member carried by a rail that moves relative to a post carried by the platform. 
     In an embodiment, the platform is tilted so that the front edge is higher than the back edge so that gravity causes the truss to engage the retaining device. 
     In an embodiment, the truss handling apparatus includes a base having a platform having a front edge and a back edge and a pair of support beams underlying the platform. The support beams each have openings adapted to receive arms or forks of a lifting device. The apparatus has a plurality of truss handling channels. Each channel has a base and a pair of side walls that extend generally perpendicular to the front edge. Each channel is adapted to engage the truss and limit movement towards the platform and direction parallel to the front edge of the platform. The apparatus has a truss retaining device connected to the platform which has an engaging end spaced from the truss handling channels for receiving and retaining the truss in cooperation with the truss retaining device. 
     These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein preferred embodiments are shown as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the use of a preferred embodiment of the prior art for transporting roof trusses; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the use of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of the truss handling apparatus attached to a lifting means; 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged broken view taken along area  3 B in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed front view of the truss handling apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the truss handling apparatus attached to a lifting means; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the truss handling apparatus of  FIG. 5   
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the truss handling apparatus of  FIG. 5  attached to a lifting means; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the truss handling apparatus; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a truss handling apparatus of  FIG. 8  with a pair of trusses. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a system for transporting and installing building roof trusses. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in use in  FIG. 2 . It should be noted that although the preferred embodiment of the present invention described at length here is a system for roof trusses, the present invention can also be used for other commonly used construction materials that can fit into a channel and that need to be delivered to a higher location. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a truss handling apparatus  30  of the invention interacting with the forks  20  of a lift  22  is shown. The truss handling apparatus  30  has a base  32  with a platform  34  and a plurality of channels  36 . One of the channels  36  is shown retaining the base  12  of the truss. The truss handling apparatus  30  in addition has a retaining device  38  which engages the sloping side rafters  16  of the truss  10 . As can readily be seen, the truss  10  is transported on top of, and parallel to, the forks  20  of the lift  22 . The truss  10  is in channel  36  and is further held in place by retaining device  38 . This allows the truss  10  to be raised higher by the same lift than was possible in the prior art. It also allows the truss  10  to be handled by workers on the building more easily. In addition, this embodiment has four channels  36 , each of which can hold a truss concurrently, although only one truss  10  is shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , a front view of the truss handling apparatus  20  attached to a lift or lifting means  22  is shown. The platform  34  of the truss handling apparatus  20  has a length  42 , a width  44 , a front edge  46 , and a back edge  48 . The platform  34  is supported by a pair of “I” beams  50  of the base  34  that run the length  42  of the platform  34  and underlie the platform  34 . Each of the “I” beams  50  has a pair of openings  52 , which in the embodiment shown are a pair of rectangular holes, that accept the forks  20  of the lift  22 . 
     On top of the platform  34  there are the plurality of “U” shaped channels  36 , which are transverse to the length  42  of the platform  34 . Each of the channels  36  has a base  54  with an interior width  42  that is slightly larger than the width of a commonly used truss  10 , or of a multiple of such width. This allows a truss  10 , or multiple trusses  10 , to be placed in each channel  40 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3A , the retaining device  36  of the truss handling apparatus  20  is located on top of the platform  34  placed next to each channel  36 . The retaining device  36  has a cylinder  60  that extends vertically from the platform  34 . The cylinder  60  has an opening  62  that receives a first end  64  of a rod  66 , as best seen in  FIG. 3B . The second end  68  of the rod  66  is “U” shaped. When a truss  10  is placed in a channel  36 , it engages the hook-shaped second end  68  of the rod  66  that extends from the cylinder  60 . 
     While the FIG. shows the forks  22  only extending through the holes of one “I” beam, it is recognized that it is preferred that the forks  22  extend through both “I” beams for stability reasons. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , an enlarged broken out section of the cylinder  60  is shown. The first end  64  of the rod  66  extends through the opening  62  in the cylinder  60 . A spring  70 , carried in the cylinder  60  and connected to the rod  66 , exerts a force on the rod  66  vertically downward. This causes the hook shaped second end  53  of the rod  52  to exert pressure on the truss  10 , holding the truss  10  stable while it is being transported. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a detailed front view of the truss handling apparatus  30  is shown in  FIG. 3A . Each “U” shaped channel  36  has the base  54  and the pair of side walls  56 . The side walls  56  limit movement of the truss  10  in the transverse direction. The retaining device  38  has a support structure  72  for positioning the cylinder  60 . The support structure  72  includes a pair of cross bars  76  that extend between adjoining cylinders  60  and a metal mesh  78  extends between the cylinders  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the truss handling apparatus  20  attached to a lifting means  22  is shown. The pair of “I” beams  50  are shown. Each of the forks  20  extends through an opening  52  in each “I” beam  50 . Each “U” shaped channel  36  has the base  54  and the pair of side walls  56 . The side walls  56  limit movement of the truss  10  in the transverse direction. The support structure  72  of the retaining device  38  for positioning the cylinder  60  includes an arm  74  that extends from the platform  34  to the cylinder  60  and a series of cross bars  76  that extend between adjoining cylinders  60 . 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the truss handling apparatus  30  of  FIG. 5 . Both figures show the truss handling apparatus  30  with the base  32  having the platform  34  and the pair of “I” beams  50 . The “I” beams each have a pair of openings for accepting the forks  20 . The retaining device  36  of the truss handling apparatus  30  is located on top of the platform  34  placed next to each channel  36 . Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4 , the retaining device  36  has a cylinder  60  that extends vertically from the platform  34 . The second end  68  of the rod  66  is “U” shaped. When a truss  10  is placed in a channel  36 , it engages the hook-shaped second end  68  of the rod  66  that extends from the cylinder  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a side view of the truss handling apparatus  30  attached to a lifting means  22  is shown. The forks  20  are shown extending through both “I” beams  50 . The openings  52  in the “I” beams  50  through which the forks  20  extend are shown in hidden line. The channels  36  overlie the platform  34  of the base  32  of the truss handling apparatus  30 . The retaining device  38  includes the cylinder  60 , the rod  66 , and the support structure  72 . A portion of a truss  10  is shown in phantom. Note that the channels  36  are each located outboard of the forks  20  when the base  32  of the truss handling apparatus  30  is engaged by the lifting means  22 . This allows the truss  10  to over hang the back edge  48  of the platform  34 . 
     When a contractor or framer is building a structure, the person slides a truss  10  into one or more channels  36  of the truss handling apparatus  30 . The “U” shaped second end  68  of the rod  66  of the retaining device  38  can either be positioned to slide up the sloping side rafters  16  of the truss  10  or can be rotated out of way until the truss  10  is positioned in the channel  36 . The “U” shaped second end  68  of the rod  66  retains the truss  10 . 
     The forks  20  of the lift  22  are either slid into the openings  52  of the “I” beams  50  of the truss handling apparatus  30  either prior to the placing of the truss(es)  10  on the truss handling apparatus  30  or just prior to lifting the base  32  upward. The truss handling apparatus  30  is raised to the proximity where the trusses are going to be finally placed. Each truss  10  is slid out of the channel  36 . The retaining device can either slide along the top of the sloping side rafters  16  or decouple from the sloping side rafters of the truss  10  prior to sliding the truss from the platform  34  to the building. While not shown, it is recognized that safety rails can project upward from the platform  34  for the safety of the personnel. 
     In one embodiment, the platform  34  is then tilted so that the front edge  46  is higher than the back edge  48  so that gravity causes the truss  10  to engage the retaining device  38 , as described in detail above. The platform  34  is then raised and moved by the lift  22  to the building in which the truss  10  is to be installed. The platform  34  is then further raised so that its top is approximately even with the surface in the building on which the truss  10  is to be installed. The truss  10  can then be slid easily from the platform onto the surface for installation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the truss handling apparatus  30  is shown.  FIG. 9  is a similar view with a pair of trusses  10 . The truss  10  in the front is a rectangular truss and the truss in back is an “A” shaped truss. The truss handling apparatus  30  has a base  32  with a platform  34  and a plurality of channels  36 . One of the retaining devices  38  is shown engaging the sloping side rafters  16  of the “A” shaped truss  10  and another retaining device  38  is shown engaging the top of the rectangular truss in  FIG. 9 . 
     The platform  34  of the truss handling apparatus  20  has a length  42 , a width  44 , a front edge  46 , and a back edge  48 . The platform  34  is supported by a pair of “I” beams  50  of the base  34  that run the length  42  of the platform  34  and underlie the platform  34 . The edges of the base  32  have a facing  80  that covers the ends of the “I” beams  50 . In contrast to the previous embodiments, each of the “I” beams  50  has four openings  52 , which in the embodiment shown are a pair of rectangular holes, that accept the forks  20  of the lift  22 . Generally only a matched pair of openings  52  will be used; the four openings allow the truss handling apparatus  30  to work with lifts  22  that have forks  20  that are spaced differently and not adjustable. 
     On top of the platform  34  there are the plurality of “U” shaped channels  36 , which are transverse to the length  42  of the platform  34 . Each of the channels  36  has a base  54  with an interior width that is slightly larger than the width of a commonly used truss  10 , or of a multiple of such width. This allows a truss  10 , or multiple trusses  10 , to be placed in each channel  40 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the retaining device  36  of the truss handling apparatus  20  is located on top of the platform  34  placed next to each channel  36 . The retaining device  38  has a post  82  with a pair of legs  84  that extend up between adjoining channels  36 . The retaining device  38  has a truss engaging member  86  with a pair of arms  88  that overlie the truss  10 , as seen in  FIG. 9 . The truss engaging member  86  is pivotably mounted to a rail  90  that moves relative to the legs  84  of the post  82 . The retaining device  38  has a spring or ratchet mechanism to retain the truss engaging member  86  against the truss. One of the reasons the retaining device  38 , the tower, is at the back  48  of the platform  34  (closest to where the forks go in and furthest from the building) is in part so that the ratchet mechanism does not need to go further up when releasing the truss. 
     In the ratchet mechanism, a rod that sticks out from the tower, the leg  84 , and that ratchets down just like a ladder ratchets up. Thus the rod-lever will click and lock as it slides down. Gravity will cause the road-lever to move down relative to the rest of the tower. It is like a double hook and lever that flips back and forth. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each of the channels  36  has an end  94  of the base  54  that angles downward on the back edge  48  to assist in loading of the truss  10 . The curved portion  94  of the channels  36  at the back end (the tower end) of the platform are so that the tail of the trusses are not caught on the channels  36 . The tail is the portion of the truss that extends below the main bottom of the truss at both ends for the typical triangular truss. A plurality of safety rail receptacles  92  for placing safety rails are located on the platform  34  between the pair of channels  36  and at the ends of the platform  34 . 
     While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is recognized that while a truss is shown, the apparatus  30  can be used for other items such as doors and windows. While an “I” beam  50  is shown, it is recognized that other structures such as a box beam can be used. 
     It is recognized that multiple trusses are typically only in a single channel when they are already fastened together as in a girt truss (so that they form a structural material as a whole). These fastened-together trusses are wider than individual trusses and the channels  36  are designed to be side enough to accommodate them. 
     It is recognized that while a solid platform  34  is described, that it need not be a solid structure. If it is not also being used as a work platform, the base structure could be a series of “I” beams and channels and towers.