Patent Publication Number: US-2015075107-A1

Title: Braced truss frame and fall protection system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to truss frames, and more specifically to a braced truss frame and fall protection system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of trusses in the building of structures is commonplace. When the trusses are installed, regulations require that they be braced for structural integrity during installation. Typically, the trusses are braced to the ground. Ground bracing can be a time- consuming process, and the ground braces must be removed when the structure is completed. Furthermore, OSHA regulations require that workers have a fall protection system for safety when working 6 feet or more above the ground. Fall protection systems include harnesses and lifelines connected to an anchoring device mounted on the structure to ensure the worker does not free fall from tall structures, potentially causing injury. Conventional anchoring devices for tying off on a structure require the structure be braced, or alternatively, the structure include sheathing covering the truss. Sheathing, however, is added later in the construction process after the trusses are fastened in position. Bracing the structure is inconvenient and time consuming. Because the trusses must be braced before using the fall protection system, many workers do not use fall protection systems or only use them during later stages of construction, reducing worker safety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a bracing panel for constructing a truss frame having spaced trusses includes first and second engagement members having outer faces extending parallel to each other. A plurality of spacing members are attached to the first and second engagement members. The plurality of spacing members are configured and dimensioned to maintain the outer faces of the first and second engagement members parallel and spaced by a distance equal to a predetermined truss spacing. A bracing member extends between the first and second engagement members and laterally with respect to the spacing members for providing lateral support to the spacing members. 
     In another aspect, a braced truss frame includes first and second trusses. Each truss includes a chord member having an upper surface aligned coplanar with the chord member of the other truss. A plurality of first bracing panels are attached to the chord member of the first truss and attached to the chord member of the second truss. The first bracing panels have a width sized for spacing the first and second trusses by a distance equal to a predetermined truss spacing. The first bracing panels maintain the chord members of the first and second trusses parallel and spaced by the predetermined truss spacing. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of preparing a truss frame for installation on a wall structure includes connecting a plurality of first bracing panels to a first truss. A first engagement member of each of the first bracing panels extends parallel to and engages a chord member of the first truss along a length of the first engagement member. A second truss is connected to the first bracing panels opposite the first truss. A second engagement member of each of the first bracing panels extends parallel to and engages a chord member of the second truss along a length of the second engagement member. Each of the first bracing panels has a width sized for spacing the first and second trusses by a distance equal to a predetermined truss spacing. The first bracing panels maintain the chord members of the first and second trusses parallel and spaced by the predetermined truss spacing. 
     Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective of a building structure including a braced truss frame according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective of a bracing panel according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of a first truss having a plurality of bracing panels attached thereto and a second truss positioned for attachment to the bracing panels opposite the first truss; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective of the first and second trusses attached with bracing panels, with additional bracing panels attached to the opposite side of the second truss and a third truss positioned for attachment to the additional bracing panels; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of the braced truss frame; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective of a first embodiment of the bracing panel fastened between the first and second trusses; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective of a second embodiment of the bracing panel fastened between the first and second trusses and supported by reinforcement members; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective of a third embodiment of the bracing panel attached to the first and second trusses by a hanger; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective of the hanger used to connect the bracing panel and the trusses in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial bottom perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  showing the hanger connected to the bracing panel; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective of the braced truss frame showing an anchor attached to the frame; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective of the braced truss frame installed on a wall structure; and 
         FIG. 13  is a front elevation of the wall structure and the braced truss frame and an additional truss attached to the braced truss frame. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a braced truss frame is generally indicated in its entirety by a reference number  20  and is shown installed on a wall structure, generally indicated by  22 . The braced truss frame  20  includes trusses  24  and bracing panels  26  connecting the trusses and maintaining the trusses in spaced parallel alignment. Each of the trusses  24  includes truss members including chord members  28 . The chord members  28  include upper chord members  30  and a lower chord member  32  joining the lower ends of the upper chord members. Web members  34  extend between the upper and lower chord members  30 ,  32 . The number and orientations of the web members  34  and the chord members  28  may vary from the illustrated embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, as the bracing panel  26  according to the present invention is readily applicable to other truss configurations. Moreover, the bracing panel  26  may be used in a structural support other than a roof truss. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bracing panel  26  is formed from wooden structural members including engagement members configured to engage the chord members  28  of the trusses  24  and spacing members configured to space the engagement members. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracing panel  26  includes a first engagement member  40  and a second engagement member  42  opposite the first engagement member. The first engagement member  40  has an outer face  44  that extends parallel to an outer face (not shown) of the second engagement member. A first spacing member  50  is attached to the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42 , and a second spacing member  52  is opposite the first spacing member and also attached to the first and second engagement members. The first and second spacing members  50 ,  52  maintain the outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  in parallel alignment and spaced by a distance  54  equal to a predetermined truss spacing. The distance  54  between the outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  is the width of the bracing panel  26 . The first and second spacing members  50 ,  52  can extend to the outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42 , or can extend only to inner faces of the first and second engagement members. The bracing panel  26  further includes a bracing member  56  extending between the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42 . The bracing member  56  extends laterally with respect to the spacing members  50 ,  52  for providing lateral support to the spacing members. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the wooden structural members of the bracing panel  26  are attached to each other by nailing plates  60 . First nailing plates  60   a  on the top and bottom of the bracing panel  26  (only the top is shown) connect the first engagement member  40 , the first spacing member  50 , and the bracing member  56 . Second nailing plates  60   b  on the top and bottom of the bracing panel  26  (only the top is shown) connect the second engagement member  42 , the second spacing member  52 , and the bracing member  56 . Third nailing plates  60   c  on the top and bottom of the bracing panel  26  (only the top is shown) connect the first engagement member  40  and the second spacing member  52 . Fourth nailing plates  60   d  on the top and bottom of the bracing panel  26  (only the top is shown) connect the second engagement member  42  and the first spacing member  50 . Other configurations for attaching the wooden structural members are within the scope of the present invention, such as nails, screws, or other suitable fasteners. 
     The number of spacing members and bracing members may vary from the illustrated embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the bracing panel  26  can include a plurality of spacing members attached to the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42 . The bracing panel  26  can also include a plurality of bracing members  56  extending between the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42 . Other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. 
     The bracing panels  26  are attached to the trusses  24  to brace the trusses and maintain the trusses in spaced parallel alignment. A plurality of first bracing panels  26   a  are attached to a first truss  24   a.  As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first bracing panels  26   a  are attached to the chord members  28  of the first truss  24   a  at spaced locations. The number and spacing of the bracing panels  26   a  attached to the first truss  24   a  may vary within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the bracing panels  26  are spaced a distance of  10  feet or less on center from each other. In one embodiment, the bracing panels are spaced a distance of  6  feet on center from each other. A second truss  24   b  is connected to each of the bracing panels  26   a  opposite the first truss  24   a.  The first bracing panels  26   a  are attached to the chord members  28  of the second truss  24   b.  The bracing panels  26   a  maintain the chord members  28  of the first and second trusses  24   a,    24   b  in spaced parallel alignment. The bracing panels  26   a  also maintain upper faces  66  of the chord members  28  of the first and second trusses  24   a,    24   b  in spaced coplanar alignment (see  FIGS. 6-8 ). Upper faces  68  of the panels  26  can be coplanar with the upper faces  66  of the chord members  28 . Alternatively, the upper faces  68  of the panels  26  can be offset from the upper faces  66  of the chord members  28 . The chord members  28  are spaced by the distance  54  equal to the width of the bracing panels  26 . The distance  54  corresponds to a predetermined truss spacing for spacing trusses at any standard distance known in the art. For example, one standard truss spacing is 24 inches on center, which corresponds to 22.5 inches between the closest truss faces. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the distance  54  is 22.5 inches to achieve the standard on center truss spacing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a plurality of second bracing panels  26   b  are attached to the second truss  24   b.  The second bracing panels  26   b  can be aligned with the first bracing panels  26   a  vertically and horizontally and attached to the chord members  28  of the second truss  24   b  opposite the first bracing panels. Alternatively, the second bracing panels  26   b  can be offset from the first bracing panels  26   a,  either vertically, horizontally, or both vertically and horizontally, to permit easy attachment of the bracing panels and the trusses  24 . In one embodiment, each second bracing panel  26   b  is attached to a chord member  28  of the second truss  24   b  on the opposite side of the chord member from a first bracing panel  26   a  and adjacent to the first bracing panel. A third truss  24   c  is connected to each of the second bracing panels  26   b  opposite the second truss  24   b.  The second bracing panels  26   b  are attached to the chord members  28  of the third truss  24   c.  The bracing panels  26   b  maintain the chord members  28  of the second and third trusses  24   b,    24   c  in spaced parallel alignment. The bracing panels  26   b  also maintain upper faces  66  of the chord members  28  of the second and third trusses  24   b,    24   c  in spaced coplanar alignment. Upper faces  68  of the panels  26  can be coplanar with the upper faces  66  of the chord members  28 . Alternatively, the upper faces  68  of the panels  26  can be offset from the upper faces  66  of the chord members  28 . The chord members  28  are spaced by the distance  54  equal to the width of the bracing panels. 
     Each wooden member incorporated into the bracing panels  26  has a rectangular cross section having two narrow sides and two wide sides. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the wooden structural members of the bracing panels  26  can be oriented so that the surfaces incorporating the two wide sides form the outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  (i.e., the wooden structural members are oriented vertically as illustrated). As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the wooden structural members of the bracing panels  26  can be oriented so that the surfaces incorporating the two narrow sides form the outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  (i.e., the wooden structural members are oriented horizontally as illustrated). 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a first option for connecting the bracing panels  26  to the trusses  24  is illustrated. The bracing panels  26  can be attached to the chord members  28  by fasteners  70 . As illustrated, first and second end faces of each of the first and second spacing members  50 ,  52  engage the chord members  28 . Two fasteners  70  extend through the chord members  28  and into each of the end faces of each spacing member  50 ,  52 . The two fasteners  70  extending into each of the end faces of the spacing members  50 ,  52  are preferably vertically aligned and extend through a center of the end face. The fasteners  70  in each end face can be spaced by a distance of about 1.5 inches. The outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  engage the chord members  28  along a length of each engagement member. Fasteners  70  extend through the chord members  28  and into the outer faces  44  of each engagement member  40 ,  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, two fasteners  70  connect each engagement member  40 ,  42  to the chord member  28 . The fasteners  70  are generally centered vertically in each engagement member. In one embodiment, the fasteners  70  can be screws, such as 2⅞ inch HEADLOK screws sold by FastenMaster of Agawam, Mass. HEADLOK is a U.S. federally registered trademark of Handy &amp; Harman Corporation of White Plains, N.Y. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a second option for connecting the bracing panels  26  to the trusses  24  is illustrated. The bracing panels  26  can be attached to the chord members  28  by a combination of fasteners  72  and reinforcement members  74 . In this embodiment, a reinforcement member  74  is connected to the chord members  28  adjacent each spacing member  50 ,  52 . The reinforcement members  74  reinforce the spacing members  50 ,  52  against in-plane bending. The reinforcement members  74  have a width equal to the width of the bracing panel  26 . The reinforcement member  74  can be a metal channel member that engages a face of the spacer member  50 ,  52 . The reinforcement members  74  include tabs  76  that can be bent to engage the chord members  28 . Fasteners  78  extend through the tabs  76  to connect the reinforcement member  74  to the chord member  28 . The fasteners  78  connecting the reinforcement member  74  to the chord members  28  can be any suitable fastener, such as 1⅝ inch wood screws. The outer faces  44  of the first and second engagement members  40 ,  42  engage the chord members  28  along a length of each engagement member. Fasteners  72  extend through the chord members  28  and into the outer faces  44  of each engagement member  40 ,  42 . The fasteners  72  connecting the engagement members  40 ,  42  and the chord members  28  can be any suitable fastener, such as 3 inch wood screws. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , a third option for connecting the bracing panels  26  to the trusses  24  is illustrated. The bracing panels  26  can be attached to the chord members  28  by a plurality of hangers  84 . Each hanger  84  includes a first portion  86  configured to surround a portion of the chord member  28  and a second portion  88  configured for attachment to the bracing panel  26 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the hanger  84  includes an intermediate portion  90  between the first and second portions  86 ,  88 . The intermediate portion  90  is positioned between the bracing panel  26  and the chord member  28  when the hanger  84  is installed. Fasteners  92  attach the hanger  84  to both the chord member  28  and the bracing panel  26 . As illustrated, four hangers  84  can be used to attach the bracing panel  26  to the trusses  24  at each corner of the bracing panel. Other configurations and suitable hangers for attaching the bracing panels to the chord members are within the scope of the present invention. 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , an anchor  94  can be attached to the braced truss frame  20  adjacent the bracing panels  26 . Preferably, the anchor  94  is attached to the second truss  24   b  between the bracing panels  26  and an apex  96  of the truss. Other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the anchor  94  can be attached to any of the trusses  24   b  at any location along the truss. Some trusses, for example, longer trusses, may require multiple anchors  94  along their length. The number and position of the anchors  94  should be selected based on the configuration of the truss. The anchor  94  is configured to support a worker during attachment of trusses once the three truss braced truss frame  20  has been installed and secured to the wall structure  22  in the event a safety line is needed. Any suitable anchor can be used, such as an ARS Super Anchor sold by Super Anchor Safety of Woodinville, Washington. 
     Once the three truss braced truss frame  20  is assembled as described, the braced truss frame is installed and secured on top of the wall structure  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Because of the bracing panels  26  connecting the multiple trusses  24 , the braced truss frame  20  is sufficiently braced and requires no additional bracing. Accordingly, the need for ground bracing is eliminated. Furthermore, once the braced truss frame  20  is installed and secured to the wall structure  22 , a worker can tie off on the anchor  94  for fall protection while installing the remaining trusses to complete the roof. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the remaining trusses can quickly be connected to the braced truss frame  20  by attaching bracing structures  98  between adjacent trusses to attach adjacent trusses. Any suitable bracing structure can be used to attach the remaining trusses, such as the STABILIZER sold by MiTek USA, Inc. of Chesterfield, Miss. STABILIZER is a U.S. federally registered trademark of MiTek Industries, Inc. of Chesterfield, Miss. The bracing panel  26  and braced truss frame  20  according to the present invention simplifies installation of a roof, eliminates the need to brace trusses to the ground, and also offers a simple fall protection system for the safety of workers installing the roof 
     Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
     As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.