Patent ID: 6843036

Claim:
A system for stiffening and securing adjacent joists comprising: a flat band of substantially uniform height and having a length of at least the distance spanning three joists, the band configured to rest upon and be secured to a top edge surface of the at least three joists, at least two truss members having an upper top surface secured to an underside of the band by any one of welding, clips and adhesives so as to lie between the joists and with each truss extending between two joists and with the at least two truss members aligned along the band, the at least two truss members each having vertical side members, the at least two truss members each having a length equal to a spacing between joists so that when the bands are secured to a top side of the at least three joists, the side members of each truss member abut sides of two joists to hold the at least three joists in a vertical orientation at a specified distance between the at least three joists, wherein there are a plurality of bands, and wherein the bands are placed on top of the at least three joists spaced apart from one another along the length of each joist.