Patent ID: 6993881

Claim:
A joist assembly comprising: a top chord having a slot formed therein; a bottom chord having a slot formed therein so as to face said slot of said top chord; and a tubular member of serpentine configuration having an upper portion affixed within said slot of said top chord and a lower portion affixed within said slot of said bottom chord, said tubular member extending between said top and bottom chords so as to maintain said top and bottom chords in parallel spaced relationship, each of said top and bottom chords comprising: a first surface of generally planar configuration; a second surface of generally planar configuration, the slot being formed centrally of said second surface; a first side extending between said first and second surfaces; and a second side extending between said first and second surfaces opposite said first side, each of said first surface and said second surface and said first side and said second side being integrally formed together of a metallic material, said second surface having a first lip extending inwardly thereof and a second lip extending inwardly thereof, the slot being defined between said first and second lips, said first and second lips being in parallel relation to each other along a length of the chord, said first and second lips being spaced from each other by a distance approximately equal to a diameter or a width of said tubular member, said tubular member being received between said first and second lips, said tubular member having a surface abutting an interior of said first surface.