Variable length truss and method for producing the same

Abstract

An open web beam composed of wooden top chord and an open web central structure terminated on at least one end by wooden members in the form of a closed web wherein the closed web is reinforced by insertion of a portion of the closed web into a strut and the two chords which have been slotted or grooved for this purpose. The closed be being oriented strand board using structural adhesive without interfering mechanical fasteners in the web.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A variable length end segment for a truss having an open web section comprising: 
 a closed web member having a top side, a bottom side, an inboard side and an outboard side;    an upper member and a lower member fixed to said top side and said bottom side of said web member, respectively, and said inboard side of said web member abutting a strut of said truss, said strut being located outboard of the open web section, said outboard side of said web member forming an outer surface of said truss; and    means including said upper member, said lower member and said web member for forming a trimmable weight bearing I-beam section.    
     
     
         2 . A variable length truss for use in a structure an a ceiling, a roof or a floor joist comprising: 
 an upper chord, a lower chord and a closed web member, said closed web member being located at one end of said truss between said upper chord and said lower chord;    a strut between said upper chord and said lower chord, said closed web member having an inboard side abutting said strut and an outboard side forming an outer surface of said truss;    means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said closed web member for forming a trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said one end of said truss; and    an open web section between said upper chord and said lower chord and inboard of said closed web member.    
     
     
         3 . The truss of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a second closed web member located at a second end of said truss between said upper chord and said lower chord;  
 a second strut between said upper chord and said lower chord, said second closed web member having an inboard side abutting said second strut and an outboard side forming a second outer surface of said truss; and  
 means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said second closed web member for forming a second trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said second end of said truss.  
 
     
     
         4 . A variable length truss used in a structure an a ceiling, a roof or a floor joist comprising: 
 a closed web member having a top side, a bottom side, an inboard side and an outboard side:    an upper chord and a lower chord fixed to said top side and said bottom side of said closed web member, respectively, and a strut extending between said upper chord and said lower chord and abutting said inboard side of said closed web member, said outboard side of said closed web member forming an outer surface of said truss; and    means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said closed web member for forming a trimmable weight bearing I-beam section, said I-beam section being trimmable up to a distance as defined by the length of said closed web member.    
     
     
         5 . The truss of  claim 4  further comprising: 
 a second closed web member having a top side, a bottom side, an inboard side and an outboard side;  
 said upper chord and said lower chord fixed to said top side end said bottom side of said second closed web member, respectively, and a second strut extending between said upper chord and said lower chord and abutting said inboard side of said second closed web nebr, said outboard side of said second closed web member forming an outer surface of said truss and  
 means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said second closed web member for forming a second trimmable weight bearing I-beam section, said second I-beam section being trimmable up to a distance as defined by the length of said second closed web member.  
 
     
     
         6 . A family of variable length trusses for installation in a structure as ceiling, roof or floor joists, each one of the trusses comprising: 
 a closed web member located at one end of said truss;    means including said closed web member for forming a trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said one end of said truss;    the total amount trimmable from said weight bearing I-beam section defining a predetermined distance; and    an open web section located inboard of said closed web member; and    said family of trusses being in different spans beginning with a shortest truss having a first span and increasing in length by increments of said predetermined distance to a longest truss having a longest span, and said family of trusses providing a source of a truss of any span from said first span trimmed by said predetermined distance to said longest span of said longest truss by appropriate trimming of said weight bearing I-beam section on a respective one of said family of trusses when the length needed is not said first span or other spans corresponding to increasing increments of said predetermined distance.    
     
     
         7 . The trusses of  claim 6  wherein said family of trusses is made to an inventory rather than to specifications for a structure.  
     
     
         8 . A family of variable length trusses for installation in a structure as ceiling roof or floor joists, each one of the trusses comprising: 
 (a) a first closed web member located at a first end of said truss;    (b) means including said first closed web member for forming a first trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said first end of said truss;    (c) a second closed web member located at a second end of said truss;    (d) means including said second closed web member for forming a second trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said second and of said truss;    (e) the total amount trimmable from said first and said second weight bearing I-beam sections defining a predetermined distances and    (f) an open web section between said first and said second weight bearing I-beam sections; and    said family of trusses being in different spans beginning with a shortest truss having a first span and increasing in length by increments of said predetermined distance to a longest truss having a longest span, and said family of trusses providing a source of a truss of any span from said first span trimmed by said predetermined distance to said longest span of said longest truss by appropriate trimming of said first and/or second weight bearing I-beam sections on a respective one of said family of trusses when the length needed is not said first span or other spans corresponding to increasing increments of said predetermined distance.    
     
     
         9 . The trusses of claim a wherein said family of trusses is made to an Inventory rather than to specifications for a structure.  
     
     
         10 . A family of variable length trusses for installation in a structure as coiling, roof or floor joists, each one of the trusses comprising: 
 an upper chord, a lower chord and a closed web member located a one end of said truss between said upper chord and said lower chord, said closed web member having an outboard side forming an outer surface of said truss;    means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said closed web member for forming a trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said one end of said truss;    the total amount trimmable from said weight bearing I-beam section defining a predetermined distance; and    an open web section between said upper chord and said lower chord and inboard of said closed web member; and    said family of trusses being in different spans beginning with a shortest truss having a first span and increasing in length by increments of said predetermined distance to a longest truss having a longest span, and said family of trusses providing a source of a truss of any span from said first span trimmed by said predetermined distance to said longest span of said longest truss by appropriate trimming of said weight bearing I-beam section on a respective one of said family of trusses when the length needed in not said first span or other opens corresponding to increasing increments of said predetermined distance.    
     
     
         11 . The trusses of  claim 10  wherein said family of trusses is made to an inventory rather than to specifications for a structure.  
     
     
         12 . A family of variable length trusses for installation in a structure as coiling, roof or floor joists, each one of the trusses comprising; 
 (a) an upper chord, a lower chord and a first closed web member located at a first end of said truss between said upper chord and said lower chord, said first closed web member having an outboard side forming an first outer surface of said truss;    (b) means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said first closed web member for forming a first trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said first end of said truss;    (c) a second closed web member located at a second end of said truss between said upper chord and said lower chord, said second closed web member having an outboard side forming a second outer surface of said truss;    (d) means including said upper chord, said lower chord and said second closed web member for forming a second trimmable weight bearing I-beam section at said second end of said truss;    (e) the total amount trimmable from said first and said second weight bearing I-beam sections defining a predetermined distance; and    (f) an open web section between said upper chord and said lower chord and said first and said second weight bearing I-beam sections; and    said family of trusses being in different spans beginning with a shortest truss having a first span and increasing in length by increments of said predetermined distance to a longest truss having a longest span, and said family of trusses providing a source of a truss of any span from said first span trimmed by said predetermined distance to said longest span of said longest truss by appropriate trimming of said first and/or second weight bearing I-beam sections on a respective one of said family of trusses when the length needed is not said first span or other spans corresponding to increasing increments of said predetermined distance.    
     
     
         13 . The trusses of  claim 12  wherein said family of trusses is made to an inventory rather than to specifications for a structure.