Structural wooden joist

Abstract

The structural wooden joist described comprises a lower chord, an upper chord, a plurality of connector members spaced along the joists and extending between the upper and lower chords, a plurality of plates attaching the connector members to the lower and upper chords and a laminated panel structure mounted at each end section of the joist. Each panel structure extends from an opposite end of the upper/lower chords to adjacent a first of the plurality of attachment plates and defines an uninterrupted surface which is formed of a series of elongated vertical planks secured edgewise to one another whereby the joist has opposite ends which are trimmable to provide one of reduced width.

1 . A structural wooden joist comprising: 
 a) an elongated lower chord;    b) an elongated upper chord in a spaced apart generally parallel opposed relation to said lower chord;    c) a plurality of connector members spaced along said joist and extending between said upper and lower chords; said plurality of connector members terminating inwardly from opposite ends of said joist to define a pair of end sections of said joist;    d) a plurality of attachment plates attaching said connector members to said lower and upper chords; and    e) a laminated panel structure mounted at each said end section; said laminated panel structure extending from each said opposite end of said upper and lower chords to adjacent a first of said plurality of attachment plates; said laminated panel structure defining an uninterrupted surface having opposite lower and upper sides adhesively joined to said lower and upper chords respectively; each said panel structure being formed of a series of elongated planks secured edgewise to one another;    whereby said joist has opposite ends which are trimmable to provide a joist of reduced width.    
     
     
         2 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each said laminated panel has upper and lower edges secured to said chords by finger joints.  
     
     
         3 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said planks extend perpendicularly to said upper and lower chords.  
     
     
         4 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said planks are glued edgewise to one another.  
     
     
         5 . A wooden structural joist as defined in  claim 1 , including a central region free of connector members and of attachment plates.  
     
     
         6 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a laminated panel structure in said central region; said panel structure defining an uninterrupted surface having opposite lower and upper sides adhesively joined to said lower and upper chords respectively; said panel structure of said central region being formed of a series of elongated planks secured edgewise to one another.  
     
     
         7 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said planks are glued edgewise to one another.  
     
     
         8 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said planks are made of kiln dry wood.  
     
     
         9 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said wood is selected from the group including fir, spruce and pine.  
     
     
         10 . A structural wooden joist as defined in  claim 1 , wherein fibers in said planks extend in the longitudinal direction of said planks.