Truss joint reinforcement plate

Abstract

A truss joint reinforcement plate ( 10 ) for reinforcing a pitch break in a truss, so as to substantially limit flexion of the truss at the point of the pitch break. The truss joint reinforcement plate ( 10 ) is defined by a substantially planar member ( 15 ) having a first end ( 20 ) and a second end ( 25 ) adapted so as to allow the first and second ends ( 20, 25 ) to be bent across a first fold region ( 30 ) such that the first and second ends ( 20, 25 ) are disposed at a selectable angle to one another allowing the truss joint reinforcement plate ( 10 ) to be adapted to a wide range of pitch angles. The truss joint reinforcement plate ( 10 ) also includes a first and second panel members ( 35, 40 ) each having an inboard end ( 36, 41 ) and a distal end ( 38, 43 ). The first and second panel members ( 35, 40 ) are bendable at a second fold region ( 45 ) disposed at the junction of the inboard ends ( 36, 41 ) and the planar member ( 15 ). Further, first panel member ( 35 ) and the second panel member ( 40 ) are disposed in spaced relation from each other, preferably, substantially parallel to one another and disposed at a right angle to planar member ( 15 ).

Having thus described the aforementioned invention, we claim:  
     
         1 . A truss joint reinforcement plate for substantially limiting flexion of a truss at a pitch break, said truss joint reinforcement plate comprising: 
 a substantially planar member constructed of a rigid material, said substantially planar member including a first end, a second end and a first fold region disposed between said first and said second ends whereby said first and said second ends are adapted to be disposed at a selectable angle to one another;    a first panel member proximate said first end, said first panel member having a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member; and    a second panel member proximate said second end, said second panel member having a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member, wherein a second fold region is provided at a junction of said inboard ends of said first and said second planar members and said substantially planar member, and further wherein said first panel member and said second panel member are in spaced relation from one another, whereby a narrow elongated gap is disposed between said first and said second panel members.    
     
     
         2 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein said first and said second panel members are integral with said substantially planar member.  
     
     
         3 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of hole members are disposed at said first fold region to facilitate folding of said first and said second ends of said substantially planar member.  
     
     
         4 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of hole members are disposed at said second fold region to facilitate folding of said first and said second panel members along said second fold region.  
     
     
         5 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of hole members are substantially elliptically shaped.  
     
     
         6 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein said rigid material is steel.  
     
     
         7 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein said first and said second panel members are substantially parallel to one another.  
     
     
         8 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein said first and said second panel members have longitudinal axes substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said substantially planar member.  
     
     
         9 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 1  wherein said narrow elongated gap is in substantial alignment with said first fold region.  
     
     
         10 . A truss joint reinforcement plate for substantially limiting flexion of a truss at a pitch break, said truss joint reinforcement plate comprising: 
 a substantially planar member constructed of a rigid material, said substantially planar member including a first end, a second end and a first fold region disposed between said first and said second ends whereby said first and said second ends are adapted to be disposed at a selectable angle to one another whereby said first and said second ends are adapted to be disposed at a selectable angle to one another;    a first panel member proximate said first end and integral with said substantially planar member, said first panel member having a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member; and    a second panel member proximate said second end and integral with said substantially planar member, said second panel member having a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member, wherein a second fold region is provided at a junction of said inboard ends of said first and said second planar members and said substantially planar member, and further wherein said first panel member and said second panel member are in spaced relation from one another, whereby a narrow elongated gap is disposed between said first and said second panel members.    
     
     
         11 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of hole members are disposed at said first fold region to facilitate folding of said first and said second ends of said substantially planar member.  
     
     
         12 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein a plurality of hole members are disposed at said second fold region to facilitate folding of said first and said second panel members along said fold region.  
     
     
         13 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of hole members are substantially elliptically shaped.  
     
     
         14 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein said rigid material is steel.  
     
     
         15 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein said narrow elongated gap is in substantial alignment with said first fold region.  
     
     
         16 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 10  wherein said first end of said planar member and said second end of said planar member each have a selected length and said first and said second panel members have a selected width, wherein said selected length is greater than said selected width.  
     
     
         17 . A truss joint reinforcement plate for substantially limiting flexion of a truss at a pitch break, said truss joint reinforcement plate comprising: 
 a substantially planar member constructed of a rigid material, said substantially planar member including a first end, a second end and a first fold region disposed between said first and said second ends whereby said first and said second ends are adapted to be disposed at a selectable angle to one another, said first end of said planar member and said second end of said planar member each have a selected length;    a plurality of hole members disposed at said first fold region to facilitate folding of said first and second ends of said substantially planar member;    a first panel member proximate said first end and integral with said substantially planar member, said first panel member having a selected width, a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member;    a second panel member proximate said second end and integral with said substantially planar member, said second panel member having a selected width, a distal end and an inboard end, said inboard end adjoining said substantially planar member, wherein a second fold region is provided at a junction of said inboard ends of said first and said second planar members and said substantially planar member, and further wherein said first panel member and said second panel member are in spaced relation from one another, whereby a narrow elongated gap is disposed between said first and said second panel members and is in substantial alignment with said first fold region, and further wherein said selected length is greater than said selected width; and    a plurality of elliptical hold members disposed at said second fold region to facilitate folding of said first and said second panel members along said second fold region.    
     
     
         18 . The truss joint reinforcement plate of  claim 17  wherein said rigid material is steel.