Manufacture of trusses

Abstract

A plurality of wooden roof trusses for constructing a roof includes first and second wooden roof trusses. Each of the first and second wooden roof trusses includes a bottom chord and at least one upper chord obliquely disposed relative to the bottom chord. A first web is provided to the first wooden roof truss and a second web is provided to the second wooden roof truss. Each of the first and second webs has a tapered web end shape set without regard to a shape of a first and second joint, respectively, into which said tapered web end shapes of the first and second webs fit. The first and second webs are substantially identical in length and web end shape. The first and second webs are located at different positions in their respective first and second wooden roof trusses.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A pre-manufactured stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss, comprising a plurality of structural wooden webs having a substantially identical tapered end shape and being of predetermined discrete web lengths at increments of between a minimum web length and a maximum web length, said discrete web lengths being predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said oblique roof truss to be manufactured using said webs.  
   
   
       29 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 28 , wherein said substantially identical tapered end shape is substantially semicircular.  
   
   
       30 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 28 , wherein said discrete lengths are at substantially equal increments.  
   
   
       31 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 30 , wherein said substantially equal increments are approximately 150 mm.  
   
   
       32 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 28 , wherein said substantially identical tapered end shape is formed as a series of cuts at successive angles.  
   
   
       33 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 32 , wherein said series of cuts at successive angles forms a convex, substantially arcuate end shape.  
   
   
       34 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 33 , wherein said discrete lengths are at substantially equal increments.  
   
   
       35 . The stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss according to  claim 28 , wherein said substantially equal increments are 150 mm.  
   
   
       36 . A method of forming a pre-manufactured stock of webs for an oblique wooden roof truss, comprising: 
 cutting a plurality of wooden webs to form substantially identical tapered end shapes and discrete web lengths at increments between minimum and maximum web lengths, said tapered end shapes and discrete web lengths being predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof truss in which the web is to be used.    
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said substantially identical tapered end shape is substantially semicircular.  
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said discrete lengths are at substantially equal increments.  
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 38 , wherein said substantially equal increments are approximately 150 mm.  
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said substantially identical tapered end shape is formed as a series of cuts at successive angles.  
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein said series of cuts at successive angles forms a convex, substantially arcuate end shape.  
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein said discrete lengths are at substantially equal increments.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein said substantially equal increments are 150 mm.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 placing said plurality of webs in stock for subsequent selection from said stock for use in assembly of said wooden roof truss after the shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof truss are known.    
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 supplying said stock of webs to a truss manufacturer for subsequent selection from said stock for use in assembly of said wooden roof truss after the shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof truss are known.    
   
   
       46 . A stock of webs for constructing an oblique roof truss, comprising a plurality of structural wooden webs having a substantially identical tapered end shape, at least a first number of said webs having a maximum predetermined web length, at least a second number of said webs having a minimum predetermined web length, and at least a third number of said webs having an intermediate predetermined web length that is more than the minimum web length or less than the maximum web length by a predetermined incremental amount so as to establish a range of said webs with said predetermined web lengths that can be selected from said stock and used in substantially unaltered form in the assembly of the truss.  
   
   
       47 . The stock of webs according to  claim 46 , wherein said discrete web lengths are predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said oblique roof truss to be manufactured using said webs.  
   
   
       48 . A method of forming a stock of webs for an oblique wooden roof truss, comprising: 
 cutting a plurality of wooden webs to form substantially identical tapered end shapes, including the steps of cutting at least a first portion of said webs having a maximum predetermined web length,    cutting at least a second portion of said webs having a minimum predetermined web length, and    cutting at least a third portion of said webs having an intermediate predetermined web length that is more than the minimum web length or less than the maximum web length by a predetermined incremental amount, so as to establish a range of said webs with said predetermined web lengths that can be selected from said stock and used in substantially unaltered form in the assembly of the truss.    
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein said discrete web lengths are predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said oblique roof truss to be manufactured using said webs.  
   
   
       50 . A pre-manufactured stock of webs for constructing a plurality of oblique roof trusses which differ from each other in at least one of shape, pitch and span, comprising a plurality of structural wooden webs having a substantially identical tapered end shape and being of predetermined discrete web lengths at increments of between a minimum web length and a maximum web length, said discrete web lengths being predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said oblique roof trusses to be manufactured using said webs.  
   
   
       51 . A method of forming a pre-manufactured stock of webs for a plurality of oblique wooden roof trusses which differ from each other in at least one of shape, pitch and span, comprising: 
 cutting a plurality of wooden webs to form substantially identical tapered end shapes and discrete web lengths at increments between minimum and maximum web lengths, said tapered end shapes and discrete web lengths being predetermined without knowing shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof trusses in which the web is to be used.    
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 51 , further comprising: 
 placing said plurality of webs in stock for subsequent selection from said stock for use in substantially unaltered form in assembly of said wooden roof trusses after the shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof trusses are known.    
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 51 , further comprising: 
 supplying said stock of webs to a truss manufacturer for subsequent selection from said stock for use in assembly of said wooden roof trusses after the shape, pitch and span of said wooden roof trusses are known.    
   
   
       54 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the minimum web length is about 150 mm and the maximum web length is about 3600 mm.