Truss chord and truss system with ribs and radiuses

Abstract

A truss chord includes a facing surface with ridges, sides with ridges, and an attachment surface on the side to attach to frame members. The truss chord transfers the weight to the frame member, and the truss chord helps prevent lateral movement relative to the frame member. The truss chord is made of extruded aluminum, and includes a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side that forms an arc, and a portion at the end of the side in the shape of an arc. A truss chord system includes top and bottom truss chords connected by square tubing frame members.

1 . A truss chord to transfer weight to a frame member, comprising:
 a facing surface;   a first ridge on the facing surface;   a side fixed to the facing surface;   a second ridge on the side; and   an attachment surface on the side, adapted to attach to the frame member;   wherein the truss chord transfers the weight to the frame member, and the truss chord helps prevent lateral movement relative to the frame member.   
     
     
         2 . The truss chord of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment surface the side is substantially perpendicular to the facing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The truss chord of  claim 1 , wherein first and second ridges run longitudinal to the truss chord. 
     
     
         4 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an attachment mechanism to immovably attach the attachment surface to the frame member.   
     
     
         5 . The truss chord of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of self-tapping screws that penetrate the attachment surface and the frame member. 
     
     
         6 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side, a portion of the flared section forming an arc of a circle.   
     
     
         7 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle, at the end of the side, distal from the facing surface.   
     
     
         8 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second side fixed to the facing surface;   a third ridge on the second side, running longitudinal to the truss chord; and   a second attachment surface on the second side, substantially perpendicular to the facing surface and adapted to attach to the frame member;   wherein the first and second sides are positioned upon the facing surface to allow the frame member to be placed between the first and second sides and be attached to the first and second attachment surfaces.   
     
     
         9 . The truss chord of  claim 1  wherein the facing surface and side are made of a single piece of extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third ridge on the facing surface, running longitudinal to the truss chord, separated from the first ridge by a predetermined gap.   
     
     
         11 . The truss chord of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side, a portion of the flared section forming an arc of a circle; and   a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle, at the end of the side, distal from the facing surface.   
     
     
         12 . A truss system to support a weight, comprising:
 a top truss chord including a facing surface having a ridge, a side fixed to the facing surface having a ridge and an attachment surface, a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side having a portion forming an arc of a circle, and a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle at the end of the side distal from the facing surface;   a bottom truss chord including a facing surface having a ridge, a side fixed to the facing surface having a ridge and an attachment surface, a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side having a portion forming an arc of a circle, and a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle at the end of the side distal from the facing surface; and   a plurality of frame members;   wherein the top truss chord transfers the weight to the frame members and the frame members transfer the weight to the bottom truss chord.   
     
     
         13 . The truss system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 hold down clips adapted to hold the bottom truss chord to a base;   wherein the bottom truss chord is adapted to transfer the weight to the base.   
     
     
         14 . The truss system of  claim 12  wherein the top truss chord is adapted to support the weight of a roof or flooring. 
     
     
         15 . The truss system of  claim 12  wherein the top and bottom truss chords are made of extruded aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The truss system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of frame members comprises extruded aluminum tubing. 
     
     
         17 . The truss system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of frame members comprises square tubing. 
     
     
         18 . A method of supporting a weight, comprising:
 providing a top truss chord including a facing surface having a ridge, a side fixed to the facing surface having a ridge and an attachment surface, a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side having a portion forming an arc of a circle, and a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle at the end of the side distal from the facing surface;   providing a bottom truss chord including a facing surface having a ridge, a side fixed to the facing surface having a ridge and an attachment surface, a flared section at the interface between the facing surface and the side having a portion forming an arc of a circle, and a portion generally in the shape of the arc of a circle at the end of the side distal from the facing surface; and   attaching frame members to the top truss chord and bottom truss chord so as to transfer the weight through the frame members to the bottom truss chord.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 attaching the bottom truss chord to a base using hold down clips; and   fixing the attachment surface of the top truss chord and the attachment surface of the button truss chord to the frame members using self-tapping screws.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the top and bottom truss chords are made of extruded aluminum.