Truss spacer

Abstract

A truss spacer and method of use to set spacing between trusses is detailed. The truss spacer typically includes teeth which grip trusses to secure the truss spacer thereto. The truss spacer may also include a central segment which is spaced downwardly between the trusses so provide a space above the central segment to receive the tips of roofing nails so that the roofing nails do not contact the central segment.

1 . A truss spacer for setting the spacing between first and second trusses, the spacer comprising:
 a longitudinal member having first and second truss engaging structures which are longitudinally spaced from one another;   a first truss receiving space defined by the first truss engaging structure and adapted receive therein the first truss;   first and second longitudinally spaced truss engaging surfaces of the first truss engaging structure which face one another and are adapted to respectively engage first and second opposed sides of the first truss when the first truss is received in the first truss receiving space;   a second truss receiving space defined by the second truss engaging structure and adapted receive therein the second truss;   first and second longitudinally spaced truss engaging surfaces of the second truss engaging structure which face one another and are adapted to respectively engage first and second opposed sides of the second truss when the second truss is received in the second truss receiving space;   a first tooth of the first truss engaging structure which extends into the first truss receiving space and is adapted to grip the first side of the first truss when the first truss is received within the first truss receiving space.   
     
     
         2 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  wherein the truss spacer is formed of a single piece of sheet metal; the first truss engaging structure comprises a first flat horizontal plate and first and second longitudinally spaced flat vertical tabs which extend downwardly from the first plate so that the first plate and first and second tabs define therewithin the first truss receiving space; the first tooth is rigidly attached to the first tab; the second truss engaging structure comprises a second flat horizontal plate and third and fourth longitudinally spaced flat vertical tabs which extend downwardly from the second plate so that the second plate and third and fourth tabs define therewithin the second truss receiving space; the longitudinal member comprises a central segment which extends from adjacent the first truss engaging structure to adjacent the second truss engaging structure. 
     
     
         3 . The truss spacer of  claim 2  further comprising a first transition segment extending downwardly from the first plate to the central segment; and a second transition segment extending downwardly from the second plate to the central segment. 
     
     
         4 . The truss spacer of  claim 3  further comprising a first obtuse bend between the first plate and first transition segment; a second obtuse bend between the first transition segment and central segment; a third obtuse bend between the second transition segment and central segment; and a fourth obtuse bend between the second plate and second transition segment. 
     
     
         5 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  wherein the truss spacer has an uninstalled configuration and an installed configuration which is substantially identical to the uninstalled configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal member comprises a central segment which extends from adjacent the first truss engaging structure to adjacent the second truss engaging structure and which has a top surface and axially spaced first and second sides; the first and second truss engaging structures have respective top surfaces which lie in a common plane; and the top surface of the central segment is lower than the plane so that the plane and the top surface of the central segment define therebetween a nail tip receiving space which extends from adjacent the first truss engaging structure to adjacent the second truss engaging structure and from the first side of the central segment to the second side of the central segment and which is adapted to receive therein the tips of roofing nails for securing a roof atop the trusses. 
     
     
         7 . The truss spacer of  claim 6  wherein the plane and top surface of the central segment define therebetween a height in the range of about ¼ to ½ inch. 
     
     
         8 . The truss spacer of  claim 6  in combination with a roofing layer which extends over the truss spacer; and a nail which extends through the roofing layer so that a tip of the nail is within the nail tip receiving space. 
     
     
         9 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinal member has a top and a bottom; the first truss engaging structure comprises first and second longitudinally spaced tabs which extend downwardly from the longitudinal member and define therebetween the first truss receiving space; and the first tooth is rigidly attached to the first tab. 
     
     
         10 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  further comprising a second tooth of the second truss engaging structure which extends into the second truss receiving space and is adapted to grip the first side of the second truss when the second truss is received within the second truss receiving space. 
     
     
         11 . The truss spacer of  claim 10  wherein the longitudinal member has a top and a bottom; the first truss engaging structure comprises first and second longitudinally spaced tabs which extend downwardly from the longitudinal member and define therebetween the first truss receiving space; the first tooth is rigidly attached to the first tab; the second truss engaging structure comprises third and fourth longitudinally spaced tabs which extend downwardly from the longitudinal member and define therebetween the second truss receiving space; and the second tooth is rigidly attached to the third tab. 
     
     
         12 . The truss spacer of  claim 1  further comprising a second tooth of the first truss engaging structure which is longitudinally spaced from the first tooth and extends into the first truss receiving space and is adapted to grip the second side of the first truss opposite the first side thereof when the first truss is received within the first truss receiving space. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising the steps of:
 providing a longitudinally elongated truss spacer which has first and second truss engaging structures which are longitudinally spaced from one another and respectively define first and second truss receiving spaces, and which has a first tooth which extends into the first truss receiving space;   moving the first truss engaging structure in a first direction parallel to a first side of a first truss so that the first truss is received within the first truss receiving space and so that the first tooth tears into the first side of the first truss during the step of moving the first truss engaging structure and so that upon completion of the step of moving the first truss engaging structure, the first tooth grips the first truss along the first side of the first truss; and   moving the second truss engaging structure so that a second truss is received within the second truss receiving space whereby spacing between the first and second trusses is set.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step truss spacer has a second tooth which extends into the second truss receiving space; and the step of moving the second truss engaging structure comprises moving the second truss engaging structure in a second direction parallel to a first side of a second truss so that the second truss is received within the second truss receiving space and so that the second tooth tears into the first side of the second truss during the step of moving the second truss engaging structure and so that upon completion of the step of moving the second truss engaging structure, the second tooth grips the second truss along the first side of the second truss. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising covering the spacer with a roofing layer; causing a fastener to pass through the roofing layer into one of the trusses to secure the roofing layer thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein no fasteners which are separate from the truss spacer are used to secure the truss spacer to the trusses before the steps of covering and causing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the steps of moving result in mounting the spacer on the first and second trusses and in repositioning a central segment of the spacer from a first position above respective top surfaces of the first and second trusses to a second position below the top surfaces whereby in the second position, the a top surface of the central segment and a plane in which respective top surfaces of the truss engaging structures lies define therebetween a nail tip receiving space which extends from adjacent the first truss to adjacent the second truss and from a first side of the central segment to a second side of the central segment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising securing a roofing layer over the truss spacer with a nail so that a tip of the nail is within the nail tip receiving space. 
     
     
         19 . A truss spacer for setting the spacing between first and second trusses, the spacer comprising:
 a longitudinal member comprising a first truss engaging structure having a top surface, a second truss engaging structure having a top surface and longitudinally spaced from the first truss engaging structure, and a central segment which extends from adjacent the first truss engaging structure to adjacent the second truss engaging structure and has a top surface; the top surfaces of the first and second truss engaging structures lying in a horizontal plane;   a first truss receiving space defined by the first truss-engaging structure and adapted to receive the first truss;   a second truss receiving space defined by the second truss-engaging structure and adapted to receive the second truss;   wherein the top surface of the central segment is lower than the plane so that the plane and top surface of the central segment define therebetween a nail-tip-receiving space adapted to receive therein the tips of roofing nails for securing a roof atop the trusses.   
     
     
         20 . The truss spacer of  claim 19  wherein the plane and top surface of the central segment define therebetween a height in the range of about ¼ to ½ inch.