Truss reinforcement system

Abstract

An apparatus and system for supporting a plurality of parallel spaced apart trusses, each truss having top and bottom member each having an inside and an outside edge wherein the top member is angularly oriented relative to the bottom member. The apparatus comprises a body having a truss engaging slot adapted to engageably receive a top or bottom member of the truss therethrough and first and second brace engaging panels extending substantially perpendicularly to the slot. Each brace engaging panel is adapted to engageably receive a braces thereagainst wherein each brace extending angularly between adjacent trusses. The system comprises top and bottom brackets on the top and bottom member of the truss and at least one brace member extending therebetween.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a plurality of parallel spaced apart trusses, each truss having top and bottom member each having an inside and an outside edge wherein said top member is angularly oriented relative to said bottom member, the apparatus comprising a body formed of first and second brace engaging panels each having a truss engaging slot adapted to engagably receive one of a top or bottom member of said truss extending thereacross, each of said first and second brace engaging panels being adapted to engageably receive a braces thereagainst, each brace extending angularly between adjacent trusses. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second brace engaging panels being adapted to extend along planes parallel to said braces. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said body includes tabs extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent to said slot, said tabs being fastenable to a top or bottom member of said truss located in said slot. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said truss engaging slot is adapted to receive an outside edge of one said top or bottom members of said truss. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said truss engaging slot is adapted to receive said inside edge of one of said top or bottom members of said truss. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said slot has a width being adapted to corresponding to said truss. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said body is formed of a pair of parallel spaced apart body plates. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said body plates are spaced apart by a distance being adapted to corresponding to said braces. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said body plates include inner and outer walls extending between distal edges thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said inner and outer walls are substantially aligned with said braces. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of said body plates includes said brace engaging panels. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said body plates and inner and outer walls define sockets sized to receive said braces therein. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said body plates and inner and outer walls comprise a unitary folded sheet of material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second brace engaging panel is removably alignable with said first brace engaging panel to retain said braces therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein at least one of said first and second brace engaging panels includes flanges extending from edges thereof in a direction towards the other of said first and second brace engaging panels. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said first and second brace engaging panels and flanges define sockets sized to receive said braces therein. 
     
     
         18 . A system for supporting a plurality of parallel spaced apart trusses, each truss having top and bottom member each having an inside and an outside edge wherein said top member is angularly oriented relative to said bottom member, comprising:
 at least one top bracket adapted to engage a top member of said trusses;   at least one bottom bracket adapted to engage a bottom member of said trusses,   each of said top and bottom brackets comprising a body formed of first and second brace engaging panels each having a truss engaging slot adapted to engagably receive one of said top or bottom member of said truss extending thereacross; and   at least one brace member extending between said at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket.   
     
     
         19 . An blank for forming a bracket for supporting a plurality of parallel spaced apart trusses, each truss having top and bottom member each having an inside and an outside edge wherein said top member is angularly oriented relative to said bottom member, the blank comprising:
 a sheet of material having:   first and second brace engaging panels;   a side panel between corresponding edges of said first and brace engaging panels; and   notches located through each of said first and second brace engaging panels at corners adjacent to said side panel and positioned so as to co-operate to form a common slot through said bracket when said blank is folded along lines between said first and second brace engaging panels and said side panel such that said first and second brace engaging panels are substantially parallel with each other wherein said slot is adapted to engagably receive one of said top or bottom member of said truss extending thereacross.   
     
     
         20 . A method for supporting a plurality of parallel spaced apart trusses, each truss having top and bottom member each having an inside and an outside edge wherein said top member is angularly oriented relative to said bottom member, the method comprising:
 engaging a top bracket formed of first and second brace engaging panels each having a truss engaging slot upon a top member of said truss such that said truss is received within said slots across said first and second brace engaging panels;   engaging a bottom bracket formed of first and second brace engaging panels each having a truss engaging slot upon a bottom member of and adjacent truss such that said truss is received within said slots across said first and second brace engaging panels; and   engaging a brace between said first and second brace engaging panels each having a truss engaging slot said top and bottom brackets.