U.S. patent application number 10/828825 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for trusses.
Invention is credited to Stonecypher, William.
Application Number | 20040244327 10/828825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33418257 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stonecypher, William |
December 9, 2004 |
Trusses
Abstract
A truss section comprising at least three parallel elongated
structural members, said members defining a first cross-section,
said members having two ends, said truss sections including means
for end-wise coupling a plurality of said truss sections to
assemble a longer load-bearing span, the improvement comprising an
additional elongated structural member parallel to and structurally
interconnected with at least two of said elongated structural
members, said additional elongated structural member located
substantially within said first cross-section, so as to define
between said at least two and said additional elongated structural
members, an elongated volume having a generally triangular
cross-section.
Inventors: |
Stonecypher, William;
(Milton, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVIDSON, DAVIDSON & KAPPEL, LLC
485 SEVENTH AVENUE, 14TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10018
US
|
Family ID: |
33418257 |
Appl. No.: |
10/828825 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60465577 |
Apr 25, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/633 ;
52/648.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 2003/0491 20130101;
E04C 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/633 ;
052/648.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/02 |
Claims
1. In a truss section, said truss section comprising at least three
parallel elongated structural members, said members defining a
first cross-section, said members having two ends, said truss
sections including means for end-wise coupling a plurality of said
truss sections to assemble a longer load-bearing span, the
improvement comprising an additional elongated structural member
parallel to and structurally interconnected with at least two of
said elongated structural members, said additional elongated
structural member located substantially within said first
cross-section, so as to define between said at least two and said
additional elongated structural members, an elongated volume having
a generally triangular cross-section.
2. In a truss section, said truss section comprising four parallel
elongated structural members, said members defining a first
generally rectangular cross-section, said members having two ends,
said truss sections including means for end-wise coupling a
plurality of said truss sections to assemble a longer load-bearing
span, the improvement comprising at least one additional elongated
structural member parallel to and structurally interconnected with
at least two of said elongated structural members, said additional
elongated structural member located substantially within said first
cross-section, so as to define with at least two of said elongated
structural members, an elongated volume having a second, generally
triangular cross-section.
3. In a truss section, said truss section comprising four parallel
elongated structural members, said members defining a first
generally rectangular cross-section with four sides, said members
having two ends, said truss sections including means for end-wise
coupling a plurality of said truss sections to assemble a longer
load-bearing span, the improvement comprising at least one
additional elongated structural member parallel to and structurally
interconnected with at least two of said elongated structural
members, said additional elongated structural member located
substantially within sa d first cross-section, so as to define with
at least two of said elongated structural members, a recessed
channel having a generally triangular cross-section in one of said
four sides.
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention resides in a new truss geometry. The "channel
truss" employs parallel longitudinal members or chords (typically
four) to define the truss cross-section (typically rectangular).
The "channel truss" also employs at least one additional (typically
fifth) longitudinal member, also parallel to the other members,
that additional member recessed within the cross-section defined by
the other members, away from the planes passing through adjacent
chords. The additional member is structurally interconnected with
the other members, but the design of the "channel truss" is such
that no structural elements impinge in the volume defined by the
additional member and two adjacent main chords. The result is a
truss having an open channel defined within its profile, which
channel and fifth member have advantages that will be described
below.
[0002] Applications of the "channel truss" and additional adapters
and accessories therefore will be described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a section through a prior art truss having a
rectangular truss having a rectangular cross-section.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the prior art truss of FIG.
1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a section through a "channel truss" of the present
invention.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the "channel truss" of FIG.
3.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a top/plan view of the "channel truss" of FIGS. 3
and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] The application relates to trusses.
[0009] Long employed in various permanent applications, such as
bridges and roofs, over the last thirty years an industry has
arisen around the design, manufacture, and provision of trusses
fabricated of aluminum, and intended for use in creating
structures, often temporary, for the support of lighting equipment
and scenic elements for live performances, special events, and
displays.
[0010] Beginning in the early 1970s, companies supplying lighting
and other-equipment to such applications began designing and
building trusses for their own use. Because of the competitive
advantages to be gained with a truss of improved design and the
relative ease with which new designs could be fabricated, a large
number and wide variety of different designs produced over the
years.
[0011] By the 1980s, increasing demand for such trusses lead to the
rise of specialist companies designing and manufacturing them for
sale (some spin-offs from companies that had built them for their
own use). Examples of firms designing and producing such trusses
include: James Thomas Engineering of - - - , Tomcat Systems of - -
- , Total Fabrication of - - - , and Slick Systems of - - - .
[0012] Thirty years of intense competition has produced a wide
variety of truss designs.
[0013] This application relates to a novel improvement.
[0014] Refer now to FIG. 1, a cross-section illustrating the
minimum set of structural elements required by a rectangular truss.
Four longitudinally-extending and parallel members "chords" 401,
402, 403, and 404 are provided, comprising extruded aluminum
tubing, typically having an outer diameter in the 1.9" to 2" range.
Typically, they are disposed to form a rectangular cross-section.
(However, trusses using three such members to form a triangular
cross-section are known.)
[0015] Cross-bracing 411, 412, 413, and 414, of aluminum extrusion,
having the same or a smaller diameter than the chords, is used to
connect the parallel members 401, 402, 403, and 404. Such
crossbracing can be on the diagonal (as seen in the side elevation
of FIG. 2) and/or at right angles to the members, forming
"rungs".
[0016] Refer now to FIG. 3, where a "channel truss" is illustrated
cross-section.
[0017] Like prior art trusses, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2,
the "channel truss" employs-parallel longitudinal members or chords
401, 402, 403, and 404 (for those trusses having a rectangular
cross-section). However, the "channel truss" also employs at least
one additional longitudinal member 501, also parallel to the other
chords 401, 402, 403, and 404, that additional member 501 recessed
within the cross-section defined by chords 401, 402, 403, and 404,
and away from planes passing through adjacent such chords.
[0018] The additional member 501 is structurally interconnected
with the chords 401, 402, 403, and 404, but the design of the
"channel truss" is such that no structural elements impinge in the
volume defined between the additional member 501 and two adjacent
main chords, in the illustrated example, chords 401 and 402.
[0019] The result is a truss having an open channel, of generally
triangular profile, defined within its cross-section or profile,
which channel and additional member have a number of
advantages:
[0020] In application, most trusses must accommodate quantities of
multi-conductor cable running parallel to their longitudinal axis,
typically laid along the top face of their rectangular
cross-section. Considerable quantities of such cable may be
involved, particularly on trusses used to support lighting
fixtures. During the set-up period, such cables may need to be tied
or taped down to prevent their falling off, and can present a
sloppy appearance when seen in profile on the truss in use. When a
technician "walks" the truss at its flown position, cable underfoot
can interfere with his or her footing, presenting a safety
hazard.
[0021] By orienting the "channel truss" with its channel upwards,
cable laid atop the truss during setup falls into the recess formed
by the channe. It is prevented from falling off the truss; can be
readily and neatly tied down to additional member 501; and is
recessed below the truss profile in use, presenting a cleaner
appearance and reducing the impact of the cable on footing.
[0022] Another aspect of truss application is the need to balance
certain loads under the truss itself. If, for example, a load (such
as a piece of scenery) is hung from a truss, it is most
conveniently hung from one chord or the other on the "bottom" side.
The result, however, is that the load is asymmetrically applied to
the truss causing (among other effects) the truss to rotate about
its longitudinal axis, dropping one lower chord relative to the
other, and causing the truss to seek its displaced center of
gravity, shifting away from the heavier side. Techniques to
compensate (notably changing the relative lengths of the two legs
of the "spansets" used to hang the truss to a supporting chain
motor, complicate the setup and are not exact. Where the truss is
ground-supporterd by a lift or tower, such compensation is
difficult or impossible, and the offset load will result in
undesirable stresses on the system, including side loads and
increased friction in the lifting process.
[0023] Whether oriented up or down, the "channel truss" affords the
additional member 501, which is centered. By hanging a load from
the additional member 501 (rather than, in this example, the
traditional alternatives, chord 401 or 404) the load is centered
under the truss; and no undesirable offset in load on the truss,
with its undesirable associated effects, is produced
[0024] Another advantage of the "channel truss" is the "masking"
that it affords to the adjacent edge of scenic and other elements
attached to it. With the use of "channel truss", scenic elements or
material can be attached to the additional member 501, not only
centering it under the truss, but recessing the edge of the element
behind the visible face of the truss, for a better appearance.
[0025] Another application is the use of "channel truss" to support
"soft goods"--curtains and the like (more specifically, drops,
legs, borders, and teasers). Such "soft goods" are typically
provided with a reinforced top edge (using jute or synthetic
webbing) in which grommets are installed on regular centers, to
which lengths of tie line ("ties") are attached. The tie line
"ties" are ties around a pipe or truss chord in order to hang the
soft goods to which they are attached. Again, the grommets and ties
are not attractive, and fabric panels (for example, velour) can be
of substantial weight. When hung from a "channel truss", such
grommets and ties are recessed in the channel 506A and a
substantially cleaner appearance presented (as well as a balanced
load).
[0026] While only a fifth additional member is illustrated, it will
be understood that additional such members could be employed.
[0027] While the illustrated truss cross-section is rectangular, it
will be understood that other designs are possible.
[0028] The "channel truss" of the present invention can be
complemented by accessories and may be employed to novel benefit in
other ways.
[0029] In some applications, it is desirable for a piece of scenery
or soft goods to maintain a sliding connection with a linear track
or cable to keep the attached edge in substantially the same plane.
An example might be a curtain, which would otherwise billow out of
the plane of the guide wire or track, potentially striking or
fouling on other objects.
[0030] A Guide wire adapter, provided with pass holes that permit
it to be sandwiched between the adjacent ends of any two truss
sections or a truss section and another element. The adaptor
provides pass holes, through which the same bolts used to attach
the truss sections pass. The adaptor also mounts a means for
attaching a guide wire, such means as a shoulder eye bolt with one
such guide wire adapter attached at each end of the desired travel,
a guide wire may be stretched between the opposing eyebolts on the
two guide wire adapters. The result is a guide wire recessed in the
channel of the "channel truss". The result is a more attractive
appearance and a substantially decreased likelihood that the guide
wire itself will present a fouling hazard when not in use.
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