U.S. patent application number 11/820620 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for triangular roof truss system.
Invention is credited to Albert A. Aldo.
Application Number | 20070289229 11/820620 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38860215 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070289229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aldo; Albert A. |
December 20, 2007 |
Triangular roof truss system
Abstract
Inherently strong multiplicity of unique, planar, triangular
roof truss frames or panels assemble into a replete,
self-supporting roof system useable on a wide variety of building
shapes and roof slopes. Compound angles on edges of truss panels
facilitate connecting panels directly to each other either face-up
and/or faced-down. Combinations of triangular trusses create domed,
even-sided hipped roof structures, and also form ridges, eaves,
valleys, dormers and overhangs. Compound angles used to construct
triangular roof trusses are unique to the shape (number of sides)
of the building and the roof slope (pitch) desired but can be used
to design and build a diverse collection of building styles. Half
trusses create gable ends on roofs; special trusses connect
different geometric shapes; roof pitch can be changed part way up
many roofs.
Inventors: |
Aldo; Albert A.;
(Canterbury, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Albert A. Aldo
490 Northwest Road
Canterbury
NH
03224-2109
US
|
Family ID: |
38860215 |
Appl. No.: |
11/820620 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60815031 |
Jun 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/90.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/20 20130101; E04B
7/022 20130101; E04B 7/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/090.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 7/02 20060101
E04B007/02 |
Claims
1. A scaleable 3-dimensional triangular roof truss panel
comprising: a. planar top and bottom surfaces of a matching size,
b. two sides, cut at predetermined angles on ends and edges, the
face of whose edges are vertical when installed, c. a base, cut at
predetermined angles on ends and edges, whereby stronger roofs can
be installed more quickly on houses.
2. A scaleable 3-dimensional triangular roof truss frame
comprising: a. two side frame members, cut at predetermined angles,
the face of whose edges are vertical when installed, b. a base
frame member, cut at predetermined angles means for attaching said
frame members to each other, whereby stronger roof frames can be
installed more quickly on houses.
3. A multiplicity of 3-dimensional roof truss, comprising: a. two
or more triangular roof truss triangles, b. means to connect said
trusses to each other, whereby entire roofs can be installed
quickly in large sections.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to prefabricated roof trusses used to
enclose buildings, specifically to a new and improved series of
roof trusses applicable to a multitude of building shapes and
styles.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0004] Conventional prefabricated roof trusses are widely used for
enclosing buildings using square and rectangular floor plans, where
they also help tie the outside walls together. Their greatest
weakness is in their parallel installation, like the other framing
in most buildings. Conventional trusses do not work with most
non-traditional building shapes.
[0005] Ceiling joists and collar ties also serve the purpose of
helping hold rafters and exterior walls of buildings together, so
that weight loads transferred by roof rafters would not push the
walls out, and cause the ridge pole to sag. However, when building
designs include geometric shapes outside square and rectangular
floor plans, neither of the above solutions can typically be used
to retain the walls.
[0006] As a result, numerous inventors have patented approaches to
building multi-sided buildings, many offering alternative
approaches to this problem of supporting the walls. It is among
these non-traditional building designs that the use of triangular
panels in the roof is most widely encountered.
[0007] Raemer (U.S. Pat. No. 2,440,449) uses triangles in his roof
system, but illustrates a retaining cable installed around the
perimeter of a ten-sided structure. Reidberger, et al, (U.S. Pat.
No. 3,710,528) shows a clustered hexagon comprised of an open beam
skeletal frame with specialized connector brackets. Cole (U.S. Pat.
No. 3,807,101) uses rigid corner connectors and a center retaining
system to support curved triangular roof panels. Walters (U.S. Pat.
No. 3,908,329) 12-sided polygon has a cable threaded through the
wall sections and rafters. Raptoplous (U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,855)
uses triangular roof panels mounted on top of a 3-sided collar that
stabilizes his octagonal gazebo. Porter (U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,534)
includes prefabricated (triangular) sandwich-type panels on his
roof over a steel frame that includes a tension ring, threaded
fasteners, etc. for strength. Buchanon's (U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,116)
roof is comprised of substantially similar triangle shaped
components that are held up by a permanently installed center
column in the middle of this multi-sided polygon. Greenblatt's
(U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,508) hexagonal gazebo has triangularly
configured roof panels that use a center hub and footing brackets
to support roof panels. Hoehn (U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,026) introduces
a variation on conventional roof trusses that span from the walls
to a center column, supporting triangular pieces of metal
roofing.
[0008] Some inventors with very futuristic structures have also
envisioned using triangular roof panels in some of their
structures. Mangan (U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,221) illustrates large
tetrahedrons as building structures, some of which appear to
include triangular panels, but no discussion is provided of how
they are made structural. Pearce (U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,600) uses a
framework system to support interstitial triangular panels. Levy
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,840) uses a triangulated framework to cover
stadiums and arenas using a roof system that includes cables,
tensioning elements and compression rings, and is ultimately
covered in fabric. Richter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,169) uses a
framework and a sub-framework to support the triangular panels in
his round dome cover. Knight (U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,672) refers to
triangular panels and frustums but never mentions whether unique
edge angles or 3-dimensionality is important to the various panel
shapes comprising his domed structures. Kerney (U.S. Pat. No.
6,568,134) appears to include 3-dimensional triangular components
among his prefabricated items, but shows building the triangles,
and all the other shapes he uses, in the manner of conventional
trusses using top and bottom chords interconnected by shorter
framing members.
[0009] Objects and Advantages: Essentially, of these many inventors
envisioning multi-sided, improved or futuristic structures and
using triangular roof panels, none has referenced incorporating
specific edge angles onto the two sides and base of a roof
triangle, thus creating self-supporting planar trusses that can be
interconnected without the need for external connecting devices.
Further, the creation of panels that interconnected face-up led to
discovering the opportunities of connecting face-up to panels to
reversed panels thus creating a multitude of roof panels shapes and
sizes, attractive variations on existing home designs, as well as
many striking, new and unique building designs.
[0010] Triangular roof trusses overcome the following shortcomings.
Our triangular trusses accommodate numerous non-traditional home
designs, and also square and rectangular floor plans. Sets of
triangular frames or panels are structural, self-supporting
trusses, eliminating the need for a separate supporting frame.
Matching panels connect flawlessly to each other, eliminating the
need for connective hardware in most cases. After installation, all
edge surfaces are vertical, and the triangular roof structure
effectively transfers roof loads to a vertical pressure on the tops
of the perimeter walls, eliminating the need for retaining rings,
cross-cables or turnbuckles to prevent the walls pushing out.
[0011] Unique sets of triangular trusses can be used to design and
build a vast array of different styles of homes, using components
that can be mass-produced.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] Triangular roof trusses for specific geometric shapes are
made with angles unique to the shape they enclose, but share the
characteristics shown in FIGS. 1 through 12.
[0013] FIG. 1 includes overall views of a single triangular roof
truss panel. In FIG. 1-A truss is face up. You can see the planar
top surface and the angled edges and sides. FIG. 1-B is a side view
of 1-A. In FIG. 1-C the same truss is shown flipped over, in a
reversed position. You can see the planar bottom surface, which is
the same size and shape as the planar top surface. FIG. 1-D is a
side view of 1-C. The side view of the face up truss 1-B appears
identical to the side view of the same truss flipped over in 1-D,
which helps in comprehending the trusses ability to connect
efficiently to each other.
[0014] FIGS. 2 through FIG. 5 illustrate the components that make
up a single triangular roof truss frame. In FIG. 2-A truss is face
up. FIG. 2-B is a side view of 2-A. In FIG. 2-C the same truss is
flipped over, in a reversed position. FIG. 2-D is a side view of
2-C.
[0015] FIG. 3 details a left side frame component also shown in
FIG. 2. With frame component standing on a flat surface, FIG. 3-A
is and end view; FIG. 3-B an inside view; and FIG. 3-C a top view.
As illustrated in 2-A and 2-C, left frame component extends from
outside of base to apex of triangular truss.
[0016] FIG. 4 details a right side frame component also shown in
FIG. 2. Standing this frame component on a flat surface, FIG. 4-A
is an end view; FIG. 4-B an inside view; and FIG. 4-C a top view.
FIGS. 2-A and 2-C show how right frame component extends from
outside of base to inside edge of left frame member at their
intersecting point inside of triangular frame.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows details of base frame component also shown in
FIG. 2. With frame component standing on a flat surface, FIG. 5-A
is and end view; FIG. 5-B an outside view; and FIG. 5-C a top view.
Base frame component extends from inside of left frame component to
inside of right frame component as shown in FIGS. 2-A and 2-B.
[0018] To simplify illustrations, remaining drawings feature
triangular truss panels 1-A and 1-C although similar principles
apply equally to truss frames 2-A and 2-B.
[0019] FIGS. 6 through FIG. 9 show plan view examples of how
complete face up truss panels 1-A adjoin reversed truss panels 1-C
to form a multitude of roof truss panel shapes.
[0020] FIGS. 10 through FIG. 12 illustrate completed trusses
connecting into 3-dimensional roof shapes, as they are used in
actual construction. Trusses shown here exhibit vertical faces on
all edges, which occurs when they are connected to each other, in
the position of their actual use. FIG. 10 shows two face up truss
panels 1-A that are that are connected left side 3 to right side 4.
FIG. 11 shows two reversed truss panels 1-C connected left side 3
to right side 4. In FIG. 12 two reversed trusses are shown
connected base 5 to base 5.
[0021] FIGS. 13 through FIG. 16 illustrate square and rectangular
buildings and variations thereof made with the same "square"
triangular trusses.
[0022] FIG. 17 shows a building made with "hexagon" triangular
trusses.
[0023] In FIG. 18 you can see a building made with "octagon"
triangular trusses.
[0024] FIG. 19 illustrates one of many hexagonal cluster building
we have designed and can build using "hexagon" trusses also used in
17.
SUMMARY
[0025] Triangles used in roof systems of the past have not
addressed the value of adding predetermined angles to the edges of
the triangles, making them structural interconnecting trusses, that
simplify installing roofs on a wide variety of buildings.
[0026] The adding of predetermined angles to create easy to
assemble roofs for geometric shapes led to discovering the many
design alternatives inherent in connecting matching triangles face
up, reversed, and in a combination of the two.
OPERATION OF INVENTION
[0027] Using an elongated piece of solid or sandwiched material,
whether 3 feet or 3 inches wide, anyone skilled in the art can
mass-produce identical triangular truss panels. The multiple views
of a typical triangular roof truss panel shown in FIG. 1 should
help to understand how one is made. Side views 1-B and 1-D show
that both the point and the base of each truss panel are sharply
angled. In fact, both the point and base are angled to match the
desired roof pitch. To prepare material for this panel, start by
cutting parallel bevels onto both edges of material used. To create
roof trusses for buildings with a 45.degree. roof slope, cut a
45.degree. bevel on the two edges.
[0028] Triangular roof truss panels should be cut to exacting
specifications to fit together well. Use a compound miter saw or
some other tool that will cut precise compound angles. Use stops on
the saw or some other type of cutting jig to make sure width of
panels is consistent and to produce matching triangles. The
following variations use material prepared for a 45.degree. slope,
as explained above.
[0029] One embodiment of this invention is a truss panel that
builds roofs for square and rectangular buildings and variations
thereof. On your cutting device, set the bevel at 30.1.degree. and
the miter at 35.3.degree.. After making your first cut, flip
material front to back and make your second cut. That second cut
produces your first triangular roof panel. Flip material and cut
another panel loose; continue to flip and cut until material is
exhausted.
[0030] Another embodiment of this invention is a triangular panel
that builds octagonal buildings and variations thereon. Just set
the bevel to 16.25.degree. and the miter to 15.75.degree., and
follow the cutting and flipping directions above.
[0031] A unique embodiment of this invention is created when both
the bevel and the miter is set to 18.2.degree.. Panels resulting
from these cuts form into a domed roof for a seven-sided
building.
[0032] A bevel of 12.degree. and a miter of 9.degree. will form a
roof to a twelve-sided building. A popular embodiment of this
invention includes hexagon shaped buildings, and hexagonal
clusters. Set the bevel to 21.degree. and the miter at 22.degree.
for hexagon forming panels with a 45.degree. slope.
[0033] To make roof truss panels that change the roof slope on the
above hexagon (or any other shape roof) to 30.degree., start by
preparing material with a 30.degree. bevel cut on both edges, as
explained above when creating 45.degree. slopes. Once material is
prepared, change the bevel to 15.5.degree. and the miter to
26.5.degree., and cut panels.
[0034] To make roof truss panels that change the roof slope to
60.degree., start by preparing material with a 60.degree. bevel on
each edge. A bevel of 26.5.degree. and a miter of 16.5.degree. will
produce panels that form octagon roofs with a 60.degree. slope.
[0035] By now it should be obvious that the number of sides to the
building and the slope of the roof each truss panel fits are
determined by precise cutting of specific bevels and miters to
generate the necessary compound angles. In many cases, triangular
truss panels created to build a basic shape, like squares, can be
reconfigured to build rectangles, ell shaped houses, and numerous
other variations on the basic floor plan.
[0036] The size of the individual trusses can be scaled up and
down, without impacting their ability to combine into roof systems.
We have build prototypes only one inch wide at the base, and
individual triangles sixteen feet tall. When truss size is changed,
all dimensions change in relationship to each other, but the
various angles stay the same, regardless of size.
[0037] Sometimes it is better to build the trusses as wooden
frameworks, attaching plywood sheathing and/or drywall after the
truss frames are connected into geometric shapes and installed on
the building. Making the trusses as frames shown in FIG. 2 involves
some of the angles used in the truss panels above, and some new
compound angles. 1.times.6 inch wood is our preferred material for
making side frames of trusses by hand.
[0038] To make side framing members 3-A to 3-C and 4-A to 4-C,
start by cutting parallel bevels onto each edge as shown in end
views 3-A and 4-A. Bevel varies based on shape of building and roof
slope desired. To create roof truss side frames for squares and
rectangles with a 45.degree. slope, use a 30.1.degree. bevel. To
create truss side frames for octagonal buildings with a 45.degree.
slope, use 16.25.degree. for bevel.
[0039] For roof truss frames that form hexagons and hexagonal
clusters with a 45.degree. roof slope, use a 21.degree. bevel on
truss side frame components. For hexagon truss frames with a
30.degree. slope, use 15.5.degree. bevel on side frame components.
For hexagon truss frames with a 60.degree. slope, 26.5.degree. on
side pieces. You may notice that these bevels correspond to one
portion of the compound angles used to cut roof truss panels
detailed above.
[0040] Once material is properly beveled, use a compound miter saw
or other precision cutting tool to cut compound angles. For trusses
for square and rectangles with a 45.degree. slope, set the bevel at
90.degree. and the miter at 39.degree. for the top end; change the
bevel to 45.degree. and leave the miter at 39.degree. for the base
end. For trusses that form octagons and variations thereon with a
45.degree. slope, set the bevel and miter at 45.degree. for the top
end but change the bevel to 21.degree. for the base end.
[0041] For trusses for hexagons and hexagonal clusters with a
45.degree. slope, set the bevel to 45.degree. and the miter to
30.degree. for both top and base cuts. To change hexagon roof slope
to 30.degree., set the bevel at 30.degree. and the miter at
25.3.degree.. Remember to use material with the correct edge bevels
precut, if you change roof slope.
[0042] Now that material is prepared and compound angles are set to
desired settings, set individual stops to maintain consistent
lengths in your two side frame components. Cut 1.sup.st end of
piece one; flip piece over and slide to stop. Make 2.sup.nd cut;
flip piece over again and slide to stop for other framing member.
Repeat this process until material is exhausted. As you can see,
end cut of one framing piece is beginning cut of other piece, on so
on.
[0043] To make base framing member 5, cut parallel bevels onto both
edges of material to match roof slope desired as shown in end view
5-A. 45.degree. slope equals 45.degree. bevel; 30.degree. slope
equals 30.degree. bevel. Base frame members 5 must have the same
vertical height as side framing members 3 and 4, when all frame
components are standing on their beveled edges. Since the bevel is
much greater on base members 5, it is wise to start with wider
material than that used in the side framing members 3 and 4.
1.times.8 lumber is our preferred material for making base frame
members 5.
[0044] Miter cut on both ends of base 5 changes only if number of
sides in polygon is changed. Miter both ends of base framing
members 5, using a miter saw or miter box. To make base of truss
frames 5 for octagons for any roof slope set miter to 45.degree..
(No compound angle is needed on the ends of these base framing
members.) To make base of truss frames for squares and rectangles
at any slope, set miter to 22.5.degree.. To make base of truss
frames for hexagons and hexagonal clusters, set miter to
30.degree..
[0045] It is possible to create special truss frames for use along
the eaves of the building. On framed trusses it is possible to cut
a "bird's mouth" into side framing components facilitating
installing and attaching the lower trusses onto the wall plates. On
steep roof pitches, the face of the base material may be too wide
for esthetic appeal. An easy cut can be made to reduce the eave
"face" and precut a soffit at the same time.
[0046] Now that the frame components are built, it is necessary to
assemble them on a flat surface. As shown in FIG. 2, edge 3 extends
from outside the left edge of base member 5 to the apex of the
truss. Edge 4 extends from outside the right edge of base member 5
to the inside top of edge 3. Base member 5 fits inside of the two
side frame members 3 and 4. Glue and screws are commonly used to
connect frame components. One-inch material used in framing members
now becomes equivalent to two-inch stock when trusses are joined
together along common edges.
[0047] We now turn to combining the trusses to form roof systems.
FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate in plan view some of the 2-dimensional
combinations of trusses that are commonly used in our roof systems.
Each of the shapes shown becomes a truss panel, when assembled. To
combine trusses, start by placing several trusses in front of you
with points facing away from you, as shown in FIG. 1-A. These are
face up trusses. Flip some trusses over so that some point toward
you, as shown in FIG. 1-C. These are reversed trusses.
[0048] The shapes in FIG. 6 show alternate ways one face up truss
and one reversed truss fit together. As illustrated in 6, a left
edge 3 always connects to a right edge 4; and base 5 always
connects to another base 5. Glue and screws are our preferred means
to connect wooden truss frames one to another.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows geometric shapes formed by combining three
trusses and FIG. 8 illustrates shapes formed out of four trusses.
Included in FIG. 8 is shown a "triangle within a triangle" one of
the strongest embodiments of this truss system. Note that that
large triangle in FIG. 8 is identical, except in size, to the
smaller triangles. Then, in FIG. 9, note the even larger triangle,
still identical except in size. This is how small trusses form into
bigger and bigger truss panels. The other geometric shapes
illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9 also get larger by adding rows or
columns of trusses.
[0050] FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate 3-dimensional combinations of
two trusses. In FIG. 10, two face up trusses 1-A are combined left
side 3 to right side 4. This creates a roof section with a peak 20;
eaves 21; and a hip roof 22.
[0051] In FIG. 11 two reversed trusses 1-C are connected left side
3 to right side 4. This creates a roof section with two ridgepoles
23; eaves 21; and a valley 24.
[0052] FIG. 12 shows two reversed trusses connected base 5 to base
5. This creates a roof section with both sides of a ridgepole 23.
All 3-dimensional illustrations of FIGS. 10 through 12 include face
surfaces on each panel that extend vertically, enabling triangular
roof trusses to distribute load axially to the top of the walls,
where it exerts a vertical load. This is important, as these
triangular based roof systems do not push the walls outward.
[0053] FIGS. 13 through 16 show how plan view geometrically shaped
truss panels shown in FIGS. 6 through 9 combine with 3-dimensional
shapes shown in FIGS. 10 through 12 to create complete roof systems
for square and rectangular buildings, and variations thereon.
[0054] Combine four face up trusses designed for square buildings
left side 3 to right side 4 to create a standing square hip roof
shown in FIG. 13. Trusses form a roof replete with peak, eaves, and
hips. FIG. 13-A is an overhead view; FIG. 13-B is the square
building.
[0055] To form a rectangular roof from the square hip roof in FIG.
13, remove one triangular truss. Replace the missing truss with two
reversed trusses as introduced in FIG. 12, joined base 5 to base 5.
Add three more face up trusses to complete the hip roof and you get
the rectangular building shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14-A is an overhead
view; FIG. 14-B a 3-dimensional illustration of the rectangular
building.
[0056] To create the building in FIG. 15, remove one side truss
from the rectangular roof in FIG. 14 and replace it with two more
reversed trusses from FIG. 12, joined base to base. This forms a
valley. Add three more face up trusses to complete the ell shaped
building. In FIG. 15-A, the overhead view shows the twelve trusses
that configure the roof; FIG. 15-B illustrates the ell shaped
home.
[0057] FIG. 16 illustrates using two of the large triangular truss
panels of FIG. 8 and two of the large oblong truss panels of FIG.
9, and combining them to create a roof out of four large truss
panels. FIG. 16-A shows the twenty-four trusses that combine to
make up this roof; FIG. 16-B illustrates the resulting large
rectangular home. "Square" trusses shown in FIGS. 13 through 16 can
be formed in numerous additional square and rectangular building
variations.
[0058] In FIG. 17, we combined six "hexagon trusses" left side 3 to
right side 4 and they create a domed roof to a single hexagon. FIG.
17-A is an overhead view; FIG. 17-B shows the hexagonal building.
It is possible to remove two adjacent trusses from a hexagon;
reinstall those trusses reversed as in FIG. 12, and you extend the
length of the hexagon. Add additional pairs of reversed trusses and
a whole realm of design possibilities starts to open up.
[0059] FIG. 18 shows combining eight "octagon" trusses left side 3
to right side 4, and they create a domed roof to an octagon. FIG.
18-A is an overhead view; FIG. 18-B is an illustration of the
building resulting. If you were to remove three adjacent trusses,
then to reinstall two of them in the reversed fashion of FIG. 12,
it becomes possible to extend the length of the octagon. Add
additional pairs of reversed trusses, and octagons can be designs
with flowing bends and corners.
[0060] FIG. 19 is a simple example of some of the expansions of
which the hexagon in FIG. 17 is capable. FIG. 19-A is an overhead
view; FIG. 19-B illustrates a two-story version of the resulting
building. We have designed numerous variations of hexagon clusters,
using miniatures of our "hexagon" truss panels.
[0061] We can create roofs for buildings of almost any geometric
shape or size. If we created a ten-sided building, we could extend
its length by removing four adjacent trusses and installing a pair
of reversed trusses as shown in FIG. 12. If we wanted to extend a
twelve-sided building, we would remove five adjacent trusses, and
so on. This capability also allows for easy installation of dormers
and overhangs that fit together like the parts of a jigsaw puzzle.
We can even produce specialized triangular trusses, that allow for
gable ends on square and rectangular buildings; or that serve to
transition roofs of different geometric shapes. In other words, we
can connect the roofs on square buildings to hexagonal buildings,
octagons to hexagons, octagons to squares, and many others.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION
[0062] Throughout these examples we have used sawn lumber as the
construction material, as it was readily available for
experimentation and development. Wooden triangular roof trusses
would be made most efficiently out of engineered wood. Another
version is creating 3-dimensional triangular structural insulated
panels. Triangular roof trusses can also be made by cutting flat
sheet metal to correct angles, folding and welding same. Miniature
trusses have already been made out of plastic, and they make a
great design tool and toy.
[0063] Alternative connection systems are also important to this
product. The sawn lumber examples referenced are connected to each
other using construction adhesive and screws. Tongue and groove
connectors work well, because of the consistent way the panels
interconnect. Panels manufactured as SIPs need some type of wooden
or hardware connectors, to make up for lack of access to the
trusses' framework in this embodiment. Our miniature panels that we
may market as design tools or toys are connected with embedded
magnets.
[0064] Summary: Triangular roof trusses may be used on many
building designs, including but not limited to squares, rectangles,
hexagons, octagons, and even seven-sided buildings. Trusses can be
built to whatever scale and roof slope is needed. Many materials
can be used for prefabricating trusses. Geometric shapes formed by
combining individual truss panels are truss panels themselves.
[0065] Each of the truss panels created for even-sided geometric
shapes can also construct other variations on the original shape.
Truss panels in assorted combinations create flat (planar) panels,
domed roofs, hips, valleys, eaves, ridgepoles, dormers and
overhangs.
[0066] Builders should be able to enclose homes faster, create
stronger, more damage-resistant structures, and efficiently
incorporate a multitude of new designs into day-to-day
construction.
[0067] Our vertical triangle-based framing should transfer roof
loads axially to the top of walls, exerting a primarily vertical
force on load bearing walls, and eliminating the need for retaining
rings, perimeter cables, and other structural support elements
needed for previous triangle based roof systems.
* * * * *