Suspended jig for roof construction

Abstract

A roof framing jig for suspending a plurality of individual roof trusses in a predetermined spacing and orientation so as to facilitate construction of a roof truss assembly. The roof framing jig includes a jig frame, a hoist connection for suspending the jig frame, and a plurality of truss supports secured to the jig frame, where each truss support is adapted to suspend an individual roof truss.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A roof framing jig, comprising: 
 a jig frame;    a hoist connection, adapted for suspending the jig frame; and    a plurality of truss supports secured to the jig frame, each truss support adapted to suspend an individual roof truss;    wherein the jig is configured to suspend a plurality of individual roof trusses in a predetermined spacing and orientation.    
     
     
         2 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the jig frame comprises at least a pair of beams.  
     
     
         3 . The jig of  claim 2 , wherein each truss support is disposed on a beam.  
     
     
         4 . The jig of  claim 3 , wherein each truss support comprises a bracket connected to the beam, and a coupling that depends from the bracket.  
     
     
         5 . The jig of  claim 4 , wherein the coupling is a flexible coupling, the bracket includes a pin, and the flexible coupling depends from the pin.  
     
     
         6 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the jig is configured so that each individual roof truss is suspended from at least two truss supports.  
     
     
         7 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the hoist connection comprises a plurality of attachments to the jig frame.  
     
     
         8 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the hoist connection comprises four attachments to the jig frame defining the corners of a rectangle.  
     
     
         9 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the jig is configured to suspend at least two roof trusses.  
     
     
         10 . The jig of  claim 1 , wherein the jig is configured to suspend at least five roof trusses.  
     
     
         11 . A method of assembling a roof truss assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a roof framing jig, wherein the jig includes a jig frame, a hoist connection adapted for suspending the jig frame, and a plurality of truss supports secured to the jig frame, each truss support adapted to suspend an individual roof truss;    suspending at least two individual roof trusses from at least two truss supports, wherein the jig is configured such that the individual roof trusses are suspended in a predetermined spacing and orientation; and    bracing the roof trusses to form a truss assembly.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising installing at least some roof sheathing on the truss assembly.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing the truss assembly from the jig, installing additional roof sheathing on the truss assembly, and resuspending the sheathed truss assembly from the jig.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising hoisting the truss assembly into position on top of a building frame.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the truss assembly is hoisted into position using the jig.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of bracing the roof trusses includes installing at least lateral bracing.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of bracing the roof trusses includes installing alignment bracing.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the truss assembly is a flat roof truss assembly or a pitched roof truss assembly.  
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a roof truss assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a roof framing jig, wherein the jig includes a jig frame, a hoist connection adapted for suspending the jig frame, and a plurality of truss supports secured to the jig frame, each truss support adapted to suspend an individual roof truss;    suspending an individual roof truss from each truss support;    positioning the roof framing jig so that the individual roof trusses are suspended in a predetermined spacing and orientation that is accessible from ground level;    bracing the roof trusses to form a truss assembly.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising installing at least some roof sheathing on the truss assembly.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising hoisting the truss assembly into position on top of a building frame.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the truss assembly is hoisted into position using the jig.