Truss and method for making same

Abstract

A truss includes at least one web member, and a chord member with an opening for positioning the web member therethrough. A portion of the web member is exposed through the chord opening so that the web member can be directly attached to the bearing, such as by welding. The truss can be made using a template that has a body with an inner wall defining an opening, and at least one attachment element connected to the body for attaching the body to the chord member of the truss. The opening in the chord member is formed by inserting a cutting instrument within the template body opening and tracing the cutting instrument along the inner wall of the body.

1 . A truss comprising: 
 (a) at least one web member; and    (b) a chord member having an opening therein for positioning the web member therethrough to expose a portion of the web member for contacting a bearing whereby the web member can be directly attached to the bearing.    
   
   
       2 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the web member has an upper end and a lower end, and the lower end is positioned through the chord member opening.  
   
   
       3 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the web member is attached to the bearing by a weld.  
   
   
       4 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the chord member includes a base segment and a side segment extending upwardly from the base segment, and further wherein the chord member opening is positioned in the base segment.  
   
   
       5 . A truss according to  claim 4 , wherein the web member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the base segment.  
   
   
       6 . A truss according to  claim 4 , further comprising fastening members connecting the web member to the side segment of the chord member.  
   
   
       7 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the web member is substantially U-shaped or W-shaped.  
   
   
       8 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the chord member opening is sized such that the web member frictionally engages the chord member when the web member is positioned through the opening.  
   
   
       9 . A truss according to  claim 1 , wherein the chord opening is substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . A truss according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of web members, wherein each web member is positioned on the chord member at predetermined spaced apart intervals corresponding to predetermined positioning of a plurality of bearings on which the truss is to be mounted.  
   
   
       11 . A method for mounting a truss on a bearing, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a truss comprising: 
 (i) a web member,  
 (ii) a chord member having an opening therein, and  
 (iii) wherein a portion of the web member is positioned within the chord member opening;  
   (b) positioning the truss on the bearing such that the web member contacts the bearing; and    (c) attaching the web member to the bearing.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of connecting the web member to the chord member with fastening members.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of attaching the web member to the bearing comprises welding the web member to the bearing.  
   
   
       14 . A method of making a truss, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one web member and a chord member;    (b) forming at least one opening in the chord member;    (c) positioning the web member through the chord member opening to expose a portion of the web member for contacting a bearing whereby the web member can be directly attached to the bearing.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of connecting the web member to the chord member using one or more fasteners.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming at least one opening in the chord member comprises the steps of: 
 (a) providing a template sized and shaped to correspond to a desired size and shape for the chord member opening;    (b) positioning the template at a desired location on the chord member; and    (c) tracing the template with a laser to cut the opening in the chord member.    
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of tracing the template with a laser comprises tracing the template with an ionized gas laser.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing a template comprises providing a template comprising: 
 (a) a body having an inner wall defining an opening; and    (b) an attachment element connected to the body for attaching the body to a chord member of a truss, whereby the opening can be formed in the chord member by tracing the laser along the inner wall of the body.    
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a template comprises providing a template further comprising a bracket shaped for positioning on the chord member; and further wherein the attachment element comprises at least one magnet pivotally connected to the body whereby the template is stabilized on the chord member.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming at least one opening in the chord member comprises forming a plurality of openings spaced apart at one or more predetermined intervals on the chord member to correspond to predetermined positioning of a plurality of bearings on which the truss is to be mounted.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of projecting a coherent visible light beam at each of the predetermined intervals at which the plurality of openings in the chord members are to be formed.  
   
   
       22 . A template for use in making a truss, comprising: 
 (a) a body having an inner wall defining an opening; and    (b) at least one attachment element connected to the body for attaching the body to a chord member of a truss, whereby an opening having a predetermined shape can be formed in the chord member by inserting a cutting instrument within the body opening and tracing the cutting instrument along the inner wall of the body.    
   
   
       23 . A template according to  claim 22 , wherein the attachment element comprises: 
 (a) a bracket shaped for positioning on the chord member; and    (b) at least one magnet connected to the body for contacting the chord member whereby the template is stabilized on the chord member.    
   
   
       24 . A template according to  claim 23 , further comprising a reference mark on positioned on the bracket for aligning the template at a desired position on the chord member.  
   
   
       25 . A template according to  claim 22 , wherein the attachment element comprises: 
 (a) an L-shaped bracket for positioning on the chord member; and    (b) first and second magnets pivotally connected to the body, wherein the magnets are pivotable into a contacting position with the chord member whereby the template is stabilized on the chord member.