System for transporting and installing roof trusses

Abstract

A truss handling apparatus has a plurality of channels and retaining devices to retain a truss for transporting and installing of trusses on building structures. The truss handling apparatus interacts with the forks of a lift. The truss handling apparatus has a base with a platform and the plurality of channels. The retaining device of the truss handling apparatus engages the sloping side rafters or top of a truss.

1 . A truss handling apparatus comprising:
 a base having at least two contact points for engaging the truss;   a truss engaging device spaced from the platform for engaging the truss; and   a lift interface for interfacing with a lift to allow movement of the apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the base has a platform having a front edge and a back edge;   the contact points are a channel extending from the front edge to the back edge,   the truss engaging device is a retaining device associated with the channels for retaining the truss; and   the lift interface is the base having a pair of beams having a pair of openings.   
     
     
         3 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of the retaining devices is a cylinder;
 a rod having a first end received by the cylinder and a second end having a “U” shape for engaging the truss; and   a spring mechanism connected between the cylinder and the rod for retaining the second end of the rod in engagement with the truss.   
     
     
         4 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a support structure for supporting the retaining device. 
     
     
         5 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of the retaining devices is a post with a pair of legs that project from the platform;
 a rail that moves relative to the legs;   a truss engaging member for engaging the truss; and   a ratchet mechanism connected between the rail and the post for retaining the truss engagement member in engagement with the truss.   
     
     
         6 . A material handling apparatus comprising:
 a base having a platform having a front edge and a back edge and a pair of support beams underlying the platform;   the support beams each having openings adapted to receive arms of a lifting device;   at least one material handling holder adapted to engage the material and limit movement towards the platform and direction parallel to the front edge of the platform; and   a material retaining device connected to the platform and having an engaging end spaced from the material holder for receiving and retaining the material in cooperation with the material handling holder.   
     
     
         7 . A material handling apparatus of  claim 6  wherein one support beams underlies the front edge and the other support beam underlies the back edge. 
     
     
         8 . A material handling apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a lifting device having a pair of forks that are accepted by the openings in support beams of the platform. 
     
     
         9 . A material handling apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the material is a roof truss. 
     
     
         10 . A material handling apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the material is a framed window. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing roof trusses comprising:
 providing a truss handling apparatus having a platform and plurality of truss handling channels   placing at least one truss in one of the truss handling channels wherein the side walls of the channel limit transverse movement of the truss;   engaging a retaining device engages the truss;   coupling a lift to the truss handling apparatus;   lifting the truss handling apparatus relative to a structure; and   moving the truss from the truss handling apparatus to the structure.   
     
     
         12 . A method of installing roof trusses of  claim 11  wherein the retaining device is “U” shaped second end of a rod engages the truss. 
     
     
         13 . A method of installing roof trusses of  claim 11  wherein the retaining device is truss engaging member carried by a rail that moves relative to a post carried by the platform. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing roof trusses of  claim 11  wherein the platform is then tilted so that the front edge is higher than the back edge so that gravity causes the truss to engage the retaining device. 
     
     
         15 . A truss handling apparatus comprising:
 a base having a platform having a front edge and a back edge and a pair of support beams underlying the platform;   the support beams each having openings adapted to receive arms of a lifting device;   a plurality of truss handling channels, each channel having a base and a pair of side walls that extend generally perpendicular to the front edge, each channel adapted to engage the truss and limit movement towards the platform and direction parallel to the front edge of the platform; and   a truss retaining device connected to the platform and having an engaging end spaced from the material holder for receiving and retaining the material in cooperation with the truss handling channels.   
     
     
         16 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the truss retaining device includes:
 a cylinder;   a rod having a first end received by the cylinder and a second end having a “U” shape for engaging the truss; and   a spring mechanism connected between the cylinder and the rod for retaining the second end of the rod in engagement with the truss.   
     
     
         17 . A truss handling apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the truss retaining device includes:
 a post with a pair of legs that project from the platform;   a rail that moves relative to the legs;   a truss engaging member for engaging the truss; and   a ratchet mechanism connected between the rail and the post for retaining the truss engagement member in engagement with the truss.