Modular truss

Abstract

A truss section is provided that includes a plurality of chords and a solid rig bar. The rig bar extends between two of the chords and is fixedly coupled at one end to one of the two chords and at its other end to the other chord. The rig bar includes an aperture that can receive a removable coupler that is operable to suspend the truss from above. First and second pluralities of cross-bars extend between pairs of chords, the first cross-bars located adjacent to one end of the truss section and the second cross-bars adjacent to the other end. First and second end plates are fixedly coupled to the cross-bars. The end plates each have a plurality of apertures and a plurality of ear portions. The ear portions extend to cover the ends of the chords. The pluralities of apertures are configured to align with apertures in an adjacent truss section and to receive connectors to fixedly couple the truss sections together.

1 . A truss, comprising:
 two chords extending longitudinally along the truss; and   a solid rig bar, extending between the two chords at panel points of the truss, where the rig bar is fixedly coupled at a first end to a first one of the two chords and fixedly coupled at a second end to a second one of the two chords, wherein the rig bar includes an aperture adapted to receive without the use of tools a portion of a removable coupler operable to suspend the truss from above.   
     
     
         2 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the two chords and the rig bar are located on a top side of the truss. 
     
     
         3 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the rig bar has a rectangular cross section, the rectangular cross section having a long dimension oriented vertically. 
     
     
         4 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the two chords have circular cross sections and the first and second ends of the rig bar have corresponding concave circular profiles to receive side portions of the first and second chords, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the rig bar are welded to the first and second chords, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The truss of  claim 1 , wherein the truss comprises a plurality of truss sections fixedly coupled end to end, wherein one or more of the plurality of truss sections includes a rig bar. 
     
     
         7 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of fabricating a truss section, the method comprising:
 connecting a plurality of cross-bars to a corresponding plurality of truss chords, each cross-bar extending between an associated pair of chords in the plurality of chords, the cross-bars located adjacent to an end of the truss section;   after the plurality of cross-bars have been connected to the corresponding plurality of truss chords, fixedly coupling an end plate to the cross-bars, the end plate having a first plurality of apertures and a plurality of ear portions,   wherein each of the plurality of ear portions extends from the end plate to cover a corresponding end of one chord of the plurality of chords, and   the first plurality of apertures are configured to align with a corresponding second plurality of apertures in an end plate of an adjacent truss section and are operable to receive a corresponding plurality of connectors passed through the second apertures to fixedly couple the truss section to the adjacent truss section.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein connecting the plurality of cross-bars to the corresponding plurality of truss chords comprises coupling each cross-bar to the associated pair of chords with one surface of the cross-bar substantially flush with, or extending outward from, corresponding ends of the associated pair of chords. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein fixedly coupling the end plate to the cross-bars comprises welding the end plate to the cross-bars. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one chord of the plurality of chords has a tubular cross section and the ear portion corresponding to the at least one chord is adapted to prevent damage to the end of the at least one chord. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the end plate includes an additional aperture adapted to reduce the weight of the end plate. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein each of the first plurality of apertures is a slot. 
     
     
         26 . A method of fabricating a truss section, the method comprising:
 connecting a plurality of cross-bars to a corresponding plurality of truss chords, each cross-bar extending between an associated pair of chords in the plurality of chords, the cross-bars located adjacent to an end of the truss section;   fixedly coupling a first end of a solid rig bar to a first one of the plurality of truss chords;   fixedly coupling a second end of the solid rig bar to a second one of the plurality of truss chords, the rig bar including an aperture adapted to receive without the use of tools a portion of a removable coupler operable to suspend the truss from above;   after the plurality of cross-bars have been connected to the corresponding plurality of truss chords, fixedly coupling an end plate to the cross-bars, the end plate having a first plurality of apertures and a plurality of ear portions,   wherein each of the plurality of ear portions extends from the end plate to cover a corresponding end of one chord of the plurality of chords, and   the first plurality of apertures are configured to align with a corresponding second plurality of apertures in an end plate of an adjacent truss section and operable to receive a corresponding plurality of connectors passed through the second apertures to fixedly couple the truss section to the adjacent truss section.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rig bar and its two associated chords are located on a top side of the truss. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the rig bar has a rectangular cross section, the rectangular cross section having a long dimension oriented transverse to a long axis of the first one of the plurality of truss chords. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first and second ones of the plurality of truss chords have circular cross sections and the first and second ends of the rig bar have corresponding concave circular profiles to receive side portions of the first and second ones of the plurality of truss chords, respectively; and   the first and second ends of the rig bar are welded to the first and second ones of the plurality of truss chords.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein connecting the plurality of cross-bars to the corresponding plurality of truss chords comprises coupling each cross-bar to the associated pair of chords with one surface of the cross-bar substantially flush with, or extending outward from, corresponding ends of the associated pair of chords. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein fixedly coupling the end plate to the cross-bars comprises welding the end plate to the cross-bars. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein each of the first plurality of apertures is a slot.