Modular Truss

Abstract

A method of fabricating a truss section is provided. Cross-bars are connected to truss chords, each cross-bar extending between an associated pair of truss chords, the cross-bars located adjacent to an end of the truss section. An end plate is coupled to the cross-bars after the cross-bars have been connected to their truss chords. The end plate has apertures and ear portions. Each ear portion extends from the end plate to cover an end of a truss chord. The apertures align with corresponding apertures in an end plate of an adjacent truss section. The apertures receive connectors that also pass through the corresponding apertures to fixedly couple the two truss sections. The method may also include coupling a rig bar between truss chords. The rig bar may receive a removable coupler to suspend the truss from above.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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 truss chords in the plurality of truss chords, each cross-bar located adjacent to an end of the truss section; and   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 truss chord of the plurality of truss chords, and 
 the first plurality of apertures are configured to align with a corresponding second plurality of apertures in an end plate or connection piece of an adjacent truss section and are operable to receive a corresponding plurality of connectors that also pass through the second apertures to fixedly couple the truss section to the adjacent truss section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein connecting the plurality of cross-bars to the corresponding plurality of truss chords comprises coupling each cross-bar to the associated pair of truss chords with one surface of the cross-bar substantially flush with, or extending outward from, corresponding ends of the associated pair of chords. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein fixedly coupling the end plate to the cross-bars comprises welding the end plate to the cross-bars. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one truss chord of the plurality of truss chords has a circular cross section and the ear portion corresponding to the at least one truss chord is adapted to prevent damage to the end of the at least one truss chord. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the end plate includes an additional aperture adapted to reduce a weight of the end plate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of apertures is a slot. 
     
     
         7 . 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 truss chords in the plurality of truss chords, each cross-bar located adjacent to an end of the truss section;   fixedly coupling a first end of a rig bar to a first one of the plurality of truss chords;   fixedly coupling a second end of the 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 section from above; and   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 truss chord of the plurality of truss chords, and 
 the first plurality of apertures are configured to align with a corresponding second plurality of apertures in an end plate or connection piece of an adjacent truss section and operable to receive a corresponding plurality of connectors that also pass through the second apertures to fixedly couple the truss section to the adjacent truss section. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second ends of the rig bar are fixedly coupled to the first and second ones of the truss chords at panel points of the truss section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second ones of the truss chords are located on a top side of the truss section. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first one of the truss chords is located on a top side of the truss section and the second one of the truss chords is located on a bottom side of the truss section. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , 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. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , 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   fixedly coupling the first and second ends of the rig bar to the first and second ones of the plurality of truss chords comprises welding the first and second ends of the rig bar to the first and second ones of the plurality of truss chords.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein connecting the plurality of cross-bars to the corresponding plurality of truss chords comprises coupling each cross-bar to the associated pair of truss chords with one surface of the cross-bar substantially flush with, or extending outward from, corresponding ends of the associated pair of truss chords. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein fixedly coupling the end plate to the cross-bars comprises welding the end plate to the cross-bars. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of apertures is a slot.