US3849961A — T-clip truss and rafter system of roof constructi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 233 words

A truss structure for a buiLding construction comprising elongated upper and lower structural chords each having longitudinally extending web and flange portions, with said flange portions having means for centering clips on said chords, and longitudinally extending raised portions located on each side of the flange portions and projecting beyond the general plane of the flange portions, at least one elongated bracing strut extending between said upper and lower chords, clips connecting the strut to said chords, and having flanges provided with opposed extensions, said flanges and extensions engaging the flange portions of said chords, a leg depending from the flange of each clip fastened to the ends of said strut, and centering means cooperating with the centering means of said chords placing the webs of the chords in alignment with each other and with the axis of said strut, means fastening the depending legs of said clips to ends of said strut, and, the flanges and extensions of said clips being clinched on the flange portions of said chords by forcing the ends of said extensions around and behind the raised portions on the flanges of said chords, and crimped on the flange portions of said chords by displacing material of the chord flange portions and the clip flanges and extensions in directions normal to the planes thereof at multiple locations therealong to prevent relative, longitudinal movement of said clips and chords.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 233 words

A truss structure for a buiLding construction comprising elongated upper and lower structural chords each having longitudinally extending web and flange portions, with said flange portions having means for centering clips on said chords, and longitudinally extending raised portions located on each side of the flange portions and projecting beyond the general plane of the flange portions, at least one elongated bracing strut extending between said upper and lower chords, clips connecting the strut to said chords, and having flanges provided with opposed extensions, said flanges and extensions engaging the flange portions of said chords, a leg depending from the flange of each clip fastened to the ends of said strut, and centering means cooperating with the centering means of said chords placing the webs of the chords in alignment with each other and with the axis of said strut, means fastening the depending legs of said clips to ends of said strut, and, the flanges and extensions of said clips being clinched on the flange portions of said chords by forcing the ends of said extensions around and behind the raised portions on the flanges of said chords, and crimped on the flange portions of said chords by displacing material of the chord flange portions and the clip flanges and extensions in directions normal to the planes thereof at multiple locations therealong to prevent relative, longitudinal movement of said clips and chords.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 70 words

The structure of claim 1 including at least two inwardly facing, longitudinally extending ledges provided on the flanges of the chords on the web side thereof, and located on opposite sides of the web thereof, and projections provided at the ends of the flange extensions of said clips for seating behind the ledges of said chords when the clips are clinched and crimped on the flange portions of the chords.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 78 words

The structure of claim 1 in which the web of the lower chord has openings spaced apart along the length thereof, a solid eave and piece located at each end of the lower chord, said end pieces each having flanges and a solid end web portion, and clip means respectively splicing said eave end pieces to the ends of the lower chord by being clinched and crimped on the flanges of the lower chord and eave end pieces.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The structure of claim 1 in which the strut is a tubular member having flattened end portions provided with strengthening longitudinally extending ribs.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 65 words

The structure of claim 4 in which the flattened end portions of the strut are radiused for bearing contact with the flanges of the clips and for folding adjacent the chords in a sub-assembled truss structure for storage and shipment, and offset from the longitudinal axis of the strut to permit alignment of the strut axis with the plane of the webs of the chords.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 110 words

The structure of claim 1 including two additional clips for connecting together the upper and lower chords adjacent eave ends thereof, said additional clips each having a flange with opposed extensions, and a leg depending from said flange, said leg being offset to provide alignment of the web portions of said chords, and a surface for bearing on one of said chords when the chords are connected together by said additional clips, means fastening the depending legs of said additional clips to the web portion of one of the chords while the flange and extensions of said clips are crimped and clinched to the flange portions of the other chord.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 72 words

The structure of claim 1 in which the upper chord member comprises a structure in which two elongated, separate chords are located in aligned, end-to-end, abutting relationship, said two chords having longitudinally extending flanges, and clip means having flanges and flange extensions centered on and mechanically engaging and securing together the flanges of said two chords at their abutting ends by being clinched and crimped on the flanges of said two chords.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 51 words

The structure of claim 7 in which two clips are respectively clinched and crimped on the flanges of the two upper chords, with Each of said two clips having a depending leg laterally offset from the center of the clip, said legs being located in lapping relationship beneath the two chords.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 224 words

A roof rafter and joist assembly comprising elongated rafter and joist members each having longitudinally extending web and flange portions, with said flange portions having means for centering clips on said rafter and joist members, and longitudinally extending raised portions located on each side of said web portions, and projecting beyond the general plane of the flange portions, clips for joining together the rafters and joist members at intersections thereof, each of said clips having a flange provided with opposed extensions, said flange and extensions engaging the flange portions of one of said rafter or joist members, a leg depending from the flange of said clip fastened to the web portion of another of said rafter or joist members, centering means on said clips cooperating with the centering means of said rafter and joist members aligning the webs of said rafter and joist members, and, the flanges and extensions of said clips being clinched on the flange portions of said members by forcing the ends of said extensions around and behind the raised portions on said rafter or joist members, and crimped on said rafter or joist members by displacing material of the member flange portions and the clip flanges and extensions in directions normal to the planes thereof and at multiple locations therealong to prevent relative longitudinal movement of said clip and members.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 224 words

A roof rafter and joist assembly comprising elongated rafter and joist members each having longitudinally extending web and flange portions, with said flange portions having means for centering clips on said rafter and joist members, and longitudinally extending raised portions located on each side of said web portions, and projecting beyond the general plane of the flange portions, clips for joining together the rafters and joist members at intersections thereof, each of said clips having a flange provided with opposed extensions, said flange and extensions engaging the flange portions of one of said rafter or joist members, a leg depending from the flange of said clip fastened to the web portion of another of said rafter or joist members, centering means on said clips cooperating with the centering means of said rafter and joist members aligning the webs of said rafter and joist members, and, the flanges and extensions of said clips being clinched on the flange portions of said members by forcing the ends of said extensions around and behind the raised portions on said rafter or joist members, and crimped on said rafter or joist members by displacing material of the member flange portions and the clip flanges and extensions in directions normal to the planes thereof and at multiple locations therealong to prevent relative longitudinal movement of said clip and members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-11-25	1978-05-27	1978-11-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-11-25	1982-05-27	1982-11-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-11-25	1986-05-27	1986-11-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

T-clip truss and rafter system of roof construction

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