US3913285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building frame structure for hillsides
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-10-07
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-10-07
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a building frame structure that is particularly suited for hillside residential buildings which includes spaced-apart, coextensive, vertical assemblies of truss members with lateral frame members extending therebetween. Each of the assemblies of truss members includes a first truss member with its base leg supported at a plurality of foundation points to orient one of its side chords substantially horizontally and the other inclined thereto and a second truss member with a substantially upright base chord and with one side chord coextensive with and joined to the inclined chord of the first truss member. The preferred construction employs a third truss member having its base chord coextensive with and joined to the substantially vertical base chord of the second truss member with a fourth truss member having one side chord thereof coextensive with and joined to the uppermost chord of the third truss member and the other side chord substantially horizontal and coplanar with the substantially horizontal side chord of the first truss member. The truss members are connected by a plurality of laterally extending girders and box trusses to define a rigid frame structure suitable for installation of flooring, roofing and sidewalls in the preparation of a completed building.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Helfrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:28
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/34; E04B1/3408; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/01; E02D27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A frame structure for a building and the like located on a hillside, formed of a plurality of coextensive and laterally spaced-apart assemblies of triangular truss members with lateral girders connected therebetween, each of said triangular truss members having a base chord and two side chords, each of said assemblies of triangular truss members including a first triangular truss member positioned with its base chord supported by a plurality of foundation points at least one of which is located downhill from another to locate an upper side chord in substantially horizontal position to said hillside and said other side chord of said first triangular truss being at an incline to said upper side chord and a second triangular truss member having a lower vertex supported on the lowermost foundation point and a lower side chord coextensive with and in joined connection to the inclined side chord of said first triangular truss member and the base chord of the second triangular truss being substantially perpendicular to the upper side chord of said first triangular truss member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A frame structure for a building and the like located on a hillside, formed of a plurality of coextensive and laterally spaced-apart assemblies of triangular truss members with lateral girders connected therebetween, each of said triangular truss members having a base chord and two side chords, each of said assemblies of triangular truss members including a first triangular truss member positioned with its base chord supported by a plurality of foundation points at least one of which is located downhill from another to locate an upper side chord in substantially horizontal position to said hillside and said other side chord of said first triangular truss being at an incline to said upper side chord and a second triangular truss member having a lower vertex supported on the lowermost foundation point and a lower side chord coextensive with and in joined connection to the inclined side chord of said first triangular truss member and the base chord of the second triangular truss being substantially perpendicular to the upper side chord of said first triangular truss member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The building frame structure of claim 1 wherein said lateral members include at least one box truss member bearing diagonal bracing to carry lateral loading on said frame structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The building frame structure of claim 1 wherein flooring is established between the substantially horizontal side chords of the first triangular truss members of the truss members assemblies, thereby providing a forward deck area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The building frame structure of claim 1 wherein said lowermost foundation point supports a vertical pole and the base chord of said second triangular member is coextensive with and in joined connection to said pole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The building frame structure of claim 4 wherein said trianguLar truss members are isosceles triangles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The building frame structure of claim 4 wherein said triangular truss members have apex angles of 120*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The building frame structure of claim 1 including, in each of the triangular truss assemblies, a third triangular truss member having its base chord coextensive with and in joined connection to the base chord of said second triangular truss member of each of said assemblies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
The building frame structure of claim 7 including, in each of the triangular truss member assemblies, a fourth triangular truss member having one of its side chords coextensive with and in joined connection to the uppermost side chord of said third triangular truss member and its other side chord disposed substantially horizontal and coplanar with the substantially horizontal side chord of the first triangular truss member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The building frame structure of claim 8 wherein side wall sheathing is applied to each of said assemblies to define an enclosed volume having a cross section of a parallelogram.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The building frame structure of claim 8 wherein flooring material is established between the substantially horizontal side chord of the fourth triangular truss members of the truss member assemblies to thereby establish a rear deck area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The building frame structure of claim 10 wherein said rear deck area is divided into a main deck area coplanar with the main floor area of the building and an outer, subjacent deck area with a plurality of stairs extending therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The building frame structure of claim 7 including a main floor level established on lateral members extending between the apexes of said second and third triangular truss members and coplanar with the substantially horizontal side chord of the first triangular truss member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The building frame structure of claim 12 wherein an upper mezzanine level is provided by flooring established on lateral extending frame members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The building frame structure of claim 12 wherein flooring material is established across lower, lateral expanding members to thereby provide a floor level subjacent to the main floor level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The building frame structure of claim 11 wherein the base chords of said fourth triangular truss members are articulated at a hinge point intermediate their length whereby the cantilevered rear deck of said structure can be pivoted and folded over the roof of the enclosed building.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |