GB2029484A

GB2029484A - Method and gauge for use in erecting roof trusses

Info

Publication number: GB2029484A
Application number: GB7929541A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-08-26
Filing date: 1979-08-24
Publication date: 1980-03-19

Abstract

A truss is placed in a required location spaced from an already erected truss, one or more gauge devices comprising respective releasable means (11, 12, 14, 15) for gripping the trusses being connected between the trusses. The distance between the gripping means (11, 12, 14, 15) corresponds to the required spacing of the busses. The new truss is then secured in position and the devices removed. Thus the trusses may be erected at precisely determined positions and are rigidly held during securing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and device for use in erecting roof trusses This invention relates to the erection of roof trusses.

In the construction of a pitched roof it is normally necessary to erect a plurality of roof trusses in spaced parallel relation along the length of the roof. Hitherto it has been necessary to locate each truss by measurement and then to hold the truss in position by hand while it is positively secured. In view of this it has normally been difficult for one person to erect a roof truss and, in addition, the accurate positioning of the truss has depended on the accuracy of measurement. The present invention sets out to provide a method and device for erecting roof trusses which simplify the erection procedure and ensure that each truss is accurately positioned.

According to the invention, a method of erecting roof trusses comprises placing a truss in a required location spaced from an already erected truss, connecting between the trusses one or more gauge devices comprising releasable means for gripping said trusses respectively, said gripping means being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required spacing of the trusses, securing the truss in position, and then removing said devices.

Any number of devices may be employed, but usually four or six are sufficient depending on the size of the trusses.

The invention also provides a gauge device for use in erecting roof trusses comprising an elongated member having spaced apart along the length thereof two releasable gripping means for gripping parts of spaced trusses, the gripping means being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required spacing of the trusses.

Each gripping means may comprise two arms spaced longitudinally of the elongated member and extending transversely thereto so as to embrace a part of each truss. One of the arms may include a movable gripping element adjustable towards and away from the other arm so that the part of the truss embraced by said arms may be gripped between said movable gripping element and said other arm. The movable gripping element may comprise a screw member threadedly engaging an aperture in one of said arms and extending longitudinally of the elongated member towards the other arm.

The following is a more detailed description of one embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gauge device in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Fig.

1, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gauge device.

The gauge device comprises an elongated metal strip 10 having bent over ends forming outer arms 11, inner arms 1 2 being welded to the strip 10 adjacent to but spaced from the arms 11, the arms 1 2 being of T-section.

The spacing between each arm 11 and the adjacent arm 1 2 is such that a timber frame member of a roof truss may be received between the arms. The strip 10 is reinforced along its length by a further metal strip 1 8 fixed to the strip 10 at right-angles thereto by means of five staggered welds 20.

Each arm 11 is formed with a hole 1 3 and a nut 1 6 welded to the arm 11 with its threaded bore in alignment with the hole 1 3.

The nut 1 6 receives a screw gripping member 14 provided with a slidable torsion bar 15, the threaded end of the screw member 14 extending through the hole 1 3 with clearance.

The longitudinal spacing between the pairs of arms 11, 1 2 is equal to the required spacing between parallel roof trusses which are to be erected using the device. For example the spacing may be 600 millimetres.

The gauge devices are normally used in sets of four or six depending on the size of the trusses to be erected. In operation, after setting up the first truss to the gable ladder, the second truss is drawn up to the vertical position in the approximate required position spaced from the first truss, and the gauge devices are then used to connect the trusses to each other at various positions, parts of the truss frame members being received between the arms 11 and 1 2 and secured in position by tightening of the screw members 14. With all the gauge devices secured in position the second truss is securely held exactly in the required location spaced from and parallel to the first truss and may thus be positively secured in position by the use of braces in the conventional manner.Since the second truss is entirely held by the gauge devices the positive securing of the truss may be-carried out by one man since he will have both hands free for fixing.

After the second truss has been secured in position the gauge devices are removed and the procedure is repeated, the next truss being connected to the truss which has just been erected.

Using the invention, the trusses are exactly located at the required spacing. This is advantageous since it means that standard sized panels, for example of plasterboard, may be secured between the trusses since the accurate spacing of the trusses ensures that the edges of the boards will always fall on the centre lines of the truss members to which they are to be secured. This eliminates the need for placing noggings along the joist span of a truss.

When a truss is being erected in windy conditions a gauge device can be placed at the apex of the truss so reducing the possibility of the truss being blown down.

It will be appreciated that the gauge device may be made of any suitable length according to the required pitch between the trusses, and normally two or three sets of devices of different lengths will be sufficient to deal with most normal requirements. Alternatively the devices may be adjustable in length so that the same devices may be used for different spacings of trusses.

Claims

1. A method of erecting roof trusses comprising placing a truss in a required location spaced from an already erected truss, connecting between the trusses one or more gauge devices comprising releasable means for gripping said trusses respectively, said gripping means being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required spacing of the trusses, securing the truss in position, and then removing said devices.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein four gauge devices are connected between the trusses.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein six gauge devices are connected between the trusses.

4. A gauge device for use in erecting roof trusses comprising an elongated member having spaced apart along the length thereof two releasable gripping means for gripping parts of spaced trusses, the gripping means being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the required spacing of the trusses.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein each gripping means comprises two arms spaced longitudinally of the elongated member and extending transversely thereto so as to embrace a part of each truss.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein one of the arms includes a movable gripping element adjustable towards and away from the other arm so that the part of the truss embraced by said arms may be gripped between said movable gripping element and said other arm.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the movable gripping element comprises a screw member threadedly engaging an aperture in one of said arms and extending longitudinally of the elongated member towards the other arm.

8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the other arm is of T-section.

9. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the elongated member and the outer arm of each gripping means are formed from a bent strip.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the elongated member is reinforced along its length by a further metal strip welded to the first mentioned metal strip at right-angles thereto.

11. A method of erecting roof trusses, which method is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. A gauge device for use in erecting roof trusses, which device is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.