Modified a-Frame Structure

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a building structure. More particularly, it relates to a modified A-frame structure that employs wooden trusses.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore it has been impossible to make an A-frame type structure of adequate strength and durability out of wooden floor trusses.

After extended investigation I have found that a modified A-frame building of adequate structural stability may be made by using wooden floor trusses in a vertical manner in addition to their customary use as horizontal floor trusses. I modify the floor trusses by using a combination of end blocks and a spacer somewhat removed horizontally from the end blocks between the upper and lower members of the floor trusses to enable easy connection to substantially unmodified floor trusses which I use as wall trusses as the upright members of the A angled from an exact vertical or 90-degree position so that they would meet at the top if not for forming a cut-off A as I do instead of a complete A. This will be understood better from a reading of the description of the drawing which follows hereinafter. I prefer to use a spacer between two end blocks. I employ web plates, one on each side of the horizontal floor truss, extending diagonally between corners of the rectangular opening formed between the spacer and the two end blocks. The upper and lower members of the floor truss that I use horizontally fit snugly onto the upper and lower surfaces of a bearing block which fits against the inner surface of the wall truss, as may also be seen better from an examination of the drawing which forms a part hereof and will be described later herein.

I use securing plates of appropriate size for holding the end blocks in place and for securing the end blocks and the top and bottom members of the floor trusses to the wall members or vertical floor trusses. I prefer to use pronged members instead of nails or screws in conjunction with the securing plates. Additional blocks and web plates may be used as needed for proper structural strength along the length of both the horizontal floor trusses and the vertical wall trusses, actually floor trusses used as wall trusses according to the invention. Appropriate connector plates may be used at the bottom end and at the top end of each wall truss, the top end being at a roof truss which has spacers between its upper angled members meeting in the center and its lower horizontal member. Connector plates are used on the roof truss, preferably, also. At the foundation end of the upright members or wall trusses a wall support sill, anchor bolt, wall truss end block, connector plate construction may be employed. Also, an interior support beam may be used between the foundation and the horizontal floor truss.

For a better understanding of my invention reference will now be made to the drawing which forms a part hereof and to its description as a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is an elevational, partially sectional view of a modified A-frame structure according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlargement or enlarged view showing how the horizontal or floor truss is joined to the vertical or wall truss according to the invention, in broken away form.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the floor to wall truss connection according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged corner detail of the lower floor or foundation as broken away.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified A-frame structure of the invention substantially as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a showing of the preferred slit-pronged ends for use with the web and securing plates according to the invention.

In the drawing, the modified A-frame structure according to the invention 10 is made up generally of a floor truss 14, wall truss 12 and roof truss 16. Upper and lower members 38 of floor truss 14 are substantially equivalent to wall truss chords 18. Web plates 20 are used along the length of the floor truss 14 and wall trusses 12, as are spacers 24 and 42. Support blocks 22 and 40 are used respectively with the wall trusses 12 and floor truss 14. Wall trusses 12 are secured to a foundation 11 via a sill 26/anchor bolt 28/block 30/connector plate 32 arrangement. An inner support beam 34 extending from the foundation or floor 11 to floor truss 14 may also be employed. The floor truss 14 includes upper and lower members 38, and the wall trusses chord members 18. Sheathing is indicated at 36. For attachment of the floor truss 14 to the wall truss 12 a bearing block 48 is used against which the outer end of end blocks 44 fit, end blocks 44 having a spacer 45 therebetween. Web plates 20 extend from the lower end of vertical member spacer 42 to the tops of the inner ends of end blocks 44. Securing plates 46, connector plates 50 and joining plates 52 are used in the positions shown to give a firm connection of the floor trusses 14 to the wall trusses 12. Compression-type prongs 66 are used preferably with all of the foregoing plates except the connector plates 50, which are preferably nailed on. A tongue and groove plywood sub-floor 47 may be used, if desired. Inner support blocks 40 are preferred for use with the floor trusses 14 which are horizontally positioned. Roof trusses 54 have vertical web members or spacers 56, end blocks 58, upper block wall truss connectors 59 and roof truss connector plates 60 for use in conjunction therewith. A plywood roof decking 62 may also be employed in the structure of the invention, as may plywood 64 at the roof-wall intersection.

There are many advantages of the modified A-frame structure of the invention. One is that it is space saving. Another is that it does not require a vapor barrier and can use R-30 or like conventional insulation such as fiberglas. Furthermore, construction is speedy as the basic parts are preassembled, that is, the regular horizontal floor trusses, the wall trusses which are substantially simply floor trusses used in a vertical or upright manner and the roof trusses. This means that the building can be put together in the field simply by joining each floor truss to the two wall trusses and putting on the roof truss to form each section and anchoring it to the foundation. The only connector plates that are field-connected are prepunched plates 50, the others, including the diagonal web members 20, being hydraulically pressed into the timber members of the trusses before the trusses are moved to the field for assembly of the modified A-frame structure. The only steel needed for the structure is that of these connector plates and diagonal web members except for nails usually used to fasten the blocks or blocking between the chords of the trusses in some instances. The joining of parts is simple because the connector plates and the connection ends of the diagonal web members of the trusses are punched in a manner such that the punching protrudes on one side of galvanized steel with a sharp end for the hydraulic pressing. The plywood (preferably 3/8") gusset 64 is easily field applied in connecting the roof truss to the wall truss. It is installed over a connector plate 60, for example 10 by 7, at the end of roof truss 16.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, the claims appended hereto are intended to encompass all embodiments which fall within the spirit of the invention.