System for transporting and installing roof trusses

Abstract

A truss handling apparatus has a plurality of channels and retaining devices to retain a truss for transporting and installing of trusses on building structures. The truss handling apparatus interacts with the forks of a lift. The truss handling apparatus has a base with a platform and the plurality of channels. The retaining device of the truss handling apparatus engages the sloping side rafters or top of a truss.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 066,963 filed Feb. 25, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the construction of building roofs. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus for transporting and installing trusses for building roofs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Currently, the common system for installing trusses for building roofs is unsatisfactory. As shown in FIG. 1, a truss 10, generally has a long base 12, a height 14, and a pair of sloping side rafters 16. The truss 10 is suspended by some suspension means 18, such as rope, wire, or chain, below the forks 20 of a fork lift or “lull,” a type of lift commonly used on building sites and referred to by the name of its manufacturer.[0004]Because the truss 10 is suspended below the forks 20, the height to which the truss 10 can be lifted is limited. Also, because th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]In contrast to the above-described system for installing trusses, the truss handling apparatus and method efficiently and inexpensively transports trusses for building roofs and facilitates installation.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, the common system for installing trusses for building roofs is unsatisfactory.

Also, because the truss 10 can rotate about the suspension means 18, it lacks stability and is difficult to handle, resulting in only one truss 10 being installed at a time.

However, this placement makes it difficult for workers on the building to remove the truss from the forks 15 and place it in its proper location on the building.

However, the increased costs of using such a crane and the lack of stability of suspending a truss, as described above, make the use of a crane more expensive and dangerous.

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