A solar array support structure includes a first vertical pile extending from a ground to a first pile end, a second vertical pile extending from the ground to a second pile end, and a first pile cap attached to each of the first and second vertical piles, the first pile cap configured to account for a misalignment of at least one of the first vertical pile and the second vertical pile by providing for adjustable attachment locations for each of the first and second pile ends.

A roof truss having laterally extended portions compared to standard size roof trusses for supporting a roof over a longer span compared to the span of a standard size truss. The extended portion has a supplemental purlin outside of the outermost web member of a standard size roof truss. The supplemental purlin transmits roof load force through a K truss or half-K truss with the upper portion of the K truss fastened to the supplemental purlin and a lower portion fastened to the roof truss extended bottom chord. Use of the supplemental purlin and K-truss architecture eliminates the need for sloping web members in the truss extended portion thereby saving material in truss construction while utilizing standard size truss templates and assembly jigs.

A rotatable forkend connection system is provided that includes a shank and a forkend connector. The shank is fixedly coupled to a device member and extends within the device member along a longitudinal axis of the device member. The shank includes a protrusion extending from the shank in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device member. The forkend connector is rotatably coupled to the shank and has an axis of rotation coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the device member. The forkend connector includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion. The protrusion and the recess are configured to restrain the forkend connector from moving along the longitudinal axis of the device member.

A roof truss having laterally extended portions compared to standard size roof trusses for supporting a roof over a longer span compared to the span of a standard size truss. The extended portion has a supplemental purlin outside of the outermost web member of a standard size roof truss. The supplemental purlin transmits roof load force through a K truss or half-K truss with the upper portion of the K truss fastened to the supplemental purlin and a lower portion fastened to the roof truss extended bottom chord. Use of the supplemental purlin and K-truss architecture eliminates the need for sloping web members in the truss extended portion thereby saving material in truss construction while utilizing standard size truss templates and assembly jigs.

The disclosure relates to “leg carriage” type trusses, which rely for shipping on elevation by a pair of U-shaped wheeled temporary supports, each having two legs connected by a low horizontal member. The upper ends of the legs are inserted in receiving sleeves installed in the four corners of the truss structure. The clearance between the outer dimensions of the leg and the inner dimensions of the sleeve impact the ease with which legs can be inserted and removed, as well as the lateral “play” in the connection between the leg and truss, which impacts its stability in handling and therefore safety. The disclosure addresses the previous conflict between the two objects by the use of asymmetrical clearances. A relatively relaxed tolerance in the elongated axis of the truss eases insertion and removal. A lesser relative tolerance across the axis of the truss width has no significant impact on leg insertion and removal yet improves stability.

A roof structure supporting a roof comprising a truss and a joist supporting the truss, the joist having two elongated wooden beam members on the bottom of the truss connected with beam tie members comprised of a pair of congruent truncated mirror image parallelograms forming hexagons with mutually facing and abutting portions. Each beam tie member is connected to outer sides of top and bottom elongated wooden beams and is adjacent to the next beam tie connected to outer sides of top and bottom elongated wooden beams. The tied beams allow use of smaller, less expensive beam members yet providing good truss support in a joist.

A method for producing a support structure having a three-dimensional geometry curved in any manner, includes making at least one first and one second flat material piece. The geometry has curves in three directions that are orthogonal to one another, and the method includes the following steps: A. preparing the desired geometry, B. approximating the desired geometry, C. subdividing the geometry, D. defining at least one clearance region, E. defining a plurality of connection points arranged on the at least one first and one second part, F. defining chamfered edges extending between the polygonal cross-sections, G. developing the at least one first and one second part, H. cutting to length at least one first and one second flat material piece, I. chamfering, and J. connecting the at least one chamfered first material piece and the at least one chamfered second material piece.

A scaffold having an opposing pair of half funicular trusses that are detachably or pivotably connected in the middle to establish a funicular arched truss is provided, where when in a detached or pivoted state, storage and transporting a plurality of the half funicular trusses is simplified.

A floor support system for a grain bin having an elevated floor formed of a plurality of planks and supported by a plurality of floor supports is presented. The system includes a plurality of support members and a plurality of holding members. The support members are formed of an elongated member that provides structural strength and rigidity. The holding members fit over the support members and engage the upper end of the floor supports. The support members and holding members are quickly and easily installed by placing the support members on the floor supports and placing the holding members over the support members. Once the support members and holding members are in place on the floor supports, the elevated floor is assembled over the holding members and support members that provide support to the elevated floor when spanning increased distances between adjacent floor supports.

A foldable quad-chord truss which can be connected end-to-end with like trusses. The chords of each pair of chords are rigidly attached, and connector members intermediate the ends are each swivelly attached to each of the chords of each chord pair to effect the folding into a compact shape for transport and storage. The connector members are adapted for attachment to beams or connector members thereof which beams may extend between a parallel pair of the trusses.