Factory made light steel joint for roof trusses

An essentially flat braced framework comprising a plurality of joints of which each include at least two elongated metal frame members and a metal connector having at least two connection legs, one for each of said frame members, each of said joints being further characterised by:

• each of said connection leg being a channel element with a web and a pair of flanges perpendicular thereto, said web and flanges defining an inner chamber having a front opening on the side thereof opposite said web;
• each of said frame members fitting into one of said chambers and including:
• a pair of outwardly elongated shoes flatly applied against said connection leg flanges, and open-web means joining said shoes;
• means defining rabbets between said frame members and said connection legs, said rabbets facing toward said front openings;
• and
• weld means in said rabbets.

In an essentially flat braced framework comprising a plurality of joints each including at least two elongated metal frame members secured together by a metal connector having at least two connection legs, one for each of said members, a method of assembling said frame members and connector together at each of said joints, said method comprising:

• selecting a metal connector of which each connection leg is a channel element having a web provided with openings, and a pair of flanges perpendicular to said web, said web and flanges defining an inner chamber having a front opening on the side thereof opposite said web;
• selecting frame members including a pair of outward elongated spaced parallel shoes interconnected by a web defining another front opening;
• selecting the size and shape of said frame members for fitting externally over said connection legs;
• fitting said frame members over said connection legs, respectively;
• and
• welding said frame members and flanges of said connector legs, respectively, to said web and parallel shoes of said frame members by working solely from said other front openings of said frame members.