Framing system for building construction

A method of constructing a prefabricated roof truss comprising:

• a) providing a prefabricated framing unit for constructing a roof truss comprising i) a telescopic lower horizontal member;
• ii) a folding upper peak member;
• and iii) means for securing said upper peak member in a raised position;
• wherein said telescopic lower horizontal member has an adjustable length, and wherein the ends of said telescopic lower horizontal member are hingedly fastened to the ends of said folding upper peak member;
• and wherein said folding upper peak member comprises first and second elements hingedly connected;
• b) raising said upper peak member, thereby causing said telescopic lower horizontal member to shorten;
• and
• c) securing said upper peak member in said raised position.

A prefabricated floor joist framing unit for constructing a load-bearing floor comprising:

• a) a first horizontal member;
• b) a second horizontal member;
• c) a plurality of telescopic members hingedly fastened at first and second ends thereof respectively to said first and second horizontal members at spaced locations thereon;
• wherein each said telescopic member has an adjustable length and comprises an outer element and an inner element within and aligned parallel to said outer element, each said inner element adapted to slide within and parallel to said outer element thereby lengthening or shortening said telescopic member, and wherein a first end of one of said inner and outer elements is hingedly fastened to said first horizontal member and a first end of said other of said inner and outer elements is free to slide relative to said one of said inner and outer elements, and the second end of the other of said inner and outer elements is hingedly fastened to said second horizontal member and a second end of said other of said inner and outer elements is free to slide relative to said other of said inner and outer elements.

A method of constructing a pre-fabricated floor on a foundation comprising:

• a) providing a floor joist framing unit for constructing a load-bearing floor comprising:
• i) a first horizontal member;
• ii) a second horizontal member;
• iii) a plurality of telescopic members hingedly fastened at first and second ends thereof respectively to said first and second horizontal members at spaced locations thereon;
• wherein each said telescopic member has an adjustable length and comprises an outer element and an inner element within and aligned parallel to said outer element, each said inner element adapted to slide within and parallel to said outer element thereby lengthening or shortening said telescopic member, and wherein a first end of one of said inner and outer elements is hingedly fastened to said first horizontal member and a first end of said other of said inner and outer elements is free to slide relative to said one of said inner and outer elements, and the second end of the other of said inner and outer elements is hingedly fastened to said second horizontal member and a second end of said other of said inner and outer elements is free to slide relative to said other of said inner and outer elements;
• b) securing said first horizontal member in position on said foundation;
• c) pivoting said second horizontal member to a position with said telescopic members aligned generally perpendicularly to said horizontal members;
• d) extending said second horizontal member until it is in place on said foundation, thereby causing said inner element to slide relative to said outer element;
• e) securing said second horizontal member in position on said foundation.