当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Unit A, 100 Carson Street, Toronto M8W 3R9, Ontario, Canada
摘要：
The truss assembly includes a truss body 10 with a pair of ends and a number of connection openings 40 for coupling with a similar truss. The assembly also includes at least two pins 50 insertable into the connection openings when the openings of the truss are aligned with those of a co-operating truss. Attached to the body is a holder which holds the two pins and prevent movement of the pins relative to the truss body. Also claimed is another truss assembly where the truss body includes a number of cross members and a number of pins and a holder. The pins may be inserted into the respective holder and the pins are tethered to the holder. Also claimed is a method of constructing a truss structure using tethered pins. Also claimed is a pin holder including storage for two pins and a tether extending from the pins.
权利要求：
CLAIMS:
i A truss assembly, comprising:
a truss body having a pair of ends, each end comprising at least two connection openings adapted to correspond to connection openings of a second truss body;
at least two pins, each insertable into the connection openings of the truss body and the second truss body, whereby the connection openings of the truss body and the connection openings of the second truss body align and the pins may be inserted through the aligned openings; and
a holder provided with the truss body for securably holding the at least two pins, such that when the pins are secured to the holder, the pins are prevented from movement relative to the truss body. 2. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the at least two of pins has a tether connected to and extending from each pin for attaching each pin to the holder.
3. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the tether from each pin is wound in a spring loaded retractable reel connected to the holder that allows each tether to retract.
4. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the holder comprises at least one guiding member mounted to the holder and extending outwardly from each a side of the holder, wherein the tether from each pin is attached to the at least one guiding member, whereby the tethers extend along the length of the guiding member.
5. The truss assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one guiding member is hollow and the tether from each pin is attached within the hollow of the at least one guiding member and extends along the length of the guiding member.
6. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the assembly further includes a clip for each of the at least two pins to further secure each pin in each connection opening.
7. The truss assembly of claim 6 wherein the clips are slidably attached to the tether from each pin.
8. The truss assembly of claim 7 wherein the clips are R pins.
9. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein the holder is integral with the truss body.
10. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein the truss body further comprises at least two spaced apart parallel elongated members connected by at least two cross members attached to the elongated members and wherein the holder is mounted to the at least one of the cross members.
11. The truss assembly of claim 10 wherein the holder further comprises a U-shaped arm for mounting to at least one of the at least two cross members.
12. The truss assembly of claim 11 wherein the assembly further includes a clip for each of the at least two pins to further secure each pin in each connection opening.
13. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the holder is integral with the truss body. 14. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the truss body further comprises at least two spaced apart parallel elongated members connected by at least two cross members attached to the elongated members and wherein the holder is mounted to the at least one of the cross members.
15. The truss assembly of claim 14 wherein the holder further comprises a U-shaped arm for mounting to at least one of the at least two cross members.
16. The truss assembly of claim 15 wherein the assembly further includes a clip for each of the at least two pins to further secure each pin in each connection opening.
17. The truss assembly of claim 1 wherein the pins are ferromagnetic and the holder 1s magnetized to allow the pins to adhere to it due to the magnetic force.
18. The truss assembly of claim 2 wherein the pins are ferromagnetic and the holder is magnetized to allow the pins to adhere to it due to the magnetic force.
19. A truss assembly, comprising:
a truss body comprising a plurality of spaced apart parallel elongated members connected by a plurality of cross members attaching to the elongated members, the ends of each of the elongated members comprising connection openings, the ends sized to slidably receive corresponding ends of a second truss body thereby allowing the connection openings to align;
a plurality of pins, each insertable into the aligned connection openings of the elongated members of the truss body and the second truss body to secure a connection between the truss bodies;
a holder comprising a plurality of spaces into which the plurality of pins can be securably placed for storage and a guiding member extending outwardly from the body;
a U-shaped arm that fastens to the body of the holder and defines a space capable of allowing at least one cross member to pass there through;
a tether extending from each of the pins and attached to the guiding member such that the tethers extend along the length of the guiding member;;
whereby when the pins are secured to the holder, the pins are prevented from movement relative to the truss body.
20. The truss assembly of claim 19 wherein the assembly further includes a clip for each of the at least two pins to further secure each pin in each connection opening.
21. The truss assembly of claim 19 wherein the guiding member is hollow and the tether from each pin is attached within the hollow of the guiding member and extends along the length of the guiding member.
22. A method of constructing a truss structure comprising at least two truss assemblies, each truss assembly having comprising at least two connection openings at each end of the truss assembly, comprising and a holder having spaces for holding pins, each pin being tethered to the holder by a tether, wherein the pins are securably stored into the holder such that the pins are restricted from movement relative to the truss body, the method comprising:
aligning the connection openings of one of the at least two truss assemblies to the connection openings of another of the at least two truss assemblies; and,
removing the pins from the holder, and
inserting the pins into the aligned connection openings.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the truss structure further comprises an R pin for each tether, the method further comprising the step of:
clipping the R pin to an end of each pin after each pin is placed in the aligned connection openings to secure the pin in the aligned connection openings.
24. A pin holder capable of attaching to a truss body, comprising:
a body and at least two pins, the body comprising at least two spaces into which the at least two pins can be placed for storage;
a mounting member for mounting the pin holder to the truss body; and
a tether extending from each of the at least two pins for keeping the pins attached to the truss body,
whereby when the pins are placed into the spaces in the holder, the pins are restricted from movement relative to truss body.
25. The pin holder of claim 24, further comprising:
a hollow guiding member mounted to the body, the ends of the guiding member extending outwardly from the body, wherein the tethers attach to the guiding member within the hollow and extend along the length of the guiding member.
26. [currently amended] The pin holder of claim 24 wherein the fastener mounting member for attaching mounting the body of the pin holder to the truss body comprises a U-shaped arm capable of being fastened to the body of the pin holder, wherein the U-shaped arm and the body of the pin holder define a gap for allowing at least one member of a truss body to pass there through. 27. The pin holder of claim 24 wherein clips are slidably attached to the tether for each pin in order to further secure each pin in each connection opening