LENGTH-ADJUSTABLE TRUSS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application, which claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/692,126, filed on Sep. 8, 2024, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to disclosure relates to trusses. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a length-adjustable truss comprising a trimmable end panel.

BACKGROUND

Trusses are rigid frameworks often used in the constructions of floors and ceilings. A truss can be supported at its opposing ends by walls or structural beams. Typically, a truss has a pre-determined and unchangeable length. The truss is therefore limited to use in building structures where the distance between the walls/beams on which the truss is to be supported matches the length of the truss.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Disclosed is a length-adjustable truss comprising an upper truss chord comprising a plurality of upper finger grooves; a lower truss chord comprising a plurality of lower finger grooves; and a first end panel defining an upper end, a lower end, an inner end, and an outer end; wherein: the first end panel comprises a plurality of upper fingers formed at the upper end and a plurality of lower fingers formed at the lower end; each of the upper fingers engage a corresponding one of the upper finger grooves and each of the lower fingers engage a corresponding one of the lower finger grooves; and the first end panel is trimmable at the outer end thereof.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a length-adjustable truss, in accordance with one example aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail front view of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1, further comprising a vertical inner block.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a trimmable end panel of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left end view of the trimmable end panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail left end view of the trimmable end panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a top chord of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the top chord of FIG. 7, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a detail left end view of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a left end view of the length-adjustable truss, in accordance with another example aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the top chord of FIG. 7, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 3, showing example dimensions thereof.

FIG. 12 is a detail cross-sectional view of the trimmable end panel, taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 4, showing example dimensions thereof.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1 further comprising a wood web arrangement.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the length-adjustable truss of FIG. 1 further comprising a metal web arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is a length-adjustable truss and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of the length-adjustable truss can comprise an upper chord, a lower chord, and a trimmable end panel. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the length-adjustable truss is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a length-adjustable truss 100, in accordance with one example aspect of the present disclosure, that can be installed in the floor or ceiling of a building. The length-adjustable truss 100 can be a parallel chord truss. As shown, the length-adjustable truss 100 can comprise an upper chord 110 and a lower chord 112 that can be parallel with respect to the upper chord 110. In example aspects, each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112 can be formed from a nominally 2 in.×4 in. (i.e., a “2×4”) piece of a structural graded wood material. In the front view illustrated in FIG. 1, the 4 in. dimension of each of the upper and lower chords 110,112 extends into the page, and the 2 in. dimension of each of the upper and lower chords 110,112 extends vertically. In other aspects, the upper chord 110 and/or the lower chord 112 can comprise any other suitable material and can define any other suitable dimensions.

Each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112 can define a first chord end 114 and an opposite second chord end 116. A chord length L_c of each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112 can extend from the corresponding first chord end 114 to the corresponding second chord end 116. The first chord ends 114 of the upper and lower chords 110,112 can define a first truss end 120 of the length-adjustable truss 100, and the second chord ends 116 of the upper and lower chords 110,112 can define a second truss end 122 of the length-adjustable truss 100. An overall length L of the length-adjustable truss 100 can extend from the first truss end 120 to the second truss end 122, and the overall length L of the length-adjustable truss 100 can be equal or about equal to the chord length L_c. The overall L of the length-adjustable truss 100 can be selectively modified, as described in further detail below.

A first end panel 130 can extend vertically between the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112, relative to the orientation shown, at the first truss end 120. A second end panel 132 can extend vertically between the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112, relative to the orientation shown, at the second truss end 122. Each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can define an inner panel end 134 and an outer panel end 136. The outer panel end 136 of the first end panel 130 can be substantially vertically aligned with the first chord end 114 of each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. Similarly, the outer panel end 136 of the second end panel 132 can be substantially vertically aligned with the second chord end 116 of each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. Each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can be coupled to the upper chord 110 by an upper finger joint assembly 210 (shown in FIG. 2). Each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can be coupled to the lower chord 112 by a lower finger joint assembly 212 (shown in FIG. 2).

According to example aspects, each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can comprise one or more panel segments 138. Each of the panel segments 138 can comprise a 2×4 piece of a structural graded wood material. In the present aspect, each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can comprise four of the panel segments 138 joined together. In the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1, the 4 in. dimension of each of the panel segments 138 extends horizontally, and the 2 in. dimension of each of the panel segments 138 extends into the page. Moreover, a segment length L_s of each of the panel segments 138 extends vertically, relative to the orientation shown. In other aspects, the panel segments 138 can comprise any other suitable material and can define any other suitable dimensions. In other aspects, each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can comprise more or fewer panel segments 138.

As shown, the four panel segments 138 of each of first and second end panels 132 can positioned in side-to-side arrangement. Each of the four panel segments 138 can be joined to each adjacent panel segment 138 along its segment length L_s. For example, in some aspects, each of the panel segments 138 can be adhered to the adjacent panel segments 138. The panel segments 138 can be pressed together as the adhesive sets to strengthen the connection between the panel segments 138. The adhesive can be a structural wood adhesive, for example. In other aspects, the panel segments 138 can be joined together by any other suitable fastener, including mechanical fasteners, such as nails, for example and without limitation.

Each of the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can define a panel length L_p between the inner panel end 134 and the outer panel end 136. Each of first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 can be trimmable to selectively modify the panel length L_p thereof. In the present aspect, the panel length L_p of each of the first and second end panels 132 prior to trimming can be about 14 inches. About 12 inches can be trimmed from each of the first and second end panels 132, from the outer panel end 136 towards the inner panel end 134, thereby allowing for up to 24 inches of total trimmable length. The first and second end panels 132 can be trimmed symmetrically or asymmetrically. The upper chord 110 and lower chord 112 can also be trimmed in alignment with the first and second end panels 132 to reduce the overall length L of the length-adjustable truss 100. In other aspects, the panel length L_p of each of the first and second end panels 132 prior to trimming can vary, based on the size and quantity of the panel segments 138. Regardless of the panel length L_p of each of the first and second end panels 132 prior to trimming, the first and send end panels can be trimmed until only about 2 inches of panel length L_p remains.

A substantially open area 140 of the length-adjustable truss 100 can be defined horizontally between the first end panel 130 and the second end panel 132 and vertically between the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112, relative to the orientation shown. In some aspects, a web arrangement 1300 (shown in FIG. 13) can be assembled within the substantially open area 140. The length-adjustable truss 100 can be configured to support various configurations of such a web arrangement 1300. For example and without limitations, FIG. 13 illustrates a wood web arrangement 1310 assembled with the length-adjustable truss 100, and FIG. 14 illustrates a metal web arrangement 1410 assembled with the length-adjustable truss 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of length-adjustable truss 100, showing the upper and lower finger joint assemblies 210,212 coupling the first end panel 130 to the upper and lower chords 110,112 at the first truss end 120, respectively. As shown, each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112 can define an inner chord side 220. A plurality of upper finger grooves 224 can be formed in the inner chord side 220 of the upper chord 110, and a plurality of lower finger grooves 226 can be formed in the inner chord side 220 of the lower chord 112. In some aspects, the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 can reach a depth D_g of about 16.5 mm. The upper and lower fingers grooves can extend from the corresponding first chord end 114 towards corresponding second chord end 116, parallel to the chord length L_c. The upper and lower chords 110,112 can define one, two, three, or more of the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226, respectively.

The first end panel 130 can define an upper panel end 230 and a lower panel end 232 opposite the upper panel end 230. A plurality of upper panel fingers 234 can be formed at the upper panel end 230, and a plurality of lower panel fingers 236 can be formed at the lower panel end 232. Each of the upper panel fingers 234 can be configured to engage a corresponding one of the upper finger grooves 224, and each of the lower panel fingers 236 can be configured to engage a corresponding one of the lower finger grooves 226. In some aspects, each of the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can define a finger height H_f that can be about equal to the groove depth D_g. In example aspects, each of the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can be adhered (such as with a structural wood adhesive, for example) or otherwise fastened within the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226, respectively. For example, the structural wood adhesive can be sprayed into, spread into, or otherwise applied to the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226.

Additionally, in some aspects, the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can be pressed into the corresponding upper and lower finger grooves 224,226, respectively, to strengthen the connection of the first end panel 130 to the upper and lower chords 110,112. In some aspects, a gap can be formed between a finger tip 510 (shown in FIG. 5) of each of the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 and a groove bottom 810 (shown in FIG. 8) of the corresponding upper or lower finger groove 224,226 when the first end panel 130 is initially assembled with the upper and lower chords 110,112. However, pressing the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 into the corresponding upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 can reduce or eliminate the gaps formed between the finger tips 510 and groove bottoms 810.

The second end panel 132 can be similarly coupled to the upper and lower chords 110,112 by the corresponding upper and lower finger joint assemblies 210,212 at the second truss end 122. That is, the second end panel 132 can comprise upper panel fingers 234 that can engage upper finger grooves 224 formed at the second chord end 116 of the upper chord 110. The second end panel 132 can also comprise lower panel fingers 236 that can engage lower finger grooves 226 formed at the second chord end 116 of the lower chord 112. According to example aspect, the upper chord 110 can define an upper non-grooved portion 240 extending between the upper finger grooves 224 formed at the first chord end 114 and the upper finger grooves 224 formed at the second chord end 116. Similarly, the lower chord 112 can define a lower non-grooved portion 242 extending between the lower finger grooves 226 formed at the first chord end 114 and the lower finger grooves 226 formed at the second chord end 116.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in some aspects, the length-adjustable truss 100 can comprise a first vertical block 310 extending between the upper and lower chords 110,112 adjacent to the inner panel end 134 of the first end panel 130. In the present aspect, the first vertical block 310 can comprise a 2×4 piece of wood. In the orientation illustrated in FIG. 3, the 4 in. dimension of the first vertical block 310 extends into the page, and the 2 in. dimension of each of the first vertical block 310 extends horizontally. Moreover, a block length L_b of the first vertical block 310 extends vertically, relative to the orientation shown. In other aspects, the first vertical block 310 can comprise any other suitable material and can define any other suitable dimensions. The first vertical block 310 can be attached to the upper chord 110 by an upper connector plate 1322 (shown in FIG. 13) and to the lower chord 112 by a lower connector plate 1324 (shown in FIG. 13). A second vertical block 1320 (shown in FIG. 13) can similarly be arranged between the upper and lower chords 110,112 proximate to the inner panel end 134 of the second end panel 132 (shown in FIG. 1).

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, in example aspects, each of the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 can terminate at a tapered inward groove end 320. The tapered inward groove end 320 can taper in both depth, as seen in FIG. 3, and in height, as shown in FIG. 7. The tapered inward groove ends 320 can be formed during machining of the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226, each of which can be formed by a blade of a rotary tool in the present aspect. The machining of the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 is described in further detail below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the first end panel 130, FIG. 5 illustrates a left side view of the first end panel 130, and FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of the upper panel fingers 234 of the first end panel 130. The second end panel 132 (shown in FIG. 1) can be substantially the same as the first end panel 130. Referring to FIG. 4, as shown, the first end panel 130 can comprise four of the panel segments 138. Other aspects can comprise more or fewer panel segments 138. The first end panel 130 can define the inner panel end 134, the outer panel end 136, the upper panel end 230, and the lower panel end 232. The upper panel fingers 234 can be formed at the upper panel end 230 and the lower panel fingers 236 can be formed at the lower panel end 232. Each of the upper panel fingers 234 and the lower panel fingers 236 can extend laterally from the outer panel end 136 to the inner panel end 134.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first end panel 130 can comprise three of the upper panel fingers 234 and three of the lower panel fingers 236. Other aspects can comprise more or fewer of the upper panel fingers 234 and/or lower panel fingers 236. Each of the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can define a corresponding one of the finger tips 510. According to example aspects, the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can be machined at the upper and lower panel ends 230,232, respectively, by blades of a rotary tool. In some aspects, the same rotary tool can be used to machine both the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 and the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 (shown in FIG. 2). Each of the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can define a substantially triangular or truncated triangular cross-sectional shape, as shown, which can taper in width towards the corresponding finger tip 510. The blades of the rotary tool can define the same or substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236.

To form the upper panel fingers 234, the first end panel 130 can be fed linearly through a forming machine comprising the rotary tool. As the first end panel 130 passes through the forming machine, the blades of the rotary tool can be brought into contact with the upper panel end 230. The blades can cut away wood material at the upper panel end 230 to define the upper panel fingers 234. The lower panel fingers 236 can be formed by doing a second pass of the first end panel 130 through the forming machine, with the first end panel 130 flipped to contact the lower panel end 232 with the rotary tool. In other aspects, the forming machine may comprise a second rotary tool for forming the lower panel fingers 236 simultaneously with the upper panel fingers 234.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail bottom view showing the upper finger grooves 224 formed at the first chord end 114 of the upper chord 110, and FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the upper chord 110 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. The lower chord 112 (shown in FIG. 1) can be substantially the same as the upper chord 110 in the present aspect. Referring to FIG. 7, the upper chord 110 can define three of the upper finger grooves 224 at the first chord end 114, as well as three of the upper finger grooves 224 at the second chord end 116 (shown in FIG. 1) thereof. The three upper finger grooves 224 at the first chord end 114 can correspond to the three upper panel fingers 234 (shown in FIG. 9) of the first end panel 130 (shown in FIG. 9). Other aspects can comprise more or fewer of the upper finger grooves 224, dependent upon the number of upper panel fingers 234. The upper finger grooves 224 can extend from the first chord end 114 towards corresponding second chord end 116, parallel to the chord length L_c (shown in FIG. 1). The upper finger grooves 224 can be substantially centered between a front chord end 710 of the upper chord 110 and a rear chord end 712 of the upper chord 110, as shown.

To form the upper finger grooves 224, the upper chord 110 can be fed linearly through the forming machine comprising the rotary tool. In some aspects, the same forming machine may be used to form both the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 (lower finger grooves 226 shown in FIG. 2) and the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 (shown in FIG. 5). In another aspects, a separate forming machine may be used. The upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 can define substantially the same cross-sectional shape and size as the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236, such that the upper and lower panel fingers 234,236 can fit snugly within the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226, respectfully. Thus, referring to FIG. 8, each of the upper and lower finger grooves 224,226 of the present aspect can define a substantially triangular or truncated triangular cross-sectional shape, which can taper in width towards the groove bottom 810.

As the upper chord 110 passes through the forming machine, the blades of the rotary tool can be brought into contact with the inner chord side 220 at the first chord end 114, and the blades can cut away wood material at the inner chord side 220 to define the upper finger grooves 224. Once the upper finger grooves 224 at the first chord end 114 have been formed, the rotary tool can be withdrawn from contact with the inner chord side 220. The upper non-grooved portion 240 of the inner chord side 220 can bypass the rotary tool, and then the rotary tool can be brought back into contact with the inner chord side 220 to form the upper finger grooves 224 at the second chord end 116.

As previously described, each of the upper finger grooves 224 can terminate at a tapered inward groove end 320, which can taper in both depth (as seen in FIG. 3) and in height (as seen in the present FIG. 7). According to example aspects, the tapered inward groove ends 320 of the upper finger grooves 224 at the first chord end 114 can be formed as the truncated triangular blades of the rotary tool are withdrawn from engagement with the upper chord 110.

The tapered inward groove ends 320 of the upper finger grooves 224 at the second chord end 116 can be formed as the truncated triangular blades are brought back into contact with the upper chord 110.

FIG. 9 illustrates a detail end view of the first end panel 130 coupled to the upper chord 110 by the corresponding upper finger joint assembly 210. FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of the length-adjustable truss 100, showing the first end panel 130 coupled to the upper chord 110 by the corresponding upper finger joint assembly 210 and to the lower chord 112 by the corresponding lower finger joint assembly 212. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the upper chord 110, showing example dimensions thereof. FIG. 12 illustrates a detail cross-sectional view of the first end panel 130, showing example dimensions thereof. None of the dimensions shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 should be considered limiting.

FIG. 13 illustrates the length-adjustable truss 100 further comprising an example web arrangement 1300. The web arrangement 1300 of the present aspect can be the wood web arrangement 1310. As shown, the length-adjustable truss 100 can comprise the upper chord 110, the lower chord 112, the trimmable first end panel 130, and the trimmable second end panel 132. The length-adjustable truss 100 can further comprise the wood first vertical block 310 and the wood second vertical block 1320. In some aspects, the first vertical block 310 and the second vertical block 1320 can be considered as part of the web arrangement 1300. As previously described, each of the first vertical block 310 and the second vertical block 1320 can be coupled to the upper and lower chords 110,112 by a corresponding one of the upper and lower connector plates 1322,1324, respectively. The upper and lower connector plates 1322,1324 can comprise a metal material in the present aspect. Example aspects of such upper and lower connector plates 1322,1324 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,993, filed May 22, 1995, and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0301026, filed Jun. 10, 2009, each of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The length-adjustable truss 100 can define the open area 140 between the first and second end panels 132, as previously described, and the wood web arrangement 1310 be assembled within the open area 140. The wood web arrangement 1310 can comprise a plurality of wood webs 1312, as shown. Each of the wood webs 1312 can comprise a 2×4 piece of structural graded wood material and can extend between the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. The wood webs 1312 can be coupled to the upper and lower chords 110,112 by additional upper and lower connector plates 1322,1324.

In example aspects, some or all of the wood webs 1312 can be oriented at an acute angle θ relative to each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. For example, the angle θ can be about 45° in the present aspect. In other aspects, the angle θ can be greater than or less than 45°. Moreover, in some aspects, some or all of the wood webs 1312 can be oriented about perpendicular to each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. In the present aspect, the wood web arrangement 1310 can comprise a plurality of the wood webs 1312 oriented at the acute angle θ relative to each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. The wood web arrangement 1310 can also comprise a pair of the wood webs 1312 oriented about perpendicular to the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112. The pair of the wood webs 1312 oriented about perpendicular to the upper and lower chords 110,112 can be arranged proximate to a vertical midline 1330 of the length-adjustable truss 100.

FIG. 14 illustrates the length-adjustable truss 100 comprising another example web arrangement 1300. The web arrangement 1300 of the present aspect can be the metal web arrangement 1410. The length-adjustable truss 100 can comprise the upper chord 110, the lower chord 112, the trimmable first end panel 130, and the trimmable second end panel 132. The length-adjustable truss 100 can further comprise the wood first vertical block 310 and the wood second vertical block 1320 coupled to the upper and lower chords 110,112 by the corresponding upper and lower connector plates 1322,1324, respectively.

The length-adjustable truss 100 can define the open area 140 between the first and second end panels 130,132, as previously described, and the metal web arrangement 1410 be assembled within the open area 140. The metal web arrangement 1410 can comprise a plurality of metal webs 1412 oriented at an acute angle β relative to each of the upper chord 110 and the lower chord 112, as shown. The acute angle β can be great than, less than, or about equal to 45°. Example aspects of such a metal web arrangement 1410 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,303, filed Feb. 18, 1999, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.