Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Processes – Storage facility construction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-22
2001-04-10
Callo, Laura A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Processes
Storage facility construction
C052S093100, C052S641000, C052S643000, C052S645000, C052S653100, C052S690000, C119S437000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212850
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to poultry houses in general and in particular relates to a method and apparatus for converting older post-style poultry houses to a clear span-style poultry house.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One common style of prior art poultry house is the so called post-style poultry house. These post-style poultry houses are quite prevalent and typically were built using posts prior to the wide spread use of structural trusses. A typical post-style poultry house is between about 34 and 40 feet wide and about 300 to 500 feet long. The posts in such a house are usually spaced from one another and are used to support the roof of the poultry house.
While a post-style house as just described is sturdy and long-lasting, in recent years changes in poultry harvesting technology have made this less than an ideal design for continued use. For example, traditionally once the poultry are ready to be harvested from the poultry house and to be taken to a processing plant, they are gathered up and placed in cages for transport. Currently, this often is being done manually by picking up poultry and putting them in the cages. More recently, automatic harvesting equipment is being developed which constitutes a self-propelled vehicle with equipment at the front end thereof for gathering the poultry and placing them in cages. Such machinery can be obstructed in its operation by the posts. As a result, there exists a strong economic incentive for replacing the post-style houses with a clear span-style poultry house.
Unfortunately, to simply knock down existing post-style poultry houses and replace them with new, clear span poultry houses is prohibitively expensive for many poultry farmers. Moreover, it is economically wasteful inasmuch as much of the structure of the post-style poultry house might still be in good shape and should not be demolished and discarded. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need yet remains for a method and apparatus for economically converting post-style poultry houses to clear span poultry houses. It is to the provision of such a method and apparatus that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention comprises a method for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span-style poultry house.
The poultry house is of the type mounted on footers and including a roof, inclined rafters supporting the roof, and roof beams extending transversely to the rafters and supporting the rafters thereon. Initially, the post-style poultry house has uprights posts supporting the roof beams. The method comprises the steps of (a) installing a series of trusses for supporting the roof beams, and (b) removing the upright posts from the poultry house. The step of installing the series of trusses is carried out without the removal of the roof or beams. The trusses are provided for supporting the roof beams and the roof thereon. Each of the trusses has a center section and two outer sections. The step of installing the trusses comprises (i) attaching the center sections of the trusses to the roof beams, (ii) attaching upper ends of the outer sections to the center sections, and (iii) securing the lower ends of the outer sections to the footers.
Preferably, the step of attaching the center sections to the roof beams comprises attaching mounting brackets to the roof beams and then attaching the center sections to the mounting brackets. Preferably, the center sections are bolted to the outer sections. Also preferably, prior to the completion of the installation of the trusses, any feeding lines or watering lines in the poultry house are lowered.
Alternatively, the step of installing the trusses comprises assembling truss sections into assembled trusses, positioning the assembled trusses under and adjacent the roof beams, and securing the assembled trusses thereto. Preferably, the truss sections are assembled on-site at the poultry house. Also preferably, the assembled trusses are pivotally mounted to the footers (or pilings) and pivoted into position under and adjacent the roof beams.
In another preferred form, the invention comprises a truss apparatus for converting a post-style poultry house to a clear span-style poultry house. The poultry house includes a roof, inclined rafters supporting the roof, roof beams extending transversely to the rafters and supporting the rafters thereon, side walls, and footers supporting the side walls. Initially, the house includes upright posts for supporting the roof beams. The truss apparatus includes a center truss section adapted to be mounted to the roof beams. The truss apparatus further comprises first and second outer truss sections adapted to be secured to the center truss section. The outer truss sections each comprise substantially upright portions and an inclined portion extending therefrom.
Preferably, each of the truss sections are made of a corrosion-resistant metal. Most preferably, the truss sections are galvanized steel or stainless steel. Further, preferably the truss apparatus includes mounting brackets for mounting the center truss section to the roof beams. Also preferably, mounting feet pivotally mount the lower ends of the substantially upright portions of the outer truss sections to the footers. Also preferably, end portions of the center truss sections and end portions of the first and second truss sections each include mounting flanges for bolting the center truss sections to the first and second outer truss sections.
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Callo Laura A.
Gardner Groff Mehrman & Josephic P.C.
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