Unusual structure

[billconner]

So buying a 1910 farm house fixed upper for my son. There is a truss like structure though not sure it's really a truss. That doesn't matter - whether the "top chord" is that or if the bottom chord is doing the work. This sits directly on top of a wall dividing two bedrooms on second floor, and a living room that is clear those two rooms. Looking close you should be able to see the tops of two large eye bolts through the "top chord", with 3/8" wire rope down through attic floor.

Next week I'll go back and do a little demo but my guess is this is supporting a beam in second floor/first floor ceiling. Another guess, there was a bearing wall under this on first floor, dividing what is now a long living room.

In my work in entertainment technology I've seen and designed a lot of things hanging on wires rope but don't think I've ever seen a second floor in a dwelling supported like this.

 

[micromind]

Looks like it's there to stiffen up the handrail.

 

[whateg01]

So buying a 1910 farm house fixed upper for my son. There is a truss like structure though not sure it's really a truss. That doesn't matter - whether the "top chord" is that or if the bottom chord is doing the work. This sits directly on top of a wall dividing two bedrooms on second floor, and a living room that is clear those two rooms. Looking close you should be able to see the tops of two large eye bolts through the "top chord", with 3/8" wire rope down through attic floor.

Next week I'll go back and do a little demo but my guess is this is supporting a beam in second floor/first floor ceiling. Another guess, there was a bearing wall under this on first floor, dividing what is now a long living room.

In my work in entertainment technology I've seen and designed a lot of things hanging on wires rope but don't think I've ever seen a second floor in a dwelling supported like this.

Was there one of these hanging below it?

 

[whateg01]

Looks like it's there to stiffen up the handrail.

I think the "handrail" is the truss op references.

 

[billconner]

Yes - that top "rail" is braced to rafters but it has the eyebolts with wire rope. I think they elevated it to make it simpler to rig.

We are wanting to remove it to repurpose attic.

 

[PCustoms]

Was there one of these hanging below it?

Why would you put a porch swing in the attic?

 

[Old Man Roger]

You might get some new friends if you hang that from your porch.lol

 

[PCustoms]

You might get some new friends if you hang that from your porch.lol

 

[Old Man Roger]

Swingers, it’s a *** swing. Who knows, maybe Pines would show up with the wives.lol

 

[whateg01]

Yes - that top "rail" is braced to rafters but it has the eyebolts with wire rope. I think they elevated it to make it simpler to rig.

We are wanting to remove it to repurpose attic.

More likely done to add strength because the truss has a taller cross section than the ceiling joist that it's attached to

 

[PCustoms]

Swingers, it’s a *** swing.

I was not confused, I was considering.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Fair enough. No kink shaming here.lol

 

[jack stand]

I've seen a variety of this type of "suspension" in older buildings including threaded rods.
I definitely would not remove it unless you like very springy floors.
There was no engineered lumber back then a the size of timbers & joists were limited to local resources and budgets.