Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Components adjustably or collapsibly connected
Patent
1987-07-27
1989-05-16
Scherbel, David A.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Components adjustably or collapsibly connected
403297, 403190, E04H 1218
Patent
active
048297356
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a framework comprising bar-shaped elements as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1. Such frameworks permit a three-dimensional structure to be quickly erected, for a very wide range of purposes. They are increasingly used nowadays for example in exhibition construction for building up viewing wall structures or for the construction of entire stand structural assemblies. It is also possible however to envisage the construction of furniture or auxiliary emergency accommodation as well as domes of the like.
Frameworks which are comparable in terms of the general kind of concept involved are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,244 or WO-A No. 84/01094. In the constructions described and illustrated therein, the connecting elements are fixedly pressed into the ends of the barshaped elements, with a respective plurality of connecting elements being fixedly linked together at an intersection or junction point. The frameworks practically exclusively consist of bars which cross in a shears-like configuration so that the framework can be folded together or fixed in the erected condition. A disadvantage of those constructions is in particular that it is only possible to build up a quite definite structure in each case. It is not possible for the user to make modifications or to add or omit individual elements as the individual components of the framework are fixedly interconnected. In addition the removal of an individual component of the overall structure would have the result that the entire structure would become unstable.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a framework of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which permits a wide multiplicity of building structures and which can be broken down into all individual parts. The invention also seeks to provide that the framework permits modifications on existing structures so that the user is not reliant on skilled labour if he wants to make structural alterations on site at short notice. In addition the invention seeks to provide that versatile structures can be produced with the minimum number of individual components, while the user can combine the individual components as desired on the building-brick principle.
In accordance with the invention that object is achieved with a framework having the features of claim 1.
The projection or lug on the shank of the connecting element, which can engage into the opening in the peripheral portion of the tube, permits the connecting element to be removed in any condition. Thus for example individual tubes can be removed on an existing structure and replaced by other tubes of different lengthwise dimension. If the bar-shaped elements are tubes, they may even be cut to any desired size, in which case it is only necessary to bore the opening in the peripheral portion of the tube at the correct location. In addition the structure can be completely broken down into its individual parts so that for example the same bar-shaped elements can be provided with different connecting elements for building different structures. That provides a building brick system which on the one hand has a given number of types of bar-shaped elements and on the other hand a given number of types of connecting elements.
The engageable lug or projection may be produced in a particularly simple manner by the shank having an opening in which a spring element carrying the projection is mounted. The resilient projection thereby becomes a separate component so that production of the connecting element can be simplified. Furthermore, in that way it is possible to select the desired spring force, depending on the respective configuration of the spring element, as required, and damaged projections can be replaced without the entire connecting element being rendered useless in that situation. It is also possible for the spring element to be produced from a different material from the remainder of the connecting element.
The connecting element enjoys a wide variety of connect
REFERENCES:
patent: 1322801 (1919-11-01), Lewis
patent: 2762639 (1956-09-01), Molter et al.
patent: 2941294 (1960-06-01), Vosbikian et al.
patent: 4290244 (1981-09-01), Zeigler
patent: 4353661 (1982-10-01), Ruther
patent: 4549832 (1985-10-01), Sterl
patent: 4580922 (1986-09-01), Coppa
Entwurf Partner Ruedi Zwissler
Hinds William R.
Scherbel David A.
Smith Creighton
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