Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Patent
1984-11-05
1986-06-10
Murtagh, John E.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
52637, 52650, 403171, 403176, F04H 1206
Patent
active
045935149
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to space frames. More particularly, it relates to space frames of the double layer flat grid type having longitudinal and transverse chords interconnected by a plurality of web members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Space frames are well known and extensively used in the construction of buildings such as exhibition halls, theatres and the like where large areas are required to be covered, free of supporting columns. For such purposes, architects commonly favor space frames of the double-layer flat grid type, such a structure having an upper square grid assembly of longitudinal and transverse chord members spaced above a lower square grid assembly of longitudinal and transverse chord members, intersections of the upper and lower grids being interconnected by diagonal struts or web members so that the space frame consists of a combination of square-base pyramidal shapes.
The economy of space frames of this type is particularly sensitive to the cost of the nodal connections of the members comprising the grid. A variety of connector components have been devised for interconnecting: at each node of the structure, the longitudinal and lateral chord members, and the diagonal struts.
A typical way to make a space frame is to fabricate members and joints as unique parts and bolt them together in the field. Some systems use pyramidal modules which are field assembled.
There are three main disadvantages to those systems:
1. Costs--Where you have a node and member connection, hardware costs are high.
2. Erection Time and Difficulty--The more pieces you have, the more field assembly time required.
3. Exposed Fasteners--They are unsightly and tend to corrode.
The space frame of the present invention solves these problems by utilizing a prefabricates truss module in conjunction with transverse chords thereby reducing field assembly time by minimizing the number of parts. By concealing the few fasteners inside the truss module chord connections, corrosion of the fasteners has been minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved space frame comprises a combination of truss modules and transverse chords which are interconnected by transverse fasteners.
The transverse chords are parallel to each other and the truss modules are alternatingly arranged in two parallel planes.
Each truss module comprises a plurality of web members, connecting members, and split longitudinal chords. The connecting members and the split longitudinal chords have first interface surfaces. The web members and the connecting members are affixed to the split longitudinal chords to form the truss modules.
The truss modules are connected to each other at the interface surfaces of the split longitudinal chords of each truss module by the transverse fastening means located within the truss modules interconnected with the transverse chords. Each truss module is also connected to the transverse chords at the interface surfaces of the connecting members of each truss module by the transverse fastening means to form the space frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a space frame of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view looking along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view looking along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame shown in FIG. 1 showing the truss module and transverse chord arrangement;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing one manner of assembling web sections, split longitudinal chords, and a truss alinement member to form a truss module;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space frame encircled at 4 in FIG. 1, showing one manner of assembling a transverse chord and two truss modules with a fastener;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective segmentary view of the space encircled at 4 in FIG. 1 showing one manner of assembling a second transverse chord t
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Chilcot Jr. Richard E.
Ericson Ivan L.
GTE Products Corporation
Murtagh John E.
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