Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Patent
1986-01-23
1987-11-10
Murtagh, John E.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
52655, E04B 119, E04B 158
Patent
active
047048360
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to space frames.
(2) Brief Description of the Prior Art
Where constructions of shallow depth are required to be erected over wide spans with a minimum number of supports and with a minimum of elastic movement under load, space frames are usually considered most appropriate. In most cases a space frame is of double-layer type, comprising upper and lower grids of longitudinal and lateral members or chords, the junctions of chords, or nodes, of the upper and lower grid being interconnected by oblique web members or struts. Usually the lower grid is displaced both longitudinally and laterally relative to the upper grid so that each node of the lower grid is exuidistant from four nodes of the upper grid, and is connected to them by four oblique struts. In some space frames, however, the nodes of the lower grid are directly below those of the upper grid so that the axes of the oblique struts are in the axes of the chords they interconnect, and additional vertical struts may interconnect corresponding nodes of the two grids.
Space frames may be modified for the construction of tunnel-vaulted, rather than flat, structures.
A disadvantage of many space frame constructions presently in use is that expensive connectors are used to interconnect chord and strut members at each node, and the fixture of the members to the connectors requires a good deal of time and skilled labour.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention has been devised with the general object of providing a space frame which is simple and economical to manufacture and erect without requiring any costly or elaborate means for interconnecting the space frame members at its nodes. Another object is to provide such a space frame which may be of either of the types mentioned, that is, with each lower grid node connected by similar oblique struts to four nodes of the upper grid, or with the upper and lower grids interconnected by oblique struts in the planes of the interconnected chords of the two grids.
With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention resides broadly in a space frame of the type having upper and lower grids of tubular longitudinal and lateral chord members and oblique struts with attachment pads at their ends interconnecting nodes at chord intersections of the two grids wherein, at each node:
the chord members have flattened sections in superimposed relationship,
strut attachment pads are flattened and secured in adjacent substantially co-planar relationship to the superimposed flattened chord sections,
load distribution plates are provided including such plates disposed above and below the assembly of adjacent strut attachment pads and superimposed flattened chord sections, and
the said parts are interconnected by a plurality of fastening means each through the load distribution plates, the flattened chord sections and one of the strut attachment pads.
Preferably the fastening means comprise bolts and nuts, and the load distribution plates include one above, one below and one between the superimposed flattened chord sections. Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a node of the lower grid of a space according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the node shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 in FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 in FIG. 1,
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified space frame node, and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower grid node according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a space frame, of which one node only is shown, consists of upper and lower grids of tubular longitudinal and lateral chords intersecting at nodes, similar oblique tubular struts interconnecting the nodes of the two grids. The node shown in the drawings is of the lower
REFERENCES:
patent: 3443348 (1969-05-01), Papayoti
patent: 4438616 (1984-03-01), Codd
Murtagh John E.
Tulserate Limited
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