Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-03-27
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
C052S634000, C052S636000, C052S648100, C052S653200, C052S638000, C296S205000, C296S203010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205736
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a structural frame element, in particular but not exclusively, for the construction of space frames.
The invention also relates to a process of constructing space frames from such elements.
A structural frame element for the construction of space frames is known from DE 4228238. The known structural frame element is hollow and elongate and is provided with connection nodes located at predetermined positions along its length, the connection nodes being in the form of laterally outwardly extending projections. When constructing a frame, at least 2 frame elements are located side by side and are joined together by a plurality of elongate connection struts spaced along the length of the elongate structural elements. Each opposite end of each strut is mounted on a node projection formed on a respective structural element.
The connection between the strut and node projection is similar to a male and female plug and socket connection wherein the male plug is defined by the node projection and the female socket is defined by the open end of the strut.
In order to provide strength in the connection and to provide rigidity in the frame, it is desirable for the node projection to be a close fit inside the socket defined in the end of the strut and for the projection to extend as far as possible along the socket in order to provide a long support face in abutment with the inner wall of the socket. These criteria are difficult to achieve with the structural element of DE 4228238 since each node projection is formed by stretching the material of the element outwardly and so there is a limit to the amount of elongation of this material before it becomes too weak. In addition the forming process necessarily requires the transition zone between the node and wall of the structural member to be of a relative large radius and this necessarily reduces the effective length of the node projection.
In order to avoid axial separation between the node projection and the strut mounted thereon, it is normal practice to weld the end edge of the strut to the adjacent surface of the structural element. Since the available space between the strut and structural element is restricted due to the transition zone of the node projection being located within the strut welding is difficult.
It is a general aim of the present invention to provide a structural element for constructing space frames which overcomes disadvantages associated with the type of structural frame element disclosed in DE 4228238.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a structural frame element comprising an elongate hollow body having one or more strut connection nodes located along its length at predetermined positions, each connection node being in the form of a socket extending internally of the element, the socket comprising a socket wall depending from one side wall of the hollow body, the socket wall defining a socket recess and being formed by hydro-forming from said one side wall of the hollow body.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a space frame including at least two elongate structural frame elements arranged side by side and being interconnected by a plurality of elongate struts spaced along the length of the elements, each structural frame element comprising an elongate hollow body having one or more strut connection nodes located along its length at predetermined positions, each connection node being in the form of a socket extending internally of the element, the socket comprising a socket wall depending from one side wall of the hollow body, the socket wall defining a socket recess and being formed by hydro-forming from said one side wall of the hollow body, each opposite end of each strut being in the form of a plug received within the socket defined by a co-operating respective connection node.
In this specification the term ‘hydro-forming’ includes any forming process which utilises a pressurised hydraulic fluid for deforming an element; the pressurised hydraulic fluid may be a solid such as small solid balls which collectively act as a fluid; a liquid such as a suitable oil; or a gas such as steam. The hydro-forming process is performed within a die and may be performed at cold or warm temperatures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5285613 (1994-02-01), Goldsworthy
patent: 5720092 (1998-02-01), Ni et al.
patent: 5799524 (1998-09-01), Schafer et al.
patent: 6026626 (2000-02-01), Fisher
Amborn Ing Peter
Giles Griffiths Simon Jonathan
Kent Christopher T.
Stockton Kilpatrick
Thissell Jennifer I.
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