Flexible terminal point for lattice work construction

A terminal point for connecting a cross bar of a lattice work to a support strut of the lattice work, wherein the cross bar and the support strut are subject to static and dynamic loads therealong of both tension and compression but the terminal point is only subject to a compression load, comprising:

• a junction means fixedly mounted in the support strut for distributing the forces exerted on the cross bar along a length of the support strut adjacent the terminal point;
• a compression element including a tube having an inner end and an outer end protruding outwardly beyond the support strut and to which the adjacent end of the cross bar is attached, said tube being fixedly attached to said junction means and located between said junction mens and the cross bar such that said compression element receives any compressive forces exerted by the cross bar on the support strut;
• and
• a tension element means for initially compressing said compression element to a load greater than any expected tension load whereby the terminal point receives only a compressive load changing in magnitude, and for attaching the cross bar to said junction means such that said tension element means receives any tension forces exerted by the cross bar on the support strut independent of said compression element and in the same manner that said compression element receives any compression forces independent of said tension element means, said tension element including at least one tie-rod extending centrally through said tube which is threaded at the end adjacent the cross bar and a nut which is received on said threaded end, said nut being used to tension said tie-rod between the inner end of said tube and the outer end of said tube adjacent said cross bar and which thereby initially compresses said compression element appropriately.