Space frame structure and method of constructing a space frame structure
OwnerMarian L. Kubik, Leszek A. Kubikinventors
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Abstract
A space frame structure has parallel spaced lower and upper sub-frames joined by interconnecting members, each sub-frame comprising a multiplicity of members connected in a grid, and a concrete layer secured to the upper sub-frame, wherein the concrete layer embeds the grid members of the upper sub-frame in the layer to form a composite upper sub-structure. Preferably the structure comprises permanent shuttering supported on the grid members of the upper sub-frame within the depth of the upper sub-frame, the concrete layer being laid on the shuttering to a depth sufficient to embed all of the grid members above the shuttering in the layer.
Claims12
A structural module for use in constructing a space frame structure, comprising an upper grid forming section having a plurality of orthogonally arranged grid members, a lower grid forming section having a plurality of orthogonally arranged grid members and an interconnecting member interconnecting said sections and secured thereto, wherein the grid members of the lower grid forming section are more massive than those of the upper grid forming section and the grid members are each adapted for connection end to end with an grid member of a corresponding section of another similar module.
A space frame structure comprising an upper sub-frame comprising a multiplicity of upper space frame members connected together to form an upper grid, each said member having an upper surface and a lower surface defining a depth for said member;
- a lower sub-frame spaced from and parallel to the upper sub-frame and comprising a multiplicity of lower space frame members connected together to form a lower grid;
- interconnecting members joining said upper and lower sub-frames;
- and a concrete layer secured to the upper sub-frame;
- the concrete layer extending below the upper surfaces of the upper space frame members wherein the latter members are at least partially embedded in the concrete.
A method of constructing a space frame structure comprising the steps of assembling a structure comprising an upper sub-frame comprising a multiplicity of upper space frame members connected together to form an upper grid, a lower sub-frame spaced from and parallel to the upper sub-frame and comprising a multiplicity of lower space frame members connected together to form a lower grid, and interconnecting members joining said upper and lower sub-frames;
- supporting shuttering on the upper sub-frame with the upper sub-frame projecting above the shuttering;
- and spreading a layer of concrete to provide a concrete layer over the shuttering and upper sub-frame embedding the space frame members of the upper sub-frame in the layer to form a composite upper sub-structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.