Split separable joint apparatus and method
AssigneeGeometrica, Inc.
InventorFrancisco Castano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A split separable joint includes a cylindrical hub having a first portion and a second portion. The hub portions interconnect at a keyed interface. The hub has axially extending, radially directed, keyed slots formed in a peripheral hub surface for receiving structural members. The first and second hub portions are retained together as a unit by a fastener which extends diametrically through aligned bores in each hub portion. The structural members are retained in place by an axially extending fastener which retains end plates on opposed ends of the hub.
Claims24
A split separable joint comprising:
- a hub including a first one-piece half portion and a second one-piece half portion;
- a keyed surface on the first one-piece half portion and a mating keyed surface on the second one-piece half portion;
- a keyed slot formed in a peripheral surface of each one-piece half portion of the hub;
- and
- fastener means for retaining the first and second one-piece half portions in unitary keyed engagement, the fastener means including first and second members extending diametrically through the hub and axially spaced from each other.
A split separable joint comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical hub including a first one-piece half portion and a second one-piece half portion;
- an axially extending keyed surface on the first one-piece half portion and a mating keyed surface on the second one-piece half portion;
- means extending diametrically through the hub for retaining the first and second one-piece half portion in unitary keyed engagement;
- and
- an axially extending, radially directed, structural member receiving, keyed slot formed in a peripheral surface of each one-piece half portion of the hub and extending the length of the hub.
A split separable joint comprising:
- a hub including a first one-piece half portion and a second one-piece half portion:
- a first structural member connected to the first one-piece half portion;
- a second structural member connected to the second one-piece half portion;
- a keyed surface on the first one-piece half portion and a mating keyed surface on the second one-piece half portion;
- means extending diametrically through aligned bores in each one-piece half portion for engaging the keyed surfaces and retaining the one-piece half portions in unitary engagement;
- and
- means extending axially through the hub for retaining the structural member connected to the hub.
A method of joining a first space frame section with a second space frame section comprising the steps of:
- connecting a first structural member to a first one-piece half portion of a hub having a first keyed surface;
- connecting a second structural member to a second one-piece half portion of the hub having a second keyed surface;
- drawing the first and second one-piece half portions toward each other;
- engaging the first and second keyed surfaces;
- and
- securing the first and second one-piece half portions together into a unitary hub.
A split separable joint comprising:
- a hub including first and second portions;
- a keyed surface on the first portion and a mating keyed surface on the second portion;
- a keyed slot formed in a peripheral surface of each portion of the hub;
- and
- a fastener for retaining the first and second hub portions in unitary keyed engagement including a first member extending diametrically through the hub and a second member, axially displaced from the first member, and extending diametrically through the hub.
A split separable joint comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical hub including a first portion and a second portion;
- an axially extending keyed surface on the first portion and a mating keyed surface on the second portion;
- means extending diametrically through the hub for retaining the first and second hub portions in unitary keyed engagement including a first fastener extending through each hub portion and a second fastener, axially displaced from the first fastener, and extending through each hub portion;
- and
- an axially extending, radially directed, structural member receiving, keyed slot formed in a peripheral surface of each portion of the hub and extending the length of the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.