Back to results
US 7,578,109 B2Granted
Space frames and connection node arrangement for them
AssigneeGossamer Space Frames
InventorsGlenn A. Reynolds, Dean R. Hackbarth, Gary N. Curtis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeGossamer Space Frames
InventorsGlenn A. Reynolds, Dean R. Hackbarth, Gary N. Curtis
Estimating the term…
A node connector in a double layer grid-type of space frame preferably is an extrusion which includes an open-ended tubular portion for snugly at least substantially encircling a frame chord member of desired cross-sectional configuration which is disposable in the passage. The node connector has fixed external elements which extend along the connector parallel to the passage. Those elements define facing parallel flat surfaces arranged in at least two pairs of such surfaces. The surfaces of each pair lie equidistantly from a center plane between them. Each center plane is parallel to the passage axis and preferably includes the passage axis. Each pair of facing flat surfaces of the node connector can cooperate closely with opposite flat surfaces at the end of each of other frames framing member placed between the facing surfaces. The node connector can be secured to a chord member in its passage and to ends of other framing members by shear pins which have zero clearances in node connector holes and in holes or passages through the respective framing members. The space frame can be a movable armature for a curved solar reflector, the space frame having a V-shaped major surface. At least some of the framing members can be thin wall tubes modified to have opposing, flat-exterior wall zones along the length of each tube and in which the wall thickness is locally increased and through which shear pin holes are defined.
A node connector useful at one of plural spaced apart nodes in a double layer grid-type of space frame for interconnecting at one of the nodes plural framing members of the frame, the frame having spaced major surfaces in which the nodes are located, the framing members including chord members which define the major surfaces and which extend between spaced apart node connectors and diagonal struts spacing the major surfaces from each other and optional torsion braces, each node having associated with it plural struts which extend to respective different nodes in the other surface of the frame, the node connector comprising a cylindrical base portion defining a passage having an axis and which is sized and shaped for snug slidable substantially axial insertion thereinto of an elongate chord framing member of the frame and which chord framing member has along its length an axis substantially alignable with the passage axis upon said insertion, the passage being configured to substantially enclose the chord framing member sufficiently to hold its axis in alignment with the passage axis upon such insertion, the node connector carrying substantially along the length of and externally of the base portion plural fixed-structural elements defining at least two pairs of parallel spaced substantially flat connection surfaces, the surfaces of each pair being spaced equidistantly from a center plane between them which is parallel to and substantially includes the passage axis, at least one pair of the surfaces having sufficient length along the connector to enable two diagonal struts to be connected to the connector via those surfaces, and at least one pair of holes through the elements which define each pair of surfaces for each framing member which is connectible to that node via the elements defining that pair of surfaces, the holes in each pair thereof being aligned on a respective line which is normal to the corresponding surfaces.
A node connector useful at one of plural spaced apart nodes in a double layer grid-type of space frame for interconnecting at the one node plural framing members of the frame which extend between spaced apart nodes of the frame, the frame having spaced major surfaces in which the nodes are located, the framing members including longitudinal and transverse chord members which define the major surfaces and diagonal struts spacing the major surfaces from each other and optional torsion braces, each node having associated with it plural struts which extend to respective different nodes in the other surface of the frame, the node connector comprising an elongate body defining an open-ended circumferentially closed passage having an axis extending along the length of the body which is configured and sized to enable a longitudinal chord member to extend continuously through and beyond the body with the cooperation between the passage and the chord member holding a longitudinal axis of the chord member in substantial alignment with the passage axis, the node connector defining plural strut and transverse chord member connection surfaces extending laterally from the body substantially parallel to respective planes which intersect substantially centrally of the passage, the connection surfaces enabling struts and transverse chord members substantially disposed in respective ones of the planes to be connected to the node connector, and in which at least one of the connection surfaces associated with a particular diagonal plane has sufficient length along the body to enable a pair of struts to be connected to the body via that surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.