AU632165B2 - A connector assembly for a space frame - Google Patents

Description

632165 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 Form COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: PJ 6513 20 September 1989 Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: S 17? 30 170990 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT 0 c Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: AUSTRALIAN SLATWALL INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD.

11 Lachlan Street, Waterloo, New South Wales, 2017, Australia PETER BARON GRIFFITH HACK CO 71 YORK STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 0 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A SPACE FRAME" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 2095A/EM -u LZ "A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A SPACE FRAME" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention concerns a connector assembly for a space frame and in a second aspect concerns a space frame employing the connector.

BACKGROUND ART A space frame typically comprises an array of at least two layers of chord members. The chord members of each layer are connected to other chord members of that layer at nodes. The layers of the array are spanned by diagonal members, and each diagonal member is connected between a node of each layer. i connector is provided at each node to connect the members.

There are two main types of sp,e frame. The first is o a heavy duty, usually massive, type which is seen supporting external canopies or the roofs of buildings. This type of space frame is typically made using tubular steel members which are welded together to create a rigid structure. The second type of space frame, which is typically seen suspended from the ceilings of public places such as shops, is used to support spotlights and other fittings. This type of space frame typically comprises tubular plastic members interconnected by blocks which have a number of fingers extending at different angles onto which the members are located.

The second type of space frame is typically held together by an interferance fit, or a clipping action, 30 between the fingers of the block and the tubular members.

tOThe connection between these parts usually has a small i degree of play, and this is magnified along the length of the meibers with the result that the space frame lacks rigidity. This causes sagging, and limits the unsupported span of the space frame.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly for space frame members, comprising: 7350S 2 1;4nrr, u= rrrr~uruF- rl_ _L _il~l a block having a channel for each member, in use, connected to that assembly; the channels each having walls shaped to retain the end of a member and at least one open end to allow the end of a member to be inserted and removed; a removable cap means to selectively obstruct the open ends of the channels; securing means to secure the cap means to the hlock; and wedging means for each channel; the arrangement being such that, in use, an end of a member is inserted into each channel, the cap means is secured to the block by the securing means to obstruct the open ends of the channels and the 5 wedging means cooperate with the cap means to provide a o wedging action between the walls of the channels and the respective ends of the members to prevent relative movement therebetween.

SPreferably the wedging means are int,-ral to the cap o2 means.

Also preferably, the channels are open on both ends and the cap means comprises two end caps. Optionally, the wedging means includes wedging means for each end of each o "o channel. Also optionally, the securing means secures both end caps to respective ends of the block.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is o° provided a space frame wherein at each node there is such a connector assembly.

Preferably, an end component is attached to each end of 30 the members, and the end component is shaped to be retained o OO by the walls of the channel.

Optionally, at least one of the end components comprises first and second pivot parts, the first pivot part being attached to the end of a member and the second pivot part being shaped to be retained by the walls of the channel; and the first and second pivot parts pivot with respect to each other to permit the member to extend diagonally away from the node.

7350S 3- In this way, play between the members and the connector assemblies is eliminated, and the space frame structure is made rigid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompaiiying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a space frame; Figure 2 is an elevational view of the space frame of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a space frame connector assembly embodying the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a member for use with the connector assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded view of an end component used to interconnect the connector assembly of Figure 3 with the member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an elevational sectional view of part of a the end component of Figure 5 when engaged with the 4 0a ~connector assembly of Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative end component used to interconnect the member of Figure 4 with the connector assembly of Figure 3.

04, 0 4 0 4 0 4444 025 BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, space frame 1 comprises an upper layer 2 comprising chord members 3 and nodes 4, a lower layer 5 comprising chord members 6 and nodes 7, and diagonal members 8 interconnecting nodes of the 30 upper and lower layers. In the space frame shown, the chord 04 members are arranged in square formations with the nodes of each layer offset from each other so the nodes of one layer appear in the centres of the squares of the other layer.

At each node there is a connector 9. All the connectors are identical and must include the facility to connect to four chord members and four diagonal memibers, a total of eight connections in all.

A connector assembly 9 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 3. Connector 9 comprises an 7350S 4 aluminium block 10 having an octagonal, central vertical channel 11 surrounded by eight identical vertical channels 12. Each channel 12 is defined by a back wall 13 which comprises one of the sides of central channel ii. Both sides of each channel 12 comprise a web 14 extending radially out from the corners of the sides of channel 11.

Flanges 15 extend from either side of the distal ends of each web 14, at 22.50 to the web, so that the flanges 15 on either side of each channel 12 point towards each other.

Thus, each channel 12 has a trapezoidal cross-section with a partially open but obstructed front.

End caps 16 and 17 complete the assembly. The end caps (lg.o are octagonal in shape, and each includes wedge-shaped teeth ,4 18. Each of the teeth 18 are arranged to enter a respective :1 5 channel 12. Teeth 18 each have a back face 19 to engage the inner sides of a pair of flanges 15, and a slanted face An octagonal formation 21 is cast into both end caps 16 and 17 to register into channel 11 and ensure teeth 18 enter channels 12.

The end caps are secured to block 10 by means of a l screw 22 which enters through a hole 23 in the centre of cap 16, passes through channel 11, and engages a thread 24 in o the centre of lower cap 17.

The chord and diagonal members include an aluminium rod 25 of generally H-shaped cross-section, as illustrated oo in Figure 4. A screw channel 26 is positioned under the cross member of the to assist in securing rod 25 to an 0 end component.

In a first embodiment, the end component comprises a first pivot part 27 which includes an end face 28 and two radiused flanges 29. Horizontal, registered holes 30 pass through both flanges 29. The end of rod 25 abuts against the end face 28 and a screw hole 31 in face 28 allows a screw to enter screw channel 26 in the rod and tighten the rod to the first pivot part.

A second pivot part 32 includes a base portion 33 with a cross-section which matches that of channels 12. The base portion 33 includes a ramping surface 34, at its top and N bottom edges. Second pivot part 32 also includes a radiused S flange 35 which is penetrated by a horizontal hole 36.

j In use, flange 35 is sandwiched by flanges 29 of the first pivot part and hole 36 registers with holes 30 and a coupling pin 37 is driven into holes 30 and 36 to connect first 27 and second 32 pivot parts together. The first and second pivot parts may then rotate relative to each other about a horizontal axis passing through coupling pin 37.

In use, the chord members and diagonal members have a first pivot part screwed to each end, and a second pivot part coupled to each first pivot part, before the members are assembled into the space frame. This pre-assembly stage may even take place in the workshop before the members are transported to the site. At the site, the second pivot parts at one end of eight members are located in respective channels of a block, and the end caps are secured in place.

When screw 22 is tightened into thread 24 each tooth 18 of both end caps is forced into a respective channel and that slanted surfaces 20 wedge against the ramping surfaces 34 of the second pivot parts, forcing the second pivot parts tightly against the back walls 13 of the channels. This eliminates any play between the second pivot parts 33 and the block 10; see Figure 6.

The second pivot parts at the other ends of the members are then connected to other blocks. The pivotal movement 0.0 0" about coupling pins 24 allows both chord and diagonal members to be arranged ini any desired shape of space frame.

o The pivoting action of the components 27 and 32 allows for, but does not limit the construction to, curved and diagonal link planar arrays. The shape of the space frame being o 30 determined by the relative lengths of the members.

All play is eliminated between the node and its associated members since the screws connecting the first pivot parts 27 to the rods, if properly tightened, will eliminate all play between those two parts; the coupling pins 37, if properly sized, will eliminate all play between the first and second pivot parts; and the teeth 18 will eliminate all play between the second pivot parts 32 and the block 7350S 6- In a second embodiment the end component comprises a single block 38 as shown in Figure 7. This block comprises a base portion 39 with a cross-section which matches that of channels 12, and a ramping surface 40 at its top and bottom edge; similar to base portion 33 and ramping surface 34 of second pivot part 32. Instead of a radiused flange however, this end component comprises a shortened flange 41, which includes a notch 42 to enable it to be inserted into the end of a rod 25; the notch accommodates the cross member of the and the screw channel 26. A hole 43 penetrates the end component 38 and enables a screw to be inserted through it to connect with screw channel 26 and connect the end component to a rod 25. This end component is used with horizontal chord members, particularly in flat space frames, and eliminates the need for components 27, 32 and 37 in that o application. The elimination of components 27, 32 and 37 o° reduces the cost of the space frame and the assembly time.

oo In addition, the use of component 38 ensures greater o0 rigidity to horizontal space frames.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular examples, it should be appreciated that it may be embodied in many other forms. For instance, the chord members need not be arranged in squares, they 0oo could be arranged in triangles or any other convenient shape. It follows that the connector assemblies need not °0 have eight channels, but could have more or less depending o O on the geometry of the space frame.

It should also be appreciated that the connector assemblies need not have two caps, and one cap may be sufficient. It is also not necessary for there to be a o wedging action at both ends of the connector assembly, although this is preferred. It is also not essential for the teeth portions of the end caps of the connector assembly to wedge between the front wall of the channels and the first pivot parts; and they could wedge between the back wall or even one of the side walls.

7350S 7

Claims (9)

1. A connector assembly for space frame members, comprising: a block having a channel for each member, in use, connected to that assembly; the channels each having walls shaped to retain the end of a member and at least one open end to allow the end of a member to be inserted and removed; a removable cap means to selectively obstruct the open ends of the channels; securing means to secure the cap means to the block; r r and wedging means for each channel; 0" the arrangement being such that, in use, an end of a e 4ioo member is inserted into each channel, O the cap means is secured to the block by the securing 0 0 0 means to obstruct the open ends of the channels and the wedging means cooperate with the cap means to provide a wedging action between the walls of the channels and the respective ends of the members to prevent relative movement therebetween. 00 0

2. A connector assembly for space frame members 00,o according to claim 1, wherein the wedging means are integral with the cap means.

3. A connector assembly for space frame members oo0 according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the channels are open at 000 both ends and the cap means comprises two end caps. 060000 0

4. A connector assembly for space frame members according to claim 3, wherein the wedging means includes wedging means for each end of each channel.

A connector assembly for space frame members according to claim 3, wherein the securing means secures both end caps to respective ends of the block.

6. A space frame wherein at each node there is a connector assembly according to any preceding claim.

7. A space frame according to claim 6, wherein an end component is attached to each end of the members, and the end component is shaped to be retained by the walls of a channel. 7350S 8 Y P131 rrrP- -i-li _^ilLilll_-

8. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein at least one end component comprises first and second pivot parts, the first pivot part being attached to the end of a member and the second pivot part being shaped to be retained by the walls of a channel; the first and second pivot parts pivotting with respect to each other to permit the member to extend diagonally away from the node.

9. A connector assembly for space frame members substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. A space frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED 17th day of September 1990 AUSTRALIAN SLATWALL INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD. By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO. 4 0 z 0 o o o uo 0 3 7350S 9 N