FR2627556A1 - ASSEMBLY NODE AND STRUCTURE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH KNOB - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is an assembly node and a structure comprising at least one node according to the invention. This assembly node is remarkable in particular in that it comprises, along an equatorial plane, a hollow central sphere 2 around which are distributed hollow satellite spheres 3, each of the spheres being provided along at least one of their meridian plane, at least one oblong opening 6, 7 through which the head 8 of an end piece of an elongate element 5 is introduced and is secured thereto by rotation in a quarter of a turn around the longitudinal axis of the piece of about. Said head 8 is carried by the rod 10 which comprises the end piece 4, which rod is disposed between the lips of the opening and radially to the sphere.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly node and a

  structure made from nodes according to the invention.

  The three-dimensional, cross-linked structures are made from elongate, most often tubular elements arranged

  by group convergently towards a node to which they

appear.

  For aesthetic reasons, it is sometimes necessary to

  assembly components such as bolts and others,

  tubular connection to the assembly node.

  For these reasons, the assembly nodes are generally

  in the form of a hollow sphere to which

  radial way the different elongated elements.

  The fasteners for securing the element

  Longiline to the sphere, are internal to the latter and therefore invisible. The wall of the hollow sphere is pierced with as many openings as it can receive tubular elements, each of these

  openings being intended to receive the end piece of the ele-

tubular.

  These openings are arranged so as to allow a variation

  angular of the tubular element around the sphere.

  It is advantageous that the assembly node can receive a

  high number of elongated elements and that the angular deflection

  allowed for each of these, which is relatively important.

  This goal can not be attained by the use of a sphere.

  Indeed, the size of the openings of the latter, which

  determines the importance of the angular deflection allowed for the

  tubular element, is necessarily limited by the number of openings. We can not realize with this type of assembly node, a

  fully collapsible structure on itself.

  Such a structure advantageously finds its application in

as a display and other.

  The sphere-type assembly knots have another problem.

  major cause resulting from the fact that the elongate element can be introduced or removed by axial movement, which makes it difficult to replace one or more tubular elements

  after the reticulated structure has been completely erected.

  The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages

  mentioned above by implementing a new node of

  appearance that can receive a large number of tubular elements, allows the folding of the tubular elements into bundles, and allows a placement of the elements as well by movement

axial only by lateral movement.

  For this purpose, the assembly node according to the present invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises in its equatorial plane a hollow central sphere around which are distributed hollow satellite spheres, each of the spheres being provided according to at least one meridian plane of at least one oblong aperture, by which the head of an end piece of

  the elongated element is introduced into the sphere and is solidified

  rotated about a quarter of a turn along the longitudinal axis

dinal of the said piece of about.

  According to another characteristic of the assembly node, the spheres

  satellites have an oblong aperture which is

  loppe following an arc-of-circle equal to or greater than rd and

  equally on both sides of the equatorial plane.

  Other advantages and features of the invention are

  will read the description of a preferred form

  implementation given by way of non-limiting example with reference to

  FIG. 1 is a top view of an assembly node according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line AA of FIG. 1; FIG. front view of an end piece, - Figure 4 is a side view of this end piece,

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the head of the piece of

  end, - Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stem of the

  end piece according to a second embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the piece of

  end according to the second embodiment.

  As shown, the assembly node i according to the invention comprises, according to an equatorial plane, a hollow central sphere 2

  around which are distributed 3-fold satellite spheres

  his. Each sphere is intended to receive a piece of abutment 4 of one of the elongate elements 5 of the reticulated structure and to this

  end is provided according to its meridian plane of at least one opening

  oblong - designated by 6 for the central sphere and 7 for the satellite spheres - by which the head 8 of the coin

  4 is introduced and is secured thereto by rotation following

  a quarter of a turn along the longitudinal axis of said end piece.

  The head is carried by a rod 10 that includes the piece of

  end. This rod 10 is positioned radially to the sphere between the

lips of the opening.

  Preferably, the assembly node comprises eight satellite spheres linked by a veil 9 to the central sphere, this veil

  extending along the equatorial plane of the node.

  Preferably, the assembly node is formed by two

  half-shells 1A juxtaposed and assembled according to the equi-

  torial. Advantageously, these two half-shells are identical.

  The assembly of the two half-shells can be realized by

  any means known to those skilled in the art.

  This is how this assembly can be achieved by welding,

by clipping and other techniques.

  The assembly of the two half-shells can be realized by

screws or rivets.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly node is made of synthetic material but it is obvious that

  may be made of any other suitable material.

  This is how it can be made of metal alloy.

  The central sphere 2 has two openings 6 respectively

  arranged on either side of the equatorial plane of the node.

  In the preferred embodiment, the satellite spheres have only one meridian opening 7, which extends from

  equal on both sides of the equatorial plane, preferably

  it follows an arc-circumference of equal or greater value than rd so that the abutment piece 4 and its elongate element 5 can describe with respect to the sphere,

  following a meridian plane, an angle equal to or greater than rd.

  It is therefore conceivable that the elongated elements that can receive the assembly node can be gathered in bundles of a

  side and the other side of the equatorial plane.

  Such a node which furthermore allows a wide angular deployment of the elongated elements allows the production of foldable structures. Preferably, the oblong opening 7 of each satellite sphere 3 projected on the equatorial plane flares outwards so as to allow an angular displacement of the abutment piece 4

  and its elongate element 5 according to the equatorial plane or

  a plan parallel to it.

  Preferably, the lip of the opening 7 of each satellite sphere

  lite 3 develops largely according to two intersecting planes Pl, P2 normal to the equatorial plane of the node so that the abutment piece and its elongate element, by pressing the rod 10 against the lip, can evolve parallel to the 'either

secant plane.

  Preferably, one of the secant planes of each satellite sphere, the plane P2, is parallel to the meridian plane of the node

containing the center of the sphere.

  Still according to the preferred embodiment, the plane angle formed by the two secant planes P1 and P2 has the value rd / n o

  "n" is the number of satellite spheres.

  In addition, the satellite spheres 3 are distributed in pairs around the central sphere 2 and the two spheres of the same pair

  are arranged symmetrically with respect to the bisecting plane

  P3 of the dihedron formed by the meridian half-planes of the node respectively containing the center of one of the spheres and the

center of the other.

  The secant plane P1 is parallel to the bisecting plane P3 and the value of the difference between the plane P1 and the plane P3 'parallel to the plane P3 and containing the center of the sphere is equal to the value at the radius of the rod 10 if this the latter is cylindrical or at its half thickness if it is not so that the two elongate elements associated with the two abutting pieces cooperating with the two associated spheres can come side by side

  and remain so regardless of their angular position

port to the equatorial plane of the node.

  It is therefore possible, thanks to these provisions to group by

pair the elongated elements.

  The abutment piece 4 comprises a head 8 carried by a rod 10 extended axially by a shaft 11 to which the element is connected.

  5. The end of the barrel opposite the head

  a concave surface 12 intended to come into contact with the outer face of the sphere on either side of the opening and the head 8 opposite the concave surface 12 of the barrel 11 has a convex surface 13 intended to come into contact with contact with the face

  internal sphere on both sides of the opening.

  Preferably, the convex surface 13 of the head 8 is a

  spherical surface portion of the same radius as the spherical surface

that internal sphere.

  Still according to the preferred embodiment, the concave face 12 of the barrel 11 develops along a cylindrical surface portion, the axis of this surface being normal to the axis of the barrel

and transverse to the head.

  As a variant, the concave face 12 of the barrel 11 develops along a spherical surface portion of the same radius as that of the

outer surface of the sphere.

  These two concave and convex surfaces are intended to slide cooperatively with respectively the outer and inner face of the sphere. According to the preferred embodiment, the head 8 marries the

  outline of a semicircle and has a constant thickness.

  Due to its shape and the fact that the opening is deployed in a relatively high arc-decirconference, it is possible to introduce the head in the sphere as well by axial displacement, ie along the axis of the element, only by lateral movement, allowing the removal or placement of an elongated element after the structure has been

completely erected.

  Preferably, the abutment piece 4 is mounted by its shaft 11 freely in rotation about its axis and is fixed in axial translation to its elongate element 5, which allows the rotational maneuvering of said abutment piece independently. of

the elongated element 5.

  According to the preferred embodiment, the barrel 11 of the abutment piece engages axially in the elongated element 5 which may be tubular and has at its end a perimetrical groove 14 of semicircular cross-section in which is deformed to using any means known the corresponding section

of the elongated element 5.

  It is obvious that this deformation is carried out in such a way as to keep at the right place its freedom in rotation around

its axis.

  Preferably, the shaft 11 is not completely covered by. the elongate element and present between the end of this element and its end facing the head a series of

  protrusions 15 and longitudinal recesses 16 constituting members of pre-

  hension. According to a preferred embodiment, the head 8 of each end piece 4 and each satellite sphere at least comprise means for positioning one with respect to the other, these means positioning the head transversely to the opening and following a normal diameter at one or other secant plane P1 or P2 in which largely develops the lip of the opening.

  According to the preferred embodiment, the positioning means

  of the head in the sphere are constituted by at least

  two recesses 17 internal to the sphere, arranged in opposition

-2627556

  a normal diameter, either at P1 or P2 and by two pins 18 of the head 8 respectively engaging in the recesses 17 by rotation of the head a quarter of a turn in the

  sphere around the longitudinal axis of the end piece 5.

  Preferably, each satellite sphere 3 has four

  internal recesses 17, two of which are arranged in opposite

  a diameter normal to P1 and the other two are

  following a normal diameter at P2.

  According to the preferred embodiment, the pins 18 of the head

  8 whose outline is in the shape of a semicircle are

  on the diametrical edge of this contour.

  Still according to the preferred embodiment, the head of each end piece comprises an open hollow body 8A in which is housed a resilient member 88 which externally to the

  body 8A, carries the two pins 18 of the head 8.

  Advantageously, the elastic member is in the general form of an omega, the branches 8C of the omega each being terminated by a pin 18 and being external to the body of the head. The elastic member as conceived is intended to maintain

the pins 18 in the hollows.

  Each branch 8C of the elastic member has two opposite longitudinal grooves 8D forming a dihedral whose edge 8E is

  arranged according to the diameter of the semicircle shape

feel the head 8.

  In addition, this edge is intended to be positioned next

the diameter of the hollows.

  This arrangement in combination with the fact that the head 8

  marries the outline of a semicircle, allows assembly in each

  that sphere of two pieces of about which each will be able to come

  perpendicular to the other regardless of the posi-

  angle of the other with respect to the equatorial plane.

  Thus, a node with nine spheres, that is to say a central sphere and eight satellite spheres can receive up to 18 elongated elements that can be collected in bundles

  on both sides of the equatorial plane.

  We previously described a node whose opening lip of each satellite sphere develops largely following

two planes P1 and P2 intersecting.

  According to another embodiment, the lip of the aperture of each satellite sphere develops largely according to

  two parallel planes Pi and P2 normal to the equatorial plane,

  symmetrically on both sides of the meridian plane of the

  node passing through the center of the satellite sphere.

  In combination with the above-mentioned characteristic, the stem of the head of each end piece is threaded and engages in an axial threading made in the barrel 11 so that after placing the head in the .sphere and screwing of the barrel, the concave face of the end of the latter and the convex face of

  the head are in pressure respectively against the outer face

  ne and the inner face of the sphere, which realizes a blocking of the abutment piece and its elongate element relative to the

assembly node.

  It is necessary that during screwing, the head remains next

  a position transverse to the opening.

  For this reason, the stem 10 of the abutment piece is shaped so as to be able to turn on itself in the opening as a quarter turn before locking against the lip of

the said opening.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the rod of the piece of

  end has a square cross section of which two opposing vertices are rounded to a quarter radius circumference

  equal to the mid-length of each side of the square.

  The length of each side of the square is substantially equal or

  little less than the width of the opening.

  The rotation of the rod 10 is allowed when the roundings are

  gage towards the lips and the blockage. intervenes when the dishes that this section presents abut against the lip of the opening. The assembly node as described allows the realization of

  three-dimensional foldable and non-foldable

  ble. In addition, the arrangements of the assembly node allow the

  replacing one or more elements of a structure already erected

Gee.

  It goes without saying that the present invention can accommodate any

  and all variants without departing from the realm of

this patent.

Claims (1)

  R1 / Node assembly (1) characterized in that it comprises   an equatorial plane, a hollow central sphere (2) around which satellite hollow spheres (3) are distributed, each of the spheres being provided according to at least one of their meridian plane, of at least one. oblong opening (6),   (7) whereby the head (8) of an end piece of an element   long line (5) is introduced and is attached to it by   rotation about a quarter of a turn around the longitudinal axis   of the end piece, said head (8) being carried by a rod (10) which comprises the abutment piece (4), which   rod is disposed between the lips of the opening and radial- to the sphere.   R2 / assembly knot according to claim 1 characterized in that the openings (7) oblong satellite spheres (3) develop in an equal or greater arc-of-circle   rd and equally on either side of the equitable torial of the node (1).   R3 / assembly knot according to claim 1 characterized in that the satellite spheres (3) are connected by a web (9) to the central sphere (2), the web extending along the plane equatorial of the node.   R4 / assembly knot according to claim 1 characterized in that the contour of the oblong opening (7) of each satellite sphere (3) projected on the equatorial plane flares outward so as to allow an angular deflection the end piece and the elongated element according to the plan   equatorial or following a plane parallel to it.   R5 / Node assembly according to claim 4 characterized in that the lip of the opening of each satellite sphere (3) develops largely in two planes (P1), P2)   normal secants at the equatorial plane of the node.   R6 / Assembly knot according to claims 4 and 5.   in that one of the planes along which the lip of the opening of each sphere (3) develops is parallel to the   meridian plane of the node containing the center of the said sphere.   R7 / assembly knot according to claim 5 characterized in that the plane angle formed by the two secant planes following   which largely develops the lip of the opening   re of each sphere, has the value rd / n o "n" is the number of satellite spheres.   R8 / assembly node according to claim 1 characterized in that the satellite spheres (3) are distributed in pairs around the central sphere.   R9 / assembly knot according to claim 8 characterized in that the spheres (3) of each pair are arranged so   symmetrical with respect to the bisecting plane (P3) of the dihedron   by the meridian half-planes of the node containing respectively the   the center of one of the spheres and the center of the other.   R10O / assembly knot according to claims 6, 8 and 9 of which   the lip of the aperture (7) of each satellite sphere (3) develops largely according to two secant planes (Pi), (P2), one of which is parallel to the meridian plane of the node   containing the center of the sphere and whose satellite spheres   lites are grouped in pairs around the central sphere and whose two spheres forming the above-mentioned pair are   arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane bis-   sector (P3) characterized in that the other secant plane follows   where the lip of the aperture of each sphere of the above-mentioned pair develops in part is parallel to the bisecting plane, and the value of the gap between this other secant plane and the plane (P3 ') parallel to the bisecting plane (P3) and containing the center of the sphere is equal to the value of the radius of the stem of the head of the end piece, if it is cylindrical or at its half thickness, of   in order that the end pieces (4) and their tubular element   (5) associated with the above-mentioned pair can come to   parallel to each other, side by side   you and remain so regardless of their angular position   relative to the equatorial plane of the node.   R11 / Assembly knot according to Claim 1, characterized in   it has eight spheres (4) satellites (3) distributed   around a central sphere (2).   R12 / assembly knot according to claim 1 characterized in that it is formed by two half-shells juxtaposed and   assembled in an equatorial plane.   R13 / Assembly knot according to Claim 12, characterized in   what the two half-shells are identical.   R14 / Node assembly according to claim i wherein each hollow sphere is intended to cooperate with an end piece (4) having a head (8) carried by a rod (10) of the end piece characterized in that said end piece comprises a shaft (11) axially extending the rod to which the elongate element (5) connects, that the end of the barrel opposite the head has a concave surface (12) intended to come into contact with the outer surface of the sphere on either side of the opening and that the head   opposite the concave surface of the barrel has a surface   this convex (13) to which is rooted the stem which is des-   tined to come into contact with the inner face of the sphere on both sides of the opening.   R15 / assembly knot according to claim 1 characterized in that the head of each end piece and each satellite sphere comprise at least positioning means of one relative to the other, these means positioning the head transversely at the opening and following a diameter of the normal sphere at one or the other following secant plane   which partly develops the lip of the opening.   R16 / Node assembly according to claim 15 characterized in that the positioning means of the head in the sphere are constituted by at least two hollow (17) internal to the sphere arranged in opposition along a diameter, and   by two pins (18) of the head (8)   respectively in the recesses (17) by rotation of the head   in the sphere following a quarter turn along the longitudinal axis   tudinal of the end piece, the diameter along which are arranged the two hollows being perpendicular to one or   the other secant plane (Pi, P2) of the lip of the opening.   R17 / assembly knot according to claim 16 characterized in that each satellite sphere (3) has four recesses (17), two of which are arranged in an opposite manner according to a diameter normal to one of the secant planes and the other two are arranged in opposite fashion according to a diameter normal to the other secant plane.   R18 / Assembly knot according to claims 14 and 16,   in that the head (8) substantially matches the   turn of a semicircle, the pins (18) being arranged the diametrical edge of the contour.   R19 / Assembly knot according to claims 14 and 16,   characterized in that the head (8) of each end piece (4) comprises a hollow body (8A) in which is housed a resilient member (8B) which bears externally to the body the two pins (18) of the head (8).   R20 / assembly knot according to claim 19 characterized in that the elastic member (8B) is in the form   omega, the branches of the omega (8C) being ter-   each mined by a pin (18) and being external to the body of the head (8).   R21 / Node assembly according to claim 20 characterized in that each branch of the resilient member (8B) has two longitudinal chamfers (8C) forming dihedral whose edge (8E) is arranged along the diameter of the   semicircular shape of the head.   R22 / Assembly knot according to Claim 1 and the claim   14 characterized in that the end piece by its shaft (11l) is mounted freely in rotation about its axis relative to the elongated element (5) and is fixed in   axial translation with respect to the elongate element (5).   R23 / assembly knot according to claim i characterized in that the lip of the opening (7) of each sphere (3) develops largely in two parallel planes normal to the equatorial plane symmetrically arranged on both sides. other of the meridian plane of the node passing through the center of the sphere.   R24 / assembly knot according to claim 14 characterized in that the rod (10) of the head is threaded and engages in an axial threading made in the barrel so that after installation of the head ( 8) in the sphere and screwing of the barrel (11), the concave face (12) of the end of the latter and the convex face (13) of the head (8) are in pressure respectively against the outer face and the inner face of the sphere.   R25 / Fitting knot according to claims 23 and 24, characterized   characterized in that the rod (10) of the head (8) of the abutment piece has a square cross section of which two   opposing vertices are rounded to a quarter circumference   radius equal to half the length of each side of the   square and that the length of each side of the square is sen-   equal to the width of the opening of the sphere, which makes it possible to block the head in position in the sphere before screwing the sheath.   R26 / Structure characterized in that it comprises at least one   knot (1) according to claims 1 to 25.