GB2026121A

GB2026121A - Joints for space frames

Info

Publication number: GB2026121A
Application number: GB7829911A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BLACKS OF GREENOCK Ltd
Current assignee: BLACKS OF GREENOCK Ltd
Priority date: 1978-07-14
Filing date: 1978-07-14
Publication date: 1980-01-30

Abstract

A joint for a space frame e.g. for a tent, comprising a pair of similar members, preferably of nylon, each of which defines a support for a frame member (9), the similar members (1) each having a projecting flange (2), and a knuckle joint portion, the arrangement being such that when the knuckle joint portions of the pair of similar members are assembled together they can be interconnected by and articulated on a further cylindrical frame member (9) received in aligned bores in the knuckle joint portions, the respective flanges being arranged to be secured together (e.g. by bolts or rivets) to fix the similar members in one position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Joints for space frames The invention relates to space frames and more particularly to joints for space frames.

It is an object of the invention to provide a joint for a space frame employing a small number of parts and which is readily adaptable to suit different requirements. It is another object of the invention to provide a joint for a space frame in which the axes of all of the members of the space frame to be secured by the joint meet at a point, rather than being offset as is the case with some known joints. Such a consideration is important in some applications, particularly where the appearance of the space frame has to be considered, as is the case with display frames.

According to the invention there is provided a joint for a space frame comprising a pair of similar members each of which defines a support for a frame member, the similar members each having a projecting flange, and a knuckle joint portion, the arrangement being such that when the knuckle joint portions of the pair of similar members are assembled together they can be interconnected by and articulate on a cylindrical frame member received in aligned bores in the knuckle joint portions, the respective flanges being arranged to be secured together to fix the similar members in one position.

Normally the frame members will all be cylindrical, preferably tubular, members of a common external diameter and the supports in the similar members will be sockets arranged for reception of the ends of two of the frame members. Advantageously the similar members are identical. Preferably the flanges overlap in operation and are disposed in face-to-face relationship when the similar members are assembled together so that they can be secured together in any convenient manner, eg, by drilling through the two flanges and securing them together with a rivet or bolt. If desired the flanges can carry one or more further support members for receiving the ends of further frame members.Such a further support member is preferably in the form of a socketed member which has a bifurcated portion adapted to straddle the flanges and to be secured thereby, eg, by the rivet or bolt used to secure the two flanges together. The further support member or members may be articulated on the flanges.

The frame members may be secured to the joint in any convenient fashion, eg, by being frictionally received in the sockets or by being positively engaged by spring loaded detent members. Advantageously the joint may be made from a plastics material, such for example as Nylon.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a space frame joint according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further joint portion for optional use with the joint of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of part of the joint of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view of the joint part shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the joint part shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In the drawings a joint for a space frame, eg, for a tent or awning or for a display frame comprises a pair of identical joint members (1) each of which is formed with a knuckle joint portion (5) comprising a pair of spaced annular members (6) and (7) formed with aligned bores (8), a body portion (3) extending from the knuckle joint portion and formed with a cylindrical socket (4) and a flange (2) extending from the body portion. The axis of the bore (8) is normal to the axis of the socket (4) and the flange (2) extends axially of the socket but is slightly offset for the purpose which will appear later.

The arrangement is such that two of the joint members (1) may be assembled together so that the knuckle joint portions (5) inter-engage whereupon a tubular frame member (9) may be inserted through the aligned bores (8) in the respective knuckle joint parts so that the two joint parts (1 ) are articulated together. In this condition the two projecting flanges (2) overlap one another and are in face to face contact so that the joint parts can be secured in a fixed position by joining the two flanges together, eg, by bolting or riveting. Furthertubularframe members may be received in the sockets (4) and a still further tubular frame member may be secured to the joint as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.In this figure a joint member (10) comprises a socketed portion (13) for receiving the end of a tubular frame member (9), the free end of the joint member (10) being slotted so as to be able to straddle the combined width of the two overlapping flanges (2) and be secured thereto by means of a bolt or pin passing through aligned bores (12) in the member (10).

In this manner a joint is provided in which the axes of all of the frame members meet at a point in the centre of the joint. Also the angle subtended by the axes of the two frame members received in the sockets (4) of the joint parts (1 ) may be varied to suit different circumstances.

In an alternative arrangement the spaced annular members (6) and (7) of the knuckle joint portions are arranged to be identical rather than being of different external diameters as is shown in the embodiment described above, so that no abutment faces are formed limiting pivoting of the joint members (1) in one direction whereby the joint members (1) are free to pivot relative to one another beyond a position in which the axes of the sockets (4) are aligned.

1. A joint for a space frame comprising a pair of similar members each of which defines a support for a frame member, the similar members each having a projecting flange, and a knuckle joint portion, the arrangement being such that when the knuckle joint portions of the pair of similar members are assembled together they can be interconnected by and articulate on a cylindrical frame member received in aligned bores in the knuckle joint portions, the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Joints for space frames The invention relates to space frames and more particularly to joints for space frames. It is an object of the invention to provide a joint for a space frame employing a small number of parts and which is readily adaptable to suit different requirements. It is another object of the invention to provide a joint for a space frame in which the axes of all of the members of the space frame to be secured by the joint meet at a point, rather than being offset as is the case with some known joints. Such a consideration is important in some applications, particularly where the appearance of the space frame has to be considered, as is the case with display frames. According to the invention there is provided a joint for a space frame comprising a pair of similar members each of which defines a support for a frame member, the similar members each having a projecting flange, and a knuckle joint portion, the arrangement being such that when the knuckle joint portions of the pair of similar members are assembled together they can be interconnected by and articulate on a cylindrical frame member received in aligned bores in the knuckle joint portions, the respective flanges being arranged to be secured together to fix the similar members in one position. Normally the frame members will all be cylindrical, preferably tubular, members of a common external diameter and the supports in the similar members will be sockets arranged for reception of the ends of two of the frame members. Advantageously the similar members are identical. Preferably the flanges overlap in operation and are disposed in face-to-face relationship when the similar members are assembled together so that they can be secured together in any convenient manner, eg, by drilling through the two flanges and securing them together with a rivet or bolt. If desired the flanges can carry one or more further support members for receiving the ends of further frame members.Such a further support member is preferably in the form of a socketed member which has a bifurcated portion adapted to straddle the flanges and to be secured thereby, eg, by the rivet or bolt used to secure the two flanges together. The further support member or members may be articulated on the flanges. The frame members may be secured to the joint in any convenient fashion, eg, by being frictionally received in the sockets or by being positively engaged by spring loaded detent members. Advantageously the joint may be made from a plastics material, such for example as Nylon. The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a space frame joint according to the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a further joint portion for optional use with the joint of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of part of the joint of Figure 1. Figure 4 is an end view of the joint part shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of the joint part shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the drawings a joint for a space frame, eg, for a tent or awning or for a display frame comprises a pair of identical joint members (1) each of which is formed with a knuckle joint portion (5) comprising a pair of spaced annular members (6) and (7) formed with aligned bores (8), a body portion (3) extending from the knuckle joint portion and formed with a cylindrical socket (4) and a flange (2) extending from the body portion. The axis of the bore (8) is normal to the axis of the socket (4) and the flange (2) extends axially of the socket but is slightly offset for the purpose which will appear later. The arrangement is such that two of the joint members (1) may be assembled together so that the knuckle joint portions (5) inter-engage whereupon a tubular frame member (9) may be inserted through the aligned bores (8) in the respective knuckle joint parts so that the two joint parts (1 ) are articulated together. In this condition the two projecting flanges (2) overlap one another and are in face to face contact so that the joint parts can be secured in a fixed position by joining the two flanges together, eg, by bolting or riveting. Furthertubularframe members may be received in the sockets (4) and a still further tubular frame member may be secured to the joint as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.In this figure a joint member (10) comprises a socketed portion (13) for receiving the end of a tubular frame member (9), the free end of the joint member (10) being slotted so as to be able to straddle the combined width of the two overlapping flanges (2) and be secured thereto by means of a bolt or pin passing through aligned bores (12) in the member (10). In this manner a joint is provided in which the axes of all of the frame members meet at a point in the centre of the joint. Also the angle subtended by the axes of the two frame members received in the sockets (4) of the joint parts (1 ) may be varied to suit different circumstances. In an alternative arrangement the spaced annular members (6) and (7) of the knuckle joint portions are arranged to be identical rather than being of different external diameters as is shown in the embodiment described above, so that no abutment faces are formed limiting pivoting of the joint members (1) in one direction whereby the joint members (1) are free to pivot relative to one another beyond a position in which the axes of the sockets (4) are aligned. CLAIMS

1. A joint for a space frame comprising a pair of similar members each of which defines a support for a frame member, the similar members each having a projecting flange, and a knuckle joint portion, the arrangement being such that when the knuckle joint portions of the pair of similar members are assembled together they can be interconnected by and articulate on a cylindrical frame member received in aligned bores in the knuckle joint portions, the respective flanges being arranged to be secured together to fix the similar members in one position.

2. A joint according to claim 1, wherein the frame members are cylindrical, and the supports in the similar members are sockets arranged for reception of the ends of frame members.

3. Ajoint according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the similar members are identical.

4. A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein flanges overlap and are disposed in face to face relationship when the similar members are assembled together so that they can be secured together in any convenient manner.

5. A joint according to any preceding claim, comprising a further support member for receiving the end of a further frame member arranged to be mounted on the flange orflanges.

6. A joint according to claim 5, wherein the further support member is in the form of a socketed member which has a bifurcated portion adapted to straddle the flange or flanges and to be secured thereto.

7. A joint for a space frame substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.