GB2130676A

GB2130676A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2130676A
Application number: GB08326319A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bliquy Michael Christoff De
Original assignee: G M T SPACEFRAMES
Current assignee: G M T SPACEFRAMES
Priority date: 1982-11-01
Filing date: 1983-09-30
Publication date: 1984-06-06
Also published as: GB8326319D0

Abstract

A space frame connector includes a first member (10) with lugs (22) which in use are engaged with diagonal elements of the frame, a cruciform member (12), and a third member (14) which is secured to the first member with the cruciform member non-rotatably clamped therebetween. The cruciform member (12) has formations (30) which receive the ends of cord elements 18 which are restrained against withdrawal by studs (20) which are engaged with the elements and at least one of the three members (10, 12, 14). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector This invention relates to space frames connectors.

A space frame consists of a plurality of diagonal elements or members and a plurality of what are referred to as cord elements or members connected to each other at nodal points to provide a three dimensional structure suited, for example, to support a roof.

The invention provides a connector which includes first, second and third members, means for securing the members to each other with the second member located between the first and third members, at least the second member including formations for receiving ends of support members, and means for securing the support members to at least one of the three members.

The second member may be formed integrally with the first, or the third member. If this is not the case and the second member is formed separately from the first and third members then preferably the first and second members are formed with interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation of the two members. The formations may be so located and shaped that, prior to the members being secured to each other, their relative angular positions may be adjusted. The interengaging formations may comprise protrusions and complemental cavities formed in the respective members.

The second and third members may similarly be formed with interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation of the two members.

At least one of the first and third members may be formed with formations for engagement with support members. Each formation may take on any suitable form and may comprise sockets, spigots or the like which are engageable with ends of diagonal space frame elements or members. In one form of the invention the formations consists of lugs to which ends of the diagonal elements are secured.

The second member in plan may be substantially of a cruciform shape.

The members may be secured to each other by means of a bolt which passes centrally through the three members.

The means for securing the support members may include studs, bolts, pins or the like which are engageable with at least one of the first and third members, preferably both, and which prevent withdrawal of the respective support members from the second member. The formations of the second member may prevent pivotal movement of the respective support members relatively to the second member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a space frame connector or nodal element which includes a first connecting member which is superimposed on a second with the first member carrying a plurality of radially positioned lugs to which ends of elongate diagonal elements of the space frame can be connected and the second member carrying in its surface which abuts the first member a plurality of radially directed cavities in which formations on ends of elongate cord elements of the frame can be located, means for clamping the first and second members together to lock the cord end formations in the connector, and formations on the two members for locking the members together against relative rotational movement when clamped together.

According to a different aspect of the invention there is provided a connector which includes a first member, a plurality of formations on or in the first member for engagement with a respective plurality of elongate support members, a cruciform second member, a third member, means for securing the three members together with the second member non-rotatably clamped between the first and third members, the second member being adapted to engage with ends of a plurality of elongate support members, which ends are located between the first and third members, and means for preventing disengagement of the said ends of the support members from the second member.

The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is an exploded view in perspective of a connector according to the invention.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a connector according to the invention which includes first, second and third members designated 10, 1 2 and 14 respectively, anchors 16, anchors 18, and retaining studs 20.

The first member 10 includes four spaced radially extending angled pairs of lugs 22. Each pair of lugs receives one of the anchors 1 6 and a bolt 24 which passes through registering holes in the lugs and the anchor is used to retain the anchor in position. A nut 26 is engageable with the protruding threaded end of the bolt.

The second member 1 2 is of cruciform shape and includes a number of studs 28 which project from the member 12 on each of its sides. The studs may be integral with the member 12 or be friction fitted or secured in any other suitable way to the member 12. Cavities 30 between the arms of the cruciform member are shaped closely to receive the anchors 1 8 which are complementally shaped. Each anchor 18 includes a hole 32 which closely receives one of the studs 20. The anchor 18, as is the case with the anchor 16, has a threaded shank.

The third member 14 has eight evenly distributed holes 34. The holes 34 and 32, and the studs 28 and 20 are all substantially of the same diameter.

The underside of the first member 10 is not visible in the drawing. The underside is however formed with eight evenly spaced cavities of circular cross-section which are designed to receive the studs 20 or 28 respectively.

In use of the connector of the invention the anchors 1 6 are threadedly engaged with ends of diagonal elements or members of a support frame.

The design of the anchors 1 6 is such as to allow the angular disposition of the diagonals to be adjusted relatively to the connector. The threaded shanks of the anchors 18 are engaged with ends of cord members of the space frame structure. The cruciform member 12 is orientated as desired relatively to the first member 10 so that the cavities 30 are either directly alongside or adjacent the lug formations 22 or alternatively are positioned between the lug formations. In other words the diagonal and cord elements of the space frame structure may effectively be in register or offset relatively to each other as desired.

When the second member 12 is brought into contact with the undersurface of the first member 10 the studs 28 on the upper surface of the second member engage with the complemental cavities in the undersurface of the first member. In similar fashion every other hole 34 of the third member is engageable with one of the studs 28 which protrudes from the underside of the second member 12. Thus the three members are nonrotatably securable to each other. The anchors 1 8 are insertable into the cavities 30 and because of the close fit between these two components relative rotation of the anchors with respect to the cruciform is prevented.The studs 20 are engaged with the holes 32 in the anchors 1 8 and protruding ends of the studs, on opposed surfaces of the anchors, are engageable with the cavities in the underside of the first member 10 and with the holes 34 in the third member 14. It should be pointed out at this stage that the member 14 has been described as having holes 34. Clearly the holes could be replaced by cavities. In this latter case it follows that the anchors 1 8 with the studs 20 in position are engaged with the cavities 30 of the cruciform member 12 and the three members 10, 12 and 14 are then superimposed the one on the other with the protruding ends of the studs fitted into the cavities in the undersurface of the first member 10 and into the cavities 34 in the upper surface of the third member 14.

With the three members located one above the other a bolt 36 is passed through central registering holes collectively designated 38 in the three members and a nut 40 is threadedly engaged with the protruding threaded end of the bolt 36 so as to clamp the three members together. The anchors 1 8 are thereby secured against withdrawal and a firm and secure bond of the cord elements or members of the space frame structure is achieved at the nodal point formed by the connector of the invention. The diagonal elements are, as pointed out, secured to the lug formations 22 as desired.

The member 14 has no provision for the secural of diagonal or cord space frame elements or members. It falls within the scope of the invention however to replace the member 14 with a member which is substantially the same as the member 10 so that additional diagonal elements can be secured to the nodal point. In this form of the invention twelve elongate elements can be secured together.

Another variation which comes to mind is that the studs 20 and 28 can be replaced by cavities and the cavities or holes in the first and third members can be replaced by complementary studs. Again a secure bond between the components of the connector is easily achieved.

The member 12 has been described as being separate from the members 10 and 14. It could of course be formed integrally with or otherwise be fixed permanently to either of the members 10 and 14. This arrangement does however, reduce the versatiiity of the connector in that the relative disposition of the respective members cannot be angularly adjusted.

The lug formations 22 are not essential and can be replaced by any other suitable connecting arrangement to which the diagonals of the space frame structure can be attached.

The various members can be formed by any suitable technique and preferably are formed by production moulding.

Claims

1. A connector which includes first, second and third members, means for securing the members to each other with the second member located between the first and third members, at least the second member including formations for receiving ends of support members, and means for securing the support members to at least one of the three members.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the second member is formed integrally with the first, or the third member.

3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the first and second members are formed with interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation of the two members.

4. A connector according to claim 1 or 3 wherein the second and third members are formed with interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation of the two members.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one of the first and third members is formed with formations for engagement with support members.

6. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the second member in plan is substantially of cruciform shape.

7. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the means for securing the members to each other includes a bolt which passes centrally through the three members.

8. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the means for securing the support members includes studs or the like which are engageable with at least one of the first and third members and which prevent withdrawal of the respective support members from the second member, the said formations on the second member preventing pivotal movement of the respective support members relatively to the second member.

9. A connector which includes a first connecting member which is superimposed on a second member with the first member carrying a plurality of radially positioned lugs to which the ends of elongate diagonal elements of a space frame can be connected and the second member carrying in its surface which abuts the first member a plurality of radially directed cavities in which formations on ends of elongate cord elements of the frame can be located, means for clamping the first and second members together to lock the cord end formations in the connector, and formations on the two members for locking the members together against relative rotational movement when clamped together.

10. A connector which includes a first member, a plurality of formations on or in the first member for engagement with a respective plurality of elongate support members, a cruciform second member, a third member, means for securing the three members together with the second member non-rotatably clamped between the first and third members, the second member being adapted to engage with ends of a plurality of elongate support members, which ends are located between the first and third members, and means for preventing disengagement of the said ends of the support members from the second member.

11. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.