GB2138195A

GB2138195A - A spaceframe for a display

Info

Publication number: GB2138195A
Application number: GB08310322A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin John Stewart Stephenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-04-15
Filing date: 1983-04-15
Publication date: 1984-10-17
Also published as: GB8310322D0

Abstract

The spaceframe comprises connectors 10 and struts 11 and 12. Each connector has two identical parts 13 and 14 which when brought together define therebetween a plurality of angularly spaced elongate passages 17, the longitudinal extents of which lie in a single plane, for receiving ends of first struts 11. The passages 17 and struts 11 have interengaging means in the form of projections 22 and recesses or holes 21 to prevent the removal of the ends of the struts 11 from respective passages when the two connector parts are clamped together. The connector parts each have a plurality of apertures 19 extending transversely to the aforesaid plane and aligned with the apertures in the other part for receiving the ends of second struts 12. Nuts 26 or clips are provided to secure the ends of the struts (12) to the connector and to clamp the two parts together. Central struts 27 may be used to suspend the spaceframe from a ceiling or roof or support it from the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A spaceframe The invention relates to a spaceframe, e.g. for a display or the like.

According to the invention, a spaceframe comprises connectors and struts, each connector having two parts which when brought together define therebetween a plurality of angularly spaced elongate passages, the longitudinal extents of which lie in a single plane, for receiving ends of first struts, the passages and first struts having interengaging means to prevent the removal of the ends of the first struts from respective passages when the two connector parts are clamped together, the connector parts each having a plurality of apertures extending transversely to the aforesaid plane and aligned with the apertures in the other part for receiving the ends of second struts, and means for securing the ends of the second struts to the connector and for clamping the two parts together.

Preferably, each connector has four equi-angularly spaced elongate passages and four equi-angularly spaced apertures, and advantageously, the axis of each aperture intersects a line bisecting the angle between an adjacent pair of elongate passages.

Preferably, the first struts have an annular projection adjacent each end and each passage has an annular recess or hole for receiving the annular projection on the end of a first strut.

Preferably, the ends of the second struts are screw-threaded and have an abutment spaced from each end.

Preferably, the first struts are rectilinear and the second struts have parallel oppositely facing ends connected by a body which extends at an angle to both ends.

Advantageously, the two connector parts are plastics injection mouldings but may be, for example, die-cast in metal. However, both parts are preferably identical to simplify manufacture.

Conveniently, the struts are solid metal rods.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of part of a spaceframe according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the spaceframe of Figure 1, connected together, Figure 3 shows one of the horizontal struts, and Figure 4 shows one cf the angled struts.

Referring to the drawing, the spaceframe shown therein comprises connectors 10 (only one of which is shown), horizontal struts 11, and angled struts 12.

Each connector comprises two identical parts 13 and 14 which may be injection moulded in plastics material or die-cast in metal. Each part 13, 14 is disc-like and has a large central aperture 15 and an associated collar 16. Each part 13, 14 also has four semi-circular grooves 17 defined by raised archshaped portions 18 on its outer face; the portions 18 extend radially outwards from the collar 16 to the peripheral edge of the part and are equi-angularly spaced. In addition, each part 13,14 has four small apertures 19 with associated collars 20; the axes of the apertures 19 intersecting lines which bisect the angle between adjacent pairs of grooves 17.

When the parts 13and 14are broughttogether with the grooves 17 of the two parts in alignment, the grooves define four cylindrical passages which receive end portions of four horizontal struts 11. In order to prevent removal of the end portions of the struts 11 from the passages, each passage has an annular recess or hole 21 about midway along its length for locating an annular projection 22 on the end portion of its respective strut. The recess or hole 21 may as shown extend through the wail of the two arch-like portions 18 and the annular projection 22 may be provided by a bush shrunk onto the end portion of the strut 11.

The angled struts 12 have screw-threaded end portions 23 which are able to pass through a pair of aligned apertures 19 of the two connector parts 13 and 14. At the inner end of each screw-threaded end portion 23, there is a stop 24 which may be formed by a threaded nut or washer. The two end portions 23 of each strut 12 extend parallel to one another and in opposite directions but are offset laterally from one another and connected by a body part 25 which extends at an angle, e.g. at 45", to the end portions 23.

The struts 11 and 12 are preferably of metal and solid.

End portions 23 of four angled struts pass through the four pairs of aligned apertures 19 in the connector and the stops 24 contact the outer face of the part 14. When the horizontal struts 11 have been located in the passages defined by the grooves 17, the parts 13 and 14 are clamped together by nuts 26 which are screwed onto the threaded end portions of the angled struts 12 and, of course, the nuts will fix the struts 12 to the connector 10 as well as clamping the struts 11 between the connector parts 13 and 14.

A spaceframe can be built up of connectors and struts, the connectors being arranged in two layers with struts 11 connecting the connectors in each layer and struts 12 connecting the connectors of one layer with the connectors of the other layer. Because of angled nature of the struts 12 the connectors of one layer will be horizontally staggered relative to the connectors of the other layer.

If it is desired to suspend the spaceframe from a ceiling or roof or support it from the gound, optional support struts 27 can be inserted into the central apertures 15 of some of the connectors, from above or below, respectively.

Instead of providing the struts 12 with screwthreaded end portions and with nuts 26, the end portions of each strut may carry or be adapted to receive a clip which will secure the end portion to the connector and clamp the two connector parts together.

1. A spaceframe comprising connectors and struts, each connector having two parts which when brought together define therebetween a plurality of angularly spaced elongate passages, the longitudin

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A spaceframe The invention relates to a spaceframe, e.g. for a display or the like. According to the invention, a spaceframe comprises connectors and struts, each connector having two parts which when brought together define therebetween a plurality of angularly spaced elongate passages, the longitudinal extents of which lie in a single plane, for receiving ends of first struts, the passages and first struts having interengaging means to prevent the removal of the ends of the first struts from respective passages when the two connector parts are clamped together, the connector parts each having a plurality of apertures extending transversely to the aforesaid plane and aligned with the apertures in the other part for receiving the ends of second struts, and means for securing the ends of the second struts to the connector and for clamping the two parts together. Preferably, each connector has four equi-angularly spaced elongate passages and four equi-angularly spaced apertures, and advantageously, the axis of each aperture intersects a line bisecting the angle between an adjacent pair of elongate passages. Preferably, the first struts have an annular projection adjacent each end and each passage has an annular recess or hole for receiving the annular projection on the end of a first strut. Preferably, the ends of the second struts are screw-threaded and have an abutment spaced from each end. Preferably, the first struts are rectilinear and the second struts have parallel oppositely facing ends connected by a body which extends at an angle to both ends. Advantageously, the two connector parts are plastics injection mouldings but may be, for example, die-cast in metal. However, both parts are preferably identical to simplify manufacture. Conveniently, the struts are solid metal rods. The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of part of a spaceframe according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the spaceframe of Figure 1, connected together, Figure 3 shows one of the horizontal struts, and Figure 4 shows one cf the angled struts. Referring to the drawing, the spaceframe shown therein comprises connectors 10 (only one of which is shown), horizontal struts 11, and angled struts 12. Each connector comprises two identical parts 13 and 14 which may be injection moulded in plastics material or die-cast in metal. Each part 13, 14 is disc-like and has a large central aperture 15 and an associated collar 16. Each part 13, 14 also has four semi-circular grooves 17 defined by raised archshaped portions 18 on its outer face; the portions 18 extend radially outwards from the collar 16 to the peripheral edge of the part and are equi-angularly spaced. In addition, each part 13,14 has four small apertures 19 with associated collars 20; the axes of the apertures 19 intersecting lines which bisect the angle between adjacent pairs of grooves 17. When the parts 13and 14are broughttogether with the grooves 17 of the two parts in alignment, the grooves define four cylindrical passages which receive end portions of four horizontal struts 11. In order to prevent removal of the end portions of the struts 11 from the passages, each passage has an annular recess or hole 21 about midway along its length for locating an annular projection 22 on the end portion of its respective strut. The recess or hole 21 may as shown extend through the wail of the two arch-like portions 18 and the annular projection 22 may be provided by a bush shrunk onto the end portion of the strut 11. The angled struts 12 have screw-threaded end portions 23 which are able to pass through a pair of aligned apertures 19 of the two connector parts 13 and 14. At the inner end of each screw-threaded end portion 23, there is a stop 24 which may be formed by a threaded nut or washer. The two end portions 23 of each strut 12 extend parallel to one another and in opposite directions but are offset laterally from one another and connected by a body part 25 which extends at an angle, e.g. at 45", to the end portions 23. The struts 11 and 12 are preferably of metal and solid. End portions 23 of four angled struts pass through the four pairs of aligned apertures 19 in the connector and the stops 24 contact the outer face of the part 14. When the horizontal struts 11 have been located in the passages defined by the grooves 17, the parts 13 and 14 are clamped together by nuts 26 which are screwed onto the threaded end portions of the angled struts 12 and, of course, the nuts will fix the struts 12 to the connector 10 as well as clamping the struts 11 between the connector parts 13 and 14. A spaceframe can be built up of connectors and struts, the connectors being arranged in two layers with struts 11 connecting the connectors in each layer and struts 12 connecting the connectors of one layer with the connectors of the other layer. Because of angled nature of the struts 12 the connectors of one layer will be horizontally staggered relative to the connectors of the other layer. If it is desired to suspend the spaceframe from a ceiling or roof or support it from the gound, optional support struts 27 can be inserted into the central apertures 15 of some of the connectors, from above or below, respectively. Instead of providing the struts 12 with screwthreaded end portions and with nuts 26, the end portions of each strut may carry or be adapted to receive a clip which will secure the end portion to the connector and clamp the two connector parts together. CLAIMS

1. A spaceframe comprising connectors and struts, each connector having two parts which when brought together define therebetween a plurality of angularly spaced elongate passages, the longitudin al extents of which lie in a single plane, for receiving ends of first struts, the passages and first struts having interengaging means to prevent the removal of the ends of the first struts from respective passages when the two connector parts are clamped together, the connector parts each having a plurality of apertures which extend transversely to the aforesaid plane and which can be aligned with the apertures in the other part for receiving the ends of second struts, and means for securing the ends of the second struts to the connector and for clamping the two parts together.

2. The spaceframe of claim 1, wherein each connector has four equi-angularly spaced elongate passages and four equi-angularly spaced apertures.

3. The spaceframe of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the axis of each apertures bisects the angle between an adjacent pair of elongate passages.

4. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first struts have an annular projection adjacent to each end and each passage has an annular recess or hole for receiving the annular projection on the end of a first strut.

5. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ends of the second struts are screw-threaded and have an abutment spaced from each end.

6. The spaceframe of claim 5, wherein the securing and clamping means comprise screw-threaded nuts engageable with the ends of the second struts.

7. The spaceframe of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the end portion of each second strut carries or is adapted to receive a clip for securing the end portion to the connector and clamping the two connector parts together.

8. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first struts are rectilinear and the second struts have parallel oppositely facing ends connected by a body which extends at an angle to both ends.

9. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the struts are solid metal rods.

10. The spaceframe of any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the two connector parts are identical.

11. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate passages in each connector are defined by raised arch-shaped portins on an outerface of each connector part.

12. The spaceframe of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two connector parts are plastics injection mouldings.

13. The spaceframe of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the two connector parts are metal diecastings.

14. A spaceframe substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.