GB2248901A - Strut for space frames - Google Patents

Strut for space frames Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2248901A
GB2248901A GB9116983A GB9116983A GB2248901A GB 2248901 A GB2248901 A GB 2248901A GB 9116983 A GB9116983 A GB 9116983A GB 9116983 A GB9116983 A GB 9116983A GB 2248901 A GB2248901 A GB 2248901A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bolt
strut
collar
strut body
shank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9116983A
Other versions
GB9116983D0 (en
GB2248901B (en
Inventor
Siew Kwong Wong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NEW YORK PLASTIC CO Pte Ltd
Original Assignee
NEW YORK PLASTIC CO Pte Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB888804127A external-priority patent/GB8804127D0/en
Application filed by NEW YORK PLASTIC CO Pte Ltd filed Critical NEW YORK PLASTIC CO Pte Ltd
Priority to GB9116983A priority Critical patent/GB2248901B/en
Publication of GB9116983D0 publication Critical patent/GB9116983D0/en
Publication of GB2248901A publication Critical patent/GB2248901A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2248901B publication Critical patent/GB2248901B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B1/1903—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
    • E04B1/1906—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor with central spherical, semispherical or polyhedral connecting element
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/196—Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)

Abstract

A space frame consists of nodes with screw threaded sockets and interconnecting struts (6, 7) each having at each end a bolt (9), which can be turned by a surrounding collar (11), to which it is keyed, and the bolt may be fully retracted into the end of the strut against the action of a spring (13) to enable the strut to be inserted between an adjacent pair of nodes having a spacing equal to the combined length of the strut body (6, 7) and two collars (11). <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SPACE FRAMES The invention relates to a space frame of the kind, hereinafter referred to as of the kind described, comprising a plurality of nodes, each provided with a plurality of screw threaded sockets; and a plurality of elongate struts for linking respective pairs of nodes.
Each end of each strut is provided with a longitudinally extending bolt which is freely rotatable relatively to a strut body and which has a shank with a screw threaded portion extending from the end of the strut body for engagement of the screw threaded portion with a respective node socket, whereby rotation of the bolt draws the end of the strut body towards the node. Each shank is surrounded by a collar having a non-circular external surface to which a turning tool can be applied, the collar and the shank each having one a key and the other a complementary longitudinal keyway whereby the shank is constrained to rotate with the collar but is movable axially therethrough and the collar is gripped between the end of the strut body and the node when the bolt has been fully tightened.
A problem with space frames of the kind described, is that when two nodes are rigidly positioned relatively to one another, as a result of complete, or near complete, assembly of the frame, it is difficult to insert or replace a strut between the two nodes which are at a fixed distance from one another. This is because it is necessary for the screw threaded ends of the bolt shanks to extend from the strut collars, so that they can engage the screw threads in the node sockets, upon rotation of the collars and bolts.
However, if the shanks extend, even marginally, from the ends of the strut collars, the strut body, with the collars at its ends, cannot be inserted between two nodes which are spaced by no more than the total length of the strut body and collars. Consequently, some clearance to accommodate the projecting bolt shank, is necessary between the end of each collar and the respective node, so that when the bolts are subsequently tightened into the node sockets, either the collars will not be drawn up closely against the nodes, or the frame will be deflected and stressed by drawing of the nodes towards one another.
In accordance with the invention, in a strut for a space frame of the kind described, each bolt is retractable against a spring within the strut body to a position in which the tip of the shank is flush with the outer end of the respective collar, whereby a strut body with collars at each end can be inserted between two fixed nodes having a spacing substantially equal to the combined length of the strut body and two collars whereupon the springs will extend the bolt shanks so that the screw threaded portions will be pushed into the entrances to the respective node sockets ready for engagement with the socket screw threads when the bolts are turned by a torque applied to the collars.
In one construction each strut body is provided by a tube, each end of which receives a reduced diameter portion of a member which houses the head of the bolt and, behind the bolt an abutment for a compression spring which is located between the abutment and bolt head.
An example of a space frame constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the end of one strut; Figure 2 is a section taken on the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a strut bolt; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a strut collar; and, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a node.
Each strut comprises a body in the form of a steel tube 6, each end of which receives as a force fit a reduced diameter end portion of a tapered housing 7. Captive by its head 8 within the housing is a bolt having a shank 9, which extends out of the housing and is provided at its end with a screw threaded portion 10. The shank is closely surrounded by a collar 11 having a hexagonal tool engaging portion 12. The bolt is urged out of the housing 7 by a helically coiled compression spring, which abuts at one end a washer 14, engaging the head 8, and at its other end, a washer 15, which is held in position by a circlip 16. The clearance within the housing 7 is such that the bolt can be retracted against the action of the spring 13 until the tip of the screw threaded portion 10 is flush with the outer end of the collar 11.
The shank 9 of the bolt is provided with a hemispherical recess 17, in which is seated a steel ball, the ball being slidable within a complementary groove 18 within the interior of the collar 11. This feature is the subject of parent application no. 8904083.6.
In addition to a number of the struts, the frame comprises a number of nodes, such as that shown in Figure 5. Each node comprises a generally spherical body 19 formed with a symmetrical array of internally screw threaded sockets 20, each complementary to the screw threaded portion 10 of a strut bolt.
A strut may be assembled between two fixed nodes by retracting the bolts within the housing 7 and collars 11, inserting the strut between the nodes, in alignment with two of the sockets 20, whereupon the springs 13 will advance the bolts so that the screw threaded portions 10 of the bolts are urged into the respective sockets 20.
Rotation of respective collars 11, by application of a spanner or similar tool to the portions 12, will then screw the bolts into the respective sockets, until the collars 11 are clamped between the ends of the strut body and the nodes. This results from each ball, acting between a respective recess 17 and groove 18, transmitting the rotation of the respective collar 11 to the respective bolt, whilst allowing axial movement of the bolt through the collar. As shown in Figure 2, each groove 18 opens at the strut body end of the respected collars, so that the collar can be assembled on to the bolt shank over the screw threaded portion 10.

Claims (2)

1. A strut for a space frame of the kind comprising a plurality of nodes (19), each provided with a plurality of screw threaded sockets (20); and a plurality of elongate struts for linking respective pairs of nodes; the strut having, at each end, a longitudinally extending bolt which is freely rotatable relatively to a strut body (6) and which has a shank (9) with a screw threaded portion (10) extending from the end of the strut body for engagement of the screw threaded portion, in use, with a respective node socket (20), whereby rotation of the bolt draws the end of the strut body towards the node; each shank (9) being surrounded by a collar (11) having a non-circular external surface (12) to which a turning tool can be applied, the collar and shank each having one a key (17) and the other a complementary longitudinal keyway (18) whereby the shank is constrained to rotate with the collar but is movably axially therethrough and the collar is gripped between the end of the strut body and the node when the bolt has been fully tightened; wherein each bolt is retractable against a spring (13) within the strut body (6) to a position in which the tip of the shank (9) is flush with the outer end of the respective collar (11), whereby a strut body with collars at each end can, in use, be inserted between fixed nodes (19) having a spacing substantially equal to the combined length of the strut body (6) and two collars (11) whereupon the springs will extend the bolt shanks so that the screw threaded portions will be pushed into the entrances to the respective node sockets (20) ready for engagement with the socket screw threads when the bolts are turned by a torque applied to the collars.
2. A strut according to claim 1, wherein each strut body (6) is provided by a tube, each end of which receives a reduced diameter portion of a member (7) which houses the head (8) of the bolt and, behind the bolt, an abutment (16) for a compression spring (13) which is located between the abutment and bolt head.
GB9116983A 1988-02-23 1991-08-05 Improvements relating to space frames Expired - Fee Related GB2248901B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9116983A GB2248901B (en) 1988-02-23 1991-08-05 Improvements relating to space frames

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB888804127A GB8804127D0 (en) 1988-02-23 1988-02-23 Space frame
GB9116983A GB2248901B (en) 1988-02-23 1991-08-05 Improvements relating to space frames

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9116983D0 GB9116983D0 (en) 1991-09-18
GB2248901A true GB2248901A (en) 1992-04-22
GB2248901B GB2248901B (en) 1992-09-02

Family

ID=26293524

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9116983A Expired - Fee Related GB2248901B (en) 1988-02-23 1991-08-05 Improvements relating to space frames

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2248901B (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274142A (en) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-13 P T Rangka Ruang Joint for space frames
EP0661087A2 (en) * 1994-01-03 1995-07-05 Yip Tai Toys Industrial (Canada) Ltd. Construction toy
GB2303190A (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-02-12 Terence Philip Bourne Frameworks formed of rods and nodal connectors
NL1018364C2 (en) * 2001-06-22 2002-12-30 Prolyte Vastgoed B V Truss part comprises tube component and is connected to further truss part via intermediary of manually releasable screw thread connection
WO2003099065A1 (en) * 2002-05-27 2003-12-04 Genicon Anstalt Framework construction
ES2317818A1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2009-04-16 Lanik I, S.A. Connection system for single-layer spatial structures

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4664550A (en) * 1984-03-17 1987-05-12 Jachmann Rolf Dieter Junction piece for releasably connecting rod-shaped elements with one another
GB2195736A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-13 Jose Maria Javier Ga Inchaurbe Framework connections

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4664550A (en) * 1984-03-17 1987-05-12 Jachmann Rolf Dieter Junction piece for releasably connecting rod-shaped elements with one another
GB2195736A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-04-13 Jose Maria Javier Ga Inchaurbe Framework connections

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2274142A (en) * 1993-01-07 1994-07-13 P T Rangka Ruang Joint for space frames
EP0661087A2 (en) * 1994-01-03 1995-07-05 Yip Tai Toys Industrial (Canada) Ltd. Construction toy
EP0661087A3 (en) * 1994-01-03 1996-05-15 Yip Tai Toys Ind Canada Ltd Construction toy.
GB2303190A (en) * 1995-07-07 1997-02-12 Terence Philip Bourne Frameworks formed of rods and nodal connectors
GB2303190B (en) * 1995-07-07 1999-11-10 Terence Philip Bourne Constructional apparatus
NL1018364C2 (en) * 2001-06-22 2002-12-30 Prolyte Vastgoed B V Truss part comprises tube component and is connected to further truss part via intermediary of manually releasable screw thread connection
WO2003099065A1 (en) * 2002-05-27 2003-12-04 Genicon Anstalt Framework construction
ES2317818A1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2009-04-16 Lanik I, S.A. Connection system for single-layer spatial structures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9116983D0 (en) 1991-09-18
GB2248901B (en) 1992-09-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19970222