US3927499A

US3927499A - Space frame floor column system

Info

Publication number: US3927499A
Application number: US363365A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hristo V Papayoti
Original assignee: Unistrut Corp
Current assignee: Unistrut International Corp; Unistrut Corp
Priority date: 1973-05-24
Filing date: 1973-05-24
Publication date: 1975-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-23

Abstract

A support column for a horizontally extending space frame system of the type wherein an upper chord frame and a lower chord frame structure are formed of a plurality of strut members connected to each other and held together by a plurality of connecting fixtures. The support column is adapted for connection to the connecting fixtures by one or more arm members and/or seat fixtures carried at the top of the support column. The arm members and/or seat fixtures also support a second support column extending upwardly through the space frame system to support another vertically higher horizontally extending space frame system.

Description

United States Patent [191 Papayoti Ill] 3,927,499

[ 1' Dec. 23, 1975 I 1 SPACE FRAME FLOOR COLUMN SYSTEM [75] Inventor: I-lristo V. Papayoti, Ann Arbor,

[21] Appl. No.: 363,365

[52] US. Cl. 52/263; 52/648 [51] Int. E04B 5/43 [58] Field of Search 52/648, 633, 650, 651,

52/652. 655, 263, 758 B, 758 C, 758 D, 745, 726; 403/13, 14, 174,178, 217

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Space Grid Structures by John Borrego 1968 pp. 6-17, 30-33 52-55 104, 105.

Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Henry Raduazo Attomey, Agent, or FirmGilford, Chandler & Sheridan [57] ABSTRACT A support column for a horizontally extending space frame system of the type wherein an upper chord frame and a lower chord frame structure are fonned of a plurality of strut members connected to each other and held together by a plurality of connecting fixtures. The support column is adapted for connection to the connecting fixtures by one or more ann members and/or seat fixtures carried at the top of the support column. The arm members and/or seat fixtures also support a second support column extending upwardly through the space frame system to support another vertically higher horizontally extending space frame system.

10 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 10f5 3,927,499

U.S.' Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet30f5 3,927,499

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,927,499

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 5 of 5 3,927,499

46 Fig /9 Fig-l8 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to building construction and, more particularly, to support columns for space frame systems providing a high load carrying and stress distributing structural capacity.

I]. Description of the Prior Art C. W. Attwood U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,478, C. W. Attwood et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,280 and H. V. Papayoti U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,348, all of which are of common ownership herewith, disclose a standardized system of space frame construction involving the use of light weight, interchangeable elements of high quality material, manufactured to close tolerances, that can be assembled at a very low cost even by relatively inexperienced workers to form structures varying greatly in design and capable of being readily disassembled, altered, or expanded to meet the changing needs of the user, the components being substantially 100% salvageable. Such a flexible type of structural framework is well suited for many different types of buildings, pavilions, three dimensional trusses, structural spans, and the like. In addition, such a structural framework meets not only the requirements of flexibility, standardization, and high quality, but is capable of carrying large loads and can be engineered to form spaces of various sizes and shapes instead of being limited to certain overall fixed dimensions as is the case with conventional structures.

As is disclosed in the aforesaid patents, a space frame is a structure in which forces act in three or more directions in space. The structure uses four substantially standardized basic parts; namely, connecting fixtures, struts, bolts and nuts. The essence of the four basic parts is a preformed universal connecting fixture having horizontally and angularly located seats with accurate locating and securing means to which the struts are secured by the nuts and bolts. The space frame systems can be applied in assembly roof span constructions as well as floors and other structures. Until the appearance on the market of space frames, known by the trademarks UNISTRUT" and ATTWOOD SYS- TEM," trusses and the like used in roofs, floors and other building structures were either welded together and carried to the construction site or were assembled by welding, riveting or bolting in the field. Specified parts which individually were adapted for only one specialized use had to be altered as necessary as construction progressed. The shortcomings and the inconveniences of prior construction systems were overcome by the space frame system of construction utilizing lightweight, easily handled modular parts. Since these parts are manufactured in large quantities and are accurately dimensioned, interchangeability of the parts is a prime advantage. The precision with which parts are made in the factory insures speed and accuracy in assembly. The parts arrive on the site preflnished and are readily joined together. Workmen do not have to use tapes or squares and the simplicity of assembly even permits the employment of relatively unskilled labor.

Such space frame structures provide a building construction having a floor structure or a roof structure that is held at a predetermined distance above the ground and has appropriate load carrying capacity and characteristics. It would, however, be desirable to provide a support column structure for providing structural support to a plurality of vertically disposed floor and/or roof structures of frame construction which heretofore have not been attainable. The chief problem in adapting this space frame system to multi-floored buildings, which is solved by the present invention, is that load concentrates at the connectors and is transmitted through them from the struts to the supporting structures, and the columns must therefore not only penetrate through the space frame structure but also support the loads and transmit stresses without disrupting its geometry and structural unity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is adapted to a plurality of vertically spaced floor and ceiling structures, each of which comprises a space frame system including a lower chord frame structure and an upper chord frame structure disposed in parallel and horizontally disposed planes. A stress distributing web structure spaces and connects the lower and upper chord frame structure of each space frame system. The chord frames and web structure are formed of stress carrying channel strut members interconnected at their ends by standardized connecting fixtures regularly spaced along a plurality of longitudinal and lateral rows.

The invention more particularly comprises support columns adapted to provide multi-point load carrying capacity for the vertically spaced space frame structures to provide a floor, or floors, and a roof for a building, with the multiple point support columns being standardized. This is accomplished by providing lower support columns, each of which preferably has one or more arm members and/or seat fixtures disposed at the top of the column, each arm member and/or seat fixture in turn being connected to the space frame structure by connection with the connecting fixtures. A second upper support column is in turn carried by the arm member and/or seat fixture of the lower support column and extends upwardly to support the next higher space frame structure. In this manner, support is provided for a multi-level space frame structure having substantial rigidity and high load carrying capacity with a limited number of support columns, the columns structurally penetrating the space frames without disrupting their load carrying and stress distributing functions.

Other objects, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of space frame structures when the accompanying description of several examples of the present invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the top of a space frame structure constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of a portion of the space frame structure and the preferred support column illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical top elevational view of a corner section of a lower chord frame structure and depicting the manner in which the frame structure is supported by the support columns of FIGS. 2, 6, Sand 10;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top elevational view of another preferred support column constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the support column as viewed from line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top elevational view of a further preferred support column constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the support column as viewed from line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top elevational view of yet another preferred support column constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of the support column as seen along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the support column illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the support column illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the support column illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, top elevational view of still another preferred support column constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of a support column as seen along line l5-l5 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the column support taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view of a plurality of vertically spaced space frame structures supported by a support column constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a still further preferred support column construction;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a two-way column support construction; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the support column illustrated in FIG. 19 with parts broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly to FIGS. 1-4 and 17 illustrating an example of an application of a preferred support column structure to a floor and roof framework and, preferably, to a framework of the space frame system variety. A floor space frame structure, generally designated at A, comprises an upper chord frame structure A and a lower chord frame structure A, held in spatial relationship by way of an intermediate web structure A,. In FIG. 17, a roof space frame structure, generally designated at B, comprises an upper chord frame structure B and a lower chord frame structure B, held in spatial relationship by way of an intermediate web structure B The upper and lower chord frame structures and the web structures of the floor and roof space frame structures A and B are preferably assembled from a plurality of back to back strut members 10 which are preferably channelshaped and which are well known in the trade as being marketed under the trade name 'UNISTRUTR' Since the upper and lower chord frame structures A, and A of the floor space frame structure A are substantially identical in construction to the upper and lower chord frame structures B and B of the roof space frame structure B, only the upper and lower chord frame structures A and A, will be described in detail. However, it is to be understood that the description following is equally applicable to both.

The upper and lower chord frame structures A, and A, further include a plurality of connecting fixtures 12, one being shown in detail in FIG. 3, which are particularly described in detail in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,478 and consist of a member provided with a horizontal or plane portion having a plurality of seats 14, and a plurality of angle seats 16 joined to the seats 14 by way of inclined integral gussets 18. As can best be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, strut members 10 are mounted to the top and bottom surfaces of each seat 14 of each connecting fixture 12 in the upper chord structure A, by means of a bolt 20 (shown only in FIG. 3) passing through aligned apertures 26 in each strut member and apertures 25 in the connecting fixture seat and secured by a nut 22. Each end of the strut members is preferably provided with a pair of apertures 24 (FIG. 3), symmetrically disposed on both sides of the aperture 26 and adapted to accept projecting portions or lugs 27 which are integral with the seat 14 for the purpose of providing perfect alignment and secure fastening of the elements together, as well as transmitting shear loads from the strut members 10 to the connecting fixtures 12, as described in detail in the aforementioned patent.

Every strut member 10 forming the web frame structure A mounted on the seat 16 of the connecting fixture 12 by way of a similar arrangement comprising the bolt 20 adapted to pass through an appropriate aperture in the strut member 10 and secured by a nut 22. Alignment of the strut members 10 relative to the connecting fixtures 12 is accomplished in the same manner by a pair of apertures 24 symmetrically disposed on both sides of the aperture 26 and adapted to receive the projecting portions on the surface of the angle seat 16 in a manner indicated in greater detail in the aforementioned patent.

The web strut members 10 are preferably attached to the opposite surfaces of the seat 16 of the connecting fixtures 12 in both the upper chord frame structure A and the lower chord frame structure A,. The space frame structure thus formed has an upper chord frame structure A, which is in a plane parallel to the plane of the lower chord frame structure A,, the strut members 10 in each chord frame structure being arranged in squares with the intersection of the squares of one plane being vertically opposite the center of squares in the other plane, as best shown for example in FIG. 1. The intersection of the squares in one plane are joined to those in the other plane by the diagonally arranged web strut members 10 forming the web structure A,-, such that the resulting structure consists of a plurality of four-sided pyramids set together right side up and up side down with all edges of the same length. In such a space frame arrangement a single connecting fixture l2 accommodates eight struts or eight pairs of strut members 10, with each strut or pair of strut members 10 being secured to the appropriate seat of the connecting fixture 12 by a single bolt 20 and nut 22 as previously explained.

The present invention provides above the ground support for a plurality of vertically spaced frame structures by one or more support columns adapted to hold the lowestframe structure a predetermined distance above the ground and subsequently vertically spaced frame structures at predetermined distances above successive frame structures in such a manner as to provide proper transmission of stresses and loads from the frame structures to the support columns. An example of a support column arrangement 31 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 17 wherein there is provided a lower upright W-beam member 32 (wide flange type section) having a lower end forming a footing 36 within the ground 34 (FIG. 17) by an appropriate conventional means. Footing 36 is properly anchored in the ground by means of concrete or the like, as shown at 40. The top of the upright member 32 is provided with an end face 42 (FIG. 3) which may be the top surface of a plate 44 welded or otherwise fastened to the top of the upright column 32. The top surface 42 of the plate 44 has a substantially short pedestal or seat fixture 46 which includes a post portion 48 having a base 50 on the bottom thereof and preferably attached to the post portion 48 by welding or the like. The post portion 48 has a cross or X-shaped seat member 54 mounted to the top thereof by any appropriate means, such as by welding. The base 50 is provided with mounting holes 56 adapted to register with appropriate holes 58 in the plate 44 to provide adequate mounting of the short seat fixture 46 thereon by any suitable means such as bolt 60 and nut 62 (FIG. 2). The cross-shaped seat member 54 of the short seat fixture 46 is provided with apertures 66 arranged to register with the apertures 25 in the connecting fixture I2 and adapted to be fastened to the bottom face and within the channels of each strut member and to the bottom face of the seats 14 of the connecting fixture 12 forming part of the lower chord frame structure A, by means of the same fastening means consisting of bolt and nut 22 as used for fastening thereon the lower chord frame strut members 10. In this manner the top of each upright column 32 is adapted to support the space frame structure A at a point below the connecting fixture 12.

A second substantially short pedestal seat fixture 46 (FIG. 3), including the post portion 48, has the base 50 at the top thereof and the cross-shaped seat member 54 mounted on the bottom thereof. The apertures 66 of the cross-shaped seat member 54 are arranged to register with the apertures in the connecting fixture 12 to fasten the top face of the strut member 10 to the top face of surfaces 14 of the connecting fixtures 12 by means of the bolt 20 and nut 22. The mounting holes 44 of the base 50 register with appropriate holes 58' in a plate 44' mounted at the lower end of an upper support column 59 to provide adequate mounting of the short seat fixture 46 thereto by any suitable means such as bolts 60' and 62' (FIG. 2). Since the seat fixtures 46 can be secured to any of the connecting fixtures 12 in the upper chord and lower chord structures A and A FIG. 3 illustrates the seat fixtures 46 as being connected to the upper chord A,, while FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the seat fixtures 46 as being connected to the lower chord A,. As can best be seen in FIG. 17, the upper support column 59 extends upwardly for attachment to another higher floor or to the roof space frame structure B in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to the attachment of the lower support column 32 to the floor space frame structure A It canthus be seen that the space frame structure A may be supported above the ground by means as hereinbefore described to provide both an appropriate head clearance between the space frame and the ground and a simple means of extending the support column upwardly above the floor space frame A for the support of another floor or the roof space frame B without disturbing the structural integrity of each frame structure.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 represent a muIti-point support column arrangement 65 for the space frame structure A and as can be seen in FIG. 4 it is particularly adapted for use at an intermediate portion of the space frame A for providing greater shearing load capacity. In this embodiment the upper chord frame structure A of the space frame A is supported from the top of the upright column 32 by means of cross arm W-

beam members

74 and 76 mounted substantially at right angles to each other and having support plates preferably welded onto their upper and lower surfaces as shown in FIG. 11. The top of the column 32 has a top plate 78 that is attached thereto preferably by welding and includes vertical rib sections 80 which provide rigidity thereto. The top plate 78 is apertured to receive bolts 82 extending into the lower flange portions 84 of each of the

cross members

74 and 76 and secured by nuts 85 (FIG. 6).

The upper column member 59 similarly has a lower base plate 86 welded thereto with rib sections 87 and a plurality of arcuately spaced bores through which bolts 90 extend. The bolts 90 pass through the top plate and the upper flange portions 92 of the

cross members

74 and 76 to engage nuts 91 (FIG. 6) to secure the upper support column 59 to the cross members.

The top and

bottom flange portions

84 and 92 of the

cross members

74 and 76 have reinforcing plates 93 welded near the ends thereof. Stiffener plates 95 are added as needed. Short seat fixtures 46' are mounted at the opposite ends of cross member 74 on the top surface of the flange portions 92 and at the opposite ends of the cross member 76 on the bottom surface of the flange portion 84. The pedestals or short seat fixtures 46 are the same configuration as the seat fixtures 46 illustrated in FIG. 3 and are adapted to support the upper chord frame structure A and the lower chord frame structure A in a similar manner. The base plate members 50 are provided with mounting apertures adapted to register with the mounting apertures (not shown) in the upper and

lower flange portions

92 and 84 of the

cross members

74 and 76 by any suitable means, such as nut and bolt assemblies 98. The arms of the cross-shaped seat member 54 of the seat fixtures 46 have mounting apertures 66 adapted to register with the apertures 26 of each strut member and the mounting apertures 25 in seats 14 of connecting fixtures 12 forming part of the upper chord frame structure A to receive the mounting bolts 20 which together with the nuts 22 are adapted to fasten each strut member 10 to each seat 14 of the connecting fixtures 12. The arms of the lowermost cross-shaped seat members 54 on the seat fixtures 46 have mounting apertures 66 adapted to register with the apertures 26 of each strut l0 and the mounting apertures 25 in each seat 14 of the connecting fixtures 12 forming part of the lower chord frame structure A, to receive the mounting bolts 20, which together with the nuts 22 are adapted to fasten each member to each seat I4 of the connecting fixtures 12 associated therewith.

The column structure arrangement 65 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 provides a two-point support for the upper chord frame structure A and a two-point support or suspension of the lower chord frame structure A, of the space frame A by means of the

cross arm members

74 and 76 being disposed at substantially right angles and mounted at mid-distance from their respective ends on top of the support column 39. The upper support column 59 extends upwardly through the floor space frame A to support the next upper floor or the roof space frame B.

Shortened strut members 102 disposed directly above the cross member 74 extend from the connecting fixtures I2 associated with each seat fixture at the opposite ends of the cross member 74 and abut the opposite sides of the upper support column 59. As can best be seen in FIG. 13, the ends of the shortened strut members 102 adjacent to the support column 59 have L-shaped flange members 104, with one leg disposed between adjacent faces of the strut members 102, while the other leg is in abutment with each side of the upper support column 59, all of the components being secured to each other by any suitable means and preferably by welding. The shortened strut members 102 maintain the stress and load distributing capacity and integrity of the space frame.

FIGS. 7, 8 and I2 illustrate another modification of the invention in the form of a support column arrangement 106 wherein the top of the upright column 32 is provided with a rectangular plate 108 welded thereto and supported by integral rib sections 110. The upper face of plate 108 has a plurality of arcuately spaced bores on which a cross member 112 is mounted by means of bolts 114 extending therethrough for engagement with nuts 116. Similarly, the upper support column 59 has a plate 118 welded thereto and supported by rib portions 120, with strategically located bores extending therethrough and through which bolts [22 pass for engagement with nuts [24 to secure the upper support column 59 to the cross member 112, such that the upper support column 59 is securely attached to the lower support column 32 and supported thereby. Although the space frame is suspended at the upper chord structure A,, the arrangement 106 could be inverted to connect the lower chord structure A,. As can best be seen in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the support column arrangement 106 is adapted to provide support for the space frame A along the peripheral sides thereof, with the cross member 112 being disposed in a plane paralleling the planes of the strut members forming the upper and lower chord frame structures. The arrangement I06 penetrates through the space frame without having edge support beams or other components above or below which would interfere with the floor and ceiling panels or require special interior finishing.

Mounted at the opposite ends of the cross member 112 are the short seat fixtures 46 to support the upper chord frame structure A, as shown in FIG. 8. The apertures 56 of each base plate 50 of each seat fixture 46 register with mounting apertures in an upper flange portion of the cross member 112 with bolts [36 and nuts 138 securing the components. The arms of the cross-shaped seat member 54 have mounting apertures 66 registering with the apertures 26 in the strut members l0 and the mounting apertures 25 in each seat 14 of the connecting fixture forming a part of the upper chord frame structure A, to receive the mounting bolts 20, which together with the nuts 22 are adapted to fasten each strut member [0 of the upper chord frame structure to each seat I4 of the associated connecting fixture I2. In a manner similar to that described with respect to the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shortened strut members I02 extending from the connecting fixtures 12 associated with the last mentioned seat fixture 46 extend to the side wall of the support column 59 and are attached thereto by means of the L-shaped members 104.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 another modification of the present invention is shown in the form of a support column arrangement I50 and, as can best be seen in FIG. 4, the support column arrangement is located at a corner section of the framework A to compensate for bending moments imposed thereon at this location. The support column arrangement I50 is similar in construction to the support column arrangement 106 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, except one of the seat fixtures 46 at one end of the cross member 112 is mounted from the bottom horizontal flange surface 152 of the cross member 112 and is attached to a connecting fixture 12 of the lower chord frame structure A, by the nuts and bolts 20 and 22 which are securing the strut members 10 to the connecting fixture 12. The lower support column 32 extends from the ground and supports the cross member 112 in such a manner that the cross member 112 is disposed in a plane which is 45 from the planes in which the strut members 10 in the upper and lower chord frame structures A and A are disposed as shown in FIG. 9. As such, the length of the cross member 112 in the column arrangement 150 is less than the length of the cross member 112 in the column arrangement I06.

Referring now to FIGS. l4, l5 and 16, another modification of the present invention is shown in the form of a support column arrangement comprising an X- shaped cross seat 162 mounted on the top of the lower upright column 32 and having a construction similar to the support column arrangement 65 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11, except that the column arrangement pierces the space frame at a location normally occupied by connecting fixture 12. The

cross members

74 and 76 in the arrangement 160 differ from the arrangement 65 in that the

cross members

74 and 76 are disposed in planes generally parallel to the planes in which the strut members 10 of the web structure A: are disposed and the

cross members

74 and 76 in the instant embodiment are longer than the cross members illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The column arrangements 160 are generally located at an intermediate location within the space frame in the same manner as the column arrangement 65 is illustrated in the diagrammatic illustration in FIG. 4.

The opposite ends of each

cross member

74 and 76 have a seat fixture 46 mounted to the bottom flange surface 162 thereof and are adapted to support the lower chord frame structure A in a manner similar to the embodiments heretofore described. The seat fixtures 46 can be mounted on the opposite side of the cross members to support the upper chord member A,.' As illustrated in FIG. 15, the upper support column 59 is attached to the top mid-section of the

cross members

74 and 76 by the mounting plate 86 and extends upwardly to support the roof frame structure B. The opposite sides of the upper support column 59 are attached to upper chord strut members I0 which terminate in L-shaped members that are welded to the sides of the upper support column 59 in the same manner as hereinbefore described with respect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. and '7 and thus the stress distributing integrity and load carrying capacity of the space frame is preserved.

FIG. 18 is a different embodiment of the present invention which has a basic similarity to the construction shown in FIG. 2. It is particularly appropriate whe the upper chord frame structure A, is used as a roof and/or floor support. There is included an elongated extension post 49 attached at the upper end of the seat fixture 46. The length of the extension post 49 is such that it vertically spans both upper and lower chord structures A, and A,, respectively. In this manner, it is possible to add to the space frame the support of the lowermost four additional strut members 10. Thus, the load bearing capacity of the space frame structure is increased without the need for including a cross member or beam such as

beams

74 and 76.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a still further embodimentof this invention in which the support is of the two-way beam type and has a basic similarity to the structure shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 11. The embodiment as best shown in FIG. 20 provides an extension of the W-beam member through a central column extension 57 which is connected by an appropriate bolt and nut or welding arrangement between the cross arm W-

beam members

74 and 76. The column extension 57 is properly braced by

rib sections

80 and 87 as shown in FIG. 20. Stiffener plates 95 are included as required. With the arrangements of FIGS. 19 and 20 it is possible to support double layer space frames through the four upwardly oriented pedestal seat fixtures 46.

It can thus be seen that many support column structures may be had by providing support for a space frame structure having a plurality of vertically disposed frameworks and that a simple means is provided for vertically carrying such space frame structures and transmitting the loads of the vertically spaced space frames directly through support columns to the ground without having to transfer the loads successively downward through each frame structure.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower gridlike chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising:

at least one vertical column means;

a framework support assembly carried by said column means and extending substantially horizon- ,tal'ly intermediate said upper and lower chord frame structures,

said framework support assembly comprising a horizontally extending arm, a pair of pedestals, means mounting one of said pedestals to the upper portion of said arm and means mounting said pedestal to'a connecting fixture in said upper chord frame structure and means mounting the other of said pedestals to the lower portion of said arm and means mounting said pedestal to a connecting fixture in said lower chord frame structure.

2. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks apd being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising:

at least one vertical coliimn means;

a framework support assembly carried by said column means and extending substantially horizontally intermediate said upper and lower chord frame structures,

said framework support assembly comprising a pair of horizontally extending, perpendicularly disposed arms, a pedestal mounted at each end of each of said arms, means mounting a pair of said pedestals to the upper portion of one of said arms with one pedestal mounted at each end thereof and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in said upper chord frame structure and means mounting the other pair of said pedestals to the lower portion of the other of said arms with one pedestal mounted at each end thereof and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in said lower chord frame structure.

3. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower gridlike chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportinglyconnected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said'floorframework and at leasst one connecting fixture in said roof framework totransmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising:

at least bne vertical column means; I

said framework support assembly comprising a horizontally extending arm, a pedestal mounted at each end of said arm, means mounting said pedestals to the lower portion of saidarm to extend downwardly therefrom at opposite ends thereof, and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in the lower chord frame structure.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said column means comprises axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said floor framework support assembly.

5. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said column means comprises axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said floor framework support assembly.

6. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said column means comprises axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said floor framework support assembly.

7. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying fioor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a w th structure intermediate said chord frame structune's, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising:

at least one vertical column means;

a framework support assembly disposed proximate one of said floor framework chord frame structures and carried by said column means;

first means supportably connecting at least one connecting fixture of said floor framework to said sup port assembly;

second means supportably securing said support assembly to said column means;

wherein said framework support assembly comprises a cross-shaped member with right angled equal length arms each extending in a common horizon- 12 tal plane, said column structure comprising axially aligned-columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said framework support assembly, said cross-shaped member attached substantially at mid-distance between its ends on the bottom side thereof to the top of said downwardly extending column and on the top side of said cross member to the bottom of said upwardly extending column; four pedestal members each having a base, two of saidpedestal members being attached to the top side of opposing ends of inline arms of said crossshaped member, the other two pedestal members being attached at the opposite ends and bottom side of the other inline arms of said cross-shaped member, each of said pedestal members having connecting portions at the opposite ends thereof, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, the arms of said first mentioned pair of pedestal members adapted to engage connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure, while the arms of the other pair of pedestal members are adapted to engage connecting fixtures in the lower chord structure.

8. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaf fected, said column structure comprising:

at least one vertical column means;

first means supportably connecting at least one connecting fixture of said floor framework to said support assembly; and

second means supportably securing said support assembly to said column means;

wherein said column means comprises axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said framework support assembly, said framework support assembly comprising a single horizontal beam secured to the lower and upper ends respectively of said upwardly and downwardly extending columns, said single beam having pedestals carried thereon, one of which is connected to a connecting fixture in one of said chord structures to support the same;

wherein said single beam is disposed above said upper chord structure, said pedestals extending downwardly for connecting with connecting fix- 13 tures in said upper chord structure for support of same.

9. In combination with a plurality of vertically spaced frame structures, each frame structure comprising a lower chord structure, an upper chord structure, and a stress distributing web structure spacing and interconnecting said chord structures, each of said chord structures comprising a plurality of connecting fixtures spaced along a plurality oflongitudinal and lateral rows and elongated members extending between said connecting fixtures to form longitudinal and lateral rows of adjacent two dimensional spaced modules, the modules of one chord structure being longitudinally and laterally offset from the modules of the other chord structure, said web structure comprising elongated members extending between the fixtures of one chord structure and the fixtures of the other chord structure, said elongated members of both chord structure and the web structure being attached to the connecting fixtures by appropriate fastening means, wherein each of said connecting fixtures comprises:

angled flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said web structure and flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said chord structures; support structure for supporting said plurality of vertically spaced frame structures above the ground comprising a first upright support column, the lower end of said support column being supported by the ground, an upper end of said support column disposed proximate one of said chord structures; framework support assembly carried at the upper end of said first support column and engaging at least one of said connecting fixtures for fastening therewith; and second upright support column having a lower end fastened to said framework support assembly, the uper end of said second upright support column having a second framework support assembly fastened thereto and engaging at least one of the connecting fixtures of the next higher of said vertically spaced frame structures for fastening therewith;

wherein said first mentioned framework support assembly comprises a horizontal beam attached substantially at mid-distance between its opposite ends to the top of said upright support member, while the top of said beam is attached to the bottom of said second upright support column; a pair of short pedestal members each having a base, one of which is mounted on the top of said beam at one end thereof, the other base being mounted on the bottom of said beam at the other end thereof and each pedestal having connecting portions at their opposite ends, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, one of which is operable to engage the flat surfaces of one of said connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure, the other being operable to engage each of the flat surfaces of one of the connecting fixtures in said lower chord structure; each of said arms having means cooperable with said fastening means for conjoint mounting therewith, said beam being disposed in a vertical plane which is parallel to an elongated member in said web structure.

10. In combination with a plurality of vertically spaced frame structures, each frame structure comprising a lower chord structure, an upper chord structure,

and a stress distributing web structure spacing and interconnecting said chord structures, each of said chord structures comprising a plurality of connecting fixtures spaced along a plurality of longitudinal and lateral rows and elongated members extending between said connecting fixtures to form longitudinal and lateral rows of adjacent two dimensional spaced modules, the modules of one chord structure being longitudinally and laterally offset from the modules of the other chord structure, said web structure comprising elongated members extending between the fixtures of one chord structure and the fixtures of the other chord structure, said elongated members of both chord structure and the web structure being attached to the connecting fixtures by appropriate fastening means, wherein each of said connecting fixtures comprises:

angled fiat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said web structure and fiat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said chord structures; support structure for supporting said plurality of vertically spaced frame structures above the ground comprising a first upright support column, the lower end of said support column being supported by the ground, an upper end of said support column disposed proximate one of said chord structures; framework support assembly carried at the upper end of said first support column and engaging at least one of said connecting fixtures for fastening therewith; and a second upright support column having a lower end fastened to said framework support assembly, the upper end of said second upright support column having a second framework support assembly fastened thereto and engaging at least one of the connecting fixtures of the next higher of said vertically spaced frame structures for fastening therewith; wherein said first mentioned framework support assembly comprises a cross-shaped member with equal length arms each extending in a common horizontal plane, said cross-shaped member being attached substantially at mid-distance between its ends on the bottom side thereof to the top of said first upright support column and on the top side of said cross-shaped member to the bottom of said second upright support column; a plurality of short pedestal members each having a base, a plurality of said members being attached to the top side of opposing ends of inline arms of said cross-shaped member, the others of said members being attached at the ends and bottom side of the other inline arms of said cross-shaped member, each of said pedestals having connecting portions at the opposite ends thereof, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, the arms of the first mentioned pair of pedestal members operable to engage the flat surfaces of connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure while the arms of the other pair of pedestal members are operable to engage the flat surfaces of the connecting fixtures in the lower chord structure, each of the arms having means cooperable with said fastening means for conjoint mounting therewith, on of said crossshaped member arms being disposed in a plane which is parallel to one of said elongated members in said chord structure.

Claims

1. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frAmeworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower gridlike chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising: at least one vertical column means; a framework support assembly carried by said column means and extending substantially horizontally intermediate said upper and lower chord frame structures, said framework support assembly comprising a horizontally extending arm, a pair of pedestals, means mounting one of said pedestals to the upper portion of said arm and means mounting said pedestal to a connecting fixture in said upper chord frame structure and means mounting the other of said pedestals to the lower portion of said arm and means mounting said pedestal to a connecting fixture in said lower chord frame structure.

2. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising: at least one vertical column means; a framework support assembly carried by said column means and extending substantially horizontally intermediate said upper and lower chord frame structures, said framework support assembly comprising a pair of horizontally extending, perpendicularly disposed arms, a pedestal mounted at each end of each of said arms, means mounting a pair of said pedestals to the upper portion of one of said arms with one pedestal mounted at each end thereof and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in said upper chord frame structure and means mounting the other pair of said pedestals to the lower portion of the other of said arms with one pedestal mounted at each end thereof and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in said lower chord frame structure.

3. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts iNterconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower gridlike chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at leasst one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising: at least one vertical column means; a framework support assembly carried by said column means and extending substantially horizontally intermediate said upper and lower chord frame structures, said framework support assembly comprising a horizontally extending arm, a pedestal mounted at each end of said arm, means mounting said pedestals to the lower portion of said arm to extend downwardly therefrom at opposite ends thereof, and means mounting said pedestals to connecting fixtures in the lower chord frame structure.

7. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising: at least one vertical column means; a framework support assembly disposed proximate one of said floor framework chord frame structures and carried by said column means; first means supportably connecting at least one connecting fixture of said floor framework to said support assembly; second means supportably securing said support assembly to said column means; wherein said framework support assembly comprises a cross-shaped member with right angled equal length arms each extending in a common horizontal plane, said column structure comprising axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said framework support assembly, said cross-shaped member attached substantially at mid-distance betweeN its ends on the bottom side thereof to the top of said downwardly extending column and on the top side of said cross member to the bottom of said upwardly extending column; four pedestal members each having a base, two of said pedestal members being attached to the top side of opposing ends of inline arms of said cross-shaped member, the other two pedestal members being attached at the opposite ends and bottom side of the other inline arms of said cross-shaped member, each of said pedestal members having connecting portions at the opposite ends thereof, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, the arms of said first mentioned pair of pedestal members adapted to engage connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure, while the arms of the other pair of pedestal members are adapted to engage connecting fixtures in the lower chord structure.

8. The combination of vertically spaced load carrying floor and roof frameworks with an upright support column structure, each framework comprising a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts interconnected by stress and load distributing connecting fixtures to define upper and lower grid-like chord frame structures disposed in spaced parallel planes, a plurality of elongated stress and load transmitting struts each connecting respectively with connecting fixtures of the upper and lower chord frame structures to define a web structure intermediate said chord frame structures, and fastening means for connecting said struts to said connecting fixtures; said column structure extending from a lower support base through said floor framework to said roof framework and supportingly connected to said frameworks and being fastened to at least one connecting fixture in said floor framework and at least one connecting fixture in said roof framework to transmit loads of said frameworks directly to the base through said column structure while maintaining the load and stress transmitting and distributing characteristics of each framework independently unaffected, said column structure comprising: at least one vertical column means; a framework support assembly disposed proximate one of said floor framework chord frame structures and carried by said column means; first means supportably connecting at least one connecting fixture of said floor framework to said support assembly; and second means supportably securing said support assembly to said column means; wherein said column means comprises axially aligned columns extending upwardly and downwardly from said framework support assembly, said framework support assembly comprising a single horizontal beam secured to the lower and upper ends respectively of said upwardly and downwardly extending columns, said single beam having pedestals carried thereon, one of which is connected to a connecting fixture in one of said chord structures to support the same; wherein said single beam is disposed above said upper chord structure, said pedestals extending downwardly for connecting with connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure for support of same.

9. In combination with a plurality of vertically spaced frame structures, each frame structure comprising a lower chord structure, an upper chord structure, and a stress distributing web structure spacing and interconnecting said chord structures, each of said chord structures comprising a plurality of connecting fixtures spaced along a plurality of longitudinal and lateral rows and elongated members extending between said connecting fixtures to form longitudinal and lateral rows of adjacent two dimensional spaced modules, the modules of one chord structure being longitudinally and laterally offset from the modules of the other chord structure, said web structure comprising elongated members extending between the fixtures of one chord structure and the fixtures of the other chord structure, said elongated members of both chord structure and the web structure being attached to the connecting fIxtures by appropriate fastening means, wherein each of said connecting fixtures comprises: angled flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said web structure and flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said chord structures; a support structure for supporting said plurality of vertically spaced frame structures above the ground comprising a first upright support column, the lower end of said support column being supported by the ground, an upper end of said support column disposed proximate one of said chord structures; a framework support assembly carried at the upper end of said first support column and engaging at least one of said connecting fixtures for fastening therewith; and a second upright support column having a lower end fastened to said framework support assembly, the uper end of said second upright support column having a second framework support assembly fastened thereto and engaging at least one of the connecting fixtures of the next higher of said vertically spaced frame structures for fastening therewith; wherein said first mentioned framework support assembly comprises a horizontal beam attached substantially at mid-distance between its opposite ends to the top of said upright support member, while the top of said beam is attached to the bottom of said second upright support column; a pair of short pedestal members each having a base, one of which is mounted on the top of said beam at one end thereof, the other base being mounted on the bottom of said beam at the other end thereof and each pedestal having connecting portions at their opposite ends, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, one of which is operable to engage the flat surfaces of one of said connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure, the other being operable to engage each of the flat surfaces of one of the connecting fixtures in said lower chord structure; each of said arms having means cooperable with said fastening means for conjoint mounting therewith, said beam being disposed in a vertical plane which is parallel to an elongated member in said web structure.

10. In combination with a plurality of vertically spaced frame structures, each frame structure comprising a lower chord structure, an upper chord structure, and a stress distributing web structure spacing and interconnecting said chord structures, each of said chord structures comprising a plurality of connecting fixtures spaced along a plurality of longitudinal and lateral rows and elongated members extending between said connecting fixtures to form longitudinal and lateral rows of adjacent two dimensional spaced modules, the modules of one chord structure being longitudinally and laterally offset from the modules of the other chord structure, said web structure comprising elongated members extending between the fixtures of one chord structure and the fixtures of the other chord structure, said elongated members of both chord structure and the web structure being attached to the connecting fixtures by appropriate fastening means, wherein each of said connecting fixtures comprises: angled flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said web structure and flat surfaces for mounting thereon the ends of the members forming said chord structures; a support structure for supporting said plurality of vertically spaced frame structures above the ground comprising a first upright support column, the lower end of said support column being supported by the ground, an upper end of said support column disposed proximate one of said chord structures; a framework support assembly carried at the upper end of said first support column and engaging at least one of said connecting fixtures for fastening therewith; and a second upright support column having a lower end fastened to said framework support assembly, the upper end of said second upright support column having a second framework support asSembly fastened thereto and engaging at least one of the connecting fixtures of the next higher of said vertically spaced frame structures for fastening therewith; wherein said first mentioned framework support assembly comprises a cross-shaped member with equal length arms each extending in a common horizontal plane, said cross-shaped member being attached substantially at mid-distance between its ends on the bottom side thereof to the top of said first upright support column and on the top side of said cross-shaped member to the bottom of said second upright support column; a plurality of short pedestal members each having a base, a plurality of said members being attached to the top side of opposing ends of inline arms of said cross-shaped member, the others of said members being attached at the ends and bottom side of the other inline arms of said cross-shaped member, each of said pedestals having connecting portions at the opposite ends thereof, said connecting portions being shaped with equal length arms, the arms of the first mentioned pair of pedestal members operable to engage the flat surfaces of connecting fixtures in said upper chord structure while the arms of the other pair of pedestal members are operable to engage the flat surfaces of the connecting fixtures in the lower chord structure, each of the arms having means cooperable with said fastening means for conjoint mounting therewith, on of said cross-shaped member arms being disposed in a plane which is parallel to one of said elongated members in said chord structure.