Patent · US Expired

Pipe-and-ball truss array

US4161088A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
5References
27Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 11, 1977
Grant dateJul 17, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 11, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/347
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An improved pipe-and-ball truss array for supporting a deck surface, such as a roof deck or a wall panel, thereon in a predetermined plane is provided in which the outer chord of the truss array comprises an outer hollow pipe element having a structural tee element extending radially outward from the outer surface thereof in a plane normal to the plane in which the deck surface is to be supported on the truss array and an inner rod running through the pipe along the longitudinal axis thereof. A hollow substantially ball-like member, such as a hollow spherical member, is provided which is common to a plurality of truss members which truss members are joined to the spherical member by bolting. The structural tee element comprises a radially extending portion and a first planar extending portion normal thereto, with the first planar extending portion extending in a plane parallel to the deck surface supporting plane and being capable of structurally supporting the deck surface thereon above the outer hollow pipe element. The outer hollow pipe elements which have such radially extending structural tee elements are structurally stronger in bending than the outer hollow pipe elements whi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.