Space frame node
US4982546A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/349
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A space frame node including a hub, a facet device, and a transition connector for holding the facet deviced to the hub. For a planar node, the hub is formed by a pair of members fastened together such that receptor cavities are created between them so as to receive transition connectors, generally in the form of bolts. Any of a variety of facet devices are threaded onto the bolts. For a spherical node, three pairs of hub forming members facing one another are joined together at four legs with bolts and facet devices or alternatively nuts. In addition, facet devices may be installed in the intersecting regions of the legs of the hub forming members. These nodes are lightweight, are usable with quick connect/disconnect facet devices as necessary, and result in a reduction of field assembly time of space frame structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.