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(11) | EP 0 422 875 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Space frame |
| (57) A space frame comprises first and second chord structures which are spaced apart
and connected together by a strut structure comprising struts (3), the chord structures
each comprising chords which each consist of first and second chord members (1, 2)
which are fastened together in side by side relationship, each of the chord members
being channel shaped. |
[0002] Space frames are known and widely used in the construction of buildings in circumstances where a substantial area is to be covered which is to be largely free of supporting uprights.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a space frame having a first chord structure, a second chord structure and a strut structure comprised of struts spacing apart and connecting together the chord structures, wherein a chord of one of the chord structures comprises first and second chord members fastened together in side by side relationship and said chord members are connected to chords of the other chord structure by said strut structure.
[0005] The chords which comprise said other chord structure may be spaced apart from one another by a distance greater than the separation of the first and second chord members comprising a chord in said one of the chord structures.
[0006] Each chord member in said one of the chord structures may be connected to one adjacent chord only in the other chord structure by means of the struts.
[0007] The chords in the other chord structure may each comprise fastened together first and second chord members.
[0008] Each chord member in said one of the chord structures may be connected to one adjacent chord member only in the other chord structure by means of the struts.
[0009] The chords, in said one of the chord structures, may be spaced from each other by a distance equal to the spacing between the chord in said other chord structure.
[0010] The chords of the first chord structure may extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another and the chords of the second chord structure extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another.
[0011] The chords in the first chord structure may extend parallel or substantially parallel to the chords in the second chord structure.
[0012] The first chord structure may be positioned above the second chord structure relative to a surface on or over which the space frame extends.
[0013] The chords in the first chord structure may be laterally offset from the chords in the second chord structure.
[0014] The chord members of a chord may be fastened together by fasteners which each extend through and between the chord members.
[0015] The struts may extend obliquely between adjacent chords in the first and second chord structures.
[0016] The struts may each comprise a member having a straight middle portion and end portions which are substantially parallel with one another and which extend in opposite directions to one another away from the middle portion.
[0017] End portions of a strut may each provide an aperture through which is received a connector by which the strut is connected to a chord.
[0018] The space frame may further comprise reinforcing plates which each provide a hole which extends therethrough and through which is received the connector.
[0019] Each connector may extend through the hole in a reinforcing plate, through the aperture in the end portion of a strut and through a chord member such that the end portion of the strut is disposed between the chord member and the reinforcing plate.
[0020] Each reinforcing plate may be provided with two holes extending therethrough which each receive a respective connector such that one connector extends through an end portion of a first strut covered by the reinforcing plate and another connector extends through an end portion of a second strut, the two end portions covered by the reinforcing plate being disposed side by side at closely spaced positions along the chord member.
[0025] The space frame may further comprise elongate upper and lower bracing members, the upper bracing members being secured to and above the chords of the first chord structure and the lower bracing members being secured to and below the chords of the second chord structure, the bracing members extending transversely to the chords.
[0026] The bracing members may be secured to the chords at positions along the length of the chords at which the struts also are secured to the chords.
[0027] Each of the bracing members may be secured to at least two of the chords of the respective chord structure to which it is secured.
[0029] The chord members in a chord may be secured to one another such that the channels thereof face away from one another.
[0030] Each strut may be connected to a chord member at a surface thereof which defines an internal face of the channel.
[0031] The channel may be defined by first and second side webs of the chord member interconnected by an intermediate web, the first side web extending away from the intermediate web at an angle other than 90o thereto.
[0032] In this case the second side web preferably extends perpendicular to the intermediate web and the second side webs of two chord members are adjacent to one another and substantially parallel when the chord members are fastened together to form chords, the first side webs each affording means to permit of connecting struts thereto. In a space frame in which the first side webs of each channel section chord member are at an angle other than 90o to the intermediate web the struts may each comprise a member having a middle portion and end portions which are parallel with a longitudinal axis of the middle portion, the end portions each providing an aperture through which may be received a connector by which the strut may be connected to a chord.
[0034] The struts may be connected to a first web of the chord member by the connectors and the chord members are fastened together by means of the fasteners which extend through a second web of the chord member.
[0035] In certain embodiments of the space frame according to the invention each strut may provide at either longitudinal end thereof, an insert which is adapted to receive a part of a connector by which a strut is connected to a chord.
[0036] Preferably the or each insert is releasably provided in a strut end but alternatively the or each insert may be permanently secured in a strut end.
[0037] In such an embodiment of the space frame the angle of the elongate member may be defined by first and second side webs of the chord member which first and second side webs extend at an angle less than 180o to one another.
[0038] Moreover this embodiment of the space frame may comprise an adaptor means which provides an aperture through which may be passed a connector for reception in an insert of a strut, a longitudinal axis of the aperture extending obliquely to each of three mutually perpendicular planes in two of which extend the first and second side webs.
[0039] The adaptor means may include a second aperture, a longitudinal axis of which extends obliquely to each of three mutually perpendicular planes in two of which extend the first and second side webs and which extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the aperture.
[0040] The adaptor means may provide a further aperture for reception of a second connector for releasable securement of the adaptor means to a chord member.
[0041] Preferably the adaptor means comprises a plurality of plate-like parts which are angled relative to one another for seating in a channel of a chord member, one plate-like part providing the aperture, a second plate-like part providing the second aperture and a further plate-like part providing the further aperture.
[0042] A space frame according to the first aspect of the invention may comprise a prefabricated assembly according to the second aspect of the invention.
[0043] According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a prefabricated assembly for use in a space frame, the assembly comprising a pair of chord members being spaced apart from one another and connected together by struts which extend obliquely therebetween, the chord members being mutually parallel and affording securing means by which the prefabricated assembly can be secured to a further prefabricated assembly.
[0044] The chord members may each afford securing means whereby, when the prefabricated assembly is connected on either side to other prefabricated assemblies longitudinal axes of each of one group of three chord members are intersected, throughout their lengths, by a first common plane, longitudinal axes of each of another group of three chord members are intersected, throughout their length, by a second plane with lies parallel to and spaced from the first plane and the longitudinal axis of one of the chord members of the prefabricated assembly is also intersected, throughout its length by a third plane and the longitudinal axis of the other chord member of the prefabricated assembly is intersected, throughout its length, by a fourth plane, the third and fourth planes being perpendicular to the first and second planes and being spaced apart from each other.
[0045] The securing means in said one of the chord members may have a longitudinal axis which is intersected by one of either the first or the third plane and the securing means in said other of the chord members has an axis which is intersected by one of either the second or the fourth planes.
[0046] Connectors and reinforcing plates may be provided by which the struts are connected to the chord members such that end portions of two struts are each sandwiched between a chord member and a reinforcing plate and the end portions of the struts do not overlap one another.
[0047] Each of the struts may comprise a substantially straight member the end portions of which are substantially parallel to one another and are bent away from a middle portion of the strut in opposite directions therefrom, the end portions each providing an aperture through which is received a connector.
[0049] The reinforcing plates may each provide a hole extending therethrough through which may be received the connector.
[0050] Each reinforcing plate may be provided with two holes extending therethrough each of which receives a respective connector such that one connector extends through an end portion of a first strut covered by the reinforcing plate and another connector extends through an end portion of a second strut, the two end portions covered by the reinforcing plate being disposed side by side at closely space positions along the chord member.
[0055] The struts may be each connected to a side of the chords which defines an internal face of the channel.
[0057] A prefabricated assembly according to the second aspect of the invention when incorporated in a space frame,
[0058] According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a method of constructing a space frame which space frame comprises a plurality of inter-connected prefabricated assemblies, each assembly comprising a pair of chord members inter-connected by struts, comprising the steps of:
juxtaposing two assemblies such that a chord member of one of the assemblies lies side by side with a chord member of the other of the assemblies, and connecting together the assemblies to form a composite assembly.
[0059] The method may comprise the step of connecting together the chord members of each assembly which lie side by side.
[0060] The prefabricated assemblies may be in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The method may comprise the further steps of :-
juxtaposing two assemblies such that sides of the chord members which face away from sides thereof to which the struts are attached lie adjacent to one another and such that a shank of a bolt which secures a strut to a chord extends towards an aligned hole in the adjacent chord member which hole is plugged, pushing out the plug and admitting the shank of the bolt through the hole which the plug had previously plugged,and tensioning a nut onto the projecting shank of the bolt in order to secure it.
[0061] The method may comprise the step of juxtaposing a further assembly with the composite of two assemblies and securing it thereto, and securing to the resulting composite further prefabricated assemblies until a space frame of desired size and shape is constructed.
[0062] The method may comprise the step of positioning bracing members transversely to the chords, which chords are uppermost in the composite, at places along the chords which are adjacent to the places at which the struts are connected to the chords and securing the bracing members to the chords.
[0063] The method may comprise the further step of positioning bracing members transversely to the chords, which chords are lowermost in the composite, at places along the chords which are adjacent the places where the struts are connected to the chords and securing the bracing members to the chords.
[0064] A space frame embodying the invention comprises relatively few different components and it is relatively economical, simple and rapid to provide the space frame.
[0065] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of parts of two prefabricated assemblies suitable for construction of a space frame embodying the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of part of a space frame constructed from the prefabricated assemblies shown in Figure 1;
FIGURE 3 is a section on the line A-A in Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of parts of the prefabricated assemblies of Figure 1 immediately prior to connection together;
FIGURE 5 is a section on the line B-B in Figure 4.
FIGURE 5a is a view similar to that of Figure 5 but showing the assemblies when connected together,
FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic section through part of an alternative embodiment of a space frame embodying to the invention,
FIGURE 7 shows part of a still further embodiment of a space frame according to the invention,
FIGURE 8 is a section through part of another embodiment of a space frame according to the invention,
FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figure 8 and indicated by the letter P,
FIGURE 10 is a view of part of the construction shown in Figure 8 viewed from the direction of the arrow R in Figure 9,
FIGURE 11 is a diagrammatic section through part of yet another embodiment of the space frame according to the invention,
FIGURE 12 is a detail of an end of a strut such as is shown in Figure 8 and
FIGURE 13 is a detail of the connection between the end of the strut shown in Figure 12 and a chord member.
[0066] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a space frame comprises a plurality of chord members 1 of a chord structure which, in use, is uppermost relative to a surface over which the space frame extends, and a plurality of chord members 2 of a chord structure which is, in use, lower than the uppermost chord structure relative to the surface.
[0068] Pairs of the chord members 1 in the uppermost chord structure are fastened together in side by side relationship to form chords 40. Likewise pairs of the chord members 2 in the lower chord structure are similarly fastened to form chords 41.
[0069] The chords 40 in the uppermost chord structure are spaced apart from one another by the same distance as the spacing between adjacent chords 41 in the lower chord structure. Furthermore the chords 40, 41 in both of the chord structures extend parallel with one another.
[0070] Each chord member 1, 2 in either chord structure is connected to one adjacent chord only in the other chord structure by the struts 3. Moreover the chords 40 in the uppermost chord structure are laterally offset from the chords 41 in the lower chord structure so as to be disposed midway therebetween.
[0071] The space frame is comprised of a number of prefabricated assembly sub-units which are transported to the site of use in an already constructed form. Each prefabricated assembly comprises two chord members 12 which are spaced apart and connected together by the struts 3 as shown in Figure 1. Such a prefabricated assembly may readily be juxtaposed with another prefabricated assembly in a manner such that the assemblies may be secured together to provide a composite of two such assemblies which can then be juxtaposed with an secured to a further assembly or assemblies.
[0072] By provision of prefabricated assemblies of this kind a space frame may be constructed very rapidly indeed.
[0073] Each of the chord members 1, 2 in the embodiment of the space frame shown in Figures 1 to 5 comprises a channel section member having first and second parallel limbs 5, 6 which are spaced apart and connected together by a web 4.
[0074] The struts 3 comprise a member having a straight tubular middle portion 7 and flattened end portions 8 which extend substantially parallel and in opposite directions to one another away from the middle portion. This is best seen in Figure 4. Each of the end portions 8 of the struts 3 has an aperture 9 which extends therethrough and in which a shank 20 of a bolt 21 may be received.
[0075] Each of the chord members 1, 2 provides, at longitudinally spaced positions on the webs 4 thereof apertures 10 which extend through the webs 4 and which ore capable of receiving the shank 20 of a bolt 21.
[0076] The apertures 10 are provided in pairs on the web 4, each pair of apertures 10 being closely spaced together and being provided at equally spaced positions longitudinally of the web. Such is the arrangement of the apertures 10 on the webs 4 of a chord member 1 relative to the positions of the apertures 10 in the webs 4 of the chord members 2 that in the constructed space frame the apertures in the webs 4 of the chord members 1 are intermediate the positions of the apertures 10 in the webs 4 of the chord members 2. Consequently the struts 3 extend obliquely between adjacent chord members in the uppermost and lower chord structures.
[0077] The pairs of chord members 1 which comprise a chord 40 in the uppermost chord structure are fastened to one another by means of a bolt 21 which passes through aligned apertures 10 in the webs 4 of the chord members 1 and in like manner pairs of chord members 2 in the other chord structure 41 are also fastened together by bolts.
[0078] The struts 3 also are connected to the chord members 1, 2 by means of the bolts 21 and by means of reinforcing plates 22 which are interposed between heads 23 of the bolts and each end portion 8 of the struts 3 such that each end portion 8 of each strut 3 is interposed between a chord member 1, 2 and reinforcing plate 22. As shown in Figure 5 the reinforcing plates 22 comprise plates which each provide two holes 24 through which may be received the shanks 20 of the bolts 21. In this manner each reinforcing plate covers two apertures 10 in the web 4 of a chord member 1, 2 and serves to cover the end portions of two struts 3 where they are connected to the chord member in a manner such that the end portions 8 of the struts 3 do not overlap one another.
[0079] Figures 4 and 5 show a detail of two prefabricated assemblies immediately prior to securing the assemblies together. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5 each pair of apertures 10 in the webs 4 of two juxtaposed chord members has two struts 3 connected thereto, one strut 3 at each aperture 10. The struts 3 are interposed in each case between a reinforcing plate 22 and the web 4. One of the struts in each pair is connected to the chord member by means of a bolt 21 and nut 21a whilst the other is held in place between the reinforcing plate 22 and the web 4 by means of a plug 35 which extends through each of one of the apertures 10, the hole in the end portion 8 of the strut 3 and the aperture 24 in the reinforcing plate.
[0080] As can be seen in Figure 5 when the prefabricated assemblies are juxtaposed for securing them together each bolt 21 extending through one of the chord members is aligned with a plug 35 in the other.
[0081] When it is desired to fasten together the chord members the plugs 35 are removed and the shanks 20 of the bolts 21 are pushed through the aligned apertures and holes which were occupied by the plugs and secured by means of further nuts 21b.
[0082] By provision of plugs 35 instead of bolts in one of each pair of apertures 10 the chord members may be fastened to one another more rapidly since there are fewer nuts to be undone from bolts and, moreover the chord members can be more closely aligned prior to fastening them together so that there is less chance of the reinforcing plates, struts and webs becoming misaligned during insertion of the shanks 20 into the, now vacant aligned holes and apertures. Moreover the plugs 35 may be pushed out of their places by the shanks 20 of the bolts 21 as the chord members are brought together.
[0083] The space frame according to the invention further comprises elongate upper 30 and lower 31 bracing members, the upper bracing members 30 being secured to and above the chords of the uppermost chord structure and the lower bracing members 31 being secured to and below the chords of the lower chord structure, the bracing members 30, 31 extending transversely to the chords and being laterally offset from one another.
[0084] The bracing members 30, 31 are secured to the chords at positions along the length of the chords at which the apertures 10 are provided in the webs 4 thereof. In this way the bracing members 30, 31 cross the chords at positions at which the struts 3 are connected to the chord member 1, 2 in each chord structure.
[0085] Each bracing member 30, 31 is secured to at least two of the chords in the respective chord structure to which that bracing member is secured.
[0086] Structures of various different shapes and sub-unit shapes may be constructed from prefabricated assemblies of the kind described and it will be understood that individual integers of the space frame may be of alternative constructions to those described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
[0087] For example the chord members 1, 2 could be of other shapes instead of channel shaped and Figure 6 shows part of a space frame in which the chord members 1, 2 are angle section members.
[0088] Moreover, Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which fasteners are used to fasten together the chord members 1, 2 and separate connectors connect the struts 3 to the chord members 1, 2. It will be understood that separate means for connecting the struts to the chords and for fastening together the chord members 1, 2 and may alternatively be provided in a space frame structure which provides chord members of channel section. Moreover, whilst in Figure 6 the strut 3 is shown to be connected to a flange web 50 of the chord member which is perpendicular to the web 45 thereof, the struts 3 could be connected to and between the chord members 1, 2 by being connected to the webs 45 instead. Moreover the struts 3 could be connected to these webs 45 at positions other than the positions of apertures in the webs 45 by which pairs of chord members in a given chord structure could be fastened together. Other apertures than these could be provided in the web 45 for connecting the struts 3 thereto.
[0089] Figure 7 shows part of a still further embodiment of the invention in which the chord members 1, 2 each comprise channel section elongate members in which a first side web 60 is provided which is inclined relative to both an intermediate web 65 and to a second side web 70 thereof. In a space frame of this kind the struts 3 need not possess end portions which are angled relative to a middle portion thereof but the resulting space frame still comprises chords in upper and lower chord structures which are laterally offset from one another.
[0090] Thus irrespective of whether the chord members are channel shaped or angle shaped or of any other shape separate or the same means may be used to fasten the chord members together to comprise chords and to connect the struts to the chords.
[0091] Struts having an alternative construction or configuration to those described may be used if desired.
[0092] Moreover the bracing members may be secured to the chords in the respective chord structures by any suitable means such as by bolts or by welding.
[0093] Referring to Figure 8 another embodiment of a space frame according to the invention is shown which comprises chord members 1, 2 spaced apart and connected together by a plurality of struts 3. There are bracing members 30, 31 extending transversely to the chord members 1, 2. The struts 3 connect with the chord members 1, 2 by means of connectors 100 which comprise a plurality of plates 101, 102 which are connected together to form an integral whole and which are angled relative to one another so as to sit within an angle of a chord member 1, 2 and present the plates 101 at angles to one another and to sides 200, 201 of the chord members 1, 2 which provide the angle. The plates 102 each lie flat or substantially flat against the sides 200,201 of the chord members 1, 2 which form the angle and they provide apertures 103 which can be aligned with apertures provided in the chord members 1, 2 to permit of securing the plates 102 to the sides 200, 201 of the chord members 1, 2 by means of a bolt or similar fastener passed through the thus aligned apertures.
[0094] The same bolt(s) or fastener(s) by which the connectors 100 are secured to the chords may also be used to fasten together chord members 1, 2 in back-to-back fashion and this is illustrated by a single bolt 104 in Figure 9.
[0095] An aperture 105 is provided in each of the plates 101 and a bolt or similar such fastener can be passed through an aperture 105 to interconnect with a suitably adapted end of a strut 3 thus to secure the strut 3 to the connector 100. Figure 12 shows an end of a strut 3 which has an insert 106 therein.
[0096] The insert 106 is secured in the open end of the strut 3 by provision of an annular recess 110 in the insert. The wall of strut 3 is, during securement of the insert 110 therein, pressed so as to protrude into the recess and hold it against movement within the hollow interior of the strut. A protruding lip 111 of the strut 3 and is turned inwards further to secure the insert against displacement from the end of the strut.
[0097] It will be understood that the insert 106 could be secured to the struts by some means other than that described above, for example by the method set out in our prior patent 2169678. Moreover the securement could be releasable rather than permanent.
[0098] The insert 106 includes a threaded bore 107 in which may be received a bolt which has been passed through an aperture of 105 in a plate 101 of a connector 100. This is illustrated in Figure 13.
[0099] Figure 11 shows an alternative arrangement of the chord members 1, 2 in which one of each pair of chord members which lie back-to-back and are connected together comprise sides 300, 301 which form an angle and inwardly turned flanges 303, 304, each one of these providing, at its extremity a lip 110. The other of each pair of chord members which lie back-to-back also comprises sides which form an angle, one of the sides providing a flange 109 which is inwardly turned and the other of the sides providing an outwardly turned flange 108 which provides, at its extremity, a lip 111. The pairs of chord members, when juxtaposed for connection together are arranged such that the flange 108 and lip 111 overlie the flange 109 and lip 110 of an adjacent chord member. This assists in alignment of the chord members prior to and after connection together.
[0100] It will be appreciated that this arrangement of chord members could be applied to the embodiment of the space frame which is shown in Figure 6 or to the embodiment of the space frame which is shown in Figure 7.
[0101] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompany ing drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
1. A space frame having a first chord structure, a second chord structure and a strut
structure comprised of struts spacing apart and connecting together the chord structures,
wherein a chord of one of the chord structures comprises first and second chord members
fastened together in side by side relationship and said chord members are connected
to chords of the other chord structure by said strut structure.
2. A space frame according to Claim 1 in which the chords which comprise said other
chord structure are spaced apart from one another by a distance greater than the separation
of the first and second chord members comprising a chord in said one of the chord
structures.
3. A space frame according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which each chord member in said
one of the chord structures is connected to one adjacent chord only in the other chord
structure by means of the struts.
4. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the chords
in the other chord structure each comprise fastened together first and second chord
members.
5. A space frame according to Claim 4 in which each chord member in said one of the
chord structures is connected to one adjacent chord member only in the other chord
structure by means of the struts.
6. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the chords,
in said one of the chord structures, are spaced from each other by a distance equal
to the spacing between the chord in said other chord structure.
7. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the chords
of the first chord structure extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another
and the chords of the second chord structure extend parallel or substantially parallel
to one another.
8. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the chords
in the first chord structure extend parallel or substantially parallel to the chords
in the second chord structure.
9. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first chord
structure is positioned above the second chord structure relative to a surface on
or over which the space frame extends.
10. A space frame according to Claim 9 in which the chords in the first chord structure
are laterally offset from the chords in the second chord structure.
11. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the chord
members of a chord are fastened together by fasteners which each extend through and
between the chord members.
12. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the struts
extend obliquely between adjacent chords in the first and second chord structures.
13. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which the struts
each comprise a member having a straight middle portion and end portions which are
substantially parallel with one another and which extend in opposite directions to
one another away from the middle portion, the end portions each providing an aperture
through which is received a connector by which the strut is connected to a chord.
14. A space frame according to Claim 13 which further comprises reinforcing plates
which each provide a hole which extends therethrough and through which is received
the connector, each connector extending through the hole in a reinforcing plate, through
the aperture in the end portion of a strut and through a chord member such that the
end portion of the strut is disposed between the chord member and the reinforcing
plate.
15. A space frame according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 in which each fastener and each
connector is releasable.
16. A space frame according to any one of Claims 13 to 15 when appendant to Claim
11 in which each connector and fastener comprises a common component.
17. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims which further comprises
elongate upper and lower bracing members, the upper bracing members being secured
to and above the chords of the first chord structure and the lower bracing members
being secured to and below the chords of the second chord structure, the bracing members
extending transversely to the chords.
18. A space frame according to Claim 17 in which the upper bracing members are laterally
offset from the lower bracing members.
19. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which each chord
member comprises a channel section elongate member, the chord members in a chord being
secured to one another such that the channels thereof face away from one another and
each strut being connected to a chord member at a surface thereof which defines an
internal face of the channel.
20. A space frame according to any one of the preceding claims in which each chord
member comprises an elongate member of angle section.
21. A space frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 15 or Claims 17 to 20 when appendant
to any one of Claims 1 to 15 in which the struts are connected to a first web of the
chord member by the connectors and the chord members are fastened together by means
of the fasteners which extend through a second web of the chord member.
22. A space frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 18 in which each chord member
comprises a channel section member and in which the channel is defined by first and
second side webs of the chord member interconnected by an intermediate web, the first
side web extending away from the intermediate web at an angle other than 90o thereto and the second side web extending generally perpendicular to the intermediate
web such that the second side webs of two chord members are adjacent to one another
and lie substantially parallel to one another when the chord members are fastened
together to form chords and the first side webs thereof afford means to permit of
connecting struts thereto.
23. A space frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, or 17 to 20 when appendant
to any one of Claims 1 to 12 in which each strut provides at either longitudinal end
thereof, an insert which is adapted to receive a part of a connector by which a strut
is connected to a chord.
24. A space frame according to Claim 23 when appendant to Claim 20 in which the angle
is defined by first and second side webs of the chord member which first and second
side webs extend at an angle less than 180o to one another.
25. A space frame according to Claim 24 which further comprises an adaptor means which
provides an aperture through which may be passed a connector for reception in an insert
of a strut, a longitudinal axis of the aperture extending obliquely to each of three
mutually perpendicular planes in two of which extend the first and second side webs.
26. A space frame according to Claim 25 in which the adaptor means includes a second
aperture a longitudinal axis of which extends obliquely to each of three mutually
perpendicular planes in two of which extend the first and second side webs and which
extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the aperture.
27. A space frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 20 comprising a prefabricated
assembly in accordance with any one of Claims 28 to 33.
28. A prefabricated assembly for use in a space frame, the assembly comprising a pair
of chord members being spaced apart from one another and connected together by struts
which extend obliquely therebetween, the chord members being mutually parallel and
affording securing means by which the prefabricated assembly can be secured to a further
prefabricated assembly.
29. A prefabricated assembly according to Claim 28 in which the chord members each
afford securing means whereby, when the prefabricated assembly is connected on either
side to other prefabricated assemblies longitudinal axes of each of one group of three
chord members are intersected, throughout their lengths, by a first common plane,
longitudinal axes of each of another group of three chord members are intersected,
throughout their lengths, by a second plane with lies parallel to and spaced from
the first plane and the longitudinal axis of one of the chord members of the prefabricated
assembly is also intersected, throughout its length by a third plane and the longitudinal
axis of the other chord member of the prefabricated assembly is intersected, throughout
its length, by a fourth plane, the third and fourth planes being perpendicular to
the first and second planes and being spaced apart from each other.
30. A prefabricated assembly according to Claim 28 or Claim 29 in which connectors
and reinforcing plates are provided by which the struts are connected to the chord
members such that end portions of two struts are each sandwiched between a chord member
and a reinforcing plate and the end portions of the struts do not overlap one another.
31. A prefabricated assembly according to Claim 30 in which each of the struts comprises
a substantially straight member the end portions of which are substantially parallel
to one another and are bent away from a middle portion of the strut in opposite directions
therefrom, the end portions each providing an aperture through which is received a
connector.
32. A prefabricated assembly according to any one of Claims 28 to 31 in which the
securing means comprises fasteners which extend through the chord members and each
connector and fastener comprises a common component.
33. A prefabricated assembly according to any one of Claims 28 to 32 when incorporated
in a space frame according to any one of Claims 1 to 27.
34. A method of constructing a space frame which space frame comprises a plurality
of inter-connected prefabricated assemblies, each assembly comprising a pair of chord
members inter-connected by struts, comprising the steps of:
juxtaposing two assemblies such that a chord member of one of the assemblies lies side by side with a chord member of the other of the assemblies, and connecting together the assemblies to form a composite assembly.
juxtaposing two assemblies such that a chord member of one of the assemblies lies side by side with a chord member of the other of the assemblies, and connecting together the assemblies to form a composite assembly.
35. A method according to Claim 34 in which the prefabricated assemblies are in accordance
with any one of Claims 28 to 33.
36. A method according to Claim 35 comprising the further steps of:-
juxtaposing two assemblies such that sides of the chord members which face away from sides thereof to which the struts are attached lie adjacent to one another and such that a shank of a bolt which secures a strut to a chord extends toward an aligned hole in the adjacent chord member which hole is plugged, pushing out the plug and admitting the shank of the bolt through the hole which the plug had previously plugged,and tensioning a nut onto the projecting shank of the bolt in order to secure it.
juxtaposing two assemblies such that sides of the chord members which face away from sides thereof to which the struts are attached lie adjacent to one another and such that a shank of a bolt which secures a strut to a chord extends toward an aligned hole in the adjacent chord member which hole is plugged, pushing out the plug and admitting the shank of the bolt through the hole which the plug had previously plugged,and tensioning a nut onto the projecting shank of the bolt in order to secure it.
37. A method according to any one of Claims 34 to 36 further comprising the step of
juxtaposing a further assembly with the composite of two assemblies and securing it
thereto, and securing to the resulting composite further prefabricated assemblies
until a space frame of desired size and shape is constructed.