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AU641011B2 - Nodal connecting member - Google Patents

Nodal connecting member Download PDF

Info

Publication number
AU641011B2
AU641011B2 AU77307/91A AU7730791A AU641011B2 AU 641011 B2 AU641011 B2 AU 641011B2 AU 77307/91 A AU77307/91 A AU 77307/91A AU 7730791 A AU7730791 A AU 7730791A AU 641011 B2 AU641011 B2 AU 641011B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
connecting member
closure
hollow body
opening
nodal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
AU77307/91A
Other versions
AU7730791A (en
Inventor
Phillip Graham Calow
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NOVAPLAS Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
NOVAPLAS Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NOVAPLAS Pty Ltd filed Critical NOVAPLAS Pty Ltd
Priority to AU77307/91A priority Critical patent/AU641011B2/en
Publication of AU7730791A publication Critical patent/AU7730791A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU641011B2 publication Critical patent/AU641011B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S2/00—Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B1/1903—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
    • E04B1/1906—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor with central spherical, semispherical or polyhedral connecting element
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/196—Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Description

II
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990 '401 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For a Standard Patent
ORIGINAL
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT .0
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Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: NOVAPLAS PTY LTD PHILIP GRAHAM CALOW WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.
239 Adelaide Attorney code: WR Invention Title: goes*:
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55.5 55 5 0 S *s so5 "Nodal Connecting Member" Details of Associated Provisional Application: No: PK0233 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 THIS INVENTION relates to space frames and in particular to a nodal connecting member for intersecting frame members of space frame.
Lighting systems for space frames have traditionally been limited to suspending lighting from either the framework itself or from the nodes which connect the framework. Such systems are visually unappealing, are subject to corrosion or other effects of being open to the weather, and tend to be difficult to access.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a nodal connecting member which overcomes, or at least partly alleviates, the above described difficulties.
The present invention provides a nodal connecting member co for connecting together intersecting frame members of a space frame, the nodal connecting member comprising a hollow body having an opening providing access to the interior of the hollow body, a removable closure associated with the opening, and fixing means for clampingly retaining the closure in position with respect to the opening, wherein the hollow body is provided with means for connection with frame members of the space frame, and the closure accommodates a mounting means for a light. The
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hollow body may have a substantially spherical configuration.
In a preferred form, the closure is rotatable with respect to the hollow body for engagement with the fixing means.
The fixing means may comprise a shank extending between the closure and the interior face of the hollow body opposite the opening for threaded engagement with the closure or the hollow body. Preferably, the shank is threadably engagable with a nut mounted on a bridge member provided on the closure.
3 In this form the bridge member supports the nut at a location inwardly of a region provided within the closure for accommodating the light.
In an alternative form, the shank which engages the nut mounted on the bridge member extends through an aperture in the wall of the hollow body opposite the opening. The shank may be provided with a bolt or screw-head to allow operation from outside the hollow body. In this form, it would of course not be necessary that the closure is rotatable with respect to the hollow body. The head of the shank may be configured to be flush with the outer surface of the hollow body.
In another aspect the invention resides in a space frame comprising frame members interconnected by a nodal 15 connecting member as described above.
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The invention will be better understood by reference following description of one specific embodiment as in the accompanying drawings, in which:to the shown
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Figure 1 is a schematic view of a space frame incorporating frame members interconnected with nodal connecting members according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of a nodal connecting member according to the embodiment; Figure 3 is a plan view of the nodal connecting member of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an underside view of the nodal connecting member of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the nodal connecting member of Figure 2; and 4 Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with the exception that the closure is shown in a removed condition.
The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a nodal connecting member which is employed in a space frame shown schematically in Figure 1, and which comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members 11 defining chords, and a plurality of inclined frame members 13 defining webs. The frame members 11 and 13 are tubular and intersect at nodes 15. A nodal connecting member 17 according to the embodiment provides a means for connecting the intersecting members at the nodes.
Each nodal connecting member 17 comprises a hollow body 21 having an internal wall 22 which defines an interior cavity 15 23 access to which is provided by way of an opening 25. A removable closure 27 is provided for the opening.
559 A plurality of apertures 29 are formed in the body. The apertures have their central axis located at angles relative to each other corresponding to the angles of intersection of the frame members 11 and 13 of the space frame at the nodes thereof. Each aperture is surrounded by a socket formation 30 on the outer surface of the body.
The base 31 of each socket is substantially flat. The end sections of the frame members of the space frames are received in the sockets and retained in position by axial studs 32 which are mounted within the frame members and o* which are received in the apertures. The studs 32 extend into cavity 23 within the hollow body and are engaged by nuts 34 which bear against the internal wall 22 and so retain the studs in position and thereby secure the frame members to the nodal connecting member. Access to the interior of the hollow body for the purpose of fixing the frame members to the body is accomplished by way of the 5 as 4** 0.00
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opening 25. On completion of the fixing of the frame members together using the nodal connecting member, the closure is placed in position.
The closure 27 comprises an outer portion 41 having an exterior face 42 which corresponds generally to the outer surface of the body and an inner portion 43 '-.ich extends into the opening in close engagement with the wall thereof. The closure 4.s retained in position by being threadably engaged with a shank 47 mounted on the inner wall of the body opposite to the opening. The shank 47 has a threaded formation 49 for engagement with a nut mounted on the closure. The nut 50 is more particularly mounted on a bridge member 51 which has a pair of leg portions 53 and a central portion 55 which is spaced 15 inwardly of the outer portion 41 and which carries the nut.
The closure is provided with a space 61 for accommodating a light 63. The light includes a reflector 63 mounted onto the side wall of the opening and a lens 65 disposed closely adjacent to the exterior face 42 of the closure and retained in such position by a circlip 66. Electrical supply lines 46 for the light are installed within the tubular frame members 11, 13 and enter the nodal connecting member 17 preferably via frame member 13 (shown in Figure and the associated stud 32 which is provided with a central bore to accommodate the supply lines. The studs for other frame members (not shown) attached to the nodal connecting member 17 may also be provided with a bore but for convenience are preferably solid. Of course, the electrical supply lines may also enter the nodal connecting member 17 via frame member 11.
The provision of the bridge member 51 ensures that the nut can be set back from the outer portion 41 and so provide
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0s 6 an unobstructed area for the space 61 which accommodates the light.
From the foregoing it is evident that the present embodiment provides a nodal connecting member which houses a light in a simple and effective manner for illuminating the area below the space frame. The light is readily accessible for maintenance or servicing purposes by removal of the closure from the body, and the light is well protected from the effects of weathering. Further, less components are required for the lighting, such as outer protective casing, which decreases the cost of providing such lighting.
It will also be appreciated that various modifications and alterations may be made to the above configurations without ,o 15 departing from the scope of the present invention.
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Claims (9)

1. A nodal connecting member for connecting together intersecting frame members of a space frame, said nodal connecting member, comprising a hollow body having an opening providing access to the interior of the hollow body, a removable closure associated with the opening, and fixing means for clampingly retaining the closure in position with respect to the opening, wherein the hollow body is provided with means for connection with frame members of the space frame, and the closure accommodates a mounting means for a light. S*'
2. A nodal connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a shank extending 0. between the closure and the interior face of the hollow "body opposite the opening for threaded engagement with the closure or the hollow body.
3. A nodal connecting member according to claim 2, wherein the shank is threadably engagable with a nut mounted on a bridge member provided on the closure. s.*
4. A nodal connecting member according to any one of S.C claims 1 to 3 wherein the closure is rotatable with respect to the hollow body for engagement with the fixing means.
5. A nodal connecting member according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the shank extends through an aperture in the wall of the hollow body opposite the opening.
6. A nodal connecting member according to claim 3, or to either of claim 4 or claim 5 when appended to claim 3, wherein said bridge member supports said nut at a location inwardly of a region provided within the closure for accommodating the light. 8
7. A space frame comprising frame members interconnected by a nodal connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. A nodal connecting member according to claim 1 substantially as herein described in relation to the accompanying drawings.
9. A space frame according to claim 7 substantially as herein described in relation to the accompanying drawings. DATED this TWENTY FIRST day of MAY 1991 *tea NOVAPLAS PTY LTD Applicant. WRAY ASSOCIATES, Perth, Western Australia, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. a 9 0 4. s fc ABSTRACT A nodal connecting member 17 for connecting together intersecting frame members 11, 13 of a space frame. The nodal connecting member comprises a hollow body 21 having an opening 25 providing access to the interior 23 of the hollow body, and a removable closure 27 associated with the opening. Fixing means 47, 51 are also provided for clampingly retaining the closure in position with respect to the opening. The hollow body is further provided with means 30 for connection with frame members of the space frame, while the closure accommodates a mounting means for a light 63. d* 0 S 4 6*s 0 S. O 0 0
AU77307/91A 1990-05-21 1991-05-21 Nodal connecting member Expired AU641011B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU77307/91A AU641011B2 (en) 1990-05-21 1991-05-21 Nodal connecting member

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK023390 1990-05-21
AUPK0233 1990-05-21
AU77307/91A AU641011B2 (en) 1990-05-21 1991-05-21 Nodal connecting member

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU7730791A AU7730791A (en) 1991-11-21
AU641011B2 true AU641011B2 (en) 1993-09-09

Family

ID=25638526

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU77307/91A Expired AU641011B2 (en) 1990-05-21 1991-05-21 Nodal connecting member

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU641011B2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3004474A1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-17 Kaveh Rastegar SPACE STRUCTURE

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU684155B2 (en) * 1994-06-08 1997-12-04 Carlo Muneretto Structural steel alternative

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU7368681A (en) * 1980-08-06 1982-02-11 Lobert, M. Space frame connector
AU527486B2 (en) * 1980-05-14 1983-03-03 Lajet Energy Co. Tubular beam joint
AU7493887A (en) * 1986-07-08 1988-01-14 Shima, H. Elements for constructing a three-dimensional structure

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU527486B2 (en) * 1980-05-14 1983-03-03 Lajet Energy Co. Tubular beam joint
AU7368681A (en) * 1980-08-06 1982-02-11 Lobert, M. Space frame connector
AU7493887A (en) * 1986-07-08 1988-01-14 Shima, H. Elements for constructing a three-dimensional structure

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3004474A1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-17 Kaveh Rastegar SPACE STRUCTURE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7730791A (en) 1991-11-21

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Legal Events

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MK14 Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired
NA Applications received for extensions of time, section 223

Free format text: AN APPLICATION TO EXTEND THE TIME FROM 20020521 TO 20030521 IN WHICH TO PAY A RENEWAL FEE HAS BEEN LODGED

NB Applications allowed - extensions of time section 223(2)

Free format text: THE TIME IN WHICH TO PAY A RENEWAL FEE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 20030521