Integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure

• US 20090313938A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Piao-Chin Li
• Original Assignee: Piao-Chin Li
• Inventors: Li, Piao-Chin
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/656.900
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1909 with central cylindrical connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1918 with connecting nodes having flat radial connecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1927 of essentially circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/196 Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1963 Screw connections with axis at an angle, e.g. perpendicular, to the main axis of the strut

Abstract

An integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure includes a framework, a predetermined quantity of protruded connecting bases and a specific quantity of positioning element. The framework is a predetermined shaped axial rod, which acts as a main body of the whole connector. The protruded connecting base has a specific quantity of protruding bodies extended in different positions and directions and disposed on a predetermined shaped base body and along the peripheral surface of the framework, and fixed onto the framework by a positioning element to form a connector used for connecting various different spatial structures in any direction and position. An axial pipe and a lateral connecting element are used for connecting the connectors to form the spatial structure. The shapes of the framework, the protruded connecting base and the positioning element can be changed to fit the shape and the connection of the spatial structure.

Claims

1. An integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure, comprising:

a) a framework, formed by a predetermined quantity of protruded connecting bases and a predetermined quantity of positioning elements, wherein the framework is an axial rod in a predetermined shape and acts a main body of the whole connector;

the protruded connecting base includes a base body disposed at an external periphery of the framework, and a protruding body extended radially outward from a surface of the framework and having a plurality of levels provided for connections in different directions, and the protruding bodies including bodies in a same shape or different shapes; and

b) at least two positioning elements, installed to upper and lower ends of the framework axially and respectively, such that the upper and lower ends of the framework constitute an axial coupling portion, and two upper and lower positioning elements fix the protruded connecting base onto the framework, and the three constitute a connector, and the axial coupling portion and radially extended protruding bodies of different directions, positions, and angles between corresponding connectors are assembled by axial pipes and lateral connecting elements to form a spatial structure in a predetermined shape.

2. The integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the framework includes a coupling portion having a threaded body and being disposed individually at both upper and lower ends of the framework, and the base body of the protruded connecting base includes a ring body sheathed onto an outer peripheral surface of the framework, and a plurality of extended protruding bodies are disposed around the periphery of the ring body, and the two positioning elements are screws provided for connecting the plurality of protruded connecting bases onto the framework in series, so as to form a connector (40A), (40B).

3. The integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure as recited in claim 2, wherein the extended protruding body of the protruded connecting base is in a circular shape, a plate-shape or a polygonal shape, and includes a thread, a screw hole or a latch slot with an angle extended horizontally, tilted upward, or tilted downward.

4. The integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the axial coupling portion disposed individually at both upper and lower ends of the framework includes a threaded body, and a plurality of latch slots extended outwardly and axially and disposed around an external periphery of the framework, and a base body of the protruded connecting base includes an axial wedge embedded into the axial latch slot, and a plurality of protruding bodies extended in different directions and disposed on an external surface of the axial wedge, and the two positioning elements are screws, each having a press surface, for setting a plurality of embedding rings to the protruded connecting base of the axial latch slot for an axial connection, so as to form a connector (40C).

5. The integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling portion disposed individually at both upper and lower ends of the framework includes a threaded body, and a plurality of levels of protruded connecting bases disposed on an external periphery of the coupling portion and connected in series with each other, and a base body of the upper-level and lower level protruded connecting bases includes internal and external rings, and a plurality of axial positioning holes disposed between the internal and external rings, and the internal ring is sheathed onto an outer peripheral surface of the framework, and a plurality of protruding bodies are extended from an external periphery of the external ring, and the middle-level protruded connecting base includes an axial wedge with upper and lower ends embedded into the axial positioning holes of the upper- and lower-level protruded connecting bases, such that the three levels of protruded connecting bases are combined into a complex protruded connector (40D), and the two positioning elements are screws provided for fixing the complex protruded connector (40D) onto the framework.

6. The integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure as recited in claim 1, wherein the framework of the complex protruded connector (40E) is a square body, and the base body of the protruded connecting base includes an axial wedge, and a plurality of protruding bodies extended in different directions, positions, and angles and disposed on an external surface of the axial wedge, and each side of the two positioning elements is aligned corresponding to an end portion of the axial wedge, and includes a latch slot for fixing the upper and lower ends of the framework respectively, and the corresponding upper and lower latch slots are provided for fixing the plurality of protruded connecting bases onto the framework.