Reticular spatial structure

• US 4,796,389 A
• Filed: 06/01/1987
• Issued: 01/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Binistar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Binistar International NV
• Inventors: Bogliari, Domenico, Bini, Dante, Minozzi, Daniele, Zucchi, Dario, Pietrogrande, Stefano, Lomoro, Sandro
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/055,955
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 52/81, 52/2, 135/102, 135/103, 403/171, 403/172, 403/408.1
• US Class Current: 52/2.26
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1906 with central spherical, semispherical or polyhedral connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1909 with central cylindrical connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3211 Structures with a vertical rotation axis or the like, e.g. semi-spherical structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1927 of essentially circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1942 Struts adjustable in length
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1987 triangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3217 Auxiliary supporting devices used during erection of the arched structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3247 Nodes
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3252 Covering details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3294 with a faceted surface
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 7/105 Grid-like structures

Abstract

A reticular spatial structure comprising a plurality of perimetral rod-like elements which are associable, at their ends, with perimetral nodes; a plurality of variable-length rod-like elements hinged to connecting nodes having a spherical contact surface adapted to allow the rotation of at least part of the variable-length rod-like elements both about the axis of said elements and with respect to the geometrical center of the various nodes, for the extension of the variable-length elements during the raising of the framework which is preassembled on a base plane. A connecting node comprises a lower plate and an upper plate securing a covering membrane, which can be fixed to a rocker suspension pivot connected to a hollow body having both the outer surface and the inner surface in the shape of equatorial segments of concentric spheres. The hollow body is provided with openings for the insertion of the node-rode fixing bolts.

Claims

1. Reticular spatial structure comprising;

perimetral nodes,

a plurality of perimetral rod-like elements having ends, said ends being associated with said perimetral nodes,

connecting nodes defining a geometrical center and each comprising a lower plate, an upper plate, and a hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface,

a plurality of variable-length rod-like elements having ends and axes, said ends being hingeable to said connecting nodes to form a framework, at least part of said variablelength rod-like elements being rotatable both about said axes and with respect to said geometrical center of said connecting nodes for causing extension of said variablelength elements to a final selected extension length during raising of said framework to form a reticular spatial structure having a dome-like shape, said structure further comprising;

node rod fixing bolts adapted for fixing said rod-like elements to said nodes

locking means adapted to prevent return of said rod-like elements to a length which is different from said final selected extension length,

a rocker suspension pivot connected to each said hollow body, and

a covering membrane held by said lower plate and said upper plate of each of said connecting nodes and coupled to said rocker suspension pivot, wherein said inner surface and said outer surface of said hollow body are shaped as equatorial segments of concentric spheres, and wherein said hollow body has a wall inscribed by said two concentric spheres and provided with a plurality of openings, said openings being arranged radially for allowing insertion of said node-rod fixing bolts and for achieving structural continuity of said structure after pneumatic raising thereof.

2. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 1, wherein said lower plate and said upper plate are mutually locked together by means of a locking nut, said locking nut being engageable with said rocker suspension pivot.

3. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 1, wherein said plates have sides, said sides being directed towards said membrane and provided with annular recesses, said annular recesses being arranged concentrically.

4. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 1, wherein said hollow body has an upper base and a lower base, and wherein said hollow body defines a spherical crown, said lower base and said upper base being removably associable with said spherical crown.

5. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 4, wherein said lower base inwardly defines a seat, said seat having a spherical portion shape and being engageable with a nut, said nut being connected to said rocker suspension pivot, said rocker suspension pivot having a complementary spherical shape for permitting a rocker-like motion of said membrane with respect to said hollow body.

6. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 4, further comprising a spacer ring, said spacer ring being located between said upper plate and said lower base and made of elastically resilient shock-absorbing material.

7. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said ends of said rod-like elements has at least one terminal body, said terminal body being adapted for connection to said outer surface and having formed thereon a recess, said recess being shaped substantially like a spherical portion to match said outer surface of said hollow body, said structure further comprising locking bolts, said locking bolts being accessible from inside said hollow body.

8. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 7, wherein each locking bolt comprises a shaped body, said shaped body being interposed between said outer surface of said hollow body and said locking bolt, said shaped body defining a region of coupling to said inner surface of said hollow body, said region having a substantially spherical configuration complementary to said inner surface.

9. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 7, wherein said rod-like elements each comprise a tubular body, said tubular body having, at least at one end and a threaded region, said threaded region being adapted for engagement with a locking ring nut, said locking ring nut having formed thereon at least one abutment, said tubular body internally slideably accommodating a piston-like body, said piston-like body supporting said locking means and being connected to said terminal body, said locking means comprising at least one elastic ring, said elastic ring being insertable in a coupling seat, said coupling seat being defined between said end of said tubular body and said abutment.

10. Reticular spatial structure, according to claim 7, wherein said terminal body has a threaded portion, said threaded portion being adapted for engagement with a locking ring nut, said locking ring nut being adapted for fixing said rod-like element to a preset length upon erection of said structure.

11. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 1, wherein said rod - like elements each comprise an outer tubular body having an end and an outer threading, said outer threading being adapted for coupling with a sleeve, said sleeve defining a sleeve abutment, said sleeve abutment and said end of said tubular body together defining a seat, said seat being adapted for at least partially accommodating at least one split elastic ring, said structure further comprising screw means, said screw means being accessible externally of said sleeve and adapted for compressing said split elastic ring, inside said outer tubular body there being slideably accommodated an inner tubular body, said inner tubular body defining a piston-like portion, said piston-like portion having formed thereon a locking seat, said locking seat being adapted for at least partially accommodating said at least one split elastic ring.

12. Reticular structure according to claim 11, further comprising a device for performing final extension of said rod-like element comprising a threaded sleeve, said inner tubular body having formed thereon a threaded portion, said threaded sleeve being connected to said terminal body and rotatably engaging said threaded portion of said inner tubular body.

13. Reticular structure according to claim 11, further comprising a means for performing final extension of said rod-like element, said means comprising a threaded sleeve, said inner tubular body having formed thereon a threaded portion, said threaded sleeve being connected to said terminal body, rotatably engaging said threaded portion of said inner tubular body, and and having formed therein a diametral hole, said diametral hole being adapted for engagement with a tool.

14. Reticular structure, according to claim 11, further comprising a diametral body, said diametral body being supported by said inner tubular body and defining a minimum length, said inner tubular body having a diameter, said minimum length being at most equal to said diameter of said inner tubular body, said diametral body being extendable to engage in abutment with said outer tubular body for blocking reentry of said inner tubular body into said rod-like element.

15. Reticular spatial structure according to claim 9, wherein said hollow body has an upper base and a lower base, and wherein said hollow body defines a spherical crown, said lower base and said upper base being removably associable with said spherical crown, said lower base inwardly defining a seat, said seat having a spherical portion shape and being engageable with a nut, said nut being connected to said rocker suspension pivot, said rocker suspension pivot having a complementary spherical shape for permitting a rocker-like motion of said membrane with respect to said hollow body, said rod - like elements each comprising an outer tubular body having an end and an outer threading, said outer threading being adapted for coupling with a sleeve, said sleeve defining a sleeve abutment, said sleeve abutment and said end of said tubular body together defining a seat, said seat being adapted for at least partially accommodating at least one split elastic ring, said structure further comprising screw means, said screw means being accessible externally of said sleeve and adapted for compressing said split elastic ring, inside said outer tubular body there being slideably accommodated at inner tubular body, said inner tubular body defining a piston-like portion, said piston-like portion having formed thereon a locking seat, said locking seat being adapted for at least partially accommodating said at least one split elastic ring, said reticular structure further comprising means for performing final extension of said rod-like element, said means comprising a threaded sleeve, said inner tubular body having formed thereon a threaded portion, said threaded sleeve being connected to said terminal body, rotatably engaging said threaded portion of said inner tubular body, and having formed therein a diametral hole, said diametral hole being adapted for engagement with a tool.