Space frame construction assembly

• US 6,378,265 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matias Konstandt
• Original Assignee: Matias Konstandt
• Inventors: Konstandt, Matias
• Primary Examiner(s): Safavi, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/488,226
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 526/551, 526/552, 52/813, 403/171, 403/172, 403/176, 403/217, 403/218, 446/126
• US Class Current: 52/655.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1903 Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1927 of essentially circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1966 Formlocking connections other than screw connections
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1984 rectangular, e.g. square, grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/342 Polyhedral
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/443 All encompassed

Abstract

A space frame assembly designed for use in the constructing of a variety of substantially rigid, weight bearing structures including but not limited to walls, bridges, roof structures etc. The space frame assembly comprises a plurality of elongated preferably tubular frame members formed of a high strength, light weight material having opposite end portions formed to include an anchor portion thereon. Each of said plurality of connectors includes a base and at least one end portion mounted thereon such that correspondingly positioned interior surfaces of the base and end portion are disposed in confronting relation to one anther and wherein the base and the one end portion each include a plurality of sockets disposed in spaced and off-set relation to one another. Each of the plurality of sockets includes an elongated curvilinear groove integrally formed therein and disposed in aligned cooperative relation to one or more recesses formed in the aforementioned interior surface of the interconnected base or cover portion. The grooves and recesses are disposed, dimensioned and configured to receive and grip the anchor portions on any one of the ends of any one of the frame members. Interconnection of a plurality of frame members by a plurality of connectors in an predetermined design or configuration will serve to form a support frame for any of the aforementioned substantially rigid, weight bearing structures of the type set forth above.

Claims

1. A space frame assembly designed for use in the construction of a variety of substantially rigid, weight bearing structures, said assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of connectors and a plurality of frame members, said plurality of frame members interconnected to one another by said plurality of connectors,

b) said plurality of frame members having an elongated configuration terminating at oppositely disposed end portions,

c) each of said end portions dimensioned and configured to be secured to any one of said plurality of connectors,

d) each of said plurality of connectors comprising a base portion having a first interior surface and at least one cover portion having a second interior surface,

e) said first and second interior surfaces disposed in confronting engagement with one another upon attachment of said base portion to said cover portion,

f) a first plurality of sockets integrally formed in said base portion in spaced relation to one another along a sidewall thereof,

g) a second plurality of sockets integrally formed in said one cover portion in spaced relation to one another along a sidewall thereof,

h) said first and second plurality of sockets disposed in spaced, offset relation to one another and each of said first and second plurality of sockets comprising an open end disposed in confronting relation to said second interior surface and said first interior surface respectively, and

i) each of said first and second plurality of sockets disposed and cooperatively structured with any one of said end portions to secure said frame members to any of said plurality of connectors in a transverse, substantially radially outward extending orientation relative to a respective one of said base portion and cover portion to which it is secured.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first plurality of sockets includes a first groove formed therein and dimensioned and configured to receive any one of said end portions therein.

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said second interior surface of said one cover portion comprises a plurality of recesses each disposed in aligned relation to one of said first plurality of sockets of said base portion attached thereto.

4. An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said correspondingly aligned grooves in said base portion and said plurality of recesses in said second interior surface are cooperatively disposed and structured to grip either of said end portions of any one of said frame members.

5. An assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said end portions includes an anchor portion extending outwardly from said frame member in spaced relation to an outer extremity of a corresponding one said end portions.

6. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said first groove of each of said first plurality of sockets and a correspondingly aligned recess are collectively disposed and dimensioned to receive said anchor portion therein.

7. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said first plurality of grooves includes an aperture formed therein, said aperture disposed and dimensioned to allow protrusion of said anchor portion therethrough.

8. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said second plurality of sockets includes a second groove formed therein and dimensioned and configured to receive either of said end portions therein.

9. An assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said first interior surface of said base comprises a plurality of recesses each disposed in aligned relation to one of said second plurality of sockets of said one cover portion attached thereto.

10. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein correspondingly aligned second grooves in said one cover portion and said plurality of recesses in said first interior surface are cooperatively disposed and structured to grip said end portion.

11. An assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein each of said end portions includes an anchor portion extending outwardly from said frame member in spaced relation to an outer extremity of said end portion.

12. An assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said second grooves and correspondingly aligned recesses in said first interior surface are collectively disposed and dimensioned to receive said anchor portion therein.

13. An assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said first interior surface comprises a plurality of recess pairs, each recess pair disposed in aligned relation to one of said second plurality of sockets of said one cover portion.

14. An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein a first recess of each recess pair is disposed and configured to receive an outer extremity of said end portion and a second recess of each recess pair is disposed and configured to receive said anchor portion.

15. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said end portions of said plurality of frame members comprises an outwardly projecting anchor portion cooperatively dimensioned and configured for gripped attachment within any one of said first and second plurality of sockets.

16. An assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein each of said first and second plurality of sockets comprises an elongated groove formed therein and cooperatively configured to receive at least the majority of said anchor portion of any one of said plurality of frame members therein.

17. An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said second interior surface comprises a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of said plurality of recesses disposed in aligned relation with one of said first plurality of sockets through a correspondingly open end of each of said plurality of sockets;

each of said plurality of recesses further disposed in cooperatively aligned relation with said groove of a corresponding one of said first plurality of sockets in a manner to receive said anchor portion of any one of said frame members therein.

18. An assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said first interior surface comprises a plurality of recess pairs formed therein in aligned relation with one of said second plurality of sockets through a corresponding open end of each of said second plurality of sockets.

19. An assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein a first recess of each recess pair is disposed and configured to receive an outer extremity of said end portion of any one of said frame members and a second recess of said recess pair is disposed and configured to receive said anchor portion therein.

20. A space frame assembly designed for use in the construction of a variety of substantially rigid, weight bearing structures, said assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of connectors and a plurality of frame members, said plurality of frame members interconnected to one another by said plurality if connectors,

b) said plurality of frame members having an elongated configuration terminating at oppositely disposed end portions,

c) each of said end portions dimensioned and configured to be secured to any one of said plurality of connectors,

d) each of said plurality of connectors comprising a base portion having two spaced apart first interior surfaces and two cover portions each having a second interior surface,

e) each of said first interior surfaces disposed in confronting engagement with said second interior surface of a different one of said two cover portions upon attachment of said base portion to said two cover portions,

f) a first plurality of sockets each including an open end and being integrally formed in said base portion in spaced relation to one another along a sidewall thereof,

g) a second plurality of sockets each including an open end and being integrally formed in each of said cover portions in spaced relation to one another along a respective sidewall thereof,

h) each open end of said first plurality of sockets disposed in confronting relation to said second interior surface of one of said cover portions and each open end of said second plurality of sockets disposed in confronting relation to one of said first interior surfaces of said base portion, and

i) each of said first and second plurality of sockets disposed and cooperatively structured with any one of said end portions to secure said frame members to any one of said plurality of connectors in a transverse, substantially radially outward extending orientation relative to a respective one of said base portion and said two cover portions to which it is secured.

21. An assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein each of said first plurality of sockets includes a first groove formed therein and dimensioned and configured to receive any one of said end portions therein;

said second interior surface of at least one of said two cover portions comprising a plurality of recesses each of which is disposed in aligned relation to one of said first plurality of sockets in said base portion being attached thereto.

22. An assembly as recited in claim 21 wherein said correspondingly aligned grooves in said base portion and said plurality of recesses in said second interior surface of at least one of said cover portions are cooperatively disposed and structured to grip either of said end portions of any one of said frame members.

23. An assembly as recited in claim 22 wherein each of said end portions includes an anchor portion extending outwardly from said frame member in spaced relation to an outer extremity of a corresponding one of said end portions;

said first groove of each of said first plurality of sockets and a correspondingly aligned recess of one of said two second interior surfaces are collectively disposed and dimensioned to receive said anchor portion therein.

24. An assembly as recited in claim 23 wherein each of said first plurality of grooves includes an aperture formed therein, said aperture disposed and dimensioned to allow protrusion of said anchor portion therethrough.

25. An assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein each of said plurality of frame members connected to said base portion are disposed in substantially co-planer relation to one another;

each of said plurality of frame members connected to each of said cover portions disposed in angular orientation relative to said plurality of frame members connected to said base portion.

26. A space frame assembly designed for use in the construction of of a variety of substantially rigid, weight bearing structures, said assembly comprising:

a) a plurality of connectors and a plurality of frame members, said plurality of frame members interconnected to one another by said plurality of connectors,

b) said plurality of frame members having an elongated configuration terminating at oppositely disposed end portions,

c) each of said end portions dimensioned and configured to be secured to any one of said plurality of connectors,

d) each of said plurality of connectors comprising a base portion having a first interior surface and at least one cover portion having a second interior surface.

e) said first and second interior surfaces disposed in confronting engagement with one another upon attachment of said base portion to said cover portion,

f) a first plurality of sockets integrally formed in said based portion in spaced relation to one another along a side wall thereof,

g) a second plurality of sockets integrally formed in said one cover portion in spaced relation to one another along a side wall thereof,

h) said second interior surface disposed in confronting relation to said first plurality of sockets and in retaining engagement with said end portions disposed within said first plurality of sockets, and

i) each of said first and second plurality of sockets disposed and cooperatively structured with any one of said end portions to secure said frame members to any of said plurality of connectors in a transverse, substantially radially outward extending orientation relative to a respective one of said base portion and cover portion to which it is secured.

27. An assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said second interior surface of said one cover portion comprises a plurality of recesses formed therein, each of said recesses disposed in receiving, retaining engagement with one of said end portions disposed within said first plurality of sockets of said base portion attached to said one cover portion.

28. An assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said first interior surface is disposed in confronting relation to said second plurality of sockets and in retaining engagement with said end portions disposed within said second plurality of sockets.