Space frame connecting fixture

Claim 1

A connector fixture for use in a strut type space frame in which there are included a plurality of substantially horizontal chord struts and a plurality of web struts oriented in angular directions, said fixtures comprising a flat, substantially horizontal chord strut attachment base plate and a pair of upstanding, substantially right angularly disposed web strut attachment plates connected to said base plate, said pair of plates having respective cut-out portions proximate their center portions and mutually engageable one with the other, said pair of plates having formed at their lower edge a plurality of downwardly extending tab portions, said base plate further having a like plurality of apertures juxtaposed to said tab portions for receiving and holding the same in properly aligned position, and means for bonding said plates one to the other, said base plate and said pair of web strut attachment plates each having linearly arranged pairs of lugs and openings on the surfaces thereof, the lines through tHe centers of said linearly arranged pairs of lugs and openings intersecting at a common point, said lugs engageable with a mating opening in said struts and said openings in said plates mating with another opening in said struts to receive fastening means whereby said struts are mounted to said fixture such that extensions of their longitudinal axes intersect at a common point, the linear placement of said lugs and said openings formed in said web strut attachment plates all forming equal angles with respect to said base plate said angles being determined by; the desired depth of the resulting space frame structure.