Space frame

Claim 2

A space frame comprising: a first set of beams; a first set of joints interconnecting said first set of beams in a rigid lattice; a second set of beams; a second set of joints interconnecting said second set of beams in a rigid lattice; and a plurality of tubular struts interconnecting said first and second sets of joints to form a two layered rigid structure; each of said joints comprising first and second caps receiving a plurality of beams therebetween, one of said caps having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said tubular struts having first and second substantially cylindrical, non-threaded shafts coupled at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said tubular struts, the first shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said first set of joints, the second shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said second set of joints, each of said shafts having fastening means, coupled thereto and engaging a beam for maintaining the shaft in the associated aperture, each of said caps having a tapering, annular wall, the inner surface of which engages the ends of the beams received therebetween, each of said apertures for receiving said shafts being located in said tapering, annular wall.

Claim 3

A space frame comprising: a first set of beams; a first set of joints interconnecting said first set of beams in a rigid lattice in a first plane; a second set of beams; a second set of joints interconnecting said second set of beams in a rigid lattice in a second plane; and a plurality of tubular struts interconnecting said first and second sets of joints to form a rigid structure, each of said joints comprising first and second caps receiving a plurality of beams therebetween, one of said caps having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said tubular struts having first and second substantially cylindrical, non-threaded shafts coupled at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said tubular struts, the first shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said first set of joints, the second shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said second set of joints, each of said shafts having fastening means, coupled thereto and engaging a beam, for maintaining the shaft in the associated aperture, each of said caps having a tapering, annular wall, the inner surface of which engages the ends of the beams received therebetween, each of said apertures for receiving said shafts being located in said tapering, annular wall.

Claim 4

A space frame comprising: a first set of beams; a first set of joints interconnecting said first set of beams in a rigid lattice in a first plane; a second set of beams; a second set of joints interconnecting said second set of beams in a rigid lattice in a second plane; and a plurality of tubular struts interconnecting said first and second sets of joints to form a rigid structure, each of said joints comprising first and second caps receiving a plurality of beams therebetween, one of said caps having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said tubular struts having first and second substantially cylindrical, non-threaded shafts coupled at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said tubular struts, the first shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said first set of joints, the second shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said second set of joints, each of said shafts having fastening means, coupled thereto and engaging a beam, for maintaining the shaft in the associated aperture, each of said caps having a tapering, annular wall, the inner surface of which engages the ends of the beams received therebetween, each of said apertures for receiving said shafts being located in said tapering, annular wall.

Claim 5

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein each of said apertures comprises an enlarged portion and an elongated portion, and said fastening means comprises an enlarged end on each shaft which is smaller than said enlarged portion and can pass therethrough but is larger than said elongated portion and cannot pass therethrough.

Claim 6

A space frame according to claim 3, wherein said enlarged portion is substantially circular, and said enlarged end is substantially spherical.

Claim 7

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein the end of each strut is substantially frustoconical, with each shaft extending from the smaller base thereof.

Claim 8

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein the end of said strut is substantially planar, with each shaft extending from the center thereof.

Claim 9

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein said fastening means comprises a split locking washer.

Claim 10

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein each of said struts has a split locking washer at the ends receiving the shafts therein.

Claim 11

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein each of said struts has a plug rigidly coupled to the ends, each plug carrying a shaft thereon.

Claim 12

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein each of said caps having apertures therein have a frustoconical portion in which said apertures are located.

Claim 13

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein said fastening means comprises the peripheral edge defining said aperture which edge is interrupted by a plurality of slots.

Claim 14

A space frame according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of each shaft substantially intersects the centroid of the joint to which it is fastened.

Claim 15

A space frame comprising: a first set of beams; a first set of joints interconnecting said first set of beams in a rigid lattice; a second set of beams; a second set of joints interconnecting said second set of beams in a rigid lattice; and a plurality of tubular struts interconnecting said first and second sets of joints to form a two layered rigid structure; each of said joints comprising first and second caps receiving a plurality of beams therebetween, one of said caps having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said tubular struts having first and second shafts coupled at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said tubular struts, the first shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said first set of joints, the second shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said second set of joints, each of said shafts having fastening means, coupled thereto, for maintaining the shaft in the associated aperture, each of the caps which have apertures therein comprising a generally tapering annular wall having a plurality of outwardly extending cavities formed therein, each of said cavities being defined on its sides by two generally planar, triangular opposed walls and on its top by a generally curvilinear wall and a generally planar outer wall, said generally planar outer wall having the aperture therein.

Claim 16

A space frame comprising: a first set of beams; a first set of joints interconnecting said first set of beams in a rigid lattice; a second set of beams; a second set of joints interconnecting said second set of beams in a rigid lattice; and a plurality of tubular struts interconnecting said first and second sets of joints to form a two layered rigid structure; each of said joints comprising first and second caps receiving a plurality of beams therebetween, one of said caps having a plurality of apertures therein, each of said tubular struts having first and second shafts coupled at opposite ends and extending along the longitudinal axis of each of said tubular struts, the first shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said first set of joints, the second shaft coupled to each strut being received in an aperture in a cap in said second set of joints, each of said shafts having fastening means, coupled thereto, for maintaining the shaft in the associated aperture, each of the caps which have apertures therein comprising a generally tapering annular wall having a plurality of outwardly extending cavities formed therein, each of said cavities being defined on its sides by two generally planar, triangular opposed walls and on its top by a generally curvilinear wall and a generally planar outer wall, said generally planar outer wall having the aperture therein.