Space frame and module for its construction

A space frame comprising an upper grid (11) of horizontal structural members (21B, 22B, 23B, 24B)
joined together at upper intersections (15), a lower grid (12) of horizontal structural members (21A,
22A, 23A, 24A) joined together at lower intersections (16) and upright structural members (13 or 25)
interconnecting the grids at their intersections, the structure being formed from prefabricated modules
(A, B etc), characterised in that each module comprises one of the upright members (25) and
horizontal structural members (21, 22, 23, 24) permanently joined to one end only of the upright
member, alternate modules (A and B etc) being assembled into the space frame in relatively inverted
positions with the free ends of horizontal members of one module each joined to the free end of the
upright member of an adjacent module.
A space frame as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the upright (25) and horizontal (21 to 24)
members forming a module are welded together.
A space frame as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the horizontal structural members (21 to
24) are I-section steel members.
A space frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the horizontal
members (21A, 22B) of one module are joined to adjacent modules by bolts (bolt holes 34A, 34B).
A space frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that each end of a
horizontal member for joining to another module incorporates a connector plate (28) secured thereto
and extending beyond the end thereof.
A space frame as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that the free end of the upright member of each
module incorporates a connector (31) comprising vertical plates (33) for joining to the connector plates
(28) of horizontal members.
A space frame as claimed in any one of preceding claims characterised in that the upper and lower
structural members are each arranged in an orthogonal pattern produced by modules each
incorporating four horizontal structural members.
A space frame as claimed in any one of preceding claims further comprising diagonal braces (35)
extending from at least some of the horizontal members to the upright member of the same module.
A module (A or B) for a space frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed as a welded
together assembly of an upright structural member (25) and horizontal structural members (21 to 24)
characterised in that all the horizontal structural members are welded or otherwise permanently
connected to and extend out from one end only of the upright member (25).
Structural joint members for space frame system
FIG. 1 is a fragmented perspective view of structural joint members constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view taken along section lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 illustrating construction
details of a preferred embodiment of the structural joint members of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken along section lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the joint
securely locked in position by a fixed nut with a set screw abutting a node joint and a jam nut locked
against the end section of a structural strut member;
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate in sequence the assembly and locking together of the components at the erection
site; and
FIG. 8 is a fragmented elevational view illustrating a space framework structure with a plurality of
structural joint members formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.